The Palau Nacional viewed from the Magic Fountain

Free Things to do in Barcelona

By Robert Heaney

Any trip to Barcelona is bound to be jam-packed with sightseeing, cultural activities and all the fresh Catalan cuisine you can stomach. While that’s exactly what many consider to be the best way to experience the city, it isn’t always too kind on the wallet.

For those that are more budget-minded or would simply like to complete their itinerary with some cheaper and more laid-back activities, the city can still deliver. There are plenty of free things to do in Barcelona for just about every type of visitor.

Parks Galore

Image of Fountain, Water,

For a city as metropolitan and bustling as Barcelona, it’s surprising just how many open green spaces it manages to sneak in. Well over a dozen parks are dotted throughout, ranging from small dog parks to many-hectares-large social spots.

Park Güell

By far the most renowned and popular of Barcelona’s attractions is Park Güell. Second only to the Sagrada Familia in terms of the sheer volume of visitors it receives each day, Park Güell is most well known for its interior Monumental Zone designed by modernist architect Antoni Gaudi.

While you will need to pay to book a visit to the Monumental Zone, this area constitutes just a tiny portion of the park as a whole. If you don’t mind missing it, you can very easily sink a couple of hours of your day into exploring or relaxing in the rest of the park.

Ciutadella Park

Offering over 17 hectares of green space, Ciutadella Park is the largest park in Barcelona, and it does plenty with that space. It’s so large, in fact, that it houses not only the Barcelona Zoo and its more than 2,000 resident animals, but also the Parliament of Catalonia.

A number of street performers, dancers and musicians are often dotted throughout the park, adding to its relaxed and jovial atmosphere. Take a chance to sit back and relax, watch the rowboats go by on the lake, explore the space’s many monuments and take a selfie with the park’s very own wooly mammoth.

Montjuïc Park

For the very best views over the city, get yourself over to Montjuïc Park. This hill to the south of the city is jam-packed with some of Barcelona’s best attractions, and is also simply a fantastic place to relax with a panoramic view of the Catalan capital.

Entry to the park by foot is entirely free, and you’ll be able to take all the time you need to explore the likes of Montjuïc Castle, the Magic Fountain and the Olympic Ring. There is also a cable car to take you directly to the top of the hill by the castle, but you will of course need to pay for this.

Museums

Image of Castle, Fortress, Arch, Gothic Arch, House, Housing, Villa, Grass,

Barcelona is a city brimming with culture, and it’s no coincidence that it also hosts a great many museums for visitors to explore. While it’s no secret that many of Barcelona’s museums charge fairly hefty admission, many offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month, and often at select times throughout the week.

The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is housed within the beautiful Palau Nacional and exhibits hundreds of thousands of visual art pieces from throughout the Catalonia region, dating back as far as a thousand years. As the biggest and most important museum in Barcelona, the MNAC typically charges admission, but can be visited for free on Saturday afternoons.

The Museu Picasso offers the most complete collection of the surrealist Spanish artist’s paintings in the world. Thursday evenings will allow you to view the more than 4,000 pieces free of charge.

Montjuïc Castle sits atop Montjuïc Mountain and originally served as a military fortress, dating back to 1640. The castle is now open for visitors to explore its halls, and offers free entry every Sunday evening.

Gothic Quarter

Image of Path, Walkway, City, Flagstone, Road, Fountain, Water, Cobblestone, Urban, Person,

The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona offers a labyrinth of medieval streets in which you’ll find all manner of attractions, quaint restaurants and local retailers. While this area may house some of the pricier pastimes of the city, it also offers many of the best free things to do in Barcelona.

Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the Barri Gòtic is its wide selection of charming squares. The likes of Plaça Reial, Plaça Prim and Plaça Sant Felip Neri offer relaxed and open spaces to sit and socialize, often along with a handful of cafés and restaurants to grab a coffee or a bite to eat.

These cobbled alleyways also house some of Barcelona’s most notable historic sites. You can visit the Barcelona Cathedral and Basílica de Santa Maria for free between certain times each day. The Jewish Quarter at the heart of the Gothic Quarter is an entire fragment of history in itself, offering some of the most gorgeous architecture in the area.

If that isn’t quite enough to sate your historical hunger, then you can also retrace Barcelona’s ancient Roman past. Walk the perimeter of the old city wall, visit the remains of the Roman aqueduct and necropolis and explore the impressive remaining columns of the Temple of Augustus.

Wrapping Up

While the aforementioned attractions may be considered some of the best budget-friendly ways to pass your time, they are by no means the only free things to do in Barcelona. Throughout the year, there are always a number of events, workshops, gigs, exhibitions and tours on offer free of charge for any who may be interested.

As bustling and metropolitan as Barcelona may be, it doesn’t have to be reserved only for those with the cash to splash on every single attraction. The more savvy, budget-minded traveler can fill their itinerary with all manner of rewarding activities without having to spend a penny more than their flights, accommodation and meal costs.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Guests dining outside a restaurant on Plaça Reial
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Weekend in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Europe’s top city break destinations, and makes for a pretty great weekend getaway. Between its famously thriving nightlife scene and its wealth of central cultural attractions, a couple of days is more than enough to see plenty of what the city has to offer. No matter your preferences, no matter the weather, a weekend in Barcelona is sure to be a fantastic city break. Offering everything from intimate evening dining and electric seafront parties to a vast wealth of cultural sites and classic retail therapy spots, Barcelona has something for just about everyone. Visiting at the Weekend Depending on when in the year you choose to visit, the conditions surrounding your trip will vary quite significantly. Visiting during the summer will mean peak weather conditions but also the largest crowds throughout the city. The spring and fall shoulder seasons are considered ideal times to visit, with often milder weather and more bearable crowds. And of course, winter is therefore the quietest but also coldest period. No matter the season, however, a general rule of thumb is to expect weekends to be busier than their weekday counterparts. On one side, Barcelona is a particularly popular weekend city break destination, as evidenced by the fact you’re reading this article right now. On the other, many locals tend to visit the city over the weekends while off work or school. The increase in throughput at the weekend naturally means that attractions, museums and restaurants tend to be significantly busier than throughout the week. What’s more, you should expect hotel rates to increase somewhat over the weekend, often becoming fairly expensive in busier months. For many, though, this is exactly the appeal of visiting over the weekend. As a city renowned for its bustling atmosphere, this is when Barcelona thrives most. Bars and restaurants see more local clientele, offering a more authentic ambience, and the nightlife scene in particular truly comes to life with tourists, students and locals alike letting loose at the end of the week. Things To Do A weekend in Barcelona is more than enough to see many of the city’s top sights. While seeing absolutely everything would be a stretch and hardly worth the strain, you can put together as extensive or relaxing an itinerary as you’d like and get a great experience either way. Top Attractions Most trips to the Catalan capital would be incomplete without ticking off some of the city’s most famous attractions. The Sagrada Familia and Park Güell are Barcelona’s most visited attractions, by merit of their fantastically photogenic architecture. If you have the spare time, Montjuïc is also well worth a visit, as the park is home to a huge selection of iconic landmarks and cultural sites. Architectural Marvels If you’re keen on exploring the city’s famous diversity of architecture, many of the city’s most celebrated Gothic and Modernist structures can be discovered one after another on foot, or can be crossed off even quicker using the transport links between each key location. You can also join onto a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter and the best works of Antoni Gaudí. Cultural Hotspots For your fill of history and culture, Barcelona is also home to a huge selection of fantastic museums and art galleries. History buffs should be sure to check out the Museu d'Història de Catalunya and the Museo de Historia de Barcelona, while art enthusiasts are bound to enjoy the likes of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, the Museu Picasso and the Fundació Joan Miró. Retail Therapy And of course, a European city break destination is nothing without its fair share of shopping opportunities. Spread across the city, you’ll find a wide range of boutique stores, local retailers and shopping centers. One of the most notable outlets is Las Arenas, built into a former bullfighting ring and offering panoramic views of the city, alongside El Triangle Centre Comercial and the Mercat de la Boqueria. Weekend Nightlife Some of Barcelona’s greatest appeal comes from its internationally renowned nightlife scene. Replete with a healthy selection of delightful restaurants, hip bars and classy seaside clubs, the city brims with life in the evenings. And this is never more true than at the weekend. Historical Plazas For some great local cuisine and an intimate evening drink, the Gothic Quarter has a wealth of charming traditional squares filled with local bars and restaurants. Most popular among these are Plaça Reial, Plaça del Rei and Plaça de Santa Maria. Grab yourself a hearty meal and a glass of local cava to finish your day in style, or to set the mood for the evening to come. Beachfront Spirits If you’re looking to keep up spirits into the night, then your best bet is to take yourself down to the seafront. There, you’ll find the likes of La Barceloneta lined with stylish tapas bars and clubs. If the weather seems up to par, then why not also join many of Barcelona’s youth and the many tourist groups partying on the beach? Cocktails With a View Alternatively, if you’re looking for more of a high-class evening with less of the rowdy partying, Barcelona is also host to a great number of chic rooftop bars. Some of the most popular among these include the Grand Central Hotel SkyBar, 83,3 Terrace Bar and El Cel de Gaudí. In summer, you can even book for special rooftop events atop the likes of La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.
Robert Heaney
Best time to visit Barcelona
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The Best Time to Visit Barcelona

The bustling cityscape of Barcelona changes quite significantly in character depending on the time you choose to visit. At her peak, she’s lively and thriving, her streets brimming with life and soaked in sunshine. Other times, she cools off into a more modest and tranquil metropolis, which some might say is when she shows her true colors. Such a mercurial nature naturally brings into question when the best time to visit Barcelona may be. As with most things, there is no single clear-cut answer to this, as the factors that constitute the ideal time to visit will differ from person to person. Instead, we’ll run you through each major period of time to help you decide that for yourself.   January & February Temperatures: 41 - 73°F • Average Rainfall: 3 - 5 days/mth • Sea Temperature: 55 - 57°F Barcelona ushers in the new year rather modestly. Having seen off both the final waves of holiday season tourists, many visitors and locals alike now turn their attention toward ski season. With average temperatures at their coolest, this is the ideal time to visit one of the many great alpine resorts just a few hours out of the city. Those who aren’t visiting for the ski season may also enjoy some of the local events, such as the Cavalcada de Reis and Tres Tombs parade, Chinese New Year, the Santa Eulàlia festival and the Llum BCN festival.   March & April The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded. Temperatures: 46 - 65°F • Average Rainfall: 4 - 5 days/mth • Sea Temperature: 57 - 59°F Spring in Barcelona is much the same as in most destinations. The days begin to warm up somewhat, while still offering mostly mild temperatures of around 40 – 60°F. Given the still cool weather and fairly regular rainfall, this may not yet be the best time for a dip in the Mediterranean, but some consider it a fantastic time to visit. Throughout the spring months, you can expect to be able to participate in a number of events such as Sant Medir, the International Vintage Car Rally, the Barcelona Marathon, the Barcelona Beer Festival, La Diada de Sant Jordi, La Feria de Abril and, of course, Easter.   May & June Temperatures: 57 - 79°F • Average Rainfall: 3 - 5 days/mth • Sea Temperature: 64 - 70°F These two months mark the bridge between spring and summer, and mark the first real ‘shoulder season’ for Barcelona. Temperatures begin to climb just slightly, with averages resting around the low- to mid-60s. Rainfall is typically at its highest in May, but begins to drop significantly come June. Visiting during this time will mean you’ll get to experience Barcelona ahead of the high-season crowds, while also getting some pretty decent weather. The city will be more lively than during the winter months, without being overcrowded. Given the often pleasant weather and lower numbers of tourists, many consider this to be the best time to visit Barcelona. Events during this period include the Night of the Museums, Primavera Sound Festival, the nearby Girona Flower Festival, Sónar Festival, the Feast of Sant Joan and Barcelona’s Pride Festival.   July & August Temperatures: 70 - 84°F • Average Rainfall: 2 - 5 days/mth • Sea Temperature: 75 - 79°F The height of summer is when Barcelona truly thrives – some might say a little too much. This is when the city experiences its hottest and most humid days, with averages between 70 and 85°F both day and night. Barcelona is at its liveliest during this period, with just about every street, bar, café, restaurant and attraction bustling with visitors. For many, summer is truly the perfect time to visit Barcelona thanks to its buzzing ambience and fantastic weather. For others, the crowds and heat make for a less than ideal experience, and in fact many locals take this opportunity to relocate to more moderate climates for some time. Should you choose to visit in summer, be sure to make your plans and book your attractions well ahead of time. Throughout the summer months, you can expect such events as Festival Cruïlla, Barcelona Beach Festival, Rock Fest Barcelona, Festa Major del Raval, Gràcia Festival, El Grec and the Sants Festival. For music lovers and those who just enjoy a good social atmosphere, this is the time to come!   September & October Temperatures: 58 - 79°F • Average Rainfall: 5 - 6 days/mth • Sea Temperature: 72 - 75°F As summer draws to a close, the largest droves of tourists begin to vacate Barcelona, while many locals make their return for the increasingly more forgiving temperatures. Thus the city enters into its second shoulder season, which sees it continue to thrive with the remaining waves of visitors while returning to a somewhat more tranquil state. Barcelona isn’t done with the festivities just yet, though. In fact, in many ways it’s just getting started. Notable events in September and October include BAM Festival, Festa Major de Sant Miquel/Poblenou/La Ribera/La Rambla, La Diada, Sitges Film Festival, Mercat de Mercats and the Fiesta Nacional de España.   November & December Temperatures: 41 - 64°F • Average Rainfall: 4 - 5 days/mth • Sea Temperature: 61 - 64°F As the days begin to cool further and Barcelona ushers in the winter season, the Catalan capital truly takes on a new form. In the absence of the bustling and humid summer months, the city embraces the final fruits of fall and the coming of winter. This is when the locals truly come together to bring some much needed warmth to the cooler months. November sees Barcelona celebrate All Saints’ Day and La Castanyada, in remembrance of passed loved ones, in tribute to the saints of the Catholic religion, and in celebration of the autumnal produce of fall. This is also the prime period for many music and cinema fans, with an impressive array of film and music festivals running throughout the month. December, of course, is truly a transformation for Barcelona. Early in the month, the city blooms in celebration of Constitution Day, before the festivities make way for the holiday season. And make way they must, for the Christmas period in Barcelona is truly a sight to behold. For many, this is truly the best time to visit Barcelona, with its streets lit up with merry lights and decorations and lined with countless market stalls selling all manner of festive fare.   Wrapping Up Clearly, the beating heart of Catalonia has plenty to offer year-round for all different types of travelers. Some may prefer to visit during peak season to experience the city at its liveliest, while others may prefer the quieter months to see the city in its more authentic state, while others still may prefer to visit for specific events. Whatever your travel preferences may be, it’s up to you to decide when may be the best time to visit Barcelona. However, so as not to end on a vague conclusion, many regular tourists to the region agree that spring and fall are ideal for seeing the city at its most genuine, in the absence of the summertime rush.
Robert Heaney
The Sagrada Familia and surrounding city blocks viewed from above
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Barcelona in October

Following the final few waves of peak-time traffic seen throughout September, Barcelona in October enters into somewhat of a cooldown period. As with spring, fall offers a balance between the city’s renowned bustle and a more genuine, tranquil experience. Whether you’re looking to experience all of Barcelona’s top attractions off-season or to discover some lesser-visited spots as the weather begins to dip, October can be a fantastic time for just about any type of traveler to visit the Catalan capital. Tourism in October As fall begins to rear its head, Barcelona goes through its second ‘shoulder season’ of the year. Throughout this period, tourism rates fall fairly rapidly from their summertime peak, though remain fairly consistently above the later lull to come over winter. Just like in May or June, this transitive period is considered by many to be one of the best times to visit the city. It offers the best of both worlds with the maintained buzz of the remaining waves of visitors alongside a somewhat quieter and more authentic side to the city. As such, just about every type of visitor is sure to get the most out of what they came for, be it Barcelona’s famous nightlife, its celebrated beaches and parks, or its world-renowned sights and attractions. Weather in October Another benefit of Barcelona’s transitive shoulder seasons is its pleasant middle-ground weather. With temperatures averaging between the high-50s and mid-70s, visitors can expect more bearable highs than during peak season and much milder lows than during winter. While rainfall is significantly greater than during summer, it still isn’t typically frequent in October. This translates to a great opportunity to explore Barcelona’s many parks and beaches without the summertime crowds. For those cooler days, you may want to perch yourself in one of the Gothic Quarter’s charming squares with a hearty cup of coffee or glass of local cava. Things to Do in October Although you can visit the vast majority of Barcelona’s sights throughout the year, October serves as a great chance to see some of the city’s top attractions. Visiting off-season naturally means you can explore the likes of the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell without dealing with quite as large crowds as in summer. For something a little different, families and animal lovers alike should take the chance to meet the 450+ species of the Barcelona Aquarium, while beer fans might enjoy a tour of the Estrella Damm Brewery, complete with complimentary samples. And if you’re partial to some retail therapy, Barcelona’s many shopping outlets have you covered. Local & Cultural Events Festes del Roser – Also known as the Festa Major de la Rambla, this local festival takes place early in October on Barcelona’s most famous street. Held in honor of Mare de déu del Roser, the Virgin of the Rosary, the event is best characterized by its floral display lining La Rambla and its iconic parade. The Festes del Roser are also host to a variety of performances, concerts, street food stalls, a craft fair and a number of free open house events at some of the area’s top attractions. BAUM Fest – Welcoming tens of thousands of attendees each year, BAUM Fest is considered a benchmark for urban art and culture in Spain. The event brings together professionals and enthusiasts alike to celebrate and showcase the likes of graffiti, skating, parkour, motorcycles and break dance. The festival offers an extensive program of activities and performances, including a variety of live concerts in various genres, from jazz and soul to world music. Running alongside the festival, the Barcelona Tattoo Expo also serves as a platform for professional tattoo artists from around the world to exhibit their work. Independent Barcelona Coffee Festival – Truly an event made for the caffeine addicts among us, the Independent Barcelona Coffee Festival consists of three days dedicated to the craft and consumption of our favorite bean-based brew. The festival brings together industry professionals, from roasters to baristas, and offers a forum for their shared passion for specialty coffee culture. Sitges Film Festival – Having now run for over half a century, the Sitges Film Festival is considered the most significant fantasy film festival in the world, showcasing the best films in the genre. The event typically runs for a little over a week and offers a varied program of short film and movie screenings, workshops and activities. One highlight of the festival is the Sitges Zombie Walk, during which attendees receive a zombie make-over and walk a predetermined route through the city in their horde, culminating in a concert at the destination point and a night of zombified partying. Another is the Sitges Wine Festival, which typically runs alongside the film festival and offers everything from local wine sampling to wine-making workshops. Halloween – While not a strictly Spanish celebration, Halloween is becoming increasingly embraced the world over. Barcelona is no stranger to spooky season in the lead-up to All Saints’ Day on November 1, and is host to all of the hallmarks of Halloween, from trick-or-treating to pumpkin carving to fancy dress. There are parties and events held throughout the city for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Families can participate in the activities hosted at the Poble Espanyol and the nearby PortAventura World, while many of the city’s top night clubs offer Halloween-themed parties for adults to enjoy after dark. Wrapping Up It’s no wonder the fall season is widely dubbed one of the best times to visit Barcelona. Alongside pleasant weather and a bustling, electric atmosphere, the city is also host to a vast array of stellar events for all ages. Whether you’re looking for a buzzing nightlife experience or an insight into the region’s cultural significance, visiting Barcelona in October could be the trip for you.
Robert Heaney

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