Activity ideas for tourists in Barcelona

tibidabo ferris wheel with a view of the sea - as an activity idea for barcelona

Last Updated on May 27, 2023 by Ellen

Activity ideas for Barcelona are endless. There also are many things to do for budget travelers. This guide highlights some of our experiences during the month we lived in this city.

While there, Tedly’s sister and niece flew into town on vacation. My sister-in-law and her daughter only had ten days to see and do as much as possible, so we had a blast running around as tourists, instead of taking our time on our own slow travel style.

Electric bike rentals

We rented electric bikes to get up the hills to the Olympic Park and back down to ride along the seashore. This was my first time on an electric bike- and it was so worth the money to quickly get up those hills. Also, Barcelona has many bike lanes throughout the city, which made this a pleasant experience.

We used Budget Bikes, and it cost $25 USD for three hours per electric bike. Total splurge for us budget travelers. But the electric bikes were totally worth it because on regular bikes, our route would have been an all-day trip. Instead, our tour of two different spots in the city took only three hours, and it was a gas!

Budget bikes also has much cheaper options if you’d rather power the ride yourself. Their website is here.

La Sagrada Familia topside and audio tours

This is such a wonderful experience, it’s its own blog post. I previously wrote about the fabulous tour we took and you’ll find that post here.

This is a must see in Barcelona – and the topside and audio tours make it even more special.

Tibidabo

Tibidabo is an amusement park on the outskirts of the city. I actually skipped this trip, but Tedly tells me this was one of his favorite activity ideas for Barcelona if you want to feel like a kid again, and get magnificent views.

The park historic – it’s the second oldest amusement park in Europe, with well-kept old rides. Tedly also said it’s cheap – those old rides cost about $2.50 each, or you can spend more money on newer rides in another park section.

Tedly called the park layout a bit bizarre: there is a cathedral in the center, with the older amusement park rides around it, and the newer rides on the outer ring.

To get there, it cost about $7.50 round trip by bus, or go by the mountainside funicular – which is a ride in itself – for about $8.50 round trip. The official site is here.

Tedly recommends this for budget travelers who like amusement park rides, and for anyone to see unbelievable views of Barcelona, the Mediterranean Sea, the Pyrenees Mountains, Montserrat, etc.

Montserrat

This was a day trip from the city to see a monastery and basilica on a mountainside. We took a train from the city, and then a cable car up the face of the mountain. We heard a monk welcome visitors in the basilica and offer a general prayer, instead of the usual boys choir (the kids were off for spring break).

We also rubbed the orb that is held by the Virgin of Montserrat – a wood carving of a black Madonna and child. I felt a good energy here in front of the statue. Some people believe it’s from the early days of the church, but it’s apparently more likely from the 12th century.

There are hiking trails in the area, and rock climbers enjoy the cliffs. May as well enjoy the whole site if you’re going to pay nearly $27 each to get there. Tickets include round-trip tickets to and from Barcelona, and the initial tram ride up the cliff. If you don’t want to hike a lot, additional tram rides to caves or other structures on the site cost more.

Flamenco dance

This was a fun thing to see: dancers stomping hard and fast in moves that looked like a jazzy kind of spicy tap dancing, if that makes sense. The flamenco style of dance comes from southern Spain, not Catalunya, but live performances have been in Barcelona for decades. We went to Los Tarantos, one of many places in the city that give live flamenco shows.

Tickets cost nearly $19 and the show lasted 35 minutes, drinks not included. The performers sure did seem to enjoy themselves. This is a dance I could never do!

Sometimes the show sells out, especially in the busy summer season, because this is a touristy thing to do, so you might want to buy your tickets a day or two early. Their website is here.

Dining in the Gothic Quarter

Placa Reial is a square with many restaurants from white table cloth to casual. Here you’ll see everything from fashionistas to minstrels, tourists to locals, souvenir sellers to waiters practicing English.

All places on this square have higher prices if you want to make a splurge. We ate dinner at Restaurante Italiano Rossini, and it was good. Drinks, a couple appetizers, and dinners for four people cost $120. We also had drinks and dessert a few times at the more casual Cerveceria Colon, which has giant mugs of beer for the giant price of $12.40.

What’s nice about this plaza is that it’s open and you can people with more of a view than in an really old, small bar or restaurant tucked into the Gothic Quarter. We also went to other restaurants in the Gothic Quarter and everywhere we went was good. But what’s most memorable for me was a great time with family.

More budget-friendly activity ideas for Barcelona

  • a walk around Park Guell – a beautiful, must-see place
  • walks to buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi
  • strolls through the city down to the sea on Las Ramblas
  • walks around the Gothic quarter
  • beach picnics

Looking for more ideas around Barcelona?

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3 thoughts on “Activity ideas for tourists in Barcelona”

  1. Wonderfully informative…as always! So happy you spent time with family! ❤️ p.s. the pics are always perfect! ?

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