How to Tackle Barcelona as a First Timer
From churches and architectural masterpieces to Catalan cuisine and a buzzy nightlife, Barcelona has a lot to offer first-time visitors—so much so that it can be a challenge to fit it all in. Here are our top tips for how to make the most of your first trip to the capital of Catalonia.
Take a Skip-the-Line Tour
Barcelona’s popularity means top attractions often have a line, but you can maximize your time by booking skip-the-line entry ahead of time. See the stained glass of the Sagrada Familia, admire Gaudí’s tile work in Park Güell, or learn more about the modernista movement at the art nouveau Palace of Catalan Music (Palau de la Música Catalana).
Tour the Neighborhoods
Each of Barcelona’s neighborhoods has its own distinct personality, so getting an overview during your stay takes some effort. Get a feel for the city by riding the open-air hop-on hop-off bus, or zip around the historic city by Segway, bike, or e-bike.
Cruise the Mediterranean
Admire the Catalan capital from the waters of the Mediterranean on a cruise from Port Vell. Set sail on your own private yacht, or opt for a romantic sunset cruise. No matter which you choose, it’s a great way to take in the city’s skyline from a different perspective.
Tuck In to Tapas
No trip to Barcelona would be complete without treating your tastebuds to the local cuisine. Since it’s your first visit, ensure you find the best options when you join a local for a tasting tour through the old city, or learn to make some typical dishes for yourself during a cooking class.
Visit the Costa Brava
Barcelona serves as a gateway to the beautiful Costa Brava, an area rich with day-trip opportunities. Walk the medieval streets of Girona, visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres, or spend a day beach hopping along the coast.
12 Tours and Activities | All Barcelona Tours
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Fast Track Sagrada Familia Guided Tour
3922
Sail past long lines of tourists trying to gain entry to Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia on this priority access tour of the modernist masterpiece. Accompanied by a guide, head straight inside to get fascinating insight into the history of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Admire the opulent ceilings and stained-glass windows while learning about the building’s charismatic creator. Visit the museum to see exhibits on the cathedral’s history and observe original plaster models and design sketches.
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From
$58.00
From
$58.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona
606
Learn to make Spanish tapas, traditional paella, and sangria with a Barcelona chef, then share a hearty dinner of classic local cuisine that you've made yourself. All great Spanish food starts with super fresh ingredients, and you begin this cooking class with a guided trip through La Boqueria market before heading to a professional teaching kitchen. This hands-on Spanish cooking class includes snacks, drinks, and dinner, and you finish the night with recipes to take back to your home kitchen.
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From
$50.75
From
$50.75
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Girona and Costa Brava Small-Group Tour with Hotel pickup from Barcelona
438
Leave Barcelona behind, and head for the medieval city of Girona and the scenic Costa Brava with this small group excursion for a maximum of 8 guests. This day tour through the Catalonian villages of northeastern Spain includes guided tours of Pals and Calella de Palafrugell. Take in the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea from viewpoints along the way and enjoy the intimacy of travel with a small group. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
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From
$116.82
Price varies by group size
From
$116.82
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Skip the Line: Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia Tour in Barcelona
298
Enjoy priority access to two Antoni Gaudí masterworks on this half-day skip-the-line tour in Barcelona. Avoid the main lines at Park Güell, a park sprinkled with Gaudí buildings and statues, and tour the highlights. Then, travel by coach to La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral. Enjoy skip-the-line admission as your guide recounts how the late architect spent over 40 years working on this showpiece. Finish at the La Sagrada Familia Museum to learn more about Gaudí’s life and genius.
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From
$100.90
From
$100.90
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Unique Sunset Sailing Experience in Barcelona
128
Say ‘bon voyage’ to the last rays of the day during this sunset sailing trip along the Barcelona coast. Join your professional skipper amidst the luxurious yachts of the city’s Port Vell marina, casting off for an early evening adventure just offshore. As you sail, you’ll enjoy top-notch views of the city, coastline and the fiery-orange light show of the setting sun. Included snacks and beverages on board help ensure you can stay focused on the scenery instead of your stomach.
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From
$83.38
From
$83.38
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Barcelona Half-Day Bike Tour
2550
Experience the architectural and artistic majesty of Barcelona on a half-day bike tour of the city. Energize and enjoy yourself on this exciting excursion with a knowledgeable and experienced guide; see all of the city’s significant sights such as the La Catedral and Placa del Rei as you gently cycle between magnificent monuments. Capture fabulous photographs at each stop and gain insight into the city’s fascinating history with informative commentary. A moderate level of fitness is not required on this tour due to the gentle nature of the route.
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From
$36.25
From
$36.25
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Montserrat Early-Access Half-Day Guided Tour from Barcelona
69
Take a break from bustling Barcelona to experience the serenity of Montserrat, a sacred mountain just an hour’s drive from the city. Learn about the history an ancient legends that surround the mount while traveling in a comfortable bus, and arrive early to beat the lines to enter the Benedictine monastery near the top. Here, see the famous Black Madonna statue, view paintings by Modernist masters at an on-site museum, and browse Spanish goods at vendor stalls, all in a peaceful natural setting.
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From
$47.13
From
$47.13
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Barcelona Segway Tour
281
Discover the Gothic grandeur and maritime charm of Barcelona on a smooth, self-balancing Segway. Follow a knowledgeable guide on an exciting route through the city’s winding streets and hear tales of Barcelona’s fascinating history. Travel from the Arc de Triomf and the Parc de la Ciutadella, and then continue around the old harbor at Port Vell in La Barceloneta. See the city’s stylish side when you visit the modern monuments in Olympic Port and enjoy an intimate atmosphere on this small-group tour, with numbers limited to six people.
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From
$59.21
Price varies by group size
From
$59.21
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Vermut & Sailing Experience Barcelona with Drinks and Snacks
129
Get out on the Mediterranean Sea during this sailing excursion in Barcelona. Board the boat at Port Vell (the Old Harbor), and set sail. Cruise around Barcelona Harbor and out to sea, taking in stunning views of the city from a new perspective. Sip on a cool beverage while you glide across the water and feel the sea breeze. There are a variety of departure times and pricing options offered to best fit your schedule.
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From
$53.17
From
$53.17
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Dali Museum, Figueres and Cadaqués Small Group Tour with Hotel pick-up
84
Journey inside the mind of Salvador Dalí during this intimate exploration of the life and preferred haunts of this famous surrealist. Start this small group tour for a maximum of 8 people with an hotel pick-up. Explore the early days of Dalí in Figueres, the artist’s birthplace, which is now home to his eponymous museum. Enjoy the charming scenery of Cadaqués, a small coastal village along the Costa Brava. Continue your trip to Portlligat , a tiny fishing cove that was once Dalí’s preferred residence and studio
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From
$147.56
Price varies by group size
From
$147.56
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Fast Entry Sagrada Família Guided Tour
30
See one of Gaudi’s most famous pieces of work, with this skip-the-line, guided tour of the Sagrada Familia. Follow your English-speaking guide inside the basilica, one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks. During your tour, listen as your guide shares stories about Gaudi, and the history of this unfinished structure.
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From
$63.08
From
$63.08
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona
51
Venture up the coast and explore beautiful Costa Brava on this full-day tour. This region north of Barcelona is home to dramatic cliffs, jagged coastlines, picturesque coves and charming seaside villages. Visit protected parks such as Cap de Creus, the Emporda Marshes and the Marine Reserve Medes Islands and make stops in fishing towns with whitewashed walls and historic churches. This is the perfect way to get out of the city and see one of Catalonia’s most beautiful regions in just a half-day.
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From
$66.46
From
$66.46
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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