Tour Details
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Casa Batlló
- Sagrada Familia
- Park Güell
Tour Description
Antoni Gaudí is one of the world's best known architects, and his fantastical work, scattered around Barcelona and Catalonia, is unparalleled in terms of uniqueness and wonder. During this full-day Gaudí private tour, we'll introduce his most recognized buildings, including his magnum opus, La Sagrada Família, as well as the imaginative work of his contemporaries. We'll examine the tenets of the architectural movement these 20th-century luminaries formed—Catalan Modernisme—understanding how it is representative of a proud national identity. Finally, we'll have a sense of how Barcelona's urban development ushered in the city we know today.
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!
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!
"[Our guide] gave us such insight into Modernisme architecture as a whole, and Gaudí particularly. She had details about his life, his mood, his family, and how his clients and his city viewed his work. Her explanations of Barcelona's expansion and the decorative themes of Modernisme helped us understand this exuberant school of architecture, and how it fits with Barcelona's history. Highly recommended.”
Experience Gaudí's Barcelona
We’ll begin in Barcelona's Eixample (Catalan for enlargement) district, introducing the history of Barcelona and the mid-19th-century expansion of the city under urban planner Ildefons Cerda. This expansion paved the way for new construction and new ideas, and presented an opportunity for the forward thinking architects of Gaudí's generation. With this in mind, we'll walk through the district, admiring asymmetrical and seemingly undulating façades and peaking into sumptuous interiors. Eventually, we'll reach Gaudí's masterwork, Casa Batlló, on the Block of Discord. Touring the interior of this elaborately tiled building, a former mansion constructed to resemble a dragon, we'll imagine the experience of living inside such an extraordinary space and the start of the next generation of great architects.
La Sagrada Família
After a break for lunch (at own expense), we'll move on to the crown jewel of Gaudí's career: the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. Though originally conceived by a different architect, Gaudí took over the project in 1883, infusing it with his whimsical style. Construction continued after his death in 1926, and still continues to this day. We'll take in the intricately sculpted exterior, discussing Gaudí's religious zeal and chosen symbols, before entering the ethereal sanctuary. We'll admire the genius behind every detail of Gaudí's design, down to the way his monumental columns resemble trees and a thick forest canopy.
Park Güell Tour
Following our visit to la Sagrada Família, we'll jump in a taxi to the airy neighborhood of La Salut, where we'll tour the sprawling Park Güell, another of Gaudí's most lauded creations. The park takes its name from Eusebi Güell, one of Barcelona's most successful entrepreneurs and Gaudí's friend and benefactor. They developed the park together, wanting to create an innovative community and housing development the likes of which had never been seen in Barcelona. Though the idea was not ultimately successful, Gaudí himself purchased one of the residences, living there until his death. The rest of the park became a municipal garden, from which you can take in expansive views of the city and the sea from its gingerbread house-like vistas. We'll wander the hidden enclaves and tiled outlooks before leaving you to explore the rest of the park on your own.
Gaudí with an Expert
By the end of our private full day Gaudí tour, we'll have an understanding of the significance of the brilliance of Gaudí on Barcelona and Catalan identity as a whole. This tour is led by a local expert in art and architecture, as well as in Gaudí's life and works.
FAQ About our Full Day Private Gaudí Tour
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 fellow travelers. 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. Interested in a small group, half-day Gaudí tour instead? See our Gaudí in Barcelona tour.
What sites does this tour include?
The tour will include visits to La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, three of Gaudí's most iconic works. Your guide may also include other works by Gaudí and his contemporaries.
The tour will include visits to La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, three of Gaudí's most iconic works. Your guide may also include other works by Gaudí and his contemporaries.
Will we visit the Gaudí House Museum while inside Park Güell?
This tour does not include the Gaudí House Museum.
This tour does not include the Gaudí House Museum.
Does this tour include skip-the-line tickets?
Yes, we provide skip-the-line tickets for Casa Batlló, Sagrada Família, and Park Güell.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
Yes, we provide skip-the-line tickets for Casa Batlló, Sagrada Família, and Park Güell.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to directly enter the security line at the cathedral, museum and park without waiting to purchase tickets. You will still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.
What about lunch?
We will make time for lunch during the tour! Note, the cost of lunch is not included.
We will make time for lunch during the tour! Note, the cost of lunch is not included.
Can I join a small group version of this tour?
At this time, the tour is offered only privately. You are welcome to join small group versions of the shorter Gaudí in Barcelona tour and Sagrada Família tour.
What if I want to learn more about Catalan culture and identity?
Those who want to learn more about Catalan national identity may enjoy our Catalan Independence Tour.
At this time, the tour is offered only privately. You are welcome to join small group versions of the shorter Gaudí in Barcelona tour and Sagrada Família tour.
What if I want to learn more about Catalan culture and identity?
Those who want to learn more about Catalan national identity may enjoy our Catalan Independence Tour.
Is this tour walking intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible?
We do cover extensive territory on this tour. The interior of Casa Batlló is wheelchair-accessible, and there are also chairs onsite for rental. Sagrada Família is wheelchair accessible, however it is still under construction which means that the constant changes may affect mobility at times. People with reduced mobility may have difficulty navigating Park Güell. Please contact us with any questions, we would be happy to advise if this tour will be comfortable for you.
Is this tour appropriate for children?
For young children (ages 3-12) we recommend our shorter Gaudí for Families tour, which is led by experts specially trained in educating children.
There are 8 or more people in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 7 participants. Can't you make an exception?
For young children (ages 3-12) we recommend our shorter Gaudí for Families tour, which is led by experts specially trained in educating children.
There are 8 or more people in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 7 participants. Can't you make an exception?
No, unfortunately due to venue reservation restrictions we cannot accommodate groups larger than 7 people. If your group is larger, we recommend you split into multiple groups.
Experts
Where You'll Start
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74 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We had a fantastic experience with Context Travel, particularly with one of their top guides, Suzie. Her incredible knowledge of Barcelona's highlights, including Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Batlló, made our trip truly unforgettable. The detail and passion she conveyed during our tour were remarkable and left a lasting impression on us. Thank you, Context Travel, for providing such high-quality travel guides and creating such memorable experiences.
Barbra
Nov 16, 2024
It was absolutely terrific! Anna was so knowledgeable and help contextualize Gaudí and his other contemporaries, including what it was about Barcelona that led to such experimentation. She could answer every question I had and her ability to convey the uniqueness and true artistry of Gaudi (and his contemporaries) was amazing. I wouldn’t have been able to truly comprehend everything I was looking at without her. The 8 hours flew by. I cannot recommend her highly enough!!
Bailey
Nov 6, 2024
Olga is an amazing guide.. extremely knowledgeable with a sense of humour and patience. Her personality is irresistible coupled with positive vibes. She has a fantastic grasp on the English language making it pleasurable to listen to. Her instructions were lively and factual simultaneously. She is definitely a keeper. My husband and myself felt she went beyond her call of duty, helping us with finding restaurants and gifts for my grandchild..We lucked out!!!
Gulshan
Nov 4, 2024