While you could easily spend a month getting lost in Barcelona, you could check out a lot of the major sites and sounds the city has to offer within 4-5 days. Here is the best way to see the most of what Barcelona has to offer for less than $100.
Sightseeing
Take a Free Walking Tour
The best way to get an overview of the city when you arrive is to go on the Free Walking Tour of Barcelona (just don’t forget to tip your tour guide, we would usually recommend 5-10€). This 2-2.5 hour tour will cover the modern side of Barcelona, including three of Gaudí’s modernist works: the La Sagrada Familia, a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona (an icon of Barcelona), the Casa Batlló (one of Barcelona’s most recognizable sites) and the Casa Milà, another modernist Gaudí building known for its unique and artistic design.
It will also take you down the Passeig de Gracià, the “shopping mile” of Barcelona filled with international chains and brands from around the world. Even if you don’t buy much, window-shopping is free!
Hang Out in the Park – Take Your Pick
- The Jardins del Palau Robert is a small garden at the very end of Passeig de Gracià. Entrance is free and it’s a nice spot to relax in for a while.
- Parc del Laberint d’Horta: this is Barcelona’s largest garden. Featuring a labyrinth, a small waterfall and quiet tranquility for when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Park Güell: this is Barcelona’s most iconic park. The tickets for Park Güell provide access to the Monumental Zone, the most vulnerable, heavily visited and fragile part. But the park does have other freely accessible zones in the upper part of the park that do not require a ticket, as shown on this map.
Take in Views of the City
If you are not going inside the La Sagrada Familia (which you should if you get a chance!) and want a view of Barcelona for only 5,00€, spend some time at the Montjuïc Castle. It’s known to be one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset. Some believe the most beautiful parts of the La Sagrada Familia can actually be seen from outside. Seeing the panoramic from the Montjuic Castle and keeping your visit to the La Sagrada Familia to the outside will actually save you 24,00€. An entrance ticket for the La Sagrada Familia with the Tower will run you 29,00€.
Walk the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere. Las Ramblas’ 1km-long walkway is the most popular street in Barcelona and cannot be missed on any visit to the city. Early morning is the best time of day for this walk before the crowds.
Soak up some sun.
Head to one of Barcelona’s beaches: Barceloneta is the most popular, with its lovely sweep of golden sand and promenade backed with restaurants. There’s also Bogatell Beach, a peaceful beach to relax at.
Cheer on the home team at Camp Nou.
Camp Nou is a football stadium, and the largest in Spain by capacity holding nearly 100,000 people. It has been the home of FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957. A tour of the stadium will run you 23,00€.
Check out a museum.
Some museums have free entry on a Sunday or after a certain time. It’s also the perfect activity for an unexpected rainy day.
Transportation Tips:
- When you arrive in Barcelona, buy a T-10 metro ticket. It costs 10€, has ten trips, and you can share it! It is cheaper than buying individual tickets.
- Getting around Barcelona by taxi can also be quite cheap. While there is a minimum fee of 7,00€ when you get in the cab, the approximate rate for Barcelona taxis is 1,10€ / km (from 08:00 – 20:00) and 1,30€ / km (from 20:00 – 08:00).
- Of course, Barcelona’s also a super walkable city, and it’s easy (and cheap!) to get around on foot. Just don’t forget to pack your walking
Nightlife
If you are looking for a happening nightclub, look no further than Razzmatazz.
Located in an industrial part of El Poublenou not too far from downtown Barcelona, Razzmatazz is five clubs in one: downstairs there’s indie rock at the Razz Club, upstairs there’s techno at The Loft and Lolita. The Pop Room and the Rex Room are more relaxed spaces oriented to pop, electro and disco acts.
Food and Drinks:
- Don’t have time for a sit-down lunch and need some snacks to keep with you while you sightsee? Or, maybe you are staying in an apartment where you can cook some meals to save money? Either way, head to the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria. This huge, fresh produce market draws quite a crowd, but the further inside you go, the cheaper the prices and the smaller the crowds.
- Make sure to enjoy a small beer, called a caña, with lunch. This tap beer is priced low, you can enjoy one for between 1.10-3€.
- Tapas: no trip to Barcelona is complete without them. Cerveceria Catalana is one of the best places in the city to taste tapas! Depending on the tapas you pick, they will run you 4-11€ each. Pincho bars are another great option, with smaller tapas costing only 1€ or 2€ each (try La Tasqueta de Blai!). Many bars also offer free tapas with a drink.
- If you’re looking to do some bar hopping, there are some great options close to the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, in the lower part of El Born.
Accommodations:
Maybe you want to try something a little different on your trip to Barcelona? Although there’s plenty of amazing hotels and hostels in Barcelona, if you’re staying for an extended period of time, there are some other options to consider too! You can rent an apartment through Apartment Barcelona where you will have more space and a kitchen to cook meals to help save on the cost of your trip. This can be a great option if you’re spending several months in Barcelona or if you are traveling with a group.
Not only does Apartment Barcelona provide accommodations, their concierge team will provide everything you can think of for the best stay in the city. They will be more than happy to give you advice on things to see and do in and around the city, as well as insider tips for a truly authentic Barcelona experience. As an Apartment Barcelona guest, you can also save money on tours of the Sagrada Familia, bike rental, museum entry and much more.
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