Tapas Tours & Treasure Hunts: A Family Trip to Barcelona

This morning, enjoy an al fresco breakfast and coffee in a nearby café before heading to the city's most famous building, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, it's the largest unfinished Catholic basilica in the world. We’ve arranged priority access tickets (that means no queueing) so you can tour the basilica in your own time. Enjoy marvelling at the impressive stained glass interior as you listen to the audio guide while touring this UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you’ve soaked up the basilica’s beauty, refuel with a bite to eat nearby.

For the rest of the day, discover bustling Barcelona with the family in tow. If you’ve got a taste for Gaudi architecture, you’re in luck; there’s plenty more to see in the city. Go on a guided (or self-guided) Gaudi tour and visit architectural wonders like Casa Battlo, Casa Vicens and Casa Mila. We also recommend heading to the sprawling Park Guell for more of the architect’s signature flair. Wander the tranquil Parc de la Ciutadella or along the beachfront for a slice of calm after all the sightseeing. Any art lovers? Barcelona is blessed with a multitude of fantastic museums (which are all well worth a visit), from the Museum of Contemporary Art to the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

After all that sightseeing, take your weary legs back to the apartment for a rest. Then, if you’ve got the energy, head back out again this evening to try some classic Catalan cuisine at one of our recommended eateries, washed down with your favourite tipple, of course.

Today, you’ve got a jam-packed agenda, so make sure the whole family fuels up with a hearty breakfast. Spend the rest of the morning relaxing at your apartment or perusing the nearby shops. Come lunchtime, gastronomic delights await on a private tapas tour of the city. Lasting around two-and-a-half hours, you’ll be led by a local guide through the twisting cobblestone alleys to the best spots in the city. Tickle your tastebuds with bite-sized dishes of Manchego, squid, boquerones, Iberian ham and croquetas. Even the fussiest of youngsters will find something to satisfy their hunger in these off-the-beaten-track establishments. With bellies full and belts loosened, head back to your accommodation (siesta, anyone?) before the afternoon’s activities.

Later today, the family fun continues with a private treasure hunt in the Raval district. Nominate a family member to become the inspector as you solve the mystery together. Will you triumph, or will you fail? This adventure should take around three hours, after which you’ll be rewarded with (yes, more) tapas and a drink in a local bar. Come evening, revisit a favourite restaurant or consult our Dossier to try somewhere new.

It’s your final full day in the Catalan capital, so why not end the trip on a high? Head to the city’s outskirts to Montjuic Mountain, where you’ll embark on a walking tour of the open-air architectural museum Poble Espanyol. Encompassing 117 life-size recreations of Spanish buildings, you’ll be led by a private guide past architectural styles from all over Spain, ranging from Romanesque to Baroque.

After a couple of hours exploring Poble Espanyol, it’s time to discover more of the mountain. Located on a picturesque forested hill southwest of Barcelona, Montjuic offers panoramic views over the city. With a private guide, you can discover the fortress of Montjuic Castle and its beautiful grounds, along with the Fountains of Montjuic (also known as the magic fountains). After the walking tour, visit the factory-turned-exhibition space, the Caixa Forum, or make a stop at the beautiful botanical gardens near the castle.

For the rest of the day, we recommend exploring La Boqueria, the city’s oldest market, for a bite to eat. Located in the centre of the infamous Las Ramblas street, you’re perfectly positioned to take in the sights and smells of this bustling area afterwards. Tired of all the sightseeing? Relax on one of the city’s beaches before finding a special spot for dinner (it is the last night, after all).