We will not deny something obvious; Barcelona is not a particularly cheap city, so saving on the trip, doing some of the free activities offered by the city, can be a good respite for your pockets. Visiting the museums or monuments the day you enter freely, climbing to the different viewpoints of the city or strolling through the parks, are just some of the many things that will allow you to enjoy the city saving money.
Based on our experience, it is the city we have visited most times, we have made a list of those we believe, are the 10 best free things in Barcelona. We start!
1. Visit the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
Believe it or not, entering the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia for free, one of the most essential and expensive places to visit in Barcelona, is possible.
The masterpiece of the brilliant modernist architect Antoni Gaudí celebrates an international mass every Sunday in different languages. The Mass begins at 9 in the morning and although the entrance is free, the capacity is limited. Therefore, we recommend arriving soon at the entrance of the Nativity façade, in Calle de la Marina, since the doors open at 8:30 and there are usually a lot of people.
Interior of the Sagrada Familia
- How to get to the Sagrada Familia:
Metro L2 and L5 Sagrada Família
Bus 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20 and B24
2. Go up to the viewpoint of the Carmel Bunkers
Enjoy the views of Barcelona from the Carmel Bunkers is one of the best free things in Barcelona what can you do.
This viewpoint considered one of the best viewpoints of Barcelona, is located on the top of the Turó de la Rovira hill, in the Carmel neighborhood, more than 250 meters from sea level. For many years it has remained hidden from most locals and tourists, although in recent times thanks to the extraordinary photos and the power of social networks, it has become an essential part of the city.
In the viewpoint in addition to incredible panoramic views of Barcelona, you will see the remains of bunkers and an old anti-aircraft battery of the Spanish Civil War.
It is always open, we recommend, especially in summer, to arrive at sunset to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Carmel Bunkers
- How to get to the Carmel Bunkers:
Bus V17 and 119, the last meters are made on foot.
3. See an exhibition at the Palau de la Virreina or at the Palau Robert
The Palau de la Virreina, located at number 99 of the Rambla, is a Baroque-style building built by viceroy of Peru between 1772 and 1778. In addition to its interior courtyards, stairways and luxurious decoration, it is worth entering through the art exhibitions, especially photography, which are held throughout the year and are free to enter.
The exhibitions change every few months and you can check them on their official website. Admission is free and the schedule is from Tuesday to Sunday from 12 noon to 8pm.
Another of our favorite buildings is the Palau Robert, located at number 107 of Paseo de Gracia. This neoclassical palace, built between 1898 and 1903 by the Marquis de Robert, is currently owned by the Generalitat de Catalunya.
In addition to visiting its 3 rooms with temporary exhibitions you can stroll through its beautiful garden. The schedule is from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 8 pm. Sunday and holidays, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Exhibitions at the Palau de la Virreina
- How to get to the Palau de la Virreina:
Metro: L3 Liceu
Buses: 14, 59, 91 - Plaça Catalunya stop
Bus 55 - La Rambla stop, 80
- How to get to the Palau Robert
Metro: lines 3 and 5, Diagonal Stop
FGC: lines 6 and 7 Provença stop
4. Enter the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Visiting the Santa Creu i Sant Pau Hospital for free, located very close to the Sagrada Familia, is another of the best things to do in Barcelona, which we recommend not to miss.
This large complex, declared a World Heritage Site, is made up of several modernist-style buildings, including its large central square surrounded by red brick buildings and was designed by the famous architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and his son.
Every first Sunday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., admission is free.
Hospital of Santa Creu and Sant Pau
- How to get to the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau:
Meter:
Linia 4 Stop Guinardó / Hospital de Sant Pau
Linia 5 Sant Pau Stop / Dos de maig
Buses: 192, H8, 19, 20, 45, 47, 50, 51, 117, N1, N4
Book the best free tours in Barcelona for free:
- Free tour of the historic center of Barcelona
- Free tour of modernist Barcelona
Book the best free tours in Barcelona for free:5. Have a picnic in the Labyrinth of Horta, one of the best free things in Barcelona
Buying food to take away and having a picnic in the beautiful park of the Labyrinth of Horta, is one of the best tips for traveling to Barcelona, in addition to checking the prices to travel to the city with Omio, to always find the best prices in the market.
Located in the upper part of the city, in the Horta neighborhood, the most prominent place in the park is the neoclassical garden of the 18th century, the oldest one preserved in the city, where you can see a maze made with walls of cypresses In addition, the park has another romantic-style garden, an old palace, a medieval defense tower and a picnic area.
The garden opens from April to October, from 10 to 20, closing the rest of the months at 7pm. Admission is free on Wednesdays and Sundays, although the capacity is limited to 750 people.
Labyrinth of Horta
- How to get to the Labyrinth of Horta:
Metro: Line 3 Mundet stop.
6. Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona
Visiting the 14th-century Barcelona Cathedral, with a fantastic Gothic facade, is another of the free things from Barcelona that you can't miss
This temple of more than 1200 years, located in the charming Gothic quarter, is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Santa Eulalia. Inside is the Chapel of the Holy Christ of Lepanto, the altarpiece of the Transfiguration, the cloister and the Crypt on which Santa Eulalia rests.
Other parts of the church such as the choir or the ascent to the terraces are paid, 3 euros each.
Visiting hours are free during worship and prayer. From Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Saturdays the afternoon schedule changes from 5:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and from 5:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Other churches such as the spectacular Basilica of Santa María del Mar, famous for the book by Ildefonso Falcones The cathedral of the seaThey also have free access during mass hours.
Barcelona's cathedral
- How to get to the Cathedral of Barcelona:
Metro: Line 4 Stop Jaume I
Buses: 45, V15, V17
7. Enjoy the views of the MNAC terraces
One of the best free things in Barcelona are the views from the terraces of the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, MNAC.
This museum, considered one of the best in the world in Romanesque art, is located on the mountain of Montjuïc and in addition to the art collections, inside this huge classicist-style palace, you can see several rooms with murals and decorative elements.
The museum also has two terraces with magnificent panoramic views of the city, with the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc and the Venetian Towers in the foreground.
Entrance to the museum is only free on Saturdays from 3 in the afternoon and on the first Sundays of each month.
The visiting hours are from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm from October to April, closing the rest of the months at 8pm. Sundays and holidays, from 10am to 3pm.
MNAC Terrace
- How to get to the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, MNAC:
Metro: L1, L3 Stop Pl. Espanya
Bus:
55 Stop: National Museum of Art of Catalonia / Ethnological Museum
150 Stop Pl. Espanya-Av. de l'Estadi / Piscines Picornell
13 Stop Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guardia / Poble Espanyol
37 Stop Pl. Espanya-Av. Parallel
9, 27, 50, 65, 79, 109, 165, D20, H12, V7 Plaça Espanya stop
8. Find an ancient Roman temple
Strolling through the Barri Gòtic, hidden in a house on Paradís Street, is the remains of the Temple of Augustus, from the 1st century BC. This temple of which 4 columns of almost 9 meters high are preserved, reminds us of the ancient Roman colony of Barcino, the current Barcelona.
Three of the columns were found during the construction of a building, while the fourth was already exposed in the Plaza del Rey. The reconstruction of the temple incorporating the 4 columns was carried out by the architect Puig i Cadafalch at the beginning of the 19th century.
The visiting hours are from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm. Monday, from 10am to 2pm. Sundays, from 10am to 8pm and free admission.
Augustus Temple
- How to get to the Temple of Augustus:
Metro: Line 4 Stop Jaume I
Buses: 45, V15, V17
9. Visit the Picasso Museum on a Thursday afternoon
Pablo Picasso spent much of his youth in Barcelona when he came with his family in 1895. Although in 1904, he settled in Paris although his ties with the City of Barcelona continue throughout the years.
Thanks to his will and that of his friend Jaime Sabartés, the Picasso Museum was created in 1963 which currently houses more than 4000 works by the brilliant artist, with the most complete collection of works of his youth.
The museum, located on Montcada Street, is located inside five Gothic-style palaces and its works are displayed chronologically in different rooms.
On Thursday afternoons from 6pm to 9pm and the first Sunday of each month, from 9am to 7pm, admission is free.
Picasso museum
- How to get to the Picasso Museum:
Meter:
Line 4 Stop Jaume I
Line 1 Arc de Triomf stop
Buses:
120, 45, V15, V17 Via Laietana stop
39, 51, H14 Passeig Picasso stop
H14, 45, 51 Pla de Palau stop
120 Princess Stop
10. See the show of the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
One of the best free things in Barcelona is to see the spectacle of music, water and lights that takes place in the magic fountain of Montjuïc.
This fountain that receives more than 2 million tourists every year has many combinations of water and light, which move and change color to the sound of music. Each show lasts about 12 minutes and several are performed during the night.
The schedules vary according to the time of the year and the days of the week, you can check them on their official website.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
- How to get to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc:
Metro: Line 1 and Line 3 Stop Plaza Espanya
Bus: 9, 13, 27, 30, 37, 50, 55, 56, 57, 65, 79, 109, 157 and 165
If you feel like helping us expand the list of 10 best free things in Barcelona, add your recommendation in the comments.
** This article is written as part of a collaboration as Omio Ambassadors, but always based on our experiences, with original content and without any brand having influenced us in any case.
