It’s one of Spain’s most beautiful cities, located in the heart of Catalonia and surrounded by both beautiful countryside and stunning access to the Mediterranean Sea. As well as being incredibly scenic, Barcelona is also a cultural hub full of incredible museums, galleries, architecture, and landmarks. There’s a host of activities on offer, and some of the most memorable sights are completely free to enjoy. Here are seven of the most unforgettable memories to make in Barcelona that won’t cost you a cent.
1. Visit Casa Batllo in Barcelona
Antonio Gaudi is one of Barcelona’s most famous sons. The seminal architect left his imprint all over the city with his incredibly ambitious blend of gothic and modernist design. This is one of the best examples of his work that really comes alive over the holiday season. A true Barcelona original.
2. Enjoy Joan Miro’s Public Art
One of Spain’s most influential artists, and possibly the greatest to ever hail from Barcelona, his greatest collection is to be found at the Fundacio Joan Miro. There’s plenty to be seen around the city for free. Parc de Joan Miro contains his masterful Woman and Bird sculpture piece, standing at over 22m in height and daubed in incredibly vivid glazed tiling. In the center of the famous La Rambla walk, travelers can also find a startling mosaic by the late artist.They are rather unconventionally (albeit democratically), also has one of his pieces adorning the Terminal 2 building’s exterior at the airport.
3. Wander the Placa Catalunya
This gorgeous placa really comes to life during spring. On this period a mechanical magnifico appears from her lair to herald the beginning of the evening’s entertainments and retires at night when the proceedings are over. There often play musicians.The event takes in a wide variety of spaces and diversions, such as “The People’s Platform” where a real mish-mash of interesting activities are constantly occurring, including talks, presentations, workshops, and shows. At dusk, the square’s twin fountains light up in a synchronized dance to the music. It’s a magical place to enjoy a magical time.
4. Stroll through the Mercat de la Boqueria
This iconic indoor marketplace is a feast for the senses, full of color, sound, sights, and smells. There’s a dazzling range of delicacies on offer, both local and exotic, that is sure to have something to satisfy even the most demanding palette.
5. Wander the Placa Sant Jaume
This event mirrors the tradition occurring in living rooms across homes all over Catalonia where nativity cribs are set up in front rooms. This one is on a much larger scale and is designed by a different team year-on-year. Somehow, however, the minds behind it always seem to manage to balance a respect for the Christian aspect of the tradition whilst putting an aesthetically fascinating spin on proceedings that pay homage to Barcelona’s rich contributions to the world of art. Whatever the finished product, the results are never less than sumptuous.
6. Enjoy Free Museums on Sundays
Plenty of the city’s finest cultural institutions open their doors to the public for free on Sunday afternoons between the hours of 3 pm and 8 pm. Do a little research to find out when to take advantage of these offers. Failing this, though, beware: museums tend to close on Monday, which can leave unsuspecting travelers in the lurch. It’s one of the best free things to do.
7. Bask in the Illuminations of Sant Pau
On evenings, the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site is delicately decorated in geometric lights that bring the building’s fabulous architecture to life in fine style in honor of the winter solstice. Also the building functions as the canvas for a series of different light predictions, each lasting approximately eight minutes. It’s a testament to the organizers’ creativity that shows how inexorably the art is intertwined with public life in Barcelona.