Barcelona on a Budget
Barcelona is an amazing city with its unique Catalan culture, stunning Gaudí architecture, world-class cuisine, lively Las Ramblas promenade, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. Visiting on a budget can be tricky but not impossible!
Average weather in Barcelona
5 reasons to visit Barcelona
Barcelona is a vibrant blend of old and new. The Catalan capital boasts Gaudí’s stunning architecture, lovely beaches, and delicious tapas. Founded in the 3rd century BC, it’s a city where history and modernity coexist, offering plenty for visitors to explore and enjoy. Look for more peripheral accommodation if you want to get the cheaper prices. Public transport in the city is excellent.
Gaudí's wonders
Sunny beaches
Tapas and cuisine
Gothic Quarter
Nightlife fun
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Barcelona is renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant culture. Key attractions include:
- Sagrada Família: Antoni Gaudí’s iconic basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Park Güell: Another Gaudí masterpiece featuring colorful mosaics and unique structures.
- La Rambla: A bustling street filled with shops, restaurants, and street performers.
- Gothic Quarter: A historic area with narrow medieval streets, charming plazas, and the Barcelona Cathedral.
- Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera): Famous Gaudí-designed buildings showcasing unique architectural styles.
The best time to visit Barcelona is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). These seasons offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and a variety of cultural events. Summer (July and August) can be very hot and crowded, while winter (December to February) is cooler and less busy, though still enjoyable.
Barcelona has an efficient public transportation system, including:
- Metro: The city has an extensive metro network that covers most tourist areas.
- Buses: There are numerous bus routes, including night buses.
- Trams: Trams are available in certain parts of the city.
- Bicycles: Barcelona is bike-friendly with many bike rental options and dedicated lanes.
- Walking: Many attractions are within walking distance of each other in the central areas.
Barcelona offers a rich culinary experience. Must-try local foods include:
- Tapas: Small, flavorful dishes often enjoyed with drinks.
- Paella: A traditional rice dish with seafood or meat, though it’s originally from Valencia, it’s popular here too.
- Patatas Bravas: Fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
- Pan con Tomate: Bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, and salt.
- Crema Catalana: A Catalan dessert similar to crème brûlée.
- Language: While Spanish (Castilian) is widely spoken, Catalan is the official language of Catalonia. Learning a few phrases in Catalan is appreciated.
- Siesta: Many shops and businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon for a siesta, typically between 2 PM and 5 PM.
- Dining hours: Spaniards eat later than many other cultures, with lunch around 2-3 PM and dinner around 9-10 PM.
- Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change (5-10%) is common.
- Respect for traditions: Barcelona has a strong cultural identity. Respect local customs, traditions, and the unique Catalan culture.
Keep up to date...
OCTOBER HALF TERM IDEA 💡 Under £1300 for a family of 4 to visit with flights, hotel, car hire and two days park tickets!
This is Europa Park in Rust, Germany. We absolutely loved our visit and can’t wait to go back. I have written a blog post which I’ve linked in my linktree. In the blog post I’ve shown an example of how you can visit this half term for under £1300 (example price for a family of 4!)
#europapark #thetravelmum #familytravels #themeparks
Oct 4
OCTOBER HALF TERM IDEA 💡 Under £1300 for a family of 4 to visit with flights, hotel, car hire and two days park tickets!
This is Europa Park in Rust, Germany. We absolutely loved our visit and can’t wait to go back. I have written a blog post which I’ve linked in my linktree. In the blog post I’ve shown an example of how you can visit this half term for under £1300 (example price for a family of 4!)
#europapark #thetravelmum #familytravels #themeparks
Billund in Denmark has so many fun family attractions. We visited Legoland, Lego House, Lalandia and Wow Park - there is lots of cheap accommodation in the town. I’ve got blog posts covering the different attractions on our website 🫶🏻
#billund #legolandbillund #wowparkbillund #thetravelmum #lalandia
Oct 1
Billund in Denmark has so many fun family attractions. We visited Legoland, Lego House, Lalandia and Wow Park - there is lots of cheap accommodation in the town. I’ve got blog posts covering the different attractions on our website 🫶🏻
#billund #legolandbillund #wowparkbillund #thetravelmum #lalandia
Unpopular opinion - but babies aren’t the worst encounter you could have in upper class….
I feel like I am on my own when I say this, but upper/business class is very overrated. People told me I’d never want to go back to economy, but luckily for me, I’m much more of an economy girl at heart. I did another business flight shortly after this in the Q Suite with Qatar, and I got the sh*t’s from their lobster mac and cheese - that was the nail in the coffin for my brief encounter with the boujee life 🫡
#thetravemum #businessclass #flyingwithababy #familytravel
Sep 30
Unpopular opinion - but babies aren’t the worst encounter you could have in upper class….
I feel like I am on my own when I say this, but upper/business class is very overrated. People told me I’d never want to go back to economy, but luckily for me, I’m much more of an economy girl at heart. I did another business flight shortly after this in the Q Suite with Qatar, and I got the sh*t’s from their lobster mac and cheese - that was the nail in the coffin for my brief encounter with the boujee life 🫡
#thetravemum #businessclass #flyingwithababy #familytravel
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