9 Best Barcelona City Tours & Top Guided Tours (2023)

The best Barcelona city tours are a great way to learn the city as a newly arrived tourist.

You’ll get a firsthand look at iconic landmarks and hidden gems – while soaking up charm, culture, and history.

A little preview: I’ve selected the Gaudi Highlights Tour as my best Barcelona city tour – but there’s just so much more on offer that I need a few minutes of your time.

Let’s break down the top city tours of Barcelona together.

What You’ll See on the Best Barcelona Tours

My adopted city of Barcelona is steeped in rich history, artistic heritage, and mesmerizing Barcelona architecture.

It has got a captivating blend of modernity and tradition, and the city is an explorer’s paradise – without mentioning the weather and food!

Barcelona has something to offer whether you’re an avid art enthusiast, a history buff, or someone seeking to bask in the Mediterranean sun

I want you to experience all of this with my best city tours of Barcelona list! Let’s go.

Best Barcelona City Tours: How to Take a Top City Tour of Barcelona

Barcelona and Gaudí Highlights eBike Tour – Most Fun Barcelona City Tour

Duration: 3 hours | Price: €39.00 | ⭐️ 4.3 | 🔎 Read 400+ reviews

I’m sliding this into number one for those who wanna sneak in a little exercise with your sightseeing – though with e-bikes that’s optional!

This Barcelona city tour is one of the best Gaudi tours, period. It’s also the best tour to get your hand on Barcelona’s pulse as a beginner.

It’ll take you on a delightful bike ride through the historic Gothic Quarter.

You’ll also traverse the enchanting Park Ciutadella, and make your way toward the Eixample neighbourhood, before reaching Barcelona’s top attraction, the awe-inspiring Sagrada Família.

Along the way, you’ll pass by two more Gaudian masterpieces, the celebrated Casa Milá and the resplendent Casa Batlló.

Includes:

• One of the best bike tours in Barcelona (3 hours).
• Use of an E-bike and helmet.
• Stops throughout the Gothic Quarter & Eixample (Ciutadella Park, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and more).
• A cold drink in Placa de Gaudi.

Park Güell & Sagrada Família Tour – Top City Tour of Barcelona for Elite Attractions

Duration: 4.5 hours | Price: From €87.00 | ⭐️ 4.5 | 🔎 Read 2100+ reviews

When it comes to Barcelona, two sites stand above the rest – so it’s only natural they have their own city tour.

Sagrada Familia and Park Güell are unquestionably Barcelona’s top attractions, so it only makes sense to tick off both must-see attractions with single guided tour ticket.

First up, you’ll dive into the enchanting realm of Park Güell – a magical walled public park that’ll blow your mind. Located in the hills overlooking the city, this spot features the best views in town.

Then you get the grand and awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia. Brought to life by the genius of Antoni Gaudí, this is arguablely one of the most impressive architectural wonders in Europe.

Includes:

• Skip the line access to Park Güell’s Monumental Zone & Sagrada Familia.
• Transportation between sites.
• Guided tour of both attractions.
• Access to a bilingual guide.

Barcelona Old Town & Gothic Quarter Walking Tour – Best Cheap Barcelona City Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours | Price: From €18.32 | ⭐️ 4.8 | 🔎 Read 375+ reviews

Travelling on a budget? Then dive into a time machine and explore centuries of Barcelona’s history in a single day.

With this cheap guided tour, you’ll stroll through a maze of winding streets in the Gothic Quarter, each twist and turn echoing stories from Roman and medieval times.

You’ll also drop by the charming Plaça del Reial, steeped in medieval magic. Then you’ll swing by the Barcelona Cathedral, where history seeps from every stone.

Of course, a top Barcelona guided tour wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the bustling La Boquería Market, a vibrant feast for all senses.

And to top it all off, you’ll take a leisurely walk along Las Ramblas, the heartbeat of Barcelona.

Includes:

• A 2.5 guided walking tour of Barcelona’s most historic neighbourhoods.
• Stops throughout the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and the Old Town.
• Expert local guide well versed in local history.
• Limited to 12 people.

Hop On Hop Off Barcelona – Top Barcelona City Tour for Covering Tons of Ground

Duration: 24 or 48 hours | Price: From €33.00 | ⭐️ 4.6 | 🔎 Read 150+ reviews

This extraordinary city tour of Barcelona allows you to explore the wonders of the city at your own leisure.

On the Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus – otherwise known as the Bus Turistic – you get a journey aboard a double-decker bus as it cruises through the city’s most splendid highlights.

Get off wherever you want! You’re free to roam around at any of the 45 stops.

Whether you want to visit Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, or wander around La Rambla – they’re all here.

Think of it as a self-guided tour on steroids, with Barcelona hidden gems thrown in. For this reason, it’s the best Barcelona tour for short-term visitors, cruise passengers, the elderly, and those with limited mobility.

City tour by bus includes:

• Self-guided tour of Barcelona aboard an air-conditioned double-decker bus.
• Access to 30+ stops clustered around Barcelona’s top attractions.
• Option for 24 and 48-hour passes.
• Multi-lingual audio guide (available in 15+ languages).

Barcelona Tapas & Wine Experience – Top City Tour of Barcelona for Foodies

Duration: 3 hours | Price: €95.00 | ⭐️ 5 | 🔎 Read 1500+ reviews

I’ve spent many lazy afternoons under the Catalan sun sampling tapas with a glass of sangria or vermut.

In fact, this is what truly made me fall in love with Spain in the first place. Though it took me months and years to find Barcelona’s best tapas, this won’t be a problem for you.

Being one of Barcelona’s best food tours, you’ll sample Catalan favourites like jamon iberico, pan con tomate, and patatas bravas – all presented with a curated selection of exceptional regional wines.

After the guided tour you’ll even have the option to augment your journey with a Barcelona flamenco show.

Includes:

• A 3-hr guided culinary tour of Barcelona.
• Stops at four carefully selected local restaurants.
• Tapas and wine tastings at each location.
• Option to conclude the tour with a Flamenco show.

Related: Barcelona’s Best Wine Tours

Private Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup – Best Private City Tour of Barcelona

Duration: 4 hours | Price: €735.50 | ⭐️ 5 | 🔎 Read 250+ reviews

I’ve gone into detail about cheap Barcelona city tours, but how about a luxury experience?

Don’t like the idea of big crowds? Maybe it’s best to be picked up right at your hotel, airport, or cruise port – and taken right to all the major attractions without lifting a finger.

You’ll consult with your guide in advance to craft a custom guided tour of Barcelona based on your needs.

Don’t let the high price fool you! You can roll with up to 15 guests, making this private tour as cheap as €49.03 per person.

This is ideal for travelling groups of friends, stag dos, and recent arrivals at the Barcelona Cruise port.

Private city tour of Barcelona includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in the city.
• Professional guide.
• Air conditioned vehicle.
• Ability to serve up to 15 guests.

Top Barcelona City Tours: Runners Up

With so many city tours to choose from, it’s no exactly easy picking one out.

Just in case you’re still on the fence about the tours of the city above – I’m going to list a few more worth considering:

• ⛪ Go With a Local Sagrada Familia Tour: This is tops on my list of best Sagrada Familia tours because it provides value and a ton of information on the church – and the neighbouring Eixample neighbourhood (€49.50)
• 🔊 Audio Guide App City Tour: This is the best way to create a self-guided city tour of Barcelona. You’ll get hundreds of factoids about the city’s top sights that get unlocked as you walk – and it works offline. The best cheap city tour by a mile. (€9.50).
• 👥 Barcelona Wine Tasting Experience: This city tour is lead buy a sommelier, who will take you to a gourmet food shop and try five of the region’s best wines + oil, cheese, and bread (€30.00).

Best Barcelona Guided Tours FAQ

• When is the best time to take a sightseeing tour of Barcelona?

  The best time to take a tour of Barcelona is a matter of personal taste. Just keep in mind that Barcelona is a year-round destination. If you love warm weather and want to enjoy the beaches, the summer months are ideal.

  However, keep in mind that this is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. If you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, aim to visit during the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The weather is still pleasant, and you can explore the city without the summer hustle and bustle.

• What are the must-see attractions for first-time visitors to Barcelona?

  Barcelona’s must-see attractions include the iconic Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló . Their breathtaking architecture devised by Antoni Gaudí are the most characteristic spots in the city.

  You can also take a leisurely stroll down La Rambla or visit the nearby Gothic Quarter is a must-visit to immerse yourself in the city’s history. And of course, don’t miss out on the beautiful Barcelona beaches, where you can relax and soak in the Mediterranean sun.

• How do I choose the right Barcelona city tour?

  It’s essential to select the Barcelona tour that aligns with your interests and preferences. First, determine what aspects of Barcelona intrigue you the most. Are you interested in architecture, art, history, food, or a combination of these?

  Look for tours that focus on those specific aspects. Reading reviews and testimonials from previous participants can also give you valuable insights into the quality and experience of the tour. And of course, the list above on my blog is a good start!

• Is it necessary to book Barcelona city tours in advance?

  It is highly recommended to book your Barcelona tours online in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Some popular tours and attractions may have limited spaces, and booking ahead guarantees your spot.

  Additionally, certain guided tours offer skip-the-line access to popular attractions, helping you bypass long queues and make the most of your time in Barcelona.

  Booking in advance also gives you the opportunity to plan your itinerary better, ensuring you have enough time to explore all the must-see sights.

• How long do Barcelona city tours last?

  Most Barcelona tours last around 3-4 hours, so you should budget about half your day. However, there are a number of full day tours that involve visits to more than one destination, or trips outside the city to Montserrat, the Costa Brava, or local wine regions.

  The popular Bus Turistic is available in 24 or 48 hour packages, which give you access to an open top double-decker bus that will transport you between 30+ stops throughout the city.

• What is the best Barcelona city tour?

  The best Barcelona tour is entirely subjective based on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for a complete overview of the city, the Barcelona hop on hop off bus allows you to take a self-guided tour of Barcelona via its 30+ stops in 24 or 48 hour increments.

  Otherwise, the Park Güell & Sagrada Família packaged tour provides entrance and guided tours through Barcelona’s top two attractions. And the Barcelona Tapas & Wine Experience gives you a taste of La dolce vita, Catalan-style.

Ready for Your Top Tour of Barcelona Spain?

Barcelona is a city that leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of its visitors – hell, it even convinced me to move here!

From remarkable Barcelona architecture and artistic heritage to its vibrant culture and breathtaking beaches, every moment in Barcelona is a celebration of life.

I hope that my list of Barcelona city tours has that effect on you 😄