7 ideas for guided tours in Barcelona

Traveling to Spain? Discover the capital of Catalonia with our selection of guided tours in Barcelona!

Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is a popular city of tourists from all over the world, and especially French. Located close to the French border, Barcelona is full of centres of interest. Art, Spanish and Catalan history, party and tapas are present everywhere for travellers who come to visit this beautiful city.

With so many things to discover, it is sometimes difficult to find oneself there for nothing to miss. Then choose a guided tour of Barcelona. There are lots of them; in French, English, Spanish, by theme, on foot or in the air. This is the best way to explore the Catalan capital. Guided tours are always done with an experienced guide who knows the city on the tip of the fingers. He will take you to the most famous places, and reveal the secrets of Barcelona.

So to help you during your stay, Wanderlix concocted a guide to guided tours in Barcelona.

Barcelona in a few words

Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city. It welcomes thousands of travellers every year. Art lovers are enchanted in front of the beauty of the architecture present across every corner of the street. Emblematic artists such as Picasso, Dali and Gaudí lived in the Catalan capital. Their print is present everywhere in the city, for our greatest pleasure. Many monuments and museums travel around Barcelona like the Sagrada Familia, Joan Miró Foundation or Güell Park. Eight of its monuments are on the UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a record!

The most famous also come to Barcelona to enjoy tapas and chupitos. The famous Las Ramblas avenue is full of bars, restaurants and discotheques. To enjoy the Catalan capital until the end of the night. And for sports fans, Barcelona is obviously the city of Barça. Legendary football club that welcomes the best players in the world. Enjoy a stay in the Catalan capital to watch one of the games, visit the Camp Nou and discover the city with a guided tour in Barcelona.

Visit Barcelona in French

You don't speak English, Spanish or Catalan? No panic, Barcelona offers dozens of guided tours with French or French bilingual guide. After all, the city is located close to the French border. You will be surprised by the number of French people visiting the city, and even who live there. One thing is certain, in the language, you will not be lost.

At the level of guided tours in Barcelona, you also have the embarrassment of choice. Opt for a visit to the famous Sagrada Familia, go in the footsteps of Gaudí, or take a tour of Spanish tapas. Whether you prefer to be on foot, by bus or by bike, there are for all tastes.

La Sagrada Familia

Visit Barcelona without passing through the Sagrada Familia: impossible! This emblematic place makes the Catalans proud. Built by the architect Antoni Gaudí from 1882, this building is not yet completed. The end of the construction should not take place until 2026, almost a century and a half after the construction began. Although the Sagrada Familia attracts millions of visitors every year. It is also the most visited monument in Spain. The reasons for such success? The mystical character around the Sagrada Familia. Many mystical-religious references reflect Christian history through this basilica.

So if you want to discover this unusual place, you may need to spend long hours in the queues. To avoid this, a guided tour of Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia allows you to enjoy a cut-file. There is no need to wait to discover the secrets of the UNESCO World Heritage Basilica. The guide will teach you the unique vision of the architect Gaudí, he will take you to explore the Sagrada Familia and the many objects that make it up, and for the end he will give you a visit to one of the towers allowing you to observe Barcelona with a panoramic view.

The Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is the area to visit during a stay in Barcelona. It is the historical heart of the Catalan capital. During your visit, you will explore the streets surrounding Plaça Nova and the Cathedral of the Seu. All around, dozens of artists will offer you an acoustic concert. Spend in front of the Pont del Bisbe and take remarkable memories. Plaza Rela and Plaza del Pi are also the must-sees of the Gothic Quarter not to be missed during your guided tour in Barcelona.

Your guide will make you travel in time through the Historical Museum of the city. Here you will discover the Catalan capital in the medieval era. And during your exploration, don’t forget to shop in the Gothic Quarter. Large signposts and souvenir shops are present at every corner of the street.

A guided tour of the Gothic Quarter allows you to admire the most beautiful monuments of Barcelona while discovering the history of this city. A local guide will make you cross the most touristic streets while passing through the little streets unknown. He will give you many anecdotes about this neighborhood and the people who lived there.

The guided tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter can be on foot, by bike and even in Segway. And of course in French!

In the footsteps of Gaudí

The Catalan capital owes its international reputation through an architect, Antonio Gaudí. A guided tour of Barcelona necessarily takes you in the footsteps of this visionary artist. It is the symbol of Catalan new art. The Park Güell , la Sagrada Familia, la Casa Batlló , the Pedrera, go to discover the wonders of Barcelona.

A local guide will teach you any secrets hiding under each monument and site. You will then understand the details on each building. The guide will also explain Gaudí’s life and his vision as architecture. By opting for this guided tour in Barcelona, you will benefit from a cut to discover each monument without losing a single minute.

In the footsteps of Picasso

Another iconic artist from Barcelona, Pablo Picasso. His career as an artist really began in the Catalan capital, where he studied art. The guided tour will take you to his universe, the coffee he attended, the neighborhood where he resided, not forgetting the Picasso Museum .

During your guided tour in Barcelona, a painter’s expert guide will show you his greatest works and reveal the master’s story. The least-known aspects of his life will be highlighted so that you too, you know everything about this iconic artist.

Free visits to Barcelona

For tight budgets, free guided tours in Barcelona are quite possible. A passionate local will accompany you to the most emblematic places in the city. The treasures of the historic centre and the Gothic Quarter are within reach. In a few hours you will discover Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça del Angel, Plaça del Rei, the Basilica of St Mary of the Sea and many other places.

The principle of free tours is simple! At the end of the visit, you give the guide the amount you want. The more satisfied you are, the more you can give. The aim of the guides is to offer you an exceptional guided tour of Barcelona.

Flamenco and Tapas

Spain is Flamenco and tapas. During your guided tour in Barcelona, enjoy delicious tapas in front of a Flamenco performance . Flamenco is a Spanish dance from Andalusia. The dancers will enchant you with the beauty of their steps and their Spanish dress. And the singers will amaze you by the power of their voice.

While you admire the artists on tangled rhythms, sip a sangria or Spanish wine accompanied by a wide variety of tapas. Jamon ibérico, Patatas Bravas, pimientos, grilled eggplant, calamars frits, discover the Spanish specialties during an unforgettable evening.

The different ways to visit Barcelona

On foot

There are several ways to make a guided tour in Barcelona. A walking tour is obviously the most classic, but it is also the most effective. This allows you to browse the least known alleys while taking pictures of the smallest details.

The walking tours are ideal if you want to stay in the center of the Catalan capital. Walk through the streets of Barcelona and admire the monuments, the inhabitants of the city.

By bus

The Catalan capital is very large and is full of centres of interest throughout the city. If you don't want to miss anything, choose a guided tour of Barcelona by bus. There are many tourist circuits that offer multiple stops.

Stop at a place to visit, go back to the bus and discover another must-see site. It is ideal for people visiting Barcelona for a short stay. You can admire the most beautiful places in the city in one day.

Bike

Electric or classic bike, making a guided tour of Barcelona by bicycle is perfect for athletes. Walk the streets of the city on your bike with a guide. You do exercise, you enrich yourself culturally and take your eyes full.

What is best for a guided tour in Barcelona? The pace is generally quiet so that each person can enjoy it, even the least athletic. All equipment is provided during the visit; bicycle, helmet, waterproof and child seat if you visit Barcelona with your bambin.

In the air and on the sea

Want to discover the Catalan capital in another way? A guided tour of Barcelona by helicopter and boat is possible. From the sky, discover the Gothic Quarter, the Sagrada Familia and the Parc Güell under another day. Aboard the helicopter, admire Barcelona and its surroundings with a panoramic view.

Then a boat is waiting for you to explore the city from the coast. Whatever the point of view, Barcelona is always exceptional.

Sidecar

For all who wish to make a guided tour of Barcelona in an original way, the sidecar is made for you. With your private guide, explore Barcelona from your sidecar. It will make many stops to visit the must-see places.

And it’s not just your driver, he will explain to you the story of each monument so that you become incollable on Barcelona.

You now know the main guided tours in Barcelona. The question is: which one will you choose?