Barcelona for Free
Archived material. Last modified on the old website: 2023-06-19. Prices, dates and terms have been preserved from the original and may be outdated.
Travelling to Europe is often thought to require considerable money, and although average spending on a trip abroad has risen by almost a quarter over the past year, we know how to spend a weekend in Barcelona without hurting your wallet while enjoying as many vivid travel experiences as possible.
1. Museums
Most museums in Barcelona, as in other European cities, have so-called “museum days”: days when the museum’s doors open to everyone who wants to see the exhibitions completely free of charge.
Barcelona is also teeming with fascinating museum complexes and exhibitions. There are museums of music, sculpture and contemporary design, and even one dedicated to the world-famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. On ordinary days, museum admission costs from 6 to 30 euros, but with a few tips, you can see masterpieces of science and art and enrich yourself spiritually completely free of charge.
You can find the full list of museums and conditions for free admission in our article on “Free Museums in Barcelona”.
2. Parks and Viewing Platforms
Barcelona is called the “sunny city” for good reason: it averages as many as 251 sunny days a year. We therefore recommend walking through Barcelona’s streets, exploring local parks and seeing the city from a bird’s-eye perspective at its viewing platforms.
Tibidabo Hill is Barcelona’s highest point, so it is certainly worth visiting if you enjoy panoramic city views. On the mountain is a famous amusement park, one of the world’s oldest, and a 288-metre television tower with another viewing platform, though admission to that one is paid.
The El Carmel bunker, surviving from the Civil War, also has a wonderful viewing platform and is somewhat less crowded with tourists.
Montjuic’s viewing platform is worth a visit because, besides beautiful city views, there is much of interest here, such as the Museum of Catalan Art.
The viewing platform of the Arenas de Barcelona shopping complex in Plaza de Espana also offers visitors colourful city views completely free of charge.
Another viewing platform is on the top floor of the El Corte Ingles shopping centre in Plaza de Catalunya. You can even take the lift there for free.
Park Guell (Carrer d’Olot, 5) was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. The house where he lived is also here. The view from this park has long been a calling card of the city.
Citadel Park (Passeig de Picasso, 21) is a cosy park opened in the middle of the 19th century, with a lake and the Cascada fountain, whose design also involved Gaudi. You can not only walk here but also take a boat ride.
It is worth getting lost in the green 750-metre maze of Horta Park (Parc del Laberint d’Horta), if only because this park is the city’s oldest, more than 230 years old. Admission is free all day every Sunday.
3. Architecture
Barcelona’s architecture has undoubtedly long been the city’s calling card. Thousands of tourists from around the world come every day to enjoy the majestic creations of outstanding sculptors, architects and artists.
The Temple of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia, address — Carrer de Mallorca, 401) is, of course, the first association when Barcelona is mentioned and has probably long been a symbol of both the city and all of Spain. The famous local sculptor Antonio Gaudi designed this temple back in 1882, and construction continues to this day! Entry costs €29, but even the exterior takes your breath away.
You can enter Barcelona Cathedral (Catedral de Barcelona, address — Carrer de Sant Sever, 9) for free from Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 to 12:45 and from 17:15 to 19:30. Besides its majestic interior, the cathedral will delight you with a courtyard containing tropical trees and snow-white residents — geese.
In Barcelona, you certainly cannot miss the Gothic Quarter (El Gòtic). This is Barcelona’s central district, an old town with a medieval atmosphere. The architecture and atmosphere differ from most city districts: narrow streets, cosy cafés and small shops, plus buildings preserved from the Middle Ages. If you are not short of time, also visit churches such as Santa María del Pi, Santa Maria del Mar and Virgen de la Merced.
Entry to most of the famous houses created by the sculptor Antonio Gaudi is paid, but nothing prevents you from examining the artist’s creations from outside.
Casa Batlló (address — Passeig de Grácia, 43) resembles dragon skin or fish scales from the outside.
Casa Mila (address — Passeig de Grácia, 92) is on the same street as the previous house. Its distinguishing feature is the almost complete absence of straight lines.
Casa Vicens (address — Carrer de les Carolines, 18–24) is Gaudi’s first major project. It is decorated with vivid, delicate elements resembling Eastern and African motifs.
The client who commissioned Casa Calvet (address — Carrer Sant Marc, 57) was an avid mushroom picker, something you can recognise even from outside by looking at the building’s façade.
4. Beaches
Barcelona’s beaches cover almost four kilometres of coastline, so if you visit the sunny city between mid-May and late September, we recommend exploring the local shores and enjoying the sunshine or swimming in the sea.
Sant Sebastia is one of Barcelona’s largest and oldest beaches, with good facilities and a clean coastline.
Barceloneta is also one of the city’s most popular and oldest beaches. There is also a separate nudist area here.
Bogatell is a little farther from the centre, making it comfortable for those who prefer a quieter holiday.
Llevant Beach also suits those who enjoy a relaxed holiday, as it is farther from the main crowds of travellers.
5. Excursions
Barcelona can truly delight budget travellers with its free tours, organised here by several companies.
Runner Bean Tours runs excursions twice a day from April to October (at 11:00 and 16:30), and just one tour from November to February (daily at 11:00). Tours are conducted in English.
Sandemans offers a choice of three free tours: a classic walk around Barcelona, a tour for admirers of Antonio Gaudi’s work and a spicy excursion exploring Barcelona’s “dark side”. All walks begin at 11:00 and 15:00 and are conducted in both Spanish and English.
Travel Bar’s free tour takes place in the Gothic Quarter and starts three times a day: at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00.
Be Local Tours Barcelona will introduce you to the works of the famous architect Antonio Gaudi for free and reveal some secrets of his life and work. The free tour runs daily at 11:00.
Please note: although the tours are considered free, it is worth leaving the guide a few euros as a tip at the end to show your thanks.