There is no hotel pick up for your Barcelona Highlights Private Tour. You should make your way to the port of Barcelona where you will meet your private guide. Your guide speaks Spanish, Italian, English or French. Russian and German languages are available on request at the time of booking. The mode of transportation is in a car, van or minibus (depending on the group size).
Before staring off on your tour enjoy the waterfront views. Then board your vehicle and take a 15 minute drive to the medieval part of town, known as the Gothic Quarter or Bari Gotic.
You will visit La Seu, a Cathedral dedicated to Santa Eulalia, Barcelona’s patron saint. The present day Gothic cathedral replaces an earlier Roman cathedral. ‘Must see’ features include the altarpieces, choir stalls, stained-glass windows and the tomb of Saint Eulalia.
You will spend about 45 minutes at the cathedral, then take a 50-minute walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. You will stroll throughSan Jaume Square, which has the Generalitat Palace on one side and the City Council building on the other. You will walk through the twisting lanes of the old Jewish Quarter, and see magnificent medieval buildings from Barcelona’s Golden Age.
Leaving the Gothic Quarter you will take a bus and travel to the Paseo de Gracia neighborhood, where you will enjoy another 50 minute walk. You will see Batlo House, a 19th century terraced house which the brilliant modernist architect Antonio Gaudí transformed into one into one of the most outstanding buildings in Barcelona.
Next to Batlo House, also stunning but very different, is Amatller House, a cubical design with a Dutch gable created designed by Gaudi’s rival, Josep Puig i Cadafalch. In the same block is the florid art nouveau Lleó Morera House designed by a third rival architect - Doménech i Montaner. No wonder the district is known as Manzana de la Discord – block of discord!
You will also see La Pedrera (also known as Casa Milà) a corner apartment block designed by Gaudi. La Pedrera has a wavy rippling façade and is more like a sculpture than a building. It is famous for its roof sculptures.
Lastly, you will arrive at the Sagrada Familia, the great church that is Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece. It is covered with a riot of stone carving and embellishment, all rich in symbolism.
You will have about 45 minutes at Sagrada Familia and will then be driven back to the waterfront.
Your tour ends at the starting point at the port of Barcelona.