Barcelona in One Day: Gaudí, Gothic Quarter &Tapas (Private Tour)

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. In the Plaça Nova, in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, almost touching the wall of the former Roman city, seven giant letters contrast with their historic backdrop. They are part of the alphabet created by Joan Brossa to spell out the word Barcino, the principal name of the Colonia Iulia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino, which was the origin of present-day Barcelona. The letters, six of them made of bronze and one of aluminium, are bolted to the ground and make up a fun and original display, very much in keeping with this Barcelona-born artist's visual poems

   10 minutes here

2. Catedral de Barcelona

   Visit the interior of Barcelona's stunning Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Marvel at its intricate details, including the impressive nave, beautiful chapels, and the tranquil cloister with its fountain. Learn about the cathedral's history, built over several centuries, and the religious significance it holds for the city.

   10 minutes here · Admission not included

3. The Casa de l'Ardiaca, the residence of the ecclesiastical hierarchy from the 12th century onwards, has undergone many alterations over the years, such as the ones carried out in the early 16th century which connected the building with the dean's residence. This was also the period when the porticoed central courtyard was built and the Renaissance-style decorations, which tie in with the flamboyant Gothic style of the original building, completed. A staircase leads to the upper terrace, a balcony in the purest Romeo and Juliet style.

   10 minutes here

4. Placa Del Rei

   The Conjunt Monumental de la Plaça del Rei in Barcelona is, arguably, the Gothic architectural ensemble which best exemplifies the city's medieval past. The royal palace, the Palau Reial Major, and its surrounding buildings, enclose a harmonious and peaceful square which is still imbued with Barcelona's splendour during the Middle Ages.

   10 minutes here

5. Placa de Sant Jaume

   The Plaça Sant Jaume has been the city's political centre almost since its inception. Today the Plaça Sant Jaume is an open space, a "lung" in the middle of the Gothic Quarter. The square is the site of the most important buildings in the lives of Barcelona and Catalonia: City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat.

   10 minutes here

6. The Jewish Quarter of medieval Barcelona is home to one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, which has been restored and opened to the public. From the 9th century to the 14th century Barcelona had a large Jewish community that is thought to have numbered around 4,000 people. Two neighborhoods of narrow streets, called "calls" from the Hebrew word "kahal", which means community or congregation, sprung up around them.

   5 minutes here

7. La Rambla

   La Rambla is exactly 1.2 kilometers long and nearly everyone who visits Barcelona walks along with it. La Rambla was laid out in 1766, following the contours of the medieval city walls that had bounded this part of Barcelona since the 13th century. The locals took it to their hearts straightaway. In Barcelona, a city of narrow, winding streets, the Rambla was the only space where everyone could stroll and spend their leisure time. And we mean everyone. Because of its central location, the Rambla became a meeting place for all the social classes.

   15 minutes here

8. Mercat de la Boqueria

   La Rambla's history is the Boqueria Market's history. The evolution from a past of peddlers to a modern and charming present, full of color and life. The market is a metaphor for Barcelona's life, a human river that is the delight for those who like watching.

   30 minutes here

9. Casa Batllo

   Casa Batlló, is a building in the center of Barcelona. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí and is considered one of his masterpieces. A remodel of a previously built house, it was redesigned in 1904 by Gaudí and has been refurbished several times after that. Gaudí's assistants Domènec Sugrañes i Gras, Josep Canaleta and Joan Rubió also contributed to the renovation project. The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), as it has a visceral, skeletal organic quality. It is located on the Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district, and forms part of a row of houses known as the Illa de la Discòrdia (or Mansana de la Discòrdia, the "Block of Discord"), which consists of four buildings by noted Modernista architects of Barcelona. Like everything Gaudí designed, Casa Batlló is only identifiable as Modernisme or Art Nouveau in the broadest sense. The ground floor, in particular, has unusual tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work. There are few straight lines, and much of the façade is decorated with a colorful mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles (trencadís). The roof is arched and was likened to the back of a dragon or dinosaur. A common theory about the building is that the rounded feature to the left of centre, terminating at the top in a turret and cross, represents the lance of Saint George (patron saint of Catalonia, Gaudí's home), which has been plunged into the back of the dragon.

   10 minutes here · Admission not included

10. La Pedrera - Casa Mila

    La Pedrera or "The stone quarry", a reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance, is a modernist building in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912. The building was commissioned in 1906 by Pere Milà and his wife Roser Segimon. At the time, it was controversial because of its undulating stone facade, twisting wrought-iron balconies and designed by Josep Maria Jujol. Several structural innovations include a self-supporting stone façade, and a free-plan floor, underground garage and the spectacular terrace on the roof. In 1984, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since 2013 it has been the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera which manages the visit to the building, exhibitions and other cultural and educative activities at Casa Milà.

    15 minutes here · Admission not included

11. Basilica de la Sagrada Familia

    The Sagrada Familia, the jewel of Gaudi's architecture and the skyline of the city of Barcelona, is worth visiting in depth, calmly, without queues or rooms full of people ... The astonishment of walking and observing the details of this Temple in its interior are priceless. And also, we choose for you the best schedule to achieve it. Our proposal focuses on the evening, starting at 4 pm. when the flow of visitors usually decreases and you will have the chance to visit the Sagrada Familia at your own pace.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• Private Tour – Sagrada Audio

  More affordable option: Private guided city tour with tapas, plus skip-the-line Sagrada Familia visit with audio guide. Duration: 4 hours Official Audio guided Sagrada

• Barcelona in One Day: Gaudí, Gothic Quarter &Tapas (Private Tour)

• Private Day Tour + Park Güell

  Park Güell Guided Tour: Guided visit of Park Güell with skip-the-line entrance, exploring Gaudí’s iconic terraces, mosaics, and panoramic views. Most popular option. : Most popular option. Includes Park Güell for a more complete Gaudí experience. Duration: 6 hours

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en, it, fr, es

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 9 travelers per booking

Operated by

Icono Spain Tours

Know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Carefully timed itinerary to avoid peak crowds Breaks for restrooms and refreshments included

Photos

Traveler reviews

24 verified traveler reviews for Barcelona in One Day: Gaudí, Gothic Quarter &Tapas (Private Tour). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.