Although the products were first-rate, there were days when shopping at La Boqueria was a real challenge, because of the big crowds of tourists both in the market and on La Rambla (which I had to cross to get to the market).

These throngs of visitors have become even more of an issue in the last few years, making shopping difficult for locals who want to get their pound of shrimp for an afternoon paella. In 2015, city officials decided to limit the number of tour groups that can enter the market on Friday and Saturday mornings, the busiest days in Barcelona for food shopping. The hope is to reduce congestion and make the market popular with locals again. Tour groups will not be allowed into the market on those days until after 3 p.m.

We’ll see if this helps alleviate congestion, but in the meantime, there are still ways to have a good shopping experience at La Boqueria. With a little bit of patience and navigation skills, you can see a different side of the market that most tourists don’t even know exists.

Related: Budget hotels near La Boqueria market

The snacks up front are for tourists

Upon first glance, it may seem like La Boqueria is nothing more than a string of stalls catering to visitors, but look a little bit closer, and you’ll find that there are two sides to the market. In the front part of La Boqueria, around the main entrance, vendors mostly serve tourists with stalls offering freshly cut fruit and grab-and-go smoothies dominating the options.

While it’s pleasant to sip a citrus drink while strolling La Rambla, this is not a product that most locals would buy. Also clustered around the front of the market are vendors offering prepackaged Iberian ham and other similar foodie souvenirs.

Don’t be shy and make your way through the big crowds to find the best stalls. Photo: EnGuillem

Push through the crowds to find the locals

To get to the part of the market that locals love, you need to charge ahead, moving past the smoothies and down La Boqueria’s long aisles. Don’t be afraid to keep wading through the crowds. Eventually, the tourists will slowly fade away, and you will find some breathing room to explore where the locals shop. Take a look around, and if it looks good, it probably is!

Located along the coast, Barcelona has an incredible variety of shellfish and seafood. Photo: Cha già José

Shopping for seafood & meat

Eventually, you’ll get to the fish and seafood section which is always fascinating. Watch wriggling razor clams and jittery crabs shiver on blankets of crushed ice. Nearby is the meat and poultry area, and if you’re staying at a place with a kitchen, this is the spot to get fresh eggs of all sizes and colors (be on the lookout for the enormous ostrich eggs).

Ham heaven

Near the back of the market, there is a large section dedicated to Spanish ham (jamón). Stalls provide ham in its many forms, including ham flanks, hoof and all, set up for slicing. You can ask for a few grams of ham, and they will masterfully crave off tissue-paper-thin pieces.

Go ahead and try a few slices of the most famous kind, jamón ibérico. It’s not cheap, but it’s much more affordable than buying it abroad, where it can cost over $100 per pound. These stalls also usually have prepackaged ham for sale, perfect for bringing back to your hotel room or taking on a road trip to your next destination after Barcelona.

Specialty shops

Dispersed around the back of the market are diverse specialty stalls selling olive oils, salts, spices, olives and other pickled delights, and bread and sweets such as chocolates and candies. A bottle of fine olive oil makes for a nice gift, and a small tub of green olives stuffed with garlic can be a tasty afternoon snack with a glass of wine, which is also sold in shops along the market’s periphery.

Finding fresh fruit and veggies

Fruit and vegetables stalls are mostly located near the front of the market, but also be sure to check out the ample, uncovered plaza on the market’s right side. Here vendors have less formal stalls, offering their farm-fresh veggies instead from folding tables. Whatever is in season is what they’ll have on offer. If you’re hoping to make a big salad or broil some asparagus, visit these vendors first.

Go at lunch time and grab a stool at El Quim for tapas and wine. Photo: Jeremy Keith

Stop for some tapas and cava

The market is dotted with tapas restaurants. Several can be found near the front and get more attention from tourists. One of the most famous is El Quim de La Boqueria.

If the eateries at the front of the market are full, keep going, there are more in the back. Many of these restaurants are nothing more than long bars with stools around them. Take a look in their glass cases to see what tapas are on offer for the day, and then grab a seat at the bar. Order a glass of cava, a locally produced sparkling wine, and take in the bustling scene around you.

Related: Guide to tapas in Barcelona

Safety and etiquette

However, don’t get so swept up in the market’s hubbub that you set down your purse or camera. Always keep your purse in your lap and your phone near you at all times. Visitors are easy prey for pickpockets in La Boqueria.

And one more thing about cameras: Be considerate when you snap photos. Not all vendors will want you to take their picture or photos of their stalls. If you are trying to get a close-up of a razor clam on a busy morning when the fishmonger has a line of customers, she may rightfully tell you to beat it. When in doubt, ask permission. Usually vendors will say yes with a smile, and of course, it helps if you buy something.

Related: Safety tips for women in Barcelona

Bring cash

Make sure to have your pockets full of euros if you want to make a lot of purchases. Some stores might take credit cards, but it will be a lot quicker and easier for the vendor if you pay the old-fashioned way.

Also, most fresh goods are sold by the kilo (1 kilo = about 2.2 pounds), and it helps to know a little bit of Spanish when ordering. Most vendors speak English thanks to the high volume of tourists, but here are a few Spanish phrases that may come in handy.

Tour and events

Finally, despite the new limit on tour groups in La Boqueria, it can be fun to see the market with a guide. There are a number of cooking classes and food tours that go through the market. Cook & Taste is the only one I have personally experienced, and I would very much recommend it. There also frequent foodie events at La Boqueria. Check the calendar for full details.

Also keep in mind that La Boqueria is just one of many markets in Barcelona, although it is by far the most touristy. For another market in the center of the city with a more local vibe, head for Santa Caterina near the cathedral.

Staying near the market

EuroCheapo lists several affordable hotel options within easy walking distance of La Boqueria. Staying close by means you can wake up early, stroll down La Rambla and beat the midday crowds. Check out our full hotel listings to browse and book a room.

Details

Address: Rambla, 91 Mercat de la Boqueria
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m – 8:30 p.m.
Website: https://www.boqueria.barcelona/home

The post Barcelona: Local tips for visiting La Boqueria market appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Am I? When it comes down to it, I don’t like swimming with plastic bags and other things that I won’t describe here.

So, when I go to the beach to take the waters, I head out of Barcelona. Here are a few swim-friendly destinations I’d stick a big toe in:

Best beaches near Barcelona

Sitges

I’ll admit that Sitges beaches are a bit packed in the summer months, mostly with men (this is a gay getaway). It can be hard to find a plot of sand upon which to lay. Get a sun umbrella and a chair for €5-€10 a day and enjoy.

Garraf, Spain. Photo: Eduard Maluquer

Sitges also makes my list because it’s close to Barcelona (45 minutes to the south), easy to get to by Renfe train, and is basically just a really fun little city. Lots of choices here for eating out, bars, nightlife and cafes. Makes for an excellent day-trip or weekend away from Barcelona. Read more here.

Garraf

I looked at houses here and imagined moving to Garraf, a small village a couple train stops before Sitges, snug in the mountains and overlooking the Mediterranean.

Sigh. It’s lovely.

Alas, the issue with Garraf is that not all trains stop in this petite beach town, so be careful to get a Renfe train that hits all the stops or you might chug right on by. Also note that Garraf is a village, but also a region. In the village there are two main beaches: one which is large and more popular, and another which is much smaller on the other side of the port. It takes about 35 minutes to get to Garraf from Barcelona’s Pssg de Gracia station.

The beaches of Sant Pol de Mar. Photo: Olivier Bruchez

Sant Pol de Mar

About an hour north of Barcelona in the Maresme area of the Catalan coastline, Sant Pol is about as charming as Mediterranean fishing villages come.

Does it have all the boutiques and cafes that Sitges does? No, not even close. It’s tranquil, not crowded and I recall the sand being especially fluffy (that may just be me). An ideal day-trip for those who want to swim, read, nap and snack on a picnic lunch.

More beaches near Barcelona

Farther away from Barcelona and only accessed by bus and car, I recommend the Costa Brava, especially Cap de Creus, Tamariu and Begur. To the south try some of the many beaches around Tarragona. Tarragona, the city, also has an ample beach (Tarragona is reached by train).

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona and looking for the perfect affordable place to stay, make sure you check out our budget hotel recommendations. Our editors have scouted out the best deals on accommodation in the city’s historic center. Read more in our Barcelona guide.

The post Best Beaches Near Barcelona appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The city’s most famous drag, La Rambla, divides the Gothic Quarter and El Raval. If you stand at the top of La Rambla and look down towards the sea, the Gothic Quarter is on your left and El Raval is on your right.

Because it’s so popular with tourists, the Gothic Quarter (known locally as “Barri Gòtic”) can be a challenge to explore on a budget. Fortunately, we have some tips below to keep your spending in check!

Get around on foot

The only way to really explore the Gothic Quarter is by walking. Though the Metro stops Jaume I, Pl. Catalunya, Liceu and Urquinaona will put you at the perimeter of the neighborhood, much of the Gothic Quarter is closed to car traffic, making it a haven for pedestrians who are ogling the cathedral’s gargoyles or stopping to window shop.

Make sure to get a good, detailed map of the area as it can be very confusing to find your way from point to point without any direction. But that’s part of the fun! While the Eixample is laid out in a simple grid pattern, the Gothic Quarter is a mess of winding alleyways and dead ends. Getting lost in the Gothic Quarter is common even for the locals, so don’t worry too much if you get turned around.

Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter dates back to the 1300s. Photo: Catalan Art

What to see

While the neighborhood demands to simply be wandered, there are a number of sights you shouldn’t miss. These include:

• The Barcelona Cathedral and the plaza just in front of it are both required visits. You will have to pay a small fee (€3) to enter the cathedral unless you go for mass, but it’s also fascinating to walk around its huge outside perimeter and admire the architecture.

• Seek out Pl. Sant Felip Neri near the cathedral for a respite from the Gothic Quarter’s bustle. The plaza has a sad history (look for evidence of the bombing during the civil war on the plaza’s walls) but it’s currently one of the prettiest spots in the city to have a coffee or just sit and listen to the trickling fountain.

• Roman sites: Visiting the numerous Roman sites scattered throughout the Gothic Quarter is free and interesting. Get information and a map showing where each site is located from the tourist information office in Pl. Catalunya.

• More ancient history: If you want to dive deeper into Barcelona’s Roman era then seek out the MUHBA (Barcelona City History Museum) on Plaça del Rei, which holds artifacts from the 1st century BC to the early Middle Ages (€7).

• La Rambla: Of course, you should take a stroll along La Rambla, which lines the western edge of the Gothic Quarter all the way down to the port. Check out the flower stands, human statues, and opera house as you walk. (Related: Is the Rambla a tourist trap? Not necessarily.)

• Plaça Reial is also a lively square worth your time, surrounded by restaurants, bars and once-glamorous apartments. Some good jazz clubs and live music venues are found around Plaça Reial, too.

• Organized tour: If you feel like splurging, book the Secrets and Legends Tour with Ciempies. This is the best tour I’ve been on in Barcelona, and maybe in my entire life. The tour focuses on the history of the Gothic area as well as local tales passed down from generation to generation.

• Nightlife savings: You can also save money on shows when buying tickets in advance. Jamboree sells tickets online for slightly less than at the door. Atrapalo also has daily deals on concerts, shows, food, tours, and classes in the city.

Finding affordable food & drink

Because the Gothic Quarter is so popular with tourists, some restauranteurs feel they can charge more and serve substandard eats. Skip these places. You’ll know them by the photos of their dishes taped up next to a menu that has been translated into 10 languages.

Luckily, there are still some wonderful, old-timey bars and traditional restaurants sit near the more touristy places. These include:

• For cheap breakfast or lunch options, try El Mos (Carrer Comtal, 12), a cafe serving a wide array of pastries, plus sandwiches and simple daily specials. You can eat a meal at El Mos for about €6.

• Another inexpensive choice is Buenas Migas, which serves salads, focaccia, pastries, cakes and breakfast items such as freshly-squeezed OJ and yogurt with granola.

• For beers and cocktails try Ginger (Carrer de la Palma de Sant Just, 1) or Polaroid (Carrer dels Còdols, 29) which draws a young crowd.

Related: 4 local dishes to try when visiting Barcelona | Favorite bars (including Gothic Quarter)

Supermarket savings: You can cut down on what you spend on food by buying some of your meals at the supermarket. Carrefour and El Corte Inglés have large selections of pre-made dishes (pasta salad, roasted chicken, sandwiches) plus all the snack and drink options you’d expect from a European supermarket. Try getting breakfast and lunch from Carrefour and then going out for dinner and drinks. (Here are some picnic tips for Barcelona.)

More restaurant advice: We have much more to say on the subject of saving on Barcelona’s restaurant and bars. Check out these articles for more tips.

Best budget hotels in the Gothic Quarter

If you choose to stay in the Gothic Quarter, you’ll save bucks on transportation, as you’ll be within walking distance from just about everything, including the beach, Gaudí sights, shopping, restaurants and the major train and bus stations. Cheapos will love the convenient location.

Check out all of our accommodations in Barri Gòtic, and take note of this stand out:

Hostal Levante: This friendly stay offers an unbeatable location at great prices. All of the accommodations are spic-and-span, and a few rooms have balconies overlooking the cobblestoned streets. Doubles from under $100.

The post Cheapo Guide: Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A visit to the park takes planning and the better part of a day. Here are a few tips to help beat the crowds and make your experience a good one.

History

The park has an interesting history and was commissioned by Eusebi Güell (pronounced Goo-eh) in 1900. He and Gaudí envisioned a gated community for Barcelona’s rich movers and shakers. In 1900 the park was in the countryside, away from the hustle and noise of busy Barcelona. These days the park is within the city limits, though it isn’t centrally located. There were to be 60 houses in Eusebi Güell’s gated community, in addition to a large square, market area and other services needed to sustain the population.

However, Barcelona’s elite was not interested in Eusebi Güell’s plan, and only two of the 60 houses were built. WWI and the lack of interest saw the project abandoned in 1914, and eventually, in 1922, the city turned the land into a public park. Until recently it was a functioning public park, with no entrance fees. However, now tourists have to pay €7 to get in, a price that does not include entrance into Gaudí House Museum, where the architect lived from 1906 until 1925. For those that like to plan ahead, you can even buy tickets online.

Related: Barcelona’s best hotels for sleeping near Gaudi architecture

1. Go early

Hitting the park in the morning has a few advantages. One is that there are fewer people obstructing your photographs with Gaudí’s famous dragon fountain, and another is that it starts getting hot around 1 PM in Barcelona, especially from May to October. Wandering around in the afternoon sun in Park Güell in July or August could be a miserable trip due to the temperatures and lines. During low-season, the park will be less crowded, and heatstroke won’t be much of an issue. For more information, see the opening times throughout the year.

2. Bring food and water

There are few restaurant and cafe options in the park, but what is on offer is expensive. Plan ahead and bring a bottle of water, a couple sandwiches from your local bakery and some fruit from La Boqueria Market. Have a picnic on the beautiful Undulating Bench overlooking the city.

3. Don’t wear high heels

The park is enormous and set on a hillside that can be difficult to navigate without the proper footwear. You’ll be walking a lot and huffing and puffing uphill. Wear sneakers or shoes that aren’t going to kill your feet. Some of the pathways are made of dirt, so also use footwear you don’t mind getting dusty.

There are plenty of shady spots when you need a break from the sun. Photo: Regina W Bryan

4. Pack sunscreen and a hat

See tip one. It gets hot, especially in the summer. The last time I visited I got a sunburn, and it was May. There are shaded areas, but to explore the park fully, you’ll be trekking under the bright Mediterranean sunshine. Be prepared.

5. Public transport: Metro vs. bus

Many websites recommend taking the Metro to Lesseps and then walking up to the park. It’s an option, but it is not the fastest way, and it requires a lot of uphill hiking. If you’re fit and want some exercise, this is the route for you. If you want a quicker route, then take the bus 24 or 32 which will drop you off right by the park’s gates. When you leave the park, the walk to the Lesseps Metro stop, the green line, is not so bad because it’s all downhill. See more information on getting to the park and check out the Metro and bus schedules.

6. Watch your camera and wallet

Some of the trails to the back of the park, away from the main attractions such as the courtyard, houses, entrance, dragon and marketplace, can be desolate and thieves have been spotted lurking in the bushes. Keep an eye out. It’s not dangerous to wander the park’s trails, but make sure you have your purse and camera across your chest and are aware of who and what is going on around you.

The Gaudi House Museum is worth the extra ticket price. Photo: Regina W Bryan

7. Don’t miss the museum

The extra €5.50 you’ll have to cough up to get into the Gaudí House Museum is worth it. Between the general park entrance and the museum entrance, you’re looking at about €12. It’s a treat to tour the house, nicknamed the ‘pink tower’, to see where the architect and his family lived from 1906 until 1925. Touring the house also offers an idea of what Gaudí and Güell had planned for the 60 proposed houses that were never constructed. When Gaudí left the ‘pink tower’ he moved to La Sagrada Família and lived on site until he was run over by a tram in 1926.

Related: Tips for visiting Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia

8. Locals get in for free

Finally, not everyone has to pay to get into the park. When the city decided to start charging visitors, locals were not happy. After all, many neighbors had been using the park for years as a green space to jog and walk Fido. Locals from the districts adjoining Park Güell (El Coll, Vallcarca-Penitents, La Salut, El Carmel and Can Baró) have free entry to the park all year. If you live in La Barceloneta, then you’re out of luck!

Plan, pack a lunch, and catch the bus for a morning at this must-see destination. There is nothing else quite like it in the world, and the vistas overlooking the city and Mediterranean are spectacular on a clear day. Enjoy one of the most unique parks in the world!

The post Barcelona: 8 tips for visiting Park Güell appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

• Also see our complete list of Barcelona neighborhoods in our city guide.

Where to eat

The Santa Caterina Market is one of the prettier in the city. I prefer it to La Boqueria. Find seasonal foods here as well as bakeries and bars. You can’t miss it from the outside, it’s the enormous structure with the undulating rooftop.

Santa Caterina Market

Tapas at Santa Caterina Market

What to drink

Have a glass of wine at Vila Viniteca’s La Teca bar. They have a wide selection of Spanish wines, cold tapas and cheeses (over 300 types of cheese!).

Wine in El Born

What to see

Santa Maria del Mar Church is a stunner, even if you’re not much for religious architecture. Some people like it better than the Cathedral… take a look inside and decide for yourself.

Santa Maria del Mar

Where to dine

Have lunch or dinner at the tucked-away Salero Restaurant, which serves seasonal, Mediterranean dishes.

Salero

Salero in El Born

Take a stroll

Barcelona is a city to walk in. There are balconies to ogle, architecture to ponder, window shopping galore, and excellent people watching to boot. Wander the maze of streets in El Born for an hour or so to get a feel for it.

Wander El Born

Have a snack

Have a coffee and a tasty snack at Cafe del Born Nou. Find a seat inside or search out their terrace seating.

Snack on some fluffy pastries.

Where to stay

The Hostal Nuevo Colon is located in El Born, and is recommended as a great value.

And don’t miss…

All the amazing street art in the area.

Street art in El Born

Counting street art in El Born

The post Barcelona Neighborhood Snapshots: El Born appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Lately, I’ve been feeling burned out on the metropolis’ din and have spent most of the summer’s weekends hiking. Many hiking trails in Catalonia require a car but not all. A few, like the Vall de Nuria and Montserrat, are easily reached by train.

The Montserrat Abbey is a big tourist destination outside of Barcelona. Around Plaça Catalunya you’ll see numerous signs offering bus tours to the spiritual site, set about an hour from the city. Going on a bus with a package tour is one way to see the museum, basilica, and monastery, but may not allow time for a hike into the mountains behind the abbey.

Montserrat landscape

You’ll need about five hours to do the Sant Jeroni hike, which leaves from behind the monastery and will take you deep into the Dr. Seuss-like peaks that make Montserrat so unique. The landscape is that of a cartoon, with rounded, bulging rocks around every bend. Sant Jeroni sits at 1,236 meters, which means fabulous, 360° views stretching all the way to Barcelona and Penedès.

Montserrat view

Preparing for the hike

When I did the hike I saw quite a few people marching up the mountainside in flip-flops. I don’t know how they did it. The hike is not easy, and requires a lot of up, up, up during the first 2 kms. Wear hiking boots or at least sneakers. Depending on the time of year, you should also have a jacket as the weather can quite cool at 1,200 meters. There is no water on the trail, so bring a couple water bottles and lunch.

Up on top at Sant Jeroni

If you come to Montserrat Abbey unprepared and want to do the trail, you can buy almost everything you’ll need for the hike at their supermarket. A sort of “religious Disneyland,” Montserrat has two ATM machines, a cafe, two restaurants, several gift shops, a hotel, and a small market on site. It’s a bit touristy, but worth it.

Most visitors do not make it up to Sant Jeroni because it takes time, gear, and physical ability. However, I saw a few families with kids (no younger than seven or eight) doing the trek, so it’s not that hard.

If you plan to see the religious buildings at Montserrat and then hike Sant Jeroni, you’ll need to leave Barcelona early in the morning.

Check out this website for more information about trains from Plaça Espana to Montserrat and its funicular.

Happy Trails!

The post Montserrat: A hike from Barcelona that’s accessible by train appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The first is Caixa Forum. This is a museum run by the bank, La Caixa, and until May 2013, entrance to its rotating exhibitions was free. Say so long to an inexpensive Sunday at the museums! The funny thing about the Caixa Forum charging is that it is not a government-run entity (where most of our cuts are taking place in Spain), but a bank… or wait a minute, maybe those two are one in the same these days?

Hard to say, but in any case they will charge you €4 to get into the museum unless you’re a Caixa bank member. Most visitors to Barcelona are not Caixa bank members. Which leads us to the logical question: Is it worth 4? Eh…. Depends on what exhibition is on and your interest level, but probably not. There are other museums I’d pay to get into before Caixa Forum, like MNAC.

In addition, the beloved and crowded Park Güell is going to have an entrance fee come October 2013. Honestly, this is not that surprising. Park Güell, along with La Sagrada Familia, are two of the biggest Gaudí draws in the city. I can’t believe they haven’t been charging folks to get in there for years. Such as it is, the party is over. Unless you live in the area, you’ll have to pay €8 euros to get in.

Is it worth it? Hmmm, yeah, probably. I’d pay to go in Park Güell before paying to go in La Sagrada Familia. I’d see La Sagrada Familia from the outside and Park Güell from the inside.

You’ll be pleased to know that walking on the beach and breathing air are still free activities in Barcelona. But it may only be a matter of time!

The post Barcelona: Park Guell and Caixa Forum to start charging for admission appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Tarragona

This is a favorite, but it always takes a lot of convincing on my part to get my visitors to go there. When they return they always thank me, enchanted by the experience in this Roman city. Take the train from Barcelona to Tarragona from l’Estació de França, which will get you there in about an hour. Many trains head to Tarragona throughout the day.

Upon arrival, climb the steps to the city’s “balcony” where the Mediterranean Sea poses before you like a brazen movie star, waiting to have her photo taken. You’ll snap her photo, and then move onto the Roman amphitheater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the old city quarter. There’s a lot to see here, so go early and plan to have lunch in one of Tarragona’s many breezy plazas.

For more information and for help planning your trip, check out the Tarragona Tourism website.

The mansions and gardens of La Garriga make for a relaxing respite from Barcelona’s bustle.

La Garriga

Not many tourists make it to La Garriga, which is part of its charm. A small village in the mountains near the Montseny Natural Park, expect cooler weather and lots of green. The main draw in La Garriga are its thermal springs. You can get a day pass to soak in the springs or spend the night in one of the few hotels in town.

Don’t miss the Saturday morning market, where a rainbow of local veggies are sold. La Garriga also has a large number of Art Nouveau mansions in its city limits, some crumbling and others in exemplary condition.

Read more about the hot springs at the website of the Blancafort Hotel and Spa.

Sitges is a great option for a Spanish beach getaway.

Sitges

As the weather warms, Sitges calls visitors back.  This is one of the top beach escapes within 45 minutes from Barcelona in that it offers swimming, sunbathing, shopping, art, history, nightlife and countless restaurants. It’s also one of Europe’s gay getaway spots (their Carnaval festivals in February are fabulous).

Related: Budget guide to Sitges

Go for the day and stroll the boardwalk, have lunch and then snooze on a beach lounger (which you will have to rent). Note that in the summer months you might feel a bit like a sardine on Sitges tiny beaches, which are very popular.

For more information about the city, check out the Sitges Tourism website.

Anything to add?

Do you have your own favorite day trips from Barcelona? What about advice on visiting Tarragona, La Garriga or Sitges?  Let us know by posting in the comment section below.

And be sure to check out our Barcelona hotel recommendations for a place to stay, as well as this article in our Barcelona guide for more information on great day trips from the city.

The post Barcelona: Day trips to Tarragona, La Garriga and Sitges appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From its fascinating history to mind-blowing Gaudi architecture, the city offers so much for those in search of a rich cultural experience. Meanwhile, its affordable restaurants, bars and tapas spots make it a top destination for culinary tourists. Even those into more active vacations will enjoy riding around the city on bikes or hitting the beach!

Need a little nudge? Let these photographs I’ve taken of some of my favorite aspects of the city convince you to come this spring and summer to Barcelona:

The Santa Maria del Mar Church

1. History

Stroll cobblestone streets and gawk at thousands of years of history hidden in the walls around you.

Barcelona’s streets offer lots of free art.

2. Art

You don’t need to pay to go into a museum to see art in Barcelona, it’s all around you. Street art is abundant in the metropolis! Of course, the city has plenty of art museums, too. Here’s a list of free and cheap places to see great art.

Hit the beach in nearby towns or even in Barcelona itself. Above, the beach in la Barceloneta

3. Beach

From May to October, swim in the Mediterranean Sea along the Barcelona shoreline! Before you race into the water, read our essential guide to visiting Barcelona’s beaches.

Excellent Spanish wines are very affordable in Barcelona.

4. Wine

Spain produces some of the best wine in the world. Guess what? You can drink it in Barcelona and it won’t cost you more than $6 a bottle! Here are some of my favorite wine bars, plus suggestions for more great central bars.

Go back to nature by wandering through the city’s gardens.

5. Hike

Walk around the many gardens tucked into the folds of Montjuïc Mountain, an area easily reached from the city center. Look for Jardins de Mossen Costa i Llobera for a wonderful cacti collection! (Read more about the Parc de la Ciutadella and the Parc Guell.)

Go Ga-Ga for Gaudi’s eclectic architecture in Barcelona.

6. Architecture

You could spend a week or more just visiting Antoni Gaudí sights and buildings in Barcelona… Check out this article on surviving Parc Guell in all its Gaudi glory, tips for visiting the Sagrada Familia and this round-up of our favorite hotels near Gaudi architecture.

Enjoy summer drinks at night in plazas throughout Barcelona

7. Plazas

Nothing is sweeter than a cold drink on a breezy plaza in the evening come spring and summer in Barcelona. Here’s a list of beach-side bars and here are my three favorite plazas to visit.

Eat locally by buying yummy Catalan food at the outdoor food markets.

8. Markets

Buy fresh local products at the many outdoor and open markets in the city. Goat cheese anyone? Here’s a list of my three favorite outdoor food markets in the city.

Embrace the night in Barcelona.

9. Nightlife

Every night of the week there is something going on in Barcelona. In this photo, patrons line up for El Molino, a cabaret club in Poble Sec. Looking for some nightlife suggestions? I outline some club and bar options in my “Cheapo night out” article. And here’s a list of good budget hotels located near the city’s nightlife.

Great food at affordable prices is easy to come by in Barcelona.

10. Food

Barcelona is known for its excellent cuisine. Mediterranean eats include lots of veggies, fish and seafood. Need some suggestions for great cheap eats? Read our general tips on keeping your dining budget in check, our guide to local foods worth trying, super cheap dining options (seriously, under €6), and this list of great lunch spots.

Need more?

Obviously, there are many reasons to visit Barcelona this year. For more help on planning your trip, be sure to swing by our Barcelona guide.

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Although I do have access to a car, I often take day trips by train, and La Garriga, located about a 40-minutes ride north of Barcelona, is one of my “top five” when it comes to a weekend or day trip getaway from the Catalan Capital. Here’s why:

1. The Hot Springs

The main draw for city folk to La Garriga is its natural springs. There are two that offer soaking options and treatments in four- and five-star facilities.

I stayed at the Blancafort and very much recommend it. While I opted for a package deal and stayed two luxurious nights, one can also just pop in for the afternoon. A two-hour soak in their Terma Romana pools costs €32 and includes hot tea in the chill-out area, as well as access to several indoor pools with waterworks and to the outdoor heated and cold pools. The Blancafort also offers up a tempting massage menu, but the rates are steep at €47 for 25 minutes.

Fresh air and hiking in Montseny park. Photo: Stvcr

The other thermal spring spa in town is Termes La Garriga, which is smaller and more classical in style than Blancafort. Both spas are in the center of the village and an effortless walk from the train.

2. The “Modernista” homes

Along La Garriga’s main drag, El Passieg, there are numerous “Modenista” (think Art Noveau) homes that were built as summer residences for the wealthy in the late 19th and early 20th century. Some of these are well-kept and extravagant, while others look like they might be haunted (or at least inhabited by mice and bats).

All of them are interesting, and most have little plaques explaining their histories. Follow “Villa Termal y de Veraneo,” a self-guided tour through town that is marked by said plaques and outlined in detail here.

There are also formal guided tours offered each month, but these may be in Catalan or Spanish, so it’s best to ask ahead of time. Visit La Garriga’s Web site for more tour information.

3. Montseny

The mountains surrounding La Garriga are part of Montseny, a protected park. This means that wherever you look in the village you see green and forest in the distance. (Wherever I look in Barcelona I see concrete, so the views in La Garriga were extra refreshing.)

Many trails into Montseny leave from La Garriga, so those who stay the night or come early in the day could easily fit in some hiking (and then hit the springs!).

4. The Saturday market

You’ll find markets in lots of places around Catalonia, and certainly Barcelona has many of its own Saturday markets. Still, the produce tasted fresher from the market in La Garriga than my normal Barcelona mercado‘s offerings. Maybe it was the clean mountain air that made the difference?

Set in the center of the village, in several squares around the church, the market runs from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Saturday. This is the spot to pick up a jar of local honey, some cheese or sausage from Vic, or even inexpensive clothing items. (I snagged a couple of colorful spring scarves!)

For such a small town, La Garriga has a lot going for it. The village itself is pretty, with a cobblestoned strip filled with boutiques and cafés running through the middle of it. There seemed to be a lack of restaurants in the town, but we did find a couple that were reasonably priced. Of course, both of the hotel/spas also have eateries.

For more information about La Garriga, check out the city’s Web site.

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