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Wondering how much does a trip to Barcelona cost? Read on for suggestions for a budget-friendly trip to Barcelona or help pricing a luxury escape in Barcelona.
It’s impossible to leave Barcelona without falling under its alluring charm. Many travelers, digital nomads, and weekend-getaway-ers often board the return flight with a heavy heart. The longing for Barcelona never quite loosens its grip on you.
Catalonia’s capital is the second-largest city in Spain and, thereby, one of the most expensive.
Guaranteed sunlight and strikingly imposing Gaudian architecture draw a swarm of tourists annually. However, before you despair, you can sojourn in this city that never truly sleeps without breaking the bank. Compared to cosmopolitan cities such as Paris or London, you’ll find that the prices are not astronomical.
If you’ve never been or, more likely, feel Barcelona beckoning once again, we discuss how much your next trip will cost.
Cathedral of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Photo by ValeryEgorov via iStock by Getty Images
Flight Costs
Flight costs will depend on your starting point and seasonality. If you are currently based in Europe, flights can begin at €60. If you depart from the States, flight prices can begin at $400.
While taxi and ride services are available, Aeroport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat offers a shuttle bus. A round-trip ticket from the airport totals a handy €11.65, making stops in central zones such as Placa Cataluyna, Universitat, and Placa Espayna.
Cost of Eating in the Culinary Capital
Hailed as one of Spain’s best luxury foodie spots, it’s easy to see why. From mouthwatering tapas to bustling and vibrant food markets like La Boqueria, there’s something for every taste. Mercat de Santa Caterina and Mercat de Sant Antoni are as reputable and do not teem with hungry backpackers.
The phenomenon of brunch has arrived in Barcelona with a resounding bang. Popular and tourist-loved spots are often priced as expected, with waiting times almost an unspoken rule. However, many traditional and local cafés and restaurants still offer exceptional food at incredibly reasonable prices—it helps to be privy to this information.
The food in Barcelona makes the entire trip worth it! Photo by StarpStock via iStock by Getty Images
Breakfast
Breakfast may be included in the hotel or hostel fare. The day’s most important meal can be a simple affair of pan con tomate or a coffee and croissant. You can expect to pay €5 to €10 for a simple breakfast.
Lunch
One can rarely go wrong in this culinary city. Lunch isn’t difficult to find with over 8,000 restaurants to choose from. Choosing your favorite place is!
From chain sandwich outlets to more popularized spots, prices range from €7.50 to €20. Always look for the Menú del Díá for a budget-fitting yet satiating selection.
Dinner
Sobremesa remains a fervent tradition in Spain. Lower-cost tapas can be sourced for €10 to €15 per person in barrio restaurants. You can expect to pay €34 to €40 per person plus beverages in a more upscale or middle-range restaurant.
I couldn’t write about food without mentioning cafés. Café-hopping is a veritable sport in Barna, with new tempting artisan coffee houses constantly springing up. Who are we to deny ourselves a cafe con leche when that mouth-watering aroma is wafting in the air?
Depending on your order and café style, prices range from €1.80 to €4.50.
Editor’s Note: While tourists frequently refer to Barcelona as Barça, the locals often call it Barna (BARceloNA).
Barcelona is a vibrant, active city, making it ideal for a travel abroad program during high school. Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
Getting Around Barcelona
The beauty of Barcelona is that it is easily done on foot—and it’s a pleasure to do so. Gazing at charming facades or strolling along cobbled streets has never made walking so easy. However, there are many transportation options if you’re short on time.
Bike rental for a day begins at €12 and is an efficient way to see all hotspots in record time.
The public transportation system is quick, seamless, and easy to maneuver. A single TMB metro ticket costs €2.55. Therefore, the 10-journey pass (the T-casual) is €12.15 and is typically better for your buck.
As in any major city, vigilance is paramount. Knowing where your belongings helps avoid mishaps that could damper your stay.
How Much Does Accommodation Cost?
Barcelona caters to many budget types—from backpacking to 5-star stays.
The typical price for a hostel room per person averages €30 per night, while an average hotel stay amounts to €188.
The city is a mecca for digital nomads and is brimming with vibrant, laptop-friendly cafés and modern co-working spaces. It is no surprise that many travelers opt for monthly rentals in Barcelona.
Activities—Free and Paid
History is etched into each pavement stone, and colorful facades depict different stories.
The city is sufficiently suffused with the influence of Gaudi. Stroll around Parc Guell (€10); marvel at the sheer complexity and seemingly eternal construction of La Sagrada Familia (€26); visit Casa Batallo, the multi-story mosaic influenced by Art Nouveau and Modernism; and revere the architectural masterpiece that is La Pedrera.
On the first Sunday of each month, many of the city’s museums open their doors for free, including the Picasso Museum, the Natural Sciences History Museum, the Maritime Museum, the National Museum of Art Catalonia, and the Disseny Hub (Disseny Museum).
Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona. Photo by Christian Horz via iStock by Getty Images
Day Trips You Don’t Want to Miss
Barcelona is fortuitously located along La Costa Brava. Escapades to seaside towns are only a short train ride away.
Sitges
The small-town feel of Sitges belies the larger-than-life aura of this seaside location. Boasting its own selection of pristine beaches, Sitges offers another depiction of Catalonia. A Renfe Rodalies ticket can be purchased for €8 for 50 minutes of travel.
Other beaches are Gava and Casteldefells, which offer a welcome relief when Barcelona is inundated during summer.
The coastal town of Sitges. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Montserrat
If you define yourself as a mountain lover more than El Mar, a hike to the Montserrat Benedictine monastery is for you. Located an hour’s train ride from the center, the skylines are painted with vistas of the domineering mountain range. Return tickets can be purchased for €27, and visitors can either hike or ascend the heights by cable car or funicular railway.
Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery. Monastery on mountain near Barcelona, in Catalonia. Photo by taratata via iStock by Getty Images
Come Alive at Nighttime
Nightlife is another section to add to the growing list of reasons holidayers love Barcelona.
Renowned for its diverse and rich music scene, Barna is unrivaled. From Techno lovers to reggaeton and throwback fanatics, there’s something for everyone.
The entrance fee can vary according to bar, club, zone, and season. Door fees at intimate and smaller bars such as El Bombón can be lower but will pack just as much of a punch.
Bling Bling and Sutton have been labeled luxury options, often reflected in ticket and beverage prices. For diversity, Razzmatazz is a multi-storied musical maze, depending on the artists playing: €16 – €20.
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When Visiting Barcelona
From hostel-hopping to hotel-living, Barcelona can be an affordable holiday destination or an extravagant experience. Whichever one you decide, it will undoubtedly leave its mark on you. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder to find out more about our favorite destinations in Spain.