Top 10 Free Activities to do in Barcelona!
To some, Barcelona may be a pretty expensive city... But it doesn't have to be!
The Activities List:
- See the Gaudi Architecture
- Experience the Mercat de la Boqueria
- Take a Stroll Down Las Ramblas
- Go Back in Time at El Born Cultural & Memorial Center
- See the Arc de Triomf & Parc de la Ciutadella
- Discover the Gothic Quarter
- Visit Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
- Explore L'Eixample District
- Shop at Arenas de Barcelona
- Take in the Scenery at Port Vell
Here is a fresh complete guide
prepared for those would like to experience Barcelona on a $0 budget:
1. See the Gaudi Architecture
Sagrada Familia is the primary landmark in Barcelona located in the Eixample district. It is an unfinished breathtaking basilica designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi, and a must-see when visiting Barcelona. Gaudi’s masterpiece has quite a few façades on the outside so you get to have a lot different angles to capture the best picture!
Casa Mila and Casa Batlló are two of Gaudi’s other masterworks which can be found in the city center. These two fascinating buildings never stop amazing you no matter how many times you walk by it. Their magical design just makes one wonder “What was going on inside his head?!”
2. Experience the Mercat de la Boqueria
The beating heart of the city, La Boqueria, is the marketplace where you can find everything fresh and nice. From a great variety of fruits, to olives, ice cream, sauces, tacos, pastries and salami you name it!
The staff is very friendly and they will do everything in their power to get you what you want. And in case you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t worry. The market wants you to leave a note for them so they can get it for you, as they have always done!
3. Take a Stroll Down Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is the busiest street in Barcelona. It starts at Plaça de Catalunya which is another popular touristic spot and stretches all the way down to Port Vell. The street is very lively no matter the time of the day and welcomes everyone for a fun but chaotic stroll!
There are many good paella places along the street as well as souvenir shops and fast food restaurants. Street artist also add to the scenery showing off their amazing art!
4. Go Back in Time at El Born Cultural & Memorial Center
El Born Cultural & Memorial Centre is basically a multilayered cultural street that is open to everyone. You can enter the site free of charge and observe the archeological remains of the neighborhood demolished at the order of King Philip V.
The center also hosts art exhibitions as well as cultural events. One of the best destinations in Barcelona for history and culture lovers!
5. See the Arc de Triomf & Parc de la Ciutadella
Two birds with one stone if you are an avid photographer! Being one of the city’s iconic landmarks, Arc de Triomf was originally built as a gateway to the fair of 1888. It is a very decorative sculpture with a lot of symbolism and is located very close to Parc de la Ciutadella whose beautiful cascade welcomes its visitors right at the entrance.
Parc de la Ciutadella is one of my favorites in Barcelona and it is a very scenic landmark with many splendid sculptures accompanied by ducks that are swimming around.
6. Discover the Gothic Quarter
The quarter encompasses the ancient part of the city and is home to trendy bars, cafes and restaurants. The city’s most important medieval landmark is also located here - the Roman wall.
Being a mix of the glorious past and modern present, the Gothic Quarter won’t disappoint its visitors. Its narrow streets might resemble a labyrinth at first but one gets used to it after a while.
El Raval is also an interesting and colorful place to visit and it is also where I stayed during my visit back in February ’22. It is an area that never sleeps and there is always some kind of action going on in the streets. Make sure to check it out and drop by one of its friendly pubs!
7. Visit Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
Abbreviated as MNAC, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is housed in a baroque palace called the Palau Nacional exhibiting the finest pieces of the Catalan history. The building itself is as picturesque as its scenery which is accompanied by the Roman columns and the Magic Fountain.
Literally meaning “the extension” in Catalan and definitely not pronounced as the English word “example”, L'Eixample is probably Barcelona’s most geometrical neighborhood because of its grid of streets with diamond-shaped intersections.
It is a great pleasure to walk on the streets of L'Eixample and take a coffee break at one of the cafes located on the chamfered corners. The district is characterized by such corners which make it livelier compared to other neighborhoods. It is the place to go if you just want to take a stroll around the city no matter what time of the day it is!
9. Shop 'til You Drop at Arenas de Barcelona
If you ever wonder what a former bullring would look like if it was turned into a modern shopping mall, you need look no further than Arenas de Barcelona! This mall has wonderful stores inside where you can shop ‘til you drop in addition to good food options and a wonderful terrace. Shopping part isn't free of course!
Other than hosting art events and
pieces that belong to famous artists such as Van Gogh, the terrace offers an
amazing view towards Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and is especially worth
seeing at night when the city is lit up!
10. Take in the Scenery at Port Vell
When you go down the Las Ramblas towards the beach, you eventually end up at Port Vell which is Barcelona’s waterfront harbor where you can take a boat tour yourself.
There is a shopping
mall called the Maremagnum at the end of the harbor’s boardwalk and
there is a wonderful scenery around the building where you can take an ice
cream and observe catamarans come and go. Port Vell also has an aerial tram that
gives the visitors a lift to the Montjuïc Hill.
Barceloneta is the first of the
Barcelona beaches and it gets very busy during summer. It literally means
“little Barcelona” and is good for those who are looking for a beach vacation
without going too far away from the city. It is very busy in winter as well as
people like to gather at the beach, sing, chat and show off their art!
BONUS
And don’t forget to check the city event calendar to find out about the city festivals that might be taking place during your stay! Barcelona is a city of festivals and parties and you’ll probably encounter one while you are staying in the city. So join the locals celebrating in the streets and enjoy your vacation!
I would also recommend exploring the city by joining one of the Free Walking Tours if it is your first time or you do not have any plans what to do. A free walking tour works like this: You sign up online to the tour you’d like to join, show up at the meeting point 10 min prior to the tour start and just roll with your tour guide and others in your group along the streets.
You can decide how much to give to the tour guide at the end of the tour. Most guides also let you pay by card but it is good to bring some cash with you just in case! As the tour providers might change from city to city, I advise you to just make a google search and choose the option that is suitable.
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