Friday, 12 September 2014

Barcelona on a Budget

Barcelona, Spain's second city is one of Europe's most visited cities. It is cosmopolitan, quirky and effortlessly cool, a charming mix of culture and modernity. The Catalan capital could easily be labeled the Continent's most livable and lovable city! Though not the easiest of cities for a traveler on a budget to negotiate, it is possible for the majority of Barcelona's most popular attractions to be seen without even a single euro changing hands.

Start with the famous Las Ramblas as your base. Since most of Barcelona's must visit sites are walking distance from here, you can draw up an itinerary while parked on one of the conveniently placed benches at Plaça Catalunya. Soak in flashes of Spanish life passing by in the square after you're done organizing your tour.

One of the first places to head to, is La Sagrada Familia. Work on this Roman Catholic basilica was started in 1882 and is still a work in progress. The final stone of Gaudi's unfinished work is scheduled to be laid in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death. Though it is necessary to pay to enter the Sagrada Familia, many would agree that the church's beauty is best viewed from the exterior. So find a spot that's not crowded and admire Gaudi's creation without having to pay for it.



Another one of Gaudi's masterpieces, Parc Guell, has free admittance, while a small fee is charged for the monumental area. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it takes hours to explore the natural and surreal beauty of this park. Gaudi has designed the park in such a way that it shows off Barcelona at its panoramic best from designated spots. Some museums in the city have a day every month when admission is free. Usually, the first Sunday of each month is the designated Open Day, but it is a good idea to check with our Barcelona travel guide since these days can vary.

Barcelona is a great city for free music concerts. At certain times of the year visitors will be spoilt for choice of live concerts. In September, Barcelona celebrates the weeklong La Merce festival. So if you're in town around that time, make sure you attend!. Sightseeing can be done for almost next to nothing in costs, but food and accommodation need a good accounting for in your travel budget. Here are a few tips on how to get by on a minimum amount.

Barcelona's popularity as a tourist destination means that it is sometimes difficult to find quality food at affordable prices in the city. A local favorite is Pollo Rico in Raval. This is both an affordable restaurant and a take away that caters to the hungry traveler without burning a hole in the pocket. If dining out is not an option, then a trip to the Boqueria food market on the Ramblas is a perfect solution. It will allow you to kill two birds with one stone - you'll get to visit one of Barcelona's top tourist attractions and at the same time get a reasonably priced meal of your choice.

The largest section of a travel budget is usually accommodation so it is better to stay at a hostel rather than a hotel. Apartment rentals are also very popular in Barcelona as they tend to work out cheaper than hotels. Your trip to Barcelona can be a success without making too much of a dent in the finances. All it takes is a little bit of imagination and you will manage touring the city and having a great time.

The author of this article loves to share his ideas about the visited tourist destinations around the world. In this article, he is discussing about travel to Barcelona on budget and and sharing his experience with Barcelona city guide.

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