A Walk Through the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
Visit the sites of the Gothic Quarter, including the Barcelona Cathedral and the Temple of Augustus, with a private guide.
Catherine H. M.
My partner and I had the pleasure of going on the Barcelona's Gothic Quarter walking tour with Jared as our guide, and I must say, it... Read more
K
Kate W.
We did this tour on our first full day in Spain and it was a perfect start to our trip. Our tour guide was Tati and... Read more
Kim G.
The Gothic Quarter is an amazing place to walk around and just get lost, but luckily with our guide we didn’t have to get lost. Ha.... Read more
Kim R.
Ann Marie was a perfect guide! She showed us all around The Gothic Center and much more. We were able to go into stores, museum, and... Read more
Elise V.
Albert was a fantastic and knowledgeable guide. He was very passionate about the Gothic Quarter and we learned so much from him!
Overview
Stroll through the oldest part of Barcelona, the Barrio Gótico (Gothic Quarter), with a private guide. On this 2.5-hour walk, you'll learn about this district's 2,000-year history and visit important sites like the Barcelona Cathedral. This structure offers one of Europe's best examples of Gothic architecture, and you'll discover the story behind its 13 resident geese. Other interesting stopping points include iconic places like Plaça Nova, the Temple of Augustus, and Santa María del Mar, the "Cathedral of the Sea."
Highlights
- Walk the twisting streets of Barcelona's historic Gothic Quarter with an expert local guide
- Visit iconic sites like the Barcelona Cathedral and the Temple of Augustus
- Learn about the district's 2,000 years of history and important Jewish heritage
- Hear stories of the Spanish Inquisition and why the cathedral houses 13 geese
Know before you go
2.5 hours
All ages
Private group
What you'll do
Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is one of three neighborhoods making up its Ciutat Vella (Old Town) core—arguably, it's the most renowned. Here is where the city's famed Gothic cathedral sits, plus its rich Jewish heritage and numerous important squares and narrow streets housing 2,000 years of history. One of the best ways to learn about the neighborhood in just a couple of hours is with the help of an expert local guide.
You'll meet your private guide at the central fountain in Plaça Reial, a vibrant pedestrian square with rich royal history in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Enjoy an introduction to the area's past, cultural importance, and heritage. As late as the mid-19th century, medieval stone walls still surrounded the district, and though they don't all stand today, you can't help but feel completely immersed in the past as you stand among the architecture.
After Plaça Reial, you'll start your walk. As a private tour, your guide is happy to cater the experience to your personal preferences, but there are a few must-sees sites, including the Barcelona Cathedral. This Gothic masterpiece took nearly two centuries to build, with progress spanning the 13th and 15th centuries. Also known as the Cathedral of St. Eulalia, this is an excellent example of Gothic architecture, with a neo-Gothic facade and cloisters within a courtyard home to 13 white geese, known as the Well of Geese. Inside the cathedral, you'll notice a vast space with arches, stained-glass windows, and high ceilings highlighting the 15th-century architectural work. If you'd like to climb up the bell tower, you'll be rewarded with incredible views!
You can also visit numerous grand plazas throughout the Gothic Quarter and El Born neighborhood, including Plaça Nova and the ancient Temple of Augustus. Here is where you'll find examples of Barcelona's Roman history, including part of its impressive city wall and the inside patio of an apartment block from the first century BCE. Enjoy visiting Plaça del Pi, with its 14th-century Santa María del Pi Church, beautiful sgraffito artwork, and outdoor food market.
Other places of interest that you can add to your walk include Plaça Sant Jaume, home to the city's political life for over 2,000 years; the hidden Plaça Sant Felip Neri, with its Civil War history; and Santa María del Mar, the "Cathedral of the Sea," with its incredible interior. At the end of your walk, say goodbye to your guide and enjoy any remaining time in Barcelona with your newfound knowledge!
You'll meet your private guide at the central fountain in Plaça Reial, a vibrant pedestrian square with rich royal history in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Enjoy an introduction to the area's past, cultural importance, and heritage. As late as the mid-19th century, medieval stone walls still surrounded the district, and though they don't all stand today, you can't help but feel completely immersed in the past as you stand among the architecture.
After Plaça Reial, you'll start your walk. As a private tour, your guide is happy to cater the experience to your personal preferences, but there are a few must-sees sites, including the Barcelona Cathedral. This Gothic masterpiece took nearly two centuries to build, with progress spanning the 13th and 15th centuries. Also known as the Cathedral of St. Eulalia, this is an excellent example of Gothic architecture, with a neo-Gothic facade and cloisters within a courtyard home to 13 white geese, known as the Well of Geese. Inside the cathedral, you'll notice a vast space with arches, stained-glass windows, and high ceilings highlighting the 15th-century architectural work. If you'd like to climb up the bell tower, you'll be rewarded with incredible views!
You can also visit numerous grand plazas throughout the Gothic Quarter and El Born neighborhood, including Plaça Nova and the ancient Temple of Augustus. Here is where you'll find examples of Barcelona's Roman history, including part of its impressive city wall and the inside patio of an apartment block from the first century BCE. Enjoy visiting Plaça del Pi, with its 14th-century Santa María del Pi Church, beautiful sgraffito artwork, and outdoor food market.
Other places of interest that you can add to your walk include Plaça Sant Jaume, home to the city's political life for over 2,000 years; the hidden Plaça Sant Felip Neri, with its Civil War history; and Santa María del Mar, the "Cathedral of the Sea," with its incredible interior. At the end of your walk, say goodbye to your guide and enjoy any remaining time in Barcelona with your newfound knowledge!
Similar activities
Private Kid-Friendly Gothic Quarter Walk
Private group
·
3 hours
Discover the exciting city of Barcelona with a kid-friendly adventure through the historic Gothic Quarter. After meeting your private guide, you'll twist through the charming streets with much to explore! Along the way, learn about Barcelona's history, taste local sweets, meet the giants of the Gothic Quarter, solve mysteries, and more. In the end, you and your kids will walk away with a unique understanding of the city and Catalan culture and plenty of fun memories. Sites you'll visit include Plaça Sant Jaume, the Roman Temple, the medieval Plaça del Rei, Barcelona Cathedral, and the Giants Museum, among others.
Camp Nou Experience Guided Visit + Skip the Line
Small group
·
1.5 hours
Experience the excitement of FC Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium with a guided visit. Skip the lines and enter the iconic stadium to discover the secrets of FC Barcelona with an expert guide. Explore the stadium's changing rooms, pitch, press room, and more. At the end of the tour, you're welcome to stay in the stadium and interactive museum as long as you'd like.
Sunset Sailing & Spanish Guitar in Barcelona
(1)
Small group
·
2 hours
Experience the beauty of Barcelona's waterfront with a sunset sailing excursion. You'll glide along the city's coastline for a unique vantage point of this historic metropolis, with its port, sky-high hotels, grand boulevards, beaches, Old Town spires, and more. If the weather allows, your captain can even drop anchor while you enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. End the experience with a beautiful sunset accompanied by drinks, snacks, and live Spanish guitar.
Lunch with a Local in Eixample
(1)
Small group
·
2.5 hours
Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy an authentic experience in Barcelona, meeting with a local for lunch and walking through the city's Eixample neighborhood. This district features some of the most beautiful Catalan Modernism, including some of Antoni Guadí's famous works. As you stroll, you'll stop at two or three eateries, all owned by locals and serving high-quality fare. Your guide will show you where locals eat and help you learn more about daily life in Barcelona.
Evening Tapas Walk in The Gothic Quarter
Small group
·
3 hours
Enjoy an evening out in Barcelona, tasting delicious local tapas in the process. This excursion takes you through the city's historic Gothic Quarter, with its ancient Roman walls, medieval cathedrals, and charming plazas. With the help of a local guide, you'll avoid the crowds and discover three high-quality restaurants hidden in this district's historic streets. Enjoy traditional dishes and sip regional libations as you learn about the city's unique culture, history, and daily life.
Sunset Sailing in Barcelona
(3)
Small group
·
1.5 hours
Experience the beauty of Barcelona's waterfront with a sunset sailing excursion. You'll glide along the city's coastline for a unique vantage point of this historic metropolis, with its port, sky-high hotels, grand boulevards, beaches, Old Town spires, and more. If the weather allows, your captain can even drop anchor while you enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Cap it off with a beautiful sunset toast while sipping a glass of champagne and enjoying a few snacks.
Hot-Air Balloon Ride
(1)
Small group
·
3 hours
Enjoy a unique experience and a lifelong memory: soaring over the Catalan countryside in a hot-air balloon. After arriving at the launch site, you'll meet your crew and learn about hot air ballooning, watching and helping to inflate the balloon if you'd like. Then relish the quiet as you fly through the air, enjoying the scenery outside Barcelona from a unique perspective. Upon landing, you'll receive a flight certificate and enjoy breakfast before returning to the city.
Enjoy a unique experience soaring over the Catalan countryside in a hot-air balloon with views of the Montserrat Mountains, Barcelona, Costa Brava, and more.
Enjoy a unique experience soaring over the Catalan countryside in a hot-air balloon with views of the Montserrat Mountains, Barcelona, Costa Brava, and more.
Evening Tapas Walk in Barcelona
(4)
Small group
·
4 hours
An evening tapear (tapas walk) is a quintessential night out in Spain, and as one of the country's top culinary cities, Barcelona is an excellent choice for a food tour. With the help of local experts, you'll stroll the streets of Barcelona's favorite neighborhoods, ducking into alleys leading to beloved tapas spots to taste a range of typical dishes. Each district has a theme, so you'll start with cheese and meats in the Gothic Quarter, transition to seafood by the beach in Barceloneta, then end with traditional Catalan plates in El Born. At each stop, pair your bites with sips of local wine, beer, or non-alcoholic drinks.
Private Extended Family-Friendly Gaudí Tour
(1)
Private group
·
5 hours
Kids tend to love the famous architect's quirky masterpieces even if they've never heard of Antoni Gaudí. This tour takes you to Gaudí's most popular sites, observing these iconic structures from your children's perspective. Enjoy an active exploration of the gingerbread-like houses and broken mosaics of Park Güell, discover the legend of dragons in magical Casa Batlló, and open your minds to unique art and architecture at Sagrada Família.
Private Gaudí Experience with La Sagrada Família Familia and Park Güell
Private group
·
5 hours
Join a local, private guide on a walk through Barcelona's neighborhoods influenced by Antoni Gaudí's impressive works. You'll visit iconic sites like Casa Batlló, where you can learn how Gaudí mixed colors and shapes; the "Block of Discord," stopping to view the exterior and interior of Casa Milà (La Pedrera); and the architect's most famous site, La Sagrada Família. Finish at Park Güell to explore a unique blend of nature and architecture, where Guadí's modernist style creates an atmosphere of dreamy surrealism.
Traveler photos
Traveler reviews
6 total ratings, 6 with reviews
4.8 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
5.0
Transport
5.0
5.0
Catherine H. M.
Graham, WA
| Reviewed on Jun 23, 2023
My partner and I had the pleasure of going on the Barcelona's Gothic Quarter walking tour with Jared as our guide, and I must say, it was an absolutely wonderful experience! From the very beginning, Jared went above and beyond to ensure that the tour met our expectations. He took the time to understand our interests and preferences, asking if we wanted in-depth history or had a particular fascination with architecture.
Jared’s approach of involving us in the design of the tour was fantastic.... Read more
K
Kate W.
Canada
| Reviewed on Mar 28, 2023
We did this tour on our first full day in Spain and it was a perfect start to our trip.
Our tour guide was Tati and she was amazing. She told us so many great stories about the legends of Barcelona and their traditions. She was great with my kids and had fun activities for them and great visuals for them to better understand the history. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, while learning so much about the gothic area and Catalan as a whole.
Tati set the standards high for the rest... Read more
Kim G.
Chicago, IL
| Reviewed on Nov 29, 2022
The Gothic Quarter is an amazing place to walk around and just get lost, but luckily with our guide we didn’t have to get lost. Ha. Jorge was so knowledgeable and familiar with the area and it’s history. This was a favorite part of our trip. Read more
Kim R.
Keller, TX
| Reviewed on Nov 27, 2022
Ann Marie was a perfect guide! She showed us all around The Gothic Center and much more. We were able to go into stores, museum, and the chapel. She accommodated our request for tour and adjusted as needed. She is a wealth of knowledge and we didn't know how much history was surrounding us until we were done. What's cool is we weren't expecting to get what we received and it was a lot of unexpected history and information that we are grateful to learn and appreciate the culture a lot... Read more
E
Elizabeth M.
Ashland, MA
| Reviewed on Oct 27, 2022
Guide seemed a bit low-key. We saw interesting historic relics, chanced upon a group doing human pyramids.
Elise V.
Cornelius, NC
| Reviewed on Sep 11, 2022
Albert was a fantastic and knowledgeable guide. He was very passionate about the Gothic Quarter and we learned so much from him! Read more