Quick answer: Barcelona runs about EUR 95 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: May–June or September (warm, beach + fewer crowds).
What things actually cost
| espresso at a bar | 1.40 EUR |
| menu del dia lunch | 13 EUR |
| cana (small beer) | 2.80 EUR |
| metro ride with T-casual | 1.20 EUR |
| Sagrada Familia entry | 26 EUR |
| glass of vermouth | 3.50 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Pan con tomate with jamonthe default start to any meal, around 3-5 EUR at most tapas bars
- Bombas at La Cova Fumada in Barcelonetathe potato-meatball bomb was invented here, about 2.50 EUR each
- Pintxos on Carrer Blaiskewers at 1.50-2 EUR apiece, grab a plate and pay by the toothpick
- Menu del diathree-course weekday lunch with wine at neighborhood restaurants for 12-15 EUR
- Vermut houra glass of house vermouth with olives and chips for about 3-4 EUR, best before Sunday lunch
Money mistakes to avoid
- Eating on La Ramblaoverpriced frozen paella; walk five minutes into El Born or Poble-sec instead
- Not booking Sagrada Familia and Park Guell online days aheadsame-day tickets regularly sell out
- Showing up for dinner at 19:00kitchens are dead until about 21:00, do a vermut or pintxos first
- Keeping your phone in a back pocket on the metro and La Rambla - pickpocketing is the city's main crime, use a zipped front pocket
Transport without the tourist tax
From El Prat airport take the Aerobus (about 7.25 EUR, 35 minutes) or metro L9 (about 5.50 EUR) to the center. In town walk plus metro with a T-casual 10-ride card (about 12 EUR, roughly 1.20 EUR per ride).
Planning the full trip? Start with the 4-day Barcelona itinerary.