Private La Rambla & Gothic Quarter – Walking Tour
Overview
Come to the core of the city, to where it all started 2000 years ago. Discover the elegant and inspiring Catalan Gothic architecture, enjoy its charming corners and squares hidden away down ancient narrow streets. From the Romans to the present day, the inhabitants have left their imprint on these stones, and the story is there for the reading.
Tour Details
- Duration: 3 hours approx.
- Meeting point: At the city centre or your hotel, at your preferred time
- Transport: Walking tour, no transport is needed.
- Guide: Knowledgeable and friendly licensed guide fluent in the language of your choice.
- Price includes: Licensed guide
- Up to 8 people
- Price not including any tickets.
- Itinerary: Plaça de Catalunya> Ramblas > Carrer Petritxol> Plaça del Pi> Catedral > Plaça del Rey >Plaça de Sant Jaume> Boqueria Market
Please note
- Consider that Boqueria Market is closed on Sundays, as well as many shops in the Gothic Quarter
What to expect
Plaça Catalunya and the Rambla are right in the city centre; the Rambla is a boulevard known around the world. Pure Mediterranean in nature, it leads visitors down to the sea through a variety of contrasts: old-style shops, ultramodern cafes, landmark buildings like the Liceu Opera House, and, in the centre of the boulevard, there are, street artists, newspaper, flower, and bird stalls, etc.
Boqueria Market: Barcelona’s most popular and exotic market, it dates back to the 12th Century when farmers started to sell fruit and vegetables in the Pla de L’Os. Later, in the 16th Century, the first flower stalls appeared. Open from 8 to 8, the market sells quality fresh produce from around the world.
Plaça Reial (Royal Square) Lamp posts: Inspired by neoclassic French urban architecture, in the centre of the colonnaded square is the Fountain of the Three Graces and the 2 lamp posts designed by Gaudí. Carrer Ferran: This was one of the main commercial centres in the 19th Century. There are no street trees and the lamp posts hang from the buildings so there is nothing to block the view of the shop windows.
Plaça del Pi: Charming square with a beautiful gothic church, Santa Maria del Pi, with a 10m diameter rose window. Notice the sgraffito (patterns) on the façades of the houses.
Carrer Petritxol: One of the narrowest streets in the city, it is full of art galleries and cafes where you can have a “suïs” (hot chocolate topped with cream). The ceramic tiles depict historical events that have happened in this street.
Plaça Sant Jaume: Historically, the city’s two major Roman roads, the cardo and the decumanus crossed here. This square is the centre of the city’s political activity with the City Hall facing the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Autonomous Catalan Government.
Plaça del Rei (King’s Square): Right in the centre of Barcelona we find the Gothic Quarter, medieval marvel, which includes: the Look Out of King Martí, a rectangular tower, 5 floors high which was built for king Martí the Humane in 1555; Santa Àgata’s chapel (15th Century), built for Bertran de Riquer, and the Saló del Tinell (medieval hall) (1359-1362), built for king Pere the Ceremonious. The hall is large (35 metres long by 17 wide and 12 high) and was used to receive ambassadors and hold banquets. It is said that the Catholic Kings, Isabel and Ferran, received Columbus here on his return from America. Plaça Sant Felip Neri: One of the city’s most beautiful squares, away from the tourist circuit, it is framed by the baroque church Sant Felip Neri, and the façades of the houses of the shoe makers’ guild (now the shoe museum) and the boiler makers’ guild (now a public school).
La Catedral: Gothic cathedral with 3 naves, built on top of an early Christian basilica (4th Century). Started in the 13th Century and finished 6 centuries later, the Sant Iu door marks the oldest part and the façade, the newest. Take note of the chapels and the 15th Century cloister guarded by geese. We recommend visiting the Cathedral between 8 am and 12 am and 5 pm and 7 pm on a working day, if no celebration prevents it.
Reviews
Check our reviews and see what our customers say about this tour.
Posted by Jason C - 5/5 stars - 03 Apr 2016
First time to Barcelona and was a little overwhelmed with the city as what to see/do. Hotel arranged a private tour of the Old City/Gothic District for my husband and I, well worth it! Laura C. was our guide and could not have asked for a better person. Experienced local cuisine and treats recommended by Laura. Very personal, great English and best of all showed us the soul of Barcelona. Saw and visited places that we would have never gotten to see or experience. Cannot say enough and will book again in future visits. Reviewed on Facebook 5/5 stars