Town Hall in Plaza Sant Jaume
Neoclassical facade & gothic interior such as the 14th century Great Hall designed by Pere Llobet. Government building closed except on special visiting days.
Views: 963
Updated: Dec 7, 2022
A guide to free attractions in Barcelona Metropolitan area.
65 things to do and see
Attractions within Barcelona Metropolitan area that are FREE to visit including parks, gardens, viewpoints, Grand Squares, Beaches and walking trails.
Views: 737
Updated: Jan 10, 2023
Description of budget FREE Barcelona Metropolitan
On this page I have listed free things to do and see in Barcelona. A lot of these activities will be based around enjoying the many parks such as the Montjuic or Parc Ciutadella areas and gardens as well as some lesser-known parks and gardens such as Tamarita gardens and 3 gardens in the Zona Universitaria area of Barcelona.
The port area of Barcelona is free to walk around in and has some wonderful old buildings such as the post office and Our lady of mercy Basilica as well as enjoying the port from Maremagnum shopping Centre. Equally a walk from up Las Ramblas from the port to Plaza Catalunya passes via La Boqueria Market and Plaza Reial. Within the City itself there are mountain top viewpoints at Parc Guell and Carmel Bunkers which is free all year round. Montjuic and Tibidabo mountains provide some excellent viewpoints of the city from the gardens of Montjuic of Tibidabo church. Behind Tibidabo is the Collserola natural Park which is a large forested hilled park with some easy walking trails.
All of the above are within transport zone 1 and viable using the T-casual ticket of 10 trips for 11.35 euros. A trip being one journey from A to B with interchanges between metro and trains included. For example, a day walking in Collserola would be two trips one to get there and one to get back, completely free if you ride to Collserola by bicycle along the caraterra de Aiguas.
Click on a photo to find out the details about each attraction, with a photo gallery, useful PDFs and other tips.
Happy Exploring!
19 Free Attractions in Medieval Barcelona centre
The downtown area is the old medieval part of the city and comprises the neighbourhoods of Bari gotico, Las Ramblas, EL born, Cuitadella and La Ribera. This part of town is great for walking around and below you will find attractions that are free to explore.
Casa de la Ardiaca Archdeacons house
Beautiful interior courtyard, exhibition space & roof terrace. Building also houses the Barcelona historical archives and is built into the Roman city walls
Views: 957
Updated: Dec 7, 2022
Arc De Triomf and Paseo Luis I Companys
Designed by Josep Vilaseca as a gateway to a promenade with wrought iron lamp posts leading to the 1888 Universal Exposition in Parc de la Ciutadella.
Views: 867
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
La Boqueria Sant Josep Food Market
The oldest and most famous food market in Barcelona located in Raval off las Ramblas. Market is surrounded by small tapas bars and restaurants.
Views: 770
Updated: Sep 16, 2021
Plaza Reial Grand square
Grand Plaza built on the site of former monastery in 1835. Known for its nightlife, restaurants and Antoni Gaudi lamp posts.
Views: 718
Updated: Sep 16, 2021
Parc Cuitadella and Waterfall Monument
Park with gold topped chariot waterfall monument, built for the 1888 Universal Exposition. Park was built on the site of huge demolished citadel fortress.
Views: 709
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
Placa Del Fossar De Les Moreres
Former Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral graveyard and burial site of the fallen from the 1714 siege of Barcelona. Today, a memorial plaza with eternal flame torch.
Views: 706
Updated: Dec 15, 2022
Barcelona Roman Wall Remains
The remains of the Roman wall run through plaza Ramon Berenguer III (horse statue) and along Carrer de la Tapineria to Plaza Dels Traginers.
Views: 705
Updated: Dec 6, 2022
Sant Caterina Market
Food market from 1848 with remodelled roof (2005) by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue. contains a small display area preserving historic ruins.
Views: 697
Updated: Dec 4, 2022
Catalan Parliament Old Citadel Buildings
Former Arsenal of the Citadel fortress, one of the few surviving citadel buildings. Not tourist attraction however it is possible to organise an interior visit.
Views: 682
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
Three Dragons Castle and Greenhouses
Cafe-restaurant by Domenech i Montaner for 1888 universal exhibition along with two green houses. Former natural sciences museum. Closed for refurbishment.
Views: 674
Updated: Sep 30, 2021
Las Ramblas and Living Statues
Tree lined pedestrian street running between Raval and Gotico neighbourhoods, from Barcelona Port to Plaza Catalunya, Known for its living statues and kiosks.
Views: 666
Updated: May 20, 2020
Former Monastery Sant Agusti
Former monastery that was taken over to make officers barracks in the citadel and now Ruins and civic centre within a courtyard with a chic cafe bar.
Views: 663
Updated: Sep 30, 2021
Sant Pere De Les Puelles Church
10th Century Romanesque Gothic Benedictine monastery. What remains today is the 11th century ground floor church.
Views: 633
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Plaza de Sant Felip Neri
Quaint secluded Gothic public square with baroque church showing bomb scars from the civil war, fountain and historic guild houses
Views: 131
Updated: Dec 8, 2022
Temple d'August Roman Forum Columns
2000 plus year old roman plinth, columns and cross members from the Augustus Temple preserved within the interior courtyard of a medieval gothic building
Views: 117
Updated: Dec 8, 2022
Porta de Mar and Roman bathhouse
MUHBA Porta de Mar free museum with an explanation about the roman wall sea gate and the Roman bathhouse
Views: 87
Updated: Dec 15, 2022
Passeig del Born Historic boulevard
Medieval street with cannon ball and chest street art surrounded by fashion boutiques and art museums. Thriving nightlife cocktail bars and restaurants
Views: 71
Updated: Dec 17, 2022
Portal del Angel Shopping Zone
Former monastic land evolved into Barcelona's centrally located, designer brands, shopping street with late opening hours
Views: 64
Updated: Dec 12, 2022
8 Free Attractions in Montjuic
Montjuic, or Jewish Mountain, is a great natural space within the city with many gardens and some Olympic venues that are free to walk around and offers great views of the city from it's hills. Montjuic cemetery is also free to visit and worth the effort to see the historic tombs and funeral carriages museum.
Historic Funeral Carriages museum Montjuic Cemetery
Public display of funeral carriages. Museum dates from 1970, moved in 2012 to its current building, located within the grounds of Montjuic Historic Cemetery.
Views: 884
Updated: Sep 19, 2021
Montjuic Gardens
Scenic romantic gardens with multiple city viewpoints. Early Gardens built for 1929 International Exposition with more recent gardens for 1992 Olympics.
Views: 842
Updated: Sep 18, 2021
Magic Fountains Venetian Towers and Fira 1
Magic Fountain by Carles Buigas. Venetian towers modelled on the campanile of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Exhibition halls. All built for 1929 International exhibition.
Views: 757
Updated: Jan 2, 2023
Historic Sensorial Botanical Garden
A small garden nestled in the hollows of two disused quarry pits situated on the shady side of Montjuic behind MNAC.
Views: 757
Updated: Sep 20, 2021
Palau Sant Jordi
By Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and opened in 1990 for the 1992 Olympics as the largest indoor arena in Spain. Today it is predominantly a live concert venue.
Views: 731
Updated: Sep 20, 2021
Montjuic Cactus Garden
The Mossen Costa i Llobera Gardens offer a spectacular panoramic view of the city's coastline and port. The garden specialises in low water consumption succulent plants.
Views: 723
Updated: Sep 20, 2021
Montjuic Olympic Stadium
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys built by architect Pere Domenech i Roura for the 1929 world Exhibition and extensively remodelled for the 1992 Olympics.
Views: 718
Updated: Sep 19, 2021
Teatre Grec
Former quarry converted for 1929 International Exhibition by Ramon Reventos. Used for plays and dance by Festival Grec de Barcelona in summer. Space for yoga classes.
Views: 714
Updated: Sep 20, 2021
15 Free Attractions in Barcelona neighbourhoods
Barcelona has several neighbourhoods with interesting parks and gardens as well as buildings of historical interest that are free to enter and explore. This sections covers the non downtown/central attractions, that can be sought out in La Eixampla, Gracia, Horta, Sants, Les Corts,Pedralbes, Sant Gervasi ,Forum, Besos and Poble Nou.
Port Forum and Parc Litoral
A 1992 Olympic port with secret beach nearby that has views of the futuristic power plant behind.
Views: 994
Updated: Jan 4, 2021
Parc Joan Miro
Modern Park with children's play area, public library and sculptures that was founded in 1979 on the site of the city's former municipal slaughterhouse.
Views: 801
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
La Modelo Former Prison
Former prison Opened in 1904 and closed 2017 that was used for political prisoners during the era of Franco is now a museum.
Views: 792
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
Barcelona Arenas Shopping Centre
Bull fighting arena 1900 to 1977, Closed 2000 - 2011 for remodelling to convert it to shopping complex. 360 degree panoramic viewpoint roof terrace.
Views: 776
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
Sants Food Market
Mercado de Sants is a beautiful, recently refurbished, large, modernist, brick, cathedral like, food market dating from 1913.
Views: 774
Updated: Oct 13, 2021
Carmel Bunkers
Spectacular viewpoint and night hangout that has the ruins of an anti-aerial bombardment gun battery from the civil war.
Views: 755
Updated: Sep 16, 2021
Parc De Cervantes Rose Garden
Public rose garden with over 2000 flowering rose bushes and 27 spiecies of trees. Best time to visit is May to July when Roses are in full flower.
Views: 745
Updated: Oct 13, 2021
Plaza Virreina Barcelona
Lively plaza with bars and restaurants. Central is the Sant Joan Baptista Romanesque church dating from 1884.
Views: 726
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
Avenida Antonio Gaudi
Pedestrian street linking La Sagrada Familia with Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau and decorate with ornate wrought iron lamposts designed by Pere Falques.
Views: 691
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
Placa Vila De Gracia Barcelona
Lively plaza with bars and restaurants. Central is a 33-metre bell tower, built by Antoni Rovira i Trias in 1864. Blue facade town hall by Francesc Berenguer in 1904.
Views: 683
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
Avenida Tibidabo
Avenue from Plaza John F Kennedy to foot of the Collserola hills that has many former grand modernist houses. Most are converted to private medical clinics.
Views: 681
Updated: Oct 3, 2021
Pedralbes Gardens
French and English styled majestic Gardens of former royal palace with fountains, ponds, tree lined boulevards, statues and sculptures.
Views: 664
Updated: Oct 13, 2021
Tamarita Gardens
Former manor gardens of wealthy cotton merchant abandoned after the civil war. Opened to public 1995. Features are the ponds, fountains and marble statues.
Views: 657
Updated: Oct 3, 2021
Sant Gervasi I Bonanova Church
1962 Modern church (Architect Josep Danes Torras and later Joaquim Porqueras Baneres) In the style of a roman temple with incredible ceiling and arches.
Views: 657
Updated: Oct 3, 2021
Maternitat Gardens
The gardens are a space for enjoying the tranquil ambience of a health-care complex built at the end of the 19th century.
Views: 566
Updated: Oct 13, 2021
12 Free Attractions in Barcelona port and Beaches
The port area of Barcelona is free to walk around in and has some wonderful old buildings such as the post office and Our lady of mercy Basilica as well as enjoying the port from Maremagnum shopping Centre. Barcelona beaches are also free to visit.
Additionally there is a nature reserve wetland park in El prat de llobregat. Castelldefels beach is also free and accessible using a T-casual Zone 1 ticket.
Delta Llobregat Park to Prat Beach
Barcelona Airport, El prat, is surrounded by a wetland nature reserve. Starting in the town and ending at the beach walking or cycling via the nature reserve.
Views: 1k
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Forest Of Fairies Bar Barcelona
The Fairies enchanted Forest decorated theme bar that serves tapas and drinks.
Views: 906
Updated: Sep 22, 2021
Castelldefels Beach Town
20 mins train from Barcelona with wide sandy beaches and seafront restaurants. Does not suffer the pickpocketing and bag theft issues of the Barcelona Beaches.
Views: 822
Updated: Jul 14, 2022
Correos Post Office Barcelona
Barcelona's main telegraph office designed by Josep Goday i Casals and Jaume Torres i Grauin 1927. Today, a post office with spectacular main customer hall.
Views: 820
Updated: Jun 1, 2022
Barceloneta Beaches
Notable for W Hotel, Sant Miquel and Barceloneta Beach, numerous beach bars (chiringuitos). These beaches suffer from pickpockets and bag thieves.
Views: 763
Updated: Jun 9, 2022
Maremagnum Shopping Centre
Unique shopping centre opened in 1995, built in the middle of and under jurisdiction of the port of Barcelona allows for Sunday openings of the shops.
Views: 731
Updated: Sep 22, 2021
Sant Miquel Del Port Church
1755 Church in fisherman's village of Barceloneta. Built under the orders of Jaime Miguel de Guzman Davalos y Spinola, 2nd marques of mines and capital.
Views: 691
Updated: Jun 1, 2022
Franca Railway Station Barcelona
Rebuilt for 1929 International Exhibition by architect Pedro Muguruza with grand concourse. Last remaining Mainline surface railway station in Barcelona.
Views: 689
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
Our Lady Of Mercy Basilica Barcelona
Baroque-style basilica built 1775 by architect Josep Mas i Dordal. Visits inside are free and the church is highly decorated. Guided visits also on Saturdays.
Views: 674
Updated: Sep 22, 2021
Parc de la Barceloneta former gas factory
Barceloneta beach front park that was till 1989 a gas production factory and contains decorative water tower as well as the gas storage tank remains.
Views: 321
Updated: Jun 9, 2022
Port Olympic Marina, Hotel Arts and Tore Mapfre
Built for sailing events of 1992 Olympics with views of hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre, sailing school and boat rental. No longer night club zone.
Views: 248
Updated: Jun 10, 2022
Hotel W Barceloneta and Sant Sebastian Beach
Hotel W is a large, five stars, sail shaped hotel, built on reclaimed land in the Barcelona port and in front of Sant Sebastian beach. completed in 2009.
Views: 231
Updated: Jun 9, 2022
10 Free Attractions in Tibidabo & Parc Collserola
Tibidabo is a summit of the Serra colserolla overlooking Barcelona with a basilica, theme park, observatory and great views. It is accessible using the T.casual zone 1 ticket. Surrounding Tibidabo is the Collserola natural park which is a great forested natural space for walking, cycling and running. Below you can find my routes for collserola park.
Tibidabo via forest path and Observatory
EASY 3.44Km forestal path route from Barcelona FGC Av. Tibidabo to Tibidabo Church, viewpoint and parc de atraciones via Observatori Fabra.
Views: 1.2k
Updated: Sep 17, 2021
FGC Funicular Vallvidrera and Tibidabo Bus
1906 mountain railway from lower station at Peu del Funicular to Vallvidrera village near Tibidabo which is reachable via short 10 min bus ride or 30 min walk.
Views: 1.1k
Updated: Sep 17, 2021
Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol
beautiful 12km EASY walking route in the collserola natural park following the vallvidrera river via sheltered forest trail with waterfalls and variety of trees and wild flowers.
Views: 1.1k
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Sant Cugat Monastery and Wine Cellar
Former walled monastery, now and church. The wine co-operative was founded in 1921 by 50 local wine makers as a place to process the grapes.
Views: 1k
Updated: Dec 28, 2022
Collserola Caraterra de Aiguas walk or Cycle
A great walking, running and cycling route in the collserola foothills with spectacular views of Barcelona city. Accessible from multiple points in Barcelona City.
Views: 881
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Sant Pere de Martir to Valvidrera Reservoir
Easy 7km walking route in Parc collserola to Sant Pere de Martir telecoms tower and along ridge with views of Barcelona terminating at Vallvidrera reservoir.
Views: 876
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Abandoned Rabassada Hotel and Casino
Abandoned since 1930, ruins of Hotel (1901) and casino (1911) that was a playground for the wealthy of Barcelona until Gambling was banned in 1912.
Views: 875
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Vila Joana in Parc Collserola
Farmhouse, later summer home of writer Jacint Verdaguer till his death in 1902, then a school 1921 - 1973. Now it is a Museum about Jacint Verdaguer.
Views: 859
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Sant Feliu Abandoned Cement Factory
Easy 14km walking route from Renfe Sant Feliu de Llobregat to Moulins de Rei via an abandoned cement factory and mine complex in Parc Natural de Collserola.
Views: 818
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
Sacred Heart Of Jesus Temple Tibidabo
Modern Minor Basilica with Romanesque fortress crypt from 1911 and neo-Gothic Main church from 1951. viewpoint at the base of the Crowning Jesus statue.
Views: 813
Updated: Sep 16, 2021
Thanks for reading about A guide to free attractions in Barcelona Metropolitan area.
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