Barcelona for free
With its many luxury hotels, superyachts and Michelin-starred restaurants, Barcelona can sometimes feel like a playground for the wealthy. And while there are plenty of ways to indulge your hard-earned cash, you can also do a lot here without spending a single euro. Thanks to a lively arts scene, local festivities and a city council that is keen to promote all aspects of Barcelona, you can discover the city, take in some culture and have a good time, and still not break the bank.
DISCOVER THE CITY
Bunkers del Carmel. Marià Lavèrnia s/n.
Located on the Turó de la Rovira, with panoramic views of the city, these anti-aircraft bunkers were built in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. After the war, the area became a shanty town with over 3,000 inhabitants. Now run by the Museu d’Història de Barcelona, the area can be accessed free of charge and includes a small museum that details the bunkers’ history.
The Ajuntament’s Ruta del Modernisme project encourages visitors to get out and explore Barcelona’s Modernista heritage. It highlights 120 points around the city—mostly buildings that can be viewed from the outside, but also some churches and other buildings that you can go inside. The website has a map and a list of the places, allowing you to put together your own walking tour. For €12 you can buy a guide with a printed map and discounts on entry prices.
Cemetery tours
The Trail of the Cemeteries shows visitors around two of Barcelona’s best-known resting places. A Walk in the Cemetery of Poblenou takes in 100 years of history and many local characters, from 1775, when the cemetery opened, to 1888 and the Universal Exhibition.
Tours in Spanish take place the first Sunday of the month at 12.30pm and the third Sunday of the month at 10.30am.
The Dreams of Barcelona tour takes visitors through the Cemetery of Montjuïc, focusing on the period between 1883 and 1936, and the wealth of well-known people who were buried there. The tour takes in 40 of the cemetery’s most important mausoleums and graves from an artistic and historical viewpoint.
Tours in Spanish take place the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 11.15am.
Free walking tours
Get ready to impress your summer guests by brushing up on your city knowledge. The Original Barcelona Walking Tour takes around three hours and includes the sights of the Gothic Quarter, the Born and the Olympic Village. Although the tours are free, you are encouraged to leave a tip if you enjoy the experience.
Every day at 10.30am and 2.30pm from Plaça Catalunya.
Barcelona Street Style Tours are also free (donations encouraged) and have two routes—the Born and Gothic Quarter, and the Raval—focusing on street art and the city’s creative side.
The Born and Gothic tour leaves at 2pm every day from the Arc de Triomf. The Raval tour leaves daily from the MACBA at 4.45pm.
CULTURE
Free museums
On the first Sunday of the month most of the city’s museums are free to the public. In addition, many museums offer free entry every Sunday from 3pm to 8pm. Check individual museums’ websites for details.
Local festivals
From June to September there’s barely a weekend without a street party somewhere in the city. These are often rich in Catalan traditions and music, and provide colourful (and free) entertainment for pretty much every family member. So, know your festivals and get down with the locals—from drinking beer on the beach for Sant Joan (June), to street gazing and concerts till dawn at the Festes de Gràcia (August), and running with the dragons at the Festes de la Mercè (September).
Public art
From Botero’s generously proportioned cat on Rambla del Raval to Roy Lichtenstein’s flamboyant El Cap de Barcelona near the waterfront, you don’t need to go inside to enjoy some of the city’s most famous artwork. The Ajuntament has a section dedicated to public art on its website. To get there, go to lameva.barcelona.cat and search for ‘public art’.
Private art galleries
Barcelona has many excellent private galleries that are free to enter. Exhibition openings often take place on Thursday evenings and if you’re lucky you may get a glass of cava with your visit.
For some great contemporary art, spend an afternoon gallery hopping in the Eixample, the city’s classic gallery area. Try Marlborough (Enric Granados 68), Joan Prats (Balmes 54), ADN (Enric Granados 49), 3 Punts (Enric Granados 21) and Toni Tàpies (Consell de Cent 282).
Arts Santa Monica. La Rambla 7.
This innovative centre is dedicated to exploring creativity in the digital culture and holds many free exhibitions and activities. It covers a wide spectrum of creative disciplines from architecture to performing arts, literature and visual arts.
Virreina Centre Imatge. La Rambla 99.
Located in the Palau de la Virreina on La Rambla, La Virreina Centre de la Imatge holds photography and audiovisual exhibitions as well as image-related talks and courses. Most of the activities are free. Until June 18th you can see the exhibition ‘Blackout Tres’.
Centre d’Art Contemporani Fabra i Coats. Sant Adrià 20.
This converted textile factory in Sant Andreu is a four-storey multidisciplinary art centre dedicated to the diffusion of contemporary art. It is a space of dialogue and experimentation, open to all audiences. Entry to the exhibitions is free.
MUSIC
The city’s Música als parcs cycle brings classical and jazz concerts to the people at open-air events in parks around the city.
Jazz at the Liceu
Every Thursday evening at the Liceu Conservatory Cafe, this jam session brings top jazz players together with talented Liceu students.
9pm. Nou de la Rambla 88.
Conservatori Municipal de Música. Bruc 110-112.
The Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona holds regular free concerts by its students, from chamber music to soloists and singers, at the Auditori Eduard Toldrà.
Live music bars
The city has a number of venues where you can enjoy brilliant live music for the price of just a drink. Try the quirky Gran Bodega Saltó (Blesa 36) for Sunday vermut against the backdrop of live rumba, blues and acoustic music. Meanwhile, Marula Café (Escudellers 49) has live sessions every Wednesday, which are sure to get you dancing. Entry is free before midnight.
TAKE PART
Tap jam
Every Sunday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the bandstand in Parc de la Ciutadella, the city’s tap dancers get together at this event organised by the association Tot Pel Claqué. If you know how to tap feel free to join in or just enjoy the show.
Swing
On the first and third Sunday of every month, BCNSWING holds an open swing dancing session in Parc de la Ciutadella. Everyone is welcome to join as the group Lindy hop, jive and jitterbug.
Jam de cuentos
If your Spanish skills are up to it, take part in this weekly storytelling jam that tests participants’ ability to improvise.
Every Tuesday 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Ateneu Rosa de Foc. Robí 5
Open Mic
Budding poets, singers, musicians and comedians can try out their talents at this friendly affair at the bar/restaurant Ca Meua.
Every Thursday 8pm. Mallorca 77.
Virtual escape room
For adults and children alike, use your deductive skills to get out of the laboratory in this virtual escape room at the Mobile World Centre (Fontanella 2). Booking is advisable, but they can usually squeeze you in if you just turn up.