Barcelona: Free Things To Do
Barcelona: Free Things To Do
Roxana, @TravelWithNewEyes
A guide with 16 amazing free things to do in Barcelona, Spain. 💃🏻
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities, but let's be honest, it's not cheap these days. So, after traveling to the city several times and spending in total over 8 months here, I thought I'd come up with a list of the best free things to see and do.
Some of these things are free all the time, while others are free with some limitations, or have free entry days. If you plan wisely, you can easily save a lot of money and enjoy Barcelona's top sights.💰
In this guide, you will find:
🏛️Cool museums
⛲Serene parks
🏙️Beautiful, authentic neighborhoods
🍒Lively markets
⛪Historical landmarks
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Free Things to Do in Barcelona
Gothic Quarter
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Barri Gòtic is the perfect place to get lost navigating the narrow cobblestone alleys, staring at impressive buildings, and discovering charming corners. Check out the Avinguda del Portal de l’Angel, Plaça de Sant Jaume, El Pont del Bisbe, and Plaça Reial.
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Cathedral of Barcelona
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You need to buy a ticket for a complete visit, but you can still check out the exterior, attend mass, or enter the cathedral for worship and prayer. The latter is possible free of charge at specific times during the day, usually in the morning until noon and the later afternoon, after 5 or 6 pm, depending on the day of the week.
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Mercat de la Boqueria
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Mercat de la Boqueria is an explosion of colors, scents, and sounds. Yes, it’s chaotic, but I kind of like it, in small doses. It’s an experience that engages all your senses, from the smell of Jamón as soon as you enter, to the bright colors of the fruits and veggies, and the taste of delicious treats you may get to sample.
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Port Vell
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Another great free thing to do in Barcelona is to explore Port Vell. This is one of my favorite areas. I loved strolling along Ronda Litoral by the harbor, watching the seagulls fly over the boats, and having coffee outside Maremagnum.
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Montjuïc Castle
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Montjuïc Castle is free to visit every Sunday after 3 pm and every first Sunday of the month all day. The 17th-century fortress also houses a military museum, although most people head here for the sea views.
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Parc del Laberint d'Horta
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This serene park away from the chaos of the city center is one of my favorite hidden gems in Barcelona. The park is free to visit every Wednesday and Sunday. The other days, it costs just over 2€.
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Gràcia
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Gràcia is my favorite neighborhood in Barcelona. While popular among visitors, the neighborhood still preserves its authentic, local feel, with charming squares, great tapas bars, and small local shops.
A walk around Gràcia is great at any time, but the neighborhood is particularly lively around mid-August when the Festa Major de Gràcia (or Festes de Gràcia) takes place.
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Picasso Museum Barcelona
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The museum offers free entry every first Sunday of the month, on open-door days (11th February, 18th May, and 24th September), and on specific days of the week. From November to April, you can visit for free every Thursday afternoon, while from May to October free entry is on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening.
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El Born
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El Born is a great place to base yourself if you want to stay close to the main tourist spots and enjoy a more local vibe. Check out Santa Maria del Mar Basilica, Mercat de Santa Caterina, and Palau de la Música Catalana.
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Ciutadella Park
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Parc de la Ciutadella is the most popular park in the city and one of the best free things to do in Barcelona. Located just a short walk from Plaça de Catalunya, the park boasts several attractions, from the gorgeous Cascada Monumental to the greenhouse and small botanical garden.
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Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
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Usually, the museum charges a 12€ entry fee, but you can visit it for free every Saturday after 3 pm and all day every first Sunday of the month. After checking out the vast collection, sit on the stairs in the main hall and head up to the roof to enjoy one of the most spectacular views of Barcelona.
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Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
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Watching the light and music show at the Font Màgica was one of my favorite free things to do in Barcelona when I lived there. It wasn’t nearly as popular as it is nowadays, with hundreds of people gathering around the fountain and on the steps leading to MNAC to watch the show.
The Font Màgica shows usually take place at set hours in the evening, but the days and times vary depending on the season.
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Casa de l'Ardiaca
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This little building just outside the Barcelona Cathedral is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, but it’s a lovely little gem worth checking out. You can enter for free and explore the little patio and the upper terrace.
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El Raval
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Wander around El Raval to see several historical monuments, like the Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp and the Old Hospital de la Santa Creu. Be sure to stop by Plaça dels Àngels and stroll down Rambla del Raval, where you can spot the iconic sculpture El Gat de Botero.
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Bunkers El Camel
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This is one of the most popular sunset spots in the city, so you can expect to find a crowd around this time of day. Also, note that it closes at 7.30 pm, so depending on the season, you may not be able to catch the sunset.
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Mercat de Sant Antoni
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If Mercat de la Boqueria is too crowded for you, worry not! There are plenty of other markets in Barcelona. Mercat de Sant Antoni is a great alternative for shopping for local products and gifts without overwhelming crowds. Or better said, with a mostly local crowd.
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Where to Stay in Barcelona
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Onefam Batlló
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The location doesn't get better and the beds are affordable for Barcelona standards!
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Pensión Ciudadela
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Affordable private rooms in a great location near Ciutadella Park.
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Hotel Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia
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Beautiful rooms in a 4-start hotel near Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia Boulevard.
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More Free Things to Do in Barcelona
Find more free things to do in Barcelona in my blog post. Here, you can also find additional information about each place.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roxana, @TravelWithNewEyes
Hi! I'm Roxana, a travel writer originally from Romania, but I lived over half my life in Italy. I've always had a passion for travel and writing, and I'm happy I managed to combine these two passions into an actual job. After living in Rome, Lisbon, Berlin, and Rome again, I became a nomad in January 2022. However, I regularly go back to my two homes, Rome, Italy and Brasov, Romania.
Over the past 14 years since my first solo trip, I have been to over 35 countries and countless cities. I have mostly traveled through Europe and spent extensive time in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Germany. Outside of Europe, I spent significant time in Guatemala, Australia, and the US.
Lately, I have appreciated slow travel. I like to spend more than just a few days in a city to truly get to know it, and this has allowed me to gain a deeper knowledge of many places.
My favorite things when traveling are:
- Trying the local food
- Walking everywhere
- Visiting museums
- Hiking
- Working from lovely cafés
- Finding the best viewpoints in town
If you enjoy any of these things, follow me for itineraries and guides on the best places to visit, eat, drink, hike, and enjoy the view. I am also offering custom services if you want some personalized travel advice. Thanks for sticking around and I hope to help you plan memorable trips!
For more in-depth, free content, check out my travel blog below.
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