Barcelona Walking Tours

You can't see the whole of Barcelona on a walking tour - sights like Camp Nou, Parc Guell and La Sagrada Familia are scattered in different corners of the city - but there's an undeniable allure to discovering a city by foot. Apart from practical considerations (cheap, environmentally friendly, no traffic jams!), when you embark on a walking tour one tends to get a genuine feel of communion with the city streets. The slow pace of a walking tour enables you to really take in the minute details that unfold on every alleyway: and, as well as having plenty of time to take in the history, legends and stories that your tour guide recounts, your retinas will be treated to a kaleidoscope of everyday sights (some quite bizarre!) whilst your nose will sample the tangy flavours of everything from seafood at La Boqueria market to the whiff of marijuana smoked by Barcelona's resident perro flautas (literally 'dog-flutes', or 'hippies').

Visitors coming to Barcelona are spoiled for choice when it comes to walking tours, and depending on your needs you can hire a private guide for your own tailored voyage of discovery, you can opt for a regular walking tour in a group, or you can even choose from a number of free walking tours (tips are usually expected!). You might even find companies offering specialist themed walking tours - of Gaudi, Picasso, tapas or even chocolate! As with all things in life you normally get what you pay for, and we suggest you only tour with licensed guides who, for example, know the difference between Modernism and Modernisme (what a difference a letter makes!) and can tell you everything from the history of Barcelona's guilds to the impact of the 1992 Olympic Games. Naturally we've rounded up some of our favourite guided walking tours of Barcelona below, all available in the English language of course...

Barcelona Walking Tours

Walking Planets
A specialist in walking tours, Walking Planets was set up to introduce tourists to some of Barcelona's less-visited districts, such as the fascinating and ever-so-slightly-sleazy El Raval. Hippies and hipsters share this vibrant zone with immigrants from Asia and East Europe, and if you're looking for something a little different hop onto Planet Raval! Walking Planets also offer atypical tours of El Born, El Gotic and more...
www.walkingplanets.com

Hola! Barcelona Tours
Amongst the wide variety of Barcelona tours and activities that Hola! arrange are private walking tours of El Gotic, or the Gothic Quarter. On this stroll around the city you'll explore La Seu Cathedral, the old Jewish quarter, Barcelona's Roman walls, and of course the legendary Las Ramblas boulevard, with its street performers, flower stalls and the renowned La Boqueria food market. Also possible is a guided walk around Gaudi's surreal and breathtaking visions on the Passeig de Gracia, the amazing La Sagrada Familia - and not forgetting Parc Guell. Combine both with a Gothic + Gaudi 4 hour combo walking tour!
www.holabarcelonatours.com

Magic Day Adventures
Stretch your legs away from the hubbub of the Old Town with a walk around Montjuic mountain, the hill which overlooks Barcelona's port. You'll take the Teleferic cable car to the top and then be introduced to the history of Montjuic Fortress, before making your way through the mount's many gardens and cultural treasures, including the Olympic Stadium. Opt for the evening tour and you'll finish your walk at the Magic Fountain...
www.magicdayadventures.com

Barcelona Guide Bureau
The BGB is the granddaddy of tour operators in Barcelona and their five walks are the official walking tours of the Barcelona Tourist Board. On their meandering menu are walking tours of Gotic and the Marina, as well as three themed tours on the life of Picasso in Barcelona, Modernista architecture and the city's gourmet experiences.
www.barcelonaguidebureau.com

Barcelona City Tours
A total of ten exciting walks are offered by the folks at Barcelona City Tours and your biggest problem might be which to choose from! As well as explorations of El Born, Gotico and the Marina, you'll find themed tours on Modernisme and an audio-guided trip around the legendary Camp Nou and the Barca Museum.
www.barcelonacitytours.com

If your legs are aching simply when reading this, then check our article on all Barcelona tours where comfortable coaches and cars will get you to all the sights. Whilst more athletic travellers can read up on the best bike tours in Barcelona...