Cheap things to do in Barcelona
Markets, parks, pintxos and €2 cava: Barcelona on your own terms
This is Barcelona for people who would rather spend the afternoon in a market than a fine-dining room, and who consider a well-poured vermouth a cultural activity. Three days move through Gràcia, Eixample and the waterfront, leaning on free parks, covered markets and bars where the locals actually drink. No tasting menus, no queues for anything that costs more than a sandwich.
Day 1: Vila de Gràcia, slow and local
Start at Parc Güell before the tour groups arrive, then spend the rest of the day eating and drinking your way through Gràcia's markets and neighbourhood bars.
- 9:30 AM
Parc Güell
Gaudí's hillside park; the tiled terrace needs a timed ticket, the free outer paths still have city views.
Map - 10:30 AM
- 11:15 AM
Mercat de la Llibertat
Kick off the day browsing Gràcia's lively covered market, free to wander, great people-watching and cheap fresh produce.
Map - 12:45 PM
La Caravana
Two Syrian brothers' tiny Gràcia spot for shawarma, falafel and hummus; small, busy and cheap.
Map - 7:30 PM
Extra Bar
Tiny no-bookings market-led platillos, daily tortillas, croquettes, smoked bravas, Iberian pork with tomato.
Map - 9:15 PM
Vereda Bar
Local wine bar in the neighbourhood, the right place to finish the evening over a cheap glass with the locals.
Map
Day 2: Eixample: grids, gardens, good value
A quiet garden tucked inside a city block, a set lunch that costs less than it should, and a vegetarian dinner with a serious local following.
- 9:30 AM
Cafè de l'Òpera
La Rambla café across from the Liceu since 1929; order a hot chocolate with cream at a marble table.
Map - 10:15 AM
Jardins de la Torre de les Aigües
Hidden garden inside a classic Eixample block, a quiet, free local escape away from tourists.
Map - 12:30 PM
La Rita
Cheap set lunch menu of Catalan classics in Dreta de l'Eixample, great value, highly rated.
Map - 2:30 PM
Mercat de la Concepció
Free to wander, Eixample's own covered market, full of fresh produce and local life.
Map - 7:30 PM
- 9:30 PM
Boadas
Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar, pouring since 1933 at the top of La Rambla; one classic is plenty.
Map
Day 3: Barceloneta, Born and the waterfront
Wide lawns in Ciutadella, cold beer and pintxos at the beach, legendary sandwiches in the Gothic Quarter, and the city's best-value cava bar to close it out.
- 9:30 AM
Parc de la Ciutadella
Free entry, wide lawns, lake and the city's best palm-shaded stroll, perfect before the midday heat.
Map - 11:15 AM
Mercat de la Barceloneta
Grab a coffee and browse fresh stalls at this local neighbourhood market, cheap, lively and very Barceloneta.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 7:30 PM
Bo de B
Legendary cheap sandwiches in the Gothic Quarter, stuff them with whatever the board says, eat on the street.
Map - 9:00 PM
Champagnería Can Paixano
Standing-room cava bar by the port: cheap glasses of house rosado and small hot sandwiches.
Map
Where to stay
Praktik Garden
Small design hotel in the Eixample with a garden patio, central for all three days.
Uma House by Yurbban Trafalgar
On the Eixample-Born border, which puts Barceloneta and the Gothic Quarter within easy walking distance on day three.
Make Barcelona your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Sagrada Família: weeks ahead
- Park Güell: weeks ahead
- Casa Batlló: a few days ahead
- Palau de la Música Catalana: a few days ahead
- Museu Picasso de Barcelona: a few days ahead
- Spotify Camp Nou: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Eating anywhere on La Rambla, with frozen paella, picture menus and staff touting outside.
- Beachfront Barceloneta restaurants with touts and laminated photo menus, at 2 to 3 times inland prices.
- La Boqueria's front stalls, priced for the Rambla flow, instead of its interior counters or resident markets.
- Sagrada Familia skip the line resale sites, buy Gaudi tickets from official sites only.
The full Barcelona travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around