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A Comparative Guide to the 19 Best City Tours in Barcelona and Our Top Picks

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Taking a city tour is probably one of the best things to do in Barcelona , and there are plenty of them to choose between. From seeing landmarks and Gaudi´s masterpieces to exploring historic neighbourhoods and tasting local delicacies.

Here is a comparative guide to some of the best city tours in Barcelona , and don´t miss our 3 top picks in the list below!

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• Barcelona city tours

1 – Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 2478 review )

“Was all very well organized and the routes blue + orange are perfect to get a very good overview of Barcelona.” Antonia, Headout

A good choice for travelers who like to explore independently, the Barcelona Tourist Buses is a great-value way to tour the city. Tickets cost around €30 for a single day, or €40 for two days and you can hop-on and off as many times as you like during that time.

The buses tour all of the major landmarks in the city, including the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batllo and much more. You can enjoy commentary in 16 languages as you explore, and stay on the bus to see the sights, or hop-off and explore.

For a no-hassle way to tour the city the Barcelona Bus Turistic is an excellent option. The tickets can be used on any of the red and blue tourist buses, simply get off and on wherever you please.

The free audio guide is a bonus, so you won’t miss anything for the price of a single ticket.

Hot tip: Check out our Which Hop on Hop off Bus in Barcelona is the best? article, to compare the best bus tours in the city.

2 – El Born/Gothic Quarter Wine and Tapas Bar Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 440 reviews )

“Very fun time! Our guide Miro was knowledgeable and interesting. And lots of delicious food and drink mixed in!” Tracy, Getyourguide

One for the foodies, this wine and tapas bar tour by Barcelona Local Experiences offers a taste of the city’s most tantalizing delicacies. Tour the picturesque and historic neighborhoods of El Born and the Gothic Quarter, visit tapas and wine bars, and sample the local flavors.

Discover the history of Barcelona’s oldest neighborhoods and glimpse some hidden spots that aren’t on the usual tourist routes.

Visit four of the area’s top tapas bars to sample local specialty dishes, such as Iberian ham, regional cheeses, seafood, and a variety of wines.

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Curious about the Spanish tapas culture and want to know more? This in-depth tour will take you to some of the best tapas joints in the city. Discover Barcelona’s culinary gems with a knowledgeable local to lead the way. This is a food tour not to be missed!

Read more: Best wine tasting tours in Barcelona

3 – Helicopter, Walking, and Sailing 360º City Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 1102 reviews )

“It was great learning about the history of Barcelona. Katja, our tour guide, was knowledgeable and very nice. The helicopter tour was awesome, to see Barcelona from above was really cool!” Aisel, Getyourguide

This excursion from World Experience combines a walking tour of Barcelona’s highlights, a boat cruise, and a helicopter ride. You’ll see the city from all perspectives, land, sea, and sky as you explore the historic center of Barcelona.

Enjoy a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and Passeig de Gracia, the oldest parts of the city, with its most picturesque landmarks. Next hop on board a boat tour from Port Vell, and sail along the coastline past the statue of Christopher Columbus.

Finally, hover above the city on a helicopter tour of Barcelona’s stunning coastline. These all-in-one tours are an excellent addition to any trip. You can check out our selection of the best helicopter tours in Barcelona for more booking options.

This is a great value tour which packs so much into a short time. The walking tour is a great introduction to this historic city, and the boat tour offers great views. You’ll also enjoy a helicopter ride and see the city from a perspective that few get to.

4 – City Tour by Private Eco Tuk Tuk

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 479 reviews )

“We enjoyed our time in the city and our wonderful guide made time for us to ask questions along the way, experiencing Barcelona in a way I didn’t think possible with mobility issues. She was helpful,well versed in the culture. Well worth the the money!” Shauna, Getyourguide

One of the best all-round tours of Barcelona is from Eco Tuk Tuk , offering a 1 to 4 hour private tour of the city. You get to ride in comfort on an environmentally friendly all-electric tuk tuk. Visit the city’s most popular landmarks, including the famous La Sagrada Familia and Las Ramblas.

Visit the Arc de Triomf, the Parc de la Ciutadella, Olympic Port and the other Gaudi highlights, such as Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. These relaxed tours offer great value, as you pay per group of up to four people.

The tuk tuk is a great way to explore the city. It’s small, it’s fun and it’s environmentally friendly. This tour hits all the major landmarks and offers fantastic value for those traveling in a small group.

Overall, a great introduction to the city of Barcelona.

5 – Family Friendly Barcelona Private City Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 35 reviews )

“Fiorella was a great guide. She was flexible and gave us a unique perspective of the city. She was also great with our 5 year old and 1 year children who have high levels of energy and can talk all day. Would book with her again.” Edwin, Viator

Traveling to Barcelona with small children, elderly relatives, or both? this private excursion from Withlocals can be customized to your interests.

Many people prefer the flexibility of private tours in Barcelona over organized group tours. You can see the sights that you want to see with a local guide to show you around.

Avoid the queues at major tourist spots and skip to the things you want to see. Your local guide can offer fun places to visit to keep the kids entertained as you see the city. You’ll still get to tour Barcelona, and you’ll also get to stop for snacks and games along the way.

A great choice for families who want a private tour of the city. This is really geared at groups with small children and includes time to rest and play.

Remove some of the stress of travel by touring the city with a knowledgeable local guide.

6 – Free Walking Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 1077 reviews )

“I learned much more than I thought I would. Filipa’s knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious and her ability to hold us together and hold our attention was excellent. She also answered any question posed to her with solid information and humor.” Ruth, Civitatis

For travelers on a budget this free walking tour from Barkeno Tours proves you don’t have to spend big to have a great time. For those who’ve never tried a free walking tour before, there’s no set fee or obligation and you simply pay the amount you can afford at the end of the tour. Think of it as a tip!

You’ll visit popular destinations around the city and learn about Barcelona’s history, and present from a local, who knows and loves the city. Why not check out some of the other best free walking tours in Barcelona during your stay?

This is one of the top free walking tours in the city. The guides are all super knowledgeable and make the experience really fun.

If you don’t mind exploring the city on foot this tour is a great option for solo travelers, couples and small groups.

7 – Gaudi Private City Tour with Sagrada Familia

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 64 reviews )

“Our guide, Adriana was delightful. We were really happy with our entire walking tour of primarily, the Gothic Quarter, and a number of Gaudi’s works, culminating with a self-guided tour of Sagrada Familia, which was a total highlight. Money well spent.” Barbara, Getyourguide

For anyone particularly interested in the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, this private walking tour from LocalCoolTour is an excellent choice. The tour is aimed at small groups and will allow you to discover Gaudi’s modernist buildings with an expert local guide.

The tour includes skip-the-line admission to La Sagrada Familia, the architect’s famous “unfinished” cathedral. You’ll also visit his earlier architectural masterpieces, including Casa Batllo, Casa Mila and Palau Guell and his most frequented places throughout the city.

This private excursion will allow you to visit a number of the best tourist attractions in Barcelona in half a day.

This is an excellent private tour for architecture enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of the enigmatic architect, Antoni Gaudi.

It stops at most of his well–known locations in the city, with an expert local guide to bring the history of the man and his creations to life.

8 – City Highlights Biking Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 35 reviews )

“Highly recommended as a first impression! Also numerous insider tips.” Anna, Get your guide

Wanting to cover more distance in a shorter time? This guided cycle tour from Turisme de Barcelona will take you all over the city in just half a day.

Visit the Sagrada Familia, Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), Barcelona Cathedral, Parc de la Ciutadella, and much more. You’ll criss-cross the town discovering its most vibrant neighborhoods, and seeing much more of the city than you could otherwise.

Tour the city’s lanes and cycle paths and enjoy it from a local’s perspective. Concerned about sustainability? Bike tours are one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to explore.

This, mostly flat, cycle tour offers an active way to see the city without getting too tired. Your local guide will show you the necessary sights of Barcelona and lead you through the labyrinth of streets, cycle paths and boulevards.

Absolutely recommended!

Read more: Best Bike Tours in Barcelona

9 – Barcelona Highlights City Tour and Montserrat Excursion

Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5 ( 27 reviews )

“Had a great day. Our guide in the morning was Carolyn, this was walking around the town. The bus then took us to the Cable cars, which is a must to do seeing the view of Barcelona. In the afternoon after lunch we went to Montserrat, this is a beautiful place to visit.” Tina, Getyourguide

If you only have a short time to spend in the city this full-day tour by Julia Travel Gray Line Spain is an excellent option. The tour will take place over ten hours allowing you to travel to all corners of the city, as well as Montserrat to admire the Benedictine Monastery.

Hit all the city’s major landmarks in a short time, including Barcelona Cathedral, Port Olimpic, The Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gracia and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC).

You’ll get to ride a cable car and see fantastic views from Montjuic before a bus trip to nearby Montserrat.

This is an all-round comprehensive tour of the city that would be ideal for anyone visiting by cruise ship. If you just have a day to see it all then this is the excursion to pick. Visit all the Barcelona city highlights then jump on a bus to Montserrat to see the famous Benedictine Monastery.

10 – 4-Hour City Highlights Tour by Vespa Scooter

Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 ( 23 reviews )

“It was a great day that we will all keep in great memory. Everything was fine. The weather, the tour and our guide, who led the group safely through Barcelona and gave a lot of information at the selected points. Definitely do it!!!” Rosmarie, Getyourguide

Not content with cycle or walking tours? Want something with a few more thrills? A Vespa scooter tour from Vesping GPS Guided tours is a fun way to explore Barcelona.

You’ll have a local guide to show you around, and you can pilot your own scooter around the streets of Barcelona. Zip from place to place, cruise the seafront boulevards and see a lot more of the city in a shorter time.

These 4 hour tours cover more than 50 kilometers, including visits to well known landmarks like La Sagrada Familia and lesser known but equally picturesque places.

This is a great way to see the city. Your friendly local guide can tailor the route to your liking and you can really cover most of the city in the 4 hour tour time.

Hit up all the major landmarks, avoid the city traffic and enjoy the freedom of the open road.

11 – City Tour, Tapas & Wine, and Flamenco Show

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 50 reviews )

“Valentino was very knowledgeable and she had a beautiful spirit and joy when showing us around. Thank you for a lovely tour. The flamenco was great.” Richard, Viator

This tour from LocalCoolTour offers a taste of the traditional Spanish culture, with additional tapas, wine and a flamenco show. Start your excursion with a 2-hour private tour by a local guide who’ll explain the history of the area.

You’ll visit the oldest parts of the city, including the narrow alleyways of the Gothic Quarter and Placa Reial, to see the Gaudi-designed street lamps. You’ll then head for a tapas in the district of Born, which will be accompanied by a glass of Cava or vermouth.

From there visit one of Barcelona’s most important churches, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar before heading to the atmospheric Palau Dalmases to catch a traditional flamenco show.

This tour offers a great value all-in-one cultural experience in Barcelona. It includes some of the top things to see and do in the city, including tapa tasting and a flamenco show and a private guided tour of the oldest parts of the city. Highly recommended!

12 – Half Day City Tour by Sidecar Motorcycle

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 1611 reviews )

“A novel way to see Barcelona at ground level with a knowledgeable tour guide/motorbike rider. For those unaccustomed to being on a motorbike ( with side car) this experience is a bonus. Bluetooth connection allows you to hear what is being described.” Cathy, Viator

If you enjoy tours that are a little out of the ordinary, this quirky trip from BrightSide Tours Barcelona might be a good pick. You’ll tour the city on a motorcycle and sidecar with an experienced local rider and guide to show you around.

Zoom along the city streets powered by a classic motorcycle, listen to commentary and chat with your driver on a radio headset. See the city’s most impressive landmarks, such as La Sagrada Familia, Passeig de Gracia and the Olympic Village.

Enjoy a fun and adventure-packed private tour on a thrilling vintage motorcycle and sidecar.

This adventurous tour on a classic motorcycle and sidecar is sure to be a highlight of your time in Barcelona. Enjoy the breeze on your face and the wind in your hair as you zip around the city from landmark to landmark. The local driver/guides really make these tours a pleasure.

13 – Las Golondrinas 60-Minute Port and Coast Cruise

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 452 reviews )

“It was a really nice cruise, very good value for money and plenty of seating options. Food available on board too wasn’t too pricey. Highly recommend.” Christopher, Tourscanner

Something a little bit different, this coastal cruise of Barcelona will let you see the city from the water. Covering nine miles of the city’s seafront, the Golondrinas sightseeing tour lasts around an hour and covers the area from Portal de la Pau, near the Columbus statue, to nearby Port Vell via Barceloneta Beach.

Enjoy the fresh sea air while you sail on one of the ship’s two outdoor observation decks.

You’ll see Diagonal Mar, Port Forum, a marina full of extravagant superyachts, and Port Olimpic which hosted events in the 1992 Olympic Games.

This is a nice sightseeing boat tour which leaves from the city center. You’ll cruise along the coast and catch a glimpse of the waterfront city, its yacht harbors and its glamorous beaches. Wind down, relax and take it easy on this great-value Barcelona boat excursion.

14 – City Highlights Guided Running Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 ( 8 reviews )

“The tour was so much fun and such a great way to visit and see the famous landmarks of Barcelona! I would do it again in a heartbeat! Thanks again Sam and an outstanding recommendation for tapas.” Eszeter, Getyourguide

It’s true that not everyone likes to take it easy on holiday. If you’re a get-up-and-go kind of person you might enjoy this running tour from LocalRunGuide . You’ll get to explore the city with a local expert, see the highlights and work up a sweat at the same time.

Visit La Sagrada Familia, other Gaudi-designed highlights like Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, as well as the impressive Barcelona Cathedral.

Run along Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s famous lively thoroughfare, and enjoy the best routes through the city with an enthusiastic local to show you the way.

This is a sightseeing running tour for travelers who never forget their running shoes. Work up a sweat on a guided run through the bustling streets of Barcelona. You can explore with an enthusiastic local and see the sights in a fun and energetic way.

15 – Private Photography and City Highlights Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 1 review )

“Alfredo, great guy. he Knows everything about the city and shows you from which position you can shoot the best spots!” Jasper, Getyourguide

If you’re an insta-enthusiast, this private photography tour from In Out Barcelona Tours will ensure you get the best city snaps. Tour Barcelona with a local photography expert who can show you the best viewpoints to take the most engaging photos.

You’ll travel by bike around the city, learn some local history and even how to set-up and shoot a camera for the best possible shots.

Take your vacation photos to the next level while you cruise around popular Barcelona locations, including Passeig de Gracia, La Barceloneta, and much more.

If you want to snap amazing pics during your time in Barcelona, this tour is highly recommended. You’ll be led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic local photographer, who will show you the city’s best viewpoints and photogenic locations. Enjoy a crash photography course in one of Europe’s most amazing cities.

16 – 2-Hour Segway Sightseeing Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 517 review )

“Tour went really well, our tour guide Nuno was very energetic, positive, funny and proactive! A great tour guide! One of a kind experience and he made our tour comfortable as he taught us well on how to handle and control the segway! All the best and continue to be a happy person Nuno!” Leslia, Getyourguide

For a unique way to see Barcelona on two wheels, this city tour from Euro Segway might be a good option. Segways may look hard to ride but you’ll be an expert in no time. And, don’t worry you’ll get chance to practice before you head off into the city.

The tour takes you through the old and modern parts of the city, visiting iconic places such as Parc de la Ciutadella, Port Vell and the Roman Walls.

You’ll also visit culturally important places, such as the Arc de Triomf, Columbus Monument and Port Olimpic.

Want to try something new during your time in Barcelona? This Segway tour of the city is a fantastic option for those with an adventurous side. Experience this unique style of two-wheeled travel as you explore the exciting city of Barcelona. The local guides make this experience a blast.

17 – Explore Montserrat on a Guided Trip with Lunch

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 2578 reviews )

“The experience was very nice, and the guide (Yerai) was really friendly,helpful and funny. I totally recommend this trip for anyone visiting Barcelona, stunning views.” Andreica, Getyourguide

When you’ve toured the city and seen the local sights, there are some great day tours from Barcelona to enjoy, including this trip from Castlexperience . You’ll take a half, or full-day bus tour to the nearby Montserrat mountain range, famous for its stunning views and the impressive Benedictine Monastery that sits amid its jagged peaks.

Glimpse the mountain views from the cogwheel train, take a guided tour of the abbey and marvel at the famous Black Madonna statue. Enjoy a lunch of traditional dishes and sample a selection of local wines. This Montserrat tour from Barcelona packs in a whole lot.

A great option for those wanting to visit nearby Montserrat and the Monastery. The guides really try to make the trip fun and offer lots of knowledge about the locations you’ll stop at. This offers a chance to see the countryside around Barcelona, discover some history and enjoy a fantastic meal along the way.

18 – Barcelona Mysteries and Legends Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 ( 2149 reviews )

“Nuria really told such incredibly amazing stories. Creepy, sad, funny, mysterious stories from old Barcelona and its former inhabitants. Tonight we had a fabulous tour through the old and narrow streets.” Carmen, Civitatis

This evening tour from Grupo Mediático tells the myths, tales, and legends of old Barcelona. Take a journey back in time as you tour the city’s most historic streets. Dig into the past of the city’s oldest locations, including the Gothic Quarter, Placa de Catalunya, and Barcelona Cathedral.

Uncover local legends of wizards, ghosts, and mysteries, some of which date back to the city’s Roman era. Hear chilling tales as you travel through the city’s historic cobbled streets and most unusual locations.

Don’t miss this chance to explore the spooky history of Barcelona with a local guide. If you enjoy perplexing myths and chilling ghost stories this could be a great option. Visit the city’s oldest and most mysterious locations and discover the unusual tales that have been passed down from generation to generation.

19 – A Magical Evening in Barcelona: Private City Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 26 reviews )

“I had a great time touring the gothic quarter with Karim – thank you for a fun evening in Barcelona! It was great to do it on my first evening in the city and get to understand the neighborhood. Thanks Karim!” Jessica, Viator

This guided tour is a great introduction to Barcelona’s bustling nightlife. Enjoy a night of bar hopping around Barcelona’s most picturesque neighborhoods with this tour from Withlocals .

Discover some of the best bars in the city’s Gothic Quarter, enjoy a tour from a local guide and sample some of the must-try local specialty drinks. You’ll taste sangria, made in the traditional Spanish way, sip cocktails in the city’s oldest districts, and try vermouth in a traditional taverna.

Visit a long-established bar that was popular with Picasso and other local personalities and taste a selection of traditional snacks.

This is a great choice for a private evening tour around some of the best bars and tavernas in the Gothic Quarter. You’ll learn plenty of local history, try local specialty drinks and snacks and get to see the best of the old city at night.

How to book city tours in Barcelona?

Many websites offer city tours in Barcelona, how do you know if you’re choosing the right one for you? We pull all the results from all tour operators together so you can check out the best tours and deals available. Just search with the Tourscanner search engine to easily review all offers and prices.

• compare city tours in Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain in 3 Days: Things to See & Eat and Where to Stay

This month’s A Weekend Away , 3 day long weekend itinerary post is dedicated to one of our favorite cities, Barcelona! Our guide to 3 days in Barcelona includes the top places to visit, especially the Antoni Gaudi sites , best things to do and eat. 

We’d been wanting to go to Barcelona for the longest time. For me, it was all about the architecture, I’d learned about the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí in school and I’d wanted to experience it in person. For Jimmy, it was all about the delicious Catalan cuisine.

Fun Fact: Barcelona is located in Catalonia, and as such the population speaks both Catalan and Spanish.

When we decided to book a trip to Spain for the holidays, it was finally going to happen, we were going to do Barcelona for a long weekend, specifically Christmas weekend.

Here in Barcelona, it’s the architects who built the buildings that made the city iconic who are the objects of admiration – not a bunch of half-witted monarchs. – Julie burchill

Somehow we’d forgotten that Spain, like many countries in Europe, is primarily Catholic. Oops. So one of the major obstacles we faced was going to Barcelona ON Christmas weekend.

Still, winter is one of the best times to visit Barcelona. It’s a little chilly, but it’s not deathly hot and there’s less people in Barcelona because it’s the off season. For more on visiting Barcelona in the winter, check out Barcelona in the off-season .

Fun Fact: Barcelona covers an area of 101.4 km2 and has a population of 1.602 million, making it the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea, and the second largest in Spain after Madrid. ( Spain Attractions )

It’s such a large city with so much tourism, we figured SOMETHING had to be open, right? Fortunately for us, Parc Güell and Casa Batlló were the only 2 Antoni Gaudí sites open on Christmas day and that actually took up most of our time that day!

This brings us to our itinerary for the best artsy and architectural places to visit in Barcelona in a 3 day weekend!

Table of Contents

Where to Stay in Barcelona, Spain

While considering where we wanted to stay in Barcelona, convenience was a MAJOR factor. Since we were arriving to Barcelona via the train, we wanted to be close to the Metro so we weren’t walking around with our bags for too long. We also wanted to be near the sights since a weekend is a short amount of time, we didn’t have time to waste on public transportation around the city!

We settled upon a double room at Hotel Sagrada Familia for all of the above reasons. It is located in the L’Eixample area of Barcelona , only a 2 block walk away from the Sagrada Familia Metro station and the actual La Sagrada Familia church .

Our room at Hotel Sagrada Familia was amazing for the price. We had a modern, well-furnished room with a decently sized double bed and the bathroom was much larger than we had expected being in the middle of the city. Free wifi was included, which we much appreciated. The front desk staff was super friendly and spoke English. They were also very helpful and allowed us to store our bags after we checked out, we came by later in the day to pick them up before heading back to Madrid. Click to learn more about Hotel Sagrada Familia!

DAY 1 – All Day, All Antoni Gaudí

Important Note: For us, this was Christmas day, so we didn’t have too many options available to us. This may or may not be the case for you. 😉 

We took the earliest train from Madrid and arrived in the mid-morning. After dropping off our stuff at our hotel, we headed to lunch and then took the bus up to Parc Güell . 

For Parc Güell, we had purchased timed tickets in advance for a guided tour of the park and entrance to the monumental zone.

Visiting Parc Güell can be a little confusing as there is a TICKETED AREA as well as a FREE AREA. We were super confused about this when we were purchasing the tickets so I hope this helps you! 

Just a little bit of background…

The ticketed area is called “The Monumental Zone.” What the hell does that mean, right?  This is where the Casa del Guarda (Caretaker’s House), the Hypostyle Room , Dragon’s Stairway , Plaça de la Natura (Nature Square), slanted rock columns (Laundry Room Portico) are located. The serpentine mosaic-tiled bench is located at Nature Square and the mosaic salamander resides at the foot of the Dragon’s Stairway.

Now for an explanation of the map (above)…

There are three main entrances to the Monumental Zone (green arrows on the map): Passatge De St. Josep De La Muntanya , Carrer d’Olot , and Plaça de la Natura . They WILL check your ticket at these entrances and they are especially uptight at the Plaça de la Natura entrances because of the serpentine bench.

Tickets can be purchased on location at the yellow areas indicated on the map. The meet up area for the guided tour (blue circle) is also located near a ticketing booth, but make note that it is by the ticket booth closest to the bus stops (red bus icon on map).

The 24 and 92 buses take you closest to the park, with either of these two buses you will walk less. 🙂 Close to the park, the buses run along Ctra. del Carmel, and you will take the stop, Ctra. del Carmel – Parc Güell .

The rest of the park, OUTSIDE of this area is free, so you can come here for a stroll, but to actually see the famous Antoni Gaudí pieces, you’ll have to pay.

Fun Fact: Gaudí originally intended for Parc Güell to be free and enjoyable to all; however, people began to destroy the mosaic tiles covering the famous serpentine bench. As a result, the government began charging to visit the area (The Monumental Zone). Today when you tour the Plaça de la Natura (Nature Square), you can see areas of white tile on the bench. This is because it was never repaired to its original color so that visitors can see the destruction inflicted upon the bench.

Depending on when you go, the opening hours are also different; the park is typically open longer during the summer peak season.

To learn more about Parc Güell, check out our post on  Gaudí’s style of Catalan architecture .

Casa Batlló

Afterwards, we headed straight to Casa Batlló , the only Gaudí home open on Christmas! One of the other great things about this house is that it’s open late, so even if you’re not coming here on a public holiday you can still see this after touring other sights.

This house, in particular, is unlike any of the other Gaudí homes because it was renovated rather than built from scratch. The wavy walls, skeletal facade, and dragon-backed roof are a sight to be seen!

The general admission tickets come with an interactive audio guide and you can use the device to explore the room in a whole new way. It’s difficult to explain that via blog content so I’ll let you discover that yourself. 😉

Learn more about Casa Batlló, read  Antoni Gaudí’s modernist style of Catalan architecture .

For dinner, many of the restaurants we initially wanted to go to were closed so we only had a handful of choices to pick from. We happened upon Cachitos which was open so we walked in.

We feasted on various tapas – the grilled razor clams and flan were particularly delicious. We also loved their paella, definitely get the paella if you go with another person as they don’t make paella for one. Paella is also charged per head.

I know their non-alcoholic sangria is not very European at all and probably super touristy, but as an Asian person allergic to alcohol I appreciated the option. I am able to have sips of alcohol though so I tried Jimmy’s cava sangria, it was super good! I’d highly recommend getting it here, since weren’t able to find it elsewhere.

Fun Fact: Barcelona is known for a sparkling wine known as cava. It is made from 3 local grapes, Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada, and is very similar to champagne.

The food was surprisingly pretty good, though portions were on the smaller side, especially for the price. We were grateful for decent food since it was Christmas day and you know, beggars can’t really be choosers. I will say that the food was a lot better than the places we had in Madrid (don’t trust TripAdvisor to tell you where to eat there, SUCH A BAD IDEA!).

DAY 2 – Churches of Barcelona

We grabbed a quick breakfast then rushed over to La Sagrada Familia , THE place to go in Barcelona.

La Sagrada Familia

If you’re on a budget and can only afford to see one Gaudí, I would pick this one. There are also several ticket tiers available , so you can opt to only see the cathedral with a basic ticket, or include other add-ons like the audio guide, and the tower visit, etc.

We got the tickets to the tower and since we could only choose one (either the Nativity or the Passion tower), we chose to see the Passion tower since it provides views of the city center as well as the Mediterranean sea on a clear day. The tickets are timed so make sure you’ll be able to arrive in time.

La Sagrada Familia is much larger and more beautiful than you could ever imagine just from seeing photographs. We spent over 3hrs here in awe and amazement at the level of detail Gaudí included in the design of this church. The audio guide also provides a lot of in depth information about his thought process throughout the design and construction of the building.

Fun Fact: La Sagrada Familia is set to be complete by 2026, in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. This cathedral has taken longer to build than the Great Pyramids of Giza, which only took 20 years.

Aside from the towers, you can also visit Gaudí’s studio and the crypt to see a museum artifacts related to the construction of La Sagrada Familia. There are exhibits showcasing the scaled models created by Gaudí that were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, architects are currently painstakingly trying to piece them together in order to finish construction.

Related Post: Discover Antoni Gaudí’s architecture in Barcelona .

Our lunch consisted of some sandwiches and coffee from a random small cafe since we had to rush to our next stop.

La Pedrera – Casa Milà

La Pedrera – Casa Milà was our afternoon activity. We hadn’t expected it to take as much time as it did, but we spent about 1hr just walking on the roof and snapping pix. Since the days are shorter in the winter, we had actually rushed straight to the roof when we got there to maximize on golden hour, then we toured the rest of the house.

The “house” is technically a set of homes, since it was built as an apartment building for the Milà family to live in one unit and lease out the rest. In his design, Gaudí intended for the families residing in the building to socialize and get to know one another, so he created public spaces to encourage interaction between the tenants.

A few residents still live in the apartments and as such, visitors are only permitted in several areas of the building: La Pedrera apartment (located on the 4th floor), the Milà apartment (on the 1st floor), roof terrace, attic, courtyard, and certain marked stairwells leading between the respective areas.

Fun Fact: If you visit La Pedrera at night, you’ll be in for an audio-visual experience projected upon the architecture on the roof terrace.

We purchased the general admission tickets for a visit during the day, which included the audio guide. But, they also have various types of tickets for both a day and night entrance (which includes The Origins show), as well as just the night entrance. There are options to have dinner or just a drink with the show.

For more about Casa Milà, check out Our Guide to Gaudí’s Buildings in Barcelona .

Catalana Cerveceria

We were super excited for our dinner spot because it was one of the few places we’d researched and had wanted to try.  Catalana Cerveceria  was popular with tourists, but also very tasty!

And they were rightfully popular, their tapas are amazing! We had a ton of things and they were delicious. Some of our favorites were their gambas ala plancha (grilled shrimp), pan con tomate (bread with tomato), tortilla patatas, and creme catalana.

For you Americans and Californians, the tortilla isn’t what you think it is, it’s not like the Mexican wrap that goes around a burrito. It’s more similar to an omelette, pan cooked eggs mixed with potatoes. I typically enjoy it with alioli, a creamy sauce with garlic, it’s a MUST! At Catalana Cerveceria, if you want to enjoy your tortilla with alioli, it’ll cost ya €1 for the sauce (or any additional sauce you want).

The creme catalana is similar to creme brulee, but with a twist! It’s more custardy and less creamy than a creme brulee so I actually prefer it more than creme brulee since it’s less heavy. Give it a try when you’re in Spain!

Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter)

After dinner, we walked around Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and saw Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and Barcelona Cathedral from the outside.

The Gothic Quarter is one of the coolest parts of the city, it also happens to be one of the oldest parts with the remains of ancient Roman walls and medieval landmarks.

Restaurant La Plassohla

Breakfast was at the fancy Restaurant La Plassohla since we wanted to be close to our first sight of the day, Picasso Museum. This spot was basically a fancy breakfast buffet, so we definitely ate our fill. They had a charcuterie selection, your typical granola and yogurt, as well as made-to-order eggs. Jimmy totally got his money’s worth by getting the eggs made in several ways, omelette, over easy, and poached. Pretty sure the chef thought we were “fat Americans,” LOL.

Picasso Museum  (Museu Picasso)

For Picasso Museum , we purchased our tickets in advance so it was simple and quick to get in.  The only areas in the Picasso Museum allowing photos were in the courtyard (see photos above).

Fun Fact: Picasso actually had a part in the founding of this museum, from donating his artworks to establishing the museum within the specific building.

One of my favorite things about this museum was that you could see the progression and development of Picasso’s style. I’ve seen his work via special exhibitions in the U.S. (both in San Francisco and New York City) as well as other works held at various museums and I loved seeing his early works at this particular museum. It was really cool to be able to see his style evolve from his student art copying the work of the famous Spanish painter, Francisco Goya, to the abstract “Picasso style” everyone knows and loves today.

Interested another weekend getaway? Check out our  A Weekend Away posts.

Unfortunately, photographs aren’t permitted within the museum, so you’ll just have to take my word for it, or you can go and see for yourself! But I highly recommend this museum if you’re a Picasso fan or just plain interested in Picasso.

For lunch, Bear made us a reservation at Somorrosto . This spot was highly recommended by a friend and it was amazing! They had a daily menu they would write on a giant chalkboard and they would move it around so that the tables that were ordering would be able to see it.

Highlights include the shrimp from Barceloneta, rice with spring garlic, and goose carpaccio.

Parc de la Ciutadella

Afterwards we walked off our food in Parc de la Ciutadella , saw the gigantic fountain and the Arc de Triomf . The park is a gorgeous place to relax and a beautiful place to spend a sunny, winter afternoon. 

Las Ramblas

On our way to our next stop we took a stroll down Las Ramblas . Las Ramblas is a famous 0.75mi (1.2km) pedestrian street that connects Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. It was a lot busier than we expected! We used it as our main thoroughfare to get to Jamon Experience so unfortunately we didn’t get to walk down the entire street. 

Jamon Experience

So we went to the super touristy, but also super worth it –  Jamon Experience ! What drew us to this (even though it’s extra touristy), was that we’d learn about how jamon is made and be able to taste all the different types of jamon. YUM.

Our ticket prices included the educational tour of the making of jamon, jamon tasting, and a drink.

Fun Fact: Jamon Serrano isn’t made from the Iberian pig, however Jamon de Iberico must be, and Jamon Iberico de Bellota is made from acorn-fed Iberian pigs.

We got to try 7 different types of jamon, some of which were only Jamon Serrano, but we also got to try a Jamon Iberico, as well as several types of Jamon Iberico de Bellota.

We ended our trip to Barcelona with a worthwhile experience in jamon and took the evening train back to Madrid.

List of the Sights

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all addresses below are located within Barcelona.

• Parc Güell 41.415243 N, 2.155098 E | Bus Stop: 24 & 92
• Casa Batlló Passeig de Gràcia, 43
• Cachitos Rambla Catalunya, 33
• La Sagrada Familia Carrer de Mallorca, 401
• La Pedrera – Casa Milà Carrer de Provença, 261-265
• Cerveceria Catalana Carrer de Mallorca, 236
• Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) Area between La Rambla to Via Laietana, the Mediterranean seafront, and Ronda de Sant Pere
• Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Plaça de Santa Maria, 1
• Barcelona Cathedral (Catedral de Barcelona) Placita de la Seu, 3
• Restaurant La Plassohla Via Laietana, 49
• Picasso Museum Carrer de Montcada, 15-23
• Somorrosto Carrer de Sant Carles, 11
• Parc de la Ciutadella 41.389596 N, 2.186595 E
• Arc de Triomf Passeig de Lluís Companys
• Las Ramblas Pedestrian street from Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell
• Jamon Experience Las Ramblas, 88-94

Map of the Sights

This map includes a list of all of the Sights to See , Restaurants as well as the routes by day (i.e. Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3) within specified layers.

By default, only the Sights to See and Restaurants are shown but you can select to view the daily routes. Use the slide out panel to select layers to toggle them on and off using the checkboxes.

Hope you enjoyed the itinerary we used for a holiday weekend in Barcelona! There is so much to do and see in Barcelona, a lot of your sights will depend upon seasonal availability and your personal preferences. 

For another barcelona itinerary, check out 3 days in barcelona ., loved this 3 day guide to barcelona pin it for later.

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12 comments.

I’ve always wanted to go to Barcelona! Sounds like you had an amazing time there and really got to see the sights. The goose carpaccio looks delicious! The jamon Experience looks fun. Iberico is my favourite 😍

You should definitely go to Barcelona and try the Jamon Experience then! You will never see jamon the same way again! 🙂

Was there in September during a festival and can hardly remember the architecture 🙂 Parties there are so cool!

Haha unfortunately we didn’t go to any parties while we were there but we’ll definitely keep that in mind for next time!

Ive been to Madrid, but hope to make it to Barcelona. Love the photos and informative post, looks like you enjoyed your trip!

Our trip was great, hope you can make it to Barcelona someday! 🙂

My son is at the moment in Barcelona with his team from work. I’m a bit jealous reading your post!

Guess that means you’ll have to make your way to Barcelona, with the help of our itinerary 😉

Your weekend away guides are so inspiring, and your experience shows as you seem to manage to get so much in each time! Spanish tapas is probably one of my favourite ways to eat, the king prawns have certainly made me hungry! Last time we visited, we drank tisane, which is like the white wine version of sangria, and it’s just as delicious alcohol free too – we make it back in the UK all the time these days. It’s a mixture of orange juice, lemonade (we sometimes add something like schleor or alcohol free-wine too) then cut up strawberries, apple, mango and nectarine (although you can pick anything) and it’s a super delicious fruit salad/drink combo! Love this piece! Shan xoxo

We loved tisane! But we didn’t know it was called that til just now haha, super glad you enjoyed this one!

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Barcelona & Picasso Museum Tour

Tour details

Prices (tickets included)

Adults (18+): 39€ Children (0-17): 15€

The Barcelona Picasso Museum sells out fast. Make sure to book ahead before all tickets are sold out!

Barcelona & Picasso Museum Tour Details

Out of all the great artists in Spain’s Art History, there is a name that has gained world-fame and recognition above all others: Pablo Picasso. Cubism, the artist’s unique style, is as acclaimed as it has been criticized. But one thing we know for sure: no-one remains indifferent to Picasso’s glorious art and personality.

On this tour, you will learn about Picasso’s life in Barcelona and how the city where he spent his youth shaped his unique personality. In short, this tour will help you understand why Picasso is Picasso. Together with your guide you will walk through iconic places of the Barri Gòtic, like the bohemian café Els Quatre Gats , where Picasso and other intellectuals met and spent their evenings.

During the tour, you will also see some works of Picasso in the open air, places that inspired the artist to create some of his major masterpieces, and even works by other artists that received inspiration from Picasso.

After a one-and-half hour walking tour in the Gothic and Born quarters, the neighborhoods where Picasso spent most of his life in Barcelona, you will arrive at the Picasso Museum with a reserved spot. You will be able to skip the lines to buy tickets and you will get in faster to explore the collection at your own pace.

🔍 Click here to see the full itinerary!

Key Details

Cancellations and amendments

You can cancel or reschedule the tour up to 24 hours before departure time. After that, it is non-refundable. In case of force majeure or inclement weather, the guided tour can be cancelled or rescheduled by the Touring Pandas, and the corresponding amount will be refunded.

Make sure to arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure. Latecomers and no-shows don’t get a refund.

For more details, check our  terms and conditions .

Our tour starts at Plaça de Catalunya, next to the Hard Rock Café. Your guide will be holding a sign with The Touring Pandas logo.

This Modernist building hosts an old and bohemian café with Picasso and other intellectuals used to gather to discuss their ideas over coffee and what's not coffee.

Next to the Cathedral of Barcelona you'll be surprised to spot some open-air works by Pablo Picasso. We'll tell you all about these mysterious drawings!

Although not directly related, you will hear some anecdotes on this square that will throw us back to the Civil War and we will recall the tragedy of Gernika, which inspired one of Picasso's masterpieces.

In this iconic street of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter your guide will tell you about one of the biggest controversies in Art History, related to another of Picasso's masterpieces. Guess which one?

In this bar Picasso had his first studio in Barcelona.

This cheerful work by Roi Liechtenstein is also a remarkable spot in the city related to Picasso and other artists. You'll be surprised to hear where it comes from!

This picturesque nieghbourhood is full of romantic corners and designer shops: make sure to spend some time after visiting the museum

On your way to the museum, you will pass by Santa Maria del Mar, also known as the Cathedral of the Sea, one of Barcelona's most famous temples.

At the end of the tour, you will get a fast-track ticket to explore the museum at your own pace while you reflect on everything you learned during the tour.

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