BUG - Backpackers Guide to budget travel in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain

Open Jan-Jun Mon-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu 10am-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm; Jul-Sep Tue-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 10am-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu 10am-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm

La Rambla

Often refered to as the greatest street in the world, La Rambla is a magnificent wide boulevard cutting through the Barri Gòtic from Plaça Catalunya to the port. The main attraction here is the people watching which ranges from old men engaged in lively debate to street theatre and colourful market traders.

La Rambla, Barcelona

Metro Catalunya, Liceu, Drassanes Train Catalunya Bus 14, 18, 38, 59, 64, 91, N4, N6, N9

Montjuïc and Castell de Montjuïc

This hill to the south-west of the city centre is home to parkland, Olympic stadiums and the Castell de Montjuïc. For most locals, Montjuïc is a place to escape the city. The castle isn't seen as one of the city's top attractions, partly because it was here that Catalan radicals where executed by the military and even today it houses a military museum. However the combined funicular and teleferic ride to the top and the view make the Castell de Monjuïc a rewarding spot to visit.

Funicular de Montjuïc from metro Para.lel, then Telefèric de Montjuïc to the castle

Admission €2.50

Open Tue-Sun 9.30am-8pm

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

This blindingly white building houses a collection of contemporary art from the 1940s to the present day. Although many people find the building spectacular, the exhibits don't live up to the standard of other places in Barcelona although fans of contemporary art will enjoy it.

Plaça dels Àngels 1, Barcelona

Metro, Train Catalunya

Tel (93) 4120810

Website www.macba.es

Admission €7, students €5.50

Open 1 Jan-24 Jun Mon & Wed-Fri 11am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-3pm; 25 Jun-24 Sep Mon & Wed-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-3pm; 25 Sep-31 Dec Mon & Wed-Fri 11am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-3pm

Museu del FC Barcelona

The museum of Barcelona's football (soccer) team is one of the city's leading attractions and a must of sports fans although others should probably give it a miss. The museum is situated at the famous Nou Camp stadium.

Nou Camp, Avinguda Aristides Maillol, access 9

Metro Collblanc Bus 15, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 75

Tel (93) 496 3608

Website www.fcbarcelona.com

Admission €6, students €4.50; guided tour €9.90, students €7.50

Open Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-2pm

Museu Marítim

An excellent maritime museum with well presented exhibits on ships, submarines and maritime exploits which played an important part in shaping Barcelona's history.

Avinguda de les Drassanes, Barcelona

Metro Jaume I Bus 14, 18, 38, 59, 64, 91

Tel (93) 342 9920

Website www.museumaritimbarcelona.org

Admission €6, students €3

Open 10am-7pm daily

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

An art museum housed in the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc with an important collection of Romanesque paintings and art from the early Medieval period.

Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc

Metro, Train Espanya

Tel (93) 622 0376

Website www.mnac.es

Admission €8, students €5.60

Open Tue-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm

Museu Picasso

One of Barcelona's top attractions. The Picasso Museum is home to a large collection on Pablo Picasso's works, however the emphasis is clearly on works from his earlier years.

Carrer de Montcada 15-19, Barcelona

Metro Jaume I Bus 17, 40, 45

Tel (93) 319 6310

Website www.museupicasso.bcn.es

Admission €6, students €3, free 1st Sun of month

Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm

Parc Güell and Casa-Museu Gaudí

This park north of the city centre is an excellent example of Antonio Gaudí's architecture in a garden setting. The park features excellent examples of Gaudí's work when applied to landscape gardening although there are also the inimitable gatehouses and the Casa-Museu Gaudí when Gaudí lived from 1906-1926. The museum features furniture, memorabilia and plans of unfinished projects.

Carretera del Carmel, Barcelona

Metro Lesseps Bus 24, 25

Park admission free; museum admission €4, students €3

Park open Dec-Feb 9am-6pm, Mar 9am-7pm, Apr-May 9am-8pm, Jun-Sep 9am-9pm, Oct 9am-8pm, Nov 9am-7pm; museum open Jan-Mar 10am-5.45pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-7.45pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5.45pm daily

Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família

Barcelona's landmark attraction and Antonio Gaudí's greatest masterpiece which he devoted 18 years of his life is a must-see attraction. It is an incredible experience to attempt to climb the towers although those scared of heights may prefer to visit the museum in the crypt which has photos and drawings showing the building's fascinating history.

Plaça Sagrada Família & Carrer de Mallorca 401, Barcelona

Metro Sagrada Família Bus 19, 33, 34, ,43, 44, 48, 50, 51

Tel (93) 207 3031

Website www.sagradafamilia.org

Admission €8, students €5

Open Jan-Mar 9am-8pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 9am-8pm daily

Ferry Tickets