Barcelona Highlights Walking Tour

5.0 (6 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

6 reviews

5.0

Barcelona Highlights Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Barcelona Highlights Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Join us on a captivating walk through the Catalan capital and world-class city of Barcelona, where we take an UNBIASED look at both sides of the Spanish political coin: to allow an avenue for Catalan independence versus the preservation of Spanish unity. When demonstrators shout ´Visca Catalunya!´ (Long Live Catalonia!), what lies behind those passionate cries? And how widespread is their support, remembering that Spain is both a former world empire, AND a fractured nation of 44 million people speaking 4 different languages. We’ll consider Catalonia’s annexation by Spain and France in the War of 1714, and its consistent cultural suppression since, most notoriously and recently under the infamous Fascist Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco. We investigate what possible resolutions can emerge from this standoff. Trust our guide to take you on a riveting journey - not only political in scope, but scenic and aesthetic in practice, as we enjoy a city area not saturated by common tourism.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours DSA non-compliant Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: Exploring Barcelona Tours

Ages: Infants (4–5 years) · Children (6–12 years) · Youth (13–15 years) · Adults (16–60 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Guide

Itinerary

El Born Centre De Cultura I Memoria

20 min Admission not included

We begin outside the imposing former Marketplace of El Born which, in recent years, has garnered government funding for the display of Catalan artefacts.
Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar

20 min

Take a breath and enjoy views of the gorgeous local basilica made famous by the bestselling book and subsequent Netflix series "Cathedral of the Sea"
El Fossar de les Moreres

20 min

Bestriding the Basilica, we find the oft-derided monument to Catalonia's war dead of 1714 and the eternal flame that keeps watch over the symbolic red bricks.
Estacio de Franca

30 min

Recognize an escape route for exiles to France during the Fascist Uprising in Barcelona.
Parc de la Ciutadella

40 min

We see a statue of General Prim, a Catalan military legend that also served in the Spanish Imperial Army, then stop outside the Catalan parliament to discuss the 2017 'illegal' referendum and the ferocious political fallout.
Arco di Trionfo

20 min

Why is this 'alternative' Arch of Triumph so significant to the story of Catalan identity? It relates to the emergenge of Barcelona as an industrial powerhouse in the 1880s. We climax the tour underneatha figure of the most talked about hero/turncoat/pioneer of the St. Eulalia defence of the besieged city, and speculate on whether his surrender to the Spanish had either a galvanizing or demoralising effect in the cause for Catalan resistance.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

I´ll be right at the door underneath the HUGE Catalan (red and yellow) flag on a wooden pole, can't miss it!

End point

We finish near the hub of the old and new city, where travellers using public transport are served by the L1, L3 and L4 metro lines, 5 minutes away from a registered taxi rank, while also within reach of various bars and cafes for post-tour refreshments.