Barcelona: 7 phrases to help you save on your trip
Knowing a little Spanish or Catalan can come in handy during a trip to Barcelona. While it’s true that most customer service folks in the city center and at major attractions will speak some English, speaking at least a bit of the local language is always a chance to get closer to the culture and have a richer travel experience.
It can also be a way to save. There are certain words posted on signs at ticket offices, Metro stops, and on menus that non-Spanish and Catalan speakers’ eyes would glaze over, missing an opportunity on a discount or deal.
With that in mind, here are seven words and phrases that you should look out for in Barcelona, as they might help you unlock some savings.
A quick note about bargaining
Bargaining at the marketplace is not common in Barcelona. If you try to low-ball vendors, you will probably be met with confused or irritated looks. The price listed is the price you pay in Spain, but this doesn’t mean that there are not deals to be had. Read on to find out how to save.
1. “Rebajas”: Sales
From January 7 until the end of February, and again in July to the end of August, there are great discounts to be found in Barcelona shops. Rebajas means “sales,” and you’ll want to keep your eyes open for “rebajas” signs in boutique windows. The best deals are found in clothing and shoe shops, though other emporiums often extend price cuts, too. It is not the norm to have ongoing sales throughout the year in Barcelona. Instead, plan to shop until you drop during these four special months where items can be found for up to 70% off.
2. “Entradas reducidas”: Reduced price tickets
Depending on your age and what you do, you may be able to snag a discount when visiting many of Barcelona’s museums. Entradas are tickets and Entradas reducidas are tickets at a reduced price.
For example, at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), students (estudiantes) get 30% off the €12 ticket price, as do those with a Barcelona library card (Biblioteques de Barcelona – free to sign up for). If you buy a pass on the Bus Turístic or Barcelona City Tour you’ll get 20% off the ticket into MNAC. Look for similar deals at other museums.
3. “Entradas gratuitas”: Free entry
Even better than a discounted ticket is a free ticket. Look for information about entradas gratuitas at museums throughout town. Note that most museums have a few days a year when entrance fees are waived.
In the case of MNAC, it’s free to get in every Saturday after 3 pm, the first Sunday of each month all day, February 12, May 18, September 11, and September 24. Also, anyone under 16 gets into the MNAC for free year round. Again, it pays to take a look at museum websites and see what they have listed under entradas gratuitas, though most will be similar to the MNAC’s offerings.
4. “Menú del día”: Daily lunch special
This is one of my personal faves and a bargain I frequently take advantage of. From Monday to Friday most restaurants in Barcelona offer a menú del día from 1 to 4 pm. The menú del día is more or less the daily lunch special, and usually includes three courses, bread, and a drink (wine!) for under €15. The same amount of food during dinner service will cost at least twice that amount. I especially like indulging in a menú del día at posh eateries that would otherwise be too pricey. I may not always be able to splurge and drop €100 on dinner and wine at a fancy-pants spot like Monvínic, but I can afford their €19.50 menú del día.
Note: It is uncommon to find a menú del día on the weekends (though some restaurants will offer it), and if a restaurant does not have a menú del día midweek, then you’re probably better off going somewhere else.
Related: Five cheap eats under €6 in Barcelona
5. “Mayores de 60”: Older than 60
If you’re over the age of 60, there are price cuts to be had at museums and also on public transportation. For example, those over 65 get into the MNAC for free.
And it’s not just museums: if you’re older than 60 and staying in Barcelona for several months (or live here), you can pay €3.90 for a 10-trip metro ticket instead of €10 when you carry a “Targeta Rosa” card. The Targeta Rosa gets the user all sorts of discounts on public transportation and more. Because you have to be registered in the city to use the Targeta Rosa, this deal will only be useful for those who are staying in Barcelona for several months.
TMB/Metro also offers discounts to young people (under 25) and students. From their website: “If you are under 25, you can buy a T-Jove ticket, which lets you make an unlimited number of journeys over 90 consecutive days. You can buy a T-Jove at ticket machines at metro stations. You will need to enter your ID card number or that of any other official ID document (passport, driver’s license). You must have this ID document with you whenever you use your T-Jove.” See more about metro ticket bargains on the TMB website.
6. “Familias numerosas”: Savings for large families
If you’re traveling with children, you may be able to save some big bucks. Familias numerosas means large families, and often times parents will have to pay for tickets but children will get in for free or at a very reduced rate. Special rates are also available for single parents. For example, at the Catalonia History Museum parents with one child or more pay a reduced rate of €2 instead of €4.50 per person. At the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA Plaça del Rei) “familias numerosas” pay just €5 instead of €7.
7. “Ofertas en Atrapalo”: Online deals
Another way to say “sale” or “deal” in Spanish is oferta. One of the best sites in Barcelona, and across Spain, to look for ofertas is Atrapalo.com. It’s only available in Spanish, so you’ll need to have some grasp of the language to use the website. Atrapalo puts up ofertas for flights, car rentals, restaurant deals, and vacation getaways, but I tend to use them for discount tickets to events such as theater and concerts. Many times they will have tickets to Spanish guitar concerts for €15 instead of €23, and I’ve seen up to 50% off on some performances. If you’re interested in catching a show in Barcelona, it’s worth scrolling through Atrapalo first.
Note that you need access to a printer to use their ofertas, as you’ll have to print off your passes. Most hotels will be able to do this for you. Another site which lists deals in English is Money Saver Spain, though their deals are more general than Atrapalo’s.
Final Tip: Make sure there’s a price
One last word of advice: If there are no prices on a menu or a product, beware. It’s rare, but some unscrupulous shop keepers and restaurant owners might raise the price for tourists. When in doubt, ask to see a menu with the prices on it.
Your ways to save?
Are there ways you save in Barcelona? Let us know!
About the author
A pity that despite alluding to the Catalan language in the opening paragraph and also mentioning it in her biographical information, Regina resolutely eschews its use here.
Her local references are soldily centred on the Castilian language, save for 2 fleeting references to the correct names of important cultural entities in Catalonia.
Quina llàstima, nena.
We are planning a holiday in barcelona in the fall and all these tips are such a great help! We are hoping to rent an apartment for two weeks and are finishing up with a ten day cruise already booked so I have lots of research for apartments etc but your site is amazing!!! Thank you so much!!!!!