Go local: Barcelona

With its stunning architecture, vibrant food scene and unique Catalonian culture, it’s little wonder that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities on the planet.

Natural Assets

The spectacular coastal setting of Barcelona doesn’t cost much to enjoy- and it’s possible to get some salty air in relative quiet. Hire stand-up paddleboards from the super friendly people at Manihi Surf when the tourists crowds have started to thin out. €15.00/£14.15 hour (discounts for all-day or multi-day rentals). Swimming at Club (CNAB) is another way to cool off and avoid tourists (entry €10.00/£9.42 for the day). If the heat and the hordes in the city do become unbearable, do what the locals do and escape on a 20-minute train south to Platja del Garraf beach. It is gorgeous, friendly, relatively tourist-free and the train costs only €5 (£4.72).

Camp Nou Pilgrimage on a Budget

It doesn’t have to cost the earth to go to see FC Barcelona – and the famous Camp Nou stadium that is their home. It’s also surprisingly easy to get tickets, starting at around €44 (£41.50). Equally exciting are the women’s team matches – tickets come at a discount (from €3/£2.83) and can be less crowded than the La Liga fixtures. The Camp Nou Tour is a must-do for any football aficionado – buy your tickets online (€35/£33.01) to avoid queues.

Market Value

Every Barcelona ‘barrio’ has its own market where you can find loaves of fresh bread for as little as €1.50 (£1.41) and cured meats and cheeses. Expect to pay no more than €5 per head (£4.72) for a great day’s provisions. A quiet local favourite is Mercat de La Concepción. Its Eiffel-built steel halls are lined with the best veg, fish and bread the city has to offer. The nearby Bakery Baluard on Calle Baluard is exceptional, with loaves baked in a wood fired oven ranging from €2-7 (£1.89- £6.60).

Free Art, Free Skate & Great Coffee

If riding a concrete wave is your passion then you’ll know that Barcelona is the undisputed capital of European skateboarding. Grab the best coffee in Barcelona from Bar Central (€2.40/£2.26) and spend some time relaxing out the front of the MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona), watching the world’s top skaters surf their turf. On the last Sunday of every month the museum itself is free to enter, as are most of the city’s museums. There are world-class skate spots all over the city, and the local’s relaxed attitude to skating is really refreshing and typical of what makes this place so special. For €14 (£13.20) an hour you can even get a bespoke tour with a local skateboarder!

Ultimate City View for Free

If you’re feeling energetic, one of my favourite things to do is to hike up the winding hill of Montjuïc to the castle. The walk is quite steep, but you’ll enjoy the most stunning views of the sea and the city – and it doesn’t cost a penny.

Cava & Tapas For Local Prices

Cava and tapas are weaved into the collective psyche of Barcelona and no celebration is complete without them. But you need to get away from the real tourist traps to get the good stuff for the right prices. The more locals in a bar, the better value it usually is. La Vinya del Senyor is a local gem (€3/£2.83 a glass, where in mainstream tourist spots you can pay as much as €8/£7.55). The setting in barrio La Ribera is beautiful - and it’s one of the oldest wine bars in the city. El Vaso Del Oro is another favourite down in the portside barrio of Barceloneta. The wine and tapas are great value. Expect to pay between €3-5 per plate (£2.83- £4.72). But it’s also for the great selection of local and craft beers in this traditional cervecerîa - good value at between €2 (£1.89) for a local lager and no more than €7 (£6.60) for a crafty import. Many lost nights there testify to the Port-side authenticity that exists away from the tourist throng.

*Self-catering.

Disclaimer: Any views or recommendations in this article are the author’s own and do not represent Halifax. All costs shown are approximate at publication. The exchange rates used were the applicable rates for travel money on 22 August 2019. Halifax is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Date: September 2019