Ever considered learning in Spain? Barcelona is likely one of the prime places chosen by many as their dream location. However why? From the gorgeous structure and dreamy parks to the colourful nightlife and engaging delicacies, Barcelona has all of it. And, there’s a lot to do this gained’t even price you a penny. 

Your CELTA course in Barcelona will likely be rigorous and you will have to spend so much of time in our faculty with us or learning at house. Nonetheless, we at all times advocate taking a while out to benefit from the metropolis and disconnect.

So, right here is our checklist of prime 10 free issues to do in Barcelona whereas taking your CELTA course. Go away us a remark on the backside of this submit should you suppose we’ve forgotten one thing!

1. Benefit from the views from up excessive

Barcelona is surrounded by hills from most angles, all of which provide gorgeous views you gained’t wish to neglect. Select from the next:

• Montjuic Fortress: The stroll as much as the fortress is winding and it’s simple to get misplaced so make sure you take water with you or cease at Caseta del Migdia for a drink within the secret cafe beside it. If you’re fortunate, you would possibly even be capable of catch a free live performance there in the summertime. As soon as on the fortress, take a stroll round it for the total view of town and the port as properly. There are sometimes occasions occurring right here too together with the favored Sala Montjuic open air cinema.
• Parc Guell: The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1984 and consists of two fundamental areas: The Forest Zone (free) and the Monumental Zone (paid for and which incorporates sculptures, fountains, the serpentine bench within the Plaza de la Natura, and Gaudí’s well-known mosaic lizard). The Forest Zone provides good viewpoints overlooking town and is good at sundown. Don’t be stunned if there’s an impromptu live performance from buskers both.
• The Bunkers del Carmel: This hilltop web site, coated with the concrete stays of Spanish Civil Warfare anti-aircraft gun emplacements, is a brief (round half-hour from the closest metro station) however steep climb. The opening hours have been lowered to Summer time: 9:00 to 19:30 and Winter: 9:00 to 17:30 so sadly a sundown view just isn’t potential. Nonetheless, the view from up right here, in our opinion, is likely one of the greatest, so don’t miss this one!
• MNAC entrance terrace: The terrace in entrance of Catalonia’s Nationwide Artwork Museum provides a view down in direction of Plaza España and the remainder of town. Mix this with the Magic Fountain present (additionally free) for an ideal night plan in Barcelona. Observe: entry to the entrance terrace of the MNAC is free however entry to the roof terrace has a €2 entrance price.

A lot of Barcelona consists of slim streets and hidden gems that are merely not simple to seek out or entry except you’re on foot. Fortunately, there are free strolling excursions which you’ll be able to be a part of which may even clarify the historical past and attraction of a few of Barcelona’s most unusual or discrete corners. Listed below are a pair to select from:

Gaudí Free Strolling Tour: Uncover the lifetime of the genius architect Gaudí and his Casa Batlló, La Sagrada Familia, and La Pedrera.

Gothic Quarter Free Strolling Tour: Discover the historical past, traditions and structure of this enchanting neighbourhood.

We advocate becoming a member of a strolling tour once you first arrive in Barcelona or on the primary weekend of your CELTA course as this can assist you to discover your ft within the metropolis.

3. Get some tradition at a public museum

Barcelona is filled with museums, a few of that are public. Most of the public museums provide free entrance on the primary Sunday of every month and each Sunday afternoon (occasions fluctuate). So, there ought to be loads of alternatives to study extra concerning the tradition, historical past and artwork which makes Barcelona so particular. Listed below are a few of our favourites:

Barcelona Design Museum

Opened in December 2014, this museum is comparatively new on the Barcelona museum panorama. The trendy constructing holds fascinating collections in addition to pop up exhibitions. Free each Sunday from 15:00 and the primary Sunday of the month.

MACBA

That is Barcelona’s museum of latest artwork, situated within the Raval neighbourhood. Each Saturday from 16.00 you’ll be able to go to the exhibitions, rediscover the Assortment, and participate in actions, guided excursions, live shows and performances…all totally free.

4. Marvel on the facades of world-famous buildings

As many will know, when strolling round Barcelona, you will need to search for (whereas being cautious after all)! Barcelona is filled with artwork nouveau buildings and architectural masterpieces which are fully free to see from the road. A few probably the most well-known ones, designed by Antoní Gaudi, are:

Casa Milà: That is also called La Pedrera “the stone quarry”) in reference to its unconventional look. It was the final non-public residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and was constructed between 1906 and 1912.

Casa Batlló: That is thought-about one in every of his masterpieces. It’s a transform of a beforehand constructed home, redesigned in 1904 by Gaudí refurbished a number of occasions after that.

There are additionally many different buildings, designed by the likes of Doménech i Montaner or Puig i Cadafalch to call however just a few. We advocate visiting the Quadrat d’or (Golden Quarter) so you’ll be able to go to as many as potential as they’re inside a couple of minutes stroll from one another. Oxford TEFL is only a two minute stroll from Passeig de Grácia the place many of those buildings are situated. So, you’ll be able to even step out in your lunch break throughout your CELTA course to go to these masterpieces.

And let’s not neglect the well-known Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s well-known unfinished church, only a 10 minute stroll from the Quadrat d’or and Oxford TEFL. Stroll the circumference of the church for a full view of the intricacies of the design or stroll up from Calle Marina for a view from a distance. Viewing from the road is free, entrance inside is paid-for. Nonetheless, it could be potential to enter totally free should you meet sure standards. Discover out should you qualify for a free or discounted ticket right here.

5. Absorb the solar on the seashore or cool off within the sea

After a protracted day seeing the sights within the metropolis, a break is almost certainly wanted. Barcelona seashores are inside strolling distance of town centre. For more room and nicer sand, we advocate getting the bus, metro or native practice for a couple of minutes to seashores slightly additional up the coast. Our prime seashores inside a forty five minute trip from Plaza Catalunya (probably the most central spot in Barcelona) are: 

Ocata seashore: Only a few minutes by practice north from Barcelona metropolis, it is possible for you to to take pleasure in a large seashore with clear sand, a peaceable promenade and good music from uncrowded chiringuito bars.

Casteldefells seashore: A brief practice trip south from Barcelona metropolis, this seashore is good for individuals who need loads of house and the choice to go kitesurfing or have a swim with out bumping into others.

Mar Bella seashore: Only a brief metro trip away, this seashore is near the Poblenou neighbourhood. On the finish of your enjoyable day on the seashore, merely stroll up the Rambla Poblenou to discover a vast alternative of bars, cafes and native retailers.

6. Get a really feel for native life by looking the markets

In case you’ve heard of Barcelona, you’ll almost certainly have heard of La Boqueria market. However do you know that recent meals markets are a typical prevalence throughout town? And do you know that it’s quite common to purchase, promote or alternate second hand items as a substitute of throwing them away? Even if you’re not planning to purchase something, strolling across the markets can present some fascinating insights into native life and a few entertaining encounters as properly. Our prime picks are:

La Boqueria market: Claiming to be ‘the perfect market on the earth’, visiting this market within the coronary heart of Barcelona is a no brainer should you love meals. Discover out what Catalonia’s home-grown merchandise are, marvel on the show of fish and seafood, folks watch as they go about their day-to-day, or decide up some Spanish by listening to the market merchants. It’s all occurring right here on this market. You can not miss it! The market opens Monday to Saturday: 8:00 – 20:30.

Encants market: This is likely one of the oldest working flea markets in Europe. Originating within the thirteenth century, it consists of round 500 distributors. We advocate heading straight to the bottom ground the place the antiques, furnishings, books and nearly something you’ll be able to ever consider are bought. The market opens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 to twenty:00.

Flea Market Barcelona: Flea Market Barcelona is an affiliation which organises second hand, classic and sustainable product markets and occasions. Essentially the most emblematic month-to-month market is named El Flea, situated within the Raval neighbourhood the place folks purchase, promote or alternate second hand merchandise. The market takes place as soon as a month on the weekend between 10.00 – 20:00.

7. Discover tranquillity in a Barcelona cemetery

OK, a cemetery wouldn’t normally be on the prime of your checklist when visiting a brand new metropolis, however, in our opinion, Barcelona cemeteries are properly value a go to. Cemeteries in Spain might look totally different to these discovered in your house nation and you’ll at all times uncover gorgeous structure and well-needed resting spots inside. Escape the noise of town and discover tranquillity for an hour or so – it’s nearly unattainable to seek out such peace anyplace else within the metropolis. Our favorite cemeteries are:

Poble Nou Cemetery

Initially in-built 1775 to cease the unhygienic burials within the metropolis centre, the present cemetery was rebuilt in 1819 after being destroyed within the battle towards the French. Right here, you’ll be able to uncover lovely Nineteenth-century neoclassical structure, the grave of El Santet, with 1000’s of notes from devotees asking him for favours, and the well-known sculpture El Petó de la Mort (“The Kiss of Loss of life”).

Montjuïc Cemetery

This monumental advanced protecting an space in direction of the again of Montjuïc Hill and overlooking the ocean is exceptional. The Catalan bourgeoisie not solely employed the perfect Artwork Nouveau architects to construct their mansions within the metropolis but in addition to design their final resting locations right here. Subsequently, it’s designed in a Catalan modernist and Artwork Nouveau fashion, together with some glimpses of Neo-Gothic and new-Egyptian influences. You possibly can even guide a free guided tour.

8. Brush up in your language abilities by doing a language alternate

As a metropolis which is filled with folks from all around the world, it’s no shock that language exchanges are one of the fashionable methods to study Spanish and meet different expats or locals. Most of those are free however chances are you’ll be inspired to buy a drink on the venue. Our favourites are:

Comfortable Friday Noche de Intercambio (our very personal language alternate): These month-to-month occasions ought to be in your to-do checklist whereas taking your Cambridge CELTA course in Barcelona with us. Every month has a distinct theme and exercise to get you chatting. Don’t fear should you don’t know another languages, there are many English audio system at these occasions!

Language Trade Barcelona: This web site can match you to a language alternate accomplice fully totally free. Filter the kind of alternate you’re in search of, learn profiles, make contact, and even get some recommendations on how greatest to do a language alternate.

9. Be part of within the enjoyable at Barcelona’s distinctive festivals

Spain is world-famous for its native and nationwide festivals and Barcelona undoubtedly stands out from many different cities as internet hosting a number of the greatest. There are many public holidays all year long and normally round these occasions there’s some form of get together or celebration which is taken to the streets and free for all. Two of probably the most spectacular avenue festivals are:

Fiesta Mayor de Gràcia: Head to the Gracia neighbourhood in mid-August and you’ll be astonished to seek out that each avenue, nook and plaza has been reworked into a vibrant wonderland accompanied by beating drums, gentle reveals and a buzzing environment. Anticipate the get together to go on properly into the early hours of the morning. This one is unquestionably to not be missed! 

La Mercé: This competition lasts for round 5 days in direction of the top of September and is held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Mercè, the Patron Saint of Barcelona.The primary Mercé competition happened in 1902, as a technique to bid goodbye to the summer time and welcome within the cooler months of autumn. Anticipate live shows, parades, hearth runs (Correfoc, the hearth respiration dragon), Castellers (human towers), Gigantes (Giants Parade) and plenty of folks!

10. Pic-nic with a backdrop of golden chariots

Barcelona’s Parc Ciutadella is a must-visit if you’re in search of some greenery and a pleasant spot to absorb some solar or get some shade. Right here, you’ll be able to loosen up, stroll, pic-nic and even row a ship. In our opinion, the ‘star of the present’ is the large waterfall close to the doorway coming down from the Arc de Triomf. Listed below are our prime spots contained in the park:

Monumental waterfall

This monumental waterfall is the park’s icon and is adorned with sculptures of Venus at start, gryphons, and golden chariots which overlook a pond (which is fashionable with the numerous birds attempting to chill off).

Júlia, the Life-Sized Concrete Mammoth Statue

Júlia has stood amongst the bushes and bushes for greater than 100 years. In 1915 the Sultan of Morocco gave an elephant known as Júlia to Barcelona Zoo which was an enormous hit with the locals of Barcelona. After her loss of life within the Nineteen Sixties, folks began calling the mammoth statue Júlia in her reminiscence.

The Lake

Stroll across the circumference of the lake the place you can find geese and different birds in addition to see {couples}, mates and households taking the rowing boats out for a spin. Even in cooler months, the lake can nonetheless replenish.

So, there you will have our prime 10 free issues to do in Barcelona whereas taking your CELTA course. As you see, there’s a lot to do with out breaking the financial institution. Why not take a CELTA coursemate with you?

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Would you want to affix a CELTA course in Spain? Barcelona might be simply the place you’re in search of.

If you need to review in Spain and you have an interest in changing into a professional English instructor, you might contemplate our Cambridge CELTA course in Barcelona.

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Non-EU citizen and planning to remain in Spain long term? You possibly can nonetheless be a part of us! Discover out about our bundle to review, reside and work in Barcelona as an English as a overseas language instructor.

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Nonetheless unsure if Barcelona is the appropriate metropolis for you? Watch this video to seek out out what one in every of our graduates, James, thinks about life as an English instructor in Barcelona.