Barcelona is a city full of history, heritage, architecture and culture, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to discover it. Throughout the year, different spaces and institutions organise free guided tours in Barcelona that allow you to explore parts of the city from a different perspective.

From the history of iconic buildings to historic gardens and heritage sites, there are different options for discovering Barcelona with a guide without paying an entrance fee. And if you’re interested in urban art, you’ll also find options for discovering the city’s street art, either on your own or through a specialised tour.

1. Free guided tours in Barcelona

Barcelona offers different guided tours that allow you to discover historic spaces, unique buildings and lesser-known corners of the city. Some are scheduled throughout the year, while others depend on specific dates, cultural campaigns or availability.

These are some of the options you can consider if you’re looking for free tours in Barcelona.

La Model

Barcelona’s former prison is now a heritage and memory space where you can learn about an important part of the city’s contemporary history.

La Model offers free guided tours for the general public, during which you can explore some of the most emblematic spaces of the former prison, including the galleries, courtyards, cells and panopticon.

The tours last approximately one hour and require advance booking. Activities may vary depending on the calendar, so it is advisable to check the latest schedules before visiting.

(Image credit: Generalitat de Catalunya. / Source: Press Release – The Government and Barcelona City Council sign an agreement for the relocation of La Model and the construction of social housing in Trinitat Vella / Date: January 10, 2017.)

Palau Moja

Located on La Rambla, Palau Moja is one of the most interesting historic buildings in central Barcelona.

The tours allow visitors to learn about the building’s history and discover some of its interior spaces, architectural features and details related to the people who lived there.

Palau Moja currently organises free guided tours on some weekends, with advance booking. It is a good option for discovering part of Barcelona’s architectural heritage from the inside.

(Image credit: Pere prlpz)

Free art and street art tours in Barcelona

If you’re interested in discovering Barcelona through art, there are also different free art and street art tours that allow you to explore the city on foot with a guide.

One option is TourMeOut, which currently offers a Free Street Art Tour Barcelona lasting around two hours. The route passes through different areas linked to urban art, such as El Raval, Poblenou and Gràcia, and includes murals, graffiti and other examples of street art. The tour operates on a tips-based model: there is no fixed price to book, but participants are encouraged to make a contribution to the guide at the end of the tour.

You can also find free tours related to art and heritage through GuruWalk, a platform specialising in guided tours. Its Barcelona options include routes focused on Modernism and Gaudí, as well as tours through the Gothic Quarter and El Born that combine history, culture, art and architecture.

Palau del Marquès d'Alfarràs

Another interesting option is Palau del Marquès d’Alfarràs, located inside Parc del Laberint d’Horta.

The building dates back to the 11th century and is closely connected to the history of this historic garden. The guided tours allow visitors to learn about the palace’s evolution, its spaces and its connection to the park as a whole.

The tours are free, but you should check the schedule and book a place before going.

(Image credit: Paddy Mc Aloon)

Temporary cultural tours and routes

Beyond regularly scheduled tours, Barcelona hosts activities related to heritage, history and culture throughout the year.

Cultural events, special celebrations, festivals and different institutional initiatives may include guided tours or free routes through spaces that normally have more restricted access.

For this reason, if you’re looking for free routes around Barcelona, it is worth checking Barcelona’s cultural agendas and the programmes of different cultural venues regularly.

2. Discover Barcelona’s street art with a guided tour

Free guided tours are a way to discover Barcelona’s history and heritage, but the city also has another story to tell through its walls: the story of urban art.

If you want to discover Barcelona’s street art from a more specialised perspective, you can visit BAS Museum, located in the Gothic Quarter.

The museum houses a collection of urban art featuring works by national and international artists and allows visitors to discover different styles, techniques and approaches to contemporary art.

BAS guided tour

BAS offers a guided tour of approximately 50 minutes covering some of the collection’s most outstanding works.

During the tour, the curator shares the stories behind the pieces, curiosities and hidden details, as well as explaining the selection process behind the works and the artistic contexts surrounding them.

The tour also includes fun facts, anecdotes and lesser-known information that allow visitors to discover the works from a closer and more personal perspective.

The BAS guided tour is paid, so it is not included among the free guided tours on this list. It is, however, an interesting alternative if you want to explore Barcelona’s street art in greater depth with the guidance of a specialist.

3. What can you visit for free at BAS?

Although the museum collection and guided tour require an admission ticket, BAS also has spaces and offerings that can be visited free of charge.

BAS free-access area

At the entrance to the Barcelona Art Street Museum, there is a free-access area that allows visitors to get closer to the museum’s world without having to buy a general admission ticket.

It is an interesting option if you want to get to know BAS, discover part of what it offers and familiarise yourself with the world of urban art before visiting the full collection.

Free temporary exhibitions

BAS also hosts temporary exhibitions with free admission.

These exhibitions allow visitors to discover artists and projects beyond the permanent collection and offer another way to explore contemporary urban art.

For example, you can currently visit the temporary exhibition by Zach Oreo, which offers an opportunity to discover the artist’s work within the museum’s context.

Before visiting, always check the latest information about dates, opening times and access conditions.

4. Tips for making the most of free guided tours

If you want to take part in a free guided tour in Barcelona, it is worth keeping a few things in mind before planning your visit:

• Book in advance: many activities have a limited number of places.

• Check the schedule: tours may vary depending on the season.

• Confirm that it is still free: some activities are only free on certain dates or during specific time slots.

• Check the language: make sure you know whether the tour is in Catalan, Spanish, English or another language.

• Check the booking conditions: in some cases, you need to reserve a ticket even if the activity is free.

• Arrive early: especially if the tour has limited capacity.

This will help you avoid arriving at the venue only to find that the tour is full or that advance booking was required.

5. Other ways to discover Barcelona for free

Guided tours are not the only way to discover Barcelona without spending money. The city offers many other cultural options and routes that you can explore on your own.

Discover Barcelona’s street art on your own

If you’re interested in urban art but prefer to explore at your own pace, Barcelona has different neighbourhoods where you can find murals, interventions and other forms of street art in public spaces.

One option is to follow a street art route through Gràcia, a neighbourhood where urban art is part of the streetscape.

You can also discover the street art of Poblenou, an area particularly connected to urban culture and the transformation of its former industrial spaces.

Doing these routes on your own is a good alternative to paid tours and allows you to combine art, a walk and discovering the city.

Visit free museums in Barcelona

Barcelona also has museums and cultural spaces that offer free admission on certain days, at certain times or under specific conditions.

If you want to expand your cultural options, you can consult our guide to free museums in Barcelona, where you’ll find different suggestions for visiting cultural spaces without paying an entrance fee.

More free things to do in Barcelona

And if you’re looking for even more ideas, you can also check out our selection of 20 free things to do in Barcelona.

From cultural spaces and iconic landmarks to viewpoints, activities and lesser-known corners, there are many ways to enjoy Barcelona without spending money.

Frequently asked questions about free guided tours in Barcelona

What free guided tours are available in Barcelona?

Barcelona offers different free guided tours related to heritage, history and culture. Some run for much of the year, while others are organised occasionally. It is always advisable to check the latest programme and booking conditions.

Are there free guided tours in central Barcelona?

Yes. In central Barcelona and the surrounding areas, you can find different cultural activities and free tours related to the city’s heritage and history. Palau Moja is one example of a venue that organises free guided tours.

Where can I take free tours in Barcelona?

There are different options for free tours in Barcelona, including guided tours organised by institutions and occasional cultural routes. You can also explore the city on your own to discover neighbourhoods, heritage, architecture or urban art.

What free routes around Barcelona can I do on my own?

You can discover different neighbourhoods and areas of Barcelona without booking a guided tour. Street art routes in areas such as Gràcia and Poblenou are an interesting option if you want to combine culture and a walk.

Can you visit BAS for free?

BAS has a free-access area and also organises temporary exhibitions with free admission. To visit the museum’s full collection, you need to purchase the corresponding admission ticket.

Does BAS offer guided tours?

Yes. BAS offers guided tours of approximately 50 minutes covering some of the collection’s most outstanding works. The tour includes explanations about the works, artists and their context, as well as curiosities and anecdotes shared by the curator. The guided tour is paid.

What can I do for free in Barcelona?

In addition to guided tours, you can visit certain museums during free-admission periods, explore different neighbourhoods, discover Barcelona’s street art or check the free cultural activities organised throughout the year.