20 Free Things to Do in Barcelona
Are you on a budget? Barcelona has so many cool things you can do, without spending a single cent! Here are 20 ideas for free things to do in Barcelona!
Street art in Poblenou - The cool, industrial area of Poblenou has some beautiful street art worth checking out. One great place to see many beautiful pieces of street art is in the corner of C/ Agricultura and C/ Venezuela.
Gracia neighborhood - Even if it’s only a couple of subway stops from Plaça Catalunya, Gracia feels like a village, far away from the city center. Go here and stroll around the pedestrian streets, stop at a plaza somewhere, and grab a beer on a terrace. Plaça del Sol always attracts lots of young people in the evenings.
A day at the beach - Barcelona has everything: both city and beach, and that is one of the many reasons we love it so much. If you feel lazy, go down to the Barceloneta beach, bring a towel, and spend your day in the sun. It gets pretty crowded here though, but the further away you go, the less busy it gets. If you have a few euros to spare, take the train 20 minutes away, and you’ll find beautiful beaches that are frequented mostly by locals, such as Montgat, Ocata, or Sant Pol de Mar.
Els Encants Vells - Who doesn’t love a good flea market? This outdoor flea market is worth visiting, even if you’re not planning on buying anything. If you do, don’t forget to bargain!
Sagrada Familia - It’s beautiful inside, but if you want to save some euros, you can admire it from the outside. The church is imposing regardless, and you can take some cool shots from the parks on both sides of it, especially from the opposite side of the pond.
Montjuic Fountain - At Plaça Espanya, you can find this fountain where a gorgeous light- and music show takes place every evening, for free. It is truly magical!
Neighborhood festivals - If you are lucky, you might be visiting Barcelona during one of the neighborhood festivals. The most famous one is, without a doubt, the Gracia festival that takes place mid-August when the streets compete in who comes up with the most ingenious theme to dress itself up in. September is the month for the Barcelona city festival (La Mercè), and during most of the year, some neighborhood or other is celebrating.
Barcelona Cathedral - This very centrally located cathedral is actually free to visit!
Castellers - If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the human towers, it is quite the sight and is a chilling experience. Castellers usually appear at events such as La Mercè or the neighborhood festivals.
Ciutadella - Grab a picnic (for example, at cool Funky Bakers) and head to the Ciutadella park. When the weather allows the park fills with locals, expats and tourists catching some sun, playing their guitar, walking the tightrope, meeting up with friends, or do yoga together.
Santa Maria del Mar - In the Born neighborhood, you can find this beautiful gothic cathedral that is free to visit.
Join a free walking tour - There are many options for free walking tours around the city, take your pick, and learn more about Barcelona and its history.
Gótico - You can feel the wings of history in this old neighborhood, with its narrow streets. Walk around here for a while, and you’ll find cute cafes, bars, and restaurants that you might not have found in your guidebooks.
La Boqueria - The market just by Las Ramblas is often packed, but it is a heaven for any foodie and makes for excellent and colorful photos. There are many food markets around the city, if you get anxious in crowds head towards the Sant Antoni or Santa Caterina market instead.
Multicultural Raval - The most colorful of the city’s neighborhood is El Raval, with its halal butcher shops, Middle-Eastern bakeries, and Pakistani clothes shops. However, make sure to be cautious when night falls.
Ruins in the Born - In El Born Cultural Center you can admire a fascinating archeological site with ruins from the 18th century, and the entry is free, every day.
Arc de Triomf - This beautiful arch makes an excellent backdrop for cool photos, and is located just next to the Ciutadella park.
Free museums - Every first Sunday of the month, some museums offer free entry, such as the MNAC, the CCCB, the Design Museum, and even the Picasso Museum.
Kiss of Freedom - This mural is located in the Gótico neighborhood just by the Barcelona cathedral and depicts a couple kissing. But when you get closer, you can see that it is made up of lots of photos of locals representing their moments of freedom.
Bunkers - Take a bus (or walk if you really want to save some money) up to the Carmel bunkers. The views are absolutely breathtaking: you see the whole city from up there.
