One of the many great things about a visit to Barcelona is how affordable the city is. With €2 glasses of wine, budget-friendly pinchos and tapas, and plenty of free things to do, Barcelona is an excellent destination for any budget traveler. Here’s 10 free things to do in Barcelona, written by a local.
Go for laughs at an English comedy show.
With Barcelona being such a cosmopolitan city, there’s such a variety of events going on. One of the most popular free things to do in Barcelona for English speakers is to head to comedy shows. There are English-language stand-up comedy shows every night of the week. Most are free with the option to pay what you want.
Check out the English Comedy in Barcelona or the Barcelona Comedy Clubhouse on Instagram find weekly shows and events.
Check out the free museum days.
Get your culture on at one of Barcelona’ many museums. Most museums have free days, whether it’s once a week or once a month. However, some museums. This article perfectly compiles all the free days.
Some museums are free every day, all day. My personal favorite is located on bustling La Rambla. It’s a photography museum La Virreina Centre de la Imatge. The building is stunning and their ever-changing collection of photos are incredible.
Enjoy the Magic Fountain Show at Plaça d’Espanya.
When night falls, you can witness a colorful light show at the extravagant fountain near Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya at Plaça d’Espanya. The show is completely free, happens nightly or multiple nights a week depending on the season and is accompanied by music.
You can check the showtimes for the Magic Fountain show here.
Take a free walking tour and admire the city.
One of the best ways to learn more about Barcelona, its architecture, culture, and history is to take a walking tour around the Gothic Quarter and beyond.
There are free walking tours daily, but it’s advised to reserve your spot on tour in advance. They’re free, but tipping your guide is highly encouraged if you enjoyed the tour.
This free walking tour in Barcelona runs every day at 10 a.m, 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. It’s 2.5 hours and gives you an in-depth look into Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
Visit Barcelona’s stunning parks around the city.
Step away from the sea and explore some of Barcelona’s remarkable parks. From a cactus park in Montguïc to a labyrinth in Horta, you could spend days wandering around Barcelona’s best parks. Visiting the parks is easily one of the best free things to do in Barcelona.
Check out my favorite parks in Barcelona.
Check out some live music.
Barcelona is a city flowing with creativity, so you won’t have much trouble finding live music here.
There are free flamenco, jazz, or jam sessions at 23 Robadors every night of the week at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. 23 Robadors is a chilled out, quaint bar with old time charm. It’s a cool space for intimate live music.
Every Friday night at Craft Barcelona, you can check out some of Barcelona’s best musicians from 9:30 p.m. until late. It’s always a blast. Plus, the bar offers pinchos and a variety of craft beer.
For more rockin’ live music venues check out Big Bang Bar and La Rouge in El Raval.
Take in the best city views at Bunkers del Carmel.
Hike, metro, or take the bus up to the entrance of Bunkers del Carmel and make your way up to this 360-degree vista, boasting the best views of Barcelona. Take in the Mediterranean, the city, and the town of Sant Cugat from the opposite side.
Pro tip: Pack a bottle of wine (or two) and some snacks and enjoy a picnic from on top.
Take in Barcelona’s best from the outside.
If I’m honest, I’ve lived in Barcelona for three years and the only famous building I’ve been in is Casa Milà. The rest I’ve enjoyed from the outside. The outside of Casa Batlló is visually striking, I don’t feel much need to go inside.
Check out these spots: Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Cathedral, Park Güell. You can enjoy them all from the outside and it’s still a remarkable experience.
Looking for more things to do in Barcelona? Here’s an off the beaten path guide!
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