From the outside, this McDonald's in Italy may seem like a regular restaurant, but walk past its gates and over its glass flooring, and you'll spot some eerie details, like three skeletons embedded in the rocks below.
18.10.2024 - 22:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Oct 18, 2024 • 10 min read
Boasting the lofty title of Spain's most visited city, Barcelona doesn't scrimp when it comes to world-class attractions. Visitors flock to the Catalan capital to marvel at the beautiful architecture, savor delicious food and dance until the wee hours at the many vibrant bars and clubs.
The downside of such a variety of things to see and do is your budget can quickly spiral out of control. We've got the perfect solution that will keep your wallet in your pocket and your costs under control – pepper your itinerary with our favorite free things to do in Barcelona and enjoy this incredible city without spending a fortune.
There’s almost always some type of festival going on in Barcelona, so finding a fun week or weekend to visit won't be challenging.
Carnival, in February or March, begins on a Thursday (Fat Thursday) and ends on the following Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) and sees city explode into life with costumes, masks, music, and parades before the comparative restraint of Lent.
You can catch free screenings at a festival on the beach in summer (June to early August) with Cinema Lliure.
In August, the Festa Major de Gràcia, which is best known for extravagantly decorated streets, brings a packed program of free outdoor concerts to soak up Barcelona culture.
If you’re in town in September, don’t miss the five-day Festes de la Mercè, which brings the city to life with free concerts, dancing, fireworks, acrobatic feats and lively correfocs (colorful parades of drums, devils and firecrackers).
Local tip: As well as free cinema at the beach, Cinema Lliure shows documentaries at their library for free year-round.
Some city-run museums, including the Museu Picasso and MNAC, have a late afternoon or evening each week when entry is free. Others are also free on the first Sunday of the month; check individual websites for details. Moco Museum doesn't offer free entry (except for children under six) but it's cheaper if you book online.
There are also two excellent galleries nearby La Rambla that host changing exhibitions with free entry: the Centre de la Imatge in the Palau de la Virreina near the top of the boulevard, and the Centre d’Art Santa Mònica toward the bottom.
Planning tip: Wherever possible, book tickets online (including free tickets) to guarantee entry, especially during the high season.
Yes, it is popular with visitors, but ambling along this 1km-long (about half a mile) walkway is a quintessential Barcelona experience. Lined with regal historical buildings, La Rambla is always a great place to stroll, particularly if you time it right. Early morning is best for a more local vibe.
Local tip: In 2015, 228 stores across Barcelona were given a special preservation status, which
From the outside, this McDonald's in Italy may seem like a regular restaurant, but walk past its gates and over its glass flooring, and you'll spot some eerie details, like three skeletons embedded in the rocks below.
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The best time to visit Madrid varies, and it depends on what you're looking for on your trip to Spain. Poolside lounging and people-watching in plazas under guaranteed sunshine is possible between mid-spring and early autumn, but the height of summer can make outdoor sightseeing a little unbearable. Madrid’s restaurants are fabulous year-round, and the food scene is thriving like never before, but there’s a charm to scouring the local markets and following fellow foodies as they spill into sprawling parks to tuck in either side of the midday sun. Here, we run through the seasonal highlights of the Spanish capital, explaining why it’s possible to uncover a new side to the city every month of the year.
It's been more than a month of labor strikes at hotels in some of the top destinations in the U.S., and a resolution doesn't appear to be in sight.