Alexander Meddings
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Flexible TravelIt’s no secret that Barcelona has become a top tourist destination in recent years, making it more expensive than ever before to find accommodation and enjoy some of its paid attractions (I mean, there’s a reason why La Sagrada Familia isn’t finished yet, and it’s not just because of Gaudi’s “vision”). Bars, restaurants, and shops have been hiking up their prices to milk tourists for money but don’t worry–it’s still possible to visit Barcelona on a budget. Here’s our top budget-friendly things to do in Barcelona that will allow you to still discover the city, without breaking the bank.
This guide was written by Mariah Girouard a travel writer, comedian, and spoken word poet based in Barcelona. All of our articles are authored by local writers who know their cities inside out & provide commission-free recommendations.
Nothing in life is free, except for the beach. Every year thousands of British and Scandinavian tourists flock to Barcelona to escape bad weather in their home countries and sunbathe on the Egyptian (yeah, you read that right, the sand is from Egypt) sands. Unlike other cities, Barcelona’s beaches are free to enter, making it a nice activity for big spenders, budget travellers and everyone in between. Get a tapestry, have a picnic, and swim to your heart’s content, but just remember not to leave your belongings on the beach unattended-- otherwise you’ll end up paying more than you bargained for!
Check out our blog for more Barcelona Do’s and Don'ts.
La Boqueria Market
Shopaholics and foodies will be in their glory while market-hopping throughout the city. Whether you want to buy knickknacks for friends back home, savour a bite and cerveza at midday, or simply go window shopping—browsing Barcelona’s markets is the perfect way to kill time and interact with locals while on a budget.
Mercadillo de la Plaça de Sant Josep in Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol on Saturdays (11:00-20:00) Sundays (11:00-14:00)
If art is what you’re after, you can see a small group of ten to fifteen local artists scattered in the shadow of the church, perched in front of easels, painting everything from landscapes to abstract works of art.
Fira de Nautumismo in Plaça Reial on Sundays (10:00-14:00)
A quaint market for coin collectors and trinket-hunters of all sorts, situated in a picturesque square.
Mercat Del Encants on Carrer de los Castillejos, 158 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (9:00-20:00)
Browse one of Barcelona’s oldest, most beloved and bizarre markets where you’ll find everything from adult videos to valuable antiques. You know what they say, one man’s trash is a tourist’s treasure!
La Boqueria on La Rambla 91 open from Monday-Saturday (8:00-20:30)
Explore Barcelona’s most famous market, and try everything from tropical fruit to fresh fish and even a sheep’s head, you know, if you’re into things like that.
Fira Artesana in Plaça del Pi on the first Friday and Saturday of the month
Also known as “Honey Market”, this is where you’ll find delicious honey-infused cheeses and homemade cakes from local food vendors
Mercat de Santa Caterina on Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16 open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays (7:30-15:00) or Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (7:30-20:00)
With over 150 years of history, this colourful market has become one of the most recognisable buildings in the El Born neighbourhood, with tasty offerings for tourists and locals alike.
Comedian Trevor Noah Performing at the Comedy Clubhouse- Photo by Olga Camacho
You might not expect Barcelona to have such a buzzing English stand-up comedy scene, but it’s actually one of the biggest in Europe, with multiple shows every night of the week. Venues like Secret Comedy Club and The Comedy Clubhouse host stand-up, improv, and format comedy shows that feature local and international comedians from around the globe.
The majority of English comedy shows are between 7€ and 15€, and if you’re lucky you’ll get the chance to see famous comics like Michelle Wolf and even Trevor Noah for less than the price of a Netflix subscription. If that’s not enough, both venues have some shows where you get to pay what you want (PWYW), meaning you can register for free and decide what you want to spend when the show ends—-talk about a bargain! But if you’re really ballin' on a budget there are some free weekly comedy shows and workshops at The Comedy Clubhouse:
💩 Mondays at 9:00pm: Sh*tty Mic, a walk-in open-mic where you can sign up to test out your best 3 minutes of material, or watch aspiring comics do the same.
🎤 Saturdays at 5:00pm: Show Up Go Up, exactly what the name suggests. It’s an open mic where if you show up, you get to go up (on stage).
☕️ Sundays at 12pm (noon): Coffee Con Comedy, a daytime comedy talk show with free pancakes!
🎭 Sundays 3-5:30pm: Improv Workshop, open to anyone who likes to act out scenes on the fly, or watch grown adult humans improvise. (They accept donations at the end).
From comedy and poetry to pub quizzes and live music, there are so many budget-friendly events in Barcelona to connect with locals and fellow travellers.
Imprfcto Bar (in Parallel): Hosts Imprfcto Comedy Show on Thursdays (PWYW) and a pub quiz on Sundays (4€)
Space Cowboy Bar: Hosts a PWYW comedy show every Friday at 8:30
Mint Bar: Hosts DJ sets on the weekends and Basemint Comedy on Sundays
BCN Studio: Hosts a variety of comedy, improv, burlesque clown, and storytelling events
Barcelona Improv Group (BIG): Hosts a variety of improv and clowning events and workshops
El Paraigua Bar: Hosts a variety of flamenco and music events as well as a monthly LGBTQ-friendly comedy show hosted by Atomic Comedy
Black Lab Taproom: Hosts a weekly open mic called Jokes & Beers on Saturday nights
Craft Barcelona: A bar that hosts free live music events every day
Big Bang Bar: A live music bar with events every week
Backstory Bookshop: Hosts a variety of free events including Gypsy Lounge Open Mic, a monthly poetry, music, and storytelling event at 6:00pm
Mon Real: Hosts a variety of art and cultural events including Bardhouse, a monthly spoken word & hip hop show for only 8€
While Barcelona is a beautiful city it lacks vast green spaces like London’s Hyde Park or Central Park in New York. Parc Ciutadella is one of the few places in the city where you can stop, breathe and sprawl out in some grass. Unlike Parc Güell, Parc Ciutadella is completely free to enter and there’s still a lot to see. Take a photo with the iconic woolly mammoth statue, see a fountain designed in part by Antoni Gaudi, get your green-fix in one of the green houses, or peruse the Natural History Museum. Aside from these free activities you can also pay 10€ to hire a rowboat in the duck pond, or see more animals at Barcelona’s zoo.
Sure, there’s plenty to discover in Barcelona on your own, but aimlessly wandering the streets of the Old Town doesn’t allow you to truly understand the rich context of what you’re looking at. Barcelona is more than a pretty face, it has a complex culture and history too. If you want a chance to meet other travellers, see top sites, and learn fascinating facts and legends about this beautiful city you can join our guided walking tour of Barcelona which takes you through the Gothic Quarter in just under two hours, for only 20€! Plus, your guide can give you recommendations for more things to do to enjoy Barcelona on a budget.
Palau Nacional at Montjuïc
If you want a city escape without actually escaping from the city, Montjuïc is the place to be! This historic hill offers a triple threat of fun fusing nature with culture and panoramic views. You don’t need to travel very far to feel like you’ve stepped out of the hustle and bustle of Barcelona and into a tranquil oasis, just hop on the metro to Plaça Espanya and begin your ascent.
Along the way you can admire the imposing exterior of the Palau Nacional and if it’s Sunday, you can enter it for free to see Catalan art. Tour the Olympic Ring and the area surrounding the Olympic stadium, and stroll through gardens like Jardins de Joan Brossa or Jardins de Laribal, also free to explore. Depending on the route you take you’ll also catch a glimpse of sculptures and public art installations from notable artists such as Joan Miró. When you reach the top of Montjuïc Hill you’ll get to enjoy stunning cityscape views and views of the city port, all well worth the price of breaking a bit of a sweat!
There’s more to Barcelona than just Gaudi, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a healthy dose of culture and history. If there’s one thing that Catalans value, it's learning about their culture and sharing it with others. Many of Barcelona’s museums are free to enter year round, or on the first Sunday of every month.
Arxiu de la Corona d’ Aragó: Want to learn about the Spanish Inquisition and the rise and fall of an empire? See the general archive of the Crown of Aragon for all things royal-related.
Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona: For photography lovers who want to see the evolution of the city from 1839 to the present day.
Barcelona Historical Archive: History buffs will love scouring centuries old bibliographic documents, newspapers, and magazines from mediaeval to modern times.
Centre d’Art Santa Monica: This one’s for art lovers who want to see contemporary art exhibitions featuring work from local and international artists.
Temple of Augustus: Roman history fans can stand on the highest point of the old Roman city and admire the ruins of this ancient temple and its four remaining columns.
Born Cultural Centre: This former market rocks—literally. The city’s first large-scale cast iron building houses a fascinating archeological site that tells the story of Barcelona over the eras.
Montjuic Castle: Catch spectacular views of the city at this old military fortress dating back to the 1600s.
Botanical Gardens: Enjoy a lush, green city escape in the botanical gardens at Montjuic
El Call: Discover the history of Barcelona’s former Jewish Quarter
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC): Marvel at the Romanesque church paintings and other Catalan art decorating the walls of the imposing Palau Nacional
Picasso Museum: See over four thousand Picasso paintings in a permanent collection (you must book your free ticket in advance and it tends to get fully reserved fast, so wake up early and reserve ASAP).
Museu Olímpic: Are you a sports fan? See all the highlights of the Olympic games of ‘92 in one place!
Palau Güell: Couldn’t get tickets for Casa Batllo or Parc Güell? This domestic palace in the Gothic Quarter is the next best thing and it's one of Gaudi's lesser-known creations.
There you have it! There are so many ways to explore Barcelona on a budget. If you want to know everything there is to know before visiting the Catalan capital check out our Barcelona Guide.
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There’s a reason why Barcelona is one of the most beloved cities in Europe; art, architecture, history—what more could you ask for? The best way to see the city is with a local guide who will lead you through the whimsical streets of the Gothic Quarter and share a fascinating history spanning 2,000 years. As you walk along the route you’ll see the city’s evolution starting from Roman-occupied Barcino through the Golden Age and all the way to the Barcelona that we know and love today. We’ll visit some must-see sites like the Barcelona Cathedral where you’ll hear about the brutal death of the city’s patron saint or Placa del Rey, where you’ll learn about the darker side of Spanish history during the Inquisition. Along the way we’ll also see some hidden gems and hear about urban legends. By the end of the tour you’ll have gained a new perspective into Catalan tradition and history that will leave you falling in love with Barcelona.
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The Barcelona Tipsy Tour is the perfect way to meet other adventure-seekers, sip the finest Spanish drinks, and immerse yourself in Barcelona’s iconic nightlife while learning secret history that the locals don’t want you to know.
Forget your dry, standard city tour and live your best life while travelling. Our tour puts the “bar” in Barcelona and it’s 18+, but not just because of the booze. You’re going to find out the city’s best kept secrets and forbidden history that they definitely leave out of the tourist guidebooks. If you’re a sober traveller but you still want to join in the fun don’t worry! We’ve got alcohol-free beverages you can sip on while you enjoy the company of your new friends.
After a warm welcome, we’ll get started in El Born. A chic, trendy neighbourhood with great nightlife–and a scandalous past.
You’ll sip some vermouth (aka sunshine in a glass) and learn some of Barcelona’s most twisted secrets. Discover the undercover lives of its former residents and be wowed by forbidden stories as we follow in the footsteps of where these events played out. There are ghosts, secret graveyards, and sex of all sorts – but we’ll leave it to your guide to tell you the rest.
We’ll discover some of Barcelona’s most vibrant bars and neighbourhoods. Try some unique white sangria – very hard to find but oh so easy to drink, and sip other authentic tipples as you hear about the history behind the city’s favourite drinks.
Then, a surprise. Try a shot of traditional Catalan liqueur and see how well you do, then wash it down with a famous cocktail to really get the night moving. As you’re drinking, dancing and singing, we’ll be mixing up a cocktail of our own with a splash of history and a spritz of legend. These stories are so good, you’ll even remember them when you’re fighting a hangover the next day.
When the tour is over, the night out officially begins. We’ll enjoy Barcelona long into the night, making unforgettable memories with our newfound friends.
Spaces fill up fast, so book your Barcelona Tipsy Tour today!
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Taste your way through the Catalan capital on our Barcelona Tapas Tour. Food is an essential part of Catalan culture, and no trip to Barcelona is complete without sharing tapas or “small plates.” Over two and half hours you’ll visit four of the city’s best tapa hotspots in the trendy neighbourhoods of El Born and the Gothic Quarter, trying croquettes, patatas bravas, pintxos, paella and more. This tour is perfect for all types of foodies; whether you’re on a family holiday, a romantic couple’s retreat, or solo travelling through Europe–this tour is the best way to meet people with a passion for food!
Food and culture are interlinked in Catalonia, so there’s no better way to explore the beautiful city of Barcelona than through its cuisine. Wander the mediaeval streets and plazas of El Born and the Gothic Quarter while your local foodie guide feeds you intriguing tidbits of history. As your guide fills you up with fun facts and cultural insights, you’ll sample a variety of tapas and drinks, and enjoy the company of fellow travellers.
So bring yourself — and your appetite — and prepare to discover the essence of Barcelona’s tapas and drinks culture! Spaces are limited; reserve yours now!
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