Your First Time In Barcelona

Our Local Expert Says:

On Paseo Del Born there's a few great tapas bars where all you have to do is buy a drink and you eat for free. Best to arrive before 9pm, as most places stop serving at 10pm and all the good food usually comes out between 6-8pm.

Description:

Combine gourmet food and Catalan culture on a pre-dinner walking tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars. It's a great way to begin your visit of Barcelona – not only do you get an overview of this fabulous city, you also learn how to order tapas (bar snacks) and discover some of the best bars and cafes Barcelona has to offer. Plus, your friendly, informative guide can offer suggestions to help you get the most from your stay in Barcelona.

Your tapas walking tour of Barcelona begins at a restaurant offering a wide selection of local, delectable tapas. Here you will enjoy three tapas with a glass of wine or beer, while your food and wine guide provides insights into the flavors of the wine, the cuisine and Spanish culture.

From here your guide will lead you to Barcelona's most famous street, La Rambla, with its bird cages, tapas bars and local restaurants. On your stroll down La Rambla you will make a detour to La Boqueria, the city's famous food market which offers an array of fresh produce including fruit and vegetables, live seafood, cheeses and every type of meat imaginable.

You'll continue to the Gothic Quarter, where you will discover the architecture, atmosphere, language and gastronomy that are unique to Spain, and some of the gourmet shops which are over 100 years old.

Your last stop will be at a Basque bar in a historic 14th-century building, an ideal spot to take a break on your trip through the Gothic Quarter. Here three tasty tapas and a glass of wine, beer or cider will be waiting for you.

Our Local Expert Says:

To experience a little more of the local side, walk slightly off the beaten path and further into the garden. There's often groups of hippies chilling, playing guitar and hanging out in the sun. They always welcome visitors.

Description:

One of Barcelona's greatest attractions and one of the few that are absolutely free, is Gaudi's incredible Park Guell. Get anywhere near the Vallcarca stop on the green line and you'll see tourists lumped together, maps in hand, asking locals for Park 'Guay'. Designed and built by Gaudi between 1900 and 1914, this spectacular mix of garden, park and architectural dream is a small oasis within Barcelona. From the mosaic benches, to the meticulously tiled rooftops, Park Guell is both fascinating as it is serene. One of the best places to spend a sunny day, the park is a great place to listen to music, enjoy a few copas of vino or just relax with a good book.

Our Local Expert Says:

Calle Ferran in the Gotico, has some of the chicest and unique designer stores in the city. Watch your bags though, the Gotico is infamous for theft.

Description:

One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Barcelona, the Gotico remains at the heart of Barcelona's downtown district. Both grungy and trendy, this neighbourhood is filled with small nooks and crannies, bars, cool restaurants, niche shops and eclectic jewelers. Just a stone's throw from the Born and the beach, the Gotico is home to Barcelona's magnificent Cathedral which dates back to 14th century. It is also home to Placa Reial, the most well known square for backpackers as it's home to the ever so popular Kabul Hostel.

Description:

The Born goes from the apse of Santa Maria del Mar Church up to the market and is where the legendary jousting matches of the Middle Ages took place, as well as numerous fairs and marches. This is also where men were knighted. However, in the 18th Century the Ribera area went into decline and the mansions that use to line the avenue began to disappear, one by one. The only one left is at number 17, and you can still see the 14th-century Gothic façade. Nowadays the area is positively packed with stylish bars and restaurants and is a favorite haunt for locals.

Our Local Expert Says:

Check out, Tapas 24, a great tapas restaurant on Paseo de Gracia and Diputacio. There's always lineups so get there as early as possible. (before 2 to avoid the 2:30 lunch crowd)

Description:

The Champs-Elysees of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia is the best place to go to do a little shopping, enjoy some entertaining people watching while sipping a café on an outdoor patio, or just a great place to stroll up from Placa Catalunya and into the Gracia neighbourhood. Showcasing popular names and brands such as, Louis Vitton, Gucci, Armand Bassi as well as trendy Spanish stores like Zara and Mango, Passeig de Gracia is one of Barcelona's chicest streets. Full of wide sidewalks, interesting people and tasty restaurants and tapas bars, Passeig de Gracia always has an energetic and exciting buzz. It is also one of the most easily accessible streets, as it's in the center of the city and has direct connection to most of the metro lines including the yellow and green lines. If you want to shop in 'peace' try to come during the week, as weekends are packed.

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Born in 1893, Joan Miró was one of Spain's greatest artists, and along with Tàpies, the undisputed master of contemporary Catalan art. His work is known for its whimsical abstract forms, brilliant colors, and surrealism. Some 10,000 works, including paintings, graphics, and sculptures, are collected here. Constructed in the early 1970s, the building was designed by Catalan architect Josep Lluis Sert, a close friend of Miró (he also designed the artist's workroom in Majorca). Set in the parkland of Montjuïc, the museum consists of a series of white, rationalist-style galleries with terra-cotta floors. Claraboias (skylights) ensure that the space is bathed in natural light. Its hilltop setting affords some wonderful views of Barcelona, especially from the rooftop terrace that also serves as a sculpture garden.

The collection, donated by the artist himself, is so huge that only a portion of it can be shown at any one time. There is also a gallery put aside for temporary exhibitions, dedicated either to an aspect of Miró's work or to a contemporary artist or movement. Concerts are held in the gardens in the summer months.

The first gallery holds two of the collection's treasures: the magnificent 1979 Foundation Tapestry, which Miró executed especially for the space, and the extraordinary Mercury Fountain, a work by his friend the American sculptor Alexander Calder. In contrast to Miró's painting, which was nearly always carried out in a primary color palette, there is a huge collection of drawings from his days as student. It's obvious that, even as a young man, he had a deep sense of national identity and "Catalanism," which (logically) later led to an extreme horror at the Spanish Civil War. The key work representing this sentiment is the powerful Man and Woman in Front of a Pile of Excrement (1935), in the Pilar Juncosa Gallery, one of the so-called "Wild Paintings." Much of Miró's work, though, is dreamlike and uplifting, with the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies represented again and again. Note the poetic The Gold of the Azure (1967) in the same gallery: a transfixing blue cloud on a golden background with dots and strokes for the planets and stars.

Even if you are already familiar with Miró's work, the excellent commentary provided by the audio guide (available at the ticket office) will supply you with special insight into this fascinating artist.

Description:

Gaudí's incomplete masterpiece is one of the city's more idiosyncratic creations -- if you have time to see only one Catalan landmark, you should make it this one. Begun in 1882 and incomplete at the architect's death in 1926, this incredible temple -- the Church of the Holy Family -- is a bizarre wonder. The languid, amorphous structure embodies the essence of Gaudí's style, which some have described as Art Nouveau run wild.

The Sagrada Família became Gaudí's all-encompassing obsession toward the last years of this intensely religious man's life. The commission came from the Josephines, a right-wing, highly pious faction of the Catholic Church. They were of the opinion that the decadent city needed an expiatory (atonement) temple where its inhabitants could go and do penance for their sins. Gaudí, whose view of Barcelona's supposed decadence largely mirrored that of the Josephines, by all accounts had a free hand; money was no object, nor was there a deadline. As Gaudí is known to have said, "My client [God] is in no hurry."

Literally dripping in symbolism, the Sagrada Família was conceived to be a "catechism in stone." The basic design followed that of a Gothic church, with transepts, aisles, and a central nave. Apart from the riot of stone carvings, the grandeur of the structure comes from the elongated towers: four above each of the three facades (representing the apostles) reaching 100m (329 ft.), with four more (the evangelists) shooting up from the central section at a lofty 170m (558 ft.). The words SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS, HOSANNA IN EXCELSIUS (Holy, Holy, Holy, Glory to God in the Highest) are written on these, further embellished with colorful geometric tilework. The last tower, being built over the apse, will be higher still and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is the two completed facades, however, that are the biggest crowd pleasers. The oldest, and the only one to be completed while the architect was alive, is the Nativity Facade on the Carrer Marina. So rich in detail, upon first glance it seems like a wall of molten wax. As the name suggests, the work represents the birth of Jesus; its entire expanse is crammed with figurines of the Holy Family, flute-bearing angels, and an abundance of flora and fauna. Nature was Gaudí's passion; he spent hours studying its forms in the countryside of his native Reus, south of Barcelona, and much of his work is inspired by nature. On the Nativity facade, he added birds, mushrooms, even a tortoise to go along with the rest of the religious imagery. The central piece is the "Tree of Life," a Cyprus tree scattered with nesting white doves.

On the opposite side, the Passion Facade is a harsh counterpart to the fluidity of the Nativity Facade. It is the work of Josep M. Subirachs, a well-known Catalan sculptor who, like Gaudí, has set up a workshop inside the church to complete his work. His highly stylized, elongated figures are of Christ's passion and death, from Last Supper to the Crucifixion. The work, started in 1952, has been highly criticized. In the book Barcelona, art critic Robert Hughes called it "the most blatant mass of half-digested moderniste clichés to be plunked on a notable building within living memory."

Despite his and dozens of other voices of dissent, work moves forward. In 1936, anarchists attacked the church (as they did many others in the city), destroying the plans and models Gaudí had left behind. The present architects, aided by modern technology, are working from photographs of those models. The central nave is starting to take shape and the Glory Facade is limping along. It is estimated that the whole thing will be completed by 2026 (the centenary of Gaudí's death), funded entirely by visitors and private donations.

Admission includes a 12-minute video on Gaudí's religious and secular works as well as entrance to the museum, where fascinating reconstructions of Gaudí's original models are on show.

Our Local Expert Says:

For those who don't LOVE art but feel like they ''should'' hit up this museum, look out for special Picasso exhibits and if possible plan a visit around it. Art lover or not, however, it's worth at least an hour of time (if you can drag yourself away from the beach).

Description:

If you are interested in Picasso, this is the tour for you. See the places the famous artist frequented in Barcelona during your walking tour, before a visit to Barcelona's most visited museum - Picasso Museum.The Picasso Walking Tour shows you the Bohemian Barcelona in which Picasso lived.

Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) developed his famous style while living in Barcelona and spent many years of his life here. This tour will explore the man and the city he loved so much.

Your Picasso Walking Tour includes a visit to the Picasso Museum which honors his talent and is Barcelona's most visited museum. Your tour will end at the museum and you are welcome to spend additional time here at your leisure.

Some of the places you may visit during this Barcelona Walking Tour include:

• Quatre Gats
• Frisos del Col legi d'Arquitectes
• Sala Pares
• Escudellers Blancs
• Carrer Avinyo
• Carrer de la Plata
• Porxos d'En Xifre
• Llotja de Mar
• La Ribera
• Museu Picasso

Our Local Expert Says:

Although it's a massive tourist trap, Las Ramblas is a great place to shop for gifts. Check out the jewelry stands at the bottom of Las Ramblas, even locals buy things there.

Description:

Whether or not you've been to Barcelona, everyone's heard of Las Ramblas. One of the most renowned walkways in Europe and perhaps the world, this incredible stretch starts at el Colon (Christopher Columbus Statue) by the sea and extends all the way until Plaza Catalunya. Sprinkled with street vendors selling everything from fine jewelry to caged pigeons, the greatest attraction on Las Ramblas is the one of a kind street performers. Depicting the most innovative costumes it's possible to stare at a man sitting perfectly still on a toilet for as long as it takes until someone drops a Euro in his bucket and he makes a funny face. Overcrowded and a hot spot for pickpockets and prostitutes, Las Ramblas is still a definite must see if you're coming to Barcelona.

Description:

The best thing about Barcelona is that everything is so accessible and depending on how much stamina you have, within walking distance. A great way to see the city is to start at one end and venture to the other. The beach is a good beginning and one can trek up from the Colon, up Las Ramblas to Placa Catalunya. From there the possibilities are endless. Explore the narrow streets and plazas of Gracia or shop along Paseo de Gracia and experience Gaudi's presence that resonates throughout the city. There are so many renowned monuments in Barcelona, it's hard to see them all. The best way is to grab a map and follow your feet or hop on a bus.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great mix between fine dining without being over the top.

Description:

This cool Barri Gòtic eating spot, which has adopted a totally nonsmoking policy, has been a solid hit with locals and visitors alike since its 1998 opening, thanks to its consistently high standard of carpaccios; wide selection of market-fresh salads exposing tasty combinations such as spinach, mushrooms, and prawns; and main dishes with Asian and Arabic touches that nearly always include a Thai curry or a Moroccan couscous dish. The candle-lit setting and cozy atmosphere are complemented by the amiable, bilingual, and informal waitstaff who take the time to talk you through your selection.

Description:

For a foreigner, ordering tapas can be a daunting affair. Making yourself heard above the noise is one problem, and there is also the lack of written menus. The Born district's Taller de Tapas (Tapas Workshop) takes the trouble out of tapeando. Patrons can sit at a table and order from a trilingual menu. The tapas are prepared in an open kitchen, where there is not a microwave in sight. The owners are always on the lookout for new ingredients that will work in tapas, which means that every week there is a board of specials. The regularly featured tapas delights come from all over Spain: marinated anchovies from L'Escala on the Costa Brava, Palamós prawns with scrambled eggs, grilled duck foie, and sizzling chorizo cooked in cider. For those that like something a bit more substantial for breakfast, they do a morning tortilla menu.

Description:

One of the most well known Tapas joints in the city,  Tapas 24 features high quality food with a greasy flare. Their menu is diverse with a variety of Spanish, Catalan and Mediterranean options. The restaurant itself is tiny with a few outdoor tables on the patio, ideal during summer and heated in the winter. You can't make reservations and the place is always packed so it's best to go early especially on weekends.

Description:

El Xampanyet is one of the city's liveliest wine bars, and it has been serving some fabulous cavas, fresh cider, anchovies and tapas since the 1930s. Located close to the world-famous Picasso Museum, this place draws a huge number of tourists, who simply adore the lovely atmosphere, the colorful decor and the friendly staff.

Description:

This historic restaurant opened in 1897. It was the favourite haunt of avant-garde artists and intellectuals in the early 1900s. It is said that Picasso used to hang out here too. The menu ranges from tapas and sandwiches at the bar and elaborate and expensive meals available in the restaurant. The establishment has its own newspaper with articles about the art of cooking as well as the plastic arts. The authentic modernist-style interior and the live piano music combine to create a great atmosphere.

Description:

Each night is different and exciting at Mix Club. Undoubtedly the most fun and popular places in Barcelona, there is a different event hosted here everyday. The interiors are quite funky with unusual lights and feature a spacious dance-floor and comfortable area to simply lounge around. This place is usually crowded and frequented by the uber-cool youth. Themed nights, live music performances, tasty finger foods and innovative cocktails complete the picture of this hip and happening place.

Description:

A New York style disco for music and dance addicts, it offers non-stop entertainment in eight different bars over three floors. On Wednesdays, there are banquet-style feasts followed by great live shows. The music is rocking and you will find a posh crowd here. Book in advance for the feasts.

Description:

This music club hosts a range of live concerts and DJ sets featuring both local and international artists. From indie rock to techno pop, there is sure to be something that gets you moving. Plus, the club does not close down between concerts, so you can continue to party while you wait for the next set. There are several rooms within the space that offer guests the chance to pick their ideal ambiance - and you can even head to their Irish pub for a taste of Guinness.

Description:

Industrial decor - metal floor and ceilings; this is the place to dance, dance and dance. Frequented by trendy, modern locals and foreigners. They mainly play techno music and dedicate special nights to international well-known DJs. The regular is Loe. No doubt, this is one of the best nightclubs in Barcelona. The door policy is not strict at all and it is easy to find people outside giving out flyers to get in for free. That's why this spot is always packed, besides it is only 200 square meteres. On the top floor the music is more commercial.

Description:

Barcelona has a pretty happening nightlife and Ginger is testament to that. This trendy and chic nightclub in the Barri Gòtic square invites pub crawlers from all over the city. The pub has two levels where you get some excellent cocktails and wines, with finger foods like foie gras, sausages and tapas to aid the downing process. The regulars swear by the Pimms—a rare, traditional specialty. The rhythmic music makes you dance the night away. Visit this place once and you are sure to come back for more. So why not try it out?

Description:

The Montserrat, Gaudi and Modernism tour is a unique chance to combine two of Barcelona's most iconic attractions: the stunning Montserrat and the extraordinary genius of Anton Gaudi, all in a small and personal group.

In the morning you will visit the unmistakable Montserrat, home to the famous Black Virgin. But this visit is much more than that. Discover silent paths, stunning views over the 'stone needles', and secret corners on this unforgettable spiritual mountain retreat. 

After lunch, you will journey to the Colonia Guell, one of the most complete but also most forgotten works of Gaudi. Escape from the waiting lines, from the crowds, and the souvenir shops. Thanks to this remote location in the middle of a pine forest, this Gaudi masterpiece has escaped the mass tourism you will normally find at his other works.

Finally, finish the day in Park Guell, the magical city garden in Barcelona designed by Anton Gaudi and featuring some of his most creative design. See the famous mosaic lizard and strange 'Gingerbread Houses' that enchant visitors of all ages. You can choose to end your tour with a longer stay at Park Guell, or after a short stay return to central Barcelona.

Our Local Expert Says:

You've got some of the best city views from here!

Description:

Former military prison atop mountain, this 18th-century castle is situated on Montjuic hill. The original structure was built in 1640 during the War of the Segadors to resist Felipe IV's forces, but it was expanded and improved between 1751 and 1779 to form the present building, which has become a symbol of centralist repression and of the abolition of Catalan liberties. Once a military prison, it's now home to the Museu Militar (Military Museum). You'll find it at the end of the cable-car line where it protects the harbour with its show of arms. A Barcelona gem, with unbeatable views.

Description:

On this day trip from Barcelona, you will visit the city of Girona in the north east of Catalonia before continuing to the Coastal region of Costa Brava.

Leaving Barcelona, you will head to Girona, a city with a long history, believed to be founded around 76 BC. The river Onyar neatly divides the city in two, separating the old town from the new. The city has a rich architectural heritage and you can see evidence of this in its the cathedral founded in 1038 an the Roman walls which you can stroll along when they are open or wander the narrow streets of the old town.

Continue to the Santuari dels Angels, this spot offers panoramic views of the whole Girona region and is the spot Salvador Dali chose for his wedding. From here you will make your way to Pals, a small city that grew from a fortress. Stop here for lunch before you head to the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell. 

The clean lines of the whitewashed houses here will be evident here and you'll have time to explore the rocky coastline or perhaps even take a dip in the inviting waters before returning to Barcelona.

Description:

Discover the Salvador Dali Museum at Figueres and the magical medieval town of Girona on a full-day, private tour from Barcelona. Accompanied by your own private guide, you'll enjoy personalized attention on your special private tour of northern Catalonia's two most popular attractions.

You'll be amazed by the fascinating, surrealist world of Salvador Dali in his birthplace, Figueres. The Dali Theatre-Museum is the largest surrealistic object in the world, replacing the town's former Municipal Theatre which was destroyed in the Spanish Civil War. Not only is the museum an artwork in itself, it's also home to many famous works by famous surrealist, Salvador Dali.

You'll also visit the beautiful walled city of Girona, where you will have free time to stroll through one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. Girona was originally built by the Romans as a fortress, and the best way to explore the medieval town is to lose yourself in the alluring labyrinth of narrow streets which still reflect Girona's two centuries of Moorish occupation.

Description:

Take a day trip or an over-nighter outside of Barcelona and head to the Pyrenees Mountains. Just a short drive away from the city, you'll embark on charming villages while being able to hike, explore, play and take in spectacular views.

The first stop on the journey is Vic, a quaint little town with a market and cathedral. You'll then head to Queralbs and Nuria which delve further into the Pyrenees where you'll be able to hike, horse back ride and even go boating. The Pyrenees mountains provide for full, active and incredibly fun day trips, that will give you a nice peaceful break from the city.

Description:

Paracomeralgo is a play on words in Spanish, which roughly translates into, "to eat something", and that is exactly what you can do at this modern restaurant. Paco Meralgo has a nice selection of Spanish wines to compliment your meal. This restaurant is a nice place for an informal lunch, or a glass of wine along with some tapas. Make sure you try the "montaditos" while you're here, which are small snacks on a slice of bread typical in Basque country. It was a surprise for me the grilled prawns from Girona and the coodfish "esqueixada" with virgin olive oil. Dining at Paco Meralgo is a good way to introduce oneself to the joys Spanish cooking, even if it's just a lunch.