When you book this Viator Exclusive, you get to choose a 2.5-hour morning tour of Barcelona's old city or a 2.5-hour afternoon tour of its innovative waterfront. Alternatively, you can opt for an 7.5-hour full-day tour, combining the morning and afternoon tour, that includes a 2-hour break for lunch (own expense). All options start when you meet your expert guide, a specialist in architecture, in central Barcelona.
Morning Tour (Old City, 2.5 hours):
Meet your guide and walk to La Boqueria, Barcelona’s oldest food market. Inspect its Modernist design before delving into the charming Barri G□tic (Gothic Quarter) to admire the cathedral of La Seu, medieval townhouses, and the old Jewish neighborhood. Along the way, learn all about the architectural styles you see from your knowledgeable guide.
Refresh with a drink (own expense) during a break, then visit Santa Caterina Market to view its wavy, tiled roof. Next stroll to the lower ground floor of Picasso Museum, a beautiful public gallery housed in a former medieval palace. Continue to the 14th-century Church of Santa Maria del Mar, dedicated to Barcelona’s seafarers, to marvel at its intricate Gothic stonework. Finish at the restored El Born Centre Cultural, a cast-iron marketplace built in the 1800s, to view medieval ruins discovered during its restoration. Your tour ends here, when you say goodbye to your guide.
Afternoon Tour (Coast, 2.5 hours):
Meet your guide near El Born Centre Cultural and explore the marketplace, admiring the medieval ruins unearthed during its restoration. Next, admire the elaborate foyer of Barcelona Frana train station before heading to Barcelona’s waterfront. View the Palau del Mar, a series of former harborside warehouses, and explore the History Museum of Catalonia to see its restored lobby and magnificent views from its roof terrace. Continue to the old fisherman's quarter of La Barceloneta and pass its marketplace and beachfront before heading for Barcelona’s new waterfront.
Hear how the area was built for the 1992 Olympics and see its contemporary buildings. Then, wander into the vibrant Port Ol□mpic area. Gaze at the Mapfre and Hotel Arts skyscrapers towering over the marina and admire the Golden Fish, the iconic, shimmering artwork created by sculptor Frank Gehry. Your tour then concludes at the Hotel Arts after this 3-Km walk.
Full-Day Tour (City and Coast, 7.5 hours):
If you’re keen to see both the modern and medieval sides of Barcelona, then upgrade! Book the full-day tour and enjoy the morning and afternoon tour together, with a 2-hour break for lunch (own expense). You’ll follow the same route as described for both tours; the morning tour ends at the afternoon’s start point.