Barcelona: The City Experience 6 days / City Stays
About This Experience
A sparkling city on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is unrivaled for architectural diversity and cultural vibrancy. From the twisting corridors of the Barri Gòtic to the fanciful creations of Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona is packed with buildings that are beautiful to behold. Even if architecture is not your thing, this dynamic city will draw you in with its colorful street life and hip cafe scene.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & hotel transfers
4 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 1 three-course dinner with beer or wine
Private deluxe motor coach
Multilingual Tour Director
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Flavorful tapas & flowing sangria
The inspired aesthetic of Antoni Gaudí
Artists & buskers on La Rambla
The nooks & crannies of the Barri Gòtic
The masterpieces of Picasso, Miró & Dalí
Colorful markets & creative boutiques
Overnight Flight1 night
Barcelona4 nights - hotel info
Day2
Day3
Gaudí’s inspired creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona. Stop to view La Sagrada Família (Church of the Holy Family), Antoni Gaudí’s famous landmark. As you travel through the city, take in panoramic views of the Columbus Monument, the 14th-century Barri Gòtic and Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games took place. You’ll also visit another of Gaudí’s creations, Parc Güell, a garden village perched above the city.
Day4
Expand your artistic horizons in the hometown of Salvador Dalí
Breakfast
Today is free to explore Barcelona at leisure. Perhaps you'll interact with the street performers on La Rambla, or enjoy a picnic lunch atop Montjuïc. Consider joining this morning's optional excursion to the Dalí Museum in nearby Figueres, or this evening's optional Flamenco Dinner Show.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
The Dali Museum & Costa Brava $79* pp
Venture north of Barcelona for a visit to Figueres, the hometown of Salvador Dalí. Stroll around the artist’s hometown to learn more about where he was born and what his everyday life was like. Next, take a guided tour of the Dalí Theatre-Museum, a collection of the artist’s works housed in the town’s former municipal theatre. This is the largest single collection of Dalí’s works anywhere, and the artist himself is buried in a crypt beneath the museum. On the way back to Barcelona, stop in the village of Tossa del Mar along Costa Brava for some free time. Explore and grab some lunch before departure.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Dinner Show $109* pp
The clapping, the singing, the stamping—experience the dramatic art of flamenco dancing, one of Spain’s most celebrated traditions. Expressive and colorful, this Andalucian style of dance combines guitar playing (toque), song (cante) and rhythmic handclaps (palmas). Dinner will be served before the performance.
Day5
Take a pilgrimage to Montserrat and celebrate with cava
Breakfast
Enjoy another day at leisure. You might enjoy our optional excursion to the world-renowned monastery at Montserrat, followed by a wine tasting.
Optional Excursions
Montserrat & Cava Cellars $69* pp
Step outside Barcelona this morning on a journey to the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, located about an hour north of the city. After a guided tour, you’ll be free to explore this mountainous enclave on your own. Choose to visit la Moreneta, the Black Madonna for which the abbey is famous. Or, ride the St. Joan cable car to the heights of Montserrat, where you’ll find sweeping views of Catalonia. If you're lucky, you may be able to hear a performance of L’Escolania, the boys’ choir that practices daily at the abbey. Later, drive to cava wine country where you'll descend into a wine cellar to learn about the production of cava and taste the sparkling white wine for which Spain is famous.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $299*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the visionary beauty of Eixample, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. And its music, theater, art, gastronomy and fashion set the pace for European style. (Plus, its nightlife will have you dancing until dawn.)
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day6
Explore the medieval streets and churches of the Gothic Quarter
Breakfast
Today is free to discover the capital of Catalonia however you please. Consider our optional Picasso & Gothic Barcelona excursion.
Optional Excursions
Picasso & Gothic Barcelona $65* pp
On today’s excursion, visit Barcelona's Picasso Museum. You’ll also venture to the Barri Gòtic, home to the city's massive cathedral. Commonly referred to as La Seu, the Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia (named after the city’s patron saint), the cathedral opens its doors to you on a guided tour.
Day7
Shop the colorful market and get a taste of Catalonian cuisine
Breakfast
Spend your final day in Barcelona however you'd like. For a visit to the city's best-known market and to learn the secrets of Catalonian cuisine, join our optional La Bocqueria Market & Cooking Class excursion.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
La Boqueria Market & Cooking Class $145* pp
This excursion begins with a chef leading you through Barcelona’s renowned La Boqueria market, where you’ll learn how to select the freshest, most flavorful ingredients for your meal. Then, you’ll walk through the Barri Gòtic to your chef’s kitchen, where you’ll learn how to prepare a traditional Spanish meal.
About This Experience
A sparkling city on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is unrivaled for architectural diversity and cultural vibrancy. From the twisting corridors of the Barri Gòtic to the fanciful creations of Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona is packed with buildings that are beautiful to behold. Even if architecture is not your thing, this dynamic city will draw you in with its colorful street life and hip cafe scene.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & hotel transfers
4 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 1 three-course dinner with beer or wine
Private deluxe motor coach
Multilingual Tour Director
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Flavorful tapas & flowing sangria
The inspired aesthetic of Antoni Gaudí
Artists & buskers on La Rambla
The nooks & crannies of the Barri Gòtic
The masterpieces of Picasso, Miró & Dalí
Colorful markets & creative boutiques
Overnight Flight1 night
Barcelona4 nights - hotel info
Day2
Day3
Gaudí’s inspired creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
La Sagrada Familia
A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, featuring a visit inside La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudí’s famous landmark. As you travel around the city, take in panoramic views of the Columbus Monument, the 14th-century Barri Gótic and Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 summer Olympic Games took place. In the afternoon, join an optional tour to another Gaudí creation, the Parque Güell, a garden village nestled in the heart of the city.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Parc Guell and Pedrera $79* pp
On today’s excursion, discover the magnificent works of Antoni Gaudí, the famed Spanish architect known for his bold, distinct designs. Casa Milà is the first stop. Take a guided tour of this building, popularly known as La Pedrera, built by Gaudí between 1905 and 1910. Everything about the building is visually unique, from the wave-like stone structure and grandly designed roof to the apartment that reflects the style of the 20th century bourgeois. Next, you’ll head to Parc Güell, also designed by Gaudí. Your guide will lead you through the park, which contains stunning buildings, intricate stonework and colorful mosaics. At the top of the park, marvel at the brilliant views of Barcelona.
Day4
Expand your artistic horizons in the hometown of Salvador Dalí
Breakfast
Today is free to explore Barcelona at leisure. Perhaps you'll interact with the street performers on La Rambla, or enjoy a picnic lunch atop Montjuïc. Consider joining this morning's optional excursion to the Dalí Museum in nearby Figueres, or this evening's optional Flamenco Dinner Show.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
The Dali Museum & Costa Brava $79* pp
Venture north of Barcelona for a visit to Figueres, the hometown of Salvador Dalí. Stroll around the artist’s hometown to learn more about where he was born and what his everyday life was like. Next, take a guided tour of the Dalí Theatre-Museum, a collection of the artist’s works housed in the town’s former municipal theatre. This is the largest single collection of Dalí’s works anywhere, and the artist himself is buried in a crypt beneath the museum. On the way back to Barcelona, stop in the village of Tossa del Mar along Costa Brava for some free time. Explore and grab some lunch before departure.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Dinner Show $109* pp
The clapping, the singing, the stamping—experience the dramatic art of flamenco dancing, one of Spain’s most celebrated traditions. Expressive and colorful, this Andalucian style of dance combines guitar playing (toque), song (cante) and rhythmic handclaps (palmas). Dinner will be served before the performance.
Day5
Take a pilgrimage to Montserrat and celebrate with cava
Breakfast
Enjoy another day at leisure. You might enjoy our optional excursion to the world-renowned monastery at Montserrat, followed by a wine tasting.
Optional Excursions
Montserrat & Cava Cellars $69* pp
Step outside Barcelona this morning on a journey to the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, located about an hour north of the city. After a guided tour, you’ll be free to explore this mountainous enclave on your own. Choose to visit la Moreneta, the Black Madonna for which the abbey is famous. Or, ride the St. Joan cable car to the heights of Montserrat, where you’ll find sweeping views of Catalonia. If you're lucky, you may be able to hear a performance of L’Escolania, the boys’ choir that practices daily at the abbey. Later, drive to cava wine country where you'll descend into a wine cellar to learn about the production of cava and taste the sparkling white wine for which Spain is famous.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $299*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the visionary beauty of Eixample, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. And its music, theater, art, gastronomy and fashion set the pace for European style. (Plus, its nightlife will have you dancing until dawn.)
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day6
Explore the medieval streets and churches of the Gothic Quarter
Breakfast
Today is free to discover the capital of Catalonia however you please. Consider our optional Picasso & Gothic Barcelona excursion.
Optional Excursions
Picasso & Gothic Barcelona $65* pp
On today’s excursion, visit Barcelona's Picasso Museum. You’ll also venture to the Barri Gòtic, home to the city's massive cathedral. Commonly referred to as La Seu, the Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia (named after the city’s patron saint), the cathedral opens its doors to you on a guided tour.
Day7
Shop the colorful market and get a taste of Catalonian cuisine
Breakfast
Spend your final day in Barcelona however you'd like. For a visit to the city's best-known market and to learn the secrets of Catalonian cuisine, join our optional La Bocqueria Market & Cooking Class excursion.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
La Boqueria Market & Cooking Class $145* pp
This excursion begins with a chef leading you through Barcelona’s renowned La Boqueria market, where you’ll learn how to select the freshest, most flavorful ingredients for your meal. Then, you’ll walk through the Barri Gòtic to your chef’s kitchen, where you’ll learn how to prepare a traditional Spanish meal.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter Spain, U.S. & Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please contact the Spanish consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carryon bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be select times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Clothing
Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the theater, you will probably feel more comfortable wearing more formal clothing. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
Currency
The euro is the currency you will be use on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Spain, although it is worth ordering some euros from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take credit cards/debit cards, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: If you are venturing outside Barcelona to more rural locations on your stay, credit/debit cards may not be accepted.
Cuisine
Catalonian cuisine is markedly different from food in other parts of Spain. Nearly every restaurant will offer pa amb tomàquet—toasted bread with tomato and olive oil—as an appetizer. Hearty stews such as escudella and ollada are paired with local vegetable dishes such as escalivada and calçots con romesco. Crema Catalan is the best-known local dessert, but you won’t have to look far to indulge your sweet tooth.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Barcelona. When you first arrive in Barcelona, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
- Sort By:
- Newest
- Highest Rating
- Lowest Rating
- Photo Reviews
Bravo Barcelona
This was a fabulous trip and our guide, Rafi was wonderful! I thought the optional excursion to Montserrat would have been better without the winery excursion tacked on at the beginning. I guess I didn't realise that I had signed up for two full day excursions,leaving me with only 3 full days in Barcelona. One more day would have been even better. I loved the Dali Museum and DID like very much the added trip to the Costa Brava and the coastal town of Cossa De Mar. The restaurant chosen for the weIcome dinner, Balthazar's, was wonderful, great food and great atomosphere. I also had an lovely dinner at La Flauta on my last night and that was wonderful as well. Enjoyed all of the Gaudi buildings and was particularly glad the I did go inside "The Dragon House", it was my most favorite thing-- I didn't want to leave. The music Palace of Catalomia was also very beautiful, stained glass and many terracotta or porcelain floral ornamentations and lots of light making it uncharacteristic of most concert halls,so the tour there was also worthwhile. Shopping was fun and I bought Espadrilles at the place that's been making them forever, I think they were invented here. The history tour of the Bari Gothic was interesting and it was worthwhile seeing the catherdral and environs where Christopher Columbus met with Ferdinand and Isabella. the location of the hotel was quite convenient and close to both Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and the sagrad Familia. Also shops and restaurants. My sense of direction failed me a bit - it seems i wasn't the only one who started walking the wrong way on Diagonal. It helped when I realized that in most places there is a slight slope toward the sea.
Barcelona- The City Experience
Our holiday was awesome from the time our tour director, Rafaela, picked us up until the morning she escorted us to the airport for our return flight. The hotel was centrally located and close to a Metro station. The hotel was clean and the staff were extremely efficient and helpful when asked for guidance. Our tour director went out of her way to make sure everyone's needs were met and that we were all satisfied. She was extremely knowledgeable about her city and her personality was charming. The 1/2 day city tour of Barcelona was very good. Such beautiful sights. The optional tour to the Dali Museaum was wonderful as well and our local guide's knowledge of Salvador Dali was quite extensive. It was just a marvelous vacation. Thank you Go Ahead Tours!
Beautiful Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city with much to do and interesting sites to see. Beware of thieves as statistics indicate that tourists are robber at the rate of 31 per hour (my husband was one of them). The robbery occurred on our last day which did not end our trip on a good note. This had nothing to do with Go Ahead or our tour director, Lourdes, who was extremely helpful and went out of her way to show us around her city. The only tour we were disappointed in was the Cava wine cellars as we personally would have preferred to stay in Monserret longer as there was much more that we wanted to see there but time did not permit. The best night was the flamingo dancers and dinner. Great food and wonderful entertainment.
Beautiful Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city with much to do and interesting sites to see. Beware of thieves as statistics indicate that tourists are robber at the rate of 31 per hour (my husband was one of them). The robbery occurred on our last day which did not end our trip on a good note. This had nothing to do with Go Ahead or our tour director, Lourdes, who was extremely helpful and went out of her way to show us around her city. The only tour we were disappointed in was the Cava wine cellars as we personally would have preferred to stay in Monserret longer as there was much more that we wanted to see there but time did not permit. The best night was the flamingo dancers and dinner. Great food and wonderful entertainment.
