Barcelona tours and excursions

Walking tours

The Barcelona Tourist Office runs four walking tours that circle around various themes, such as gourmet, gothic and Picasso. One interesting walk worth checking out is ‘La Ruta del Modernisme', which takes you through the works of world-famous architects who made Barcelona the world capital of Modernisme. Several sites on this self-guided walking tour are not usually open to the general public.

Boat tours

Las Golondrinas offer several boat trips around the harbour and along the coast. These depart daily from Port Olímpic. A round trip around the harbour takes approximately 35 minutes, while catamaran trips along the coasts last 1 hour 30minutes. Energetic visitors can opt for a one-way ticket and walk the 4km (2 miles) back to Barceloneta from the breakwater.

Figueres and Girona

Two hours away from Barcelona are the medieval cities of Figueres and Girona. You can easily combine them in a day trip, with trains from Barcelona serving both cities on one route. As the birthplace of world-renowned artist Salvador Dali, Figueres is home to the impressive Dalí Theatre and Museum. Designed by Dalí himself in 1960, it now houses the world’s most extensive collection of Dalí’s artwork, as well as his remains.

Enroute back to Barcelona, take a few hours to wander around Girona’s medieval fortified walls, linger by its river’s edge or visit the town’s two gothic cathedrals and the old Jewish quarter.

Montserrat

Poised 1,219m (4,000ft) above the outskirts of Barcelona, the Montserrat Monastery has been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries. Numerous miracles have supposedly happened here, centred on the icon of La Moreneta (Black Virgin). There are numerous hermitages and caves tucked within the mountains, which can be reached on foot via a network of hiking paths. The Montserrat Museum features paintings by masters such as El Greco, Caravaggio and Picasso.

Located 60km (37 miles) to the northwest of Barcelona, Montserrat can be reached on FCC trains departing hourly from Espanya station. The scenic view along the cable car up to the mountaintop monastery itself is worth the journey.