Barcelona is a perennially popular destination, and with its Mediterranean climate, spectacular food, nightlife, culture, and beaches, it’s not hard to see why. Barcelona does tend to be more expensive compared to other cities in Spain, but there is still plenty to do for the budget traveller. Here are just a few of the awesome free things to do in Barcelona, whatever time of year you visit Barcelona.
Know Before You Go to Barcelona
Before travelling to Barcelona, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE HOTELS IN BARCELONA:
$$: Sercotel Hotel Rosellon – View of the Sagrada Familia from some rooms and terrace
$$: H10 Madison 4* Sup – top location with rooftop pool & view of the Gothic Cathedral
$: Chic & Basic Lemon Boutique Hotel – great value hotel near Plaça Catalunya
⭐ TOP 3 BARCELONA ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1: Park Guell Admission Ticket – colourful mosaic terraces and gorgeous views
2: Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Ticket – a must-see in Barcelona!
3: Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour – stunning Modernist Building & rooftop
❗BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS❗
Although Barcelona is a safe city, pickpockets are a problem here, particularly in popular tourist areas and on the metro. Use a theft-proof backpack and consider getting some hidden-pocket clothing to keep your belongings safe.
How to Have an Epic (and Cheap) Barcelona Trip
I love finding free things to do wherever I travel, and you can have a fabulous time in Barcelona with a very limited budget. However, there are some things that might be worth paying for if you have the budget to do it. Perhaps by compromising and saving money on some things, you can afford to splurge a little on something you really want to do.
For example, you could save money by staying in cheap accommodation and doing lots of free activities in Barcelona, and then treat yourself to a food tour or a nice dinner, or something totally unique like going inside La Sagrada Familia.
Some of the most popular tours and activities in Barcelona that you might be interested in include:
Or you can browse more paid things to do in Barcelona here. I use GetYourGuide to book tours and tickets as I love how you can choose from a variety of options to find the best for you, comparing prices and reading reviews.
Using GetYourGuide means you also get immediate confirmation once you’ve booked which is perfect for last-minute plans, and when you book in advance you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity in case your plans change. However, If you prefer to use Viator you can find tours on Viator here.
Barcelona Money Saving Tip
If you plan to visit several museums, then check out the Barcelona Card which includes free entry to over 25 museums and attractions including the Picasso Museum, the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) and the Museum of the History of Barcelona, as well as free access to public transport. >>> Get More info hereThat said, no matter what budget you have, there is no need to pay for activities in Barcelona if you don’t want to. You can still have an amazing time in Barcelona without spending a lot of money, and have some unique experiences you will remember forever!
Free Things to Do in Barcelona:
Admire Gaudí’s Architecture
You can’t move in Barcelona without seeing Gaudí’s influence everywhere. From lampposts in Plaça Reial, to colourful, curvy homes on Passeig de Gracia and in el Raval, the modernist architect’s work is everywhere you look.
The colourful Casa Batlló is my personal favourite, and La Pedrera is nearby so you can easily see both of these iconic houses as you stroll down the wide avenue of Passeig de Gracia.
Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia is impressive from the outside without needing to pay entry to go inside – just walk around and admire the façade. The best photos of La Sagrada Familia are from across the pond in Plaça de Gaudí, which is completely free to visit.
However, if you do have some cash to spend it really is spectacular from the inside, and the Sagrada Familia interiors are worth paying for! If you do choose to go inside, make sure you book your tickets online in advance to beat the queues!
Ramble Down La Rambla
La Rambla is an institution in Barcelona. The leafy avenue runs from Plaça Catalunya to Port Vell, and is filled with tourists, locals, market stalls and street performers. Keep a tight hold of your belongings here as it is notorious for pickpockets, but it really has to be done at least once during your visit to Barcelona!
La Rambla is more enjoyable in the morning before the crowds get too hectic, and don’t try to rush here, it’s impossible. Instead, take a leisurely stroll down La Rambla in the morning, pop into La Boqueria Market for some breakfast, then carry on. You can also take detours off La Ramba to see Plaça Reial or the lovely Gothic church of Santa Maria del Pi.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A Digital Nomad Guide to Barcelona
Soak Up the Views
Barcelona is known as the city between the mountains and the sea, and its hilly terrain provides some incredible views. One of my top free things to do in Barcelona is to climb up somewhere and just enjoy the view! Montjuic has lovely views of the port and of the city from the other side of the mountain.
The bar & roof terrace of the Museum of the History of Catalunya has great views of Barceloneta and Port Vell, which you can pop in to admire for free or buy a drink there for a more leisurely stay. The bunkers at Carmel are popular for romantic dates, or if you are feeling energetic you can hike up to Collserola or Tibidabo mountain to see it all!
Love the free stuff but want a guided tour? Check out these options for paid tours in Barcelona provided by GetYourGuide:
Free Things to Do in Barcelona: Hit the Beach
The beaches at Barceloneta are the most convenient as they are closest to the city and easily walkable, but they can be overcrowded and dirty. Instead of taking the easy option and stopping there, hire a bike or walk along the beachfront to Bogatell or Mar Bella beaches near Poblenou where the locals come to enjoy the sunshine and sand.
You could also venture even further to Badalona a few metro stops away for even quieter beaches without a tourist in sight.
Take a Free Walking Tour in Barcelona
There are several companies offering free walking tours in Barcelona, and these are a great introduction to the city and its history. Most focus on the Gothic Quarter, but you can also find special Gaudi tours too. Of course, tipping the guide is highly recommended, so although it is technically free you could expect to tip around €5-€10 per person for a 3-hour tour.
Want More Barcelona Articles?
Check out these blog posts for more inspiration for your Barcelona vacation, or click here to read all of my Spain posts.Or a Free Bike Tour
Most companies charge for a bike tour, but not Free Bike Tour Barcelona! They offer a free 3-hour bike tour of Barcelona, although you do pay €3 per hour for the bike rental, it is still a pretty good deal to be able to explore areas of the city you may not visit otherwise. Again, tipping the guide is recommended. See their website for more information.
Admire the Street Art
Another one of the awesome free things to do in Barcelona is spotting the amazing street art all over the city. Hot spots include the maze of streets in the Gothic Quarter, old industrial areas in Poble Nou, pretty much everywhere in Gracia and the Three Chimneys Park in Poble Sec, although you will find art dotted around other areas too. Just wander around and keep your eyes peeled!
Learn Catalan for Free
If you plan on having an extended stay in Barcelona, the Catalan government offers 45 hours of free Catalan classes for beginners. Check out the government website for details, which only seems to be available in Catalan so you might need Google Translate to help!
Catch a Free Movie on the Beach
In July, Cinema Lliure set up a free cinema on Barceloneta beach a couple of nights a week. Films are shown in their original version with Spanish or Catalan subtitles, so check which films are showing before you go down there – you want to be able to understand what’s going on!
Show up early to get the best spots, and bring a blanket, beer and snacks to munch while you watch.
Free Concerts
During the summer months, green spaces in Barcelona play host to musical groups offering free live performances across the city. Jazz and classical music are the key genres, keep an eye on the Barcelona Town Hall website for details of the timetable, from June to August.
Explore the Markets
The Boqueria Market on La Rambla is an essential stop for any visitor to Barcelona. Head there early in the morning to beat the crowds (remember, it’s closed on Sundays) and stroll around enjoying the sights and smells.
Other markets to explore include Santa Caterina opposite the Cathedral, Sant Antoni on the other side of the Raval, and the market in Gracia. The flea market Mercat dels Encants is perfect for hunting bargains and is full of second hand and new items, furniture, pictures, books.
Visit a Museum on Sunday for Free
A lot of museums in Barcelona are free after 3pm every Sunday, or all day on the first Sunday of the month. There may be long queues, but if you are prepared to wait you can get free entry to some of the most popular museums in Barcelona.
Museums with free entry on Sunday after 3pm include the Picasso Museum, the Hospital of Sant Pau, the Museum of Catalan History (which has awesome views over Barceloneta port), the Barcelona History Museum and the MNAC National Museum of Catalan Art, among others. My personal favourite is the Hospital Sant Pau, which is a stunning modernist building (below).
Enjoy a Local Fiesta
Another one of my favourite free things to do in Barcelona is party! Each neighbourhood in the city celebrates its own Festa Major, or street festival, at different times of the year. The most popular is the Festa Major de Gràcia in August, when residents decorate their streets with different themes and have live music concerts, free dance classes and more.
Other major festivals include La Merced in September, Las Festes de Santa Eulàlia and the Light Festival in February, and San Joan in June when everyone heads to the beach for fireworks.
Watch Sardana Dancing
The Sardana is a traditional Catalan dance that was banned during the Franco dictatorship, along with the Catalan language. Despite the ban, Catalans continued to dance in defiance, and now the Sardana is a symbol of Catalan culture and pride.
During the summer in the early evening you can catch a performance in the square in front of the cathedral on Saturdays, or in Plaça Jaume 1 on Sundays, when groups of locals young and old form circles and dance to the sound of a live band.
Watch a Human Tower
Castellers are teams of people of all ages who come together to create human towers, and are one of the most awe-inspiring free things to do in Barcelona. Castellers usually perform at every festival in Barcelona, and regularly at various events throughout the year.
At major festivals, teams from different areas of Barcelona and Catalunya compete to create the highest and most complex towers, while at other times you may find one group practising in front of the Cathedral. Check the Castellers de Catalunya website for details of upcoming performances.
This is just a small sample of the best free things in Barcelona that you can enjoy, so what are you waiting for? Have you been to Barcelona and done any other free activities? Let me know in the comments below!
Barcelona Travel Tips
Recommended Guide Books for Barcelona
Getting There
- Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Barcelona. Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is the closest airport to the city.
- Public transport is the cheapest way to get around Barcelona, buy the Hola Barcelona transport ticket for unlimited use of the metro, buses, trams and local trains, including the train from the airport to Barcelona.
Where to Stay in Barcelona
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- Use Hostelworld to find the best prices for hostels in Barcelona. Take a look at these recommended hostels:
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- For hotels in Barcelona, check out Booking.com or Hotels.com for the best deals. Recommended hotels include:
Barcelona Tours and Activities
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- If you're staying in a hostel, check out their tours and activities which are usually free or very cheap - and a great way to meet people!
- I use GetYourGuide to book skip the line entry tickets and tours in Barcelona
- Recommended Tours and Attractions in Barcelona:
Beware of pickpockets
- Although Barcelona is a safe city, pickpockets are a problem here, particularly in popular tourist areas and on the metro. Do not keep your wallet or cash in trouser pockets and keep your hand on your bags at all times.
- When you are eating at a restaurant or café, keep your bag on your lap, not hanging over your chair and avoid leaving your wallet or phone on the table – especially if eating outdoors. It only takes a second for someone to distract you and grab it!
Get Travel Insurance
- Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like stolen items, adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
- Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers. Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.
Check Your Travel Documents
- Don't forget to check the validity of your passport and any other documents for your trip. Use iVisa to check if you need a visa to visit Spain, and get up to date official travel advice from your government, for example on the Department of State website in the US or the UK government website.
Get Cheap Currency
- When travelling to Spain, using a travel bank account like Wise means you get great deals on Euros - including a fee-free transfer of up to £500 or USD equivalent when you use this link to sign up.
HIRE A CAR IN BARCELONA
- While you don't need a car to get around Barcelona, if you want to explore more of Catalunya and the Costa Brava get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.
Top Money Saving Tip for Backpackers
- Work exchanges are a great way to travel for longer and extend your trip as you can save a ton of money on accommodation. Get an extra $10 discount on Worldpackers here or learn more about work exchanges.
Barcelona is an incredible city, which you can enjoy without breaking the bank. I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for free things to do in Barcelona, and have a fabulous trip!
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There are so many amazing things on here it’s making me really want to visit! Will have to add Barcelona to the top of my bucket list!
Thanks so much Adrian! I’ll let you know when I’m back in the city 🙂
Hi there,
I love your list of free things to do in Barcelona. You have some really good ideas about the city. If you are ever back in Barcelona I would love to show you some amazing places to eat in the city. I run a food tour company called Eye on Food Tours drop me a line some time.
all the best,
-A
What better way to start your visit to the colorful city than with a free city tour ! It is good for travellers who don’t have big budgets for paid tours but need tour guides to properly explore places.
Barcelona is such unforgettable city, which full of beautiful architectures, amazing views. Сathedral La Sagrada is so special place, one of my favourite in a world!
So much architecture! And I love our outdoors focused touring the city it. I guess it helps to have a beach nearby too.
Barcelona is really amazing and your suggestions are awesome. Excellent list of suggestions which I can’t wait to do when in Barcelona, Claire. 😉
Great list! We loved Barcelona, one of my favorite cities, and most of the highlights were free! I loved walking around and spotting cool and funky architecture – Gaudi obviously – and then had a lot of fun people watching on the beach. Loved soaking up the atmosphere of Las Ramblas – was such an upbeat and happy place to be!
I’ve only been to Barcelona once and I loved it. So much to see, eat and do. The one thing I missed was the human tower. That would be fun to see. Great article for a city that stole my heart!!
Nice post about my hometown! I would have never associated Carmel neighborhood with a romantic date, I need to explore this! And you can see sardana dancing during all the year, not only in summer. A shame that parts of Parc Güell are paid like you say and the ticket to some historical buildings are really expensive. Still, many ideas to have fun without spending a euro! Thanks for the web with the castells’ calendar, I always wanted to have sth like this for when I visit Barcelona so it will come very handy 😉
This is a very comprehensive list of free things to do in Barcelona. I am quite impressed by the free bike tour. and to think they manage only by tips is just awesome.
I have been to Barcelona before but I was not aware of this. The human tower reminds me of a festival here in Mumbai when groups of people create human pyramids to reach a pot of money!
I have been to Barcelona many times, but I haven’t done all of these amazing free things! I need to go back to see the city up high as your photo is beautiful and I did not see any of the street art.
I also love admiring Gaudi’s work! My favorite thing to do in Barcelona is just to wander around, I love the small streets in the gothic quarter. I’ve never seen the human pyramid though and have visited many times! maybe I still have to go back 😉
There are so much to do in Barcelona, and what more, they are free. I’d consider this post whenever I have to visit again and recommend to friends. I did a lot of market tour when I visited simply because of the fascinating colors. I was wondering when Sagrada Familia would be finished. And here it is. There are no dull moments in Barcelona.
The street walk is the best of all. I did it in parts and enjoyed the sights at the beach. Gaudi’s work is exemplary. I had been to the interiors of one of them… mind blowing. I was not aware of the free concerts.
We loved our visit to Barcelona last year. Have to agree with the Gaudi architecture and lazing around the beach in Barceloneta, but as you mentioned can be busy so walk along the waterfront. The walking tours and markets are also well worth the time and very interesting, a great way to get to know the place.
Wow, what a great list for free things to do in Barcelona. I’ve done a lot of these, as I love just walking around neighbourhoods and getting to know a place. Isn’t Gaudi’s work just exceptional? I spent hours on a self-guided walking tour of his buildings… from La Pedrera to Park Güell and to Sagrada obviously. It’s amazing to think that Sagrada Familia may be finished in our lifetime after so many years under construction! I can’t wait to visit Barcelona again and perhaps visit some of the beaches near Badalona for a more local experience!