For an economical midday meal or 'la comida' look out for restaurants offering Menu of the Day, which comes with a visibly shown set rate and involves three courses for a meal, as well as a drink. Offers are typically chalked up on the boards outside the restaurants, with prices ranging from around 6 EUR at corner cafés to 25 EUR at higher class establishments. Desserts including a glass of wine or coffee will accompany you to end the meal. Another excellent value-for-money eatery is Moaz, with two stores in the La Ramblas area, their set meal comes with Belgian fries, a beverage, and unlimited salad toppings, all for just 5 EUR.

There are additional charges to look out for when eating in restaurants, for instance there could be an IVA tax, a value added tax will add 7 percent to your check. Some cafes charge extra for bread so just be aware of it and watch out for them. With a mandatory afternoon siesta in place do not expect restaurants and shops to be opened until around late afternoon. Never leave your personal belongings on the table if eating in a restaurant, stay alert for thieves, and don't sweat about how much to tip, by all means leave some small change, but it's ok not to tip if you prefer not to.

The convenience of the internet means you can prepare your sightseeing plans in advance checking out free activities and sights, especially the museums. The multitude of museums available here means there's bound to be some that are free to visit, while others are free only on Sundays. Defintely one of the most important museums is the Picasso Museum, free to enjoy every first Sunday of the month, plus they often hold free guided tours at a cost of the Museum's entrance fee.

The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, or MACBA in short, holds complimentary workshops in one of its auditoriums and its Study Center, Library Reading Room and Special Collections Room hold a collection of books, publications and archives that are free to use for the public. Most parks are also free and can be a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Parc de la Crueta del Coll and the Botanical Gardens and illuminated Font Magica for example.

The biggest park, Ciutadella Park, invites you to chill out in its massive grounds or take a long stroll, while Parc Guell will stimulate your senses with its fairy-tale sculptures. One of the biggest attractions in Barcelona, Parc Guell has unusual materials strongly inspired by curious shapes of nature, making it an art lovers dream, pay a visit to the gallery scene at the Fundacio Caxiaforum too for art, hit the streets for free lectures on architecture or just browse a whole slew of freebie galleries.

The city is also full of historical monuments, many of which can be visited without paying a penny. The architecture in Barcelona alone can entertain you for weeks and it also boosts the best preserved Gothic-era medieval centres ever encountered. The Santa Maria Mar Church, one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the city, is a fine example of how delicate this type of architecture can be, where light streams through its celestine windows.

These are just some of the various tips to enjoy this city cheaply without breaking the bank. There are many affordable apartments to rent if you want stretch your holiday funds to enjoy this wonderful place.