Famous for the Iberian sun, mesmerizing architecture and fascinating landscape, Barcelona is an explorer’s heaven. The fact that it is significantly different from the rest of the European cities only adds to its mysterious appeal. Be it for the classic attractions such as the Sagrada Familia or offbeat sights like graffiti art, Barcelona is definitely worth visiting. Not to mention the delicious seafood and the vibrant city life that it boasts. What best way to truly experience the Catalan way of life than with the help of a local guide? Read on to discover the best Barcelona tours.
What Are The Advantages Of Barcelona Tours?
Barcelona is a city of contrasts, a city where skyscrapers coexist in harmony with medieval architecture. On one hand, is the long-established Catalan festivals and the Gothic Quarter that pays homage to the medieval past. On the other hand is the bustling city with its crowded pubs, never-ending nightlife and fine-dining restaurants. The best way to truly experience these contrasts is by opting for a tour of this fascinating city. Your local guide will guide you through all the prime attractions of the city without missing out on any of its hidden gems. If you are not yet convinced, here are some reasons to opt for a Barcelona tour.
Get the complete experience with the best Barcelona tours
From the Gothic Quarters and the Sagrada Familia to the high rise buildings and Mediterranean beaches, Barcelona is a city of many faces. While this makes it a traveler’s paradise, this also means that it becomes difficult to cover everything in just a few days. The best way to make sure that you do not miss out on any of the must-see attractions is by opting for a tour of Barcelona. Mostly conducted by locals, these tours will cover all the prime attractions, enabling you to truly experience the city.
Discover the city’s breathtaking architecture with the best Barcelona tours
From the larger-than-life Sagrada Familia to the picturesque Park Guell, architect extraordinaire Antoni Gaudi has left his mark on this Catalan city. Not to forget the Gothic Quarter that dates back to over 2000 years. All these attractions hold a wealth of fascinating history within their narrow corridors and medieval squares. The best way to truly understand their significance is by indulging in a professional tour of these attractions.
Enjoy the thriving city life with the best Barcelona tours
One way to discover the vibrant city life of Barcelona is with the help of your local guide. Now-a-days, there are many nightlife tours and night cards that grant you access to the city’s best clubs and pubs. These tours are specially crafted to ensure that you experience the Barcelonian nightlife like a local.
Save time and money with the best Barcelona tours
Oftentimes, visiting various attractions individually takes up a lot of time. Moreover, expenses such as travel and entrance fees can quickly eat into your budget. In order to avoid this, you can always opt for combination tours or city tours that cover multiple attractions. What’s more, you might even get attractive discounts if you purchase online tickets!
Make you experience a hassle-free one with the best Barcelona tours
Standing in line for hours, battling the crowds and navigating through a foreign country can get quite overwhelming, especially if it is your first time. A tour will ensure that your experience is hassle-free. If you opt for a guided tour, all you have to do is show up at the designated spot and wait for your guide. From procuring tickets to navigating through the crowd, your professional guide will do all the hard work.
Choosing The Best Barcelona Tours
Barcelona is home to numerous attractions such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Picasso Museum. To make your experience a little easier, we have put together a list of the best Barcelona tours. Depending on your areas of interest, budget and availability of time, you can select the ones that suit you the best.
Best Barcelona Tours: Sagrada Familia
One of Barcelona’s most visited landmarks, the Sagrada Familia is the brilliant product of architecture extraordinaire Antoni Gaudi. A marvellous example of Catalan Noucentisme architecture, it is filled with intricate carvings, complex designs and extraordinary structures. No trip to Barcelona is complete without visiting this iconic landmark.
Opening hours:
March and October: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
April to September: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
November to February: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
December 25 & 26, January 1 & 6: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Reaching Sagrada Familia:
By Metro: Catch the L2 or L5 lines and get down at Sagrada Familia station.
By Bus: Avail 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20 or B24 buses and get down at Sagrada Familia.
Fast Track Guided Tour of Sagrada Familia with Tower Access
- Beat the crowd with skip-the-line access and gain direct entry.
- Enjoy the unparalleled views from atop the Nativity tower or the Passion tower, according to your choice.
- This immersive tour allows you to look closely at the basilica’s stunning history and architecture
Skip the Line Sagrada Familia Guided Tour with Transportation
- Enjoy the comfortable coaches as you travel through Passeig de Gràcia avenue where two of Gaudi’s most famous works, the Casa Batlló and La Pedrera can be found.
- Enjoy fast track entry to the Sagrada Familia with your skip-the-line ticket.
- Enjoy the basilica and the museum and learn all about the man behind this masterpiece.
Best Barcelona Tours: Park Guell
Gaudi’s take on England’s garden cities, the Park Guell is a sprawling park that houses pathways, gardens and sculptures. Beautifully crafted by drawing inspiration from nature, this landscape garden is truly one of a kind.
Opening hours:
1 January to 14 February : 08:30 AM to 5:30 PM
15 February to 28 March : 08:30 AM to 6:00 PM
29 March to 26 April : 08:00 AM to 7:30 PM
27 April to 23 August : 07:30 AM to 8:30 PM
24 August to 24 October : 08:00 AM to 7:30 PM
25 October to 31 December : 08:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Reaching Park Guell:
By Metro: Catch the L4 line and get down at Alfons X. From here, you can avail the shuttle service, the cost of which is included in your ticket.
Park Guell Guided Tour with No Wait Entrance
- Beat the crowd with this walking tour with no wait entrance facility.
- Explore the park and come face to face with Gaudi’s masterful creation and marvel at how nature and design breathe and coexist in one beautiful space.
- Learn about the Catalan decorative style of trencadis and explore teh important attractions of the park such as the Hypostyle Room and the Greek Theatre.
Park Güell & La Pedrera Guided Tour
- Enjoy fast-track entrance into two of Antoni Gaudi’s most prized masterpieces, Park Güell and La Pedrera.
- Marvel at some of Gaudi’s most popular artworks within Park Güell, such as the El Drac and the Serpentine Bench.
- Enjoy return-trip transfers with this guided tour.
Best Barcelona Tours: Picasso Museum
An entire museum dedicated to the works and life of Picasso, it helps visitors learn about the formative years of the great artist. Through the 4,251 works that it houses, it also traces the deep connection he shared with the city of Barcelona. Especially known for his early works, the museum also houses the famous Las Meninas series.
Opening hours:
Mondays :
From 10AM to 5PM
Tuesday to Sundays :
From 9AM to 7PM
Thursdays :
From 9AM to 9.30PM
Reaching Park Guell:
By Metro: Catch the L4 line and get down at Jaume I. Alternatively, you can also take the L1 line and exit at Arc de Triomf.
Bohemian Barcelona Walking Tour & Picasso Museum Guided Tour
- Learn more about Picasso's artistry and his whereabouts in the city during his early years with this guided tour of the Picasso Museum.
- Explore the bohemian side of Barcelona as you discover places frequented by Picasso.
- Discover the best of Barcelona with a walking tour.
Picasso Museum Guided Tour & Gothic Walking Tour
- Find out more about the great artist Picasso and his formative years with this guided tour of the Picasso Museum.
- Get to know the less explored gothic side of Barcelona on this tour.
- Your professional guide will answer all your questions, making for an immersive experience.
Best Barcelona Tours: Day Trips From Barcelona
No trip to Barcelona is complete without indulging in day trips to nearby regions. Places like Montserrat and Girona are ideal and would make for a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you are thinking of taking a day trip from Barcelona, here are a few options to consider.
Montserrat Monastery Guided Tour with Transportation
- Enjoy breathtaking views of the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey and the monastery of Montserrat.
- Discover the Catalan countryside on your bus journey to Montserrat.
- Visit the Parc Natural de Montserrat, the Chapel of the Virgin, and the Black Madonna
Montserrat Overnight Experience
- Enjoy an overnight stay near the Monastery of Montserrat and discover the nearby attractions.
- Visit the famous Basilica of Montserrat, which houses the fabled Black Madonna.
- End your tour with a visit to the museum, the audiovisual cultural center, and a local food-tasting session.
Best Barcelona Tours: Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
Explore the city of Barcelons with these hop-on hop-off tours. Discover the most popular attractions of Barcelona such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Barcelona Cathedral among others. According to your convenience, you can choose from 1 and 2 day hop-on hop-off tours.
Barcelona City Tour : 1 or 2 Day Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour
- Hop on and off at any of the 35 stopsto gain the most out of this experience.
- Visit Camp Nou, FC Barcelona's (Barça) Football Stadium, Sagrada Familia and other attractions of the city.
- Enjoy a range of services onboard like free wifi and an audio-guide in 15 languages.
Barcelona City Tour : 1 or 2 Day Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour
- Hop on and off at any of the 35 stopsto gain the most out of this experience.
- Visit Camp Nou, FC Barcelona's (Barça) Football Stadium, Sagrada Familia and other attractions of the city.
- Enjoy a range of services onboard like free wifi and an audio-guide in 15 languages.
Best Barcelona Tours: Cathedral Barcelona
Known for its beautiful Gothic architecture, the Cathedral Barcelona is also the seat of the archbishops of Barcelona. If you are planning a trip to Barcelona, do not miss out on the opportunity to visit this famed cathedral and admire its serenity and warmth.
Get your hands on Barcelona Cathedral Tickets online to skip-the-line, and save time!
Opening hours:
Weekdays : 12:30PM to 7:45PM
Saturdays : 12:30PM to 5:30PM
SundYays : 02:00PM to 5:30PM
Reaching Cathedral Barcelona :
By Metro: Catch the L4 line and get down at Jaume I.
Visiting Barcelona: Tips, Guidelines and More
Book your tickets in advance
Booking tickets in advance is a must, especially if you are planning to visit popular attractions like Sagrada Familia, which is one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona. It is recommended that you purchase your ticket at least three to four days in advance. Another important point to be kept in mind is that sometimes, you will have to spend hours at the ticket counter, especially during the peak season. However, booking your tickets online will let you avoid the crowd.
Beware of pickpockets
Barcelona is infamous for pickpockets. However, all you have to do is follow certain basic precautionary measures in order to keep yourself and your belongings safe. For example, dress simply and leave you expensive jewelry at home. Take extra care of your belongings in crowded areas. When traveling by metro, make sure that your bag is within your line of sight at all times.
Invest in multi-day metro cards and passes
If you are staying in Barcelona for a few days, investing in travel cards and passes such as the Barcelona Hola Travel Card is a good idea. These travel cards allow you to use the metro at a subsidized rate, which in turn allows you to save a considerable amount of money.
Forego the usual tourist haunts
Barcelona hides many hidden gems within its expansive landscape. Do your research before you go and experience Barcelona like the locals do. Do not fall into tourist traps. Instead, visit the lesser-explored attractions of the city. For example, instead of visiting the popular La Barceloneta Beach, you can choose to visit its lesser-known counterparts. Not only will you get to avoid the crowds, but you will also come across better alternatives.
Discover interesting street art
The Tres Ximeneies Urban Park, Poble Nou and Huertos of Raval are some of the neighborhoods where you can find unique works of art. Look out for graffiti artists like Zosen y Mina, Btoy and Aryz. If you are a lover of art, this experience is not to be missed. Sometimes, you can even find special street art tours that take you to all the best spots.
Entry to museums are free on Sundays
Several popular museums are free on Sundays. If you are traveling on a budget, you can always make use of this facility. However, be prepared to face large crowds as most museums see the most visitors on the weekends.
Experience a festival
Barcelona is known for its extravagant and breath-taking festivals such as the Festa Major de Gràcia. These festivals often include interesting events such as fireworks, games, concerts and even food festivals. This is also a good opportunity to experience the local way of life. Before you plan your trip to Barcelona, it is a good idea to read up on these numerous festivals.