As a traveler in a new culture, it will be really hard, if not impossible, to look “local” so why not just be comfortable and go with the flow? (However, this doesn’t mean wandering La Rambla with three cameras tied around your neck wearing socks and sandals — there are limits!)

Acting like a tourist is a different subject. We’re here to help you overcome some common mistakes that tourists make when visiting Barcelona, from spending too much time on La Rambla to trying to eat at 6 p.m.

Related:
• How to navigate Barcelona’s most popular attractions
• 10 Best cheap hotels in Barcelona

25 Things to do in Barcelona & What to Avoid

Follow our lead and you’ll be acting (and eating) like a local in no time!

Barcelona Basics

1. Do try to learn a few words in Spanish and Catalan.

Por favor, gracias and bon dia go a long way.

2. Do try to adhere to local customs and schedules.

Remember that Spaniards eat late and that many shops will be closed midday for lunch and on Sundays.

3. Don’t get too political.

It’s fine to ask locals their opinion on Catalan independence, but be careful if you’re voicing very pro-Catalonia or pro-Spain opinions. You might end up offending those around you and find yourself in a heated debate or fight.

Late dinner means more time for snacking on tapas beforehand! Photo: Craig Nelson

Eating & drinking in Barcelona

4. Don’t eat on La Rambla if you can avoid it.

We’ve been over this many times before, but it’s worth mentioning again.

5. Do visit Barcelona’s wine bars.

Head to these spots to sip reds and whites from all over Spain.

6. Don’t tip 20% on your restaurant bill.

Tipping is not common in Spain. If you want to leave something, leave your change or a couple of euros.

7. Do take a cooking class.

Learn how to make Catalan dishes and Spanish classics like paella.

8. Don’t try to go to dinner at 6 p.m.

Any respectable restaurant won’t even open the doors until 8 p.m. (Here are 18 tips for eating like a local in Barcelona.)

9. Do eat delicious tapas.

Tapas will get you over the 6 p.m. hump and tide you over until your late Spanish dinner.

10. Do visit the famous Boqueria Market, but…

Also visit Barcelona’s lesser-known markets, all of which will be less crowded. Santa Caterina is a good option.

11. Don’t order paella for dinner.

It’s a lunch dish considered too heavy for a late meal.

A shop selling Spanish jamón in La Boqueria Market. Photo: Jessica Spengler

Shopping

12. Don’t take photos in shops or at market stands unless you’ve asked permission.

Fortunately, most of the time, the vendors will say yes.

13. Do shop for exquisite Spanish shoes and clothing.

Looking for Zara, Mango, etc.? Head to the Gothic Quarter around Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer Comtal.

14. Do score deep discounts during the twice-annual city-wide sales.

They’re held in Barcelona in January/February and July/August.

15. Don’t buy souvenirs on La Rambla.

Look for locally made goodies to take home on side-streets off La Rambla.

16. Do check out museum stores.

They offer a great selection of books on Barcelona and artsy souvenirs crafted in Barcelona.

The spectacular Park Güell designed by Gaudí. Photo: Jorge Franganillo on Flickr

Sightseeing

17. Do pay the entrance fee to see La Sagrada Família.

It’s Barcelona’s most important sight and there is a reason for this — it’s stunning! Cough up the entrance fee and spend a few hours inside gawking at Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. (And do get tickets online and skip the wait. Read all of our tips for visiting Sagrada Familia.)

18. Don’t go to Park Güell if you’re short on time.

It’s a bit of trek to get up to Park Güell that can easily eat up most of the day. Stick to Gaudí sights in the city center if you’ve only got a couple of days.

19. Do rent a bike.

Ride along Barcelona’s beachfront boardwalk from La Barceloneta to Llevant beach. Stop along the way for lunch at a seaside eatery.

20. Don’t spend all your time on La Rambla.

It’s tempting to spend too much time with the human statues, cheesy vendors and crowds of tourists. But do walk down La Rambla at least once and stop in to see La Boqueria Market.

21. Do take a tour of the Gothic Quarter.

Get an in-depth look at what Barcelona was like in Roman times.

22. Don’t confine yourself to Barcelona’s city limits.

Consider a day trip to Girona to wander its medieval lanes, Figueres to see the Salvador Dalí Museum, or the Penedès region for wine tasting.

Hostal Fernando offers a central location and rooms for every budget. Photo: EuroCheapo

Barcelona Hotels

23. Don’t try to save money by staying at an out-of-the-way hotel.

It’s worth it to spend a little more to be central. You’ll save time and money getting to popular sights, and it will be easier to walk home at night. Check out these affordable hotels near Barcelona’s most popular attractions.

24. Do make sure your hotel has a safe in the room or at the reception desk.

Leave your passport, extra cash and credit cards, and anything else of value that you will not need on you in the safe. Here are 10 tips for staying safe in Barcelona.

25. Don’t pay for an expensive hotel breakfast at your hotel.

Instead, head to the nearest cafe and eat breakfast like a local for about $5-$6 (coffee and a small sandwich or pastry).

Finally, do come to Barcelona with an open mind and flexible itinerary.

Travel is tricky and things may not pan out the way you planned. It could rain, a museum could be closed for remodeling, or the taxi drivers could go on strike.

However, good things can crop up too, and it’s rewarding to be able to spot these opportunities when they surface and embrace them. A restaurant owner offers you something that’s not on the menu, and it turns out to be the best meal of your life. A local invites you over to their condo for coffee, and you make a new friend. A wrong turn takes you down a winding alleyway with unique bars and boutiques.

The unplanned can many times be the best part of the journey — embrace it!

The post 25 Things to Do in Barcelona (and Avoid!) That Will Improve Your Trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And the food and wine? Don’t even get me started on how much I love it!

But no place is perfect. That’s just not how life works. There’s a difficult side to even the sweetest destination. We’ve talked about a few of the negative aspects of Barcelona before, but I believe that the most annoying aspect of Barcelona is the petty theft and occasionally more aggressive forms of robbery that take place.

However, don’t let these minor safety issues discourage you from visiting this wonderful city. Instead, keep safe with these Barcelona safety tips.

Barcelona safety tips to follow for your next vacation

By following these Barcelona safety tips, you can have a better chance of avoiding any risky situations.

1. Watch your luggage

I’ve never seen it happen, but I’ve heard of luggage thieves on the AEROBÚS, the bus that connects downtown Barcelona to the airport. You don’t necessarily need to sit with your bag between your legs, and in some cases that may be seen as impolite, especially if the bus is very full. The AEROBÚS has a luggage rack; you should store big bags there.

My advice is to sit as close to the luggage rack as possible so that you can keep an eye on your belongings. Of course, laptop bags, purses and cameras should all go in your lap, not on the rack.

2. Keep purses close

Never place your purse on the floor in a public place. If you are in a restaurant, your purse should be on your lap, not strung across the back of your chair. I’ve seen multiple robberies where a purse was slung over a chair or placed in an empty chair. The thief comes by your table running, snatches the purse and keeps going. You are too flabbergasted to react, plus you have a mouthful of patatas bravas, making it difficult to sound the alarm. You may try to run after him, but he’s faster, knows shortcuts and is long gone in seconds.

I did see this exact scenario go down in an outdoor eatery once. The victim screamed and three men jumped up from a neighboring table to run after the thief, eventually catching him and returning the purse. She was lucky. You might not have three track stars lunching beside you.

3. Be alert when shopping

You should keep an eye on your purse in clothing shops, too. For example, if you take off your jacket and purse in order to try on something without going into the dressing room, you’ll want to make sure that your purse is nestled snugly between your feet, not left unattended on a chair or on the floor. Thieves lurk in shops looking for an opportunity to snag a bag.

4. Choose the right neighborhood

Some areas of the city are safer than others, especially at night. The safest zones are those with few tourists because crime follows the jet-lagged, unaccustomed traveler. The safest areas are L’Eixample and Gràcia. The least safe are El Raval and the Gothic Quarter.

This does not mean that you shouldn’t stay in El Raval or the Gothic Quarter. In fact, they are both vibrant hoods with some of the city’s top nightlife and restaurants. But if you choose to stay in these areas, you need to keep your wits about you or travel with friends.

Related: Is it safe to stay in the Gothic Quarter?

Avoid carrying around large amounts of cash in Barcelona. Photo: Images Money

5. Be careful with cash

It’s best to take money out of an ATM in the middle of the day when lots of people are about. Avoid withdrawing large sums at night from desolate ATMs when no one is around. Also, avoid carrying lots of cash. Instead, leave most of your euros in the safe in your hotel room, and carry only what you need for the day. You will want to have some cash on hand because not all shops and restaurants in Barcelona accept credit cards.

Keep your bag in front of you like this rider on the Metro. Photo: Mathieu Marquer

6. Be aware of pickpockets on the Metro

Unfortunately, many a trusting tourist gets robbed on the Metro. The worst scenario is a packed car when everyone is squished up against everyone else. It’s hard to know in this situation if the tug you feel is a thief opening your bag or just the guy next to you trying to breathe in the cramped space. Keep your purse in your hands or held against your body and keep your wallet in your front pocket. If it’s really crowded, keep your hand on it.

Be aware when getting on or off the Metro. One trick thieves like to play is to grab a bag and hop off, just as the doors snap shut. They have your bag and all of your credit cards on the outside of the Metro, and you’re stuck inside. By the time you get to the next stop and find a police officer, the thief has enjoyed lunch on your Visa.

Another thing to keep in mind about the Metro is where and when you ride it. Late at night avoid the fringe lines. You will be fine at night on all lines in the city center, and there are usually many other revelers around. However, it does get a little wild on Fridays and Saturdays after midnight. Expect teens and college kids sipping booze, smoking joints and cigarettes, and singing off-key in a joyful haze. Mind you, none of this is legal (apart from the singing), but that hasn’t stopped anyone.

7. Bring a buddy to the beach

The beach is best with a buddy. If you go alone, you won’t have anyone to look after your stuff while you swim. On a crowded day at the beach, ask the closest trustworthy-looking person to keep an eye on your things while you go for a dip. While you are sitting on the sand observing the waves, musing about the previous night’s wild Metro ride, make sure your bag and belongings are in front of you. Visitors make the mistake of setting their bag to their back, which makes an easy invitation for purse-snatchers.

Related: Best affordable hotels near the beach in Barcelona

In addition, be wary of someone who comes up and starts making small talk. Your first reaction should be to locate your bag, camera, belongings, etc. Thieves often work in twos: One distracts you with small talk while the other makes off with your stuff. The thief will keep you occupied until his friend is safely away, and then he will say his goodbyes.

8. Stick to the well-lit streets at night

El Raval and the Gothic Quarter are both fun ‘hoods to spend a night out on the town. Bars, clubs, pubs and concert halls abound in both areas. However, El Raval can be dangerous for women alone, especially down side streets. I’ve known many women who have been harassed in El Raval, and quite a few others who have been robbed in the neighborhood. You are better off if you go out with a group of people, or at least with a friend. Stick to well-lit streets with lots of traffic.

In the Gothic Quarter the same rule about sticking to well-lit areas applies. Another consideration in the Gothic Quarter is just how confusing its winding lanes can be. It is easy to get lost in this ‘hood, particularly in the dark after a few glasses of wine. Be aware of your surroundings, look for street signs and keep an eye out for suspicious characters.

9. Carry a copy of your passport

Make a copy of your passport and carry the photocopy around with you. Leave your passport, one of your credit cards, and extra cash in the safe in your hotel room. Remember that in some stores, like FNAC, you will need your physical passport in order to make a purchase with a credit card — but this is the exception, not the rule.

10. Armed robbery is very unusual but can happen

Most crime in Barcelona is of the petty theft variety. Muggings are rare. Guns are not common in Spain, and being held up at gunpoint is not at all common. However, it would be incorrect to assume that violent robbery does not happen. A friend of mine, who lived in El Born, was robbed violently twice in the course of six months. Understandably, these incidents upset him so much that he moved away from El Born. (And, of course, I have other friends who live in El Born, and nothing has ever happened to them.)

The thing is, El Born is a touristy area. There are many hotels and holiday apartments scattered around the ‘hood, and robbers know this. Both of the times my friend was robbed, it was near his house on a side-street in El Born at night. The first time, a man with a broken bottle approached my friend and demanded his wallet. He gave him what he had and the thief disappeared.

The second time, my friend had just returned from a long road trip to France. He had his luggage all about him on the street and had set down his laptop bag to look for his keys. He was standing right in front of his apartment. The thief came over with a knife, took his laptop bag, and then ran off as my friend screamed. It’s hard to say why my friend was a target, but I think it is probably because he looked like he was an unsuspecting tourist arriving late to a vacation rental.

These stories are infrequent, but that does not mean that they can’t happen. I think if someone comes up to you with a broken-off bottle and a deranged look in their eyes, the best thing to do is fork over your money. After all, you stowed your back-up cash safely away in the safe in your hotel room.

Remember: Barcelona is not dangerous

Despite my friend’s grim story, it’s important to stress that Barcelona is not a dangerous place. Let me just state that again: Barcelona is NOT dangerous.

Rife with petty theft, perhaps. Rife with kidnappers and gun-wielding drug lords, no. Plus, there are always lots of people about in downtown Barcelona. Safety comes in numbers. I feel much safer in Barcelona at 2 a.m. than I would in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, at the same time.

To have a trip free of pickpocketing and harassment, pay attention to where you are and where your belongings are at all times. Be vigilant and, at the end of your trip, you’ll leave town with both beautiful memories… and all your credit cards in your wallet.

Your Barcelona safety tips?

Have a tip about how to stay safe in Barcelona? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Barcelona: 10 tips for staying safe when visiting appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Furthermore, the busiest attractions in Barcelona can get incredibly overcrowded depending on when you visit. The beauty of the Gothic Quarter, the majesty of the Sagrada Familia, and the quirkiness of Park Güell just don’t have the same appeal when you’re just trying to keep your sanity.

But we can help. Before you run away back to your hotel, don’t give up. Follow these tips to enjoy Barcelona to its fullest — even at its most visited sites.

La Rambla

You absolutely should stroll La Rambla once. But once is probably enough. It swarms with visitors and therefore also with pickpockets. Avoid gambling on La Rambla, which seems obvious, but tourists are frequently suckered into street games which they will never win.

Admire the human statues (they will want a tip, especially if you take a photo), pop into La Boqueria Market, check out the flower stands, and then move off La Rambla to have lunch or dinner. Avoid buying souvenirs on La Rambla, as you are sure to find the same thing somewhere else at half the price.

Related: Is La Rambla a tourist trap? Read our take

Sometimes just getting beyond the entrance can be the biggest challenge at Park Güell. Photo: Slim Ficky

Park Güell

There are two aspects of a trip to Park Güell that are difficult: getting there and finding something to eat.

Getting to the park takes some time, but it’s not rocket science and is well worth the effort. If you take the metro to the park, remember that you will have to walk uphill to reach its gates. It’s not a bad walk, but you may not want to do it in the middle of the day when it’s 90 degrees outside. There is also a bus that will take you right to the gate, and this is an easier option. Plan 30 minutes to an hour to get up to the park, and maybe a little less to get back to the city center. Here is our full guide to visiting the park.

Once you are at the park, there is little in the way of cafes and restaurants. Pack a lunch or at the very least take a bottle of water. The park is expansive, so allow yourself plenty of time to walk the grounds and visit the museum. Though Park Güell was once free to visit, those days are over; see more on purchasing tickets here.

It’s easy to get lost amid the old architecture and streams of tourists in the Gothic Quarter. Photo: Michael C.

The Gothic Quarter

Welcome to the heart and soul of the city and one of the most interesting areas when it comes to history and shopping. Strolling the Gothic Quarter (“Barri Gotic”) is a must to see fragments of Roman architecture and medieval homes, and to hear your heels click across cobblestone streets. However, wandering around the Gothic Quarter can also mean battling crowds of tourists and locals, dodging pickpockets, and paying too much for meals.

The area around the city’s cathedral is often mobbed with tourists in the summer. To avoid the crowds, visit in the early morning or during low season. Tour groups tend to stick to the main streets in the Gothic Quarter, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can always duck down an alleyway where you’ll often find yourself alone with the cobblestones and dangling laundry. But take note: At night you’ll want to avoid these same charming side-streets, because pickpockets are known to lurk along them. Again, in the daytime it’s fine, but at night stay on main streets (also because you’re less likely to get lost!).

There are wonderful restaurants tucked into the Gothic Quarter’s many nooks and crannies. There are also numerous eateries that cater exclusively to tourists and charge a pretty penny. It’s hard to tell which is which, but generally the restaurants around Plaça Reial and along Carrer Ferran are for visitors, not locals, and you’ll have to shell out more for your tapas. There also plenty of affordable hotels in the Gothic Quarter, so you can also make this neighborhood your home base during your trip.

La Sagrada Familia is an incredible experience, worth braving the long lines. Photo: Antonio T.

La Sagrada Família

Don’t waste your valuable vacation time waiting in the endless ticket line at La Sagrada Família. Instead, get your tickets ahead of time online and walk right past the poor souls in the endless queue. La Sagrada Família is well worth the €15 it costs to get in (unless you attend a service for free), so splurge on this one even if you’re on a budget.

After touring the basilica, search out lunch in a local spot a few blocks away from the tourist hype. Most of the restaurants around the site are geared toward separating tourists from their euros. However, La Sagrada Família is also a thriving neighborhood with lots of authentic offerings available for those who sniff them out. One excellent tapas and wine bar in the ‘hood is Casa Mariol.

Related: Tips for visiting Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia

Slip down a quiet alley to escape the crowds and discover a different side of Barcelona. Photo: mrcl

Final Tip: Wander off the beaten tourist path

Critics say that Barcelona is becoming more and more soulless, because the city government has sold out to easy money, creating a metropolis that is more for tourists than residents. In some cases, this is true, but overall the sentiment is incorrect. Those who have come away from the city with this limited impression did not venture too far off La Rambla. While your experience in Barcelona could be akin to a trip to Disneyland, you also have the opportunity to make it a profound encounter with Catalan culture.

If you prefer the latter, make sure to spice up your time at heavily visited monuments with trips to secluded plazas, up-and-coming ‘hoods (Poble Sec, Poblenou), and traditional eateries that draw a local clientele. (Check out this list of off-the-beaten path hotels to sleep closer to the locals.)

Take a chance and venture out of the tourist zone, and you’ll discover a city that’s unlike any other.

The post How to survive Barcelona’s top 4 attractions appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And it should be no surprise that many tourists come with preconceived notions, and generalizations about locals and the Catalan capital abound.

We dive into a few of these myths to help visitors sort fact from fiction, so you can hit the ground running next time you come to town.

1. You’ll see authentic flamenco

This one is tricky, because you very well might catch some flamenco in Barcelona. There are a handful of clubs in the old city center featuring women in tight, bright ruffles and wailing vocalists. But flamenco is not part of Catalan culture. This is akin to visiting Seattle and trying to find the best Philly cheesesteak. If you want authentic flamenco, then you should go south to Granada and Seville to see the real deal. If you must see flamenco in Barcelona, then try JazzSí, which is an out-of-the-way bar in El Raval that has weekly shows. Also, when the flamenco festival De Cajón is in town, you’ll find some excellent performances. Otherwise, why not see regional music? Search out Rumba Catalana or see some Catalan rock and roll at Sala Apolo.

2. The food is spicy

This is another common misconception. People tend to think that Spanish food and Mexican food have spice in common, but in fact Catalan and Spanish cuisine is pretty tame. Apart from garlic, onion, pepper and paprika, not much spice is used. Forget Tabasco sauce and chili peppers. The closest things to jalapeños in Spain are guindillas. They’ve got a nice vinegar-pepper kick to them. Then there is the tortilla. Don’t confuse your Spanish tortilla—which is similar to an omelet—with the Mexican version.

Just because Barcelona has a nice beach doesn’t mean you should wear your swimsuit in the city. Photo: Regina W Bryan

3. Barcelona is a beach, so wear a bikini

Nothing is more offensive to locals than tourists coming into shops, bars, and restaurants without shoes, shirts or pants on! This is especially common in La Barceloneta and other waterside ‘hoods. Spaniards and Catalans are laid-back about dress and lifestyle, but mealtime is sacred. They may be anything-goes while on the beach (there is no body shame here, and topless or nude sunbathing is common), but once you’ve left the shoreline it’s time to get dressed.

Another tip: wear your sandals. You might think that it’s all good to walk barefoot back to your beachside hotel after a morning on the sand, but you’re likely to step in A) dog doo doo B) wads of spit C) recently flicked cigarette butts D) garbage in general or E) the leftovers of someone’s fallen ice cream cone. The sidewalk may look clean with your Ray-Bans on, but it’s probably not.

4. Service is super friendly

Locals don’t tend to chat with random people on the metro, or in line at the grocery store, or even at the bar. They tend to stick to their established friend circle. That said, don’t be afraid strike up a conversation with someone. Just because they don’t tend to initiate, does not mean they are not open to talking to you.

You might also come across some unfriendliness in restaurants. Servers in Barcelona can get a bad rap for being grumpy and sometimes dishing out rough customer service. Although this can happen (and it will, probably at some point during your trip), it’s also important to remember that waiters don’t work for tips, and perhaps that has something to do with it. Big city attitude is also part of the issue. Outside Barcelona in smaller villages, service tends to be better and smiles are offered more readily. On the plus side, turning tables is almost non-existent in Spain, so no one will rush you out the door.

5. You’re visiting Spain

Wait, no. Or yes? Technically you are in Spain when visiting Barcelona; but look up and scan the balconies. You’ll see many Catalan independence flags hanging all over town. Catalonia is a region of Spain whose government is currently trying to separate it from the rest of Iberia.

These bright Catalan colors will be flying with pride almost everywhere you go. Photo: Regina W Bryan

6. All Catalans want independence

Nope. Some do, some don’t. It’s complicated. What most people want in Barcelona and Catalonia is more local control over where tax euros end up, and even more important, work. There is still very high unemployment all over Spain.

Separatists have always been active in Catalonia (as well as the Basque Country, Galicia, and even in Andalusia), but since the 2008  election of conservative president Rajoy, the issue has become increasingly hot. Want to get the locals talking? Ask them about independence while visiting for a lively conversation, as almost no one is apathetic about the subject.

7. Barcelona is very expensive

Yes and no, because compared to the south of Spain it certainly is. Compared to Northern Europe, it’s not even close. Compared to Madrid, it’s about even. The holy trinity of olive oil, wine and cheese are inexpensive, excellent and abundant. Eating out can be very friendly to your wallet if you stick to tapas and local restaurants, and the fabulous food markets have tons of bargains. And while tickets to get into many of Barcelona’s famous sights can be pricey, you don’t have to visit every single Gaudí building to get a feel for the city.

Then there is the cost of sleeping. While it’s easy to spend more than $100 a night on a hotel room in downtown, you can still find plenty of hotel bargains all over the city and even cozy digs for under $70.

8. Everyone guzzles sangria and eats paella

You’ll see lots of people on La Rambla drinking pitchers of sangria and tucking into platters of neon-yellow paella. Avoid this tourist tradition if you can. Locals do not usually drink sangria, and though they do enjoy paella at local spots, you would never find them digging into a platter of the frozen stuff served along the main tourists routes. Instead have a glass of some of the best wine in the world at a local wine bar, as Spain is revered for its reds and whites. Or even better, order a bottle of sparkling cava. It’s very affordable and  produced in nearby Penedès.

One generalization that is no myth is the Spanish love of fiesta. No matter where you go in Spain, whether it’s Catalonia or the Basque Country or Madrid, you’ll find people celebrating life.

The post Visiting Barcelona: 8 misconceptions and myths unmasked appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. These boots were made for walking

A subway ticket in Barcelona will cost you about €10 for 10 rides, and the metro system is efficient and a pretty good deal compared to other cities. But you can do even better. Save that cash and get around on your own two tootsies like the locals do. Barcelona is a great walking city, and there’s no better way to explore the local neighborhoods. Plus, skipping the metro will not only save you euros, it will also help burn off extra calories you’ve gained guzzling wine and spearing tapas.

Hostal Fernando is a great budget choice with affordable double and triple rooms. Photo: Regina W Bryan

2. Stay cheap, stay central

In order to be able to walk everywhere, you’ll need to stay in a centrally located hotel. You would think that it would be hard to find a budget room, but we have a great list of options. The Gothic Quarter or L’Eixample are your best bets for proximity to popular sights. If you want really central, try Hostal Fernando right off La Rambla for an easy downtown location. They have a super cheap hostel area as well as affordable private rooms.

3. The sea is your (free) swimming pool

Guess what? The beaches are still free. Amazing but true. Now, those lounge chairs they put out are not free, so avoid those. Bring your own towel and a book, and you’re all set. Swimming is good in Barcelona from May to October, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, even if you come during the shoulder season.

Parc de la Ciutadella is an oasis for a fun (and very cheap) picnic. Photo: Regina W Bryan

4. Picnic in the park

Most parks are also still free to enjoy for visitors in Barcelona, with the exception of Park Güell, which now charges for €8 admission to tourists. Luckily, Parc de la Ciutadella in the center of the city, where the zoo is located, is a lovely place to explore on a sunny afternoon by yourself or with a group of friends. And it won’t cost you a dime. Bring a picnic and chill in the grass like a true Barcelona citizen. Once you feel that sun shining on your face, you won’t feel guilty at all for skipping a few museums. You can always save those for a rainy day.

5. Bakery goodness for less

To create that picnic in Parc de la Ciutadella, you’ll want to stop into one of the zillions of bakeries around Barcelona. Some are better than others, but most all sell sandwiches, bread and croissants stuffed with savory and sweet fillings. You can get lunch at a bakery for around €5 while eating at a restaurant will usually cost you €10-15. Still hungry? Check out these 18 eating tips for eating like a local Barcelona.

More Barcelona budget information

Remember, Barcelona doesn’t have to be expensive. Going into all the museums and touristy sights (which can be fun to experience) add up fast. Wander and window shop, or spend some time on the shoreline to save big. For more tips on saving, read additional coverage on Barcelona from our EuroCheapo experts.

The post Barcelona on a budget: 5 wallet-friendly tips that any cheapo will love appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hotel H10 Catalunya Plaza

It doesn’t get any more central than this. H10 is right on Plaça Catalunya, the city’s main hub. From here La Rambla stretches down to the sea, and Passeig de Gràcia zips up towards all the Gaudí building goodness. When you arrive at the airport, jump on the Aerobús which will drop you off right in front of the hotel, the last stop on the bus line. What’s more, H10 is a very complete hotel with a restaurant, tea and coffee bar, plus a breakfast buffet. The rooms are on the smaller side, but they are still a good value. Drawbacks? The bustle, the noise and the lack of decent restaurants around the hotel. Despite these issues, H10 is our number one pick for a quick trip stay.

From $109 a night.

The bright television lounge for guests at Hostal Goya. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hostal Goya

This one requires just a bit more walking that H10, but it’s a matter of a few blocks. Goya is off the main tourist vein and will be a tad quieter than H10. Also, there are apartment buildings on Pau Claris street giving Goya a more neighborhood vibe to it than H10, which is surrounded by businesses, restaurants, shopping and hotels. We also like Goya’s setting in an early-20th century building and the art nouveau floors. Goya is close to the Urquinaona metro stop, a quick stroll from Plaça Catalunya, near the Palau de la Música Catalana, ten minutes from the Gothic Quarter and a ten to fifteen-minute walk from Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Goya is also less expensive than H10, because it’s a hostal, not a proper hotel (meaning some rooms do not have bathrooms en suite).

From $95 a night.

One of the 17 rooms in Hostal Lausanne housed in a 18th-century building. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hostal Lausanne

Like H10, Lausanne is just off Plaça Catalunya and is effortless to get to from the metro, Aerobús and train. From Plaça Catalunya, walk down Portal del Angel half a block and you’re there. Simple. Lausanne is right in the middle of one of the city’s main shopping streets. While excellent restaurants do not abound in the area, you’ll have your pick of shoe shops, Zaras, Mangos, funky boutiques, book stores and ice cream stands. Due to its downtown location, all major Barcelona sights are a ten-minute walk or short metro ride away from Lausanne.

From $57 a night.

When you only have 48 hours in Barcelona, why waste any time trying to locate your hotel or riding the bus around? Stay at one of these three spots to make the most of your quick trip.

The post Barcelona: 3 affordable hotel options in the center city for quick trips appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.