Welcome to this bumper list of 26 completely free things to do in Barcelona. I’ve put together a complete collection of activities for your trip that won’t break the bank – in fact, they won’t even put a dent in it! There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re into architecture, panoramic views, relaxing in the sun, or discovering history. The most important part is that they’re all completely free!
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Is it Easy to Find Free Things to Do in Barcelona?
The easy answer is yes! Whilst there are plenty of things that you can choose to pay for, it’s really easy to have a budget trip to Barcelona. Some of the best free things to do in Barcelona are out and about on the streets, visiting monuments and parks, and most importantly the beach!
These are all tried and tested free activities to show how easy it is to visit Barcelona without draining all of your savings.
Free Things to Do in Barcelona
Okay, let’s get on with the list! Here are all 26 Completely Free Things to Do in Barcelona.
Visit a Museum During Free Hours/Days
You wouldn’t necessarily think of museums when brainstorming free things to in Barcelona, but luckily it’s completely possible to visit them without having to pay for a ticket!
Many museums offer free entry at certain times of day (usually afternoons), or on full days. Here are a few of my top picks with details, but you’ll find that most of the best museums in Barcelona will offer free entry occasionally.
Dates to look out for:
- 12th February: Festes de Santa Eulàlia
- 17th-18th May: International Night/Day of Museums
- 24th September: Our Lady of Mercy Festival
Picasso Museum
As the name suggests, The Picasso Museum is full of Picasso’s work and provides an opportunity to learn about the history and life of the famous artist.
The Picasso Museum is free every Thursday from 5 pm-9 pm and the first Sunday of every month. It’s also free on the 12th of February, 17th of May and 24th of September. You still have to book tickets for the free days which you can do using the website link above.
Museum of the History of Catalunya (MHCAT)
The autonomous community of Catalunya has a strong sense of culture and this museum is the place to go to learn all about that, as well as Catalonian history.
You can visit the Museum of the History of Catalunya for free on the first Sunday of every month from 10 am-2:30 pm, as well as the following dates: 12th Feb; 23rd April; 16th May; 23rd July; 11th Sep; 24th Sep.
National Art Museum of Catalunya (MNAC)
Another great way to learn about Catalonian culture is at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. They have an amazing art collection of Catalan and European art.
The National Art Museum of Catalunya opens its doors for free every Saturday from 3 pm, the first Sunday of every month, and on the 18th of May and the 11th of September.
Olympic and Sports Museum
This interactive and modern museum takes you through all the different values of sport and its importance of society, with great displays of sporting history and achievement.
The Olympic and Sports Museum is free for three days every year: the 12th of February; the 18th of May and the 24th of September.
Maritime Museum of Barcelona
Learn about how shipbuilding and maritime trade helped developed Barcelona and Catalonia at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona.
You can visit the Maritime Museum of Barcelona for free every Sunday after 3 pm, as well as on the 18th of May and the 24th of Septmeber.
Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)
If you’re into modern art exhibitions, this museum should be your top choice! They have a great varied collection.
The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art has loads of free entry days! Firstly, you can visit for free on Saturdays after 4 pm. It’s also free of charge on February 12th, April 18th and 19th, May 17th, September 24th, November 14th and November 28th.
Relax in Ciutadella Park
Ciutadella Park is a gorgeous, spacious park in the centre of Barcelona that’s the perfect place to relax on a sunny day in the city. You can either explore the extensive grounds or grab a spot on the grass and do some sunbathing.
Make sure you check out the beautiful Cascada Monumental that Gaudí helped to bring to life, people watch at the pond as people try their hand at rowing, and explore the botanical gardens.
Address: Passeig de Picasso, 21, 08003 Barcelona
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am-10:30 pm
Closest Metro Stop: Ciutadella Vila Olímpica/Arc de Triomf
Watch the Sun Set from the Carmel Bunkers
There are some beautiful places to see panoramic views over Barcelona, and the Carmel Bunkers are up there with the best. This is an especially popular sunset spot and is a great way to end a budget day in Barcelona.
It takes about 30-45 minutes to climb up to the Carmel Bunkers, and as you can expect, the walk is pretty steep. The views at the top are more than worth it. This spot gets very busy at sunset, but you can usually find a nice spot to sit and watch the sun go down. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can climb up at any time of day and still marvel in the amazing views!
Address: Carrer de Marià Labèrnia, s/n, 08032 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Alfons X
Sunbathe at Barceloneta Beach
Spain is such a laid-back country, and the city of Barcelona is no exception! The best free things to do in Barcelona involve chilling out and watching the world go by. Just like Ciutadella Park, head to Barceloneta Beach for a free day of relaxing in the sun.
If you’re too restless to sunbathe or the weather isn’t quite hot enough, you can still enjoy a pleasant walk along the boardwalk, taking in the views and the atmosphere of busy Barcelona life.
Barceloneta Beach can get very busy, so if you want to avoid crowds, I recommend Nova Icària Beach. It’s a little further east but still easily accessible, and much less crowded.
Address: Carrer de la Drassana, 08003, Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Barceloneta
Explore the Free Section of Park Güell
Park Güell is one of the most popular spots in Barcelona. The park was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who has impressive, unique artwork all over the city.
Visiting Park Güell is definitely a must, but the ticket prices aren’t very budget-friendly. Luckily, you only need a ticket to visit the Monumental Area, and you’re free to explore the rest of the park for no cost. As well as exploring the free area, I recommend seeing the Turó de les Tres Creus on the west side of the park. It’s a great sunset spot!
Address: Park Güell, 08024 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Vallcarca
Opening Hours: Vary depending on the season. Daily ~8 am-7:30 pm
Marvel at the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is another great Gaudí masterpiece that costs a pretty penny to enter. Unfortunately, you can’t enter any part of the Sagrada Familia for free, but you can still marvel at the exterior.
The exterior of the Sagrada Familia is one of the best photo spots in Barcelona, and there are two great places to grab a photo. The first is at Plaça de la Sagrada Família, where you can see the Sagrada Familia peeking through the trees. The second is a little busier, but the view is awesome! It’s on the other side of the church, at Plaça de Gaudí.
Of course, make sure you take some time to walk around the Sagrada Familia and get as up close as you can. It’s an incredible piece of architecture.
Address: C. de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
Closest Metro Stop: Sagrada Familia
Get closer to the Sagrada Familia!
Cross Under the Arco de Triunfo
Barcelona’s Triumphal Arch was built back in the 1800s, to mark the entrance to the World’s Fair that the city hosted in 1888.
The Arco de Triunfo is a great Spanish take on structure found in so many cities, with the red brick and ornate details.
You’ll find the Arch right next to Ciutadella Park, so if you’re planning to visit there, it’s a great stop on the way.
Address: Passeig de Lluís Companys, 08003 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Arc de Triomf
Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour
You can find free walking tours across the city of Barcelona. Although they technically count as free things to do in Barcelona, these walking tours operate on a tips basis, so you’ll want to give a few euros to the tour guide for the amazing experience they provide.
If you want a truly free walking tour, there’s no reason why you can’t take yourself on one! I’d recommend walking around the Gothic Quarter and El Born, heading north to Gràcia, or seeing Plaça d’Espanya.
If you are really interested in the history of the city, you could research this beforehand, and it will be really rewarding to see the information you’ve read come to life on the streets.
Free Things to Do in Barcelona: Explore Montjuïc
If you’re looking for free things to do in Barcelona, Montjuïc is full of them! You could easily spend a whole day exploring around the hills, but here are a few of my highlights that you can’t miss!
See the Iconic Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium
As you can easily guess, the Lluïs Companys Olympic Stadium was built for the Olympics, the 1992 games in fact. These days the stadium hosts concerts and sporting events, but when the stadium is empty you can pop inside to see it for free. You can also explore the surrounding grounds which were all developed for the olympics.
The Stadium is open from 8 am to 8 pm in the summer, and from 10 am to 6 pm in the winter. Check out all the details on their website.
Address: Passeig Olímpic, 15-17, 08038 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Paral·lel/Funicular de Montjuïc
Discover the Peaceful Jardines de Laribal
The Jardines de Laribal are one of the best free things to do in Barcelona, and I stumbled upon them completely by accident when wandering around Montjuïc. Barcelona is filled with beautiful parks and gardens, and the Laribal Gardens are one of my favourites.
The gardens are landscaped and very well kept, filled with great sculptures and hedges that were great fun to explore. This is a great place to escape the crowds of Barcelona and have a really peaceful time.
Address: Passeig de Santa Madrona, 2, 08038 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Paral·lel/Funicular de Montjuïc
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am-9 pm
Explore Montjuïc Castle
Montjuïc Castle is an old military fortress with a deep, arguably infamous, history. These days, it’s a museum where you can learn all about this history and memory.
It costs a few euros to enter the museum, but like the other museums mentioned in this post, you can enter the museum for free at certain times. The open doors times are Sundays after 3 pm and the first Sunday of every month.
Address: Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Paral·lel/Funicular de Montjuïc
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am-8 pm
See Some Panoramic Views From an Old Bullfighting Arena
This is easily one of my favourite free things to do in Barcelona, and it’s a bit of a hidden gem as well. The Arenas de Barcelona shopping centre has been repurposed from an old bullfighting arena.
The rooftop of the shopping centre boasts 360° views around Barcelona, with loads of restaurants in the inner circle. Although there’s an elevator outside of the centre that will make you think you need to pay to go up, you can access the rooftop completely free simply by using the escalators inside the shopping centre.
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373, 385, 08015 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Espanya
Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs 10 am-1 am; Fri & Sat 10 am-3 am
Visit the World Trade Centre
Barcelona’s World Trade Centre is another hidden gem, great if you’re looking for free things to do in Barcelona and want beautiful views of the port. You can wander through the central plaza of the business park and before long you’ll be wishing you had the budget to stay in the beautiful hotel that joins on to it!
If you head up the stairs you’ll quickly find great viewpoints over Barcelona’s port, with impressive boats, the Columbus Monument and the cable cars floating above the water.
Address: 1ª planta Edif. Este, Moll de Barcelona, s/n, 08039 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Drassanes
Opening Hours: Weekdays 8 am-7 pm
Viewpoints: ///deform.much.pram ///stacks.wallet.pastels
Get Lost in the Parc del Laberint d’Horta Maze
For something really different, head to Parc del Laberint d’Horta and try the garden maze! The park is great to wander around and relax, and they have the added bonus of this fun activity.
This park isn’t always free but you can enter without a charge on Sundays and Wednesday, so head along on one of those days. Parc del Laberint d’Horta is in the north of the city, in the hills, so there are several great viewpoints nearby.
Address: Passeig dels Castanyers, 1, 08035 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Mundet
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am-8 pm (April-Oct); Daily 10 am-6 pm (Nov-March)
Beat the Heat at Parc de la Creueta del Coll
In need of free things to do in Barcelona during the summer months? Head to Parc de la Creueta del Coll. This awesome park has a huge public outdoor swimming pool that’s great to beat the heat.
Address: Passeig de la Mare de Déu del Coll, 77, 08023 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Penitents/El Coll
Opening Hours: Daily 10 am-7 pm (Nov-March); Daily 10 am-9 pm (April-Oct)
See Casa Milà
Barcelona is full of Gaudí influence and architecture, as we’ve seen from other items on this list of free things to do in Barcelona. Casa Milà has a curved exterior and is really unique.
This private residence turned Gaudí themed museum can be marvelled at easily from the street.
Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Diagonal
See Casa Batlló
The sibling of Casa Milà but still a fantastic free thing to do in Barcelona, Casa Batlló is just down the road. This exterior is much more intricate and detailed, with a rooftop that resembles dragon scales.
Although you can enter Casa Batlló for a fee, the true beauty is in the exterior, which you can see for free.
Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Passeig de Gràcia
Watch the Magic Fountain Show at Montjuïc
The Plaça d’Espanya area is great to explore in itself, but almost all year round you can catch a magical fountain show at night.
As far as free things to do in Barcelona go, this is one of the most impressive! The shows last about 20 minutes (they run the same show at intervals for several hours) and are filled with music, lights and co-ordinated water jets.
Address: Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1, 08038 Barcelona
Closest Metro Stop: Espanya
Show Times (Slight Variations depending on the season): See Website
See a Roy Liechtenstein Statue in the Middle of the Street
If you’ve exhausted all the Gaudí art in Barcelona, why not check out a Roy Liechtenstein piece that’s right in the middle of the street, near the gothic quarter.
El Cap de Barcelona (The Head of Barcelona), was created by Liechtenstein for the 1992 summer olympics, and abstractly represents a woman’s face. You can definitely fit this sculpture into one of your walking tours around Barcelona, but it’s such a unique piece that it has to be included here!
That brings us to the end of this guide to the best free things to do in Barcelona. All 26 of these activities are great to do, and you can incorporate them into your Barcelona itinerary planning. Whether you’re visiting Barcelona on a student budget, or are just looking for ways to save a bit of cash, you can mix and max from any of the entries on this list and have a fantastic time!
What would you add to my list of free things to do in Barcelona? I’m always on the hunt for new spots, so let me know in the comments below!
What to Read Next:
- Barcelona Ultimate Travel Guide
- The Best Cheap Eats in Barcelona for Budget Travellers
- How to Visit Barcelona on a Budget
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I wish I’d been able to read this before I went to Barcelona! I tried visiting the Picasso Museum but didn’t realise you had to book tickets first so it was sold out.
The parks all look fantastic, will definitely have to add some to my list for next time I visit!
That seems to be the case for a lot of museums these days, at least you’ll know for next time! Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Wow, there’s plenty to do without spending much money – great list.