If your passion is to travel the world with a backpack, you have come to the right place, in this article we will show you our own backpacker guide to Barcelona.
If you travel to Barcelona as a backpacker, it usually implies you are travelling on a tight budget. In this case, the best you can do is save some money by staying at a hostel in Barcelona. That way, you will also be able to save some money on food, since you can use the common kitchen to cook your meals. By staying at a hostel you will also have the chance of meeting new and exciting people; it may as well be the starting point of your adventure.
If you arrive in Barcelona by plane, there are several ways to get to the city centre from the airport El Prat. The simplest route would be to take the line R2 in the Cercanías train, which will drop you at Sants station. This train leaves from the terminal No. 2 at the airport. If you arrive in T1 you can also take a free bus which will drop you at the point where you need to take the train. At Sants Station you can buy a T10 ticket for 9,25 euros, it will grant you 10 rides in all public transportation in Barcelona. This is also useful if you arrive on the train. If you arrive by night and you miss the last train, you could take the Aerobus, the bus No. 46 or a taxi.
Barcelona is the perfect city for backpackers, there are usually lots of cultural and leisure activities. For art lovers, the Gaudí route is one of the most interesting things to do. Visiting La Sagrada Familia can be an unforgettable experience, it a beautiful space outside as well as inside. You can also walk around Parc Güell, which is definitively one of the most authentic spots of the city, visit La Pedrera and La Casa Bartlló and then close the day walking by Paseo de Gracia and visiting the famous Casa Vicens.
If you are one of those backpackers who wish to visit the most historical places of the city, walking around the Gothic Quarter is an experience you should not miss. Barcelona’s Cathedral, the Palau de la Generalitat, the ruins of the Temple of Augustus and Sant Felip Neri park are just a few of the magical spots that this old neighborhood has to offer. You should also visit the Ramblas and stop by La Boquería market, the Gran Teatre del Liceu and Catalonia Square. If you stay in Barcelona for several days, then you should also visit Monjuïc and the famous Barceloneta beach.
If you want to try out Barcelona’s typical food, we advise you to stay away from the restaurants near the beach and invite you to wander around instead. The most typical meals you should definitively try out are fish and paellas; the good news is that Barcelona has restaurants to suit all tastes and all pockets. Take a look at TripAdvisor before you choose one, so that you can take into account your own budget and what each restaurant has to offer. In case you don’t want to eat at a restaurant, you can always stop by a supermarket or a coffee shop and buy a snack to refill your energy.
Have a nice trip!