Looking to do Barcelona on the cheap? It’s not too hard! Take our tips by reading this complete budget guide to Barcelona!
Getting Around
There are many ways to get around Barcelona, but what’s beautiful about this city is how walkable it is. Use your legs and see the city by foot—it’s a great way to save a few euros and also enjoy the wonderful Mediterranean climate! This is definitely a top tip from our budget guide to Barcelona!
Local’s Tip: Still want to take public transport? Get a T-10 pass at any train or metro station or tobacco stand. Furthermore, with this, each trip within city limits will cost you less than 1 euro.
Where to Stay
The options are endless for great hotels and hostels for those who are visiting Barcelona on a budget. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Generator Hotel & Hostel: A fun and funky hostel in a great location, steps to many of Barcelona’s sights.
- Casa Gracia: Luxury hostel? We’ll take it! Plus in one of Barcelona’s most charming and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, La Vila de Gracia.
- Hotel Praktik Garden: A lovely little oasis for around 60 euros a night. No budget guide to Barcelona would be complete without a mention of this great little find!
Sightseeing on the Cheap
There’s a lot to see in Barcelona, and depending on your plans, that can really rack up a fortune! Here are some tips for doing a bit of sightseeing in Barcelona on a budget.
- Check museum schedules before you go, as many have free entry on Sundays or Mondays.
- Choose just one Gaudi building to tour—the rest you can enjoy from the outside for free.
Eating and Drinking
Spain is famous for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to eat well in Barcelona! Read the following tips for eating and drinking well on a budget in Barcelona.
- Don’t miss the menu del dia. Many restaurants between the hours of 1 and 4 pm will serve a set lunch menu for anywhere between 10-14 euros. As lunch is the big meal of the day, this menu usually includes three courses and is an incredible value for your money!
- Get your pinchos on. Pinchos are Basque-style tapas at bars where you serve yourself. If you have a big Spanish lunch, then pincho-hopping for dinner couldn’t be more perfect! Head to Blai Street in Poble Sec to find dozens of pincho bars!
- Buy your wine straight from the barrel. Looking to drink Spanish wine on a budget? Recycle one of your water bottles at one of the cities many bodegas, and they will fill you up for some pocket change! Why not fill it with some delicious vermouth? Want to know how to enjoy it just like a local? Check out this great little video below!
Other Budget-Friendly Activities in Barcelona
The beautiful thing about Barcelona is that there is so much to see and do without spending a single cent! Here are a few of our top activities. No budget guide to Barcelona would be complete without checking out some of these great ideas!
- Take yourself on a self-guided Gaudi tour.
- Visit the wonderful historic food markets in Barcelona for an incredible sensory experience.
- Rent a bike and cruise down the coastline.
- See a movie at the Filmoteca de Catalunya, where films are in original version and tickets are just three euros.
- Hike up to the Montjuic castle.
- Visit the Born Cultural Center to see incredible ruins and one of Barcelona’s most stunning buildings (entry is free!)
- Now that you’ve become an expert with our budget guide to Barcelona, check out our full guide on cheap things to do in Barcelona!
This blog post was originally posted on October 19, 2016, and was updated on November 29, 2016.
