Here are the 50 best free things to do in Barcelona today

No, we’re not talking about La Boquería or Sant Antoni (though those are worth a visit too). We’re talking about flea markets like the Flea Market or On The Garage—markets featuring a variety of goods (secondhand, designer, or whatever’s in season that weekend)—where simply visiting is fun and inspiring.

Yes. It’s possible to marvel at Güell without paying a thing—but there’s a catch. Visiting the park is completely free if you’re a registered resident of Barcelona. The process is straightforward: visit the park’s website, fill out the form with your information, and… that’s it—a Passi Verd is generated, allowing you to enter the park at no cost. But be careful: it’s only valid on the same day you submit your request. And don’t forget your ID—they’ll ask for it at the entrance.

Barcelona’s museums are free during the Nit dels Museus, on Sunday afternoons, and during the Open House days for La Mercè or Santa Eulàlia…. There are no excuses. Find your exhibition, pick your day, and go explore the galleries.

This would be a self-guided tour. Barcelona is full of passageways you may not have noticed before, but which make up some of the city’s most beautiful and interesting spots. Seek them out and take a tour of Barcelona’s historic passageways (some of which look just like those in famous movies) without spending a single euro.

This system has been around for quite some time now, and it might remind you a bit of free tours, but this time, it’s the Catalan theater version at its finest. The audience attends the play without paying for a ticket, and it’s only after the show ends that each audience member goes to the box office to pay whatever they want—or, if they choose, to pay nothing at all. This system is known internationally as “pay what you want” (PWYW) and, although it doesn’t apply to the city’s large commercial theaters, it’s still very much alive on the alternative scene.

While it’s true that this only happens in the summer and on certain days, it’s a fantastic option for spending an unusual evening at the beach. Movies between the sand and the saltwater, movies in the mountains, movies in the squares… Barcelona is filled with outdoor movie screenings in the summer—the best culture, in the best setting, and clearly at the best price.

Everyone knows that Collserola and Montjuïc offer spectacular viewpoints. But there are more—many more. Whether by the sea or right in the heart of the city, you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Barcelona from many different angles—and always for free.

This is also a seasonal event—and an absolute must.If you’re in Barcelona during the third week of August, you have to wander through every single street in the Gràcia neighborhood. No exceptions. Getting there is free, strolling around and checking out the decorations is free, and the concerts, of course, are free too. You’ll only have to pay for the mojitos you decide to have along the way.

And if not, head to any of the other neighborhood festivals in the city— each one more fun and authentic than the last. “Bicycles are for summer,” as the book said, and “summer is for the big festivals,” as we say.

We’re not responsible for the legality or illegality of this plan. The only thing we can assure you is that it’s free, and a little adrenaline never hurt anyone. The most important thing is to be careful, don’t touch anything, and leave the premises exactly as you found them. That said, will you dare to explore all these buildings? Here’s a list in case you don’t know where to start.

No, we’re not talking about these churros. One Sunday afternoon a month, Sala Apolo hosts one of the most fun parties you can enjoy in Barcelona. Admission is also free if you arrive early (with a surprise mid-afternoon).

Something as old-fashioned as trading trading cards still takes place every Sunday morning around the Sant Antoni Market. It’s a gathering with the feel of a bygone era that lets us do something as analog as picking up paper cards and trading them (without any money changing hands) for others. If you don’t even want to buy the cards you like, you can simply go to look around—it’s worth it either way.

Barcelona has many parks. A picnic in one of them—such as Ciutadella Park—is a perfect choice if the day has dawned sunny and there’s a nice breeze blowing through the city.

Perhaps the most charming place in Barcelona—if you’ll pardon the redundancy.Its old location, so authentic, is starting to fade into obscurity, but the new one does the market justice, and the truth is that the experience of peering through the main entrance into the pit where  a thousand and one things are sold in no apparent order or reason remains one of the most delightful sights to be seen in Barcelona.

Stumblingupon —whether by accident or on purpose—the Roman columns of the Temple of Augustus while walking through the alleys of the Gothic Quarter is an indescribable feeling. No one would expect to find columns of that size in a space like this, and above all, no one would guess that the pillars standing before them are nearly two thousand years old.

You’ll probably have to dodge Japanese, American, and French tourists to see it. Even though it’s a tourist trap, you have to enjoy the water and light show that takes place every day at the Montjuïc Fountain.

Its name could be translated almost literally as “running fires.” The correfocs are a Catalan tradition with hints of medieval paganism, in which “devils” take to the streets carrying flames, fires, and firecrackers while we mortals run and dance in front of them.

Virtually every major summer (and winter) festival has its own correfoc, and there’s nothing more quintessentially Barcelonian than tying a scarf around your head to protect your hair from the flames and jumping up to dance in front of the devils.

Go grab a beer—well, let someone buy you one, so it’s truly free—at Plaça del Sol on a Friday, sitting on the ground in the square or on the steps surrounding it, among young Barcelonans welcoming the weekend— , a citymust-do.

During the Mercè festivities, it’s a must to attend one of the free concerts organized by Barcelona Acció Musical, the music festival within the Mercè festivities most significant and best-curated.

Okay, this isn’t entirely free, but there’s something to it, and we can alwaystry again to get a freeone. That’s why,in this article, we’ve put together a list of bars in Barcelona where, with one drink, you get a free tapa. 

This music association organizesfree open swing dance sessions quite frequently (check out their calendar here) . Swing may not be as trendy in Barcelona as it was a few years ago, but watching the progress of experienced couples is still a pleasure.

The Barcelona Center for Contemporary Culture (CCCB ) frequently organizes series of events that are free to attend. There are talks and screenings—such as those at the Serielizados Fest—that are a real treat. You just have to keep an eye out.

On Thursday afternoons (starting at 4:00 p.m.), admission to the Picasso Museum is free. So don’t say culture is expensive. Just make sure to plan ahead: you must reserve your pass on their website several days in advance—spots fill up fast, and the virtual lines are so long you’d need a telescope to see the end.

It’s free—but exclusive. Or rather, it’s not really free, since you’ve already paid for it through your banking account—but the point is, if you didn’t know, Caixa customers have free access to CaixaFórum or Cosmocaixa. They usually have fascinating exhibitions.

Discover hidden spots that don’t appear in tourist guides, like the ones we mentioned in this article—whether outdoors, underground, or high above the city. Don’t miss it, and don’t go telling everyone about it…

Visit Barcelona’s cathedral (and shoo away the geese). Or Santa Maria del Mar, or the Church of El Pi. Barcelona’s churches are far from a secret, but they’re undoubtedly some of the most beautiful places you can visit without spending a dime (or even saying a little prayer to ask for one).

Take a stroll through Plaça de Sant Felip Neri , mindful of its history,respecting the children from Sant Felip Neri School who use the square as their playground, and visiting during off-peak hours to avoid the crowds.

Here’s a secret: the best time to visit the square is very early—at dawn or first thing in the morning—when the square is quiet, the light is just beginning to filter in, and all you can hear is the cooing of pigeons echoing off its walls.

Visiting the Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens, considered one of the ten best gardens in the world, is definitely an option.

But Barcelona is also home to a host of spectacular parks that are worth spending several days exploring.A few examples?Parc de la Ciutadella, Laribal, Maragall…. Take your time—there’s enough to keep you busy for several days.

Obviously, take a dip in the Mediterranean (even if it’s among balloons, condoms, tampons, and other plastic items). And enjoy the beach—its sunrises, its sunsets, its colorful characters… In short, remember that having a city by the sea is a privilege.

Go to a nightclub and fail at twerking? Nah, better to watch a sardana and give it a try in Plaça Sant Jaume or at the Cathedral. We recommend watching a video to practice the steps first.

Although Poblenou is now the hipster and creative neighborhood, the street that has historically had the most art galleries is Enric Granados.

The Marlborough, the N2… Granados remains the art mecca of Barcelona, and there are also plenty of options for grabbing a bite to eat

Visit one of the world’s few Masonic libraries,the Arús Public Library— a true treasure in the heart of the city where you can feel like a member of a secret society. General admission to the reading room is free, though if you’re looking for a guided cultural tour, there is a fee.

Take a Free Tour. Two things to keep in mind. First, set aside your preconceptions: just because it’s aimed at tourists doesn’t mean you can’t learn about your own city. Second, just because it’s free doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay. It’s only proper to be grateful. And you surely don’t want anyone to think you’re ungrateful.

Literally get lost in the Horta Labyrinth, and when you find your way out, take a stroll through the romantic gardens that surround it and through the Palace of the Marquis of Alfarràs, one of the city’s gems that is now set to be renovated. Admission is free on Wednesdays and Sundays; on other days, there’s a nominal fee of just over €2.

Considered one of the city’s most romantic gardens, getting lost in it makes even losing your way feel romantic. Whether you’re in the Horta Labyrinth or the stately Tamarita Gardens, all you have to do is bring your own drinks from home, and you’ve got a free outing all set.

Sometimes we forget that Collserola, no matter how close it is to the city, is a full-fledged mountain range, crisscrossed by countless hiking trails that practically beg you to grab your backpack, water bottle, and sandwich, set out on a hike, enjoy nature, and discover some of the secrets it hides.

A library that lends out plant seeds, a wine bar, donkeys… choose your own adventure.

One of Spain’s most important theater festivals takes place in Barcelona during the month of August. And although most shows require a ticket, there are a few that are free, spread out across different venues throughout the city. The performing arts are more accessible than ever in the summer—enjoy them!

In Pedralbes, where the city of Barcelona meets Collserola, lies a hidden architectural gem that many are unaware of because they forget that Barcelona boasts beautiful medieval architecture far beyond the Gothic Quarter.

It is the Monastery of Pedralbes, a monastery built 700 years ago by Elisenda Montcada, then Queen of the Crown of Aragon, which the Poor Clares have inhabited for nearly a thousand years. Since 1983, it has been a public space open to visitors, and starting this summer, admission is free at sunset. So don’t miss it: on Sundays starting at 3 p.m., admission is free.

One of its attractions, beyond the building itself, is the medieval garden, which the monks have been tending for several years now, striving to grow the same varieties of vegetables and medicinal plants that were cultivated in this very garden when it was first created more than five centuries ago.

The very definition of grassroots fun: accessible, easy, open to all… We’ve mentioned the Gràcia Festival, but you also shouldn’t miss the festivals in Sants, Poblenou, the Raval, orthe neighboring districts of Barcelona.

Take a tour to see all the cans hanging on walls throughout Barcelona. One of the many ephemeral works of art hidden around the city.

And while at Tibidabo we climb up to the sky to look down at the ground, at the CCCB we do exactly the opposite and look up at the sky to see the city center—the lowest part of the city— reflected there. A truly secret viewpoint that not everyone knows about. Just keep in mind that it’s not open every day: you can only go up on the first Sunday of each month and during special open house events.

The Pedralbes Palace is a building situated in the midst of extensive gardens in the Les Corts district of Barcelona and is now the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean. From 1919 to 1931, it served as the residence of the Spanish Royal Family during their visits to the city. Strolling through the outdoor grounds and gardens is completely free for both members of the royal family and the general public.

Taking a tour of the old Modelo Prison is also a great option —especially if you’re planning to see the Romani chapel located there. The guided tours that reveal what life was likein this unusual urban prison are straight out of a movie.

Take a walk through the Montjuïc Cemetery…if you dare. You’ll find the graves of famous guerrilla fighters, incredible views of the city, and a curious museum of hearse carriages.

We know this isn’t exactly a free activity in Barcelona, but we’re including it for a reason. These stores are like museums, featuring handmade pieces, prints, and artwork worthy of any museum.

Strolling around and discovering what these shops have to offer can be an (almost) free activity. If you end up treating yourself to something, we’re not responsible.

Yes, free. And you don’t have to be named Jorge and be Saint George, nor do you have to win tickets in a raffle. Here’s a little-known fact: on Sundays, the 9 a.m. Mass is free until capacity is reached, so get up early and enjoy—thank God—the city’s most famous church.

As a modern city and the capital of Modernism, Barcelona is well worth a visit on the first Sunday of every month between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Santa Pau.

Or take a trip back in time at the Fira Modernista de Barcelona, where locals dress up as Gaudí’s contemporaries.

Or follow the route of the Modernist plaques… In short, there’s no shortage of ways to feel like a true Gaudí enthusiast.

Take a tour of Poblenou to get a good look at the graffiti. Or head straight to one of the Barcelona graffiti tours we’ve already told you about.

In June, the Gran Teatre del Liceu moves to Bogatell Beach to offer free classical music concerts open to everyone. The audience will settle on the sand around a stage, so we recommend bringing a folding chair and a large, comfortable towel to make the most of the concerts and avoid ending up with a sore back.

Simply take a stroll and enjoy the whole city: its cobblestone streets, its sidewalks, and its building facades. And to make it even easier for you, here are some walks that will introduce you to other sides of Barcelona.