Barcelona Tours

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world, thanks to its beautiful architecture, its incredible gastronomy and a nightlife with a light of its own. To enjoy the real thing like a local, here are the best tours and key tips.

This guided tour of Barcelona takes you on a walk through the main areas of the city where you can discover the ancient city and the mark left by the Romans throughout its streets. A professional guide will be detailing the history of the beautiful buildings of the Gothic Quarter, such as the Plaza Real, the fountain of the Three Graces and, of course, the impressive Cathedral of Barcelona.

The tour will take you to know one of the most famous promenades in the world, such as Las Ramblas, the nerve center of leisure of the Catalan city. And, walking along it, you will come across the popular market of La Boqueria. Can you resist trying some of its exquisite products?

Another of the unique neighborhoods that you will know with this complete tour of about 2 hours in small groups is the Born, where you will walk through its narrow streets, and you will know the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and the Palau de la Música. Undoubtedly, a combination of history, modernism and architectural genius, ideal to start your trip through Barcelona.

Duration: 2 hours
Recommended: As a first tour of Barcelona is a good option, as it will show you several of the main areas of the city that you can then walk around on your own.

What you will see on this tour

Another tour that is perfect to get to know Barcelona during the first days of your trip, is this bike tour through the highlights of the city. Its streets are very flat and exploring them by bike is very comfortable and allows you to see the whole city in about 3 hours. You also have the option of the electric bike tour.

In the company of your guide you will pass through the Barceloneta area, through l'Eixample where you can see Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, and some of the main squares of the city or the imposing Sagrada Familia. All in the company of an expert guide who will orient you about the historical context of everything you see. Regarding the route, it is perfectly safe and very easy to do, and it is recommended for all ages thanks to the organized layout of Barcelona and its flat streets.

Duration: 3 hours
Recommended: If you like to do alternative tours of the cities you visit or you are going to be in Barcelona for a few days.

What you will see

If you want to tour the Catalan capital at your own pace but without giving up a specialized guide who will tell you every detail of the architecture and history of Barcelona, you have the option of this personalized private tour.

You will not miss any of the most important monuments of the city but you will do it according to your interests and privately with your family or friends, no one else. With a duration of 2 to 6 hours, this tour allows you, hand in hand with the local guide, access (if you wish) to some of the attractions you find along the way, such as Park Guell, the Sagrada Familia or the Boqueria Market.

Duration: From 2 to 6 hours
Recommended: If you want to customize your tour because you already know the main attractions of the city and you want to go deeper into some of them with a specialized local guide.

What you will see

If you are a fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafón's novel, "La Sombra del Viento" (The Shadow of the Wind), you will know that it takes place in several areas of Barcelona. In this literary tour of the best seller you can walk through the streets that appear in this beautiful book.

The Paseo de las Ramblas, the Plaza Real, the Basilica of Santa Ana or Plaza de Catalunya. Sceneries that hide the secrets of the award-winning novel and where a professional guide will tell you every detail to make you relive the magic of his story.

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Recommended: If you want to make a thematic tour through the places of Ruiz Zafón's novel to learn more details of the story.

What you will see

This original ghost tour, more than a sightseeing tour, is an experience in which you will solve tests and find clues about a legend of the city of Barcelona. Using your cell phone you will enter a labyrinth of horror stories and mysteries.

Keep in mind that you will not have a guide during this tour, since it is about solving the tests posed in the game simply with your phone, which will guide you through the city. Therefore you can do the tour in a group or privately, which is an advantage if you like customizable and unique tours.

Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Recommended: If you are visiting Barcelona as a group or family and you feel like doing a different tour to learn interesting facts about the city while having fun.

What you will see

I recommend this tour if you have visited Barcelona before or if you prefer to explore the city on your own and take an alternative tour to discover things different from the typical tourist attractions.

Your guide during this tour will tell you stories of famous personalities of Barcelona, myths, legends, lurid details...everything you need to have a good time while walking through the areas of La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter.

Duration: 2 hours
Recommended: If you already know Barcelona or you like tours with a tour outside the typical circuits.

What you will see

Alex's Traveller Tip

Try to take the Barcelona tour as early as possible in your trip, as it will allow you to orient yourself much better in the city and give you a context for the places you will visit later on your own.

As with the tickets to almost all the tourist attractions in Barcelona, it is highly recommended to book the tour you want to do online and in advance. Your other option is, once in the city, to go to one of the offices of the different operators and book the tour on the spot, but I'm sure that like me, this will seem like a waste of time.

Once you book the tour you have chosen, you will receive the confirmation in your email and you can either print it or show it directly to your guide at the meeting point indicated on the tour page. You will also receive the address and meeting time in the mail.

None of these Barcelona tours show you the whole city, it is more a guided tour of some of the main areas of the city with the context provided by a guide. The essential part of traveling, which is discovering and exploring at your own pace, starts after the tour.

I'm going to share with you what I think is the great secret of people who travel a lot: walk whenever you can. This is something I love to do when I travel to a European city, as I find it the best way to get to know the neighborhoods of the city, discover the local atmosphere, the most genuine stores, restaurants and bars and generally feel for a few days as if I have lived all my life in the city I am visiting.

Enjoy its architecture

Barcelona's architecture shines for its buildings created by Gaudí, but there is a plethora of modernist architects who also have their place in the urban modeling of the city. So remember to look up every time you turn a corner and you won't miss a single one of the unique facades that are scattered throughout Barcelona.

Visit its traditional markets

There are a few flea markets and flea markets that are held in Barcelona and are the ideal place to buy a couple of souvenirs, much better than any trinket you can find in the typical tourist store. If you happen to pass by them during the tour or they leave you nearby when you finish, some recommendations are the Mercat dels Encants, the Mercat Gòtic (in front of the Barcelona Cathedral), and if you happen to be in the city on the second Sunday of the month, you can visit El Flea.

Keep an eye on your belongings

Finally, a somewhat obvious tip you should follow on your trip to Barcelona, and especially while on a tour, is to keep an eye on your belongings. Going in a group with a guide will immediately identify you as a tourist, and especially in areas such as the Rambla de Catalunya or any of the city's central squares, you should watch out for pickpockets.

Days and times

The vast majority of Barcelona tours operate daily, and unless the weather is essential for the visit, they take place rain or shine. As for the schedule, it is usually fixed and in the morning or at noon, unless the tour indicates otherwise. In some cases you can choose morning or afternoon, giving you more customization possibilities when choosing your tour.

Duration of the visits

If your tour indicates a half-day duration, it will usually last about 3 hours. Short or express tours usually last around 1 hour, and day tours can last 8 hours or more.

The Sagrada Familia is the most popular visit in Barcelona and in case you are looking for how to take a guided tour of this architectural wonder, I tell you everything you need to know in my guide to the Sagrada Familia. Barcelona Sagrada Familia Tickets and Visits.

Another place in Barcelona that you shouldn't miss is Park Güell, and before choosing a tour of this emblematic park I recommend you to read my guide of Park Güell in Barcelona Tickets and Tours where you will find all the tips and tricks to make the most of your visit.

There are a number of museums in Barcelona that might interest you, especially if you are passionate about the art of Picasso or Catalan artists like Tàpies or Miró. You can consult my guide of Barcelona Museums to get your tickets and guided tours at the best price.

Finally, if you are into soccer and even more if you are a Barça fan, the Camp Nou Experience is something you can't miss, as it will give you the opportunity to tour the emblematic FC Barcelona stadium and its museum full of the club's history. You can read all about it here: Barcelona Camp Nou Stadium Visits.