Explore Barcelona: Insider tips & cheap deals for the Catalan city by the sea

Day 1

A must-see in Barcelona is the impressive modernist architecture sites of Anton Gaudi. Take some time in the morning to discover Casa Amatller, Casa Mila and CasaBatllóand then top up your energy levels in one of the amazing Tapas Bars in the area.

After lunch, you can take a walk on the famous Las Ramblas, a long pedestrian street full of street artists, offering a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. Stop and relax with a beer or sangria. Probably the most vibrant street in Spain, Las Ramblas is a must-do on every city trip to Barcelona but be prepared to be part of a huge crowd. Keep an eye out for the Gothic Quarter and visit the Barcelona Cathedral, a beautiful church which was built between the 13th and 15th centuries.

Day 2

Get a taste of the famous Spanish food markets at La Boqueria and enjoy all kinds of exotic fruit, a taste of Spain’s famous Jamon (ham) and, of course, fresh olives. Don‘t forget to try a glass of cava, which will no doubt keep you in the holiday mood.

For the soccer fans among us, Camp Nou is the home to FC Barcelona and is a must-visit that will get your heart buzzing. If there is no match while you are there, make sure you take part in a guided tour through one of the most famous soccer clubs in the world.

For dinner, try Ziryab Fusion Tapas Bar where traditional tapas are combined with Mediterranean flavours. It‘s only a 10-minute walk from La Boqueria.

Day 3

On your last day, you should visit La Sagrada Familia. A visit to Barcelona is not complete until you have taken a picture in front of Gaudi’s masterpiece; a Roman Catholic church which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage. Afterwards, take time to visit the iconic Park Güell​​​​​​​, a piece of art itself.

Our tip: Buy tickets in advance for all of Gaudi’s sites in order to skip time-consuming queues.

If you’re hungry, grab a quick bite at Toma Ya Street Food, close to Park Güell and enjoy some delicious Peruvian food before heading to the airport.

Park Güell and the Barri Gotic

Park Güell was designed by Gaudi between 1900 and 1914 and covers more than 17 hectares. The park is also referred to as Gaudí's homage to nature, as the entire park adapts perfectly to its surroundings and thanks to it's construction, the formerly barren mountain now houses a variety of plants. The park also houses a museum of Gaudí-designed furniture and drawings. In 1984, Park Güell, along with several other buildings and major works by Gaudí, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. But it's also worth taking a walk just outside the park as it's in the middle of Barcelona's oldest neighbourhood, the Barri Gotic (the Gothic quarter).

The narrow streets are perfect for a long walk where you can admire all the old buildings, such as the Santa Maria del Mar, one of the most famous gothic churches of Catalonia. Only a few meters away you will find the gigantic La Catedral on the Pla de la Seu, from which you have a breathtaking view

Casa Batlló

A little further away, you will find one of Gaudí's most striking buildings and one of the architectural gems of Barcelona: the Casa Batlló. Budget travelers may want to skip taking a peek at the interior, as the entrance fee is more than 22 euros. But even from the outside, the house is breathtakingly beautiful and definitely worth a visit. Since 1962, the Casa Batlló has been a listed building and it is included amongst the Gaudí works with UNESCO World Heritage Site protection. An absolute must-see on your trip to Barcelona!

1. Free Museum Days in Barcelona

There are a handful of museums that are free on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, so don't miss these! Some museums have free admission one day a month and a free weekly admission day, while others have one or the other. Here are some of my favourite museums that have free admission days:

Museu Picasso - Admission is free every Sunday after 3pm and on the first Sunday of every month. Regular admission is 14 €.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) - Admission is free every Saturday after 3pm and on the first Sunday of every month. Regular admission is 12 €.

Museu Nacional d'Historia de Barcelona (MUHBA) - Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm and the first Sunday of the month all day. Regular admission is 7 €.

Palau Güell - Admission is free the first Sunday of every month. Regular admission is 12 €.

Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) - Admission is free every Sunday after 3pm. Regular admission is 8 €.

2. Modernisme walk in Barcelona

Barcelona is full of amazing architecture from all periods, but Modernist buildings are incredibly prevalent throughout the city. You can check out this website for ideas on where to begin your walk: Ruta del Modernisme. It’s a chance for you to explore the city leisurely and admire all of the beautiful buildings along the way.

3. Discover Barceloneta Beach

Take a stroll along the beach or spend the day lounging about. The scenery is beautiful considering that the beach is next to a huge city! Check out the picture below to convince yourself.

4. Visit Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona

This is one of my favourite places to walk around. I also love to picnic here. You can grab something to eat along the way, either at Mercat de Santa Caterina or Demasié and find a bench or a nice sunny place on the grass.

Mercat de Santa Caterina is located off of Via Laietana and Demasié is located on Carrer de la Princesa, 28 on the way to Ciutadella.

5. Hike up to Parc del Guinardo

I mention this park in so many other posts, but it's my absolute favourite. The best part is that it's free and you get the same (if not better, in my opinion) view as you would at Parc Guell. Climb up to the Bunkers del Carmel with a bottle of wine and some snacks and watch the sunset along the Mediterranean.

6. Visit Barcelona's Montjuic

While there are plenty of museums to visit here for a fee (or for free on those days indicated above), there are also plenty of things to do for free! Check out the many gardens that are spread out up here, visit the unique architecture at the Olympic Stadium, take in the view of the Mediterranean from above, or visit the Montjuic Castle. There are so many things to do here without even stepping foot inside of a museum.

7. Go Inside Santa Maria del Mar

This 14th century Gothic masterpiece is free to enter and is quite an unbelievable sight. The high stone ceilings and stained glass windows are breathtaking.

8. Escape the heat in the Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia)

This is another wonderful example of Gothic architecture. The interior is as incredible as the exterior façade. During some of the yearly festivals, you will find many (free) festivities happening here, like Castells at the Festa Catalana.

9. Plan your Barcelona city break around a festival!

Barcelona has amazing festivals: Dia de los Reyes Magos (January), Dia de Sant Jordi (February), Feria de Abril (April), Sant Joan (June), Festa Major de Gràcia (August). There are many more festivals throughout the year.

10. Stroll along Barcelona's famous promenade Las Ramblas

Yes, this is touristy and incredibly packed during the summer, but it's still beautiful and definitely worth seeing for those Barcelona first-timers. You can start at the entrance near Plaça Catalunya and meander down to the Colón Statue.

11. While rambling on Las Ramblas, Stop in La Boqueria and take a look at all of the stalls

La Boqueria is incredibly famous (meaning incredibly touristy), but if you are already strolling Les Rambles, there's no reason not to check it out. Don't miss some of the other markets that are less touristy and more authentic: Mercat de Santa Caterina (Born), Mercat de la Llibertat (Gràcia), or Mercat de L'Albaceria (Gràcia).