Any city can be expensive by the time you add together accommodation, souvenirs, sightseeing tours, food, transport and entrance fees for museums and art galleries. If you are travelling on a tight budget then you'll be pleased to learn that there are plenty of free things to do in Barcelona. Many of the museums offer free entry on various days of the week, there's plenty of great architecture you can gaze upon for nothing and the beaches and parks are there for anyone to roam and enjoy.

Staying in an apartment in Barcelona makes a lot of sense too as they are economical and if you're here with your family or a group of friends they offer privacy and space. A city break doesn't have to cost you the earth as long as you plan in advance, there are lots of places to visit that will give you a taste of the place, and city center accommodation means you save on transport costs!

If you do decide to rent an apartment for your stay here then a visit to the Mercat de La Boqueria is a must as they have a wide selection of fresh ingredients and vegetables to choose from which you can prepare and cook yourself in your very own kitchen, a great way to eat healthily and cheaply. Just walk up the Rambla from the Arts Santra Monica and you'll come to La Boqueria, established since 1836 it's one of the oldest and most beautiful markets in Spain and brimming with enticing aromas, colourful life, and hustle and bustle. There's a great range of locally grown produce, as well as fresh fish, meat and fruit, and foods from all over the globe – look out for the deep fried insects that are said to be delicious!

Once you've got a place to stay for your holiday and your meals organised then take a walk down Las Rambles towards the ocean until you get to the Rambla de Mar. The harbour is an area that attracts all kinds of people including the Catalonians themselves, Spanish tourists and international visitors. You don't need any money here just meandering looking at the views whilst people watching is enough to entertain. Hundreds of sailing boats and ships are moored here whilst further along the promenade is the Olympic Port, used in the 1992 Olympic Games for the sailing activities, but which has since been turned into a popular part of the city due to its elegant restaurants and smart bars.

The architecture in Barcelona can keep you busy for a week alone and it has one of the best preserved Gothic-era medieval centres you'll ever see. The most well-known creation by Gaudi, La Sagrada Família, can be enjoyed for free, although you have to pay to go inside the building you can still gaze up at this amazing architecture and get some great photos. Barcelona's best known landmark it's been a work in progress for over a hundred years and although still not complete it will captivate you with its beauty. Modern creations compete with the ancient ones and Jean Nouvel's shimmering skyscraper, Torre Agbar is another unique structure that rises into the sky at an impressive 34 stories tall and 142 meters in height.

The best park to visit was designed by Gaudi and the kids will love it, Parc Guell has gingerbread houses, stone structures that will amaze, dragon fountains and fascinating colourful mosiac sculptures and statues. Unusual materials and bizarre designs make this a park like no other you will see anywhere else in the world.

Some museums have free entry every day of the week, while others are free only on certain days, generally Wednesdays and Sundays. The Picasso Museum features the Spanish artist's best works but is only free on the first Sunday of the month so it pays to check out the free days if you have a desire to visit a particular museum. The Museu Nacional D'Art de Catalunya is also free on the first Sunday of the month and every day if under 15 over 65. Its interesting collection of Catalan art and the Romanesque art collection make for a unique experience and could keep you there all day!

Above are only some of the activities that will keep you busy whilst visiting the city but won't leave you with an empty wallet. If you're looking for ways to save money then search for rental apartments online where all the best deals can be found.