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Barcelona Private Tours and Experiences Hosted by Local Experts

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• First Time in Barcelona
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• Off the Beaten Path
• 3 Days in Barcelona
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Introduction to Barcelona Tour: Gothic Quarter

Gaudi Tour with Skip-the-Line tickets to Casa Batlló

Catalan Wine and Tapas in Barcelona's Gracia District Audio Guide

Sagrada Familia and Hospital de Sant Pau Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Barcelona's Top 10 Highlights with a Historian

Half-Day Montserrat Day Trip from Barcelona

Barcelona Food Tour: La Boqueria Market

Barcelona Picasso Tour with Picasso Museum and Skip-the-Line Tickets

Barcelona Tapas Food Tour

Barcelona in a Day Tour with Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Tickets

Full-Day Girona Day Trip from Barcelona

Spanish Civil War Tour in Barcelona: Homage to Catalonia

Barcelona private tour: every tour is a story waiting to be told.

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

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• Top Destinations
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Tokyo, Japan
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• London, United Kingdom
• All Destinations
• Upcoming Experiences
• Private Walking Tours
• Small-Group Tours
• Tours for Kids
• Museum Tours
• Food, Wine and Market Tours
• Newly Added Tours
• Audio Guides
• Pre-Trip Lectures
• Admin Dashboard
• My Experiences
• My Favorites
• Cookies Preferences
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• Monthly Commissions
• My Advisor Profile
• Advisor Toolkit
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Credit Balance

Transactions are based on current exchange rates and performed in USD. There maybe slight variations in the price estimates.

Introduction to Barcelona Tour: Gothic Quarter

• Barcelona Cathedral
• El Call (Medieval Jewish Quarter)
• La Boqueria

• Trace Barcelona’s evolution by visiting famous sites from its Roman, medieval, and modern history
• A private tour for you and your party, led by an expert specializing in Spanish and Barcelonian history

• You want to learn about the history of Barcelona's most historic neighborhood and see sites like Plaza Nova, the old Roman city gate, La Boqueria, Las Ramblas, and more.
• If you want to explore La Boqueria more deeply, we recommend our Barcelona Food Tour  
• If you’re traveling with children under the age of 12, we recommend our shorter Gothic Quarter for Kids tour, which is led by experts specially trained in educating children.
• If you are looking to learn more about Barcelona prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning .
• Browse our Context Stories to learn even more about what to do during your trip to Barcelona.
• The route may include narrow sidewalks and cobblestoned streets; please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise. We are always happy to discuss possible adjustments for visitors with mobility concerns.
• If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss the best tour option for you.

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

You May Also Like

Barcelona Tapas Food Tour

Sagrada Familia and Hospital de Sant Pau Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Catalan Independence in Barcelona Tour with the Gracia Neighborhood

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Latitude 41

Review of a Context Tour: Barcelona, Gaudi and Modernism

*This site contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission when you buy. See my full disclosure .

I’ve said it before. If Barcelona didn’t have the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, or La Pedrera, the city could probably stand alone as a top destination. Why? The other modernist buildings – combined – is an alluring attraction. Who can resist the romantic facades of the Eixample district? Undulating lines, swirling forms, and intricate floral motifs: these Modernist structures add elegance to the city – and make Barcelona architecturally distinct from Spain’s other major cities. I’ve always gazed the Modernist buildings in Barcelona and even gushed about the beautiful Passeig de Gràcia and of course, the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia . So when I was invited to go on a Context tour, Barcelona was luring me to learn more about the history and heritage of Modernist architecture.

I’d heard about Context Travel because other travel bloggers have raved about their tours. They’re led by subject-matter experts like architects and Ph.D. scholars. So I grabbed my imaginary pen, notebook, and nerd glasses – and joined the Context Travel Barcelona Gaudi Architecture Tour. Keep reading to find out more…

Table of Contents

What the Gaudí Architecture tour is about

Gaudi Architecture Tour in Barcelona: Gaudi in Context is an expert-led tour that explores Barcelona’s Modernist architecture for 3.5 hours. It’s an interactive tour for curious visitors who want to immerse themselves inside the architecture of Antoní Gaudí and his peers and learn about the works that led up to Gaudí’s architectural contributions. Context Travel’s tour guides aren’t called “tour guides” but “docents”, a word that usually refers to guides in museums, universities, or art galleries. You’ll meander around the major avenue of Passeig de Grácia, the heart of the Modernist mecca.

Who the Gaudí Architecture Tour is for

– First-time and repeat Barcelona visitors who want to learn about the Catalan modernist architecture in an in-depth way – Architecture buffs seeking a sophisticated tour to gain knowledge of Barcelona’s urban design and know more architects like Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch – Gaudí enthusiasts who want to learn more about “God’s architect”, Casa Batlló, and his personal life – Relaxed travelers who prefer tours in small groups. They’re limited to groups of six people. Private tours are also available

The Architecture Tour Experience

The meeting point of our tour was at the elegant Casa Fuster, which is currently a luxury hotel. My guide was Mónica, who was there to lead our small group of five. Having worked with the Barcelona City Council, schools, and the Casa Batlló, Mónica is a certified expert and architecture historian with special knowledge in Gaudí and modernism. (S eriously, her LinkedIn profile is impressive!)

Taking it back, back, back to the “Expansion” age

Mónica spent the first moments giving us a comprehensive mini-lecture on Barcelona’s development of the Eixample district – some of which I had covered in my post of the urban design of the Eixample .  I really wish I had a pen and paper in hand because there was so much to be schooled on! I was drawn in, learning about how Modernist architects were commissioned to make grandiose homes for well-to-do families in Barcelona. In a way, I see at it as a kind of (bourgeoisie-style) suburban sprawl around the late 19th century. The city’s Richie Riches got their McMansions-to-the-10th-degree custom built outside the urban, dark, and compacted Ciutat Vella.

We took a closer look at some buildings that I’d actually taken photos of before, not knowing what they were – like here at the Casa Comalat below. We looked at it from a distance as an influence of Gaudí’s works, and we touched the building’s stone and ceramic facade up close.

Modernism: A Mix of Styles

Another place we visited was the Palau del Baró de Quadras by Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. I had actually been admiring this building for a few weeks prior to the tour! (My bus always stopped right in front because it’s on the way to my regular physiotherapy appointments.) The neo-Gothic and neo-Arabic elements of the facade and foyer are intricate and decorative. 

We observed the monumental Casa de Les Punxes , which was owned by three sisters. References to their ownership can be found in the small details on the facades. Monica also explained how modernism draws on medieval styles. I’m going back on my own to explore the Casa de Les Punxes further!

Leading up to Gaudí

We finally touched on Gaudí, looked at the Casa Milà, also called La Pedrera. I found out some facts about him that I didn’t know: – Gaudi didn’t get along with the Guell family, who commissioned him to build La Pedrera. They weren’t crazy about the design – At some point, he fell very ill and had an epiphany that he should build the Sagrada Familia – Everything he designed was a sort of experimentation to help him create his piece de resistance , the Sagrada Familia – When he got run over by a tram, he suffered for two days on the street, unfound. People thought he was a beggar, so he was brought to the poorest hospital, where he died a few days later

Going inside Casa Batlló

The next hour, we explored the Casa Batlló. Mónica spilled the beans on why it’s been given nicknames like “House of Bones” (and that it’s merely an interpretation!). Casa Batlló was under construction, so we couldn’t see the real facade. In fact, the temporary facade looks like a cheesy Las Vegas casino, IMO. Sigh…

But I was excited to go inside. (Pro tip: If you’re not taking this tour, buy your Casa Batlló tickets in advance. The queues to buy tickets were long! ) At first glance, the under-construction interior looks chaotic, but workers impressively do renovations as visitors are visiting. We observed the light, colors, and shapes of the staircase, the Atrium, the famous “fireplace seat”, and the Noble Room.

Unfortunately for me, I had to leave 15 minutes early because I had some real-life duties at home. My tour ended abruptly on the terrace. Fortunately, I had been to the Casa Batlló before, so I was already familiar with the sights. Because I’m sure if I had finished it, I would have gotten so much more out of it!  Boo! The other three hours were already packed with information.

I would love to sit down for a lecture in one of Mónica’s class one day to get a whirlwind lesson on Modernism and Gaudí.

Conclusion (TL;DR)

When most people see the beautiful facades of the Eixample, the Context Travel Gaudí Architecture Tour dives deep and gives an engaging and comprehensive tour. To be honest, I was a bit antsy to get to Gaudí ‘s Casa Batlló right away when the tour first started. But I can see why learning about Cerdà’s urban plan and Gaudí’s less-famous peers FIRST was important – as they contributed to Gaudí’s unique works in Barcelona. Also, seeing Casa Batlló at the end gives you an opportunity to take more photos or hang out on the roof terrace if you want. 

Also as a long-time resident in Barcelona, I also learned why Catalans often proclaim “Catalonia is different” – as their Catalan identity is strongly tied to everything: their literature, history, and architecture. It really was interesting to see how modernist architecture is related to the current context.

While many people don’t have time to study up on Barcelona, visitors can get an insightful and educational experience through this tour to learn about Modernism and Gaudí’s work. I’m pretty sure I got lucky with Mónica – as she could probably tell you about Gaudí in her sleep.

Book your tour on their website: Context Travel Gaudí Architecture Tour in Barcelona: Gaudí in Context

Tours run every day, but book in advance. They go on rain or shine. 

*These are my own opinions. If you want to know more about Gaudí and modernism, hop on a tour.

Is this the type of tour you’d try? 

By Justine Ancheta

California native, churro aficionado, and mom of 3, Justine Ancheta writes fervently about Barcelona and Spain. Since 2008, she's been eating burnt onions (calçots) and tripping on cobblestones in the Gothic Quarter. She shares tips on popular attractions, exposes offbeat non-touristy spots, and gives insight on exploring Barcelona with kids. Her next Catalan culture challenge: top level of a human castle (castellers).

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Context Travel Barcelona: Story within History

By: Author Betsy Wuebker

“Christopher Columbus had a pocketful of beans.” This engaging imagery bridged our two Context Travel Barcelona tours: Gothic Quarter and City of Chocolate.

Arriving in a city we’d never visited, we welcomed the opportunity to acclimate ourselves by taking two Context Travel Barcelona tours: City of Chocolate and Gothic Quarter. Little did we realize a single engaging story would bridge and overlap these two seemingly unrelated approaches to educating and entertaining us with Barcelona’s fascinating history and tasty legacy.

Christopher Columbus, whose ancestry is claimed by Catalunya in an ongoing dispute with Italy, Portugal and other parts of Spain, had returned to Barcelona rather triumphantly from the New World. Commissioned by the Crown of Aragon (in the personages of Ferdinand and Isabella ) to explore new routes to India and lay claim to any discoveries in its name, he was back with a number of treasures – live turkeys, pineapples, tobacco, woven hammocks, and almost as an afterthought, a handful of cacao beans.

The story goes that Columbus awaited his audience with the Sovereigns in the courtyard where we were standing in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. While our Context Travel Barcelona guide pointed out architectural clues as to what had occurred over the centuries as the buildings were repurposed, I daydreamed. Columbus hadn’t been particularly lucky during his explorations: one of his ships had sunk, he’d failed in his original mission, there were huge navigational mistakes during the voyage, and he’d narrowly escaped mutiny. He must have been pretty nervous, I thought, in the moments before they called him in. Perhaps he was wondering whether he could live up to the  self-congratulatory hype  in the letter announcing his arrival which had precipitated this meeting?

Later the same day, on our second tour with Context Travel Barcelona – the City of Chocolate tour – we heard more. Columbus hadn’t a clue what his pocketful of beans was for. While he observed that they were used to make a drink popular in the New World, its bitter taste was unappealing in the Old. Not until about a hundred years later would drinking sweetened chocolate become palatable with courtiers and nobles. And a hundred more would pass before mere mortals, like us, would be granted access to the deliciousness.

Context Travel Barcelona provided us with passionate docents, Sonia and Esther, who were enthusiastic experts in architecture and chocolate, respectively. As we walked pre-arranged routes, Sonia and Esther deftly acquainted us with the subject matter by using a variety of senses.

With our eyes, we observed Roman, medieval and modern architectural elements juxtaposed together.

We learned to spot the faux Gothic. These were 19th-century attempts at “Disney-fication” in the Quarter, which sought to prettify things ahead of Barcelona’s Universal Exposition in 1888.

With our ears, we heard the stories of incredible feats of Medieval engineering.

We were told about the Guilds of tradesmen and artisans, of Christians and Jews keeping their own communities, of politicians and merchants who built the city’s fabled wealth.

To our noses came fragrant aromas in the narrow streets of the Quarter and the boulevards of the newer Eixample part of the city.

With our fingertips, we traced the textures of history.

And oh, did we ever taste. Cups of rich, hot chocolate devoured with whipped cream by the spoonful.

Flavored confections and sculpted sugary fruits. Chocolate married with floral flavors, salty notes and unexpected spices.

By the end of our day with Context Travel Barcelona, we were satiated. We had been given an in-depth look at the city’s layers of heritage from ancient times until today. This valuable perspective would affect the rest of our impressions of Barcelona during our stay. We had tasted almost too much chocolate, never dreaming this could even be a possibility, loving it as we do! And we will always remember the story of Christopher Columbus, nervously waiting to be called into the Court of Aragon, with a pocket full of New World beans.

Pinnable Images:

Practicalities, Tips and Information:

Context Travel’s vision is to “bring together local specialists with curious travelers to educate and impassion them; to allow them access to places and cultures that might otherwise remain out of sight to the casual visitor; to invite them off the tourist track and into the real life of the people, history and culture that makes these capitals, destinations.” Context provides specialty tours in more than 30 cities and four continents.  Context Travel Barcelona  offers private guides and small group walking tours for those who are seeking in-depth experiences in history, gastronomy, art, architecture and other cultural aspects. No more than 6 guests per tour. Prices begin at just over 80€ per person for small groups, just over 345€ for private guides. Tours last around 3 hours, and some include more walking than you may be used to; wear comfortable shoes!

We’ve taken Context Tours all over the world. They are wonderful and highly recommended. Learn More.

Note: We were guests of Context Travel Barcelona in conjunction with TBEX for these two tours. All opinions are our own.

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Betsy Wuebker

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alison abbott

Monday 20th of July 2015

I love the way you have woven these two tours together Betsy. Context Travel does a really good job. I also took the Chocolate Tour and Ester was loaded with information to bring the history to life. I have taken one of their tours in Boston and learned so much about the city I've lived in all my adult life!

Hi Alison - Yes, they certainly do a great job, don't they? We're looking forward to touring with Context again in Istanbul next month. I'd love to spend a tour date with them in the U.S.!

Sunday 19th of July 2015

I just adore Barcelona and your tour sounds wonderful. I'm wondering if you visited the Museu de la Xocolata. We did a few years back and it was a hoot. Loved the candy lips you and Pete had some fun with shows the light-hearted spirit of Barcelona.

Karen Warren

The great thing about walking tours like that is that they show you things you wouldn't have found for yourself. I certainly hadn't made the connection between Columbus and chocolate before.

Irene S. Levine

Saturday 18th of July 2015

Hands down, the Gothic quarter is my very favorite part of Barcelona. It sounds like your Context Travel Tours were terrific!

Hi Irene - They really were. We fell in love with Barcelona and it's in no small part to the excellent introduction we had with the tours we took.

Lois Alter Mark

Thursday 16th of July 2015

How did I miss that chocolate tour?! Barcelona is one of my favorite cities but we definitely weren't there long enough. I'd love to go back and take those tours and learn more about the city's fascinating history. Thanks for letting me go virtually with you!

Hi Lois - We're big fans of Context Travel for that very reason. They seem to offer a little bit of extra that goes a long way toward enjoyment and understanding.

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