Barcelona on a budget: How to Visit Barcelona on a Budget

How to Visit Barcelona on a Budget

Looking to visit Barcelona on a budget? In this guide, we’ll help you out with some of our favourite money-saving tips to make the most of your trip to the Catalan capital!

It was a last-minute flight special from Lisbon, Portugal to Barcelona, Spain that spurred us on to book an extended weekend getaway to vibrant and beautiful Barcelona! Having never travelled to the Catalan capital before, we were excited to get to grips with the city that so many of our friends have raved about and all its brilliant sights, even though we were heading there on a cold, yet sunny February weekend.

14 Top Tips for Planning a Budget Trip to Barcelona!

Table of Contents

Perhaps it was due to our last-minute planning, but we decided to make it our mission to explore Barcelona on a budget. Whilst the city is still cheaper than many other European counterparts, you can still easily lose touch with how much you’re spending on dining out, travel, and general sightseeing costs.

Whilst there are so many wonderful things to see and explore throughout this sprawling city, you can still enjoy a memorable visit without breaking the bank. In this post, we’ve decided to round out some of our favourite money-saving tips and hopefully inspire you to discover Barcelona on a budget!

1. Book a flight with budget airlines

Europe is big on low-cost airlines, and there are many options to choose from. For example, suppose you are travelling to Barcelona from another European country. In that case, you can easily find flight tickets for as low as 50 euros or less. 

The downside is that you can only bring your hand luggage, so if you have oversized luggage, you’d have to pay extra for these additional items of luggage. Many airlines fly directly to Barcelona El Prat (the main airport) from across the UK and Europe, including airlines such as Easyjet, Vueling, and Ryanair to name a few. 

2. Visit Barcelona during the shoulder season

Summer is a busy time for travellers in Europe. Barcelona is exceptionally crowded and expensive in July and August. Many tourists come in the summer to Barcelona to enjoy the glorious weather and golden beaches found in the Catalan capital. Still, you can find a temperate climate primarily throughout the year.

If you decide to travel during the winter, you should pack a warm jacket, especially if you want to enjoy the nightlife. Temperatures drop to 7 degrees C (44 F) at night. If you’re travelling on a budget, your best bet is to visit Barcelona in April through May, or mid-September through October, when you can still enjoy warm days.

Take advantage of the slower off-season or shoulder-season periods when tourists’ numbers are at a minimum and you can still bag a good deal on airfare and accommodation (usually the most expensive items on any travel budget) too. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find airfares for as low as €20 – €30 from nearby European cities.

When we visited in February it was definitely cold, but sunny throughout the day. We loved exploring all the sights with smaller crowds and absolutely loved seeing the city in this light.

3. Plan your itinerary around free things

When visiting Barcelona, you’ll no doubt want to explore the city’s stunning Spanish landmarks, including all the exquisite works by Gaudi that the city is so known for. Unfortunately, when travelling on a budget, entrance fees to these top sights can add up quickly! Thankfully, you can still take advantage of many free attractions and experiences throughout the city. 

4. Free and Discounted Museums

Some museums offer free entrance one day a week. If you don’t want to spend a lot on museum tickets, which can be pretty costly, find out when they offer free entrance and plan your itinerary accordingly.

In Barcelona, many city-run museums are free on Sundays, from 3 to 8 p.m. For example, you can check out Picasso’s masterpieces for free at the Museu Picasso. 

A few other museums that offer free days include the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the History Museum of Barcelona, and many more.  

5. Free Barcelona Attractions

Apart from free Museum entry, you may also be interested in visiting these free attractions throughout your stay:

  • Barcelona’s Magic Fountain: The best time to check the Font Màgica de Montjuïc is at night when there’s a colourful light show.
  • Walk the Olympic Park: Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympics. There is plenty to see, including the Olympic Stadium and sculptures.
  • Watch out for the El Peix metal fish sculpture: It stands 52 metres tall near the Port Olympic shopping centre. Its appearance changes with the weather.
  • Santa Maria del Mar: You are welcome to visit the nave of this beautiful Gothic church in the mornings and evenings for free.
  • Look for street art wherever you go. Apart from its well-known masterpieces, Barcelona is also home to some pretty impressive street art and graffiti. 

You can also check Barcelona’s official touristic website to find more free activities.

6.

Barcelona is walkable

Barcelona has many stunning buildings, thanks to its architectural geniuses that you won’t see any of if you are stuck inside a train. Whilst the city is huge, depending on where you choose to base yourself, you can still visit many of Barcelona’s top sights on foot instead. Saving you money on train day passes by walking from one destination to the other. 

Of course, from time to time you will need to catch the metro or make use of the city’s other public transport options. Barcelona offers a 10-one-way ticket deal for 9.95 euros. If you don’t mind walking for the most part, then this option could last you a week.

7. Watch for pickpockets

You can’t lose anything when you’re travelling on a budget — especially not money. But, unfortunately, because Barcelona is always full of tourists, pickpockets are everywhere. So find ways to keep your money safe with you and pay attention to those around you, especially when you see a big crowd. Read: Travel Safety Tips – How to Have a Safe Vacation for more tips.

8. Steer clear of “Tourist Hotspots” such as La Rambla

La Rambla is one of the most famous pedestrian streets in Barcelona. Everybody wants to go there, so of course, businesses and restaurants will take advantage of that. You can definitely go there, take some pictures (that’s free!), and take a stroll, but don’t book any hotels, hostels, or AirBnBs there and don’t eat there either. Many places found here are overpriced and dare I say not 100% authentic Catalan.

Instead, we found some wonderful and reasonably priced restaurants by meandering through the various side streets, often stumbling upon hidden gems that only locals would otherwise know of. 

9. Take advantage of complimentary breakfast

A complimentary breakfast is invaluable if you’re on a budget and staying at a hotel that offers one. You should take advantage of that by planning a substantial meal that will fill you up for a few hours, especially when planning a full day of sightseeing! Read more: Where to Stay in Barcelona

10.

Sightseeing is (almost) always free

Whilst on the subject of sightseeing, the architectural splendour of Barcelona is unparalleled. Antoni Gaudi’s work is spread throughout the city. His whimsical buildings are all definitely Instagram-worthy. 

Probably the most famous landmark is the Sagrada Familia, with its intricate exterior. Because of the magnitude of this piece, it’s taken more than a century to complete the church. However, Gaudi’s masterpiece is finally set to be completed by 2026.

Though you’ll need to pay to go inside, the breathtaking view is just as impressive from the outside. And guess what? It’s free!

Here is a list of Gaudi’s works you might also find interesting: Or read our – Tour of The Works of Gaudi in Barcelona

  • La Pedrera, or Casa Milà
  • Parc Güell
  • Casa Batlló
  • Col·legi de Les Teresianes – closed to the public
  • Casa Vicens
  • Torre Bellesguard
  • Casa Calvet
  • Colonia Güell

Many of these sights do end up costing an arm and a leg to get into, which is why we decided to focus only on one or two of these and opted to admire a few of the others for their gorgeous exterior architecture instead.  

Deb doing some picnic shopping in the Mercat de Santa Catrina!

Although you’ll be distracted having so much fun in Barcelona, you’ll need to fuel up from time to time. If you start feeling hungry around lunchtime, you’re going to love menú del día; that’s one of those locals-only secrets. 

Menu del día has been a tradition since 1965, and even though restaurants are not required by law to serve them, they are commonly offered. 

It is generally available as a weekday lunch menu. Still, many restaurants serve a similar menu at the weekends as well. Check with your server if there is a special menu for the day. 

You can also find other cheap eats in the Mercat de Santa Caterina or Mercat de Sant Antoni. Spain has some of the most sumptuous cuisines in the world, so don’t miss out on this experience.

12. Spanish cuisine

The city is filled with tapas at every turn. Typical tapas include mixed olives, fried baby squid, meatballs, and chorizo. Spaniards view them as a snack between meals, but you can order two or three to eat as a meal.  

They are usually very affordable, but that depends on the location. For example, save money by eating tapas at a cafe that tourists do not heavily frequent.

Pintxos

Another must-try is pinchos (also known as pintxos) — a skewer type of snack. You can experiment with different pinchos at a bar to discover exciting food choices and new recipes. This is also a great way to understand the culture and local lifestyle in northern Spain.

Visit Carrer de Blai in Poble Sec for the ultimate pincho experience. Try a new pincho or two at every different bar you go.

Whilst on the topic of dining out, you will definitely want to down the money-saving app, The Fork, that’s not only free of charge but also offers you the chance to pre-book a restaurant with discounts of up to 40 – 50% off the main dish! It’s a great money saver, in fact, it’s how we discovered an incredible Asian restaurant in Gracia in Barcelona called Mantura Tapes asiatiques i Vinswhich we can highly recommend for your next visit! 

13.

Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Although Barcelona is very walkable, there will be days where you will need to take the train to get around.  Hola Barcelona Travel Cards are the best option for getting around town. This unlimited travel card provides access to the city’s metro, bus, and suburban rail networks. 

There are cards available for 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours, and you’ll be set to explore the city. The card is also good for getting to the airport. You can save a good deal of money by using it rather than getting airport taxis or buying individual cards.

14. Get a Barcelona Card

The Barcelona Card gives tourists free entrance to many museums and attractions, free public transportation tickets, tour discounts, and other entertainment activities such as the Opera y Flamenco and the Zoo de Barcelona.

The card costs approximately €50 per person and gives you discounts on dozens of attractions. This card is worth every cent if you want to make the best out of your trip. Just with museum entrances alone, you can save up to €170. 

If you have an extra €50, you can also get the Gaudí Bundle with your Barcelona Card. That will give you fast-track tickets to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guëll. Gaudí Bundle allows you to skip the long ticket lines and visit both attractions. Additionally, you’ll receive two free audio guides.

15. Go to La Boqueria and then hit a park for a picnic

The Mercado de La Boqueria is an excellent place to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, and ready-made snacks for your picnic. You can also take some fabulous Instagram pictures there! 

Then, head over to a picturesque local park. Must-see parks include Ciutadella, Cervantes, and Palau Reial. Finally, take a stroll down the beach before making your way through the cobbled streets of the historic Gothic Quarter. 

16. Budget Tips for wine lovers

Spain is one of the biggest wine-producing countries globally, which means their wine is not only spectacular, it’s also cheap. There are bodegas all over the city where you can fill up a bottle for very little. Read more from Marco at Guide to the Douro Valley from Porto – Portugal’s Most Famous Wine Region

You’re welcome to bring an empty refillable bottle or buy one at a local bodega; make sure they are at least one-litre bottles, as they will charge you by the litre. Also, you can usually sample wines directly from the barrel. 

Why not round out your visit to Barcelona by grabbing one of these lovely wines, perfect for that picnic in the park, and cheers to a successful visit to Barcelona on a budget! 

And there you have it, the best ways to visit Barcelona when you are on a budget. Do you have other tips for budget travel? If you need more inspiration check out our post: How to Travel on a Budget – Top Tips for Traveling Cheap.

Why wait? Start planning your Barcelona travels today.

Ultimate Barcelona Travel Guide | How To Visit Barcelona on a Budget (2022)

Barcelona finds its way onto most itineraries… and for good reason. It has a vibrant food scene, a plethora of unique historic architecture, great Mediterranean weather, beautiful beaches, and arguably the best nightlife in Europe. This Barcelona on a budget travel guide will help you plan your trip and hopefully give you some tips for getting the most out of your time in the city.

[We’ve also written travel guides for Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, and More]

What You’ll Find In This Barcelona On A Budget Travel Guide:

  • How Much to Budget to Visit Barcelona
  • How Long to Visit Barcelona
  • The Good and Not-So-Good Things About Barcelona: A Quick Overview
  • Barcelona’s Must-See Sights and Attractions
  • Barcelona’s Best Neighborhoods
  • Cheap Eats and Drinks
  • Best Barcelona Hostels
  • Barcelona Nightlife
  • More Resources to Help You Plan Your Visit on a Budget
  • Public Transportation
  • And More

How Much to Budget to Visit Barcelona

Barcelona isn’t a cheap city but it isn’t too expensive either — especially when compared to Europe’s other most-visited cities.

I recommend budgeting €45-€85/day if you’re on a backpacker’s budget — you can easily spend more if you want to stay somewhere nicer than a hostel but this is a good range for planning purposes. Check out my Barcelona Daily Price Guide to get a more in-depth look at daily travel costs.

DAILY COST OF BUDGET TRAVEL IN BARCELONA: €75 ($87 USD)

  • Attractions: €22 (one paid attraction + any free sights)
  • Food: €27.50
  • Transportation: €2.2
  • Accommodation (hostel): €25

DAILY COST OF FRUGAL TRAVEL IN BARCELONA: €45 ($52 USD)

  • Attractions: €8 (free walking tour + visit one of the free sights)
  • Food: €15.50
  • Transportation: €0 (explore by foot)
  • Accommodation (cheap hostel bed): €20

How Long To Visit Barcelona

Barcelona is one of those cities where you can easily spend more than a week exploring but it’s recommended to spend at least 4 or 5 days in the city.

If you plan on partaking in the city’s famous nightlife, you may want to add a few days to your visit so have adequate time to recover while also having time to explore the city.

The Best Time to Visit Barcelona

The most popular time to visit Barcelona is in the summer but this means tons of people and sweltering 85+ degree weather. (Then again, this is great beach weather.)

Winters are mild and the temperatures average in the mid-50s — it’s also when you’ll find the lowest number of tourists.

Late spring and early fall bring excellent weather and fewer crowds than in the summer. Personally, I think either spring or fall is the best time to visit Barcelona.

The Good and Not-So-Good Things About Barcelona

Barcelona offers so many wonderful things to visitors but (like any city) Barcelona has a few negative that you should be aware of before visiting.

The Good Things About Barcelona

The Nightlife. This is one of the main reasons people flock to Barcelona. The night doesn’t get started until about 10 pm, and you’ll find people eating in restaurants until well after midnight. Then they hit the bars until the early morning and then the clubs until 6 am. Clubbing not your thing? Don’t worry, Barcelona has options for just about anyone.

The Beauty of the City. Barcelona is undoubtedly a beautiful city, and it boasts some of the most impressive architecture in all of Europe. Simply walking/getting lost in its charming medieval streets is a pleasure that you’ll love.

The Beaches. Barcelona is constantly rated as the best beach city in the world, so it’s no surprise that the beach plays a huge role in the city’s identity.

A Living City. It’s easy to see why people love living in Barcelona and that joy is in the air. There is always something going on, and you’ll constantly see people outside in the streets, parks, and cafes enjoying life. Watch out, it’s contagious.

Culture and Museums. Barcelona has something for everyone, including a number of excellent museums.

Great Weather and Excellent Outdoor Life. Barcelona has mild winters and warm summers. In the winter, you can expect temperatures to be in the mid-50s; in the summer, temps stay around the low-80s. This means that Barcelona’s citizens spend a lot of time outdoors in the city’s many parks, squares, beaches, and outdoor cafes.

The Not-So-Good Things About Barcelona

Loads of Tourists. Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, so the city becomes overrun with visitors and long lines to the famous sights — especially in the summer months. That said, it’s no reason to avoid the city… but the weather is nice all year so you can have a nice visit at any time.

Pickpockets and Tourist Scams. Hoards of tourists always attract lots of pickpockets and other scammers… and Barcelona is no exception. You have to remain very vigilant in Barcelona, especially in the touristy areas and on the beaches. Read our guide to avoiding pickpockets in Europe for more tips.

Spread Out Sights. Many of the famous sights are spread throughout the city, so you will have to do a bit of traveling to see everything. The public transportation is good though so it’s not too much of a problem.

The Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona

You can’t talk about Barcelona without talking about its amazing neighborhoods — all of which are a joy to simply explore on foot. Below are a few of my favorite “must visit” neighborhoods:

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

Barri Gothic Quarter and Bridge of Sighs

The most visited, and oldest neighborhood of Barcelona is called the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) and it contains many of the top attractions, including the Cathedral of Barcelona and a handful of Roman ruins. Yes, it will be overrun with other tourists but getting lost in its winding medieval streets and alleys is still one of the great joys of visiting Barcelona.

Las Ramblas

Aerial view of Las Ramblas from the Columbus column in Barcelona, Spain

The second neighborhood (which is technically part of the Gothic Quarter but has its own personality) is Las Ramblas — which is a pedestrian-only street (and surrounding area) lined with shops, chain stores, tacky tourist stalls, cafes, and restaurants. 

This is the most visited tourist spot in Barcelona so it’s buzzing all day and night. It’s also one of the biggest pickpocket hotspots in Europe, so be extra vigilant. The cafes and restaurants are super overpriced, so wander off Las Ramblas for better prices.

Additionally, La Boqueria Market is a massive indoor market located off Las Ramblas and it’s been rated the best market in the world. It’s a massive tourist draw, so it’s super busy, but it’s still a fun experience. If you want to escape the tourist hoards, head to Plaça Reial — which is a beautiful square that’s just off Las Ramblas.

El Born

Typical street in the El Born neighborhood

El Born is the most trendy and artistic neighborhood in Barcelona and its narrow medieval streets add to its charm. In addition to its tapas bars, restaurants, avant-garde galleries, cool cafes, and vintage shops, this neighborhood is the home of the impressive Church of Santa Maria del Mar and the excellent Santa Caterina Market (which has an amazing Gaudí-esque roof).

El Born is also where you’ll find a lot of Barcelona’s famous nightlife so you’ll find yourself here often.

L’Eixample

Street view of the Eixample neighborhood

L’Eixample is the largest neighborhood in Barcelona and it’s home to many of the city’s most famous architectural highlights — including La Sagrada Familia. L’Eixample is popular with the locals because it’s a lively neighborhood without being as densely populated as the city center thanks to its wide, tree-lined boulevards.

Because of the massive size of this neighborhood, you’ll also find that different parts of the neighborhood have their own personalities so it’s worth spending extra time here exploring.

El Raval

El Raval is one of the largest and most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Barcelona. It’s more gritty than other parts of the city, so don’t be surprised if you see prostitutes in some parts, but the neighborhood is currently in the midst of rapid gentrification.

El Raval is popular with young, hip folks, and there are new and interesting businesses, boutiques, thrift stores, bars, and restaurants opening all the time — in short, it always has something going on and its a nice break from the “touristy” parts of the city.

Gràcia

Gràcia is a quiet (by Barcelona standards) neighborhood that’s often described as a village within a city so it’s a great place to visit to live like a local — plus it doesn’t attract the same tourist crowds as other parts of Barcelona. You’ll find plenty of trendy shops, bars, outdoor cafes, and restaurants filled with equally trendy locals.

This bohemian neighborhood is located on a hillside so it offers great views of the city and it’s also home to Gaudí’s famous and whimsical hilltop park, Parc Güell.

El Poble-sec

The El Poble-sec neighborhood is buzzing with local life, cozy bars, an up-and-coming foodie scene, and creative energy. It’s also less frequented by tourists so the area feels much more authentic than other parts of Barcelona.

Barcelona’s Best Museums

Barcelona feels like a living and breathing museum but it also has a handful of excellent museums that are worth checking out (if you’re not too tired of partying until 6 am).

Picasso Museum

The most popular museum in Barcelona is the Picasso Museum. This museum houses one of the most extensive collections of Picasso’s works and focuses heavily on his earlier years. The Picasso Museum often has long ticket lines and can sell out so buying tickets early is recommended.

  • Visit Website
  • Buy Skip-The-Line Guided Tour Tickets
  • See on Google Maps

Fundació Joan Miró

The second-most popular museum is the Fundació Joan Miró — which is the top collection of artwork by Joan Miró and many other twentieth and twenty-first-century artists. This is another museum that I recommend buying tickets in advance so you can skip the long ticket lines.

  • Visit Website 
  • See on Google Maps

Barcelona Contemporary Cultural Center

Joan Miró also created the Barcelona Contemporary Cultural Center to feature contemporary, alternative, and innovative art. 

  • Visit Website
  • See on Google Maps

CaixaForum

If you’re up for something different, check out the CaixaForum. This museum is located in a former brick factory, and it features an ever-changing collection of excellent art.

  • Visit Website
  • See on Google Maps

Other Museums

If you’re interested in the history of the Catalan region and its accompanying art, check out the highly-rated Catalan Art Museum. If you want to learn more about the history of Barcelona, head to the Barcelona History Museum, which features some great Roman ruins. If you’re interested in checking out a few huge old ships, you should stop into the Maritime Museum that’s housed in a medieval shipyard (plus, it’s free and the building is really cool).

The Best Gaudí Architecture In Barcelona

Barcelona’s signature Catalan Modernism architecture was created by one man — Antoni Gaudí. Examples of his work are scattered throughout the city so you’ll most likely come across many of his most famous works without much effort. Here are Gaudí’s best architectural feats:

La Sagrada Família

If you only see one thing in Barcelona it should be the Sagrada Família. This iconic Catholic church has been under construction since 1882 and isn’t expected to be fully finished until 2030 (or later). It’s one of the most impressive things I’ve seen throughout all my travels.

You should always book your Sagrada Família tickets in advance since they require a reservation for a timed entry and they limit the number of tickets sold (last-minute tickets are nearly impossible to buy). If tickets are sold out, you can often pay extra to book a guided tour.

  • Visit Website
  • Book Guided Tour Tickets or Book Skip-The-Line Tickets
  • See On Google Maps

Park Güell

View from Park Guell in Barcelona

Park Güell is the iconic park that overlooks the city and it’s another part of Barcelona that shouldn’t be missed. A small part of the park is free to visit but a majority of the park requires a timed-entry admission.

  • Visit Website
  • Buy Tickets
  • See On Google Maps

La Pedrera and Casa Batlló

La Pedrera

La Pedrera (sometimes called Casa Mila) and Casa Batlló are two other Gaudí buildings. You can visit the interior of the buildings but they’re also fun to observe from the street. Le Pedrera is great rooftop views but the Casa Batlló has a more interesting interior (although tickets are very pricy).

The Best Beaches in Barcelona

There were no natural beaches in Barcelona until the city built man-made beaches for the 1992 Olympics—the area was overrun by industry and pollution until the early 90s. The city’s beaches are now considered to be some of the best urban beaches in the world.

Barcelona has a number of beaches but the most popular is Barceloneta Beach. Here you’ll find plenty of beautiful twenty-something Barcelonians flaunting their stuff and escaping the hustle of the city.

Theft is very common on Barcelona’s beaches so don’t leave your stuff unattended.

The Best Walking Tours (Both Free and Paid)

I’ve said it a million times… but I love walking and bike tours. They’re simply a great way to explore and learn more about the city you’re visiting.

Luckily, Barcelona has a number of free tours (the guides work on tips) and paid tours. Most free tours offer a good overview of the city, while paid tours have more experienced guides who have a deeper understanding of their subjects.

Here are a few of the most popular tours:

  • Runner Bean Tours — Free and paid tours.
  • Sandemans New Europe: Barcelona — Free tours.
  • Free Walking Tours Barcelona — Free tours.
  • Barcelona Walks — Paid tours.
  • Trip Advisor’s Tour Page — Discover more niche tours.

Barcelona Nightlife and Clubs

Barcelona’s nightlife is legendary. Even on weeknights, the restaurants don’t fill up until after 9 pm and people don’t start hitting the bars until late at night — the dance clubs are still going strong until the sun comes up.

Drink prices tend to be fairly affordable (except in the clubs) and you’re often given free tapas with your drinks in many bars.

When it comes to clubs, expect cover charges and high drink prices for the more popular spots. Also, expect to put some effort into your appearance (no shorts, baseball caps, etc. ) or the doormen might not let you in.

But the city’s nightlight isn’t just about clubs — there are tons of bars and restaurants that cater to just about anything you’re into. Check out these guides to help you find the best nightlife options:

  • The Guardian: Barcelona Clubbing and Nightlife 
  • Time Out: Best Clubs in Barcelona
  • The Hungry Partier: Barcelona Nightlife Guide
  • Driftwood Journal: Barcelona’s Best Bars, Clubs, and Party Spots
  • Lonely Planet: Best Places to Drink

What To Eat and Drink In Barcelona

Cervecería Vaso de Oro & Bar Jai-Ca

Barcelona has food options for just about any budget. In fact, Barcelona has one of the highest numbers of restaurants and bars per capita in all of Europe—unfortunately, many restaurants are nothing special. The quality generally gets a lot worse near the tourist attractions, so do some research so you don’t end up overpaying for low-quality food.

Also, don’t forget that lunch is generally the biggest meal of the day, and people don’t eat dinner until around 10 pm, so plan ahead.

Tapas and Pintxos

Spain is famous for its tapas and pintxos—which are basically mini portions of single dishes (pintxos are traditionally served on small pieces of bread) that are meant to be snacked on in bars and restaurants. But a lot of people make a meal out of sampling multiple kinds of tapas.

Tapas and pintxos can range from simple to extravagant but they’re typically affordable. In some parts of Spain (mainly Granada and Madrid), the tapas are free as long as you’re buying alcohol but this is fairly rare in Barcelona.

Seafood Paella

Seafood paella (and seafood in general) is very popular in Barcelona since the city is located on the coast.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of places selling terrible seafood paella at inflated prices. So do your homework on this one… trust me. Check out this article by The Barcelona Navigator for finding the best paella.

Cava

Cava (sparkling wine) might as well be the official drink of Barcelona.

But what about sangria? That’s actually a specialty of southern Spain and it’s only served because tourists ask for it… and it’s rarely made well in Barcelona.

Buñuelos de Bacalao (Cod Fritters)

Who doesn’t love deep-fried fish and potatoes? You can find these tasty treats all over Barcelona—from tapas bars to hole-in-the-wall food stands.

Spanish Beer

Spain’s temperatures can get very high in the summers so beating the heat with a cold beer is very popular in Spain. And beer in Spain is cheap if you stick to the large domestic breweries.

Be sure to order a caña — which is a small size draft beer. Why a caña? The locals love their beer to be ice cold so they’d rather order two or three super cold small beers than have their bigger beer get warm. If you’re drinking a huge mug, then you’re probably drinking at a touristy spot.

Hot Chocolate and Churros

Barcelona is home to some of the best hot chocolate and churro spots in Spain—many of which have been open for over 100 years.

More Barcelona Foodie Resources

The food scene in Barcelona is vast and ever-changing so I rely on a handful of websites and Barcelona-based food bloggers to get the most up-to-date information on where to eat on a budget in Barcelona.

Online Resources:
  • TimeOut Barcelona
  • Telegraph
Barcelona Food Bloggers:
  • Spotted By Locals: Barcelona
  • Foodie In Barcelona
  • The Infatuation
  • Barcelona Lowdown
  • Barcelona Connect
  • The Spain Scoop

Cheap Restaurants and Local Favorites:

Can Tosca: This budget-friendly, family-run restaurant is a local favorite thanks to their excellent bocadillos (sandwiches) and other homemade staples.

Bar Jai-Ca: A lively local favorite tapas bar that’s been around since 1955.

Cervecería Vaso de Oro: Very popular bar with tapas, desserts & draft beer.

Bar Mutt: Modern, upscale gastrobar serving traditional tapas & sommelier-recommended wine.

Baluard Barceloneta: Truly excellent bakery famous for their bread and croissants.

Barraca: A bright and modern seafood restaurant with excellent paella at a fair price.

Pastisseria Hofmann: Much loved pastry shop.

Demasié: Pastry shop famous for their cinnamon buns (they also have a vegan option) and large cookies.

Le Pain d’Éric&Benjamin: Excellent French bakery serving up authentic pain au chocolate, croissants, and baguettes.

The Best Hostels In Barcelona

The good news is that Barcelona has multiple great hostels.

However, the prices increase considerably in the summer thanks to the influx of visitors, so you’ll want to book as early as possible to ensure you get the best options. I’ve always used Hostelworld to book hostels, so you’ll want to poke around there to find the perfect hostel.

Below is a list of the best-rated hostels that won’t break your budget:

  • Hostel One Sants
  • Pars Teatro Hostel
  • Sant Jordi Hostel Rock Palace
  • Sant Jordi Gracia
  • Sant Jordi Sagrada Familia
  • Feetup Garden House

Read more about the best hostels in Barcelona.

Public Transportation in Barcelona

Barcelona has a good public transportation network. Most people use the Metro (subway) to travel long distances, but Barcelona is compact so many visitors end up walking everywhere. The Metro is nice to ride during the steamy summer because it’s air-conditioned.

Public Transportation Ticket Prices (Visit The Official Website)

  • Single one-way ticket: €2.40
  • T10 ticket (10 one-way journeys): €11.35

Hola Barcelona Travel Card provides unlimited journeys on public transport in Barcelona for consecutive periods of 2 days (48 h), 3 days (72 h), 4 days (96 h) or 5 days (120 h) from the time it is first validated. Travel to Barcelona-El Prat airport included.

  • 2-day pass: €16.40
  • 3-day pass: €23.80
  • 4-day pass: €31
  • 5-day pass: €38. 20

Express Aerobus from the airport to city: €5.90

Train (RENFE) from airport to city: €4.10 + €2.15 (to switch to the Metro)

Taxi from airport to city: €25-€35

Practical Travel Tips

  • Many city-run museums are free on Sundays from 3-8pm.
  • Many restaurants close around 2-4pm and don’t open back up until 8 pm.
  • Catalán is the main language spoken in Barcelona but Spanish is also spoken by just about everyone.
  • Whenever possible, purchase museum and attraction tickets online. Attractions often attract huge crowds and even huger lines, so the savviest visitors buy their tickets in advance.
  • Walking is the best way to explore the city.
  • Watch for pickpockets. They’re everywhere.
  • Every Metro stop has free wifi and you can find free wifi in many parts of the city but I always reccomend buying a European SIM Card—read about How To Buy A SIM Card in Europe but SimOptions. com is the most well-known authorized SIM card reseller.
  • Avoid eating at any restaurant on Las Ramblas. There might be one or two exceptions, but 99% of the time you’re going to be overpaying for bad food.
  • Want to go to an FC Barcelona soccer game but can’t find a ticket? Head to www.fcbarcelona.com and you can find season ticket holders selling their tickets.

Packing Lists and Tips

If you’re looking at this article, then I’m going to bet you’re getting ready to travel. Check out these helpful articles that we wrote for tips and advice for packing for your trip.

  • Backpacking Europe Packing List For Women
  • Backpacking Europe Packing List For Men
  • Best Travel Backpacks For Europe

More Barcelona Travel Planning Resources

  • Rick Steves Barcelona
  • Lonely Planet Barcelona
  • Time Out: Barcelona
  • WikiVoyage: Barcelona
  • Author
  • Recent Posts

James Feess

Founder at The Savvy Backpacker

James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the author of the book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide To Europe On A Budget”. He’s been blogging about budget travel in Europe since 2010.

Latest posts by James Feess (see all)

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Barcelona expects to increase summer transfer budget to 100 million euros – Football

Barcelona management intends to increase the summer transfer budget to 100 million euros, according to Sport.es.

According to the source, the Catalan club is currently starting from the amount of 30 million that it can spend on newcomers. The sale of players from the current squad will help Barcelona increase this amount. In particular, it is known about Anji’s interest in Daniel Alves. Seydou Keita is also expected to leave Barcelona in the summer. A serious amount will be released after the departure of Josep Guardiola.

Barcelona’s top summer transfer targets include Athletic Madrid striker Fernando Llorente and Valencia defender Jordi Alba.

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    US company to invest 267 million euros in Barcelona’s budget

    https://rsport.ria.ru/20220630/barselona-1799302713.html

    US company to invest 267 million euros in Barcelona’s budget

    US company to invest 267 million euros in Barcelona’s budget – RIA Novosti Sport, 06/30/2022

    US company to invest 267 million euros in Barcelona’s budget conclusion of an agreement with the American investment company Sixth Street. .. RIA Novosti Sport, 06/30/2022

    2022-06-30T15:510002 barcelona

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    MOSCOW, June 30 – RIA Novosti. Spanish football club Barcelona’s budget will acquire 267 million euros after an agreement with the American investment company Sixth Street Partners to sell 10% of the team’s television rights for 25 years, according to sport.es. The funds will reportedly be credited before July 1, which will allow ” Barcelona” to close the financial year with positive indicators and start reducing debt. Otherwise, the Catalans would have ended the year with a loss of 150 million euros. It is noted that this will give “Barcelona” room to maneuver in order to carry out all the purchases planned for the summer in the transfer market. It was previously reported that Barcelona are interested in Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, but are not ready to spend more than 35 million euros on a transfer.

    https://rsport.ria.ru/20220629/levandovskiy-1798922473.html

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