Barcelona is moderate on food and drink and expensive for hotels, especially in summer. The best savings are eating the menú del día at lunch and doing the free outdoor sights.
Is Barcelona expensive?
Expensive for most visitors. Barcelona is moderate on food and drink and expensive for hotels, especially in summer.
Money, cards and tipping
Currency: Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted; carry a little cash for small bars and markets.
Tipping: Tipping is not expected. Leaving small change or rounding up for good service is common; 5–10% in a nicer restaurant is generous.
Where to save money
- Order the menú del día (a fixed-price lunch with several courses and a drink), served on weekdays.
- Eat tapas at the bar instead of at a table, and share plates.
- Buy a multi-trip public transport card rather than single tickets.
- Visit museums on the free days or evenings, such as Sunday afternoons and the first Sunday of the month.
- Skip the beachfront restaurants: eat in El Born, Gràcia or Sant Antoni for better value.
Where it is worth spending
- Sagrada Família with a tower ticket.
- Casa Batlló or Park Güell timed tickets.
- A guided tapas evening in El Born.
Free things to do in Barcelona
- The exteriors of Gaudí's buildings
- The beaches and the seafront promenade
- The Gothic Quarter and the cathedral square
- The Bunkers del Carmel for the best free view over the city
Prices, ticket rules and safety conditions change. Treat this as a starting point and check official sources and your government's travel advice before you go.
Barcelona budget questions
What currency is used in Barcelona?
Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted; carry a little cash for small bars and markets.
Is tipping expected in Barcelona?
Tipping is not expected. Leaving small change or rounding up for good service is common; 5–10% in a nicer restaurant is generous.
How can I save money in Barcelona?
Order the menú del día (a fixed-price lunch with several courses and a drink), served on weekdays. Eat tapas at the bar instead of at a table, and share plates. Buy a multi-trip public transport card rather than single tickets.