Barcelona in a Day, with Context

Your comprehensive exploration of Barcelona (including Sagrada Familia)

$748 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Orientation, Cruise Experiences, Full-Day Private Tours
Duration: 6 hours
Location: Barcelona

Photos & Highlights

Get the full picture of Barcelona with your interests in mind from art, history, and architecture including insider tips along the way
Led by a expert local guide or scholar
Barcelona Cathedral, La Boqueria, Sagrada Familia, and Gothic Quarter

Tour Description

Barcelona holds a particular charm. From ancient Roman ramparts to Gothic architecture to Gaudi’s smooth lines, there’s plenty to see. Our Barcelona in a day itinerary weaves together some of the city’s best-known sites, allowing for a snapshot into this progressive Spanish hub. This Barcelona in a day tour is a fantastic introduction for travelers with limited time yet unlimited curiosity who want to learn about Barcelona in the company of a local expert.

Please note: Tickets for the Sagrada Familia are currently very limited and hard to secure. We kindly ask for your flexibility when booking this tour, as we'll do our best to secure these tickets for you. Thank you!

Included

6 hours with a PhD or MA-level guide
Skip-the-line tickets into the Sagrada Familia

Itinerary Details

Our tour begins in a small cafe near Plaza Nova, the centre of the Gothic Quarter. We’ll start with a coffee (included) and a short briefing on Barcelona and the surrounding area (with relevant maps and tips) before setting off. We’ll note the remnants of ancient Roman times as we discuss the last remaining gate and wall segments from this former Roman outpost. We’ll continue onward to discuss the influence of the Romans on Barcelona’s city planning and architecture today as our route moves through the Gothic Quarter. We’ll reach the main cathedral: a superb example of elaborate Gothic architecture and a fitting point for our expert to talk about religious life for Christians and Jews over the centuries. We’ll walk through a Jewish neighborhood established in the Middle Ages (El Call) as we discuss religious and political expression and intolerance in both Spanish and Catalonian history.

Our path will take us to a local Spanish favorite, La Boqueria market, where we will try a local snack or Spanish delicacy while our expert guide explains what we are seeing, smelling, and tasting. Leaving the market buzz behind us, we will stroll along the leafy green La Rambla (the Ramblas), a main artery through Barcelona. We’ll use this thoroughfare to examine how modern development reshaped the city in the 18th and 19th centuries.

We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant or cafe and use this time to re-energize and discuss anything from Spanish gastronomy to taxation or Catalan identity. After lunch, we will make our way to the day’s finale: La Sagrada Familia, with skip-the-line tickets. Barcelona has been a leading figure in the Art Nouveau movement and Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece is the perfect showcase of modernista architecture. Still under construction, nearly 100 years after the death of its visionary, the structure exemplifies the genius of a forward-thinking mastermind. Our local expert will use the basilica to illustrate its symbolism, aesthetics, and design and its relationship with the Modernisme movement. We’ll also discuss the life of Gaudí, who was behind one of Europe’s most talked-about structures.

At the end of our immersive full day tour itinerary, we will emerge with a deeper understanding of Barcelona and how it propelled itself onto the European stage. We’ll have ventured across the city to sites relevant to Barcelona’s history, culture, and identity. Our Barcelona in a day tour will leave you with a better understanding of architectural movements, the Catalan identity, and local gastronomy.

For young children (ages 3-12) we recommend our shorter Gaudí for Kids tour, which is led by experts specially trained in educating children.

FAQ

What is a private tour?

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

What happens if it's raining?

Our tours happen rain or shine. Our guides are great at adapting their route during changes of weather. Please bring an umbrella.

What costs will I need to cover on the day?

You will need to cover the cost of lunch. We do our best to accommodate any allergies or dietary restrictions when finding a suitable location.

Does the walk include the interior of the Sagrada Família?
Yes. We will have an in-depth visit to both the interior and exterior of Gaudí's incredible masterpiece and provide tickets.

I would like to book a car service. Is this possible?

Yes, this is possible. Please let us know in your client notes. However, some areas of the city center are closed to car traffic. If you do need a car service, please request this in your client notes at the time of booking and we will book this for you.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Alex

Alex Rodriguez Suarez is a native of Barcelona, where he read history at the Universitat Autonoma. In 2006 he obtained his guiding license and began leading tours at the Palau Montaner and the Hospital of St Pau. In 2014 he completed his Ph.D. in Byzantine history at King's College London. During his time in London, Alex also led tours for Context at the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum. He has also studied in Greece and conducted research in Turkey. His interests include art and architecture and he loves visiting archaeological sites all over the world.

Guillem

Guille is a cultural guide and lecturer. He was born in Menorca and educated in Mallorca and Barcelona. He holds a degree in Tourism Management, a degree in Humanities and a Masters in Cultural Communication. He's a licensed tour guide of Catalonia & Barcelona, where he's been working since 1997. He gives regular talks and presentations on the world of Gaudí, the history of Catalonia and Barcelona and the Picasso universe. He previously worked as a travel agent and tour leader overseas. Thanks to his ample experience in the tourism industry, he also works as a trainer in communication skills for other tour guides. He's fluent in English, French, Italian and bilingual Catalan and Spanish. His personal interests are digital gadgets and swing dance.

Cayetano

Cayetano has been working in the tourist industry in Barcelona for nearly 20 years now and as a freelance tour guide for around 5. He has an undergraduate degree in Art History as well as postgraduate studies in leisure and hospitality management.

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21 Reviews – (4.85)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

The pictures Resi had on her pad gave great insight to the ideas she was presenting. Her in depth explanation of the past and current political enviroment led us to a better understand of the how and why.

Keith

Jul. 6, 2021

We really liked our personal guide on the tour. She was knowledgeable on the sites we visited and pleasant to talk with.

Stuart

Feb. 10, 2020

Zaida is an excellent guide. On our tour she made us feel very comfortable and relaxed. The tour pace was perfect. We enjoyed seeing the sights and learning about the city. Our favorite part was the meal we shared with Zaida. She took us to a great place (Tapeo, I think) and helped educate us on eating tapas and the different types of foods available. The food was delicious and we really enjoyed Zaida's company while we ate! Great tour!!!!

Jacquie

Jan. 17, 2020

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