Print-and-go: Barcelona on a budget

Best bargains
Buy sun-warmed fresh fruit and veg to picnic on in the Boqueria covered market, off the Ramblas. Replenish your wardrobe with the latest trends from fashionable high street shops, Zara and Mango - both Spanish brands; their clothes are even cheaper in their home country than elsewhere in Europe.

Free fun
See the sparkling mosaics at the Gaudi Park and wander the narrow lanes in the Gothic quarter. Admire the ongoing construction of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral - despite being only half built after a hundred years of work, it's already one of Europe's most stunning buildings with its dizzy spires and imposing facade.

Best view
Take the cable car to the top of Tibidabo, a hill on the edge of Barcelona, for a striking view of the entire city outlined by the sparkling Mediterranean.

Cheap eats
Avoid the tourist trap restaurants on the Ramblas and seek out good-value dinners in the Born district and around the Plaza del Sol. As well as more formal restaurants, you'll find a variety of trendy eateries serving tapas. If you want to skip the queues, arrive early (by Spanish standards) at 7pm.

Cheap travel
The metro and bus service are reliable and cheap - the standard fare is 1 euro 20 cents. But compared to London even the taxis seem like a steal.

Splash out
Tuck into a fresh seafood paella by the harbour for yacht views or take home local delicacies from the Food Hall in El Corte Ingles, Barcelona's answer to Harrods. Walk up the Passeig de Gracia for your pick of designer boutiques.

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