Many people wonder, is Barcelona expensive? Well, the answer to that question will depend on what you want to experience and how you go about doing it. Barcelona is a dream destination for all kinds of people. Luckily, it is relatively easy to travel through Barcelona on a budget without missing any of the must-see tourist attractions. As with most vacation destinations, accommodation will be your biggest expense. Setting aside a budget, one tip to remember is to stay close to the city center. Hotel costs may be more expensive but you will save tons of time and money by avoiding the train, bus, or taxi to get where you want to go.
Basically spend more on accommodation and save the rest for food and activities. Another tip to remember when traveling to Barcelona on a budget is that timing is important. This city thrives on tourism; therefore visiting during the summer months of June through August will see an extreme spike in not only airplane prices but also accommodation and leisure activities.
Getting around in Barcelona is relatively easy thanks to its advanced public transportation network of trains and busses. The average bus ticket will set you back around €2 one-way, however there are affordable metro cards available for unlimited use within a certain time frame of 2-5 days. These metro cards are especially useful when you already have a full day of activities planned in and outside of the city. On the other hand, Barcelona is a relatively small city and many of the must-see attractions are within walking distance from each other. Another option is to rent a bicycle and explore downtown twice as fast as on foot.
Sightseeing on a budget is relatively easy considering there are plenty of inexpensive attractions scattered around the city for all ages to enjoy. Below is a list of suggested activities for fewer than 10 Euros.
● Catedral de Barcelona: €9 fee to access the Choir, cloister, and rooftop
● Visit any bar or restaurant to enjoy tapas for €1 to €2 each
● Rent a bike and roam around the city for about €5 per hour
● Take a tour of the Musee de la Xocolata for about €5
● Find bargains under €10 at Els Encants flea market
No matter if you are just visiting or moving to Barcelona or how much spending money you have, there is always a way to enjoy the city on any budget.
On that note, while there are plenty of activities under €10, there are even more things to see that won’t cost you a penny! If you’re the type of person that would rather roam the streets with no destination in mind besides appreciating the city then look no further than the list below.
Visit Gaudí’s masterpieces
While you will need to pay to see Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló or La Pedrera from the inside, the same can’t be said to just see them from the outside and appreciate the fine details of Gaudí’s architectural wonders.
Take a free walking tour
There’s no better way to learn about the history of the city than to take a walking tour. Although tipping is an essential part of it so in the end you will be spending some money but it’s totally worth it and even then, it’s up to you how much.
Visit the Museu d’Història de Catalunya
The entrance costs 8 euros normally for both the permanent and temporal expositions but it’s free the first Sunday of every. Not only it’s a very nice museum but it’s also located right by the Port Vell so you can continue the day with an amazing walk after the visit.
Take a walk in Park Güell
Again, visiting the main area is not free but that only applies to the built part of the park. You can just as well enjoy it by walking on the rest of the park and even get a glimpse of the buildings themselves.
Spend a day at the beach
When you think of Barcelona the first thing that comes to mind is the beach so why not just spend a whole relaxing day there? You can just take a couple of towels and head to one of the many beaches right in the city with the top 4 being Barceloneta Beach, Nova Icaria, Bogatell, and Mar Bella.
Stroll down La Rambla
While a tourist trap and a place to avoid eating or drinking, going for a stroll in Barcelona’s most famous street is a must-do. Right about midway you can also visit the Mercado de la Boqueria where you can walk around and browse an endless array of goodies.
Some other free activities that you can do while in Barcelona include:
● Explore the churches and even climb the steeple to some:
● Parc de la Ciutadella: Enjoy an afternoon picnic or just take a quick stroll
● Boardwalk: Walk the lovely boardwalk located at the beginning of Playa de La Barceloneta
● Do some light-medium hiking to reach the top of Montjüic and enjoy the sunset from the castle
Barcelona is an amazing city and there’s a reason why it is so widely loved by all people. It has something to offer to everyone no matter what you like or as you can see, how much you want to spend.
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