Five free places to visit in Barcelona
When I was a student, I set myself stringent budgets whenever I travelled. For this very reason, I always have my eye on a frugal prize. During a long weekend in Barcelona, I visited five tourist hotspots for free.
Barcelona can be a very costly trip. Sites such as the Sagrada Familia, Caso Balto and La Pedrera will set you back at least €20 per attraction. They’re pretty pricey, but for most tourist they are a must-see. During my long weekend, I paid to visit one attraction per day. Then, I interspersed the rest of my days by visiting free attractions.
Picasso Museum
Swathes of European cities allow free entry to some of their top museums on specific days, and Barcelona is no different. The Picasso Museum in the La Ribera district opens its doors for free on the first Sunday of the every month from 9am—7pm and every Thursday from 6pm—9.30pm.
The museum is filled with Picasso’s early works including some rough sketches and a few surprises. This means it’s very popular. In the high season, you’ll need to head to the museum sharpish. There are a limited number of tickets per hour. Arrive promptly, and be prepared to queue for your free ticket.
Normally, adult tickets for the Picasso Museum cost €12, so it’s worth getting entry for free — if you can.
Park Güell
Antonio Gaudi is famed for his love of nature, and often incorporated his love of nature into his artwork. Park Güell is just one example.
Originally designed to be enjoy by the inhabitants of Barcelona, it has become a much-loved tourist destination in recent years. Park Güell opened its gates in 1926 and has two distinct areas: an inner park and an outer park.
The outer park is completely free for public access. It’s the larger, more extensive, part of the park and it contains many hidden gems. It also has smaller UNESCO sites dotted around every corner. I’d recommend bringing some picnic snacks. There are plenty of benches dotted around that make for the perfect lunch spot.
If you’re after an Instagram snap or two, you’ll want to head to the inner park. This part of the park is home to Gaudi’s flamboyant statues and sculptures. The striking blue and yellow mosaics stand out against the green trees and shrubbery of the gardens. But there’s a catch, this is the part of the park that visitors needs to pay entry for.
Like with that of the Picasso Museum, there are set times when tourists can enter this part of the park at no extra cost. During the winter (November—March), a limited number of tickets are freely available on the first Sunday of the month. In the summer months, from April—October, the park is free to enter every Sunday from 5pm—8pm. There are also several open days throughout the year, so check the Park Güell website when you plan your next trip.
Barcelona’s beach
It wouldn’t be a trip to the Mediterranean without a dip in the sea. Head to La Barceloneta, an edgy, urban, area littered with sumptuous seafood restaurants. Take a stroll along the sandy beach and find the perfect spot to set up camp — preferably near a cocktail bar.
Be sure to ignore the street sellers who’ll approach you on the stretch of sand. If something does take your fancy, remember you can always haggle them down. When I spent a morning on the beach, we bagged some try-before-you-buy mojitos.
La Barceloneta is teeming with restaurants, but my personal favourite is Makamaka. This small independent restaurant is perfect for Vegans and Vegetarians too. While you might have to wait for a seat, it’s worth if for a hearty vegan meal.
Barcelona Cathedral
Also known as Seu or the Santa Cruz and Santa Eulalia Cathedral, Barcelona Cathedral is a beautiful example of Catalan gothic architecture. Head to the gothic quarter to soak in the cathedral’s striking facade and inside the cathedral there’s more parts to ogle. There are monuments dedicated to 140 saints, artefacts, paintings and a secluded inner courtyard.
On weekdays, the cathedral is free to enter between 8:30am—12:30pm and 5:45pm—7:30pm. Morning visits are the same during the weekend but times differ in the evening. For free entry, head there between 5:15pm—8:00pm.
Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar
The Cathedral of La Ribera is one of the most perfect examples of Gothic architecture in Barcelona. This was one of my favourite attractions in Barcelona. While the outside is deceptive, the inside has glorious gothic pillars and stunning stained glass windows. Entry is free before 1:00pm and after 5:00pm. If you want a guided rooftop tour, you’ll need to pay €8.50.
If you like this post, you may also like:
