Budget — Barcelona

Barcelona is slightly less expensive than Paris or Amsterdam for an equivalent level of comfort, but remains more expensive than Madrid or Lisbon. A working budget of €100 per person per day covers a comfortable stay: a double room in a well-located three-star hotel, lunch in a Catalan bar, dinner in a good restaurant and two major museum or attraction entries.

Accommodation spans every level. A dorm bed in a hostel in El Born or Gràcia costs €25-40 per night. A decent double room in a B&B or budget hotel runs €80-140 depending on the season and proximity to the Gaudí trail. A four-star hotel in the Eixample or near the Barceloneta starts at €160-220 per night in season. Luxury properties (Hotel Arts, the W Barcelona, the Mandarin Oriental) surpass €400-600 per night in summer.

The food scene offers outstanding value away from tourist routes. A set lunch menu (3 courses, water, wine) in a Gràcia or Poblenou neighbourhood restaurant runs €12-18 per person. A round of pintxos with a glass of cava in El Born costs €8-15. A pizza or traditional Catalan main in the Eixample is €14-20. A tasting menu at a starred restaurant (Lasarte, Disfrutar, Albert Adrià's Tickets) starts at €150-200 per person before drinks. Avoid the restaurants lining the Rambla and immediately around the Sagrada Família — poor quality at inflated prices.

Entry fees add up. Sagrada Família (basic entry): €26 adult; with tower access: €36-40 (online booking mandatory). Park Güell (monumental zone): €10. Casa Batlló: €35-45 depending on the experience. Casa Milà / La Pedrera: €25-32. Museu Picasso: €15. MNAC (Montjuïc): €12. Camp Nou Experience: €35. Budget €25-40 per day on attractions if you visit two major paid sights.

Public transport is efficient and cheap. The T-Casual (10-journey metro/bus/tram card) costs €11.35 for 4 zones. The T-Dia (unlimited day pass) is €10.50. The Aerobús from El Prat to Plaça Catalunya costs €6.75 one way. A taxi from the airport runs about €35-40.