Inspiration for activities you can do together
Museums
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona
Description: Catalonia’s national art museum, covering around 1,000 years of art and especially renowned for its Romanesque mural paintings, Gothic art and Catalan modernism.
Entrance: Free every Saturday starting at 3pm and on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : A free timed ticket should be reserved online in advance. The museum also offers panoramic views from Montjuïc.
La Virreina Centre de la Imatge
La Rambla, 99, 08002 Barcelona
Description: A contemporary visual-culture centre on La Rambla presenting rotating exhibitions of photography, film, archives and critical image-based practices.
Entrance: Admission is free.
Notes : It has no permanent collection, so visitors should check the current exhibition programme before going.
Museu Picasso
Carrer de Montcada, 15–23, 08003 Barcelona
Description: A major collection documenting Picasso’s formative years, his relationship with Barcelona and the evolution of his early artistic work.
Entrance: Free Thursday afternoons from 6.00pm to 9.30pm and the first Sunday of each month, from 9am to 7pm.
Notes : Advance booking is compulsory for free periods. Free tickets become available four days before the visit from 10:00 am, and capacity is limited.
Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)
Plaça del Rei, s/n, 08002 Barcelona
Description: The main Plaça del Rei site explains Barcelona’s development from Roman Barcino through the medieval city, including extensive underground archaeological remains.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : MUHBA operates several sites, and opening times can differ between them. Confirm the specific venue before visiting.
Palau Güell
Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3–5, 08001 Barcelona
Description: An early urban palace by Antoni Gaudí, designed for industrialist Eusebi Güell and known for its central hall, parabolic arches and colourful rooftop chimneys.
Entrance: Free the first Sunday of the month.
Notes : You must make a reservation on the Palau Güell website in order to gain free entry.
Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Avinguda de les Drassanes, 1, 08001 Barcelona
Description: Located in Barcelona’s medieval Royal Shipyards, the museum explores maritime trade, navigation, shipbuilding and the city’s relationship with the Mediterranean.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm.
Notes : No reservation is normally required during the Sunday free period. Access to the historic schooner Santa Eulàlia depends on its location and operating schedule.
Jardí Botànic de Barcelona
Carrer del Doctor Font i Quer, 2, 08038 Barcelona
Description: A 14-hectare botanical garden displaying plants from Mediterranean-climate regions including the Mediterranean Basin, California, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : This is an outdoor and partly sloping site, so weather, footwear and accessibility should be considered. Online tickets are available.
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
Carrer de Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona
Description: A contemporary cultural centre presenting changing exhibitions and programmes on society, cities, science, technology, art and visual culture.
Entrance: Admission is free on Sundays after 3pm.
Notes : Capacity is limited. Free tickets can be obtained online four days in advance. The CCCB does not have a conventional permanent museum collection.
Museu Frederic Marès
Plaça de Sant Iu, 5, 08002 Barcelona
Description: A distinctive museum combining an important collection of Hispanic sculpture with the Collector’s Cabinet, containing thousands of historical everyday objects and curiosities.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : It is housed in part of the former Royal Palace in the Gothic Quarter. The collection is extensive, so allow more time than its small exterior suggests.
Museu de la Música
Carrer de Lepant, 150, 08013 Barcelona
Description: A museum inside L’Auditori displaying more than 500 musical instruments and tracing musical traditions from different historical periods and cultures.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : Highlights include an important classical-guitar collection and an interactive gallery where visitors can try selected instruments.
Museu Blau
Plaça de Leonardo da Vinci, 4–5, 08019 Barcelona
Description: Barcelona’s natural-sciences museum, centred on the permanent exhibition Planet Life, with zoological, geological and palaeontological specimens.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : The large whale skeleton in the entrance hall is a major highlight. The museum is closed on non-holiday Mondays, and children under 16 enter free.
Montjuïc Castle
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona
Description: A historic military fortress and former prison with exhibitions about its history and panoramic views over Barcelona, the port and the Mediterranean.
Entrance: Free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : Admission to the castle may be free, but transport such as the Montjuïc Cable Car is not included. Expect larger crowds during free periods.
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)
Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona
Description: Barcelona’s principal contemporary-art museum, presenting its collection and temporary exhibitions focused mainly on art from the second half of the twentieth century onwards.
Entrance: MACBA temporary exhibitions are free on their opening nights.
Notes : The free-entry programme changes seasonally. Check the current calendar and reserve ahead where possible.
Fundación MAPFRE KBr Photography Centre
Avenida del Litoral, 30, 08005 Barcelona
Description: A specialist photography centre with two exhibition spaces presenting major historical and contemporary photographers from Spain and abroad.
Entrance: Free every Tuesday (except public holidays).
Notes : There is no permanent display; exhibitions change throughout the year. Check which exhibitions are running before visiting.
Catalan Museum of Archaeology
Passeig de Santa Madrona, 39–41, 08038 Barcelona
Description: The museum presents Catalonia’s archaeological history from prehistory to the early Middle Ages through objects, sculptures and material remains.
Entrance: Free on the first Sunday of each month.
Notes : The permanent exhibition covers more than 3,000 m². The museum is on a steep part of Montjuïc; bus 55 is generally the most accessible public-transport option.
Museu del Disseny de Barcelona
Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, 38, 08018 Barcelona
Description: A museum of decorative arts and design, covering product design, fashion, textiles, graphic design, ceramics, furniture and historical decorative objects.
Entrance: Free every first Sunday of the month and also every Sunday from 3pm.
Notes : The free-admission arrangement applies to the permanent exhibitions; temporary exhibitions may have a separate charge.
Cultural Centers
Palau Robert
Passeig de Gràcia, 107, 08008 Barcelona
Description: A historic mansion on Passeig de Gràcia presenting temporary exhibitions about Catalan culture, society, history, public figures and contemporary issues.
Entrance: Admission is free.
Notes : There is no permanent collection. The building also has a public garden and visitor-information facilities; organised groups should arrange their visit in advance.
El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria (CCM)
Plaça Comercial, 12, 08003 Barcelona
Description: A cultural and memorial centre inside the former Born market, built above the excavated streets, houses and workshops of the early eighteenth-century Ribera neighbourhood.
Entrance: Admission is free.
Notes : Some temporary exhibitions, activities and guided access to the archaeological site may require a paid ticket or reservation, even though entry to the central building is free.
Centre d’Arts Santa Mònica
La Rambla, 7, 08002 Barcelona
Description: A contemporary arts centre presenting exhibitions, performance, film, sound and experimental cultural projects.
Entrance: Free Tuesday–Sunday and public holidays, normally 11:00–20:30.
Notes : There is no permanent collection, so the experience depends on the current programme.
La Capella
Carrer de l’Hospital, 56, 08001 Barcelona
Description: A contemporary art space inside a former medieval hospital chapel, focused particularly on emerging artistic practices.
Entrance: Free during opening hours; normally Tuesday–Saturday from 12:00 to 20:00, with shorter Sunday and holiday hours.
Notes : Exhibitions change regularly. Check the current programme before visiting.
Fabra i Coats Centre d’Art Contemporani
Carrer de Sant Adrià, 20, 08030 Barcelona
Description: Contemporary exhibitions inside a large former textile factory in Sant Andreu.
Entrance: Free Tuesday–Saturday 12:00–20:00; Sundays and most public holidays 11:00–15:00. Closed in August.
Notes : The industrial complex itself is also interesting for architecture and photography.
History & Viewpoints
Free Visit to La Model Prison
Carrer d’Entença, 155, 08029 Barcelona
Description: A self-guided visit through the cells, galleries, courtyards and central panopticon of Barcelona’s former twentieth-century prison.
Entrance: Friday 16:00–18:00; Saturday 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:00; Sunday 10:00–14:00. Closed in August and on public holidays.
Notes : No advance booking is required under the current free-visit programme. Eating and drinking are not permitted inside.
Turó de la Rovira — Bunkers del Carmel
Carrer de Marià Labèrnia, s/n, 08032 Barcelona
Description: A panoramic viewpoint with remains of Spanish Civil War anti-aircraft defences and the former Canons shanty settlement.
Entrance: Free daily. May–September: 09:00–19:30; October–April: 09:00–17:30.
Notes : The archaeological enclosure closes outside the stated hours. The interpreted museum spaces have more limited opening times.
CCCB Mirador
Carrer de Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona
Description: A fifth-floor viewpoint overlooking the Raval, Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc, the sea and Collserola.
Entrance: Free on selected dates during 2026, generally 10:00–20:00.
Notes : It is not open every Sunday. The CCCB publishes specific dates throughout the year, so check the calendar first.
Outdoor & Nature
Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Passeig dels Castanyers, 1, 08035 Barcelona
Description: A historic neoclassical and romantic garden with sculptures, ponds and landscaped paths.
Entrance: Free every Wednesday and Sunday. April–October: 10:00–20:00; November–March: 10:00–18:00.
Notes : The hedge maze itself is closed for restoration from early 2025 until approximately early 2027, but the rest of the park remains open. Capacity is limited on free days.
Markets
Encants Market and Morning Auctions
Carrer de los Castillejos, 158, 08013 Barcelona
Description: One of Europe’s oldest flea markets, offering antiques, vintage objects, second-hand clothing, art, furniture and unusual collectibles.
Entrance: Free to enter Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 09:00–20:00. Auctions take place from 07:45 to 09:00.
Notes : The early auctions are the most distinctive experience. Purchases and food are, of course, not free.
Social Activities & Nightlife
Board game evenings in Afterlife Esports Gamer bar
Carrer de Bailèn, 7, baixos 2, 08010 Barcelona
Description: They organise board game nights and have board games available for free. Consumption is mandatory though.
Entrance: Regular bar & burger place. Could be accessed for free anytime. For info about board game nights call +34930189159.
Notes : There is nobody hosting the board game events. You go and manage it on your own.
La Sasteria - Drag bar
Carrer del Consell de Cent, 245 bis, 08011 Barcelona
Description: Different Drag show every day in a small cosy bar. It's not a club where you can dance. After the drag show there is a DJ.
Entrance: Free Drag Shows every day.
Notes : Spanish or Catalan speaking Drag Queens. Sometimes they organise Bingo nights where you have to pay participation fee.