To enjoy a filling yet economical lunch look out for eating places that serve Menu del Dia, this is a well-kept secret for a cheap satisfying meal, and at some places they give you 4 courses! A popular first course can be a refreshing salad followed by generous servings of a choice of two main courses. And don't forget dessert, a classic one is crème caramel liked by everyone who has a taste. One outstanding value-for-money eatery is Moaz for its authentic falafel and freshly made Middle Eastern cuisine, they serve pita with unlimited refills for 5 EUR, including hummus and other Israeli toppings.

There are various charges to be aware of when eating in restaurants as many of them are hidden, for example if VAT is levied it will push your bill up by an additional 7%. Eating on the terrace is very pleasant at the time but ask in advance as there might be a supplementary terrace tax which can range from as little as 1 or 3 EUR each to what would be a 20 percent addition on top of the bill. In Spain, lunch is eaten a tad later than what we are used to, and can be as early as 1pm or as late as 3.45 in the afternoon. Don't hang your bag or jacket on the back of your chair either if eating in a restaurant as you might encourage pickpockets, or don't worry about how much to tip as most people don't bother, the choice is yours.

Planning your holiday in advance enables you to find out beforehand what is free to do and where to go with no admission charges, some museums are free every day of the week, however others are only free on certain days. The Museu Nacional D'Art de Catalunya welcomes anyone under 15 or over 65 for free, and nobody has to pay on the first Sunday of each month. Highlights of the museum focus on classic Catalonian art, but you can also enjoy collections from the Romanesque classics and Baroque art to keep you there for a few hours, and encourage you to return on another day.

The Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, otherwise known as MACBA, hosts workshops in its auditoriums, most of which are free to attend. If you want somewhere quiet and calm time to hang out then their collected works of books, publications and archives are free to peruse for anyone interested.

Barcelona's parks are mainly free to enter and offer the ideal peaceful haven to escape the busy city, Ciutadella Park is an impressively sized area fantastic to chill out and Parc Guell will arouse and excite your mind and body with its dreamy figures. One of the main pulls for visitors to the Catalonian capital are the sculptures, more than a little curious and interesting for both the young and older generation.

Contemporary buildings compete alongside archaic ones, and pointing up and standing tall and proud is the often talked-about phallic shaped tower designed by the creative French architect Jean Nouvel. The Torre Agbar is captivating even by nights thanks to the thousands of LED lights that illuminate the whole structure from within.

So now you know how to keep busy whilst in Barcelona, and there's no need to spend too much money either. There are plenty of accommodation options to choose from, apartments are affordable for those looking to rent and give you the opportunity to take your time exploring this fascinating location.