Top 10 Budget Travel Tips For Barcelona

Since I recently came back from Barcelona, I have a few budget travel tips I would like to share in today’s post. They cover transportation, sightseeing and dining out in the city on the cheap.

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Transport

Tip 1: You can buy tickets for individual journeys for the metro at  €2.15  per ticket or (if you stay more than 2 days and plan to use metro daily) you can get 10 tickets for â‚¬10.20. It’s much cheaper to get T10 instead of buying single journey tickets (saving up to €10).

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Tip 2: There are a few ways to get to the city from the airport:

  • taxi or Barcelona airport transfers which is the most comfortable and convenient one,
  • Aerobus, or
  • getting a TMB airport bus (number 46). It operates daily from 5 in the morning to 00:15 at night from both airport terminals. The no. 46 bus travels from the city centre stopping first at T2. It then continues on to T1. The cost of the journey on the TMB buses is considerably cheaper than the Aerobus – a single journey costs  €2.15 , compared to €5.90 on the Aerobus from T2 and T1!
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Tip 3: If you love cycling, ask a local person (preferably your host if you do couchsurfing in Barcelona) to get you a city bike. It’s an affordable way to see the city and burn some extra calories.

Sightseeing

Tip 4All the city-run museums (including the Museu Picasso, MUHBA and MNAC) are free on Sunday afternoons, from 3pm to 8pm.

Tip 5: If you’re here late September don’t miss the five-day Festes de la Mercè – disconted drinks and food are served in certain areas of the city.

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Tip 6: Book your tickets online for sightseeing big spots in Barcelona. Otherwise you may wait up to 6 hours in the queue to see la Sagrada Familia.

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Tip 7: Watch your bag when visiting La Rambla. It’s unashamedly touristy and many people get victims of pickpocketers. It’s a good idea to get an anti theft backpack.

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Tip 8: Don’t miss the beach, but go there early in the morning (otherwise you may not find a spot for your towel). Barcelona has some wonderful beaches perfect for resting aching feet after days of sightseeing. If you need a beach less crowded, walk further north towards the Fòrum area.

Dining out

Tip 9: Do your shopping at local markets. Local markets are the cheapest when it comes to buying fresh fruits and veggies. They are huge discount towards the evening – 50% on bananas and 60% on peaches.

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Tip 10: Looking for tapas? Check out Can Eusebio! It offers a huge selection of tapas, a lively atmosphere and low prices. It’s always crowded, especially on Friday nights (getting a terrace table is like winning the lottery), but the service is friendly and they work fast.

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Have I missed anything?

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Picture of Agness Walewinder
Agness Walewinder
Travel freak, vagabond, photography passionate, blogger, life enthusiast, backpacker, adventure hunter and endless energy couchsurfer living by the rule "Pack lite, travel far and live long!"
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32 thoughts on “Top 10 Budget Travel Tips For Barcelona”

  1. Avatar of Kat Caprice

    I love Barcelona as well! I have noted down some of your recommendations so thanks for sharing :) You should visit Pim Pam burger if you have time, best burger in town! Kat x

  2. Avatar of Katarina

    Honestly, in what city is going in a taxi the best? (Seriously though, is there?) They’re always so expensive and it just isn’t worth it unless you have the money! Always try to walk, use public transportation like buses, or use your own car parking in non-parking meter places. Walking also gets you closer to the city and it’s people.

  3. Avatar of Stef

    Definitely watch your bag all the time. My friend got her wallet stolen on the way from the airport to the center and we spent a lot of time in different police stations so she has an identification to fly back.

    1. Avatar of Agness Walewinder

      We used to rent a car when we travelled across Malaga and in fact it was the most affordable way to explore it! :) This time I was travelling solo with no driving licence :-).

  4. Avatar of Victoria@ The British Berliner

    Yep! I think the tips are very well done Agness. :) I recommend going on a walking tour to get your bearings.

    Mind your bags, wallets and pockets. Unfortunately, Barcelona is notorious for pick-pockets and I’ve seen many a person losing all their most precious belongings including my own boss, who lost her handbag and Canadian passport on the very first day! Snatched off her shoulder by a passing motorcyclist so take care.

    That aside, Barcelona is a wonderful Spanish city. Better than Madrid. In my opinion LOL!

  5. Avatar of Martin

    I really like Spain and specially Barcelona. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a great culture. I would like to go there and your advice will be very helpful. Thanks

  6. Avatar of Dale

    Great to see a safety tip in there, but I think my safety tip is better:

    Stay away from the tourist areas! That’s 10/10 the place where the worst happens.

    Plus, dress down a little and look more like a local and not a tourist. Don’t stick out from the crowd too much.

  7. Avatar of Nimish

    Cool tips. I myself was in Barcelona recently and was glad I didn’t buy the Barcelona card since I was going to explore the city in only two days.
    For local fast food I preferred Pans Company much better than. mcDonalds or Burger King. It has a lovely collection of subs and burgers and desserts.
    Cheers
    Nimish

  8. Avatar of Matilda

    What a great experience about Barcelona city. I believe, all Spain is something like that sake thing. Worth visiting that place for sure. One thing that I need to get is cheap ticket to travel there.

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