Barcelona on a budget: tips, tricks, and hidden gems

Barcelona, Spain’s vibrant Catalan capital, is renowned for its stunning architecture, mouth-watering food, and sun-soaked beaches. However, it also comes with the highest cost of living in Spain. As a student, it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of the city’s many attractions, but with a little planning, you can have an unforgettable experience without breaking the bank. The key? Prioritise, prepare, and uncover some of the city’s hidden gems along the way.

We visited Barcelona for four days at the start of the Easter holidays, which, in hindsight, felt like the perfect amount of time to explore the main attractions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. That said, one of the best decisions we made was to travel off-season, securing £40 return flights as a result. Avoiding the high summer months allowed us to enjoy fewer crowds and lower accommodation costs. However, Barcelona’s weather is unpredictable, so we learned the hard way that packing a raincoat (or an umbrella) is non-negotiable.

Another quick tip: skip the hassle and cost of checked or carry-on luggage. You can easily pack light and save money for activities or food, especially since there’s a daily tourist tax of €6.27 (about £5.28) per person—this can add up quickly if you’re staying for multiple days. Instead, we travelled home wearing an excessive number of layers after shopping at the TikTok famous ‘Vintage Subdued.’

Barcelona is packed with incredible sights, but not everything requires an expensive ticket.

Navigating Barcelona is fairly straightforward, but there are some affordable transport options to keep in mind. Upon arrival at the airport, we opted for the Aerobus, which offers a quick ride to the city centre for €7.25 (£6.10). It’s efficient and cost-effective, especially compared to taking an overpriced taxi.

For the rest of our trip, we relied on Bolt, which is a cheaper alternative to taxis or Ubers. If the weather’s dry, the metro is also a great option—each single ride costs €2.55 (roughly £2). Just make sure you download the app before arriving, as this can save you time and money.

Barcelona is packed with incredible sights, but not everything requires an expensive ticket. When deciding where to spend, we focused on a few iconic spots that justified the cost. For example, Sagrada Familia—Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece—is even more stunning inside than its exterior , but don’t forget to book in advance. This is a lesson we learnt the hard way when the only slot left was at 11am after a heavy night out… Entrance is €26 (£22), and the lines can be long, especially during peak seasons.

Park Güell is another of Gaudí’s famous creations that’s definitely worth the ticket at €18 (£15). Another spot which I highly recommend pre-booking to avoid the long queues. Try to pick the best weather possible to go there as ordering taxis up the steep hills are pricey, and no one wants to explore a park in torrential rain.

But it’s not all about paying for tickets – there are plenty of free activities too.

If you have some extra time, don’t miss Montjuïc Castle (€12/£10), which offers panoramic views of the city, making it a perfect spot for  Instagram-worthy shots.

But it’s not all about paying for tickets – there are plenty of free activities too. Located a short walk from Barcelona Cathedral, a photoshoot in front of the Kiss Wall is a fun and completely free way to engage with the city’s vibrant atmosphere. And, of course, Barcelona’s beaches are always free, provided you’re lucky enough to enjoy some sun.

If you enjoy a wander, take a walking tour around the Gothic Quarter or La Rambla, where you’ll stumble across hidden gems in this labyrinth of new discoveries. And if you’re in the mood to admire Gaudí’s famous architecture, like Casa Batlló, you can still appreciate its beauty from the outside. It’s expensive to enter (€29-40 depending on the date and time), but we were more than happy to window-shop in the gift shop instead.

Prioritise the experiences that matter most to you, embrace the spontaneity.

The simple answer to the question of where to stay in Barcelona is that there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” option—your choice will largely depend on personal preferences. We opted for an Airbnb, located just a 10-minute walk from the iconic Sagrada Familia. At £80 each for three nights, it was the perfect budget option that gave us more money to spend on experiences. For us, this was the perfect balance of comfort and savings. If you’re looking to keep your budget low, and still enjoy a central location, it’s a great option.

However, we did make one small mistake: we didn’t realise that the key collection point was not near the accommodation, which meant we had to spend extra money on transport to pick up the keys. Lesson learned – always check the key collection process before booking to avoid unexpected fees.

As for location, it’s crucial to think about what you want to do while in Barcelona. If nightlife is your main priority, staying in areas like the Gothic Quarter or near La Rambla will put you close to bars and clubs by the beach.

That said, most areas of Barcelona are well-connected, so even if you stay farther from the city centre, you can easily get around by metro or bus. Don’t expect everything to be within walking distance, Barcelona’s sights are spread out, but with efficient public transport, it’s not a problem.

Barcelona’s food scene has endless options, even for those traveling on a budget.

Barcelona’s food scene has endless options, even for those traveling on a budget. Our first culinary masterpiece was a chip and dip combo found at the local supermarket—Lays chips with aioli. It’s a quick, affordable snack to fuel your sightseeing adventures and perfect to pair with a drink (alcoholic or not).

For a more substantial meal, head to Macchina, a pasta bar located in the Gothic Quarter. The casual spot offers tasty, affordable pasta dishes—perfect for a filling and budget-friendly dinner. A bowl of €11 carbonara and €2 wine satisfied my stomach and my bank account!

After a sophisticated night out in the bars in the Gothic Quarter, we stumbled across every Warwick student’s dream: a Viallis ‘dupe’ called Mustafa’s Kebab House. Nothing hits the spot quite like a greasy kebab after cocktails, and this late-night indulgence is a must.

Barcelona’s Boqueria Market is a great way to grab affordable food, particularly traditional Spanish tapas. The markets offer everything. from fresh fruits to local delicacies, and you could snack here all day for little cost. It is an ideal way to use up some leftover cash without splurging on dinner.

Barcelona is an exciting and beautiful city to navigate on a budget, but with a little planning, it’s totally doable for students.

Barcelona is known for its exciting nightlife, but it’s easy to overspend when you’re caught up having fun and unaware of the extortionate drink prices. One important thing we learned was to be wary of €2 wine—it’s cheap, but at 14%, it can hit you like a ton of bricks. Nevertheless, pre-drink adequately before heading out, and you’ll save money for activities and food the following day.

When it comes to clubbing, Barcelona has some world-renowned spots, like Pacha and Opium. A neat trick for getting in cheaply (or even for free) is to join the guest list ahead of time by messaging their Instagram accounts. Some clubs offer tickets that include a drink, which is a great way to maximise your night out without paying extra for overpriced cocktails.

Barcelona is an exciting and beautiful city to navigate on a budget, but with a little planning, it’s totally doable for students. From taking advantage of affordable transport options, to carefully picking your paid activities, there are plenty of ways to experience all this city has to offer without overspending. Prioritise the experiences that matter most to you, embrace the spontaneity of its winding streets, and enjoy the budget-friendly magic of Barcelona!