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|Updated on October,14,2024|

Barcelona is the most visited city in Europe and attracts tourists from all over the world. While a visit here can be costly, why spend a lot of money when there are a lot of free things to do in Barcelona? Explore this vibrant city without breaking the bank and experience the best time in Barcelona with budget-friendly activities. Read further about what best things to do in Barcelona for free.

Explore the Top Attractions in Barcelona and have a memorable Spanish adventure.

FREE Things to Do in Barcelona

1. Get Free Food in Barcelona*

Yes, you’ve got it right. Certain spots in Barcelona offer complimentary food – an even better deal! To enjoy this offer, you’ll need to purchase a drink though, but it’s well worth it as it still saves you some money on food.

It’s also a great way to meet new people, as folks at the bar often enjoy chatting with strangers. Since the food is free, it’s nice to leave a tip for the service, even though it’s not required in Spain.

**2. Visit FREE Museums on Sunday (and some days of the week*)**

The first Sunday of every month is the official day for FREE museum admission.

Check out this list and pick a museum you want to visit during your trip.

Museu Blau – Natural history and science museums have permanent and temporary exhibitions. Admission is free every Sunday after 3 pm and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) has collections from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, and Renaissance art collections. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month and every Saturday after 3 pm.
Museu Picasso – It has one of the most expressive artwork collections of the 20th century. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month, from 9 am to 7 pm, and Thursday afternoons from 6 pm to 9.30 pm.
Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA) – A history museum with a historical heritage of Barcelona, from its Roman times until nowadays. Admission is free every Sunday after 3 pm and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Museu de la Música – Exhibits an amazing collection of old musical instruments from different periods and countries. Admission is free every Sunday after 3 pm and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Museu Maritimo de Barcelona – has permanent sea exhibits. FREE admission on Sundays after 3 pm.
Palau Güell – It is a chateau designed by Antoni Gaudí. Take a tour through the beautiful and magical Güell palace, built between 1886 and 1890. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.
Frederic Mares Museum – An art and sculpture museum with thousands of items made by the famous sculptor Frederic Marès. Admission is free every Sunday after 3 pm and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Ethnology Museum of Barcelona – The Museum has various pieces of the Catalan culture, from traditions to craftsmanship. Admission is free every first Sunday of the month and every Sunday after 3 pm.
Montjuic Castle, which is a new-made museum. Enjoy great exhibitions and a fantastic view. Admission is free every Sunday after 3 pm.

3. Take a FREE Walking Tour

You can visit many great places in Barcelona for free if you join one of the city’s free tours. These tours are usually very entertaining and informational. The price is free, but tips are very appreciated. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the history of Barcelona. I joined this free historical tour, and I had a pleasant experience. I also liked that they had a WhatsApp chat, which helped me to get answers to my questions quickly on the day of the tour.

4. Explore Park Guell

Park Güell is an absolute must-see when sightseeing in Barcelona, with its fancy architecture and panoramic views. You can visit Park Guell for free before 8:30 and after 5:30. Everybody says that if you go to the park before opening hours and after closing, you can access it for FREE as nobody will be there to collect your tickets. I tried to check it myself, but I couldn’t wake up early and enjoyed the free version. But, I loved it anyway :).

In the summer, there can be some concerts in the garden.

5. Watch Free Classical Concerts and Attend Events

Enjoy the best live classical and pop music in Barcelona and significant events for free.

6. Enjoy Magic Fountains in PACA d’Espanya

Attend the magic fountain shows with rainbow colors and music for free. The fountain does not run every day, so make sure you check out the fountain schedule.

7. Get Lost at El Encants Flea Market

The flea market can be another great free activity in Barcelona. If you want to leave Barcelona with an excellent gift or rare things you won’t find anywhere else, visit the oldest and biggest El Encants flea market. It has about 500 stalls with various items from all over the world. Pro-tip: if you are going to visit the market on the weekend, come early as it can be crowded.

Check out my Barcelona travel guide

8. Discover the Cathedral of Barcelona

This is one of Barcelona’s captivating tourist attractions known for its stunning Gothic architecture and rich history. The iconic Roman cathedral with stained glass windows represents Gothic architecture and is located in the Gothic quarter.

Free admission:

Weekdays: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm.
Saturdays: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 5:15 pm to 8 pm.
Sundays and holidays: 8:30 am to 1:45 pm and 5:15 pm to 8 pm.

9. Visit Ciutadella Park

Discover another must-visit Site in Barcelona: Ciutadella Park. Ciutadella Park is Barcelona’s biggest and most beautiful green park. It offers a lot of entertainment for its visitors, from visiting the Barcelona Zoo and relaxing on the lake to renting boats.

10. Explore Bunkers del Carmel

Bunkers del Carmel is one of the cool things to do in Barcelona, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and serving as a hidden gem for travelers looking for a unique experience. Several old underground military bunkers were kept secret before, but are very popular nowadays.

You can’t leave Barcelona without visiting one of the best places in Barcelona for the most incredible panoramic city view, which offers the Bunkers del Carmel hilltop ruins. Also, if you want to learn more about its history, there is a museum inside the bunkers.

11. Visit the Gold Fish Sculpture

Gold Fish Sculpture (Escultura el Peix d’Or) – a unique masterpiece built from gold and stainless steel, including a metal structure. It represents the fish and changes its colors with sunlight. It is located close to the waterfront.

12. Discover Street Art in Barcelona

There are so many street art spots in Barcelona that you can explore for free. Some of them you can find behind La Boqueria market, on Carrer de la Selva Mar, in the Poble Nou area, and the Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies in the El Raval area.

13. Watch a Free Movie on the Beach

If you are in Barcelona on one of those great hot summer days and don’t know what to do at night, go watch outdoor movies. It will be crowded there, so make sure you come early to get the best seat or any seat.

14. Walk Through Laberinto de Horta Park

Start on a wild adventure by walking through Laberinto de Horta Park, one of the offbeat and crazy things to do in Barcelona, where you’ll navigate a stunning labyrinth garden and experience a unique outdoor escape.

Take a challenge and walk through its labyrinth of pathways formed by 750 cypress trees. A beautiful and the oldest green park. Great place to have a break from the noisy city. It divides the park into two parts: traditional and romantic gardens. Check out both. Admission is free on Wednesdays and Sundays.

15. Explore Barcelona’s Neighborhood Food Markets

Visit different neighborhoods for local food markets where you can try to buy the best fresh and tasty food Barcelona offers its visitors and residents.

Final Thoughts

Discovering what to see in Barcelona can be an amazing adventure, from the iconic Sagrada Família to the vibrant La Boqueria Market and more. Barcelona is a lovely city with its unique style and culture. Barcelona activities offer a diverse range of experiences for every taste and budget, ensuring there’s something for every traveler to enjoy.

To get the best experience from your visit, you need to know all the tricks, tips, know-how, and when to use them. I hope my list of FREE things to do in Barcelona will be helpful to you. Thanks for reading.

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