Free walking tours in Barcelona and what to see

Must-sees

Barcelona is best understood neighbourhood by neighbourhood. The Gothic Quarter brings together the cathedral, the Plaça del Rei and narrow streets with remains of the Roman wall. Next door, El Born has the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum, on Carrer de Montcada. La Rambla runs down from Plaça de Catalunya to the port, past the Boqueria market. At the end is Barceloneta.

Modernisme is the other half of the trip. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família is still under construction and can be visited inside. On the Passeig de Gràcia are the Casa Batlló and the Casa Milà, known as La Pedrera. Park Güell is further up, with views over the city. To see Barcelona from above, go up Montjuïc, with its castle, the MNAC and the Fundació Joan Miró, or to the Bunkers del Carmel.

Free tours and guided visits

The classic free tour covers the Gothic Quarter and El Born in about two hours. The guide explains Roman and medieval Barcelona, the cathedral, Plaça Sant Jaume and some of the area’s legends. There are also walking routes through the Modernisme of the Eixample and others focused on the Civil War or the Raval. At the end you tip what you think it was worth.

Among the paid visits, a guided tour of the Sagrada Família is worth it, as it explains the symbolism of its façades. The same goes for Park Güell. Outside the city, the most popular day trips go to Montserrat, with its mountain monastery, and to Girona and Figueres, home to the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

How long to spend

Three days let you see the main sights without rushing. Spend the first on the Gothic Quarter, El Born and La Rambla, starting with a free tour. The second, on Modernisme: the Sagrada Família in the morning and the Passeig de Gràcia in the afternoon. The third, Park Güell and Montjuïc, or the beach if the weather is good. With four or five days, add a trip to Montserrat or Girona.

Where to stay

The Eixample is the most comfortable area to stay. It is well connected, quiet at night and close to the Modernista buildings. The Gothic Quarter and El Born put you within walking distance of almost the whole old town, although some streets are noisy until late. Gràcia has a neighbourhood feel, with squares and terraces, and is close to Park Güell. If you prefer the sea, look in Barceloneta or Poblenou.