Author: Harper Wertz
-
Why Your Coworking Space Is the Most Important Decision You Make in Barcelona

Harper Wertz
If you’re working remotely in Barcelona, one practical choice ultimately matters more than most people expect: your daily workspace. It sounds minor: Wi-Fi, a desk, maybe a decent coffee machine. But in Barcelona, the right coworking space can become your entry point into the city: the people you meet, the lunches that turn into lifelong… Read more
-
Spain Without the Headache: A Guide for All Things Paperwork

Harper Wertz
Spain is easy to fall in love with. The bureaucracy is another story. Most expats hit the same wall a few weeks in: an appointment that requires documents you don’t have, forms that arrive entirely in Spanish and rules that shift depending on which region you’re in. It’s certainly navigable, but the consequences of getting… Read more
-
American Store Dupes in Barcelona: Where to Shop Instead

Harper Wertz
Barcelona has great shopping but you may not recognize every brand. So we’ve created a cheat sheet: if you need something specific (a reliable skincare brand, decent activewear, a one-stop electronics shop) and you don’t know where to go, check out the best Spanish alternatives for the American brands, from beauty and basics to activewear… Read more
-
Feeling Homesick in Barcelona? Here’s Where to go

Harper Wertz
Introduction Barcelona has a way of making you fall in love with it, and then, usually around month three or month thirty, hitting you with a craving for something it absolutely cannot provide. Not jamón. Not pan con tomate. The specific cereal from your childhood. The sauce that doesn’t exist here. The fast-casual lunch spot… Read more
-
The Best eSIM for Expats in Barcelona

Harper Wertz
Introduction There is a specific moment most expats in Barcelona will recognize: you’re trying to open a bank account, register for something official, or sign up for a service, and the form asks for a Spanish phone number. Not your home country number. Not a virtual number. A Spanish number, one that proves you’re actually… Read more
-
Living in Barcelona as an Expat: The Real Pros and Cons in 2026

Harper Wertz
Barcelona is one of the greatest cities in the world and that’s exactly why we here at Penya choose to call it home. But like any city, it has its challenges. Living abroad can be intimidating, especially when you feel like you don’t have trustworthy information. That’s why we’ve outlined the real pros and cons… Read more
-
Best Day Trips from Barcelona (That Locals Actually Love)

Harper Wertz
Living as an expat in Barcelona is great, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Catalonia has so much to offer beyond the city — and the best part is that most of it is just a short train ride from Barcelona. Whether you have a free Sunday or a full weekend, there’s… Read more
