Make your holiday budget stretch a little further in Barcelona, with the help of the things below!
1. Attend museums on Sundays for free
Museu Picasso and MUHBA are just some of the free museums on Sunday afternoons, from 3pm to 8pm. Others are also free on one given day of the month, often the first Wednesday.
2. Catch a festival
Never miss the five-day Festes de la Mercè in the late September, which has free concerts, dancing, fireworks, acrobatic feats and lively correfocs (colourful parades of drums, devils and firecrackers). You might also want to join the summer extravaganza Festa Major de Gràcia, best known for its competition of amazing decorated streets, complete with a packed programme of free outdoor concerts.
3. Saunter up La Rambla
It’s unashamedly touristy, but walking along this 1km-long walkway is arguably the quintessential Barcelona experience. Dotted with regal historical buildings on both sides, La Rambla is a great place to stroll, especially early morning is best.
4. Explore the Mercat de la Boqueria
Browse some colourful explosion of fruit, vegetables, seafood, rows and rows of cured jamón and some mind-boggling butchers’ displays in this famous indoor market hall. Don’t forget to try the free tapas, pizzas and all manner of produce before you buy.
5. Marvel at the Modernisme architecture
Even though many of Barcelona’s architectural gems have admission fees, you can still see some facades for free, even more impressive. The main example would be the mind-blowing workmanship of Gaudí’s magnum opus, the cathedral-like La Sagrada Família. Others are the three stunning examples of Modernisme that sit side-by-side on the Passeig de Gràcia – the Casa Lleó Morera, the Casa Amatller and Gaudí’s Casa Batlló.
6. Bask on a beach
Barcelona has some wonderful beaches where you can probably relax after days of sightseeing. Barceloneta is first on the list, with its lovely sweep of golden sand and promenade backed with restaurants. If you’re seeking for something less crowded, walk further north towards the Fòrum area.
7. Appreciate Joan Miró’s public art
For Barcelona’s favourite homegrown artist, there are fantastic Miró sculptures around the city for free viewing. Never miss Parc de Joan Miró, which is home to his epic 22m-tall Woman and Bird sculpture. You can also check out a Miró mosaic in the central walkway of La Rambla and another displayed unexpectedly on the outside wall of Terminal 2 at the airport.
8. Go to the cradle of independentisme
Born Centre Cultural, is one of Barcelona’s newer attractions, a dazzlingly converted former market building that has as its centrepiece remains of some of the hundreds of buildings razed to the ground by the forces of Philip V after the siege of 1714.
9. Be awed by La Catedral
In the heart of Barri Gòtic, the colossal neo-Gothic La Catedral is something you shouldn’t dare miss. Free entries are in the morning and late afternoon. Take in its soaring domed ceilings, pillars and cloister with courtyard of palms, orange trees and resident gaggle of white geese.
10. Catch free music, dancing and art
Barcelona doesn’t run out of free cultural events, whether it’s jazz in the park, a poetry reading or a kids’ workshop. Visit For Free for information on upcoming events.
11. Get lost in Barri Gòtic
Stroll through a warren of cobblestone alleyways perfectly lined with bars and quirky shops and dotted with quiet little plaças, in the atmospheric medieval quarter of Barri Gòtic.
12. Walk through Plaça Reial
At this arcaded plaça, marvel at Gaudí’s first piece of commissioned work for the city – lamp-posts featuring coiled dragon-headed serpents leading up to a winged helmet.
13. Keep it real in El Raval
El Raval is home to awesome artists, backpackers, punks, students and more. There are plenty of cool bars and vintage clothing stores, not to mention the colossal MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona; as impressive from outside as within).
14. Visit the magical Font Màgica
Built for Barcelona’s 1929 World Exposition, this water-, sound- and lightshow has been drawing tourists ever since. Sure, the Magic Fountain borders on the kitsch side – but what’s not to love about jets of multicoloured water rising in sync to cheesy 1980s numbers and show-tunes?
15. Appreciate street art
Barcelona has amazing graffiti you’ll find some great examples around town, particularly in El Raval and Poblenou. See the city’s long tradition of street art and sculpture like Peix, a giant fish sculpture designed by Frank Gehry overlooking the beach; Roy Lichtenstein’s 15m-high Barcelona Head at the Port Vell; Catalan artist Antoni Tàpies’Monument Homage to Picasso on the Passeig de Picasso; and Fernando Botero’s enormous cat on the Rambla del Raval.
16. Browse through Els Encants Vells flea market
Flea markets are always fun to go to; especially the revamped Encants flea market that has an intriguing mix of trash and treasure. Check out random odd stuff, and a surprisingly gourmet food court up on the first floor.
17. Get sporty
Joggers on boardwalks along the beach, head to the hills surrounding the city and have a hike, and skate or hang out outside MACBA. If you love ping pong, there are stone tables in most parks, or if boules is your thing, there are pétanque courts all over town.
18. Enjoy free wi-fi
Countless bars and cafes may offer it, city-wide free wi-fi is also becoming a reality and should spread to include public transport in 2015. Public libraries also have computers you can use for free (for a maximum of 30 minutes).
