Barcelona is truly an amazing experience and one that you cannot miss when planning a trip to Spain.
I love how you can get a taste of Spanish and Catalan cultures infused with Roman influence all in one place.
But can you spend 4 days in Barcelona and stick to a budget?
Absolutely!
It is totally possible to visit Barcelona in 4 days and still make it affordable.
We spent 4 nights in Barcelona and not only did we stay within a budget, we experienced the rich culture, incredible architecture, and delicious food, but without sacrificing quality.
But how much did we spend for 4 nights for 2 people?
Hotel (4 nights) – $547.44 about $136/night
Food – $368 about $92/day
Tours and Entertainment – $270
Transportation – $94
Total – $1,280 or $640 per person
If you’re looking at that budget above and thought “Woah, that’s way more than I want to spend”, don’t worry I’ve got you covered in this post too.
For us, budget travel does not mean cheap travel. You can still have quality experiences and spend less money.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how we did it so you can make the most of your trip to Barcelona, enjoying all the sites while keeping your wallet happy.
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Looking for the Best of Barcelona?
Day 1: Exploring the Heart of Barcelona
On your first day in Barcelona, you’ll want to take it easy and get a feel for the city.
On our arrival day in Barcelona, we flew in from Seville and landed around noon.
We arrived at our hotel on Via Laietana around 2 pm and our room was ready.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Plaça de Catalunya, walking down La Rambla and through Plaça Reial.
We grabbed some lunch at one of the many sandwich shops. We ate a lot of ham sandwiches!
On our first evening in Barcelona, we had dinner at Ohla Barcelona and then drinks at their rooftop bar.
I would recommend reservations because even on a slow and gloomy day there is a line to get up to the rooftop bar.
Day 1 Barcelona Suggested Itinerary
Morning
In the morning, head over to the La Rambla.
You can pop into Mercat de Sant Josep La Boqueria (food market) for a bite to eat.
The Mercat de Sant Josep is a great spot to sample Catalan dishes like tortilla Española or fresh fruit juices.
As you stroll down La Rambla you’ll find various street performers, local vendors selling handmade crafts, local souvenirs, and unique art pieces.
The Gran Teatre del Liceu (the oldest theatre in Barcelona) and Palau de la Virreina (cultural center building) are all points of interest you can expect to see as you walk down La Rambla.
La Rambla is a touristy area, but we were ok with that because we are tourists. LOL
When we visit a new city, we like to see the main points of interest even if it is considered touristy.
Afternoon
If you’re up for it, spend the afternoon exploring the Gothic Quarter.
It’s like stepping back in time with its narrow Medieval Streets.
There are hidden gems on every corner from shops to quaint cafes.
This district is home to the stunning Barcelona Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Gothic Quarter sights and landmarks:
Barcelona Cathedral (Catedral de Barcelona): A stunning example of Gothic architecture, this cathedral is known for its intricate façade and beautiful cloister.
Plaça del Rei: A historic square where you’ll find the Palau Reial Major and the Museu d’Història de Barcelona.
Plaça Sant Jaume: This central square has City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat. It’s the place that hosts many festivities.
Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso): Located on Montcada Street, this museum has one of the most extensive collections of artworks by Pablo Picasso.
Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar: A great display of Catalan Gothic architecture.
Roman Walls: Parts of the ancient Roman walls that once surrounded Barcelona can still be seen in the Gothic Quarter. It’s magnificent!
Plaça Reial: A square with a fountain in the center surrounded by restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Temple of Augustus: Inside the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya, there are four columns from the Temple of Augustus, dating back to the Roman period.
El Call (Jewish Quarter): This medieval Jewish quarter tells the story of Barcelona’s Jewish community before their expulsion in the 15th century.
Evening
In the evening, you may want to explore the Parc de la Ciutadella.
It’s the greenest oasis in the heart of Barcelona with many pathways and sights.
There’s a small lake where you can rent rowboats, see the grand Cascada Monumental fountain, and several sculptures. The park also has street performers like classical Spanish guitar or acrobatic shows.
For dinner, there are plenty of options in the Gothic Quarter just north of the park.
Alternative Evening itinerary – You could do dinner and a rooftop bar like we did on our first day.
How much will you spend?
If you want to tour the Catedral de Barcelona the ticket prices start at €14.00.
Free admission times are available for the Museu Picasso, but you’ll need to book in advance.
There are also free(ish) walking tours available (tipping is appreciated).
Otherwise, the biggest cost on your first day in Barcelona is food. You should expect to spend between $30-$50 per person each day for meals depending on your food preferences.
Day 2: Gaudi’s Masterpieces
Antoni Gaudí was not only an architect, but he was a visionary.
His distinctive style transformed Barcelona’s landscape and became synonymous with Catalan modernism.
His masterpieces, like Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, showcase his unique approach to architecture.
A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without spending at least one-day admiring Gaudí’s works. He profoundly impacted the city’s cultural and aesthetic heritage.
Day 2 Barcelona Suggested Itinerary
Morning
On the morning of Day 2, you have 2 choices:
Option #1: Park Güell
Park Güell is an architectural wonderland, one of Antoni Gaudí’s most colorful and playful creations.
At the park, you’ll find whimsical structures, vibrant ceramic mosaics, and stone sculptures that embody Gaudí’s imaginative vision.
You can take a guided tour of Park Güell or wander on your own.
Option #2: Casa Batlló
This was the option we chose! Casa Batlló is a home Gaudí redesigned for the wealthy Batlló family.
It is an immersive experience with intricate detail and innovative techniques, the building is truly stunning and fascinating.
We did the most basic tour which included an audio tour.
That was enough for us, but if you want the full experience there are other tiers available.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, I suggest visiting Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished basilica masterpiece.
I would highly recommend a guided tour of Sagrada Familia.
Of course, it is possible to visit without a guided tour, but there is so much symbolism and intricate detail that a guided tour will only enhance your visit.
We did our tour in the afternoon from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm and it was the best time because of how the sun hits the stained glass windows at golden hour.
We did not opt for the optional tower tour, but I have heard amazing things so if you have the time it’s something you may want to consider.
This tour experience was hands down the most fascinating of all the things we did in Barcelona.
Evening
That’s a very long day!
After your tour of the Sagrada Familia, there are many restaurants in the area although they are a bit touristy.
We took the metro back to Via Laietana for the evening. There are honestly so many options that you really can’t go wrong!
How much will you spend?
We purchased a Go City attraction pass which included basic admission to Casa Batlló and our guided tour to Sagrada Familia.
The cost was €67.00 per person for a 2-attraction pass.
Go City has many options and it can be a great money saver to pay one price for a select number of attractions.
However, if you’re not interested in guided tours, you may consider purchasing admission a la carte directly on the attraction websites.
I would recommend pricing things out to see which way is better for you.
We used our 48H metro cards as our mode of transportation and this was the first day we used it.
Hot Tip!
Don’t forget to use a shopping portal when booking online for even more savings!
Day 3: Beaches and Culture
On Day 3 we used our 48H Hola metro pass to grab a bus down to Barceloneta Beach.
We spent the morning strolling down the promenade and had an early lunch at Chiringuito Chambao.
The food and drinks were not impressive, but the view and atmosphere were worth it!
After that, we took the bus back up to the city center and walked around the neighborhoods.
Day 3 Barcelona Suggested Itinerary
Morning
Barceloneta Beach is a beautiful seaside destination and perfect for a relaxing morning in Barcelona!
You can spend the morning strolling along the promenade and stopping in one of the many restaurants and bars serving fresh seafood and traditional Spanish tapas.
If you’re into beach sports, there are beach volleyball courts and watersport rentals like paddleboards and jet skis.
We mostly just walked along the Passeig Marítim and enjoyed the views. It was a beautiful day!
Afternoon and Evening
If you’re not already tired from the beach, I would suggest you spend some time in the Born district.
We stopped at the Mercat de Santa Caterina which is a great spot to taste local Catalan flavors.
One thing we noticed is that you cannot use the restrooms unless you show them a receipt for a purchase from the market. Luckily we kept ours!
If you have time, I would suggest paying a visit to Palau de la Música Catalana.
It’s just a short walk from El Born and is a stunning concert hall.
We took a guided tour and although it was not Gaudí style, it had plenty of symbolism and beauty.
Worth a visit!
How much will you spend?
There are no admission fees for Barceloneta Beach or the food market, but you will spend money on food per your preferences.
Many o museums have free museum days, so if you’re interested you’ll want to check out their website.
We paid about $24 per person for our guided tour of Palau de la Música Catalana. I recommend purchasing online to avoid the line.
Day 4: Tour the rest of Barcelona
On our last day in Barcelona, we decided to take it easy!
Our 48H metro pass was expired so we purchased hop-on-hop-hop-off bus tickets online the day before with Barcelona Bus Turístic.
I love these tours! It’s a great way to sit back and relax while listening to an audio tour around the city.
You can get on and off as many times as you want during the operating hours.
We decided to get on the bus at the Plaça de Catalunya stop and took the blue route for the entire loop getting off at various stops to check out the sights!
Day 4 Barcelona Suggested Itinerary
Morning
Start your last day in Barcelona by visiting the Montjuïc Castle. The castle is on a hill overlooking Barcelona.
The castle is not only beautiful but offers an interesting glimpse into the military history of Barcelona.
If you want a scenic route up to the castle, check out the Montjuïc Cable Car.
Afternoon and Evening
In the afternoon, spend it on the hop on hop off bus and getting off at whatever sights you may have missed or neighborhoods you want to experience.
There are so many options for food and shopping.
How much will you spend?
We spent about $24 per person on the bus tour.
If you choose to visit Montjuïc Castle, there are many options and tours but tickets for general admission start at 12€.
Plan ahead! Free admission days are available.
On some days, you can get free entry after 3 pm. You’ll want to book in advance!
The Montjuïc Cable Car roundtrip will cost around €14.40 per adult.
Getting to Barcelona
When we visited Barcelona we had already spent some time in Spain and had spent 4 nights in Seville.
If you look at Rome2Rio there are a few options to get from Seville to Barcelona.
- Train: 5 Hours and 45 mins direct. $45-$140 per person.
- Fly: 1 Hour and 40 mins direct. $31-$160 per person.
- Drive – varies.
We did not plan to rent a car so our only options were to either take the train or the fly.
The train systems in Spain were very easy, but we did not want to waste an entire day on the train.
Our time is valuable so spending a little more to fly in half the time was worth it for us.
So we decided to fly on Vueling from Seville to Barcelona.
Getting Around Barcelona
Public transport in Barcelona is very affordable!
The metro system in Barcelona is operated by Hola! Barcelona was both affordable and a great experience.
We purchased a Hola BCN travel card which offers unlimited travel on the metro, buses, and other public transport services for a set number of days (2, 3, 4, or 5 days).
We spent €15.75 per person for a 2-day/48H travel pass.
If you purchase in advance you’ll get a little bit of a discount and it was very easy to pick it up at one of the metro station kiosks before taking our first ride on the metro!
As I mentioned earlier we also booked a hop-on hop-off bus tour with Barcelona Bus Turístic.
This is one of my favorite ways to get to know a city on a budget!
Where to Stay in Barcelona
When we’re exploring a new city we love to stay where the action is.
We don’t like to stay outside the city and pay for transportation and out every day.
We save money and time by booking affordable yet central accommodations near the city center.
We also prefer not to stay in hostels or anything with a rating of lower than 3 stars.
So I used Google Maps to find hotels near the city center.
Where we stayed: Hotel HCC Montblanc on Via Laietana seconds away from the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) which is in the heart of Barcelona with a medieval vibe and home to several popular attractions and landmarks.
The Hotel HCC Montblanc is considered a 3-star hotel and is part of a local Spanish hotel chain.
I think the only reason for the lower rating is because of the slightly outdated decor, but it is still very modern and an excellent location.
Why we chose it: We chose to pay cash instead of choosing to stay at a hotel where we could use loyalty rewards.
The hotel’s proximity to the Gothic Quarter, metro stations, and bus stops made it worth it for us.
The fact that we only paid $136/night didn’t hurt.
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- Renaissance Barcelona Hotel or W Barcelona: Both hotels can be booked with Marriott Bonvoy points.
- Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower or Grand Hyatt Barcelona: Both hotels can be booked with World of Hyatt points.
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Hot Tip!
Another option would be to book a hotel with loyalty points and miles through a travel portal. If paying cash, I get a $50 hotel credit with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when booked through Chase Travel(SM).
How can I save money on food in Barcelona?
We found that the food in Barcelona can be very affordable if you know what to look for.
Here are tips for finding cheap food in Barcelona:
- Try the “menu del día,” – this is the menu of the day and usually the most affordable.
- Visit Local Markets – there are many options from snacks to full meals and usually at a great price.
- Tapas and Pintxos – these are small, but filling snacks!
- Share! – larger dishes like paella are perfect for sharing!
- Avoid Tourist Traps – restaurants around the plazas are usually the most expensive, go off the beaten path.
These are must-eat foods to try in Barcelona:
- Paella: Spanish rice with a variety of toppings.
- Tapas: Small plates perfect for sharing. We saw a lot of patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), and bombas (meat-filled potato balls).
- Pan con Tomate (Pa amb Tomàquet): A simple Catalan dish. It’s just toasted bread rubbed with tomato and topped with olive oil and salt. Delish!
- Fideuà: Similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. This is pictured below!
- Crema Catalana: This looks like crème brûlée, but slightly different flavor.
- Botifarra: Traditional Catalan sausage.
- Jamón Ibérico: We ate a lot of ham.
Barcelona FAQs
Is 4 days long enough in Barcelona?
Absolutely! 4 days is enough to experience the highlights of Barcelona.
This post gives you the perfect itinerary with enough time to explore Barcelona’s city center, see all the sites and landmarks created by the famous Antoni Gaudi, check out the beach, and explore hidden gems throughout the city.
What is the best way to see Barcelona?
Is Barcelona very walkable?
Yes, Barcelona is a very walkable city.
If you stay in a central location like the Gothic Quarter you will have no problem walking to popular attractions and sights.
When we didn’t want to walk, we hopped on the Metro or the bus.
What are the cons of Barcelona?
Barcelona can get crowded and touristy.
If you cannot tolerate crowds, then I would not recommend visiting Barcelona.
What area of Barcelona to stay in?
We stayed on Via Laietana near the Gothic Quarter and would highly recommend it.
It was also within walking distance of La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya.
Is there Uber in Barcelona?
We had heard previously that Uber was not reliable in Barcelona so we did not bother with it.
Instead, we used the metro and bus system which was very easy to navigate.
You can also use the FreeNow app which works very similar to Uber.
How do I get from Barcelona airport to the city?
You can grab a taxi from the airport or take the metro.
The metro is the more budget-friendly option.
You can figure out exactly which metro line to take by entering your destination in a Google search on your phone.
Google will give you detailed instructions. We also liked to use the CityMapper app.
What is the best time of year to visit Barcelona on a budget?
I am a huge fan of traveling during shoulder seasons. Not only is it less crowded, but it is also more affordable.
The shoulder seasons for Barcelona are usually in the spring (April to June).
We visited in mid-May and found it to be a wonderful time!
The fall (September to October) is also a good time to visit because the weather is much nicer compared to the scorching heat of summer.
What language do they speak in Barcelona?
Barcelona has two official languages, Catalan and Spanish.
We noticed that Catalan is widely spoken and the primary language.
However, if you only speak English you should not have any issues at the attraction spots and in the touristy areas.
Ready for 4 days in Barcelona?
When planning a trip on a budget no matter where you go, it doesn’t have to be complicated!
You can make 4 days in Barcelona affordable just by being strategic about where you stay, what you eat, and the activities you choose.
In this itinerary, you’ve discovered Barcelona’s city center and surrounding areas.
We’ve delved into the marvelous masterpiece of the famous Antoni Gaudi and experienced Barcelona’s rich cultural history!
Out of the 3 cities we visited on our trip to Spain, I found Barcelona to be the most interesting.
I loved seeing the mix of Spanish and Catalan cultures and the infusion of Roman influence.
And now that you’re equipped with this itinerary I know you will too!
After a fun 4 nights in Barcelona, we returned to Madrid via the Iryo highspeed Train.
Planning a trip to Spain? Check out these posts!
- Get Your VAT Refund in Spain
- Highspeed train from Madrid to Seville on Iryo
- Things I wish I had known before traveling to Europe
- Flying Iberia Business Class Miami to Madrid
- Madrid to Miami with Iberia in Business Class
Want to Travel More for Less?
Become a Budget Traveler! Head over to my start here page and grab my free budget travel cheat sheet – it’s packed with valuable tips to help you create your own winning budget travel strategy.