This popular city has a whole lot of attractions and activities, from tasty fare to world-class art. There are also a lot of great things to do for free across Barcelona if you are on budget traveling.
1. Stroll down Las Ramblas
This is one of the world’s most famous strips filled with awesome statues, noisy pet stalls, tourist-heaving restaurants and hawkers selling all types of fluorescent objects located in the heart of the city and is packed with people almost 24/7.
2. Laze at the beach
A trip to Barcelona’s beaches is always the best idea to escape the hustle and bustle of the metro. Grab your towel and work on that tan in Barceloneta, just 10 minutes away from the city. Or head to Icària Beach, a little bit serene than Barceloneta. If you’re more into nudist beach, then Mar Bella Beach is the place to be.
3. Explore Parc Güell
You can’t skip one of the stunning creations of the famed Antoni Gaudi when in Barcelona. Fortunately, you can enter the park without paying anything, except the Monumental Zone though, but it’s still inside Parc Güell for Gaudi’s sake! Expect to find beautiful stone sculptures, colourful tiles and amazing buildings. There’s also a terraced area at the top of the park with wonderful tile mosaics and a seating area where you can take in the magic of the park.
4. Walk the streets of the Barri Gotic
Explore Barcelona’s old town, the Barro Gotic or the Gothic Quarter. Ramble on a maze of narrow cobbled streets and squares with Roman feels, which was once a home to famous art personalities like Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. The City Hall and the seat of the Catalan Government, beautiful Gothic churches such as Santa Maria del Pi and Sants Just i Pastor occupy the place. There’s also the old Jewish Quarter and the Plaça del Rei, an interesting medieval square steeped in royal history.
5. Admire Gaudi’s architecture
Barcelona and Gaudi go hand-in-hand, you’ll know why as soon as you start to walk the streets of Barcelona. Aside from Parc Güell, there’s also Casa Batlló, a breathtaking building on Passeig de Gràcia where the facade looks like it’s been made from bones and skulls, which are actually pillars and balconies. On the same street you’ll also find Guadi’s La Pedrera/ Casa Milà. And finally, Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, which is still being built… since 1882! This church is a work of art, genius and patience and is one of Barcelona’s top attractions. Take a walk around the exterior and you can spend hours studying the designs and sculptures on its facade.
6. Soak up some sun along the Passeig Marítime
Enjoy some views of the Mediterranean along with some rays of sunshine (in the finer months) along the seaside promenade that is Passeig Marítime, just northeast of the Old City. Here, you’ll also find Port Olímpic which is a stunning marina area full of restaurants and bars.
7. Be one with nature in Parc de la Ciutadella
Explore Barcelona’s most central park, the huge Parc de la Ciutadella that covers close to 74 acres and has a lake, a zoo, several museums and more. Spend time in this green oasis and wander amongst the walkways, flowerbeds and palm trees while checking out the fountains and sculptures dotted around the park. You can hire out a rowing boat if you wish to go out on the lake or check out the zoo.
8. Free entry to the Picasso Museum
Get to know more about the life of and works of Pablo Ruiz Picasso. There are over 3,800 works of Picasso in the permanent collection and through them you can see his deep relationship with Barcelona that formed throughout his lifetime. Go there on Sundays from 3pm for free admission or on every first Sunday of the month for the whole day.
9. Stare in awe at the popular Magic Fountain Show
The sensational Magic Fountain of Montjuïc show is not to be missed. You can expect a stunning show encapsulating light, colours, music and lots of water. In fact close to 2,600 litres of water are pumped through this great fountain per second!
10. Escape the city in the Catedral de Barcelona
Slow down and visit Catedral de Barcelona, also known as Le Seu as it was named after Barcelona’s patron Saint Eulalia. You’ll find the stunning cathedral in the centre of the Barri Gòtic area.
11. Enjoy the colourful Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueira
Explore this large, colourful public market, also known as just La Boqueria located in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona. Expect loud noises, overpowering smells and colour as far as the eye can see. It’s the perfect place to visit at anytime of the day, and a great place to have a bite to eat too.
12. Have free tapas with a drink
When you think of Spanish food, tapas automatically come to mind and you’ll find lots of great tapas bars around Barcelona. If you fancy a free nibble then check out Ambiente del Sur in the L’Eixample neighbourhood. If you’re peckish in the Gothic District then check out Bar Mingus for their free tapas with a drink, and same for Gata Mala in the Gracia area.
13. Visit Museu Nacional d’Art de la Catalunya
The MNAC showcases sculpture, painting, engraving, drawings, photography and lots more, all with a Catalan focus. Visit on Saturdays from 3pm or the first Sunday of each month for free admission.
14. Check out some other museums
Every first Sunday of the month, have free entry to any of these museums – Museu Picasso, Museu Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombi or the Museu d’Historia de Catalunya. On the first Monday of the month, go to Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum) for free admission.
15. Plan trip around a festival
Some of the more popular Barcelona festivals include Festa Major de Gràcia – a week long community celebration in the streets of one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. There’s also lots of entertainment along the streets and it takes place the week of August 15th. If you’re visiting Barcelona at the end of September you’re in for a treat as the largest street party in the city takes place – the Barcelona La Merce Festival, in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona.
