Barcelona is a city best explored with the help of passionate locals who know its secrets inside out. From street art walks and fascinating Civil War history to bike rides, hidden food spots, and scenic wine country escapes, this guide highlights some of the best tours that bring the city’s art, culture, and culinary treasures to life.
Artspace Tours
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I thoroughly enjoyed this tour led by Luke, who founded Artspace Tours. We started out in Poble Sec, near Los Jardines de las Tres Chimeneas and wound our way through Raval and the Gothic Quarter. I discovered some fantastic street art I had never seen before and especially enjoyed the part at the end where we visited the studios of top local artists like Lara Hoch and Ashwan.
Website: artspacetours.com
Email: booking@artspacetours.com
Instagram: @artspace_tours
Barcelona Street Style Tour
When I first arrived in Barcelona I did the Barcelona Street Style tour, led by Mike, a longtime expat originally from California. Mike was full of enthusiasm and knowledge about the street art scene. Two walking tours are available, each exploring a different neighborhood, one focuses on El Raval, while the other covers El Born and the Gothic Quarter. There’s also a bike tour that takes you through the Poble Nou neighborhood.
Website: barcelonastreetstyletour.com
Email: tours@barcelonastreetstyletour.com
Instagram: @bcnstreetstyletour
Spanish Civil War Tour
Nick Lloyd’s Spanish Civil War tour in Barcelona is an insightful walking tour that brings the city’s turbulent 1930s to life. An author and expert on the conflict, Nick uses old photos, maps, and vivid storytelling to explore key sites in the Gothic Quarter and along La Rambla. The tour covers themes like Anarchism, the International Brigades, Orwell’s time in the city, daily life under siege, and the bombings between 1936 and 1939.
Website: thespanishcivilwar.com
Email: info@spanishcivilwartours.com
Twitter: @Civil_War_Spain
Steel Donkey Bike Tours
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Steel Donkey Bike Tours is an ideal way to see Barcelona’s highlights in just four hours, covering the Gothic Quarter, El Born, El Raval, Montjuïc, lush parks, and the beachfront. Our friendly guide Nadim led us through historic stops like Plaça Sant Jaume, down to the port, up Montjuïc’s cactus gardens with sweeping sea views, and on to Rambla del Raval and MACBA’s buzzing Plaça dels Àngels. We pedaled past Santa Maria del Mar, admired the Arc de Triomf’s Mudéjar design, and relaxed by the waterfall in Parc de la Ciutadella before cruising to Port Olympic and Barceloneta beach. With comfy bikes and Nadim’s captivating stories this tour is a fun, fresh way to see the best of the city.
Website: steeldonkeybiketours.com
Email: info@steeldonkeybiketours.com
Instagram: @steeldonkeybiketours
Secret Food Tours Barcelona
Secret Food Tours Barcelona is a fun, small-group walking tour that lets you taste your way through the city’s best local bites in areas like El Born and Barceloneta. Led by a local guide, you’ll enjoy pastries, Iberian ham, tapas, paella, sangria, and a surprise “secret dish” while learning insider stories about Barcelona’s food and culture.
Website: secretfoodtours.com/barcelona/food-tours-barcelona/
Email: barcelona@secrettours.com
Instagram: @secretfoodtours
Runner Bean Tours
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Runner Bean Tours is a family-run company based in Barcelona since 2010, offering high-quality free walking tours (donation-based). Their popular Gothic Quarter and Gaudí walks are led by passionate guides with small group sizes. I enjoyed the Gothic Quarter tour, starting in Plaça Reial and ending at Santa Maria del Mar, packed with fascinating history and a wealth of stories in between.
Website: runnerbeantours.com
Phone: (+34) 636 108 776
Instagram: @runnerbeantours
Forever Barcelona Tours
Marta Laurent founded ForeverBarcelona after obtaining her tour guide license in 2000. She quickly focused on creating personalized private tours tailored for couples, families, and groups of friends. Today, ForeverBarcelona offers a variety of experiences, including city tours, culinary tours, and day trips beyond Barcelona.
Website: foreverbarcelona.com
Email: info@foreverbarcelona.com
Instagram: @foreverbarcelona
Culinary Backstreets
Culinary Backstreets offers intimate food tours in Barcelona that take you beyond the usual tourist spots and into the city’s hidden culinary gems. Guided by local experts, these tours lead you through vibrant markets, family-run tapas bars, and hidden neighborhood eateries, giving you a true taste of Barcelona’s rich food culture.
Website: culinarybackstreets.com
Instagram: @culinarybackstreets
Devour Tours
Devour Tours in Barcelona offers authentic food experiences, including tapas tours in the Gothic Quarter, family-friendly adventures, and visits to local markets and wineries. Guided by seasoned experts, these tours combine delicious Catalan flavors with rich cultural insights.
Website: devourtours.com
Email: info@devourtours.com
Instagram: @devour_tours
Spanish Trails
Spanish Trails offers small-group and private tours in Barcelona and Catalonia, blending local culture, food, and wine. From guided walks through the Gothic Quarter with tapas and wine tastings to day trips to Montserrat or the Priorat wine region, their expert guides make each experience personal, authentic, and memorable.
Website: spanish-trails.com
Email: info@spanish-trails.com
Instagram: @spanish_trails
Sazón The Folk Cook
Sazón the Folk Cook (sponsor) allows you to taste traditional home-cooked food in an authentic setting. I tried the Catalan menu at the home of Raqueles in the heart of Eixample and it was an unforgettable experience. A chef trained at the Hofmann school, Raqueles served us classics like Canelón on a beautiful back terrace flooded by sunshine.
Website: sazonthefolkcook.com
Email: info@sazontfk.com
Instagram: @sazonthefolkcook
Dan got the Barcelona bug more than 10 years ago and loves to write about the city’s history, culture and events.
