Budget Barcelona Travel Guide

Budget Barcelona Travel Guide

Are you planning for a tour for you and your family or friends? Among the many places, you should consider Barcelona. It is a must tour city that many people have fallen for. Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain and is the capital city of Catalonia. The city is incomparable. With the unique architecture, vibrant food, and fantastic nightlife, Barcelona has become a home of many tourists. Being among the few cities in Europe with beaches also makes the city a fabulous place to visit.

Things to do and see while in Barcelona

While in Barcelona, there are some must-see and must-do things if you seek to have a memorable tour. Here are 20 things you need to do when touring the city.

1. Visit La Sagrada Familia

This is one of the most famous landmarks in the city, and it is a dreamlike architectural work of Antoni Gaudí. Sagrada Familia is a combination of numerous architectural styles, such as Art Nouveau, Spanish Late-Gothic, and Catalan Modernism. Your tour to Barcelona cannot be complete without visiting this unique Sagrada Familia building.

2. Visit Barcelona Cathedral

Many people think that this Cathedral is the same as Sagrada Familia, while it’s not. Barcelona Cathedral is much older and more traditional than Sagrada. It dates back in the 13th century and is rich in history. It is among the most remarkable sites to visit in the city.

3. Go to Montserrat

Though it is not among the most natural places to get to, it is definitely a sight worth seeing. It is one of the natural milestones situated near Barcelona, and everyone should have it on their list of sightseeing tours.

4. Watch a game at Camp Nou

Imagine watching a live match of Barcelona’s home teams. Camp Nou is a 99,000-seater stadium and has been a home for the famous Barcelona FC. It is among the most magnificent football cathedrals in Europe. Whether you are a fan of the Barcelona team or not, touring the stadium can be the most excellent adventure ever.

5. Bask at Barcelona’s beaches

Visiting the beach will allow you to get in touch with nature. Imagine the fun of playing volleyball at the beach or swimming in the Med. It will provide you with a lifetime experience. In most of the beaches, you will find bars and outdoor seating where you can relax as you enjoy a refreshing cocktail.

6. Explore La Rambla

La Rambla is the most popular street in Barcelona. It begins at Plaça de Catalunya and goes all the way to Christopher Columbus’ statue. You will find amazing scenes as well as nice drinks and food along the street.

7. Take a bike tour around the city

You should strive to make every moment in Barcelona enjoyable and worthwhile. You can do so by taking a journey along the narrow streets using very suitable cruiser bikes. Bike touring will give you an excellent experience in riding while you watch the beautiful architecture across the city.

8. Take a tour in the Casa Milá.

Casa Milá, which is commonly known as La Pedrera, is an architectural work by Gaudi and acts as a home to a cultural center hosting various performances and art exhibitions. This is the only place where you can discover an interpretation center of Gaudi’s works. If you are a fan of architecture, then you shouldn’t miss out on this exploration.

9. Tour Gracia

If you want to discover how life in small towns of Catalonia is like, then Gracia is one place that demonstrates the experience in smaller towns. It is a stylish, cosmopolitan, and young area full of artists and students. The town is famous because of the Festa Major festival.

10. Take a trip to the Montjuic mountain

As much as exploring places like beaches is a fantastic experience, going to the mountains is pretty impressive too. This is a thrilling activity for adults as well as kids. You should not end your tour in Barcelona without walking through the mountains.

11. Party at the beaches and port Olimpic

Whether you are in a mood of parting, surfing, or quite reading, there are beaches in Barcelona for every kind of traveler. At Port Olimpic, you will enjoy great daytime strolls as well as heat up parties at night.

12. Go to the Encants Markets

It is one of the ancient second-hand markets in all of Europe. Going around the market is a way of discovering hidden treasures. You will find a variety of items such as bicycles, sewing machines, esoteric knick-knacks, and many more. The market also has plenty of delicious foods which you should try.

13. Enjoy the magic of Plaça de Catalunya

This is considered as the best meeting point in Barcelona. It is located at the top of Las Ramblas and the bottom of Passeig de Grácia. If you are chilling for friends, it is the best place to relax.

14. Go to Liceu opera house for a performance

Liceu is a factual landmark and was initially an epicenter of social, political, and artistic life in Barcelona, after being inaugurated in 1847. The house was then remodeled after a fire, to one of the greatest opera houses. To catch the best concerts and performances at affordable prices, find your way to Liceu.

15. Visit the magic fountain of Montjuic

If you are looking to explore something that will light up your evening, a tour to the fountain of Montjuic will do. The technicolor fountains make it a magnificent scenery, and you will take fantastic photos while there. Don’t miss to watch the billions of water choreography combined.

16. Visit Gaudi House Museum

If you want to learn about all the great works that Gaudi did, you can visit this museum. The Gaudi museum has the full history of his world, his life in Barcelona, and what influenced his art and architecture.

17. Pop to any music festivals

Barcelona is known to host the greatest and biggest music festivals not only in Spain but also in Europe. Among the three famous festivals are Cruilla, Sónar, and Primavera Sound. If you want to enjoy great music, ensure you pop in any of the festivals.

18. Go for a tour through the Montjuic and Poblenou cemeteries

One of the greatest adventures you can take is touring the cemeteries. Watching the artistic value of graveyards can be fun. Montjuic and Poblenou are the largest cemeteries in Barcelona.

19. Go for a view of Casa Amatller

Amatller is of great significance in Barcelona, as it is the leading example of the architecture of modern style. It is classified among the most significant modernist building in Barcelona.

20. Get a taste of food in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the cities that have superb international food, especially the popular Japanese-style noodle bars. There are many other varieties of foods you can find in the city’s restaurants. While on your tour around the city, get a taste of the delicious dishes.

The type of budget you will need

1. HOUSING

Hostels:

To get a bed in a shared room in a well-rated hostel, it will cost you approximately €25-€30. In an ordinal hostel, you can get a bed at €14, in a shared room. However, the prices in many hostels rise during weekends. If you want a bed in a private room, it will cost you approximately €35-€75.

Budget hotel prices:

For a room with a twin bed and a private bathroom, you will pay about €55-€90, while for a room with a double bed, you will pay about €80-€155.

Airbnb prices:

The average cost of a rental apartment is €90-€140 for one night.

1. Eating pre-made sandwiches from the city’s takeaways shops and street vendors

The cost of a pre-made sandwich in the streets or takeaways shops in Barcelona is about €4-6€. However, the price may vary depending on the shop.

1. The average grocery cost for one week if you cook your food

Cooking for yourself is much cheaper than buying already cooked food since the price of groceries is affordable. However, the cost of the groceries you buy to cook your food will depend on the rate of consumption. The average you can spend on groceries is €10-€20 if you are cooking alone.

1. If you are cooking your food, then you can expect to spend approximately € 50 on groceries worth a whole week. Nevertheless, you can spend less money if you get a grocer offering a discount.

Tips for saving money in Barcelona

Though Barcelona is a great city, life here can be costly. It is, therefore, essential to learning ways you can be able to save money and still enjoy the best experiences. Here are ways in which you can stay in the city on a budget.

Purchase your food and groceries at the local markets. Local markets offer a variety of fresh produce at affordable prices.

• Avoid eating in the streets with a traffic of tourists, for example, La Rambla, because the food there is quite expensive. Instead, you grab a high-quality meal where locals eat at a low price.
• If you want to visit the museum, go there on the first Sunday of the month. Most of the museums in Barcelona do not charge entrance fees on this particular day.
• Watch out for free or discounted events in the city. Severally, you will find special events that are free, for instance, street parties and live jazz on the beach.
• Get your apartment where you can prepare your meals, rather than getting hostels or hotels, which can be very expensive.
• Get a T10 ticket that will allow you to use the train or the bus for about ten rides.

Where to say in Barcelona

Are you searching for something less expensive than a hotel? There are plenty of cheap hostels across Barcelona city. Here are five hostels you can get excellent accommodation at a low price.

• Hostal Benidorm, Rambla dels Caputxins, 37, 0.4km from the city center
• Itaca Hostel located in Ripoll 21, 0.4 km from the city center
• Jam Hostel Barcelona located on Carrer Roser 40, 1.2km from the city center
• Hostal Conde Guell located 4.2km from the city center
• Hostal Noya, La Rambla 133, 0.4 km from the city center

How to get around Barcelona

Barcelona has an excellent public transportation network, and there are many means of moving around this incredible city.

Metro: This is a conventional means of transport used by many people in the city. It is air-conditioned and provides the needed absolution in the steamy seasons. You can get around the city faster without traffic jams. A one-way ticket is about €2.2, while a T10 ticket is €10.20. You can get a pass for the days you will be in the city.

RER train: RER train operates above the ground. From the airport to the city, you will incur a cost of €30-€35, and then you switch to the metro.

Bus: There are more than 100 Transport Metropolitans de Barcelona lines that cover close to all corners of the city. Using a bus from the airport to the city will cost you €5.90

Tram: Six tram lines run on about 30 kilometers of the rail network. Riding on a tram is one of the most exceptional experiences. You can get a single ticket or a 10-journey ticket.

Bike-sharing: Barcelona bike-sharing scheme referred to as bicing with more than 300 electric and 6000 mechanical bikes that are accessible to the public for tours around the city. This is only for residents, though.

Taxi: There are many taxis in the city and a taxi app that you can use to pay. Taking a taxi to get to the city from the airport will cost €30-€35.

Uber: The company suspended its services in Barcelona in 2019.

When to go to Barcelona

You can go to Barcelona at any given time, depending on the experience you want to have. Nevertheless, if you are on a low budget, there are certain seasons you should avoid going due to high costs. Summer (June – august) is not a good season to go to Barcelona since it is a popular season for European travelers. Though the weather is hot during this season, the restaurants and hotels are costly.

The best time to tour the city is from May to September because the weather is favorable and the tourists are not many. Hence, prices in the hotels are low. Though October to November is winter season, and the temperatures are cold, it is the cheapest time to go to Barcelona. The flights are not expensive, and you can get hotels and rental cars at a perfect price.

How to stay safe in Barcelona

Just like any other city in the world, Barcelona has a reputation for having many scammers and pickpocketers. This though, should not hinder you from enjoying your tour of the city. There are some regulations that, if you follow them, you are sure to remain safe when around the city.

• Stick to well-lit areas and avoid being alone. When surrounded by many people, for instance, in a park, beware of pickpocketers.
• Keep an eye on your luggage when on the bus, metro, or at the airport.
• Avoid withdrawing a tremendous amount of money from desolate places at night.
• Get a copy of your passport to go around with rather than carrying the original one. Avoid also taking with you all your credit cards.

In conclusion, following this budget travel guide, you are sure to have a fantastic and fantastic tour around the city of Barcelona and create unforgettable memories.