Sporting an iridescent scaled facade and curving, bony balconies, the building always manages to give off an otherworldly feel. Unfortunately, a visit to this Gaudí masterpiece can mean slapping down €29-€35 and getting jostled by passers-by while you inch toward the entrance. Meanwhile, you might wish you’d spared yourself the fuss, snapped a shot from across the street, and taken your euros elsewhere for tapas and beer.

Instead, you can make the most of your time and money when visiting this architectural jewel by following these easy tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló:

Related Articles
• Tips for saving time and money at the Sagrada Familia
• 8 Ways to save money at Park Güell
• Best hotels for sleeping near Gaudí architecture

1. Book your tickets online ahead of time

This can’t be stressed enough. If you don’t book your tickets online ahead of time, you’ll have to wait in not one, but two lines when you arrive, and during the busy summer months, there’s always a chance that you won’t be able to get a ticket for the same day. Plus, booking in advance can save up to €15 per ticket.

If you really hate to wait in line, you can pay about €5 extra to skip the line with a “FastPass” ticket. When you book your ticket online, book a time of the day that’s still marked green for high availability — that means fewer people have already bought tickets.

2. Be sure to buy the right ticket

Don’t pay more than you have to! There are discounts for kids between 12-17 years of age, students with an I.D., Barcelona city and province residents, adults over 65, and visitors with disabilities and their companions. Children under 12 years old are free. Teachers and tour guides accompanying a group also get in free.

3. Take advantage of any discounts available

Have you purchased other tickets or tourist cards? If so, you might be eligible for a discounted ticket. You’re in luck if you’ve purchased tickets for the Tourist Bus, Barcelona City Tours, the Modernism Route, the Barcelona Walking Tours, or bought the Barcelona Card or Pass.

4. Go first thing in the morning on a weekday

Trust us, you want to avoid the crowds. Arrive 10-15 minutes before Casa Batlló opens at 8:30 a.m. on a weekday, preferably between Monday and Thursday, when there are fewer Spanish and European tourists in the city. Weekdays in January and February are even better, as Barcelona has fewer visitors during these colder months.

Or, if you’re willing to pay extra, you can buy a “Morning Visit” pass for €45 to ensure that you beat the crowds.

5. Once inside, go straight to the roof

Most visitors gradually work their way up through the house, following the numbers on the audio guide. Get away from the crowds by taking the stairs straight to the top and spending some time alone on the building’s rooftop terrace, posing with its iconic chimneys.

6. Skip the gift shop

The museum’s store has lots of beautiful souvenirs, but they come at too steep a price in cash, not to mention the wait in line. Time is too precious waiting in line for postcards and magnets, even when they’re printed with designs from Barcelona’s most famous modernista master.

7. Go late for a “magical night”

While it may not save you cash on admission, you might end up ahead by going for an evening concert and tour of the museum. Called “Magical Nights”, you can roam the house without the crowds, then stick around for live music and a glass of cava on the rooftop terrace. You can reserve a tour plus the rooftop concert, or only the concert for a slightly lower entry price. (And if you’re willing to risk it, some concert attendees without the tour add-on have been permitted to roam the house some when they first arrived.)

8. Use the free Wi-Fi

Finally, and perhaps of least important, you can also take advantage of the museum’s free Wi-Fi. This will at least save you the hassle of searching for bar or café with free wireless after your tour…

Your tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló?

Have some tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló? Add them in our comments section below!

The post Barcelona: 8 Tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló 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.

The post Barcelona: 10 photos that will inspire you to visit appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Casa Batlló & La Pedrera: Astoria Hotel
Doubles from €70

This is also one of the best value hotels we’ve seen in the Eixample neighborhood in up-town Barcelona. Astoria Hotel is located close to Casa Batlló and La Pedrera which are both located on Pssg. de Gràcia.

My favorite Gaudí structure  is Casa Batlló, a cobalt and kelp-green apartment building that shimmers in the sun for tourists. Gaudí did not fully design these luxury apartments, but revamped the building between 1904 and 1906 for Josep Batlló i Casanovas. Not far from Casa Batlló is La Pedrera, which was was built between 1906 and 1912 as a high-end apartment building. Declared a Wold Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, it’s possible to visit the Espai Gaudí, El Terrat and El Pis de La Pedrera plus an art museum (free) with rotating exhibitions inside this impressive building.

A room at the Gat Xino puts you close to the Palau Guell.

Palau Güell: Gat Xino
Doubles from €65

Staying at Gat Xino will put you close to a lesser-known Gaudí palace, Palau Güell. Built between 1886-1888, this was the Güell family palace.

Wealthy Mr. Güell was one of Gaudí’s main supporters and because of him we also have Park Güell, which makes for an impressive visit on a clear, sunny day. Palau Güell was closed for restoration for a few years but is now open for visits.

La Sagrada Família: Hostal Central Barcelona

Finally, my pick for glimpsing Gaudí’s most famous, unfinished building is Hostal Central Barcelona, located a few blocks from the “sandcastle” Basilica. (Here’s a list of other affordable hotels near La Sagrada Familia.)

If you see no other Gaudí sight, see this one. Gaudí took on La Sagrada Familia project in 1883 and died before it was completed. Construction continues now, and in the last seven years I’ve seen it morph considerably.

Mass is held at La Sagrada Família and if you’re religious this could be quite a unique experience, plus you’ll not have to pay an entrance fee if you’re going to a service.

To read more hotel reviews, visit our guide to cheap hotels in Barcelona.

The post Barcelona: Best hotels for sleeping near Gaudí architecture appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The picturesque old train, comprised of half a dozen wooden cars dating back to the railway’s opening in 1912, was the island’s first electrified railway. It was constructed to connect Mallorca’s largest city, Palma, with the then-booming town of of Sóller, located about an hour’s tug away, over the mountains on the northwest side of the island.

What awaited on the other side of the mountain shouldn’t be missed. Here are five reasons that Sóller makes a great day trip (or escape) from Palma:

Boarding the train to Sóller.

1. The train ride from Palma

The vintage train is reason unto itself to visit Sóller. Originally constructed to transport olives and oranges (and their growers) between the town and the city, the train today serves mostly tourists. Still, it’s a worthwhile endeavor, offering interesting views of Palma as you pull out of town, before climbing the nearby Sierra de Tramuntana mountains. Winding its way up, crossing bridges, and heading through tunnels, the hour-long train ride offers great views and plenty of photo-ops.

The ride costs €19.50, per person, round-trip. Seven journeys a day run between the two towns during high season. (Read more on the train’s Web site.)

Sóller’s main square, anchored by the cathedral.

2. Medieval town.

The train depot, constructed in 1912, is situated just steps away from the city’s medieval place of worship, the Cathedral of St. Bertholomew, named after the patron saint of this town of 15,000. The cathedral, which celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2010, offers three distinct styles in one building: Medieval (the original structure), Baroque (the church’s ornate interior and extension), and Modernist (the curvy, Gaudi-esque facade).

Once outside, wander the narrow, Medieval streets, with buildings constructed closely together to block the powerful summer sun. Indeed today, the streets, nearly always in shadows, offer a cool respite.

As you walk, smell: The air carries a floral scent. The town is surrounded by orange groves and mountainsides packed with olive trees. This sweet smell seems to settle far below along the Sóller’s narrow streets.

Inside the Modernist Museum.

3. Art Nouveau / Modernismo

It’s not all Medieval in Sóller’s old center. During difficult economic times during the 19th century, many Mallorcan’s fled the island, seeking opportunities elsewhere, including in the United States. Some of these former residents of Sóller (and their descendents) made their fortunes and returned to Sóller, bringing with them great wealth and in interest in constructing new homes in the “hot” style of the day, Catalan Modernism (Art Nouveau), a look made famous by Gaúdi.

Walking through the center of Sóller, modernist facades sit comfortably next to structures constructed 400 years prior. Interestingly, the modernist style was so en vogue 100 years ago that many of these tell-tale elements (fanciful, curving doorways, windows, staircases), were standardized and picked out of a catalog. A student of Gaudi’s even spent time in the city, working on the cathedral’s facade.

Fans of art nouveau architecture shouldn’t miss the Ca’n Prunera, an early 20th-century mansion that opened as the city’s Modernist Museum in 2009. The museum lets visitors wander through a painstakingly restored modernist residence, and offers a selection of modern paintings, photographs and sculpture.

Hopping on the train to Sóller’s port.

4. Another tram!

There’s more to Sóller than the old town, of course. A few kilometers away beckons the port, with its beach and harbor. To get there, you can walk it, or hop on another wooden tram (again operated by the Ferrocarril de Soller). The tram departs every 30 minutes (in high season / 60 minutes during the winter) from the street just outside the train station. Round-trip tickets are €10 per person.

This ride, passing along the city’s main street, past stores and residences, is less thrilling than its mountain climbing sibling, but it still offers a pleasant 15-minute stroll. Things get more interesting, of course, when it makes a final turn, pulling along…

Pulling into the Port of Sóller.

5. The Port de Sóller

Arriving into the Port de Sóller by tram is a bit of a thrill, as you cruise straight down the main drag, hugging the harbor, easing past couples flopped onto blankets and children frolicking in the calm waters of the bay, which stretches out into the Mediterranean. And wrapping around its shores, the purple-green mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana look down.

To the right side of the tram, a line of hotels and restaurants offer a respite from the sun. Indeed, I recharged with a favorite, local drink: freshly squeezed orange juice. Enjoy a glass, while contemplating the role that this sweet fruit played in the town’s history.

Getting there: This post is part of a series sponsored by airberlin, which now offers flights between New York and Palma de Mallorca. Find rates and special offers on airberlin.com.

The post Mountains, Beaches, and Modernismo: 5 reasons to visit Sóller, Spain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Due to the fact that it is awesome, in the true sense of the word, everyone and their mother wants to go see the Sagrada Familia, which is to say it gets as packed as Wal-Mart on Black Friday.

Here are some tips to view the Sacred Family without losing your mind.

1. Go early or at off times

First of all, Barcelona is packed with tourists in the summer months. People come from May to late August in droves, filing off cruise ships and popping off cheapo flights from northern Europe. These months will always be more crowded at the Sagrada Familia.

Like most monuments, if you go early, you beat the rush, as not too many people get up to go sightseeing at 9 AM. I went at about 3 PM on a Wednesday recently, and while there were plenty of people there, I didn’t see long lines to get tickets and there was no pushing and shoving inside (a plus, considering this is the House of God, right?).

Hours: The basilica is open October to March from 9 AM to 6 PM and April to September 9 AM to 8 PM. While the Sagrada Familia is impressive in the dark, lit up against the night sky, it really should be viewed during the day.

Related: Affordable hotels close to Sagrada Familia

2. Stay away from tour groups

When inside the Sagrada Familia, you’ll see lots of tour groups. Do not follow them. If they go left, you go right. Stay clear of them to have a better experience and the chance to take nicer photos.

3. Consider an official tour (in English)

There are tours in English every day at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. If you want to go on the tour, which I have not done but would LOVE to do, you have to buy a more expensive ticket.

For €16.50 you can either get an audio guide and show yourself around, or go on the group tour and have a real person explain why there are turtles on the façade.

Related: 10 photos that will inspire a trip to Barcelona

4. Pay to go inside (yes, it’s worth it)

A normal ticket to get in to the basilica is €14.80, and €12.80 for students and seniors. For €18.30 you get into the Sagrada Familia and into the Gaudí up at Park Güell, which is the one I’d recommend.

As you can see, glimpsing the Holy Family’s awesomeness is not cheap, but I do think it’s worth chucking over a few bucks to get in.  While you can appreciate the building from the outside, the main nave is inspiring and like nothing I’ve ever seen. Think of a grove of massive trees inside a church; it’s like that, sort of.

5. Notice nature all around you

Gaudí grew up in the countryside in southern Catalonia. Like many who grow up around nature’s bounty, Gaudí was impressed by the natural world and used it as his muse throughout his life.

Look for nature’s mark in plant, animal and mineral form throughout the Sagrada Familia. Clearly the trees in the nave are a good example, but also notice mineral forms on the capitals crowning the temple, spirals like snail shells, vines on the Nativity Façade and gargoyles, amphibians and reptiles from the Mediterranean on the neo-Gothic apse.

La Sagrada Familia
Carrer de Mallorca, 401
Hours: April to September 9 AM to 8 PM, October to March 9 AM to 6 PM
Admission: Adults €14.80, Students and seniors €12.80
Website

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Barcelona? Read our reviews of the best budget hotels in Barcelona, all centrally located, clean and budget friendly.——

The post Barcelona: Tips for visiting the Sagrada Familia appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I adore its weird mosaics, spooky fairyland houses and dramatic “market” area. Touring the park gives visitors a more in-depth look at Gaudí’s genius.

While it’s a bit of a drag getting up to the park, it’s worth it, especially on a sunny, clear day when you will be able to see the entire city spread out before you like an apron tied around the tummy of the mountain.

It’s a spectacular vista indeed from the park’s 3,000 sq. meter mosaic patio, with the Mediterranean in the distance. This is where you will want to get a couple choice photos to put up on Facebook immediately. All your friends will be jealous of your fabulous Barcelona vacation.

So here are a few tips for making the most of your trip up to Gaudí’s wonderland:

Hydrate!

First of all, bring H2O or some other beverage. If not you’ll be forced to buy from the cafe on-site which is really pricey. They sell sangria at this cafe. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy it, because it’s not of good quality (most sangria is not, and most Spaniards don’t drink it, go figure).

If you’re going up to the park for the day, pack a lunch and then have a picnic off one of the trails.

Stay alert

As you’re strolling along the paths that wind through the vast park, be alert and keep an eye on your stuff.

It’s sad to say, but Barcelona has a ton of petty crime. Where there are tourists, there are thieves. Don’t wander the upper trails with your $900 camera around your neck and you should be fine.

As a woman, I don’t think I would walk those upper trails sola. That was my impression on my last visit a couple months ago, due to the men I saw lurking in the bushes and running off into the forest. However, please don’t think that Park Güell is dangerous, it’s not. Just be aware, that’s all.

Go home with Gaudi

Gaudí’s home is open to visitors and should definitely be on your “to do” list. The house was built in 1903 and the famous architect lived there for about 20 years. Many of his belongings are still exhibited in the house, and it’s an interesting look into what life was like in the early 20th century.

Go to market

Afterward, hear music by local guitarists while you admire the intricate rosette ceiling in the covered market place. The covered area is held up by 90 columns and is a sweet spot to get out of the sun and chill for a bit while hearing some, usually, very talented buskers.

Walking to and from the Metro

Walk up and back from the park from the Lesseps Metro stop. You need to be in shape to do this jaunt as it is uphill for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Coming back is easier.

Or take buses 24 – 31 – 32 – 74 – 92 which will get you close to the main gate. If there are four of you, split a cab up to the parkby far the easies way to get there.

Admission: The park was free to visit until 2013, when the city announced that they will start charging €8 to visit in October 2013.

The post Barcelona: 5 Park Güell survival tips appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Take home some cheapo Gaudí

Regarded as tasteless in his own time, Antoni Gaudí’s unique art nouveau ideas are widely celebrated in Barcelona’s architecture today. All over the city, and surrounding his iconic Sagrada Família in Eixample, Gaudí souvenirs abound.

Sure, some of these items are tacky, but tacky will be fun back home! Some of our favorite examples of Gaudí souvenirs include:

• Illustrated brochures and ticket stubs from the Segrada Família
• Gaudí-adorned (and free) napkins from the church’s on-site café
• Postcards of the picturesque Casa Milà and Parc Güell
• Salt and pepper shakers in the shape of Gaudí smokestacks
• Gaudí chess pieces

These are just a few of our favorite Gaudí-themed cheapo souvenirs. You can preview some souvenirs here, but know that you’ll be able to find cheaper versions from street vendors.

While you’re at it…

As long as one is in the barrio, we suggest picking up free hand-outs from museums showing off any of the city’s modern style. The Picasso Museum in Old Town and the Museum of Chocolate San Pere Born are both good places to find stylish brochures.

Editor’s Note: This is our third post in our “Cheapo Souvenirs” blog series. Join us over the next four weeks as we suggest one cheap or free souvenir to bring home from each city we cover on EuroCheapo. Do you have a suggestion for another cheap souvenir in Barcelona? A favorite Gaudí souvenir? Leave a comment below!

The post Barcelona cheap souvenir: Gaudí for less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Read on, dear Cheapos, for five free podcasts we love for Barcelona, Spain:

For those with unique taste

If you’re more into meandering side streets than queuing up at the Sagrada Familia, check out Notes from Spain‘s frequently uploaded casts. Audio guides offer an “anti-tourist” take on exploring Barcelona, from back street tours of the barri gotic to a bike route through the Basque region.

For well-rounded travelers

We like Tourcaster for its wide array of podcasts—from tours of art museums to jaunts through national parks—highlighting destinations around the world. Although some audio guides get super-specific (Madrid’s Royal Palace, anyone?), the Barcelona City Guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the city’s top attractions, like Gaudi’s Parc Guell or the best places to eat tapas. And, unlike other Tourcaster podcasts, it’s free!

For the language buffs

Don’t know your por qué from your por favor? Radio Alicante International FM, a radio station broadcasting from Spain, doles out language lessons in a free podcast on learning Spanish. Download the courses from iTunes and listen, repeat, listen, repeat.

For architecture aficionados

For a Cheapo architecture fix, we like LoDingo’s comprehensive building tour. The two-hour podcast winds its way through Barcelona’s best examples of “el Modernisme Catal,” the style made famous by the Catalonian architect Antonio Gaudi.

For some in-flight entertainment

Okay, so the Barcelona Vidcast HD podcast is in Spanish, but since it’s a video, the sights and sounds of the city speak for themselves. It’s available on iTunes (search “Barcelona Vidcast HD” to find it), is perfect for the plane ride over or for distracting yourself during a classic Spanish conundrum, the rail strike.

The post Barcelona: Five free podcasts appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.