Here's How To Spend A Cheap-Ish Weekend In Barcelona, Spain
Gaudí, tapas, and wine — without breaking the bank.
Barcelona may not be the cheapest city in Europe, but it's full of things to see and do — beach, art, and architecture — that don't cost a dime.
And then there's the food. You can pair a couple of cheap tapas (hello, pan con tomate) with a glass of wine for under $10, while bombas (fried balls filled with potatoes and meat) are a cheap, easy way to eat on the go.
In Barcelona, a hostel bunk costs around $18, but if you have a travel buddy you can save a few bucks by booking an apartment with a kitchen and cooking in. And when it comes to getting around, walking is by far the cheapest — and we’d argue, the best — way to see the city, but Barcelona’s public transportation won’t break the bank. A three-day unlimited pass costs around $25 (and includes airport transfers) and a 10-ride ticket is just over $12.
Once you’ve booked plane tickets (tip: you can find 'em for under $200 from some US cities if you book early and travel during off-peak times), you can leave the planning to us. We’ve got the ultimate guide for a cool, fun-filled weekend that won’t leave you broke.
Eat pastries made by monks and nuns.
You’ll find coffee shops and bakeries all over the city’s Gothic Quarter, but we’re guessing you’ve never eaten monastery-made delicacies in historic public baths. This is a reality at Caelum, which sits above the quarter’s old public baths. Order a café and a treat or two (we recommend a huesos de santo) and head to the basement for some Middle Age-esque ambiance.
Cost: around $5
Make your way to La Sagrada Familia.
There’s a reason La Sagrada Familia is at the top of every Barcelona to-do list, and there’s a reason we recommend a visit. The ultimate labor of love, construction of the church began in 1882 and is still underway today, over 137 years later. This enormous time span is a testament to the detail and thought Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí put into every door, column, and spire, and the result is a one-of-a-kind structure that’s unlike any you’ve ever seen.
A ticket inside will set you back a precious $22 — but even if you don't want to splurge, it's pretty incredible just to see from the outside.
Cost: free from the outside; $22 to enter
Pick up picnic goodies and set up shop at Park Güell.
You can swing by a grocery store and grab the basics — bread, cheese, and ham — or pick up a premade sandwich from Guelly Sandwichpark outside Park Güell. At the latter, around $5 will get you a sandwich and drink — and an additional $2 = churros.
At the park, head up Carmel Hill and find a bench overlooking the city where you can fuel up to the sound of street musicians. After you’ve finished lunch, spend some time exploring the park and search out more of Gaudí’s iconic work. You can enjoy most of the park for free, but the monumental area (home to the colorful, Instagram-worthy ceramic benches) requires a ticket.
Cost: around $5 for lunch; free to $11 for the park
People watch on La Rambla.
You can walk past two other Gaudí buildings — Casa Milà and Casa Batlló — on your way from Park Güell to La Rambla boulevard. This wide, tree-lined street is synonymous with Barcelona and is home to artist Joan Miró’s "Pla de l'Os", a colorful mosaic inlaid on the street itself.
If you’ve got the time, we suggest finding a bench where you can eye up the area’s notorious street performers and people watch.
Cost: free
Get your fill of tapas and sangria at Sensi Bistro.
It would be a disgrace to leave the land of small bites without having a full-blown tapas dinner. You won’t be disappointed with the expansive menu found at this tiny bistro in the Gothic Quarter. We recommend the bombas filled with squid and aioli and the seasonal vegetable ceviche (we promise, it’s not as boring as it sounds).
Finish off with a beer ($3), a glass of wine ($5), or splurge on the cava (Spanish sparkling wine) sangria ($8).
Cost: around $15
Get your caffeine fix at Cafés El Magnífico.
Even the biggest coffee snob can’t turn up their nose at Cafés El Magnífico. The multi-generational family business is all about brewing the perfect cup — which is a good thing, because you have a big day ahead of you.
Tip: If you happen to be in town on the first Sunday of the month, you’re in luck — the Museu Picasso is free all day long and is an easy, 3-minute walk from the café.
Cost: around $2
Nap, swim, or surf the afternoon away at Playa de La Barceloneta.
Grab a spare towel from your accommodation, pack a good book, and find a cozy spot on Playa de La Barceloneta. During the summer months you can take a dip in the sea or join a game of beach volleyball, and when the cooler weather hits (October to March) the surf is at its best.
Cost: free
Grab a sandwich from Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria).
This hole-in-the-wall tapas bar serves amazing food at even more amazing prices. Grab a mouthwatering sandwich, some chorizo, or a few croquettes, and wash it down with a glass of cava.
Cost: around $10–$15
Check all the boxes with a free city tour.
Your Barcelona to-dos may be a simple list of things to eat and drink, but it’s a tad embarrassing to leave a city knowing nothing about its history. That’s why this tour is a must — and it helps that it’s free. All you need to do is show up and we promise you’ll learn something.
And remember, the tour itself may be free, but it’s always good to tip your guide.
Cost: free, plus a tip
Hit Mercat de La Boqueria for dinner.
There’s so much going on at La Boqueria that we recommend taking a lap around the market before deciding what you’ll eat and drink. You’ll find everything from empanadas to fresh-fruit smoothies to oysters. Take your pick, or pull up a stool and reward your walk-heavy day with ice-cold beer and some more tapas. (And be sure to grab a few to-go snacks for late evening munchies.)
Cost: around $10
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