Is it easy making friends in Barcelona?

As big and bold of a city as Barcelona is, it's locals still seem to uphold that small village mentality. Here, people grow old in the neighbourhood they were born in, and choose to remain in the city rather than moving out to the country or the suburbs - as is the case in many destinations. It follows that most people end up having their family all around them - if not in the same flat; so they come to depend on this support system socially. It's not the Spanish are cold, it's more that they aren't used to opening up to and depending on "friends", as they've never had to look farther than the family.

Locals prefer to meet at a coffe shop, tapas bar or on some sort of common ground, rather than their home. Don't be offended if you aren't extended an invitation - even for birthdays - this private space is often reserved for those of blood relation.

That said, Barcelona is growing more international by the moment. There's a massive expat population, it's just a matter of finding that first foot in the door to a group of friends and a pre-established social group.

Catalan people are not normal Spanish. I find them totally different from Spanish people in other cities. They are absolutely not typical Spanish. They are much much less open and you will even find them mean and really hostile to people from outside. Exactly like those who grow up and get caged up all of their life in where they are born. When I just arrived here after having been living for 7 years in Madrid with wonderful Madrileños, I couldn´t believe what I found. I said to myself, what´s wrong with Catalans? They are so pathetic. Of course, there are also Catalans who are not that mean and stingy or hostile, but really hard to find.