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Barcelona has so many sights to see. Whilst the majority of them cost money, you won’t be short of finding free things to do in Barcelona. Certainly, not everything in the city involves spending and making use of these free activities is a great way for a budget conscious travel to spend their time in Barcelona. Below is a list of my favourite free things to do in Barcelona. This list gives you an opportunity to see the best the city has to offer, keeping you busy but yet keeping those purse strings tight.

Admire Gaudi’s Artwork

One of Barcelona’s biggest attractions is the work of the famed architect, Antoni Gaudi. Although Gaudi died in 1926, his work is still very much on display across the city. His style was unique, even if you are not an architecture fan, his work will impress you. His most prized piece is, of course, La Sagrada Familia closely followed by Parc Guell to the north of the city. Most of Gaudi’s work will cost you money to enter, but evidence of his architecture can be seen for free. Of course, La Sagrada Familia can be clearly seen without entering. Though, for a true appreciation of the cathedral, I would suggest paying the entrance fee. There are many of his other buildings on display across the city. Casa Vicens, La Pedrera and Casa Batllo are just a few of his other amazing works found in Barcelona, all easily visible without costing you a penny.

La Boqueria

Right in the heart of Barcelona is La Boqueria. This is a large public market that is loved by both tourists and locals. The entrance is right off La Rambla, so it is no surprise to see this market constantly busy. Locals love it for the fresh produce found there. Butchers, fruit, vegetables and fresh fish are common sights throughout the market. Tourists typically visit to eat. Along with the hugely popular restaurant stands that you will find, there are also a lot of foods to grab on the go. Seafood, Iberico ham and fruit juices seemed to be the popular choices. To eat here, especially in a restaurant, will cost you. There is cheaper and probably better food elsewhere in the city. It costs nothing to explore the market though. The wonderful atmosphere of La Boqueria is not to be missed.

La Catedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and St.Eulalia opened in 1298. The cathedral sits right in the heart of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. The construction was formally completed in 1420. It has since been renovated to deal with a large number of tourists that visit every day. The Cathedral is hugely impressive both inside and out. Its sheer size, as well as the amazing detail in the architecture, make it an amazing sight to see. It is free to enter, so expect the possibility of a queue to get in. The rules of the cathedral must be respected at all times as it is quite a strict place to visit. This includes no phones in sight when visiting the Chapel of Lepanto. La Catedral is possibly the most impressive free sight available in the city.

Get lost in the Gothic Quarter

This enchanting neighbourhood of narrow, medieval streets is filled with locally owned restaurants and bars. It is located right in the heart of the city. Roman ruins and medieval landmarks are commonly found here, as well as the Jewish Quarter of the city. Most traffic is banned from entering this area making it an easy place to walk around and explore at your own pace. The aforementioned, La Catedral is certainly the most extravagant and impressive building in the area but there are certainly others worth seeing. The Basilica of La Merce and the Church of Santa Maria del Pi are two of many. This part of Barcelona is a great place to step back in time and see a different side of the city.

Montjuic

To the west of the city is the Montjuic area. This hilled area has many different sights to see. The castle of Montjuic is a military fortress located on the top of the mountain. There is also a cemetery and an art museum as well as botanic gardens that can be visited. On a sunny day especially, this is a beautiful area of the city to explore. A popular draw for tourists is the light show at Montjuic fountain that happens from March until December. This light show was first performed in 1929 and still runs to this day. The show takes place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 8 pm and 9 pm. The show’s mix of light, colour, music and water acrobatics make it a must see if you are in the city during this time.

La Rambla

Nearly every street in Europe has something similar, either a street or a square that is the epicentre of tourism. In Barcelona, this place is La Rambla. Packed with souvenir shops and over-priced restaurants, this street is nothing exciting. It is the most famous street in the city though, and it is certainly worth seeing for yourself. It is always lively, full of street performers and other locals trying to impress the crowds in one way or another. At the top of the street is Placa Catalunya, one of the city’s biggest and best open squares. You will find great shopping opportunities just past this. Avoid coming to La Rambla to spend money but be sure to take a look and see this famed street for yourself.

Chill on the Beach

Barcelona’s coastline stretches for four and a half kilometres. Along the coast, you will find a number of different beaches. These beaches were all man made for the Olympics back in 1992. They are easily accessible, just a few minutes walk from the city. This makes them a popular choice for both tourists and locals on a sunny day. They are clean, sandy and a great place to escape the city. Swimming is not recommended outside the summer months but visiting the beach can be done year round. Barcelona is prone to bouts of hot weather throughout the year. It may not be sunny enough to get a tan, but you will still be able to lie on the beach comfortably. The beaches, especially Nova Icaria, have many restaurants and bars nearby.

Els Encants Flea Market

For something a bit different, make your way to Encants Flea Market. One of Europe’s largest, this flea market is where you will find a whole host of different items. Over 500 stalls are set up across the three storey structure that is covered with a huge mirrored ceiling. From downright tack to some very interesting items, it seems like there is not much that can’t be bought there. This market gives a glimpse into another side of the city, one not as commonly seen by tourists. It makes for an interesting and very different few hours, away from the usual sights of Barcelona. You might even pick yourself up a bargain there!

Placa Reial

This popular square located just off La Rambla is a well-known tourist attraction. There are a larger number of restaurants as well as some of the city’s nightclubs. It is a popular meeting place for locals and its fountain and seating areas make it a lovely place to relax during the summer months. It is a quick release from the tourist street of La Rambla, a place to stop for a while and people watch. Be sure to check out the lampposts in the square. They were designed by none other than Antoni Gaudi.

Born Centre Cultural

This public space was created in a former market. It is designed to be the centre of Catalan culture in the city, holding events and activities promoting this. It has two exhibition halls, two multi-purpose halls and a space for small scale exhibitions. Although there aren’t always events on, it is free to enter and take a walk around. There are also excavated ruins with a quick guide to the city’s history on display. This guide gives visitors a glimpse into the daily life of the people in Barcelona from the early 18th century.

Due to the large number of free things to do in Barcelona, I was able to keep costs at a minimum. In fact, during my four days there, only the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell cost me anything. This list of free activities kept me busy. I was able to walk and explore the city at my own pace without feeling the pressure to do certain things. I felt the money was better spent on the amazing food that is all over the city. Of course, like any other city, it is possible to go to Barcelona and spend a lot of money. I felt that wasn’t necessary though. Barcelona has a great atmosphere. The small neighbourhoods and the family-run restaurants make the city so special. Paying for attractions is not required when it is the city itself that will live long in your memory.

To read more about Barcelona, including the best way to spend a weekend there, click here.

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The Roaming Irishman

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