Stop overs don’t have to be long waits in airports, avoiding purchasing expensive food. If you don’t have any particular time constraints, why not make the most of it? In many circumstances, a stopover could also be cheaper than a direct flight. In fact, why not make a quick explorative weekend out of it?! Places like Barcelona are great for that kind of thing! And 2 days is all you need to see all the great sights it has to offer – and it might not be as expensive as you may think!
Getting Around
Cheap flights in and out of Barcelona airport can be found on Skyscanner and other similar sites. The city is only a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport but public transport is the cheapest route in. The Metro Line 9 Sud links Airport terminals 1 and 2 with the city every 7 minutes. If you need to access a different line, you can change at Torrassa (to switch to Line 1), Collblanc (to switch to Line 5) and Zona Universitària (to switch to Line 3).
You can purchase a Hola Barcelona travel card which can be used on the Metro (including travel to and from the airport), the bus line (TMB) and other public transport services. The tickets can be purchased for between 2-5 days. A 2-day pass would be all you’d need to get around the city with ease and this would cost you a grand total of €15* (and if you buy online you can get a 10% discount).
*Prices correct as of October 2018.
Accommodation
Accommodation within the city can also be found at a budget price, through sites like AirBnb or Hostels through Booking.com and other similar services. Prices for 2 nights at a hostel in the city centre, with Metro access, for 2 people can start from €39 in total for your stay.
Las Ramblas
Now, what are you going to get up to over the course of your stay? Well, regardless of whether or not you knew about it before Ed Sheeran brought it to everyone’s attention, Las Ramblas is an absolute must and is totally free to roam around. It’s the main strip in the centre of the city, which leads down to Plaça de Catalunya. It also marks the limit between the quarters of the city, Barri Gòtic and El Raval. Here you will find many restaurants and bars allowing you to indulge in an absolutely huge glass of sangria while people watching the crowds walking past.
Along the side, about half way up the street, just past the Erotic Museum that sometimes has a Marilyn Monroe impersonator waving down to the hordes of people in the streets below; you’ll discover one of the most vibrant and beautiful indoor markets exploding at the sides with curious tourists.
La Bouqeria market is full of exciting sounds, smells and the most wonderful displays – sweets in all kinds of shapes and sizes are neatly stacked upon one another, fruit is arranged and plated in such a way that you wouldn’t believe it was actually fruit. Further in to the depths of the market you’ll find cheese and meat stalls, spices in woven bags and plenty of brightly coloured drinks available in take away cups that are just waiting to be plucked from the ice mountain display. Again, another completely free attraction that will not only excite every single one of your senses but also give you more than enough photo opportunities for the day.
Tucked Away
If you need a little break after all the hustle and bustle, a great place for a refreshing beverage (that isn’t quite as dear as the bars along Las Ramblas) is Placa Reial. This is a sneaky little square tucked away from plain sight, just off from the main strip and is lined with a multitude of beautiful restaurants and bars. Take a seat outside in the shade and overlook the square which centres around a calming water fountain. Perhaps some street artists will even perform for you. One word of advice, watch out for those pesky pigeons. They are more than confident enough to attempt to steal that lovely little bowl of nuts which came complimentary with your drink. For an idea of price, and perhaps the first time you’ll be parting with any kind of money, a large beer is around €5-€6.
After your break, you can roam the shops which can be found down every little alley in the surrounding area to Placa Reial and Las Ramblas. From one off crafty little shops to the brands you know and love, there is something here for everyone.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a quick dip in the sea, the beach is only a short walk away. The further north you travel, the nicer the beach gets so it might be worth a short bus ride up the road if you fancy a beach day (although there is a lovely pavement alongside the beach that is perfect for walkers, skateboarders, rollerbladers and cyclists).
Park Gϋell
Park Gϋell is a great place to visit if you want to experience the Gaudi-inspired architecture! It’s only a short train journey from the centre of Barcelona and is free to enter. However, there are ticketed areas, but it won’t hinder your day to miss these bits out. You can walk up to the most amazing viewpoint which overlooks the entire city. We strongly recommend a visit here!
If you find yourself strolling around the city centre, you could take a look at attractions such as Arc de Triomf, Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, Casa Battló, Montjuïc and many more! We also recommend checking out the Museu Picasso which costs just 12 euros for general entry and offers a reduced price of 7 euros for those aged 18-25 or those over 65.
By night, if you find the bars too expensive, you can always purchase a cheeky tinny and sit by the harbour with your feet dangling above the water, soaking in the buzzling cities nocturnal vibes. You’ll find market traders will stay set up late into the evening, so the area stays busy and there is always something to discover.
These are just a few things to get up to in Barcelona, but there are many many more. Hopefully we’ve inspired you to extend your travel days and maybe look into a quick stopover somewhere – and you needn’t worry about cost, things can always be done with a budget in mind!
I had a pretty long que for Park Guell, but worth the wait. Amazing view from the top 🙂