Plaça Reial Grand square with Gaudí Lamp posts
Grand Plaza built on the site of former monastery in 1835. Known for its nightlife, restaurants & Antoni Gaudí lampposts. Nearby attractions & area map
Views: 918
A guide to free attractions in Barcelona Metropolitan area.
65 things to see and do
Attractions within Barcelona Metropolitan area that are FREE to visit including parks, gardens, viewpoints, Grand Squares, Beaches and walking trails.
Description of distance of 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!
21 FREE things to do and see in downtown Barcelona medieval centre
Views: 918
Las Ramblas & Living Statues
Tree lined pedestrian street running between Raval & Gòtic neighbourhoods, from Barcelona Port to Plaza Catalunya, Known for its living statues & kiosks
Views: 852
La Boquería 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: 1k
Plaça Sant Felip Neri with baroque church & fountain
Quaint secluded Gothic public square with baroque church showing bomb scars from the civil war, fountain and historic guild houses
Views: 317
Roman Wall Remains & Plaça Ramon Berenguer III
The remains of the Roman wall run through Plaça Ramon Berenguer III (horse statue) and along Carrer de la Tapineria to Plaza Dels Traginers
Views: 1.1k
Barcelona Town Hall & Plaça Sant Jaume
Plaça Sant Jaume governmental buildings, Pont del Bisbe, Barcelona city hall Saló de Cent & Saló Carles Pi i Sunyer. Guided tourist visits
Views: 1.3k
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: 1.2k
MUHBA Temple of Augustus - hidden Roman ruin in Barcelona
Remains of 2000 year old Roman Temple of Augustus. four columns Preserved within the interior courtyard of a medieval gothic building and FREE to visit
Views: 374
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: 276
Portal del Angel Shopping Zone
Former monastic land evolved into Barcelona's centrally located, designer brands, shopping street with late opening hours
Views: 271
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: 826
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: 1k
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: 855
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: 819
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: 798
Born Cultural Centre
Exhibition space & archaeological ruins. Designed by architect Antoni Rovira i Trias. Former food market for the wholesale of fruit and vegetables.
Views: 953
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: 801
Sant Pere De Les Puelles Church
10th Century Romanesque Gothic Benedictine monastery. What remains today is the 11th century ground floor church.
Views: 777
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: 826
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: 907
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: 188
13 FREE things to do In Barcelona Litoral Areas
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: 930
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: 1.1k
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: 815
Forest Of Fairies Bar Barcelona
The Fairies enchanted Forest decorated theme bar that serves tapas and drinks.
Views: 1.1k
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: 276
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: 826
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: 810
Barceloneta Beaches
Notable for W Hotel, Sant Miquel and Barceloneta Beach, numerous beach bars (chiringuitos). These beaches suffer from pickpockets and bag thieves.
Views: 948
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: 473
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: 374
Hotel W Barceloneta & Sant Sebastià Beach
About Hotel W construction and Barcelona port breakwater. Learn to windsurf at Sant Sebastià beach
Views: 402
Castelldefels Platja Beach near Barcelona
Hassle free chilled beach. 20 minutes from Barcelona by train. 5Km natural sand beach. Great restaurants, night time discos in the chiringuitos
Views: 1k
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: 1.3k
8 FREE things to do and see in Montjuic
Montjuïc Gardens near Funicular station
Scenic romantic gardens with multiple city viewpoints. Early Gardens built for 1929 International Exposition with more recent gardens for 1992 Olympics
Views: 1k
Barcelona Magic Fountains show Times
Magic Fountain by Carles Buïgas. Venetian towers inspired by campanile of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Exhibition halls. All built for 1929 world expo
Views: 1.3k
Historic Funeral Carriages museum Montjuïc Cemetery
Public display of funeral carriages. Museum dates from 1970, moved in 2012 to its current building, within the grounds of Montjuïc Historic Cemetery
Views: 1.1k
Montjuïc Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium
Barcelona Olympic Stadium & concert venue in Montjuïc mountain. Visit the Stadium. Montjuïc Grand Prix history
Views: 1k
Montjuïc Greek Theatre & Rose Garden
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: 889
Palau Sant Jordi & Montjuïc Olympic Park
Muti-use indoor 16,000 seat indoor arena in Montjuïc Olympic Park built for 1992 Olympics and used as for concerts and sports events
Views: 955
Historic Sensorial Botanical Garden
A small garden nestled in the hollows of two disused quarry pits situated on the shady side of Montjuïc behind MNAC.
Views: 919
Montjuïc Cactus Garden
One of Europe's largest gardens of low water consumption succulent plants (cactus) with spectacular panoramic view of the city's coastline and port
Views: 1k
16 FREE things to do and see in Barcelona city suburbs
Avenida Gaudí from Sagrada Família to Sant Pau
Pedestrian street linking La Sagrada Família with Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. Ornate wrought iron lamposts designed by Pere Falqués
Views: 869
El Modelo Former Prison Museum
Former prison 1904 to 2017. Used for political prisoners & executions during Franco dictatorship. Now a museum.
Views: 1.1k
Barcelona Arenas Shopping Centre
Visit Las Arenas shopping centre. Former bullfighting arena at Plaza d'España converted to shopping centre with roof top panoramic viewpoint
Views: 1k
Parc Joan Miró with woman & bird Sculpture
Visit a Modern Park (founded 1979) with Joan Miró 22 metre sculpture, children's play area, sports facilities and public library
Views: 1k
Plaza Virreina Barcelona
Lively plaza with bars and restaurants. Central is the Sant Joan Baptista Romanesque church dating from 1884.
Views: 872
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: 945
Carmel Bunkers
Spectacular viewpoint and night hangout that has the ruins of an anti-aerial bombardment gun battery from the civil war.
Views: 949
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: 697
Pedralbes Gardens
French and English styled majestic Gardens of former royal palace with fountains, ponds, tree lined boulevards, statues and sculptures.
Views: 841
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: 886
Sants Food Market
Mercado de Sants is a beautiful, recently refurbished, large, modernist, brick, cathedral like, food market dating from 1913.
Views: 937
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: 1.4k
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: 808
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: 991
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: 803
Port Forum & Parc Litoral on foot and jet-ski
A 1992 Barcelona Olympic port with secret beach nearby that has views of the futuristic power plant behind. Explore on foot and rent a jet-ski
Views: 1.2k
10 FREE things to do In Tibidabo & Parc Collserola Area
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: 1.3k
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: 1.9k
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: 1.4k
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: 1.1k
Abandoned Rabassada Hotel and Casino
Abandoned since 1930, ruins of Hotel and casino that was a playground for the wealthy of Barcelona until Gambling was banned in 1912. CALCOTADA HIKE
Views: 1.1k
Sant Cugat Monastery and Wine Cellar
Walled monastery & church museum. 1921 wine co-operative as a place to process the grapes. CALCOTADA HIKE
Views: 1.2k
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: 1k
Sant Pere de Martir to Valvidrera Reservoir
Easy 7km Parc collserola route to Sant Pere de Martir telecoms tower & along ridge with views of Barcelona terminating at Vallvidrera reservoir. CALCOTADA HIKE
Views: 1k
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: 1.1k
Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol
beautiful 12km EASY collserola natural park route along vallvidrera river via sheltered forest trail, waterfalls & variety of trees & wild flowers. CALCOTADA HIKE
Views: 1.4k
Thanks for reading about A guide to free attractions in Barcelona Metropolitan area.
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