5 Best Ways to do Barcelona on a Budget

Barcelona is a lively, gritty city and a perfect place to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle. Amazing architecture, mouth-watering food and plenty of beaches make Barcelona a must for anyone traveling through Spain.

Here is my 5 best ways to do Barcelona on a budget:

1. Walk Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is the main thoroughfare that runs through the centre of Barcelona. Filled with restaurants, markets, shopping, history and architecture it’s a great place to start your time in the city. Somewhat overrun with street performers and tourists, shopping and dining on Las Ramblas will definitely cost you more than elsewhere in Barcelona.

Approximately 1.5km long Las Ramblas is in the heart of Barcelona and a top tourist destination.

Once night falls parts of Las Ramblas do become pretty sketchy, particularly the southern end towards the beach. With prostitutes turning the area into a red-light district be a little careful when walking through late at night or early morning, especially if you’ve been drinking sangria all night.

2. Admire Gaudi’s Architecture

Antoni Gaudi’s mark is all over Barcelona, and the best way to see his phenomenal buildings is by taking a free walking tour. There is so much historical information associated with the Gaudi architecture you miss out on if you simply walk past by yourself.

My favourite Gaudi building, the House of Skulls is even more stunning up close.

I took the Tour Me Out Barcelona free walking tour that picks people up from a few hostels located around Las Ramblas. Our guide was fantastic, filled with knowledge and interesting facts, not only about Gaudi and his buildings, but Barcelona in general. Free walking tours are an excellent way of exploring a new city with like minded fellow travelers.

Tour Me Out is a free walking tour company that takes visitors out everyday.

3. Relax on the Beach

Some consider Barcelona one of the best beach cities in the world, and there is certainly plenty of coastline to enjoy. The most popular beach, Barceloneta, is an easy 20 minute walk from Las Ramblas and only minutes from the Metro station. It has a nice boardwalk littered with cafes, restaurants and shops, and a wide beach area ready for sunbathing.

Barceloneta Beach is artificially made and entices many sunbathes during the summer months.

Unfortunately I didn’t particularly like this beach. As it’s artificially created as a draw-card for tourists, the sand is more a coarse mix of dirt, sand and concrete than a smooth, soft natural beach. But with peak summer season continually enticing thousands of people to lay back and soak up the Barcelona sun, Barceloneta is certainly not the worst place you could be.

4. Watch the Magic Fountain

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a surprising display of water, lights and music that runs every half hour during the summer.

It turns out the Magic Fountain really is pretty magical 🙂

Located walking distance from Plaça Espanya Metro station, thousands of people flock to the fountain each night to watch this visual spectacular. Unsure of what to expect from the ‘magic’ fountain, I arrived quite skeptical – it’s just a water fountain right? However I was very happily put in my place when the water started to flow, creating spectacular cloud-like shapes in coordination with music and lights. The fountain is a definite must whilst you’re in Barcelona and best of all, it’s completely free.

5. Eat Tapas and Drink Sangria

The Spanish really do run on their own unique time and when your day starts late and has a siesta in the middle, you of course eat dinner close to midnight.

There are so many eateries available whenever hunger strikes.

Almost all eateries within Barcelona have their busiest trade between 11pm – 1am. There are so many excellent and inexpensive restaurants offering tapas, paella and sangria that you really can eat like a king for very little money. So go ahead and overindulge – it’s Spain!