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What to do in Barcelona for free in Sant Jordi

Sant Jordi is one of the most emblematic festivities in Catalonia, where the tradition of giving books and roses takes centre stage.

Every year, on April 23, the city of Barcelona is transformed into a great literary festival on the occasion of the Day of Sant Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia.

Barcelona, the city of Barcelona, comes alive during this celebration, where you can enjoy various free cultural activities with family or friends. In this article, we will show you some options so that you can make the most of the Sant Jordi festivity without spending a euro.

Visit the emblematic squares and streets of Barcelona

One of the best options to enjoy Sant Jordi is to explore the city’s most emblematic streets and squares. You can start with the famous Plaza de Catalunya, where a few meters away is the Canaletes fountain, which according to legend if you drink water from this fountain, you will return to Barcelona. Then, continue along Paseo de Gracia, one of the city’s most important avenues, where modernist buildings such as Casa Batlló or La Pedrera exist.

Another option is to visit the Gothic Quarter, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city and full of history. In this neighbourhood is the Barcelona Cathedral, an imposing Gothic temple worth visiting. You can also explore the streets of El Born, another charming neighbourhood full of fashion shops and restaurants.

Enjoy culture and literature in Sant Jordi

The Sant Jordi festival is closely linked to culture and literature, so Barcelona is filled with free activities related to these topics. One of the most interesting options is to visit the city’s bookstores, which are filled with people buying books and roses. In addition, in some places, writers hold book signing sessions and poetry readings are held.

Another option is to visit the city’s museums that offer free admission during the Sant Jordi festival. The Picasso Museum is one of the most important museums in Barcelona and has a large collection of works by artists from Malaga. You can also visit the Barcelona History Museum, which has a permanent exhibition of the city’s history.

Enjoy music and street art

During the Sant Jordi festival, Barcelona is filled with music and street art. In the city’s most emblematic streets, you can enjoy concerts, live music performances, and theatre and dance performances. Street art exhibitions are also held, where urban artists display their works.

Another option is to visit some city parks, where free activities are held during the Sant Jordi festival. For example, Ciutadella Park is one of the largest parks in Barcelona and has rest areas, lakes and gardens. You can also visit Park Güell, a park full of mosaics and sculptures designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí.

These are the buildings that will open their doors for Sant Jordi (and for free)

  • Museo de arqueologia de Barcelona
  • Hospital de Sant Pau
  • Palau Guell
  • Fundación Mies Van der Rohe
  • Palau de la Generalitat
  • Sagrada Familia