Tens of millions of tourists visit Barcelona every year, and the city is Catalonia's dominant tourist destination. Despite the high volume of people coming in and out, visiting the city doesn’t have to be an awfully expensive process. Barcelona certainly has its high-end options for travellers looking for an incredible experience, but it also offers much cheaper options for those on a tighter budget. To enjoy the city without having to stress too much about your savings, follow this guide to enjoy Barcelona on a budget.
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Stay in a less expensive area
While this might seem obvious, many assume it is not possible to stay near Barcelona’s city centre at a reasonable price. However, you won’t need to stay far from the action to get a good price. For example, El Raval is incredibly close to La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter and has many incredibly cheap hotels and hostels. El Raval is recovering from a previously bad reputation, but it now combines safety and cheap prices with a great location. Additionally, Airbnb boasts prices cheaper than 40 euros a night, and it can be a useful tool if you’re looking to stay in a specific area. It is also worth considering when you are staying in Barcelona. From mid-June to July is Barcelona’s peak season, and prices will be more expensive.
Use public transportation
Regardless of the length of your stay, the public transportation system will be a huge help! Public transportation passes can be bought at metro and tram stations, and many will work for any kind of public transportation within the zone they’re bought in, including buses, trains, and trams. Passes are also very flexible, with passes for different amounts of time and group travel passes. Because Barcelona has such a dynamic and all-encompassing public transportation system, you never find yourself too far from a stop when you need one. On top of that, metro and tram lines are open from early in the morning to late at night, with quick intervals between stops. In most cases, the metro is a much better bet than taking an expensive cab everywhere.
Take advantage of free attractions
Barcelona has several famous art and history museums that offer deals that allow free admission. For example, the Picasso Museum allows free admission during evenings on Thursdays and first Sundays in the month.
Other museums offer similar deals, so if you want to visit a museum during your stay, make sure to do your research, because you might be able to visit without spending a cent!
But Barcelona has many other destinations worth a visit where you won’t need to pay anything. La Rambla and La Boqueria offer incredibly unique experiences at no cost, and you could explore the two for days! Alternatively, famous architecture like La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell (before its opening hours) can all be viewed up close for free if you don’t want the paid tour.
Experience the city with the locals
At all of Barcelona’s busiest tourist locations, it’s not recommended to eat, have a drink, or party at the first place you see. Restaurants and bars are very expensive in all the busiest locations. Exploring even a couple of streets away can give you a much better experience – with better food at a cheaper price. The same goes for clubs. Do your research on which clubs are visited by tourists, and which are favoured by locals. When exploring, you’ll find new parts of the city and save money at the same time.