Barcelona is a city that all types of travelers can enjoy. From historical culture to the never-sleeping nightlife, Barcelona offers its visitors numerous opportunities to have fun. The city also has fascinating buildings, so gathering around the city on foot is an option that sounds good. We can say that the city may be counted as an open art gallery due to its street that is full of art and architecture. Barcelona is also one of the most enjoyable cities because the locals and the life here always give a sincere vibe.
Here is our guide for you to explore Barcelona on a budget!
Food & Drinks
Barcelona has a vast Mediterranean food culture, and it is not limited to it. The city has popularity because Spain is one of the biggest wine-producing countries in the world. The popularity of wine brings cheap wine prices, so it is also a budget-friendly side of drinks in Barcelona.
Due to Barcelona having unique streets, parks, and beaches, you should consider drinking at these places in order to go to the clubs and restaurants. It is one of the most important costs when creating a budget-friendly trip. Another option for drinking is being aware of happy hours and discounted cocktails. The Spanish bars offer these types of campaigns very frequently, and if you can catch the times, drinking costs you for a very low price.
Barcelona also has a reputation for serving dinner at very late times in the day, like after 8 pm. They also have traditional food culture in some regions like Catalonia. Tapas is a traditional and delicious food that you can find everywhere and should be on your to-do list.
Drinks like beer or coffee are sold for 2-3 EUR in the city, and another tip for the drinking costs is that you should definitely bring a water bottle with you. The tap water in Barcelona is safe to drink, so that will make you save lots of money on your trip.
Some traditional food you should try in Barcelona;
- Potato braves: Potatoes with spice sauce.
- Formatge manchego: Manchego cheese.
- Gambas a la planxa: Grilled shrimp with garlic.
- Xipirons: Squid fries.
- Bombas: Tennis ball-sized potato croquettes and different sauces on the side.
- Pa amb tomàquet: Bread with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
Accommodation
Barcelona is a relatively cheap city when it comes to other cities in Europe. Still, an unprepared travel route can cost you more than you expected, so accommodation is a crucial aspect of travel.
Visiting Barcelona in the shoulder seasons rather than the summer months is strongly suggested because European cities attract many tourists in these months so the accommodation prices can be very high. Also, Barcelona is a walkable city, so you do not have to worry about the central locations to stay.
The average 2-star hotel will cost 45 EUR per night. They offer basic hotel services. Also, you can find a room or bed in hostels for 20-25 EUR per night if you are okay with staying in a place with low standards. All the prices we mentioned will change if you consider central locations; they are usually double the price of the other areas. Of course, more budget-friendly options will cost 15 EUR per night, but you should be sure that you can share a room with another 8-10 people.
Reduce your trip costs by using sites that help you discover a local in the city while also getting some local perspective into the city. You may locate a host for a reasonable cost or even for free!
Transportation
If you don’t plan your journey carefully, transportation might be one of your most expensive expenses.
The most practical action you can take is getting a Barcelona Card. You may use the Barcelona Card to get free public transportation and discounts at museums, nightclubs, and restaurants. For a 3, 4, or 5-day card, the Barcelona Pass costs 46 EUR, 56 EUR, or 61 EUR.
Another beautiful aspect of Barcelona is that the city streets are very orderly and walkable. The architectural views of the streets make walking more attractive. But, if you do not want to wander the city on foot, the city has a very systematic transportation system. They offer a 10-way ticket for 10 EUR to their visitors. If you choose not to get around the city on foot or get discounted cards, a single bus or metro ticket costs 2.5 EUR.
Bike tours are also suggested for transportation because bikes cost 1.50 EUR per hour or 10.00 EUR for a day.
Cultural Activities
Some museums offer free entry on Sunday from 3 to 8 pm in Barcelona. Moreover, some museums provide these free entries once a week.
The artist who represents themselves and their arts on the walls of Barcelona offers The Barcelona Street Style Tour, which is a ‘pay what you feel’ walking tour, where the guides are paid through tips from attendees.
1 – Cathedral of Barcelona
The Cathedral of Barcelona, also known as The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, is located in Barri Gotic, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. You can visit the tomb of Saint Eulalia, who is a patron saint killed because of her faith. Not just the dramatic history but the magnificent view of this church takes you on a journey.
2 – Catalonia National Art Museum
The museum opened to the public before EXPO 1929 and was known as the Catalonia pavilion at the time. The variety of the artwork exhibited represents the Romanesque, baroque, gothic, and Renaissance. After you see this harmony of history and art, you can visit the library and then eat dinner alongside the fantastic view of the city.
3 – Montjuic
On Tibidabo Hill, there are several cultural sites to explore. One of these monuments, Montjuic Castle, is named after a Jewish cemetery that once stood on this site. The military museum will greet you as you enter the castle.
4-Poble Espanyol
Located in Montjuic Hill, this village, designed by one of the most famous architects of Catalan, Josep Puig I Cadafalch, is visited as an open-air museum today. With an area of 42,000 square meters, 116 structures represent Spanish culture. In the area, there’s also an Andalusian-style religious structure.
Fun-to-do Activities
1-Beaches
Barcelona is consistently ranked as the greatest beach city in the world, so it’s no wonder that the beach is an important part of the city’s character. Of course, different beaches differ according to the visitor’s budget, but do not miss the free beaches where you can hang out even at night with your friends and drink.
2-Bunkers Barcelona
Bunkers Barcelona is a viewpoint where you can see the city from a 360-degree perspective. It is a cozy and chill place to hang out for a drink. If you can catch the sunset at the Bunkers Barcelona, you will be amazed by the view and be grateful for spending your time in this perfect place rather than in a club or bar.
3-Raval
Raval is a historic area in Barcelona. The site has popularity because of the known brand stores and myriad businesses in contrast to the old vibe of the area. Raval was known as a more dark and cold place in history.
4-Montjuic Outdoor Cinema
An outdoor cinema is located at the foot of a castle. Montjuic’s outdoor summer theater features a wide range of films and brief live music performances before each viewing. You may also rent some incredibly nice lounge chairs if you forget your blanket. The minimum entrance is 6 EUR. The cinema is open on Wednesdays and Fridays through the first week of August.
5-Nightlife
Barcelona has a never sleeping nightlife. The night usually starts at 10 pm and continues until the morning. As we mentioned before, the locals begin to eat dinner after 8 pm, so the nights can be very long in Barcelona. People hang out in the clubs until the morning, and then they may continue to hang out in the 7/24 pubs.
