Guided Tours

Barcelona's Dark History: Raval Walking Tour

Name: Barcelona's Dark History: Raval Walking Tour
Start: 2024-12-28T12:00:00
End: 2024-12-28T14:00:00
Location: Outside the Church of Sant Pere Nolasc

Raval district street scene, Barcelona's Dark History: Raval Walking Tour.

2-Hour Guided Raval Walking Tour - Barcelona

Raval district street with historical buildings, part of Barcelona's Dark History walking tour.

Escape the tourist crowds on this walking tour in Raval, and discover the neighborhood's gritty past amidst street art and graffiti.

Highlights

Explore the vibrant streets and the edgy roots of local landmarks on this 3 km walk with a local guide.
Hear the myths and legends of the Vampiress of the Raval and other eerie stories of the region's past.
Pass the ancient Hospital of la Santa Creu and learn about the troubled past of the city’s 1000-year-old church, the Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp.
Capture photos of the graffiti on the buildings and, hopefully, you'll catch street artists at work too.
Fun Fact: 'El Gato del Raval', a statue of a cat with an exposed backside, created by Fernando Botero, is a popular attraction and is believed to bring good luck if you rub it.

Inclusions

2-hr walking tour in Raval
Local English-speaking guide

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your experience

Sightsee Barcelona’s Raval Neighbourhood

Begin your walking tour outside the church of Sant Pere Nolasc Mercedaris, located right on the buzzing Plaça de Castella. Along with a guide, you’ll journey through the vibrant streets of Barcelona’s grittiest neighborhood. As you stroll down Raval’s narrow medieval streets, you will pass by the Casa de la Misericordia, a house of both mercy and misery for 5 centuries of the city’s outcasts. Stroll down Raval's narrow medieval streets, which are home to an eclectic mix of shops and striking architecture.

Brace Yourself for Some Gritty Secrets

Your tour will take a spooky turn when you visit the former residence of the Vampire of Raval, one of Barcelona's most notorious serial killers. As you explore the former Hospital of la Santa Creu, wander through the gardens where macabre shows and spells once took place. Pass by La Rambla de Rava, the Church of Sant Pau del Camp, a Romanesque building that is over 1,000 years old with a troubled past.

Explore Raval's southern side where clubs, cabarets, and casinos used to be the main attractions over a century ago, and some have even survived to this day. You'll also have the opportunity to appreciate the constantly changing street art close to a former power factory, and if you're lucky, you might even see street artists in action!

Itinerary

Casa de la Misericordia
The House of the Vampiress of the Raval
The Royal Academy of Medicine (formerly Hospital of la Santa Creu)
Church of Sant Pau del Camp
The former Chinese District
Three Chimneys Park

Know before you go

What to bring

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes as this experience involves a fair amount of walking.
Bring along your water bottle.

Accessibility

Facilities: Wheelchair Accessibility, Pram/Stroller Accessibility, Baggage

Additional information

This tour runs in any weather condition unless it's extreme weather.
Pets and guide dogs are allowed on this tour.

Timings

Jan to Jun

Wed, Fri & Sun: 12pm

Jun to Sep

Wed, Fri & Sun: 7pm

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

Meet your guide outside the Church of Sant Pere Nolasc.
Address: Pl. de Castella, 6, 08001 Barcelona, Spain.
Your guide will be holding an orange sign that says "ExperienceFirst" outside the Church of Sant Pere Nolasc in Plaça de Castella.

Get Directions to the Meeting Point