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Barcelona: The City...
 

Barcelona: The City Experience

6 days |  9 days with Madrid extension
6 days |  9 days with Madrid extension
Group size1530 travelers
Reviews

4.7 star rating

57
Physical activity
Flamingo dancer performing in Barcelona Spain
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain
Detailed mosaic tiles in Barcelona Spain
Travelers and tour guide at Gaudis House of Bones
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Take in stunning seascapes and cosmopolitan flair in the Catalan capital.

A sparkling city on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is unrivaled for architectural diversity and cultural vibrancy. From the twisting corridors of the Gothic Quarter to the fanciful creations of Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona is packed with unique elements that are beautiful to behold. This dynamic city will draw you in with its alluring architecture, colorful street life, and hip cafe scene.

Your tour package includes

  • 4 nights in a well-located hotel
  • 4 breakfasts
  • 2 dinners with beer or wine, including a farewell cooking class and dinner
  • Sightseeing tour with a local guide
  • Expert Tour Director
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Included highlights

  • La Sagrada Família
  • Gaudí’s "House of Bones"
  • Passeig de Gràcia
  • Montjuïc
  • Mirador de l’Alcalde Park
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Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Talk to a Tour Consultant

Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Barcelona today.

Barcelona4 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Barcelona
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Spain! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Barcelona
Included meal: Breakfast

Discover why the Catalan capital is touted for its unparalleled architectural landmarks, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

  • Stop at Montjuïc, site of the 1992 Olympic Games, and take in the panoramic views at Mirador de l’Alcalde Park
  • Pass Plaça d’Espanya
  • Step inside La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s famous masterwork-in-progress
  • Drive along Passeig de Gràcia, past Gaudí’s “House of Bones”

Spend a free afternoon in Barcelona or add an excursion.

Barcelona Flamenco Show & Tapas

From $159 per person

Day 4: Free day in Barcelona
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Barcelona or add an excursion.

Montserrat & Cava Cellars

From $149 per person

Day 5: Cooking class & farewell dinner
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Spend a free day in Barcelona or add an excursion.

This evening, head to a local cooking school in the Gothic Quarter to prepare regional dishes alongside a professional chef. Then, enjoy drinking local wine and eating the foods you prepared at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Park Güell & Hospital de Sant Pau

From $159 per person

Flight Home
Day 6: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit Madrid.

Extension to Madrid
Keep the adventure going and add another European capital to your trip. Take a high-speed train to Madrid to see how the city buzzes with energy on local guide-led visits to Puerta del Sol and the Prado.
Madrid3 nights
Day 6: Train to Madrid
Included meal: Breakfast

Take a high-speed train to Madrid this morning. Spend a free evening in the Spanish capital or add an excursion.

Please note: Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage. 

Traditional Spanish Evening

From $165 per person

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Madrid
Included meal: Breakfast

Get acquainted with Spain’s cosmopolitan capital city with the help of a local guide.

  • View the Royal Palace, Spain’s largest royal residence
  • Pass by the Temple of Debod, a reassembled temple from ancient Egypt
  • View the city’s many squares, including Plaza Colón and Plaza Neptune
  • Explore the Prado, a world-class art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy and is home to the works of Goya, Velásquez, and more
Day 8: Free day in Madrid
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Madrid or add an excursion.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Toledo

From $145 per person

Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Show full itinerary
Book for just $99 down

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Reviews

4.7 star rating

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

Based on 57 authentic traveler reviews
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    5.0 star rating

    Barcelona was a Wonderful city!
    10/7/23 by 2nd-time traveler Belinda

    Barcelona sites plus the winery tour & wine tasting & the Catalan cooking experience. What fun!

    4.0 star rating

    6/10/23 by 2nd-time traveler Anonymous

    5.0 star rating

    Great experience
    4/15/23 by 2nd-time traveler Lisa

    Going to Spain was a dream come true. Kamila our tour director was so attentive. She ensured we were comfortable. Answered all our questions, gave us suggestions on what to do in town. Irene was our local guide, super funny and knowledgeable. Our local guide in Madrid was also knowledgeable with the...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 5/2/23

    Thank you for your review! We are so happy to hear...

    Read more +
    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera
    Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera

    This contemporary hotel is located in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, restaurant, and WI-Fi. Nearby, you'll find ...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

    Print FAQ
    Passport, visa & entry requirements
    • In order to enter Spain, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
    • We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
    • Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
    • Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
    • If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
    • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BWE.
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    Tour pacing & mobility
    • You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills.
    • Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
    • You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains on the tour extension.
    • If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
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    Transportation & arrival information
    • Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Barcelona and depart from Barcelona (or Madrid on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
    • Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
    • A train ride from Barcelona to Madrid is included in the price of your tour.
    • All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
    • For your convenience, a 3-day Barcelona Metro Pass is also included in the price of your tour.
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    Baggage allowance
    • Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
    • Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
    • Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
    • Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
    • Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage. The storage space on the train is extremely limited, so we recommended traveling with only one suitcase per person (and a personal item, such as a backpack or purse).
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    Clothing & packing tips
    • We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
    • A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
    • You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
    • It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
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    Health
    • At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
    • If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
    • If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
    • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BWE.
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    Cuisine
    • In Spain, breakfast like a local with just a pastry and coffee. Then, tuck into a three-course lunch featuring a Spanish staple like savory seafood paella or grilled meat and fried potatoes. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9pm and midnight. Snack on small plates called tapas any time of day.
    • Catalan cuisine, which can be found in Barcelona, is markedly different from food in other parts of Spain. Nearly every restaurant will offer pa amb tomàquet—toasted bread with tomato and olive oil. Fresh seafood, hearty meat dishes, cheeses, and locally grown vegetables, such as mushrooms, are culinary mainstays.
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    Electricity & air conditioning
    • Spain operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
    • We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
    • The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
    • Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
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    Connectivity
    • Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
    • There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
    • Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
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    Time zones
    • Spain is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
    • When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
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    Currency
    • You will use the euro on this tour.
    • Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
    • We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
    • You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
    • Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
    • International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
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    Tipping
    • At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
    • We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
    • If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
    • Tips can only be paid in cash.
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    Purchasing excursions on tour
    • Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
    • Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
    • Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
    • Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
    • International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.
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