Barcelona is a city of unique architecture, delicacies and a truly Mediterranean atmosphere. The whole city, largely thanks to the architect Antoni Gaudi, is like an open-air art museum. Getting a taste of that culture can be frugal or even free.
Park Guell
Park Guell offers the frugal traveler one of the best views of Barcelona and for free. Inside the park is the Gaudi Museum and numerous examples of his work.
How to get there? The Barcelona metro is easy and cheap to use. The metro stop for Park Guell is Lesseps.
Church of the Holy Family / Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia
This half completed church built by Antoni Gaudi is the most unique religious structure I have ever seen. Something along the lines of extreme and extreme gothic. Barcelona is the city to see Gaudi’s work and this church, one of the shining examples. There is a fee to enter the building and I hear the views are decent. However the real wow is the outside and watching it is free.
Las Ramblas
Barcelona’s pedestrian walkway, Las Ramblas is lined with quaint cafes, markets and shops. On sunny days, artists display their wares and street performers, including the famous living statues, entertain. A great place for people watching and this people watching is free.
One food choice that travelers to Barcelona should try is tapas. Tapas are snacks or appetizers and are often accompanied by wine. This is an affordable way to try a variety of Spanish flavors without breaking the budget or expanding the waistline.
La Boqueria
La Boqueria is a popular food market that sells fish, fruit and vegetables. Fresh fruit is a perfect and inexpensive snack. It is also a place to rub elbows with the locals.
Barcelona is a city with a soul of its own. Fortunately for the frugal traveler, a glimpse into this soul can be inexpensive or even free.