Barcelona is the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia in Spain. It is a centre for Spanish and Catalan culture and is famous for its architecture, museums, beaches and nightlife! There are so many exciting destinations to experience in this sprawling city that exploring Barcelona’s highlights and the must-see sights in the various neighbourhoods, or barrios, can feel like a monumental task!
To help our travellers get the best out of their trip to Barcelona, Expat Explore has designed the new Highlights of Barcelona featuring the Sagrada Família optional excursion for our tours that visit the city. It offers the perfect way to see several of Barcelona’s highlights during a day tour, under the guidance of expert local guides, of course!
Perhaps the most exciting feature of this excursion is the visit to the incredible Sagrada Família – Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece! It also includes a tour of Palau Güell (another Gaudi creation) with a visit to the rooftop, a tour of La Boqueria Market with the chance to sample croquetas – a popular local dish, and a tour of the historic Gothic Quarter which is home to architecture that is a striking contrast to the rest of Barcelona’s Catalan Modernism! You’ll get a taste of Barcelona’s famous architecture, cuisine and history!
Patricia Mosoll and Anna Clapers are our local guides in Barcelona. We asked them a few questions about the new excursion. Take a look at their answers below!
Q&A with our Barcelona local guides:
Q: Why would you recommend Barcelona as a top tourist destination?
A: Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city that has a lot of history to discover! The streets are filled with incredible sites. From Roman remains to contemporary architecture, with the highlight being the amazing Modernist architecture by one of the most famous architects in the world, Antoni Gaudí. The Sagrada Familia is undoubtedly Barcelona’s most iconic building. This is the church where Gaudí worked for more than 40 years, which has been under construction since 1882!
Q: What are the top things that you can see on a guided tour of the Sagrada Família?
A: There is so much to see! The top things include the various sections constructed during Gaudí’s time. The recently completed Passion Façade is another along with the newest part of the church that was finished last December. During a guided tour, you’ll learn about the history, design and centuries-long construction. In fact, you’ll also discover details that probably you could not see by yourself that include references to Spain’s culture, like a sculpture with a traditional hat used by people who work in the countryside and sculptures from different cultural backgrounds, some from as far away as Asia!
Q: What makes a visit to Palau Güell so special?
A: It is the first important commission project by Antoni Gaudí from his first period. This is one of Gaudí’s early creations and the building is a great example of Art Nouveau style. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Q: What are some must-eat Spanish dishes to try at La Boqueria?
A: Iberico ham and croquetas which you can buy from the shops, and in the bars patatas bravas (crispy cooked potatoes with spicy sauce), seafood done on the grill, artichokes, pimientos del Padrón peppers, pà amb tomàquet (bread with tomato) and for the gourmet lovers – oysters!
Q: What can travellers look forward to seeing and experiencing in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona?
A: In this small area of the city, you’ll see a large number of historic buildings from the Middle Ages! The style is very different from the rest of the city, with narrow cobblestoned passageways and grand open squares. The Gothic Quarter is also home to the Barcelona Cathedral and you’ll see lots of street artists here and feel the vibrant atmosphere of Barcelona – it’s a very lively city!
Q: Finally, what are some fun evening activities to enjoy in Barcelona?
A: Experience how the city changes from day to night as buildings light up after the sun sets! For fun activities, you could enjoy the views of the city from a nice roof terrace restaurant or watch a jazz concert. Or, you could even go for a drink in a restaurant where Pablo Picasso made his first exhibition! Watching a flamenco show is highly recommended – this is the most important dance in Spain and is beautiful to watch in person!
Discover Barcelona’s highlights on a tour with Expat Explore! Our exciting tours departing from Madrid include the chance to enjoy the Highlights of Barcelona featuring the Sagrada Família optional excursion. It is included on the Spain & Portugal Explorer, Taste of Spain, Europe Explorer, Amsterdam to Rome, Western Adventure and Ultimate Europe tours. Book now and make sure to secure your spot to see the best of Barcelona with a local expert!