racism in barcelona

Spain is having some issues lately with people of color, but it's mostly about immigrants from Africa. As a tourist you shouldn't encounter any problems. I know an inter-racial married couple that traveled to Spain about a year ago on holiday, and had no problems. Oddly most people thought they were Dutch:)

Ola, Cordes. While I do believe it's just about impossible for a middle-aged white guy like myself to speak from experience on this issue, I would offer two thoughts that are based in some first-hand experience and that you might find helpful (or at least hopeful):

1. Sadly, xenophobia and mistrust of immigrants and a lack of racial tolerance/acceptance/enlightenment always become heightened, worldwide, during periods of deep economic recession. I guess it's about scapegoating and anger and frustration. It's sad, to me, because we don't seem to learn from history in this regard.

2. We were just in Barcelona recently, and did not see any overt signs of harsh or unkind treatment of any visitors. The previous poster is correct, I think, in that immigrants, living in entrenched poverty and struggling to find a way to make a living on the streets of big cities, they seem to bear the brunt of the poor treatment. We see the same treatment in Chicago, often, of Mexican immigrants, some of the most hardworking people in the world.

Finally, keep in mind that Barcelona is in many ways a different 'nation' than Espana, as the capital of Catalunya and the center of Catalan life in Spain. While every country has its prejudices, Barcelona and the UK and the US included, I believe that if you take the ordinary precautions for safety you'd take in any big city, treat others with kindness and respect, and make every attempt to employ a little Spanish or Catalan, you two will have a wonderful, rewarding experience!