Barcelona On A Budget
Barcelona is a great place to be when money's tight or you've blown your entire holiday budget on paella and designer shoes! Firstly, the weather is generally very good all year around. When the sun is shining it is easy to control your spending; a trip to the shops can be traded for a trip to the beach; an expensive dinner is less alluring than a picnic in the park.On this page we'll give you some insider tips on how to enjoy many Barcelona activities for free or at a bargain price.
Many of Barcelona's most popular attractions can be seen without a single euro changing hands. Gaudi's famous Parc Guell is free to enter. This is a magical and rambling space near the top of Barcelona. The famous Spanish architect filled a garden space with random mosaic statues, cavernous caves and terrace spaces to take in views of the city. It is a not-to-be-missed way to spend a sunny afternoon, skint or not.
The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona's most famous landmarks -a work in progress and another work of wonder by the prolific Gaudi. Unfortunately it is necessary to pay to enter the Sagrada Familia. However, many would argue that the church's charm is best viewed from the exterior, half of which was created by Gaudi and half of which has been built in his honour following his premature death. At present, whilst under construction, the building is virtually a shell. It will be over many years (current estimates around 30 years) before this distinctive building is complete.
The ideas mentioned so far are some of the more obvious ones. So we at Barcelona Tourist Guide want to share some of our insider Barcelona knowledge. We are well versed in sniffing out Barcelona's bargains like a pig in search of truffles! Here are some of our discoveries.
Things You Can Do For Free in Barcelona
Museums
Barcelona has a tradition of ensuring that its cultural offerings are available to everybody. It is in this spirit that most of the major museums have a day each month when admission is free - Open Day. This is most commonly on the first Sunday of each month, however, dates for Open Days can vary. We have chosen some of our favourite museums to list. If you are considering going to any other Barcelona museums it may be worth contacting them before you go to see whether they have an Open Day.
Museu Picasso
Free on the first Sunday of every month
Picasso Museum
Montcada, 15-23
08003 Barcelona, España
Metro: Jaume I (Yellow Line, L4)
Set deep in the heart of the area of El Born, this is one of the world's best Picasso museums. It sets out his work in a chronological order, allowing museum visitors to follow the logical progression of his work. This is an extremely popular museum and queues begin early on its Open Day, so try to get there before 10:00 to ensure that you don't miss out.
CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporánia de Barcelona)
Free on the first Wednesday of every month
Metro: Universitat (Red Line, L1) or ( Purple Line, L2)
CCCB
Montalegre, 5
08001 Barcelona, España
This Museum of Contemporary Culture holds exhibitions on an array of topics, from the World Press Photography Award winners to modern cities. It is housed within an interesting modern glass building in the centre of Raval. It also holds many film screenings, debates and lectures, which are often free.
Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum)
Free on the first Monday of every month
Museu de la Xocolata
Calle Comerç, 36
08003 Barcelona, España
Metro: Arc de Triomf (Red Line, L1)
For the chocolate lover in all of us. Here is your chance to see everything from the Sagrada Familia to Disney characters made entirely out of chocolate. If you're short of cash, though, it may be advisable to steer clear of the temptations of the chocolate shop!
Galleries
Iguapop
Calle Comerç, 15
Metro: Arc de Triomf (Red Line, L1)
Ras
Calle Dr Dou, 10
Metro: Liceu (Green Line, L3)
Concerts
Barcelona is a great city for free music concerts. There are certain times of year when visitors are guaranteed to be spoilt for choice for music options in the city. In September Barcelona celebrates the week-long La Mercé festival. For more information please see our Guide to La Mercé. During the fiesta various free concerts are available to all on a first come first served basis. They take place throughout the city, in everywhere from the major plazas to clubs and bars. Previous acts have included Seun Kuti and Primal Scream.
During the summer months the Parc de la Ciutadella also plays host to a programme of free jazz concerts. The park has a tradition of music, with bongo players and flamenco dancers all convening in the public space to practice and jam. The jazz concerts usually take place on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 22:00. Check the Barcelona Council's website nearer the time for more information.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Metro: Arc de Triomf (Red Line, L1)
Sport
With only a ping-pong bat or a boules set to your name you can play sport for free in the city. Throughout Barcelona ping-pong tables can be found and are free to use. They are generally situated together in groups of about four tables so you will never have to wait long for a table to become available. Tables can be found in places such as the Parc de la Ciutadella, the square in Barceloneta and Calle Carme in Raval.
It is also possible to partake in a game of boules at one of the city's many boules courts. Courts can be found on Calle Paral.lel, Barceloneta beach and around the edge of Parc de la Ciutadella (where late night boules is made possible by the nearby street lights).
Low-Cost Activities
Food
Barcelona's popularity as a tourist destination means that it is often difficult to find quality food at affordable prices in the city. A local favourite is Pollo Rico in Raval. This is both a restaurant and a take away and it serves plates of food that are guaranteed to satisfy the appetite of a hungry traveller. Its speciality is spit-roast chicken, but other meats are also available served with rice and salad. It is possible to eat either at the bar or in the small upstairs room. Visitors come for the atmosphere and the local characters as much as for the food. A plate of meat and price will cost less than €5.00.
Pollo Rico
Carrer de Sant Pau, 31
Cava is one of Catalunya's most omnipresent and enjoyable offerings. Unlike Champagne, this drink is certainly not synonymous with high prices. And nowhere is this more evident than at the Xampañeria in Barceloneta. This dark and smokey bar is tucked away down a small side street but it is a hive of activity. Do not be afraid to find your inner-Spaniard to fight the crowds for a place at the bar. Whole bottles of pink cava can be purchased for €3.00 and are accompanied by an obligatory and delicious sausage sandwich.
El Xampañeria (The Champage Bar)
Carrer Reina Cristina, 7
Metro: Barceloneta (Yellow Line, L4)
Boqueria Market
For those who have ruled out dining-out, a trip to the Boqueria food market on the Ramblas is a perfect solution. It will allow you to kill two birds with one stone - taking in one of Barcelona's top tourist attraction whilst purchasing a picnic lunch. This is one of Europe's largest and most famous food markets and is the home of many of the world's most weird and wonderful consumables.
As a popular tourist attraction, only the most savvy will succeed in getting the lowest prices for the highest quality. The top tip is to head to the back of the market. Many people are tempted to mill around the front areas, where displays of bright and tropical fruits lure drooling tourists. Stalls towards the back of the market are popular amongst locals and offer fair prices. Also remember that the products on display are not necessarily what you will find in your shopping bag. Always ensure that you check the product that you have been given before leaving the stall and do not be afraid to question the standard if you are not satisfied. The stallholder will respect your nous.
Boqueria Food Market
Ramblas
Metro: Liceu (Green Line, L3)
Cinema
For the tired traveller who wants nothing more than to kick back in front of a film, Monday night is movie night. Many of Barcelona's cinemas offer two-for-one deals on a Monday night. Be careful to avoid dubbed films and head for the original language cinemas. The Icaria near Port Vell offers an impressive array of films, all screened in their original language. It is also conveniently situated next to a supermarket - a perfect pit-stop for an affordable alternative to the cinema's overpriced snacks.
Yelmo Cines Icaria
Carrer Salvador Espriú, 61
(inside the Centre de la Vila shopping centre)
Metro: Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (Yellow Line, L4)
Website: Yelmo Cines Icaria
Low Cost Accommodation
If you are on a budget then consider a hostal rather than a hotel. A hostal is not a youth hostel, it's more like a small privately-owned hotel and you typically could save around 30% for your accommodation in comparison to a hotel with similar facilities. To find out more read our article on The difference between a hostal , hotel and a pension.
If you are visiting Barcelona as a group or family then apartment rentals tend to work out cheaper than hotels. It may not be something you've considered however you can read more on the following page: Barcelona Apartment Rentals
So, all in all, it's clear that Barcelona is a great place to be when money's tight. When the piggy bank's empty all it takes is a little imagination and Barcelona is your affordable oyster!
