Top Barcelona Historical Tours

Sail past long lines of tourists trying to gain entry to Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia on this priority access tour of the modernist masterpiece. Accompanied by a guide, head straight inside to get fascinating insight into the history of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Admire the opulent ceilings and stained-glass windows while learning about the building’s charismatic creator. Visit the museum to see exhibits on the cathedral’s history and observe original plaster models and design sketches.

Delve into the architectural beauty and rich history of Barcelona on a comprehensive full- or half-day tour of the Catalonian capital. With an expert guide, visit some of the city’s most iconic sights and enjoy skip-the-line access to Gaudi’s modernist masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia. Ascend to Montjuïc Hill to enjoy sweeping vistas of Barcelona’s metropolitan sprawl and stroll the streets of the Gothic Quarter on a guided tour. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour.

Discover three countries in just one day on a full-day tour to Baga, Ax-les-Thermes, and Andorra from Barcelona. Emerge early, and head to Baga, a beautiful village shrouded in medieval heritage, and then cross the border to Ax-les-Thermes, a charming spa town with loads of French character. Continue to Andorra via a high mountain pass, stopping for a break in a mountain valley before going on to the capital to indulge in some duty-free shopping.

Discover medieval Girona and the Dali Museum in Figueres, where the artist Salvador Dalí was born, on this day trip from Barcelona by air-conditioned coach. With a guide, take a walking tour of Girona’s picturesque Old Town. Learn about the city’s wealth during the Middle Ages and admire the Cathedral and colorful houses huddled along the Onyar River. After free time for lunch, travel to the Dali Museum in Figueres. View the flamboyant, egg-topped exterior of the Dali Theatre-Museum and explore its collection of paintings, sculptures and jewelry.

Journey back in time as you discover the charming medieval villages and stunning countryside outside Barcelona on this small-group day trip. Explore the charming hamlet of Besalú, including its medieval synagogue and Jewish bath. Then continue on to the village of Rupit, to discover its baroque Church of Sant Miquel and the castle ruins. Finish the day in the area around Tavertet, including a stop to admire the sandstone cliffs.

Be the first to step inside La Sagrada Familia just before the crowds arrive on this morning tour in Barcelona. This tour allows you inside the unfinished church before it is open to the general public. Learn from your guide about the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Stroll among the columns as large as trees, admire the lavish decoration, and view the colorful stained glass windows that make this structure a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and upgrade to include access to the Tower. Afterwards, take a walk through nearby Parca de Gaudi if you wish.

Make a pilgrimage to Santa Maria de Montserrat, a monastery near Barcelona and one of Spain's key religious sites, during this visit. Join your guide as you scale Montserrat Mountain on the cogwheel train, enjoying striking vistas of the mountain's surreal rock formations and Barcelona off in the distance. Then visit Benedictine abbey and the Royal Basilica, to view La Moreneta (the Dark One) a 12th-century carving of Our Lady of Montserrat. This Montserrat visit also includes entrance fees and transport by air-conditioned coach.

While in Catalonia, gain morning access to the 1,000-year-old  Montserrat Monastery before anyone else on this tour. Just outside of Barcelona, lies the monastery that still functions today. Follow your guide through the area, and admire its pristine architecture. Then, pop into the Museum of Montserrat, if you wish, and explore its galleries with your guide close by to answer any questions along the way.

Flat streets and eclectic architecture make Barcelona a dream city to explore by bike. This tour takes you past early Gaudi buildings and modern developments alike, all with the benefit of a guide to fill you in on the city's history and culture as you ride. Whether it's your first time in Barcelona or you're a returning visitor looking to learn something new, this tour has you covered.

Discover Barcelona's incredible Sagrada Familia cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during this skip-the-line visit. Join a guide as you bypass the lengthy lines, exploring this this sublime structure (still under construction more than 130 years after work began) and learning about its creator, Antoni Gaudí. Visit the museum beneath the cathedral and then scale one of the cathedral's sky-high spires with a skip-the-line tower ticket, enjoying panoramic vistas of Barcelona from up above.

Discover the coastal splendor of the Costa Brava region on a full-day trip to Girona and Calella de Palafrugell from Barcelona. Travel through the scenic Catalan countryside, and discover the atmospheric streets of Girona’s medieval Old Town. Admire the flagrant fortresses of Pals, absorb the seaside charm of rural fishing village, Calella de Palafrugell, and admire the dramatic landscapes of Begur, the former home of an ancient castle. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour.

Explore the Royal Basilica and Monastery of Montserrat independently on this half-day trip from Barcelona. Travel by coach to the spectacular, mountainside Benedictine abbey, one of Spain’s most popular pilgrimage sites for its revered "Black Madonna" statue. Then, enjoy free time to explore, making this one of the most flexible Montserrat tours from Barcelona available.

Enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, history, and wine during this 10-hour, small-group excursion that includes a visit to Montserrat Monastery and a winery tasting near Barcelona. Drive by air-conditioned van to the hilltop religious site of Montserrat, where you'll enjoy spectacular views and see the Black Virgin, a 12th-century religious icon. Then head to Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the nexus of Catalonia's wine industry, where you'll visit a winery for a tasting. Along the way you'll get personal attention from your knowledgeable guide.

Discover the Gothic grandeur and maritime charm of Barcelona on a smooth, self-balancing Segway. Follow a knowledgeable guide on an exciting route through the city’s winding streets and hear tales of Barcelona’s fascinating history. Travel from the Arc de Triomf and the Parc de la Ciutadella, and then continue around the old harbor at Port Vell in La Barceloneta. See the city’s stylish side when you visit the modern monuments in Olympic Port and enjoy an intimate atmosphere on this small-group tour, with numbers limited to six people.

Enjoy priority access to two Antoni Gaudí masterworks on this half-day skip-the-line tour in Barcelona. Avoid the main lines at Park Güell, a park sprinkled with Gaudí buildings and statues, and tour the highlights. Then, travel by coach to La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral. Enjoy skip-the-line admission as your guide recounts how the late architect spent over 40 years working on this showpiece. Finish at the La Sagrada Familia Museum to learn more about Gaudí’s life and genius.

Make the most of your visit to Barcelona's architectural crown jewel on a skip-the-line tour of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Bypass the long wait to enter Gaudí’s Modernist masterpiece, and learn about the inspiration and symbolism of the cathedral’s design on a guided tour of all five levels. Finally, ascend the cathedral towers to rise directly over the heart of Barcelona for panoramic city views.

Explore Barcelona by Segway, the fastest way to get around the city’s top attractions. Choose your tour duration, then depart from Las Ramblas, with multiple departure times to fit your travel schedule. Your guide shares stories and curiosities of the Mediterranean city on this small-group experience, limited to six people.

Skip the hassle of planning—and the lines along the way—on this private tour of Barcelona’s heritage, architecture, and gastronomy that combines a walking tour with taxi rides to top destinations. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to squeeze all the highlights into one day, traveling with a personal guide lets you maximize your time and discover parts of the city you would likely miss on your own.

Travel through the wine region of Penedes on this full-day vineyard tour from Barcelona. Visit boutique wineries in the picturesque area, and sample their singular cavas and wines, paired with traditional cuisine such as tapas and traditional meat cuts. You also stop at Colònia Güell home to Gaudi's crypt. Your expert guide shares local knowledge about the region’s wine and cuisine.

Feast your senses on the multi-sensory magnificence of a multimedia event within Gaudi’s La Pedrera. Immerse yourself in the unique majesty of an experience known as the 'La Pedrera Night Experience' and meander through the iconic landmark until you reach the rooftop, upon which a mesmerizing display of projections transform the architectural features into surreal and spectacular objects. Conclude your hypnotic evening with a chilled glass of cava as you admire the glittering lights of the city by night.

See the best of Barcelona on a packaged trip combining two excursions, including visits to the Barcelona Cathedral, the Gothic Quarter, Olympic Village (Vila Olimpica), Montjuic Castle, Montserrat and much more. Your trip includes a ride by cog-wheel train to the Royal Basilica of Monserrat to admire the site's 12-century Black Virgin and sample some local liquor. Hop aboard the Montjuic cable car for a bird's-eye view of the city, including the magnificent La Sagrada Familia and harbor.

Gaudi’s magnificent La Sagrada Familia is the undisputed symbol of Barcelona. Enhance your experience of this architectural icon during a tour of the cathedral with access the towers. Alongside your guide, you’ll gain an appreciation for the finer details of the UNESCO-listed landmark’s interior and learn about the inspiration and construction of La Sagrada Familia. Finish the tour ascending to the top of one of the towers, a unique experience offering panoramic views of Barcelona’s cityscape and coast.

Bike your way around the barrios of Barcelona on this half-day bike tour. Venture off-the-beaten-track and explore the sides of the city normally hidden from tourists with a varied itinerary that can be customized to the preferences of the group. Pedal along the palm-lined promenade of Marbella Beach, hop off to admire the magnificent Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau or glide past the boutiques of Gracia, then stop to enjoy hot chocolate and churros (own expense).

Escape from Barcelona for a small-group visit to Montserrat during this half-day excursion. Join your guide as you ascend to this mountaintop monastery for a visit to the site's top attraction, the Virgin of Montserrat. You'll also have time to admire the incredible views, visit the on-site museum or take a ride on the Montserrat cable car (at your own expense). If you want to continue the fun, add on an optional upgrade visit to the incredible Sagrada Familia, where you'll skip the line as you explore Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece up close. This small-group visit, limited to just 20 guests, also includes minivan transport.