I've heard and read good things about Barcelona. When I got my Schengen visa, I was finally able to visit this vibrant city in Spain.
I included Barcelona in my European trip itinerary. I hope this guide helps you plan your trip.
Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Barcelona
Barcelona is Catalonia's vibrant and beautiful capital. The city is full of culturial, historic and fun things to do and see. It has a mix of old and new architecture, exemplified by Antonio Gaudi. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes where visitors can eat, drink and be merry. There are also museums for those who want to learn more about the city or view art. I was only in Barcelona for four days, I felt like I just scratched the surface. I'd love to go back some time in the future.
Getting a Visa
Spain is part of the Schengen zone, which means getting a visa for one of the countries in it allows you to enter all of the member countries. I got my visa from the Austrian Embassy in Manila.
Here's a link to my post for more details: how to get a Schengen visa for Filipinos
Things to Do and Places to See
These are just some of the attractions and things you can do when you start planning your budget and itinerary for Barcelona.
Sagrada Familia
Entrance fee: €26 (includes audio guide)
How to go: The closest subway station is the Sagrada Familia, it's along Metro L2 and L5.
You can book tickets here: https://sagradafamilia.org/en/tickets
***It is possible to enter the Sagrade for free, if you happen to be there during an international mass on Sundays.
La Pedrera (Casa Mila)
Visitors can see Gaudi's architectural influence in various parts of the city. One of his works include La Pedrera or Casa Mila. Its name means "stone quarry". The curves and rounded shapes of the building and its windows stay true to Gaudi's style. You can also visit the Fundacio Catalunya when you enter Casa Mila. This building is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Entrance fee: €25 for adults (there is a discount for children)
How to go: The nearest subway station is Diagonal along lines 3 and 5.
You can book tickets here: https://www.lapedrera.com/en/visits
Parc Guell
Gaudi has a handful of UNESCO Heritage Sites in Barcelona, one of them is Parc Guell. The park was constructed somewhere between 1900-1914. It has sprawling gardens and structures that follow the usual architectural style of Gaudi. There are trails leading to various view points of the city. You can get an overlooking view of the Sagrada Familia from one of the view points.
Entrance fee: €10 for adults
How to go: The nearest subway station is Lesseps or Vallcarca along green line 3. From the station, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the park.
Casa Batllo
Casa Batllo is another Gaudi architecural wonder you'll see in Barcelona. This UNESCO-listed modernist building has wavy shapes and an elaborate facade. Gaudi designed this building for Josep Batllo i Casanovas.
Entrance fee: €35 for adults
How to go: The nearest metro station is Passeig de Gracia station. It's along lines 2, 3 and 4.
Gothic Quarter
How to go: The nearest subway station is Liceu along line 3.
Palau de la Música Catalana
This UNESCO-listed establishment was constructed between 1905-1908. It has a concert hall where regular performances are still held.
Entrance fee: €14 for the self-guided tour with audio guide. The building has a striking and beautiful exterior. A guided tour costs €18.
How to go: The closest subway station is Urquinaona along lines 1 and 4. The building is a few minutes walk once you get out of the station.
Palau Guell
This Art Noveau building was one of the first creations of Gaudi when he was just starting out. Eusebi Guell commissioned Gaudi to make him a palace. He wanted an extension of his family's home located in La Rambla. This destination is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Entrance fee: €12 (there are discounts if you meet the criteria)
How to go: The nearest subway station is Liceu along line 3. You have to walk for a few minutes to reach this attraction.
La Rambla
This walking street is one of the city's social hubs. It's lined with beautiful buildings, cafes, restaurants, fast food chains and shops.
How to go: The closest subway station is Universitat along lines 1 and 2.
La Barceloneta
How to go: The nearest subway station is Barceloneta along line 4.
Barcelona Cathedral
Entrance fee: €9
How to go: The closest subway station is Jaume I along line 4.
Placa de Catalunya
This popular square is always teeming with people. This comes as no surprise because of the many restaurants, cafes, fast food chains, and shops near or just a few minutes walk from it. This square links the old part of the city with Eixample.
How to go: One of the nearest subway stations is Universitat along lines 1 and 2. You can also walk to it from Urquinaona station along lines 1 and 4.
Eat and Drink!
Paella |
Croquetas |
Churros |
Barcelona is a foody city. There's plenty of good food from hole-in-the-wall restaurants to kiosks to more renowned establishments. I tried the croquetas, empanadas, jamon, paella and others during my trip.
Some other food you should try include:
- Pamtomaquet
- Patatas Bravas
- Bombas
- Fideua
Other destinations you might also want to check out include:
- Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes
- Montjuïc
- The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
- Camp Nou
- La Boqueria
Barcelona is a beautiful city with an eclectic mix of old and new.
I enjoyed walking around aimlessly in the city. I saw remnants of its past mixed with modern buildings and shopping centers. I also loved the laid back vibe of the city. I'll consider going back for sure.
Tours you might be interested in:
Getting Around Barcelona
The city provides visitors with plenty of options on how to get around. There are buses, trams, trains, bike rentals, and taxis. It's also easy to walk around the city and explore it by cluster of attractions. My public transportation of choice is the subway. It's convenient and stations are often near or within walking distance of places of interest. There are public transportation passes for 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. A 24 hours pass costs €10.50 and a 48 hours pass costs €16.40. If you've already checked out of your accommodation but still want to explore the city, you might want to consider storing your things at Nannybag Barcelona luggage storage. The latter allows you to visit more places without worrying about your bags.
Where to Stay in Barcelona
You have plenty of accommodation options from budget to luxury when you plan your budget and itinerary for Barcelona. I stayed in a hostel so that I could save some money during my trip.
Budget
Free Hostels Barcelona: Rates and Availability
TOC Hostel Barcelona: Rates and Availability
Hostel St Christophers Barcelona: Rates and Availability
Casa Gracia Barcelona Hostel: Rates and Availability
Yeah Barcelona Hostel: Rates and Availability
You can also look for more budget backpacker accommodations here: Hostelworld.
Hostelworld is a website I often used whenever I look for affordable dorm accommodations wherever I go.
Mid-Price
easyHotel Barcelona Fira: Rates and Availability
Hostal Fernando: Rates and Availability
U232 Hotel: Rates and Availability
Hostal Live Barcelona: Rates and Availability
Hotel Catalunya: Rates and Availability
You can also look for more accommodation options here:
How to Go to Barcelona
By Air
There are several airlines that travel to and from Barcelona directly or with at least one stop. Low cost airlines such as Ryanair have flights to Barcelona from various cities around Europe. I flew with Wizz Air from Budapest directly, so there's that option as well. You can do a quick search on Skyscanner or whatever website or App you use to look for cheap flights.
Once at the airport, you can take the metro. The walk to the station is quite far but manageable. Metro Line L9 Sud from the airport goes to different parts of the city. A single ticket costs €5.15.
You can also take AEROBUS, fare costs €5.90.
Alternatively, you can arrange a private transfer to the city. Book here: Barcelona airport transfer

By Land
It's also easy to travel into Barcelona from other countries in Europe by car, train or bus.
You can look for bus tickets here: https://www.flixbus.com/
You can look for train tickets here: https://www.renfe.com/es/en
Budget for Barcelona
This expenses list may help you plan your budget and itinerary for Barcelona.
Everything's in Euros (€):
47.85 - 3 nights in Free Hostels Barcelona
69.16 - Food and drinks
10.50 - 24 hours transportation pass
16.40 - 48 hours transportation pass
26 - Entrance fee for Sagrada Familia
10 - Entrance fee for Parc Guell
7 - Miscellaneous (tips, souvenirs, etc.)
186.91 - 4 days and 3 nights
I took it slow in Barcelona and didn't do anymore day trips out of the city. The city itself is nice and beautiful with plenty to do. The Catalans are laid back; things like breakfast, lunch and dinner start later than usual. Everybody seems so easy going. You will spend more or less depending on the places you visit and the things you do, and other things such as where you eat and stay. The expenses list above mostly shows essential costs. I visited during winter so the prices might change depending on the season you visit.
***Spain was part of a longer trip around Europe that included Hungary, Austria, Croatia, and Ukraine.
You can check out my other posts about Europe:
- Budget and itinerary for Budapest
- Budget and itinerary for Paris
- Budget and itinerary for Vienna
- Budget and itinerary for Dubrovnik
- Budget and itinerary for Florence
- Budget and itinerary for Split
- Budget and itinerary for Prague
Itinerary for Bacelona
This is a sample Barcelona itinerary if you're planning a visit:
Day 1
Sagrada Familia
Casa Batllo
Palau Guell
La Pedrera
Day 2
Barcelona Cathedral
Gothic Quarter
Placa de Catalunya
Palau de la Música Catalana
La Rambla
Day 3
Parc Guell
La Barceloneta
Day 4
Camp Nou
Montjuic
You could easily keep going back to the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla whenever you end your days because that's where you'll find most places to eat and drink. You could also do a lot in one day or spread each place to visit in more days. You can also add or remove some places, this is just a sample anyway. It's a matter of what you're interested in once you're in Barcelona.
"Absolutely loved your latest post, Juan! Your travel insights and vivid descriptions truly bring each destination to life. Keep up the amazing work!"
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Greatest sharing, and also I visited the Barcelona. It is the best City in Spain. It is very famous for its history, outdoor activities, attractions, culture, and other more things. Anyway, my friend go to explore boston new years eve.
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