Maria’s 3 Days in Barcelona on €120
Hi, I’m Maria, a university student from Italy. I spent 3 days in Barcelona with a very low budget, and honestly, it was one of the best trips I’ve ever had.Here’s exactly what I did, how much I spent, and some tips that helped me save money.
Day 1
Arrival & Exploring the CityI arrived in Barcelona in the morning and went straight to my hostel near the city center. I dropped my bag and started walking around. I explored the Gothic Quarter, which felt like stepping into another world with its narrow streets and hidden squares. Later, I walked to Parc de la Ciutadella where many students were relaxing and playing music. At night, I went to a small bar in Gràcia where drinks were much cheaper than in tourist areas.
Day 1 total: €35
Day 2
Views & BeachThe second day started with a visit to Bunkers del Carmel. It was completely free and had one of the best views I’ve ever seen.
Athat, I went to Barceloneta Beach where I spent the afternoon relaxing with friends I met at the hostel.
For food, I ate at Carrer de Blai, where I found amazing small snacks for €1–€2 each.
Day 2 total: €40
Day 3
Culture & DepartureOn my last day, I walked along Passeig de Gràcia to see the famous Gaudí buildings from the outside, which is completely free. Before leaving, I visited La Boqueria market and used a tip I found online (the cheapest food is at the back).
Day 3 total: €25
Final Thoughts
Barcelona is perfect for students. You don’t need a lot of money to enjoy it if you know where to go.I met amazing people, explored beautiful places, and stayed within my budget.
I would 100% go again.
Elena’s 3 Days in Lisbon on €95
Hi, I’m Elena, a university student from Greece. I spent 3 days in Lisbon on a small budget, just to explore the city and take a break from university life.I didn’t expect anything special — but the trip turned out to be more memorable than I thought.
Day 1
I arrived in Lisbon in the afternoon and checked into a small hostel. After dropping my bag, I went out to explore the city. I walked through Alfama, getting lost in the narrow streets. At one point, I stopped because I heard Fado music coming from a small place. I stayed there for a few minutes just listening. Later, I went to a viewpoint and watched the sunset over the city. It was simple, but it felt like a perfect start.
Day 1 total: €30
Day 2
The second day was more relaxed. I spent most of the time walking around the city, stopping for coffee and trying pastel de nata from a local bakery.
At some point, I met another student from my hostel and we decided to explore together. We visited LX Factory and later went to Miradouro da Graça for the sunset.
We didn’t do anything expensive, just walked, talked, and enjoyed the view.
Day 2 total: €35
Day 3
On my last day, I went to a small café for breakfast and met the same student again. We ended up sitting there longer than planned, just talking and enjoying the moment.
After that, we walked one last time through the streets of Lisbon without really having a destination. It felt relaxed and natural, like we didn’t want the trip to end.
Before leaving, I visited a small local shop and bought something simple to remember the trip.
Day 3 total: €30
Final Thoughts
Lisbon is a great city for students. It’s affordable, easy to explore, and full of small moments that make the experience special.What made this trip different wasn’t just the places, but the people and the time spent together. Even simple things like walking, talking, or sharing a coffee felt meaningful. I didn’t spend much, but I left with memories that felt much bigger than the budget. I would definitely go back.
