Barcelona Weekend Away on a Budget

Vacation is often a pleasure to everyone to discover and explore a new city, but for some its an outbreak to escape the boring repeated activities of everyday life. This time we gonna tackle about how to do a Barcelona weekend away on a budget. A great way to spend your weekend in this eccentric city.

Have you ever wondered how much does it cost to other tourists coming from Asia or other countries which has low currency compared to Europe? How much would it cost for an entrance fee of 5-10 euros to their country’s currency? Well, all we can say is it’s totally expensive!

If you’re sick of paying admission fees every time you travel? here are some places in Barcelona that would make your weekend a perfect moment without breaking your piggy bank.

Barcelona, Ciudad Condal

Barcelona, as we all know the capital city and as well as the largest city of Catalonia. It has six districts where you can distinguish the old town, Modernist quarter, independent town, fairs, and exhibitions place, beaches along the coast and the residential town.

Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and an important cultural center for the tourist destination. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This grand city has a bunch of nicknames, you have perhaps already heard the name “Barça” or “BCN” it is also referred to Ciutat Comtal in Catalan and Ciudad Condal in Spanish.

Plan you Barcelona weekend away

There are some ways to plan your weekend trip, you can actually check online what and where you should start your tour. Firstly you should bear in mind that you must walk more and wander the town for some hours so bring your designated equipment and gears.

The Tourist Office is found in Plaça de Catalunya, Ciutat, 2 Ajuntament de Barcelona. (City Hall.) 17-S (Metro: L1, L3. Bus: 9, 22, 28, 42, 47, 58, 66, 67, 68. Train: R4). To know more information about the city but if you don’t have much time you can also ask a city’s map at your hotel, they’ll surely give you one.

Make a checklist of the place that you wanted to visit (even those who requires admission free) you never know it’s free admission on the date you are there.

Stick to your budget, don’t be impulsive, stay on what you have planned and be contented. Except for souvenirs food of course.

Envy to visit more than 25 museums of the city? then Barcelona Card is for you! the express one for 2 days cost from 20 euros. However, if you won’t visit museums this card is not worth to get.

Explore the city admission free

Did you know that Barcelona has hundreds of tourist attraction destinations which will cost you much if you’d visit them all? that’s why they will propose you to get different combinations of a tour to visit different museums or sites.

This includes the Basilica of Sagrada Família, Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló in Eixample, Palau Güell in Ciutat Vella, Parc Güell and Casa Vicens in Gràcia, the crypt of the Church in Colònia Güell and many more.

However you can visit them all for free, just need to stay outside and admire these beautiful attractions.

La Pedrera (Casa Milà)

Known as La Pedrera or “open quarry” a modernist building, designed and residence of the architect himself Antoni Gaudí. World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Casa Milà characterized by its self-supporting stone façade, meaning that it is free of load-bearing walls. The façade connects to the internal structure of each floor by curved iron beams surrounding the perimeter of each floor.

In the interior part of the site, you’ll discover Ironwork on the main gate, Catenary arches under the terrace, Casa Milà atrium at dusk, Arch on the roof, Ventilation towers, Glass towers on the roof, beautiful Staircase, Paintings on the ceiling and many more.

Tickets are from 11 euros per person. But for us on a budget let’s just adore the exterior part, anyway it’s magnificent!

Plaça Catalunya

“Catalonia Square” sometimes called Plaza de Cataluña, The square covered by different buildings like Art Sculpture, Theatres, Cafés and restaurants, biggest shopping centers, Hotels, financial institutions, and various mode of transportations.

You can check out interesting restaurants here, super cheap from 10 euros the menu. The shopping centers are covering the place as well. so if you love shopping? this is the place for you.

Plaça Reial

“Royal Plaza” is a square in the Barri Gòtic of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. You can find some restaurants and some of the city’s most famous nightclubs including Sidecar, Jamboree, and Karma.

Plaça Reial designed by Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajó and the lanterns designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Take note that if you’re gonna take a coffee break or eat here, make sure that you have a huge patience cause there are many tourists around the area. However, the place is majestic! you can stay here for the rest of your afternoon just chill and have a good time.

Palau Güell

A Mansion part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudí”. The main party room has a high ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give a view of a starlit sky.

The interior part you’ll see first the antechamber filled with stained glass windows comprising glass friezes and lead plate that combine oval and square medallions inspired by English designs.

Then you’ll find the hall of lost steps, visitors’ room, and ladies’ powder room, Central Hall (crowned by a parabolic dome, which lights the whole space through a series of small openings and a large central oculus. )

Afterwards the hall of intimates and the bay window room, dining room, billiard room, southern terrace (you’ll see the impressive rear façade.) lastly the corridor which connects Güell Palace to the family house on La Rambla, where Eusebi’s Güell’s father lived up until his death.

Tickets are from 9-12 euros per person but for us, on the budget, we will just adore this site from the outside.

La Rambla

Fascinate by the most popular shopping street and promenade. With all the artist on the streets who are making their artworks on the spot. Street statue artists, souvenirs shops, artisanal shops, and don’t forget the shopping centers.

Our Lady of Bethlehem

You can find this simple cathedral in the Rambla and Carrer del Carmen. In the church, you’ll see statues of San Ignacio de Loyola, San Francisco de Borja, San Francisco Javier, Saint John Baptist, High altar, Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat, and Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

Enjoy the magical ambiance of the interior of the cathedral, and it’s totally free.

La Boqueria

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply called La Boqueria. A large public market in the Ciudad Vieja district of Barcelona and one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, with entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceo, Barcelona’s opera house.

If you love food? then this is the perfect place for you. Here you can try all the local cuisine and food made locals. Also called as flee or wet market, since you all types of products you can find it here.

The Columbus Monument

Monumento a Colón or Mirador de Colón is a 60 m (197 ft) tall monument to Christopher Columbus at the lower end of La Rambla, Barcelona.

The monument serves as a reminder that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona. After his first trip to the new continent

Port Vell

Is a waterfront harbor, Barcelona’s old Customs building. built as part of an urban renewal program before 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Before this, it was a run-down area of empty warehouses, railroad yards, and factories. 16 million people visit the complex each year.

Wander in the park near the Vell and enjoy the best view of the city and the coastline.

Port Vell’s Marina

El Cap de Barcelona

The Head of Barcelona is a 64-ft. abstract statue by American Roy Lichtenstein. You’ll find it on the crossroad going to the Port Vella’s Marina.

Barcelona Cathedral

Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain. The cathedral dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona. A young virgin who, according to Catholic tradition, suffered martyrdom during Roman times in the city.

The Cathedral receives three million visitors each year. The magnificent gothic art, the splendid Gothic and Baroque altarpieces, its marvelous choir. the baptistery and the sepulcher of Saint Eulalia are clear to all observers.

Admission fee is cheap, only 3 euros per person but if we stay on a budget this will pass.

The Roman and Medieval walls

You can visit other churches not too far from here: Santa Maria del Mar church and Santa Maria del Pi church.

Sagrada Família

Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church in Barcelona. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Sagrada Familia is a symbolic expression in stone of the Christian faith. In this temple, exaltation of the Family of Nazareth as a model for a united family, especially Roman Catholics, can recognize the tenets of their faith.

Considered an international center for spirituality which, in an exceptional setting. It invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to share in a sense of life based on love, harmony, goodness, generosity, and peace.

International and special masses are held at the Basilica and open to the public.

There are a different types of tickets that you can buy: Basic one is 15 euros, Audioguided visit 22 euros. Guided experience and Gaudí’s work and life visit cost 24 euros and Top views for 29 euros.

Park Güell

A public park system composed of gardens and architectonic elements on Carmel Hill which belongs to the mountain range of Collserola. Another place designed by Antoni Gaudí, the park declared a World Heritage Site under “Works of Antoni Gaudí”

It has since been converted into a municipal garden. It can reach by underground railway, by city buses, or by commercial tourist buses. The stations are not too far from the Park.

Inside the park, you will see Gaudí’s multicolored mosaic salamander, popularly known as “el drac” (the dragon), at the main entrance. There’s also Gaudí’s mosaic work on the main terrace, unique tiles. Tiled Mosaics on the ceiling, Colonnaded pathway, and fountain with the dragon.

Gaudi House Museum

Bird nests built by Gaudí in the terrace walls.

A great tip for you is that normally the entrance to the park is 7 euros. But no need to pay for this, you have all the place around to visit and explore. The park is huge, you can see all these Gaudi’s work except those inside the pavilion.

You will see Colonnaded footpath under the roadway viaduct, with external columns sloping to take the diagonal thrust from the vault supporting the road.

Casa Martí Trias i Domènech

Panorama View of the City

After a few steps climbing up the park, you’ll see this lovely panorama view of the city. One of the most beautiful scenic view in this city. If you come to visit the park make sure not to miss this part.

Other Places to visit are :

• Can Framis Museum                                              Fabra Observatory
• The Arc de Triomf                                                   Castell dels Tres Dragons
• Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre                               Torre Agbar
• The Torre de Collserola                                        Port Vell Aerial Tramway
• Montjuïc Cable Car                                                 The Venetian Towers
• Gothic Quarter                                                         Palauet d’Albéniz

Here’s another articles about Best Things to Do in Barcelona.

Barcelona Weekend Away on a Budget

Don’t miss to visit the official site of the City and learn all the necessary information about the places to visit.