Barcelona on a Budget
Barcelona on a budget probably conjures up an image of having to accept less than the best from your stay. But it is possible to visit Barcelona on a budget and still have a top quality trip. Here we give you some ideas as to how you can enjoy Barcelona on a budget:
1) All the budget airlines fly to Barcelona. Fares, timetables etc vary but fares start from 14€ one way. (One company sometimes runs a promotion with a 1 cent fare). Take the Aero Bus (No A1) from outside the terminal of Barcelona airport straight to the centre of Barcelona. The buses are air-conditioned and comfortable. The cost is only 4.20€ instead of the taxi cost of 25 to 28€.
2) Once in Barcelona the best and cheapest way to get around the city is to WALK!! Much of Barcelona is flat and ideal for walking. There is such a lot to see in this beautiful city. Not only is walking less expensive, if you choose the metro or other transport you will miss so much. As you walk round every corner there is yet another amazing piece of architectural brilliance to admire (& not just the works of Gaudi) and some interesting characters to see.
3) If you do choose to use the transport system of Barcelona, then buy a T10 ticket (available at all metro stations & in Tabac shops too). This costs just 7.20€ for 10 journeys. You can get on and off the transport system with up to 1hour 15 mins gap and only use one of your journeys. The T10 ticket can be used for more than one person. A couple could, for example, have 5 journeys each on the same T10 ticket. The transport system in Barcelona is very well organised and CHEAP!
4) There are plenty of museums, galleries etc to visit in Barcelona, and if you pick the right day they are also FREE! On the 1st Saturday/Sunday/Monday of the month (depending on each individual museum) they are free to enter.
o Museums with free entrance on the 1st Saturday of each month
o Museums with free entrance on the 1st Sunday of each month
o Museums with free entrance on the 1st Monday of each month
5) Now for lunch! Most restaurants in Barcelona have a 'menu del dia' at lunchtime . This is a 3 course lunch of starter, main course, dessert AND often includes wine! There is a board outside the restaurant showing you the options of the day (usually at least 3 choices for each course) and the price, which ranges from 6.90€ to 11€ for the lunch and perhaps a little more expensive on Saturdays and Sundays. The quality of food for these “Menus” is consistently good. DO NOT eat or drink on Las Ramblas. A small beer (very small) can cost 7.50€. A siesta is probably a necessity after a “Menu”!!!
6) An afternoon walk can be taken on the beach, of course. With beaches of golden sand that stretch for miles and a promenade alongside too, this is very easy walking. Or head up to Parc Guell, a Gaudi treasure where you can enjoy walking around the park that he designed, seeing some of his amazing architecture and decoration and you will have fabulous views over the whole city too. At the opposite end of the city is Montjuic, the site of the Olympic Stadium, a Castle overlooking the port and the city, the National Palace, Miro Foundation and much more. Here, there are lovely gardens to walk around too, plus another amazing view from the other end of the city to Parc Guell. All this for free...except for the ice-cream you may need at the end!
7) In Barcelona there can always be found, in one plaça or another, some form of free entertainment , such as a band, jazz trio, dance group, mime/circus artist. Check out details by looking in the weekly or monthly FREE magazines available such as the Barcelona Metropolitan magazine and for a more general guide to Barcelona try Barcelona - The Facts. There are also the Castellers (groups of human tower builders..yes really!!) who have regular competitions in and around Barcelona. There is also, nearly always, a barrio (neighbourhood) festival taking place somewhere in the city too. The biggest of all is THE Barcelona festival, La Merce, from 19 -24 Sept 2008.
8) Now, perhaps the most important of all, where to stay?! There are hundreds of hotels to choose from in Barcelona, for all budgets, but remember they have a lot of costs & overheads to cover, which will be recognised in the price. There is also an abundance of hostels, much, much cheaper than any hotel, but as they say ‘you get what you pay for’!...ie not much more than a bed, maybe a room and probably located in a position which is not so attractive. Apartment rentals in Barcelona are also very popular and if you are on a budget can be good value. A self catering apartment allows you the flexibility and comfort as if you were at home…can come and go when you want, cook if you want to rather than eating out, stay in to watch tv, or even do your washing! Apartments work out at very good value here in Barcelona, particularly if there are 4 of you sharing an apartment. More and more people are now switching to the apartment option rather than a hotel, both for the flexibility and the cost saving. Prices for apartments start from 22€ per person per night based on 4 people sharing.
9) Finally, after all that sightseeing, enjoying lunch, walking, etc, one of the best forms of free entertainment is to let Barcelona come to you. Sit at a café and while enjoying a copa de cava, beer or glass of sangria just watch the world go by. Barcelona is such a cosmopolitan city that dozens of nationalities will pass you if you stay still, all adding a little to the special mix that gives Barcelona it’s very appealing atmosphere.
10) Autumn is a good time for the cost conscious traveller to come to Barcelona. In early autumn it is still bright and sunny most days but cooler than in the summer, which actually means it is more comfortable for exploring. After the schools have gone back it is also a particularly good time for flight promotions and accommodation offers.
Home Special Offers Apartments and Flats Whats on Guide
