Barcelona is a bustling, vibrant city with so much to offer that if you stayed there several weeks, you’d still have something new to do every day, both in the tourist areas and off the beaten path.
Trust me, I lived in Barcelona for over one year, and I never felt like I had seen and done it all. The city might not be as big as other European cities, but it’s the perfect size to allow you to walk most of the time, and it offers plenty to do.
From its delicious cuisine (we’re in Spain after all!) to the great beaches along the coast, the rich culture and architecture of the city, and its fun atmosphere, you’ll find tons of activities to enjoy no matter what kind of trip you’re interested in.
The best way to enjoy it if you have limited time is by joining a tour, which will allow you to immerse yourself in Catalonia’s culture without going through the hassle of researching or planning transfers and tickets in advance.
Whether you’re spending one day in Barcelona or a whole week, you’ll benefit from these iconic adventures, which include everything from day trips to culinary classes, walking tours, and private experiences for your group.
I compiled the best Barcelona tours in this post to help you plan the most memorable visit, so keep reading and pick your favorites!
Why should you trust me? I have a decade of experience in the travel industry, curating travel guides and tours all over the world. I’ve developed a knack for identifying extraordinary activities, and those are the only ones that make it to my posts.
I’ve made sure that all the tours in this list are high-quality, offer excellent value, and are led by professionals.
I usually use Viator, Get Your Guide, and Walks when booking activities around the world, and I especially recommend them for their excellent cancellation policy. If your plans change, you can get a full refund on most tours by canceling up to 24 hours in advance.
Are you in a rush? These are the best tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Barcelona in a Day: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Cable Car |
| OUR SECOND TOP PICK | E-Bike Tour with Montjuic Cable Car & Boat Ride |
| FOOD TOUR | Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & History Tour |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Private Tour |
| DAY TOUR | Montserrat Skip-the-Line & Optional Wine Tour |
Table of Contents
OUR PICK: The BEST Barcelona Tour for First Timers
First time in the city? Experience the best of its quarters and attractions on this Barcelona in a Day Tour: Skip-the-Line Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Cable Car & More.
You’ll see all the major highlights of the city in just over six hours, led by a professional guide who will introduce you to the history and culture of Barcelona while showing you its most worthy spots and a few hidden gems.
The adventure starts in the heart of the historic Gothic Quarter, where you’ll stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets as you delve into its rich past. You’ll then enjoy a private minibus ride up to Montjuïc Hill, which offers incredible panoramic views of the city, harbor, and Mediterranean coastline.
It’s also the starting point of a scenic cable car ride that will take you back down, from where you’ll continue toward Park Güell. Skip-the-line access is included to explore the park, and also for the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, which you’ll visit afterward.
You can choose between a morning or an afternoon tour.
Why is this the best tour? It’s the most thorough introduction to the best attractions in the city, including skip-the-line access to its most popular spots, ensuring you have swift access, and a professional guide to provide insights into Barcelona’s traditions, culture, and history. It will grant you the perfect first look at this fascinating city.
Read what the reviews say:
“This tour was the perfect way to see the best of Barcelona in one day. We visited the city center, the beautiful Park Güell, the impressive Sagrada Familia, and even had a short stop at Barceloneta beach. Our guide Xavier was absolutely amazing, super friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the city. He made the whole experience fun and engaging. We would definitely recommend this tour!!”
Traveler – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guide, skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, transfers, and cable car tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
OUR 2nd PICK: Barcelona by Land, Sea, and Air
The Barcelona: E-Bike Tour with Montjuic Cable Car & Boat Ride is a really enjoyable, comprehensive tour that packs a lot in just four hours.
The excursion begins in the lively neighborhood of El Raval, where you’ll hop on an e-bike and pedal along the iconic Paral·lel Avenue on your way to Montjuic, admiring the elegant buildings you’ll pass by.
At the base of Montjuic, catch the scenic funicular that will take you up the famous mountain, taking in the glorious views of the sea and the city. After a quick stop so you can enjoy the panorama and visit the historic castle, hop on the cable car that takes you soaring so you can catch aerial views of Barcelona.
The tour is far from over, however, so prepare for a trip to the coastline, where you’ll step into a boat and enjoy a relaxing cruise, offering views of the skyline, the beaches, and the sea.
Why this tour? It allows you to see Barcelona from three different angles: from the air, the sea, and land, in one single adventure. You’ll see more of the city in 4 hours than most do in a day… or two!
Read what the reviews say:
Fantastic tour! It was go great to see the city by bicycle. Getting away from the hustle and bustle below and seeing Barcelona from the mountain was beautiful. Great stops for pictures and our guide was very attentive and informative.
Michael – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guide, an e-bike, a boat ride, and cable car tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Walking Tours in Barcelona
▶️ The Barcelona: Old Town and Gothic Quarter Walking Tour is a 2.5-hour excursion through Barcelona’s most historic areas, led by a professional local guide.
Wander along La Rambla, which is often lined by street performers and stalls, and pop into La Boqueria Market for an authentic glimpse into Barcelona’s daily life (and maybe a bite of something yummy? The hundreds of stalls are really tempting!)
Explore Roman walls, the Gothic facades of Barcelona Cathedral and Santa Maria del Mar, and hidden squares and alleys that few tourists get to.
This tour includes: A professional guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Barcelona: Gothic Quarter Ghosts and Legends Walking Tour is a thrilling experience if you’re into myths, gory tales, and everything spooky. As with any worthy ghost tour, it takes place after nightfall in the dark cobblestone streets and winding alleys of the city, which you’ll explore with a local guide.
Hear sinister legends, stories about apparitions, and haunting tales of murder and supernatural events, which are sure to get your heart pumping. The tour lasts 1.5 hours and combines gripping storytelling with mystery and a spooky atmosphere.
This tour includes: A professional guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sagrada Familia & Gaudi Tours
▶️ Interested in checking out the city’s most iconic attraction? This Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket & Tour offers the perfect way to do it, granting you skip-the-line access to the Sagrada Familia Basilica.
A professional guide will take you around the basilica as you admire its stained-glass windows and magnificent interior, and stop for photos in front of the facade. You’ll learn about the symbolism behind the designs, the construction techniques, and the history of Gaudí’s masterpiece, which is still unfinished.
The tour lasts 1.5 hours and you can choose between a small-group or a private experience.
This tour includes: Skip-the-line tickets for the Sagrada Familia and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Complete Gaudi Tour with Sagrada Familia, House Visit & Park Güell allows you to delve into the genius of Gaudí, the city’s most renowned architect.
The tour starts with a tour around Casa Batlló (morning) or Casa Vicens (afternoon), and you’ll have the chance to admire the facade of Casa Milá before visiting Park Güell.
Skip the lines to access the park, which you’ll have time to explore, and then head to La Sagrada Familia, the gorgeous unfinished basilica, which you’ll admire from both the outside and the inside.
Along the way, your guide will tell you all about Gaudí’s life and his work.
This tour includes: A guide, transfers, and skip-the-line tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Wine & Food Tours in Barcelona
▶️ The Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & History Tour is a delicious foodie tour that introduces you to the city’s culinary scene through taste and stories.
Your local guide will provide fascinating insights about the Catalan culture and gastronomy while you stop in various bars and taverns to sample up to 10 delicious tapas paired with regional wines.
You’ll relish local cheeses, cured meats, butifarra sausage, fried fish, patatas bravas, and canelloni, among other delicacies, and sip on refreshing vermouth, cava, and red wines.
Cap off the tour with a sweet crema catalana, the city’s most beloved dessert.
This tour includes: A guide, all food tastings, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Discover the flavors of Catalunya on this Ultimate Barcelona Food Tour: Taste Barcelona’s Most Iconic Bites. The journey takes you through the city’s old town with a local expert, who will ensure you avoid the tourist traps and visit the most authentic, worthy food spots in Barcelona.
Visit the Santa Caterina Market to sample hand-carved jamón ibérico and artisan Manchego cheese, pop into a bakery for the best croissant in the city, and stroll through El Born’s historic streets, sipping house-made vermouth along the way.
End the tour with a traditional seafood paella in a family-run tavern dating back to the 1950s. Come hungry, because the tastings are plenty!
This tour includes: A guide, all food tastings, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Boat Tours in Barcelona
▶️ This Barcelona: Sunset or Day Catamaran Cruise with Tapa & Drink is a 2-hour experience that takes you sailing along Barcelona’s coastline either during the day or at sunset.
Relax on the spacious boat with a refreshing drink in hand, choosing from white and red wines, cava, soft drinks, beer, or water and savor a local tapa as you glide along the Mediterranean.
You’ll get to swim in the sea, use the inflatables provided, and vibe with the music onboard as you take in the views.
This tour includes: Tapas and a drink, a bar onboard (drinks not included), and a captain. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Barcelona: Private Sailing Trip with Drinks & Snacks (max 9) allows you to experience the stunning coastline on your private sailing yacht, equipped for groups of up to nine people.
You’ll relax on comfortable cushioned seats on deck, enjoying the complimentary drinks and snacks while admiring the city skyline and the shimmering sea. Anchor for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and, if you’re lucky, spot turtles or even dolphins.
This tour includes: A personal skipper, drinks, and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Tours in Barcelona
▶️ Discover the genius of the city’s most renowned architect on this Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Private Tour with Skip the Line Tickets.
Your group of eight will stroll along La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia, and stop to admire the stunning facades of Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, all the while learning stories about Gaudi and his art from your personal guide.
Visit hidden gems like Palau Güell and Els 4 Gats, and then take the metro to Sagrada Famlia, where you’ll skip the lines to access this magnificent landmark, and explore it with an audioguide.
This tour includes: A private guide, a walking tour, skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada Familia, and subway tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Welcome Tour to Barcelona in Private Eco Tuk Tuk is a great introduction to the city, taking you around its major landmarks in an eco-friendly tuk tuk.
You’ll glide past Gaudí’s materpieces, including Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and the world-famous Sagrada Familia, and explore the bustling squares Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça d’Espanya. Throughout the journey, your guide will share stories about the culture, traditions, and history of the city and its most important attractions.
This tour includes: A professional guide, and a tuk tuk. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Barcelona Private Food Tour With Locals: 6 or 10 Tastings is a culinary journey through the most delicious flavors of the city, led by a foodie guide. You’ll explore lively neighborhoods with stops in various bars, eateries, and local restaurants to sample authentic Catalan dishes, including churros with hot chocolate, patatas bravas, pintxos, pan con tomate, and regional vermouth and wine.
Vegetarian options are available, and you can choose between 6 or 10 tastings.
This tour includes: A guide, all food tastings, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Barcelona Bike Tours & Segway Tours
▶️ Discover the city from a new perspective on this Barcelona 3-hour Bike Tour: Highlights and Hidden Gems. It’s a fun, super active tour that takes you cycling through the lively districts and hidden alleys of Barcelona, stopping to admire iconic sights and landmarks.
You’ll get up close to the Barcelona Cathedral, marvel at the Gothic Quarter, the Arc de Triomf, and Gaudí’s striking Sagrada Familia Basilica.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the city and its most important attractions from your knowledgeable guide.
This tour includes: Bike and helmet rental, a guide, and an optional child seat. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Barcelona: 2-Hour City Sights Guided Segway Tour offers a fun and effortless way to discover the city. You’ll have a quick training session to learn how to safely ride the segway, and then zip along Barcelona’s streets, passing by Las Ramblas and the Columbus Monument before driving through the Gothic Quarter and El Born neighborhoods.
Ride in the lush Ciutadella Park to see the Arc de Triomf, then follow your guide toward the Olympic Port and seafront promenade. Along the way, hear stories about the city’s past, culture, and traditions, as well as insider tips to enjoy the rest of your stay.
This tour includes: Segway rental, a helmet, a training session, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Class in Barcelona
The Barcelona Paella Cooking Class with La Boqueria Market Visit introduces you to the culinary traditions of the city with a professional chef, and starts at one of the most bustling locations: La Boqueria Market.
You’ll pick out fresh ingredients like a local, and then head to the kitchen, where you’ll sample tapas and take part in a hands-on sangria workshop, learning to make this refreshing drink from scratch.
Then, dive into the art of making paella, following your guide’s careful instructions to make the traditional seafood, chicken, or vegetarian dish. Finally, sit down to enjoy your meal with drinks and a sweet dessert.
This cooking class includes: A market tour, sangria-making workshop, tapas tasting, all ingredients and utensils, recipes, a meal, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ Psst! I wrote a full post about the best cooking classes in Barcelona. Check it out for more options!
Day Tours from Barcelona
▶️ The Barcelona: Montserrat Skip-the-Line & Optional Wine Tour takes you to discover Catalonia’s most iconic mountain range, Montserrat, and its rugged, dramatic beauty.
You’ll ride the cogwheel train, and then step inside the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, where you’ll learn about its fascinating history as you admire its elegant interiors.
Enjoy free time to explore the trails, viewpoints, and the famous Black Madonna, and, depending on the tour option you choose, you’ll also enjoy a wine tasting session and tapas or a multi-course lunch.
This tour includes: Train tickets, a guide, a walking tour, entrance fees, and optional wine tasting and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Girona and Costa Brava Small-Group Tour with Pick-up from Barcelona runs on a small-group basis, ensuring a personalized service from your guide. You’ll get to visit the scenic Costa Brava and Girona, a charming medieval village, on a full-day excursion from Barcelona.
You’ll stop at different viewpoints along the way to enjoy the scenery, admire the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral, and wander around a few Catalonian villages.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, and walking tours in Girona, Calella de Palafrugell, and Pals. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ How does the idea of visiting three countries in one day sound? This Andorra, France, and Spain: The Original Three Countries Tour makes it possible.
The tour starts with a visit to the historic village of Baga, in the north of Barcelona, and from where you’ll cross the border into France. After wandering around the enchanting spa town of Ax-les-Thermes, you’ll be driven across a high mountain pass to Andorra, the third country of the tour.
Enjoy guided walking tours in each spot, learning about their fascinating history and culture.
This tour includes: Transportation, all border crossings, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Tours in Barcelona FAQ
In our opinion, the best tours in Barcelona for first-time visitors are:
• E-Bike Tour and Cable Car
• Walking Tour with a Local
• Barcelona in One Day
• Complete Full Day Private Tour
We think that these are the very best Barcelona food tours:
• Wine and Tapas Tour in Barcelona
• Wine, Cava, Tapas, and Vineyards Experience
• Paella Cooking Experience
• Paella Experience with a Professional Chef
There are plenty of day trips you can take from Barcelona. In our opinion, the best tours include:
• Montserrat Tour with Lunch
• Girona, Figueres, and Dali Museum Day Trip
• Three Countries in One Day
No visit to Barcelona is complete without checking out Gaudi’s work. Some of the best tours in our opinion are:
• Parc Güell and Sagrada Familia Guided Tour
• Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Tour
There are! This Barcelona Segway Tour is a great way to explore the city.
We think that the best tours of Barcelona by bike that you can join are the Barcelona Half-Day Bike Tour, or this Electric Bike Tour.
