Late April to early May is prime time for a budget-friendly Europe trip: warm enough for terraces, not yet peak-season pricing. This itinerary starts from Montpellier or Toulouse and heads to Barcelona by train, returning to Montpellier for sunlit squares, markets, and easy day tours. Expect Mediterranean flavors, walkable old towns, and sea breezes.

Barcelona’s story runs from Roman Barcino to modernist marvels by Antoni Gaudí; its neighborhoods—Gothic Quarter, El Born, Eixample, Gràcia—feel like distinct villages stitched together by café culture and tapas. Montpellier, one of France’s liveliest student cities, balances medieval lanes with bold contemporary architecture and quick access to the Camargue wetlands and the Thau lagoon’s legendary oysters.

Practical notes: May 1 (Labor Day) is a public holiday in France—some shops and museums close, but many tours and restaurants still operate; book in advance. Reserve major Barcelona tickets (Sagrada Família, Park Güell) early to lock in time slots. For trains and buses across Europe, compare prices on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses)—late April often yields good deals.

Barcelona

Barcelona blends Gothic lanes, golden beaches, and Gaudí’s dreamlike curves. Eixample’s grid hides Art Nouveau facades, while El Born hums with wine bars and artisan shops. Late April brings pleasant 16–22°C days—ideal for park picnics and rooftop sunsets.

Don’t miss: Sagrada Família’s stained-glass glow, Park Güell’s mosaics, a ramble along the old city walls, and tapas crawls through Sant Antoni and Poble Sec. Fun fact: vermut (vermouth) hour on weekends is a beloved local ritual—try it with anchovies and olives.

• Where to stay (budget to midrange): Search Eixample, Gràcia, or El Born for walkable bases near transit and dining. - VRBO Barcelona - Hotels.com Barcelona
• Getting there from Montpellier or Toulouse (morning of Day 1): - Train Montpellier St-Roch → Barcelona Sants: ~3h10–3h45, usually €35–€85 if booked early on Omio (trains). Buses run ~5–6h from €20–€40 via Omio (buses). - Train Toulouse Matabiau → Barcelona Sants: ~3h45–4h45 with a change (often at Narbonne), ~€29–€75 via Omio (trains). Buses ~5–6.5h from ~€15–€35 on Omio.

Day 1 (Fri): Arrival in Barcelona + Old Town stroll

Morning: Depart from Montpellier or Toulouse on a morning train booked via Omio. Pack a light picnic for the ride—fruit, a baguette, and cheese keep it thrifty.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel/apartment. Start with the Gothic Quarter: Plaça del Rei, the Cathedral cloister’s orange trees, and side streets like Carrer del Bisbe. Coffee at Satan’s Coffee Corner (third-wave brews) or Onna Coffee for a nutty flat white.

Evening: Tapas in El Born: Bar del Pla (sublime mushroom cannelloni), El Xampanyet (standing-room cavas and anchovies), or Bodega La Palma (100-year-old bodega vibes). For sweeping city views, head to the Bunkers del Carmel at sunset; bring a scarf—breezy up there.

Day 2 (Sat): Gaudí Day—Sagrada Família, Passeig de Gràcia, Park Güell

Morning: Croissant de mantega at Pastisseria Hofmann, then your timed Sagrada Família entry. Circle the basilica to admire the stark Nativity vs. Passion façades—two philosophies in stone.

Afternoon: Stroll Passeig de Gràcia’s modernist mile: Casa Batlló’s scaled façade and La Pedrera’s undulating stone. Lunch at La Paradeta Sagrada Família (pick-your-catch seafood, cooked to order) or Flax & Kale for veggie-friendly bowls.

Evening: Reserved entry to Park Güell for golden hour. Dine in Gràcia at La Pepita (creative tapas—artichoke chips, tuna tataki) or Gasterea (Basque pintxos on skewers). Nightcap at Dr. Stravinsky (botanical cocktails) in El Born.

Day 3 (Sun): Markets, beach, and Montjuïc

Morning: Barceloneta beach walk and a cortado at Three Marks Coffee. Early lunch at La Cova Fumada (home of the spicy “bomba” croquette) or El Nou Ramonet for hearty rice dishes.

Afternoon: La Boqueria market wander—grab a cone of jamón and fruit juice. Ride up to Montjuïc (bus or funicular) for gardens, the Olympic Ring, and castle views over the harbor.

Evening: Poble Sec’s Carrer de Blai for a budget pintxos crawl; €2–€3 skewers add up slowly. If you fancy a show, Tablao de Carmen hosts flamenco in Poble Sec—book ahead.

Day 4 (Mon): El Born culture + Eixample food

Morning: Explore El Born: Santa Maria del Mar’s solemn nave and the frescoes at the El Born Centre de Cultura (ruins beneath a 19th-century market hall). Brunch at Picnic or Granja Petitbo (eggs, pancakes, strong coffee).

Afternoon: Architectural ramble through Eixample’s chamfered corners, popping into independent boutiques on Rambla de Catalunya. Gelato at Delacrem (seasonal flavors) to keep you moving.

Evening: Dinner near the old port: Can Ramonet (classic suquet fish stew) or Jai-Ca in Barceloneta (bustling, wallet-friendly seafood tapas). Early night or a seaside walk to digest.

Montpellier

Montpellier charms with medieval alleys, sunlit squares, and one of Europe’s oldest medical schools. Its 21st‑century flair—Antigone’s neoclassical axis and cutting-edge trams—layers neatly onto its Roman and medieval past.

Base yourself near Place de la Comédie or the Écusson old town for easy access to cafés, the Musée Fabre, and the city’s elegant Arc de Triomphe. Food-wise, expect Mediterranean produce, Pic Saint‑Loup wines, briny oysters from the Thau lagoon, and excellent value.

• Where to stay: - VRBO Montpellier - Hotels.com Montpellier
• Getting from Barcelona to Montpellier (morning of Day 5): Barcelona Sants → Montpellier St‑Roch: ~3h30–4h30, typically €40–€85 on Omio (trains), or ~5–6h by coach from ~€20–€45 via Omio (buses).

Day 5 (Tue): Barcelona → Montpellier + old town essentials

Morning: Train to Montpellier via Omio. Grab a seat on the right for sea glimpses near the French border.

Afternoon: Check in, then join this personable city intro to learn the stories behind Place de la Comédie, the Opera House, and the medieval lanes:
Montpellier Private Walking Tour with a Local

Evening: Aperitif at Café BUN (careful roasts) or Le Parfum (inventive cocktails). Dinner at Leclere Cuisine d’Arrivage (market-driven, fair-priced prix fixe) or Chez tonton for cassoulet warmth if you’re craving comfort.

Day 6 (Wed): Camargue flamingos, salt flats, and sea breeze

Full-day tour (no need to split by time): Ride out to the Camargue’s pink-tinged salt pans, medieval Aigues-Mortes, and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Watch for wild horses and flamingos; taste fleur de sel; climb the ramparts for 360° views. It’s a photogenic, culture-packed day with a local guide:
Day in Camargue Aigues-Mortes and St Marie de la mer

Back in town, graze at Les Halles Laissac: oysters shucked to order, cheese boards, and planchas at counter bars. For a sit-down option, Le Petit Jardin’s courtyard is a serene, mid-priced treat.

Day 7 (Thu, May 1 – Labor Day): Oysters and wines of the Thau lagoon + departure

Morning: Cap your trip with a briny-luscious half-day: vineyards around Picpoul de Pinet and fresh oysters from the Thau lagoon. Many operators run on holidays—confirm timings a day ahead:
Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Oyster Tour from Montpellier

Alternative (more in-depth): Private tour to Sete, an oyster farm & Wine Tasting

Afternoon: Depart by train or bus. For Montpellier → Toulouse, count ~2h10–2h45 and €15–€35 on Omio (trains) or budget coaches via Omio (buses). If flying onward in Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights).

Evening: If your schedule is flexible, toast the week with a final glass of Pic Saint‑Loup at La Cavavane (cozy wine bar) before you go.

Food & coffee short list (save for later)

• Barcelona breakfasts: Pastisseria Hofmann (buttery croissants), Granja Petitbo (brunch staples), Three Marks Coffee (light roasts).
• Barcelona lunches/dinners: Bar del Pla (modern tapas), El Xampanyet (standing cava and anchovies), La Paradeta (market-style seafood), La Cova Fumada (the original “bomba”).
• Montpellier cafés & apéros: Café BUN (specialty coffee), Le Parfum (cocktails), La Barbote (craft beer).
• Montpellier meals: Leclere Cuisine d’Arrivage (seasonal menu), Le Petit Jardin (garden setting), Les Halles Laissac (food-hall grazing), taster plates of local oysters and Picpoul.

Budget tips

• Book all intercity trains early on Omio to snag the lowest fares; buses on Omio can be even cheaper if you’re time-flexible.
• In Barcelona, choose one or two paid interiors (e.g., Sagrada Família plus Park Güell) and admire other Gaudí icons from outside to trim costs.
• Hit markets and food halls for quality, low-cost meals; do “menu del día” at lunch for value.

In one easy week you’ll glide from Gaudí’s kaleidoscopic Barcelona to Montpellier’s sunlit squares and out to the Camargue’s flamingos and salt pans. Affordable trains, great street food, and a few well-chosen tours turn spring into a sea-scented celebration.