Unbeatable Barcelona in a Day Tour
Discover the real culture of the city at Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and the Gothic Quarter
Is it possible to see the most important sites of Barcelona in just one day? Yes it is! With this in-depth city tour, you’ll see Barcelona’s best attractions with a local to lead the way at Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and more! Follow your expert local guide on a walking tour through the Gothic Quarter, before being wowed by the incredible park and cathedral designed by famed artist Antoni Gaudí. It's the best way to see Barcelona in a day!
- Meeting point at Cathedral Square
- Gothic Quarter
- Barcelona Cathedral
- Mercado de la Boqueria
- Park Guell
- Dragon Staircase
- Lunch break
- Sagrada Familia
- End inside Sagrada Familia
Start your day at Cathedral Square in the Gothic Quarter. With your small group of 18 or fewer people, you'll meet your friendly local guide and set off on your Barcelona in a day tour. Wander through Barcelona like the locals do as you tour the enchanting Gothic Quarter, where the aroma of traditional Catalan cuisine will guide your senses.
Antoni Gaudí certainly left his mark on the Catalan capital, and your city tour continues to the imaginative gardens at Park Güell. After a break for lunch at one of the city's many restaurants and food stalls (not included), you'll get to see Gaudí's most famous creation—the incredible Sagrada Familia. The line to get inside this unique cathedral can be hours-long at times, but your skip-the-line ticket lets you straight in to start exploring, while your guide enlightens you with fascinating stories of its history and construction. You'll part ways with your guide in the afternoon, having gained a deeper appreciation of Barcelona in just one day!
Barcelona in a Day City Tour Description
Your 6.5-hour tour includes:
Gothic Quarter walking tour
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Park Güell
Break for lunch near Sagrada Familia (not included)
Casa Batlló and Casa Milà
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Sagrada Família
Climate-controlled vehicle for certain stops
A fun, English-speaking local guide
Maximum group size of 18
Please note that depending on the assigned entry time for Sagrada Familia, your tour might run in a different order. Additionally, La Boqueria Market is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. In this case, you'll only visit the market from the outside.
The Gothic Quarter
Take a step back in time as you enter the oldest part of Barcelona. Many of the homes and buildings in this district are built directly on top of ancient Roman ruins, and your knowledgeable guide will tell you the area's history as they lead you through the labyrinth of twisting alleyways and cobblestone streets. You'll hear tales of tragedy and faith that played out in the very steps you take behind your local guide from the Church of Santa Maria Del Mar to the Barcelona Cathedral.
See for yourself how Barcelona has blended ancient history with modern living as you soak in the vibes, flavors, sights, and sounds of Catalonia.
Barcelona's Great Architect
As you travel between sites, you'll pass by one of the three beautiful buildings designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí: Casa Batlló. The intensively detailed façade of colorful ceramic tiles earned the nicknamed “house of bones.” It's notable for the Catalonian modernist style, an artistic movement born from, and in contrast to, the modernist movement of the 19th century. Your guide will explain how this and Casa Milà and Casa Vicens were instrumental in changing architecture worldwide.
Park Güell
Next, you'll hop in a climate-controlled vehicle (a taxi or van, depending on group size) and head to your next destination, away from the hustle and bustle of the city at the surreal Park Güell. Your guide will have your skip-the-line tickets ready so you can bypass any crowds. This magnificent place was envisioned by Gaudí as a luxury residential area outside of Barcelona's city center.
As you stroll along the colorful walkways and staircases of the park, you'll learn all about Gaudí's colossal ideas for this complex, and why they never actually came to fruition. Nowadays, Park Güell is the most beloved park in Barcelona, and a fantastic place to see the city from above. Your guide will make sure you get postcard-worthy photos from the trencadís-adorned balconies that rise above its iconic Dragon Stairway.
Enjoy free time to eat lunch (not included) before heading to the last stop of the tour.
Stained Glass Windows of Sagrada Família
The last stop on your Barcelona in a Day Tour is the iconic Sagrada Família. Not only is it the most popular church in Spain, but it's also one of the most visited churches in all of Europe! It's not surprising that the lines to get in can take hours, so stick with your guide who will make sure you skip the line to see the interior of this stunning cathedral.
Before you step inside, you'll get to admire the exterior of the building that represents two contrasting facades: Façade of the Nativity and the Façade of Passion. Understanding what you're about to see is critical so listen as you learn more about the eccentric genius who envisioned this masterpiece and started its construction at the age of 30, back in 1882. Amazingly, the cathedral is still partly under construction, almost 150 years later! But the best is yet to come...
Stepping inside this church to stand within the glow of the magnificent stained-glass windows is difficult to describe unless you've done it yourself. The awe, wonder, and reverence takes your breath away. But as your guide begins detailing the incredible construction of these windows and the still-being-built cathedral, you'll look again with even greater appreciation at this church's decorative interior. There's just too much to take in without their incredible insights to make it easy and more memorable.
Please be aware that you must have a valid photo ID for all group members, including children. Sagrada Familia security will check your ID upon entry.
Explore More
After admiring the still-unfinished church, you can explore Sagrada Família on your own. Be sure to go to the Sagrada Família museum located downstairs below the church. With a plethora of scale models, original photographs, drawings, and documents, you can continue learning about the vast genius and brilliance behind this Barcelona gem.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
320 total reviews
Leave a reviewWonderful tour!
Sherry Hieb
This was the perfect tour for our first visit to Barcelona and with limited time! Our guide was personable and very knowledgeable about the city and it's history. There were a couple of nice breaks where we were able to explore on our own and enjoy local cafes and eateries. Highly recommend the tour especially if you only have a day or 2 to visit.
Great tour..
Douglas R Balke
Very well organized and would recommend it to anyone.
Herbert Lewis
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
This is a full day walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes. Bring some cash with you, for lunch and drinks during your break. Avoid bringing large bags, the Sagrada Familia requires you to check them. Make sure that all participants have something to cover the knees and shoulders for the Basilica visit.
Would this tour be cancelled due to rain?
No, we run our tours rain or shine!
What if I have concerns about my mobility?
This is predominantly a walking tour that may include uneven terrain. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking a Private Barcelona Tour which can be more easily adjusted for your needs.
Does this tour enter the homes built by Gaudi?
No, you'll only pass by Casa Batllo, but your guide can point out where to visit the others.
What's included in the price?
Price includes admission and skip the line entrance to Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, round trip coach transportation to Parc Guell and back to Barcelona center, driver and an English-speaking expert guide.
What to bring?
This is a full day walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes. Bring some cash with you, for lunch and drinks during your break. Avoid bringing large bags, the Sagrada Familia requires you to check them. Make sure that all participants have something to cover the knees and shoulders for the Basilica visit.
Where does this tour end?
This tour ends at Sagrada Familia, which is about a 35-minute walk from where you started.
If I'm taking a cruise can I join this tour?
Unfortunately, the start time of this tour does not allow for cruisers to reach the meeting point on time. We recommend checking out our Sagrada Familia tour which has various start times that may better accommodate your docking times.