Full Day Gaudí Barcelona tour

A Full Day Gaudí tour gives an immersion into some of the architect's most iconic works

$860 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Architecture
Duration: 8 hours
Location: Barcelona

Photos & Highlights

In-depth exploration of Gaudi's wonderful, revolutionary architecture and how it has shaped contemporary Barcelona
Led by a scholar, historian, or architect
Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, and 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!

"[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.

Will we visit the Gaudí House Museum while inside Park Güell?
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 about lunch?
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.

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 will be happy to advise if this tour will be comfortable for you, or discuss how we can customize it to meet your needs.

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.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Dan

Dan hails from Sheffield in the north of England yet his passion for Barcelona and all things Catalan took shape from an early age - stemming from a high school exchange visit in 1991. Dan went on to study Hispanic Studies at the University of Cardiff, with special emphasis on Catalan language, history and culture. Following a permanently move to Barcelona in 2002, Dan completed a Masters in Development Cooperation, squeezed in whilst indulging his primary passion of searching out the things that make Barcelona tick – both currently and historically. Dan is a licensed tourist guide of Catalonia.

Tate

Tate is an Official Catalan Tourist Guide, researcher and writer, formerly a university professor, who today combines her academic life (congresses, and publications) with touring in Barcelona and Catalunya for visitors interested in cultural heritage. She is currently working on the update of the official guide of the Art Nouveau architecture for the City Council of Barcelona and on another book on "The 50 wonders of Gaudí". Holder of a PhD in Journalism and Communication, as well as a degree in Translation, she has written numerous books and guidebooks on the architecture of the XXth century, specially Gaudí and the Catalan Art Nouveau. Walking along with Tate is both fun and deep, and will give you an unforgettable experience.

Zaida

Zaida is a Licensed Guide of Catalonia with a rather eclectic background. She initially studied jewellery design before moving into Tourism, has taken a post-graduate course on Picasso organised by the Universitat de Barcelona in the Picasso museum and she studied as well, a Master's degree to become a Sommelier. Zaida it's been a Licensed Tour Guide of Catalonia for the last 10 years, learning and showing the history and architecture of Barcelona. For her a rounded experience can include a vast range of elements, be they architectural and artistic wonders, historical overviews, culinary curiosities, local wine culture, or glimpses of everyday life off the beaten track. As a pure "Barcelonina", passionate and full of energy, she loves sharing Barcelona with people in the most knowledgeable and Mediterranean style.

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29 Reviews – (4.97)

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

Anna loves her city and it comes through in her enthusiastic and fun guiding. The eight hours flew by. She answered all my questions and then some. I would highly recommend her. And we really liked her!

Deborah

Nov. 9, 2019

Tate was a guide-extraordinaire and we have had many private excursions over multiple cruises. She is a subject-matter-expert that customized the tour to align with our specific Gaudi interests.

Mark

Sep. 19, 2019

Resi did a great job of planning out the day. We did not feel rushed at all. She spoke wonderful English, was personable, and a wealth of credible knowledge.

Ashley

Sep. 10, 2019

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