Barcelona is a fantastic city with so many things to see and do. It has a range of major attractions – like La Sagrada Familia – but many of these will have you spending a small fortune. Luckily for you guys(!), I’ve put together a list of free things to do in Barcelona. For further reading, check out these narrative stories about the city.

1.    Enjoy the ‘Festival’ on La Rambla

La Rambla, the most famous strip in Barcelona is a thriving hub of activity at any time of day or night. Along the central pavement, artists set up shop, creating a very unique (and free) exhibition for passersby. The artworks are diverse, offering vibrant depictions of the city to sketchy caricatures and everything in between.

As well as a fine set of artistic talent, you will also find numerous street performers trying to attract an audience. The majority of these are mimes of some sort, holding positions that I thought were humanly impossible to make, let alone remain still in for an extended period of time.

A personal favourite of mine was a suspicious looking guy dressed up in a gold goblin-esque outfit, complete with long, gnarled fingers and an elaborate set of wings. His aim was to lure the audience over to him, enrapture them with his raspy voice and then, without warning, scare the crap out of them.

I did get the chance to see one performer setting up – you know the ones that look like they’re hovering in mid-air, but in fact have a seat threaded through their trousers? I’m guessing he wasn’t too pleased that he drew such a large audience whilst he was giving away his secret.

Tip: Keep an eye on your bags along La Rambla at all times as this is a prime location for pickpockets. I didn’t get any photos of this street because I didn’t want to get my camera out. Am I regretting it now? I guess so.

2.    Hit the Beach

Barcelona has a particular draw for tourists because it has the best of both worlds; it is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that lies on the shore. If you’re looking for a relaxing day (perhaps you had a heavy one the night before) and the weather is good, why not head to the beach?

I’m sure many people will be thinking, why go to the beach when there’s so much to do in the city? Well, sometimes you need some time out. Plus, it’s another free thing to do in Barcelona! Who doesn’t like free? Just don’t make the mistake I did and opt for a sun lounger and umbrella. These aren’t free. In fact, they’re pretty pricey at 6 Euros apiece.

Tip: Try to ignore the guy shouting ‘Mojito, cerveza, agua, beer’ every thirty seconds. I let it get to me too much and it ruined my relaxing afternoon. When you’re hungover, you don’t want to be woken up to someone shouting about alcohol.

3.    Get Lost in the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter was (and is) my favourite part of Barcelona, and I spent most of my time there lost in this unique part of town. But hey, it’s free and there are lots of things to see, so who’s complaining?

Every twist and turn introduces a new photo moment, and the architecture is some of the best I have ever seen; Gothic bridges cross over narrow alleyways, cathedrals rise up out of nowhere, and you never know when you’re going to stumble out into another square home to a musical act making the most of the acoustics.

The highlights for me were the quirky courtyards that emerged every now and again. One simply featured an ornate fountain crawling with lush greenery and a stone staircase leading up to a balcony that offered views over the winding alleyways below. Another displayed the work of Frederic Mares, a sculptor who created cartoon-style busts from iron. If you look hard enough and for long enough, you are bound to find some of the numerous hidden gems dotted around this area.

Tip: Ditch the map and truly get lost. If something looks interesting down an alleyway to the left, go and check it out! Remember to look up as well, as a lot of the intricate architectural design is happening above our heads.

4.  Capture the Views at Parc Guell

My time in Barcelona changed my opinion of Antoni Gaudi, the architect behind the famous La Sagrada Familia. So, after visiting his famous masterpiece, I couldn’t wait to head to Parc Guell. I will warn you now, the climb to this magnificent hilltop ‘gallery’ isn’t easy; escalators are installed to help you out but, for the most part, I’m pretty sure the hill is vertical and requires a lot of calf-work!

Once you get to the top though, there will be ample opportunity for you to catch your breath as you admire the stunning views of Barcelona – La Sagrada Familia looks like a toy version of itself from the hill top and the city seems to dramatically disappear into the sea.

Take your time to wander around and discover all that the park has to offer; there are numerous exotic plant species, hidden flower-covered passages, and the odd band playing authentic Spanish music.

The bottom of the park is where the architectural magnificence lies (edit on 16/1/2015: Visitors are now charged to enter this part of the Park – the rest is still free, though); the famous curved walkway that visitors stop to marvel at, an outdoor ‘room’ filled with tall pillars that reach up to a highly decorated ceiling, and the amazing Hansel-and-Gretel-like houses that border the exit to the park.

Tip: Head to the park at sunset. I actually didn’t do this – I went around midday when it was very busy, but I have been told by numerous people that the views are particularly spectacular at sunset.  

5.    People Watch

People watching is one of my favourite things to do. Anywhere. The hustle and bustle of Barcelona life is fascinating so grab yourself a café con leche or your (caffeine) weapon of choice, pull up and chair, and watch the world around you unfold.

Often, if you’re in a large, cosmopolitan city, everything can seem overwhelming: Where shall I go next? I don’t have enough time! So, it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the moment and Barcelona is the perfect place to indulge.

Tip: Head into the Gothic Quarter or somewhere not so touristy to enjoy snippets of local life.

Can you add anything to the list?