Private El Born Walk with Flamenco & Tapas, Barcelona

Enjoy a quintessentially Spanish evening of tapas, flamenco, and a stroll through the El Born district. Meet your private guide on Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, just off Via Laietana, one of Barcelona's most prominent avenues, to start your walk. From here, wander through the trendy neighborhood of El Born, with cafés and cocktail bars lining its labyrinthine streets. Your expert local guide will show you the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar, a 14th-century Gothic church with towers that soar above Plaça de Santa Maria, and other notable sites.

After visiting the old Mercat del Born, which has been transformed into an archaeological site and cultural center due to the discovery of medieval ruins, you'll head to Palau Dalmases for your flamenco show. This Baroque, 17th-century former palace is the perfect place to soak up the ambience of Spain's UNESCO-listed dance form. Sit back with a complimentary drink and watch the dancers, singers, and musicians tell their emotional stories. Look out for signature flamenco styles like fandango and traditional clothing such as mamoncillo (shawls) throughout the show.

Once the performance has finished, follow your guide back onto El Born's streets to ir de tapas (go out for tapas). Stop in two different bars, one for tapas, the other for pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, which is becoming increasingly popular in Barcelona. Savor dishes like escalivada (grilled sliced vegetables), bomba Barceloneta (ground meat deep fried in mashed potato), and esqueixada (a salad with shredded cod) as you chat with your guide about Catalan culture. Finish your experience with a dessert and bid farewell to your guide; the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.