Skip to content
List your business

Best Tours & activities in Barcelona (2026)

A guided tour is one of the quickest ways to understand Barcelona, especially on a first visit. Walking tours make the most sense in the Barri Gòtic, where the layers of Roman, medieval and modern history are easy to miss on your own. Runner Bean Tours, a family-run company founded in 2010, offers tip-based Gothic Quarter and Gaudí walks of around two and a half hours from Plaça Reial, along with a night tour of the city's darker history and private tours, including trips to Montserrat. Book places in advance, as group sizes are limited.

For a different view, Las Golondrinas has run boat trips around the harbour since 1888 from the quay in front of the Columbus Monument, with 40-minute port trips and 60-minute port-and-coast trips that look back at the beaches and Montjuïc. Combined tickets pair a boat ride with the Aquàrium, the Museu Marítim or a meal. Beyond these, specialist guides cover food, architecture and cycling, and many major sights, including the Sagrada Família and the Palau de la Música Catalana, run their own official guided visits. Whatever you choose, wear comfortable shoes, carry water in summer and allow time afterwards to explore the area where the tour finishes.

5 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 tours & activities in Barcelona

  1. Runner Bean Tours Walking tours, Barri Gòtic (meeting point)A family-run Barcelona walking tour company founded in 2010, best known for its donation-based Gothic Quarter and Gaudí tours starting from Plaça Reial.
  2. Las Golondrinas Boat tours, Port VellBarcelona's historic harbour boat company, sailing since 1888 from the quay opposite the Columbus Monument on short port and coastal cruises.
  3. Barcelona Architecture Walks Architecture walking tours, CitywideA Barcelona company running architecture walks led by architects, with themed tours on Gaudí, urbanism, the waterfront, the Olympic city and contemporary design.

Tour operator

1. Runner Bean Tours

Walking toursBarri Gòtic (meeting point)

A family-run Barcelona walking tour company founded in 2010, best known for its donation-based Gothic Quarter and Gaudí tours starting from Plaça Reial.

View details — Runner Bean Tours