free walking tour gothic quarter

Walking Tours Barcelona - Runner Bean Tours

Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour

Tour Details

A leisurely stroll to unearth the secrets behind the stones of the medieval quarter . From Romans and saints to warriors and kings, this mix of imposing basilicas, charming squares and narrow streets won’t fail to impress.

2.5 hours approx. (not rushed but leisurely paced)

Free (you decide the price)

This is the title given to tours that work on a donation basis. At the end you can give the guide what you felt the tour was worth. In our small company we are confident enough to let you decide the value.

Meeting Point

Plaça Reial (by the water fountain)

Tour itinerary

Plaça Reial / Plaça del Pi / Jewish Quarter / Plaça Sant Jaume / Barcelona Cathedral / Plaça Sant Felip Neri / Roman city / Medieval city & Plaça del Rei / Santa Maria del Mar

Santa Maria del Mar (El Born)

Wheelchair friendly tour

FABULOUS TOUR GUIDES

"Both our guides were knowledgeable and passionate!! They easily answered all questions and kept us entertained and engaged during the tours." Read on Trip Advisor

THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN

"Gorka was knowledgeable, informative and entertaining as he walked us through the history and culture of the old city and Jewish quarters keeping our attention throughout the 3 hour tour. He ended the tour with great recommendations of places to eat." Read on Trip Advisor

A MUST-DO IN BARCELONA

"This was the first time I had been on a free walking tour and I didn't know what to expect, but it was absolutely brilliant! Very easy to find them in the meeting place off Las Ramblas and very well organised with splitting groups into smaller numbers." Read on Trip Advisor

MY FAVOURITE ACTIVITY IN BARCELONA

"I felt that I travelled back in time and appreciated its winding streets that take you from the river of Las Ramblas into streams of quiet green spaces and plazas I wouldn't have discovered on my own." Read on Trip Advisor

GREAT MORNING DISCOVERING THE GOTHIC QUARTER

"They depart from Plaça Reial just off Ramblas. Lowri was excellent. Good patter, knowledgable and made time for everyone's questions. She even provides advice on where to eat, and what else to go and see." Read on Trip Advisor

Plaça Reial  (by the water fountain)

How to find the guide

Our friendly guides will be waiting by the fountain in the middle of the square holding a big green umbrella and wearing a bright green vest and a name tag.

How to get to the meeting point

Nearest metro stop: Liceu (L3). Take the exit named “Sortida: Liceu” and walk down La Rambla towards the sea (the main Opera House will be on your right). After 2 minutes you will see a Kentucky Fried Chicken on your left. Take the next left into the square (Plaça Reial).

Other Free Tours in Barcelona start at the same meeting point. If you want the quality of a Runner Bean tour be sure it is a Runner Bean guide.

Tour Highlights

Plaça reial.

Only a step away from the busy “Las Ramblas”, this square is certainly one of the most picturesque in Barcelona. Some of its bars and restaurants hide secrets that will be revealed by the guide. It’s also the meeting point for our Gaudí Free Tour .

PLAÇA DEL PI

A beautiful square in the middle of the Gothic Quarter with the XIV century Santa María del Pi church and some of the most beautiful sgrafittos in the city. If tasting some local delicacies is what you are after, you will find them in its outdoor food market.

JEWISH QUARTER ("EL CALL")

Not only the oldest part of the Gothic Quarter but also one of the most intriguing places in Barcelona. Walk through narrow passages and past ancient houses following the hidden clues to find out what happened to a thriving Jewish community.

PLAÇA SANT JAUME

This has been the centre of political life in the City for over 2,000 years. Today, the main government buildings dominate the square. Many festivities in Barcelona start or end at this place so maybe you will be lucky enough to see some of the Catalan traditions performed here.

BARCELONA CATHEDRAL (exterior only)

Situated in the traditional spiritual centre of Barcelona, “La Seu” is one of the most impressive cathedrals in Spain. Its XV century cloister has been called “the loveliest oasis in Barcelona”. Thirteen geese dwell in the courtyard reminding us of a barbarous crime.

PLAÇA SANT FELIP NERI

The only drawback of Plaça Sant Felip Neri is to actually find it. Hidden at the edge of the Jewish Quarter, you will feel as if you are in a small village, miles away from busy Barcelona. A favourite with filmmakers, this peaceful place also has a few tales to tell the visitor.

THE ROMAN CITY

Roman heritage is all over Barcelona, its impressive city wall appearing in the strangest of places. But there is much more than just the wall: a Roman treasure from the first century B.C. is waiting for you inside the patio of an apartment block!

MEDIEVAL CITY & PLAÇA DEL REI

Stepping into this square is like travelling back through time to when the count-kings lived in its medieval Royal Palace. King Ferdinand, Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition all have something to say in this Plaza.

SANTA MARIA DEL MAR

It has been called “the Cathedral of the Sea” and from the outside you would never guess the magnificence that is waiting for you inside. A masterpiece of the Catalan Gothic and a delight for the eyes. Just beside it, our tour ends in a very special place for the Barcelonans.

Important Info

• Reservations for the Free Tour Barcelona Gothic Quarter are essential as, in order to maintain the quality, numbers are limited in all our tours.
• Our Free Walking Tours are geared towards independent travelers. If you are a group of more than 6 people please contact us for more information.

How does the free tour system work?

This is the title given to tours that work on a donation basis (at the end you can give the guide what you felt the tour was worth). In our small company we are confident enough to let you decide the value of the tour. You can not get a fairer system and this ensures that our guides give their best service every tour.

Do I need to make a reservation for the free tours?

Reservations are essential as for quality purposes, numbers are limited in all our tours. If you are a large group of 7 or more you will need to book a private tour.

Is there a maximum number of participants you take on tour?

Yes. The maximum number allowed per tour is 20 people.

What if I arrive late to the meeting point?

We can only hold reservations until the starting time so it is very important to arrive before then. Occasionally a tour might be full and late arrivals won’t be able to join in. This also includes customers with a reservation as their space will have been given away to the people on the waiting list.

Is there a lot of walking involved?

Not really. As long as you can do a short stroll around a city you are ready to walk a Runner Bean tour.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. There are a couple of small inclines on the tour but this is never a problem. If you visit the Roman Temple, there is a small ledge that leads into the hallway of the house but from this area you can still view the columns.

What should I bring?

During the summer it can get very hot so don't forget your sunglasses, sun-tan lotion and a bottle of water. Although the temperatures in Barcelona are mild for most of the year, in winter it can be cold so dress accordingly. You will also need to cover your shoulders and wear clothing that goes beneath your knee if you would like to visit the Cathedral cloister.

What if it rains?

Our Walking Tours run in all kinds of weather. In the case of heavy rain the tour will run as usual so please bring suitable rain gear.

Can I leave before the tour ends?

That is not a problem but please let your guide know so he/she doesn't wait for you at the next stop.

Do we stop for a break?

We generally stop for a quick toilet break (5 minutes or so). The tour is not too long so we think that a food or drink stop is not necessary and you can decide where you would like to go afterwards. Your guide will be more than happy to help you with recommendations.

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Barcelona Free Walking Tour

In the medieval old town ciutat vella, gothic quarter, award-winning since 2010.

In the Old Town Gothic Quarter, Barri Gòtic , is where the Barcelona Free Walking Tour is taking place. It is created using more than a decade of experience in hosting tours and specifically designed with the intention of making it a perfect primer to our beloved Barcelona. With this in mind both the city's famous architecture, notable artists, vibrant culture and colourful history will be covered. While sharing our deep knowledge and passion for everything Barcelona, you will be guided you through an unforgettable experience walking the narrow medieval streets of Barri Gòtic while introducing you to the Barcelona way of life. Your hosts: Jana+Matt & Team

What You Should Know Before Joining

• Group Size: Maximum 15 adults (the average is around 10).
• Price: You decide! Tip the guide what you feel like after the tour.
• To Bring: An open mind, a willingness to learn and a big smile.
• Time: Daily at 10:00 a.m. and departs in due time (~10 min. later).
• Duration: About 2.5h but depends a lot on the group and day.
• Language: ENGLISH and a good level of understanding is required.

Fascinating Stories of Old​

Humble beginnings.

On our Barcelona Free Walking Tour, the story of the city of Barcelona begins more than 2000 years ago with a small Roman fortress called Barcino, today the centre of the Old Town. Together we will for the most part walk the millennial old streets of this fortress.

It started more than 2000 years ago

Barcino is the roman barcelona, a walled city.

Next, you will learn about how Barcelona used to be a walled city until quite recently. The Barcelona Free Walking Tour will teach you a lot more about how the city evolved into one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean Sea as the main seaport of the Crown of Aragon in the Middle Ages.

A Medieval Capital of the Mediterranean Sea

The city of counts in the crown of aragon, the expansion.

Eventually, the Industrial Revolution arrived and with it a milestone event that took Barcelona out of the Middle Ages. As a result, a massive city transformation began turning Barcelona into an industrial centre.

Barcelona embraced the Industrial Revolution

Barcelona reborn and reinvented, the city of today.

Finally, you’ll hear about how modern Barcelona that you are visiting came to be. Another milestone event, equally important, transformed the city again, this time from being an industrial city to a modern one.

A Modern Marvel

An evolved modern city, an architectural walk with art, culture and a lot of history.

With this in mind, our multi-award-winning Barcelona Free Walking Tour will take you on a journey through narrow alleys, winding streets, charming squares, and time. You’ll be introduced to the architecture that named the neighbourhood, past famous pieces of public art and much more, while putting it all in a historical context in an easy to follow and entertaining way.

A Multi-Award-Winning Barcelona Free Walking Tour

A Different Type of Barcelona Free Walking Tour

Unlike many other Free Walking Tours in Barcelona, we are not following a master script that we have been drilled on. We are not new to the city, as a matter of fact, we know our topic extremely well. Because of this,​​ you will get a unique and customised tour for that particular day and your specific group.

In short, you will learn a lot from us. Using more than a decade of experience this Barcelona Free Walking Tour is designed as an ultimate introduction to the city and the Barcelona way of life.

Where Does the Barcelona Free Walking Tour Meet Up?

Our walking tour meeting point, post office 'correos' at plaça d'antonio lopez i lopez.

• Address : Plaça d’Antonio López
• Google GPS : 41°22'53.5"N 2°10'53.4"E (41.381528, 2.181500)

Share Your Barcelona Free Walking Tour Plans!

There is so much more of barcelona to experience, unesco, gaudí & modernisme: barcelona world heritage architecture tour, panoramic barcelona: montjuïc the scenic route, barcelona highlights: beaches, parks & monuments tour.

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Tour Details

Original free barcelona gothic quarter tour.

Come discover the rich history of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter on this Original Free Barcelona Gothic Quarter Tour . This free tour of the Gothic Quarter is hosted by our partners at Free Walking Tours Barcelona .

Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter with its winding streets and narrow alleys, filled with shops, bars, restaurants, and historic sights. Witness the city’s world renown liveliness and passion in this cultural labyrinth. Beauty and art are all over the city, but it all started in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter .

The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic in Catalan and Barrio Gótico in Spanish, is a vibrant neighbourhood that truly makes Barcelona like no other city. It is the oldest part of the city with more than 2000 years of history, and is home to many historical sights. This Original Free Barcelona Gothic Quarter Tour visits many important architectural structures and sights of historical and cultural significance. At Original Europe Tours, we pride ourselves in offering comprehensive, fun, informative, and quality tours. We are very happy to feature our partners at Free Walking Tours Barcelona and their popular Original Free Barcelona Gothic Quarter Tour . So come join us and Free Walking Tours Barcelona to make the most of your time in Barcelona!

The Original FREE BARCELONA Gothic Quarter Tour is 2.5 hours & features:

• Plaça Reial
• Plaça del Pi
• El Call (Jewish Quarter)
• Barcelona Cathedral
• Plaça Sant Jaume
• Roman Walls and temple
• Plaça del Rei
• Government buidings
• Plaça Sant Felip Neri
• Santa Maria del Mar

Our tour guides are local experts with a true passion for the history and culture of Barcelona. This is a FREE walking tour, so you decide the price! Tipping is highly encouraged because love doesn’t pay the bills, but the amount is totally up to you! Our guides are always ready to give recommendations for the best food, tapas, drink, fun, and culture for the city they call home.

Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter on a free tour!

The Original Free Barcelona Gothic Quarter Tour is a 2.5 hour extensive tour on foot which covers Barcelona’s cultural melting pot. Come take a step back in time in Barcelona’s famous Gothic Quarter to relive medieval times or experience its vivacious atmosphere.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia , an autonomous community in Spain with a historic national identity! The city is rich in the culture of Catalan triumphs and battles, arts, and innovations. Catalan history goes back to pre-Roman times, leaving always something new to learn about Barcelona! As well as creating a complex and interesting dynamic of Catalan independence from Spain within the city. Learn more on the Original Free Barcelona Gothic Quarter Tour.

Book with us to reserve your spot!

The exact route of the tour is susceptible to changes, depending on the guide, the group, and the weather to ensure the best possible experience for you!

This tour requires a moderate amount of walking so comfortable walking shoes and bringing a beverage or snack are recommended.

Table of Contents

What to expect

• Major Historical Sights
• Get to Know Barcelona
• Local Guides
• One of a Kind Tour

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Free Walking Tours by Locals

Barcelona | granada | lisbon | london | malaga | madrid | prague | san sebastian, gothic quarter free walking tour barcelona.

The tour starts at the heart of the old town where traces of the 2,000 years of history are unveiled in front of your eyes. Catalan traditions and festivals are also included on this wonderful stroll to give you the best possible introduction to the city.

These are some of the attractions we visit on this tour:

• Plaça Reial
• Plaça del Pi
• The old Jewish Quarter (“El Call”)
• Plaça Sant Jaume
• The Cathedral cloister
• Plaça Sant Felip Neri
• The Roman City
• The medieval city and Plaça del Rei
• Santa María del Mar

Duration : 2.5 hours

Price : Donation based

Find more information and make reservations on our website: Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour .

We all know that the arrival of multinationals can push the small man out of business and the walking tour industry is no different. This is why a few of us, local companies with a like-minded vision, got together to be sure that you can still hear about us. This website is our meeting point where we can introduce ourselves and tell you what we do. We strongly believe that keeping it small and local is the only way to achieve great quality . Read more

Because we, as guides, live and breathe our city's everyday life, a great inside knowledge is something that already comes in the package. With professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun guides , the tours on offer have been highly recommended through guidebooks, internet sites and mouth to mouth (our favourite one!). Our walking tours are not about selling other products, it is about offering a great product in itself. Hard selling is just not our style. Read more

If you have had enough of manufactured tourism and you enjoy discovering and learning about the places you visit from a more local point of view, maybe we are what you are looking for. Each of the walking tour companies in the network is individually listed only in their own cities so their incomes generate within their communities. A big plus: walking and taking public transport when necessary is also a great way to protect the environment. Read more

All cities > Barcelona Walking Tours > Barcelona Gothic Quarter Free Tour

Barcelona Gothic Quarter Free Tour

Know local cuisines and nightlife.

Barcelona, Spain

From 2 hours, about this tour.

Experience Barcelona from a unique perspective on this free walking tour around the city with a focus on the Gothic Quarter. Stroll through the city streets as you listen to stories about the Romans that created them over 2000 years ago. Get insights into the origin of Barcelona and its transformation over time to the present day.

Await to hear stories and know prominent people that have affected the architecture and leadership of Barcelona in different generations. You will know kings, queens, and architectural greats like Gaudí and admire some of his works. Get a brief on famous painters like Miró, Dalí, and Picasso as well as their masterpieces.

You will have the chance to know the region’s cuisines and a picture of the nightlife of Barcelona. End the tour with tips and secrets of where to eat, drink, and various entertainment spots with the best service for a memorable stay.

Tour Highlights

• Walk on Barcelona streets that are 2000 plus years
• Learn the evolution of the city from the Middle Ages to the present day
• Know the legends of different nature that impacted Barcelona greatly
• Discover the local cuisines
• Hear your guide talk about nightlife in the city

Practical information

• Knowledgeable guide
• Pet friendly
• A small group

Not Included:

• Admission fees to monuments
• Additional expenses

Additional information

Operated by Free Walking Tours Barcelona

Available in English, Spanish

/10 (370 votes )

Highly recommend, included various info and interesting fun facts. A must !

Review by Marie Claude - Canada

See more reviews

Gothic Free Walking Tour

Quick Details

• User Ages: All ages
• Calendar Availability: Monday - Wednesday - Friday - Sunday
• Clock Starting Time: 10:30
• Map Marker City: Barcelona
• Hour Glass Duration: 2 hours
• Checkered Flag Language: English; Spanish

Discover the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona on a Free Tour!

Why break the bank on your Barcelona vacation? Explore the Gothic Quarter with us on a free Barcelona walking tour!

The Gothic Quarter is an area you must see during your visit. But with so much history and many amazing places to see, you might be wondering where to start. Leave that to us!

Our experienced guides have so much knowledge and enthusiasm for this area that we will seamlessly lead you from each point of interest to the next so you are able to absorb the information and make clear sense of how history made Barcelona the amazing city it is today.

The Barcelona Gothic Quarter tour brings guests to the following areas, and our guides love showing you some hidden secrets along the way.

• Plaza Sant Jaume
• Cathedral de Santa Eulalia
• Iglesia de Santa Maria del Mar
• Plaza Sant Felip Neri
• Muralla Romana
• Palacio Real and more

What are you waiting for? Why not reserve your spot on the tour right now? Just book online! If your group is larger than nine people, give us a call!

Meeting Point

Plaza Real; our guides will be holding yellow umbrellas, right next to the fountain.

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The Ultimate Self Guided Tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Every neighbourhood in Barcelona has a unique personality and appearance. It’s one of the things I love most about this city. Walking from district to district feels like entering a different world altogether with their own unique architectural styles to explore. From the modernista neighbourhood of L’Eixample to the bohemian streets of Gracia , you can really find it all. But perhaps one of the most interesting areas to explore in is the famed Barcelona Gothic Quarter or ‘Barrio Gòtic’. This part of town is where you’ll find cobblestone covered medieval alleys, towering neo-gothic spires and even ancient Roman ruins. 

Despite the name “Gothic Quarter”, it’s important to know that most of these buildings were actually all built in the late 1800s through the 1900s in neo-gothic style. In 1929 there was a massive International Exhibition planned to take place in Barcelona. Wanting to jump on the tourist train, Barcelona decided to pour all their money into a massive restoration project. This project aimed to recreate the feeling of Barcelona in the medieval ages. They were inspired by European neo-gothic architecture and wanted to bring back some of their destroyed medieval histories.

While many of the sights might not date back to the early 13th century, I still think this neighbourhood is wonderfully charming and it contains some of Barcelona’s most important architectural structures. Plus, with these renovations, you do get the sense of what it would have felt like to explore Barcelona of the 13th century.

Layout of Barcelona

The neighbourhood retains its medieval labyrinth-like street layout. Most of these streets are still closed off from traffic, as they would have been before the invention of cars. When not overwhelmed with tourists, this vehicle-less area really adds to the ancient feeling of the neighbourhood. A walking tour is the best way to experience all the sights and sounds this place has to offer. Download the google map at the bottom of this post which plots all the different stops we’re going to make on our tour! Save as an offline map to follow along from point to point so you won’t miss a beat!

When to do this Tour?

The best time to take this walking tour is early in the morning. Since the area is so popular, it becomes overrun with tourists in the afternoon. There is just something about exploring in the early morning, when you have the entire place to yourself (trust me, I did it!), which feels absolutely magical. I would also try to avoid the weekends since they can be also a busier time to visit.

How to Get There

Our tour is going to start at the Plaça de Catalunya . To get there you can easily reach the square on foot if you are staying nearby. If you need to take transit, Catalunya is easily accessible from multiple lines of the metro, making it a great place to start the tour. Cataluyna Station is serviced by Line 1, 3, 6 and 7. Just take the metro to Cataluyna Station, hop off and follow the signs for Plaça de Catalunya .

Accessibility

Barcelona is heralded as one of the most wheelchair accessible cities in the world! In the gothic quarter, there are more bumps and hills than in the rest of the city, but with a powered chair, this shouldn’t be an issue. For more information on accessibility in Barcelona check out Cory’s blog ! The Gothic Quarter is fairly small, so although we may weave around these streets, we won’t be going a huge amount of distance.

Plaça de Catalunya

The best place to start your tour is at the Plaça de Catalunya . The Plaça de Catalunya was built in 1927, just before the 1929 International Exhibition. It would be the central meeting point where people would gather from the moment it was inaugurated. Surrounding this plaza were the city’s most expensive and exclusive hotels, bar and theatres. Every builder was clamouring to get a piece of real estate around this square. It was to be the Times Square of Barcelona.

The enormous plaza covers 5 hectares of land and although it seems altogether too big, it almost NEEDS to be. Nine different major streets all converge together at this plaza. You can hear them zooming around you, like buzzing bees at all times of the day. This place is always packed with locals eating lunch, tourists taking pictures and street artists performing their act. 

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One of the nicest features of the plaza is the number of sculptures to be found surrounding it. It feels almost like an outdoor art gallery. One of the most impressive is Jose Maria Subirachs’ ‘ 1991 Monument to Francesc Macià ‘. It looks like two sets of stairs, one turned upside down atop the other. If you’ve already been to the Sagrada Familia , the name Subirachs will sound familiar. Subirachs was the designer who took over the Passion Facade of the great cathedral for Gaudi. The normal staircase represents Catalonia’s history while the upside-down stairs represent the dynamic future of the Catalonian people. Catalonians will always subvert and aim to be different than the rest of Spain and this sculpture exemplifies that nature.

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Avinguda del Portal de l’Àngel

Move towards the southeastern corner of the square towards Avinguda del Portal de l’Àngel. The Portal de l’Àngel is a beautiful pedestrian street that leads you into the Gothic Quarter. It runs parallel to Las Ramblas and while Las Ramblas might be a little more touristy, Angel is as upscale as it gets in Barcelona. When the street was first established, it was the main hub for the fashion industry. Hundreds of textile stores could be found here. Women of the Spanish elite would come here to have the finest dresses of the day custom made for them. Nowadays, you can find some of the most expensive brands and department stores along this stretch which are still serving the elite of Barcelona.

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Santa Anna de Barcelona

Making your way away from the busy street down the Carrer de Santa Anna. Here, you’ll find yourself walking down a narrow shopping street. On your right, keep your eye open for an unassuming archway. This leads you towards one of the most underrated churches in Barcelona. Tucked in between a few residential buildings and almost lost in an overgrown forest of trees, this church doesn’t immediately look like much. But a step inside will reveal its hidden beauty.

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The church was founded in 1177 by the monks of the Holy Sepulcher. The monks travelled to Barcelona all the way from Jerusalem. It took over three centuries to build this monumental structure! Because of the length of time of the construction, you can find elements from a multitude of architecture periods. From Romanesque to Gothic and even bits from the Renaissance.

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The most impressive part of this church is the 15th-century cloisters, designed in traditional gothic style. In the centre of the cloisters is a beautiful tropical garden with large palm trees and other seasonal plants. Monks would use these cloisters not just for quiet contemplation, but they would also grow many herbs and vegetables here to help cure and feed the sick and poor of the city.

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Els 4Gats , or ‘ The Four Cats ” is a gorgeous modernista cafe located just a few blocks away from the church. It opens as early as 9am and is the perfect place to grab a coffee in the most beautiful setting. The cafe was opened in 1897 and was once both hostel, bar and cabaret. This was where Barcelona’s creative community would gather to dance the night away! It’s been mythologized that Pablo Picasso and Ramon Casas i Carbó were both local patrons. These artists would call this place their home away from home. While the cafe can get very busy around lunch and dinner, if you’ve taken my advice and come to do this tour early then you’ll find this place almost all to yourself (Barcelona doesn’t tend to wake up till about 11 am).

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Font de Santa Anna de Barcelona

Continuing along, at the corner of Avinguda Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer Cucurulla you’ll find the Font de Santa Anna de Barcelona . A lot of people pass right by, but make sure you sneak by the cars and tourists to look at this piece of true medieval history. The fountain dates all the way back to 1356 and was originally used as a horse trough. In the 18th and 19th centuries, ceramic tiles were added on each side of the fountain depicting women carrying water jugs from the fountain.

On the front of the fountain is a stone carving of Barcelona’s coat of arms. The coat of arms is the version from the 19th century, with a large bat that flies over the crown. when the bat was removed from the coat of arms in the 1920s this was seen as a loss of an emblematic symbol shared by other capitals of the former Crown of Aragon.

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Continuing along the Carrer dels Arcs you’ll suddenly come upon the large public square called ‘ Plaça Nova ‘. Plaça Nova sits in the shadow of the great Barcelona Cathedral and is almost always bustling with people. There is always something happening here! Whether its a festival, wedding, protest or just tour groups, there is a lively atmosphere here that just can’t be avoided. The Placa Nova was once one of the four main entrances to the Roman city. We can still see remnants of the original Roman city walls and two large romanesque towers surrounding the square.

Although there is some argument in the historical community about the date in which the square was established it is thought to be around 1358. In the centre of the square are the letters: “B a r c i n o”, which was the original Iberian village which was first founded here which would become Barcelona. 

Pablo Picasso

Turn around to face the Architects’ Association of Catalonia building where you’ll find one of the largest pieces by Pablo Picasso . This enormous frieze was designed by the iconic artist but painted by his studio. If you’re lucky enough to be here on a Thursday, be sure to check out the Mercat Gòtic Barcelona which pops up in front of the church. Here you can discover some gorgeous antiques and relics from Catalonia! Even if you’re not interested in buying anything it’s a wonderful thing to just explore!

La Casa de l’Ardiaca

Inside the Plaça Nova, hidden behind the original Roman ruins, you’ll find the Casa de l’Ardiaca . The building has been the home of the Municipal Archive since 1921 but its history dates back to almost the 12th century! Before that, it was the headquarters of Barcelona’s Lawyers’ Association . Outside, you’ll see a modernista style mailbox designed by famed architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner . On it are three swallows and a tortoise, the symbols of the Spanish legal system. The birds symbolize the idea of freedom, whereas the slow bureaucratic procedures which can be such a big part of legal proceedings are represented by the tortoise.

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Head inside the main courtyard to see the treasures that this, outwardly unassuming building has to offer. Inside you’ll find the “Salon des les pinyes” or ‘pineapple salon’. Here you can admire the gorgeous central fountain and palm tree, growing inside the building. The surrounding cloisters are covered in colourful tiles and oldest looking walls in here date all the way back to the Roman era.

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Cathedral of Barcelona

Continue walking across the square until you reach the doors of the great Cathedral of Barcelona . If you aren’t interested in going inside, just gazing upon the exterior is well worth your time. This monument to architectural majesty began construction in 1298 but wasn’t completed until 1420! The church is dedicated to Saint Eulalia of Barcelona. Eulalia was attacked by Roman soldiers in the square for her Christian beliefs and stripped naked in front of a horde of people. She was ashamed but in the middle of the summer, it began to snow, covering her naked form. Unfortunately, this only enraged the roman soldiers more and they threw her in a barrel, stabbed the barrel with knives and rolled her down the street. The street they preformed this torture upon her, now bears her name.

Her sad but powerful story is one which stuck with the people of Barcelona and this church was built in her name. Inside you can still see her chapel which holds her elaborate sarcophagus. This church helped inspire Gaudi’s design of the Sagrada Familia, so seeing this gothic masterpiece is the perfect complement to understanding Gaudi’s vision. For a complete tour of the Cathedral of Barcelona  click here !

Monument to the Heroes of 1809

Exit the church, via the side exit in the cloister, where you’ll come out into a small courtyard. In the centre of the courtyard, along the wall, is a large arch with a beautiful sculpture nestled underneath. This stunning modernist sculpture is dedicated to the ‘ Five martyrs of Catalan Freedom ‘. During the French occupation of 1809, these five men rose up in an attempt to free the city from the Napoleonic troops. Unfortunately, their plot failed but their memories live on in the hearts of the people of Catalonia.

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The moment sculptor Josep Llimona captured was a quiet moment. He uses a realist style of sculpture, to capture the moment just before they were executed. They sit in solemn contemplate, one of them comforting the other. Above their heads are a choir of angels made by sculptor Vicenç Navarro . One of the angels leans down, to crown their heads with a laurel wreath, the symbol of victors. The difference between the more realistic look of the heroes and the art nouveau style of the angels, with curved lines and exaggerated features, easily conveys the difference between the earthly and heavenly plane.

Carrer de Sant Sever

The Carrer de Sant Sever is one of my favourite streets in the Gothic Quarter. The alley is super narrow, and the buildings on either side seem to almost lean in towards one and other, making the street extremely dark and moody. Which let’s face it, just adds to the wonderful “gothic” feeling of the neighbourhood.

Plaça de Sant Felip Neri

Continue down the Carrer de Sant Sever and turn up the small side street Carrer de Sant Felip Neri. This leads you towards the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri . Walking into this small, quiet square, the first thing which grabs your eye is the huge stone walls. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice they are covered in holes.

In 1937, bombs were being dropped by fascist troops into this square which resulted in the death of 42 people, 20 of whom were children. The church located in this square had an adjoining school which was an unfortunate victim of these attacks. The holes on the walls still mark this deadly event, left unrepaired so that the event is never forgotten. When I visited, a child and his father ran playfully around the square. There was something both happy and sad about seeing this little scene play out. Happy to see children’s laughter persist here but sad to imagine all those children who lost their lives.

On the northern wall is the old 17th-century baroque church of Felip Neri. Felip (of Philip) Romolo Neri, was the Second Apostle of Rome, after Saint Peter. A statue of Felip Neri in the center niche about the doorway.

Carrer de Salomó ben Adret

Opposite the church is the oldest building in the square, which is from the Renaissance period. This stone building is notable for its two ancient wrought-iron balconies and a stone relief of a lion in the center. This was once the headquarters of the shoemaker guild and now houses the Barcelona shoe museum .

Head back out down the Carrer de Sant Sever and turn down this tiny, almost hidden alleyway, Carrer de Salomó ben Adret . These little alleyways are one of the best parts of the Gothic quarter. They seem to pop out of nowhere and even when you think they might not lead anywhere they’ll open right up to a huge square.

Bistrot Levante

The Bistrot Levante is located inside one of these tucked away squares and is the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy an afternoon lunch. Their modern approach to Lebanese food might seem like an odd choice for visiting Spain but trust me, this place is wonderful! 

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Pont del Bisbe

Head back out onto the Carrer de Sant Sever turning east onto the Carrer del Bisbe. As soon as you turn the corner, your eyes will be met with the sight of this fantastical gothic bridge which adjoins the two buildings on either side of this narrow street. This is known as the Pont del Bisbe or Bishop’s Bridge . It was created in the 1920s to connect the Parliament buildings to the presidential residence. But it was named after the Bishop of Barcelona who instigated its constitution as a means of escape from the parliament buildings should there be a political coup.

The intricate patterns of stonework beneath the arches make the bridge look like a delicate piece of lace. Passing under the bridge you get the strange feeling of being watched as the eyes of the various gargoyles, which jut out from the bridge, look down on you. The bridge was designed by Joan Rubió i Bellver , the apprentice to Antoni Gaudí! Today this is one of the most popular places to get your picture taken in the Gothic quarter, despite the bridge being a product of the 20th century. When you walk under the bridge make sure to make a wish as is the popular tradition!

Statue of Saint Jordi

After getting your photos and walking under the bridge, take a few steps forward and look up at the wall to your right. Along the top of this facade is a gothic medallion and in the centre a small statue of Saint Jordi. This was made in the 15th century by Catalan sculptor Pere Johan. The legend of Saint Jordi in Catalonia goes a valiant knight went to rescue a princess from a ruthless dragon. When he plunged his sword into this belly, a rose bush grew from the dragon’s spilt blood.

Saint Jordi then plucked a rose from the bush to give to the princess to further win her heart. In Barcelona, every year on April 23rd they celebrate Saint Jordi day, which for them is the holiday of love, similar to the North American Valentine’s day. On that day lovers exchange roses and books to show their love for one an another just like Saint Jordi did for the princess

Cases dels Canonges

Instead of walking to the end of the street, turn back around to walk down the Carrer de la Pietat . This small street takes you behind the great Cathedral of Barcelona and along the Cases dels Canonges , or House of the Canon . This 14th-century group of buildings was transformed into the residence of the President of Catalonia in the 20th century. Because the building was once multiples residences, you’ll see a myriad of architectural designs along the facade, from Renaissance, to Gothic and even a touch of Baroque.

The main facade you’ll see as you turn the corner on the Carrer de la Pietat is the Renaissance facade with its tromp d’oeil patterns which were made with stucco to give the appearance of three-dimensional stones. On the second floor facade, you can see these beautiful stucco paintings of Grecian of women carrying baskets of flowers on their heads. No doubt in a wealthier home these would be carvings set into niches, but here you get the same effect at a fraction of the cost! How frugal the owner must have been.

As you round the corner along this small side street, look at the church doors on the corner. This side entrance is no longer frequented but has still been given beautiful adornment. Above the huge archway is powerful portal depicting the Pietat; mother Mary holding her dying son in her arms after taking him down off the cross. The moving carving was so important that it is what gives the street its name.

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As you round the corner you’ll be able to see, in this tiny courtyard, the entrance of the of Cases dels Canonges. Above each of the windows on this side are stone carvings of medieval heraldic symbols from the 15th and 16th centuries. This building is now used as the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Temple of Augustus

Keep straight and walk down the small Career del Paradis. This secretive, almost too narrow alley, leads you straight to the Temple of Augustus . This unassuming building is marked only with a dull piece of signage on the outside but head straight into the inner courtyard to find an impressive discovery! This medieval building, with its mint green walls, holds within it four incredible Corinthian columns. These columns are the last remaining piece of Barcelona’s Roman history. The Roman temple which once stood here was dedicated to Emperor Caesar Augustus, giving the remains the name, Temple of Augustus .

Craft Barcelona

This tucked-away alley is another great place to get something to eat. Craft Barcelona is a wonderfully hip and charming hidden gem. They have some of the best tapas, service and, unique for Barcelona, they specialize in craft beers from all over Spain! (But you can still get a killer sangria and cava here as well)

Plaça de Sant Jaume

Just opposite the tiny street of Carrer del Paradis is the grade square called Plaça de Sant Jaume . This huge, black bricked square is surrounded on all sides by various important historical buildings. They call this square the “political beating heart of the city”. It’s here that the city’s government has been run for centuries. Even during Roman times, Placa de Sant Jaume was the meeting point of two of their largest junctions, meaning it served as the major meeting point in Barcelona. The square was named after the old Church of Sant Jaume, which stood here since the 14th century but was demolished in 1823. Even so, the square keeps its name in her honour.

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Palau de la Generalitat

Today, the square is where you’ll find the Parliament of Catalonia or the Palau de la Generalitat . This is one of the few medieval buildings to remain in the gothic quarter. The Palace was built in 1283 to hold the Catalan Assembly and was the first parliament building in Europe! Here, just as hundreds of years before, is where the seat of government sits. Above the large, archways into the buildings, is a statue of St. Geroge slaying the dragon. Inside, is a chapel also dedicated to the saint. The chapel’s exterior runs alongside the Carrer del Bisbe, where we saw the Saint Jordi sculpture near the Bridge.

It’s a real shame the building isn’t open to tourists as the interior features some incredible gothic architecture and a Renaissance courtyard with beautiful orange trees and other native Catalan plants.

Barcelona City Hall

Opposite the Palau de la Generalitat is the grandiose Casa de la Ciutat, of Barcelona City Hall. It features a rather austere neoclassical facade but inside is replete with gothic architecture exemplifying Catalan national pride. On either side of the archway entrance are the statues of King Jaume I, who founded the original city council, and Joan Fiveller, a significant member of the council who advised the king.

You can walk inside, where you’ll find the Barcelona Tourism office, to get a peek at some of this amazing old architecture. You’ll enter into the great Gothic staircase with sculptures from Gargallo, Llimona, Navarro, Subirachs, Marès, Miró and Clarà dotting the interior. It’s pretty amazing to find artist work of this calibre just out in public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

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Plaça de Sant Just

Opposite city hall walk north along the Carrer d’Hèrcules towards the Plaça de Sant Just . This quiet square is home of the Basílica dels Sants Màrtirs Just i Pastor. The alleyway leading you into this square feels so narrow that when it opens up it’s like taking a breath of fresh air. I think it’s amazing when architecture can give you a feeling like that.

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Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor

Standing guard over the square is the great Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor . Look up the portal above the central doorway. Two tiny angels kneel in prayer on either side of the Virgin Mary who sits on her throne between them. The 14th-century church is rumoured to be even older, and perhaps built up from an older church as far back as the 4th century! This would make it the oldest church in Barcelona, but alas historians are still squabbling on the details. It’s a shame the church is usually closed as the interior houses some of the most fantastical chapel carvings and stained glass! So if the doors happen to be open, don’t miss the opportunity! 

Font de San Just

There is a small water fountain in the corner of the square which looks pretty unassuming to take a closer look. At the bottom of the fountain are three carved heads with their mouths open. In between the carvings are water faucets. Although the faucets and the carvings are new, the source of the water is the oldest in the city. Giving credence to the thought that the church here might date back to the founding of the city since important buildings are often situated near water sources.

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Plaça del Rei

Continuing back towards the starting point of the tour, walking along the sidestreets of Carrer de la Dagueria to the Carrer del Verguer, which leads into the  Plaça del Rei . This square is surrounded on all sides by some of the most authentically gothic and medieval buildings of Barcelona. Their overwhelming presence is one of the reasons this part of the city gets the name “Gothic Quarter”. 

The wide, regal steps lead up towards the  Palau Reial Major,  or old Royal Palace.  Rei,  means King in Spanish, as this was the courtyard of the King. The palace was the main residence of Catalan Kings and Queen from the 13th to 15th centuries but was used as a non-royal residence as far back as the 11th century. Because the building is so old, you can make out old Visigothic and Romanesque features although the dominant style is that of the high gothic. Standing guard above the square is a rectangular tower, complete with a multitude of arched windows. This was King Martin’s Watchtower, built in the 15th century.

Palau del Lloctinent

The building opposite the palace is the  Palau del Lloctinent , or Lieutenant’s Palace. This 16th-century construction hides inside it one of the most heavenly gardens. Set against a sea of golden yellow stucco, you’ll find an old renaissance courtyard covered in green ivy flourishing plants. Today, this building houses the  Archive of the Crown of Aragon . 

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This is a great place to end the tour. If you want to relax there are dozens of cafes nearby with gorgeous views of the Gothic Quarter to enjoy as you sip your cava. Or if you’re still up for more you can visit the Barcelona History Museum to learn even more about the history of this great city!

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed wandering the beautiful street, learning as much as I could to share with you all! What was your favourite part of the Gothic Quarter or did you find any secrets I didn’t share along the way? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from readers.

Happy Travels Adventurers

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Free Barcelona Gothic Quarter Tour

Come discover the rich history of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter on this free Barcelona tour. This free tour of the Gothic Quarter is hosted by our partners at TravelBar Barcelona. Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter with its winding streets and narrow alleys, filled with shops, bars, restaurants, and historic sights. Witness the city’s world renown liveliness and passion in this cultural labyrinth. Beauty and art are all over the city, but it all started in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic in Catalan and Barrio Gótico in Spanish, is a vibrant neighborhood that truly makes Barcelona like no other city. It is the oldest part of the city with more than 2000 years of history, and is home to many historical sights. The Gothic Quarter Free Tour visits many important architectural structures and sights of historical and cultural significance. At Original Europe Tours, we pride ourselves in offering comprehensive, fun, informative, and quality tours. We are very happy to feature our partners at TravelBar and their popular Free Original Gothic Quarter Tour. So come join us and TravelBar to make the most of your time in Barcelona! The Free Original Gothic Quarter Tour is 2 hours & features: La Rambla Font de Canaletes The Roman Necropolis Basilic of Santa Maria del Pi The Entrance to Barcino and Roman Walls The Cathedral of Barcelona Sant Felip Neri Square El Call (Jewish Quarter) Sant Jaume Square Tribute to “Els Castellers” George Orwell Square Carrer dels Escudellers La Plaça Reial Carrer Ferran Pont del Bisbe Plaça del Rei (Kingdom of Aragon) Plaça Ramón Berenguer Gothic Quarter Barcelona Free Tour Details: Meeting Point: Travel Bar – Carrer de Boqueria, 27

Just off Las Ramblas at Liceu metro station.

Time: Every Day at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 Our tour guides are local experts with a true passion for the history and culture of Barcelona. This is a FREE walking tour, so you decide the price! Tipping is encouraged because love doesn’t pay the bills but the amount is totally up to you! Our guides are always ready to give recommendations for the best food, tapas, drink, fun, and culture for the city they call home.

Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter on a free tour! The Gothic Quarter Barcelona Free Tour is a 2 hour extensive tour on foot which covers Barcelona’s cultural melting pot. Come take a step back in time in Barcelona’s famous Gothic Quarter to relive medieval times or experience its vivacious atmosphere.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain with a historic national identity! The city is rich in the culture of Catalan triumphs and battles, arts, and innovations. Catalan history goes back to pre-Roman times leaving always something new to learn about Barcelona! As well as creating a complex and interesting dynamic of Catalan independence from Spain within the city. Learn more on the Free Original Gothic Quarter Tour.

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Best things to do and see in Barcelona

Barcelona is located in the northeast of Spain and it is the capital of the Catalonian province. It is the second-largest city in the country, coming in behind only Madrid and it is considered to be one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the world because of everything it has to offer, from its vibrant culture and history, reflected in its unique architecture, to its exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. 

There are options available to do your free walking tour in Barcelona in the morning, afternoon and evening with tour guides who are locals. You can also find a variety of different tours that are centered on topics ranging from Anton Gaudí and Modernism, (the avant-garde architect of The Sagrada Familia) and walks through the Gothic Sector of the old town including The Born and Gracía Neighborhoods. Other areas of interest that you should check out when you visit include: The Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Batlló House, Casa Milá-or the Pedrera, (stone-quarry house) The Rambla Avenue, the prominent hill that overlooks the harbor-Montjuic, also the amazing Magic Fountain of Montjuic, the Boqueria Market, The Catalonian Square, the Picasso Museum, the Cathedral, Ciudadela Park, Barcelona’s football stadium-Camp Nou, the Tibidabo-the tallest mountain in the area, the harbor district- the Barceloneta, The Christopher Colombus Monument, The City Aquarium and The Arc de Triomf. Learn more about best things to do in Barcelona, Spain. 

To make sure you get the best experience, you can read the opinions and ratings of other walkers who have already had the chance to do one of the free city tours in Barcelona . As you will see, many of the walkers there often repeat and do other tours of the same city, or do a guruwalk in their next destination, like Valencia, Alicante or Pamplona. Make your reservation for free and enjoy the company of one of our local guides who will help you to get to know the most interesting parts of the Barcelonan culture. 

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Barcelona, a Mediterranean wonderland

Barcelona, a favorite destination for many travellers and it's no surprise - the stylish capital of Catalonia offers world-renowned amazing architecture, Mediterranean climate, sun & beach, a vibrant nightlife, incredible food & tapas bars, delightful cafés, shopping, wonderful public spaces, friendly locals and a great energy & spirit.

Once a small port town, Barcelona grew out from the sea and is teeming with culture & history. The free walking tours recommended by freetour.com are ideal to get the most from your Barcelona visit - join a lovely local guide to learn all about the history of this ancient yet uber modern city. Explore the buzzing La rambla, gaze in awe at modernist & baroque masterpieces & UNESCO world heritage sites by Antoni Gaudi like Sagrada familia, Casa Mila, Casa Battlo & Casa Calvet or view examples of Catalonian Gothic like the beautiful Santa Maria Del Mar.

There are so many things to do in Barcelona but Park Guell is a must-see - a wonderfully quirky, colourful pubic park perfect for spectacular views over Barcelona & chilling-out after perusing the Barri Gotic, discovering trendy cafés & designer shops in Raval & El cort Inglés, browsing la Boqueria market, viewing intriguing art at the Picasso museum or visiting Europe's largest football stadium, the Camp Nou. You are sure to fall in love with Barcelona and no doubt return to beautiful BCN.

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Free Barcelona Walking Tours

There are several types of free walking tours in Barcelona, Spain with most companies employing local guides and offering both a Gothic Quarter as well as a Gaudi/Modernism tour.

But there are also free tours that focus on street art as well as a free bike tour available.

In this post, we will explain your options, and provide schedules, and a calendar. 

In Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, there are many self-guided tours as well as talks at museums and historic sights that truly cost nothing.

It's easy to walk around Barcelona, especially the Gothic Quarter and other older neighborhoods.

However, most people understand the term 'free tours' to be guided walks that operate on a ‘name-your-own-price’ model or what’s usually called a ‘tips-only-basis’.

There is no cost to take a tour. So, technically, these tours are free.

After the tour, you are encouraged to decide how much you thought it was worth or what you could afford, even nothing.

According to reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, past participants seem to leave between €5-€15 per adult.

The tours listed below are run through us. More tours are available in the following sections.

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Here is a calendar with more of the best free walking tours in Barcelona.

Many people are drawn to these tours because they are convenient, affordable, and entertaining.

TIP: If you are planning on purchasing a tourist attraction discount pass, such as the Barcelona Pass , then note that most already include a walking tour of the Old Town and Gothic Quarter for free (not pay-what-you-wish).

These passes also include free tickets to museums as well as hop-on-hop-off bus tickets and boat tours.

Learn more about the different Barcelona tourist passes .

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• Gothic Quarter
• Modernism/Gaudi
• Other Walks
• Things to Do in Barcelona

FREE TOURS GOTHIC QUARTER

Signs on the street that simply say, "Free Tour of Barcelona" are likely referring to this district.

Several companies offer pay-what-you-want walking tours in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). which is arguably the most historic area in the city.

Most companies are local, while a few offer tours here and throughout Europe.

Whether you want to see some of the most notable sites or you’re interested in learning about the significance of major landmarks, these free walking tours serve as an excellent introduction to Barcelona.

During these outings, you can expect to visit some of the following locations:

• Plaça de L'Àngel
• Mirador del Rei Martí
• Plaça Sant Jaume
• Palau de la Generalitat
• Basilica de Santa María del Mar
• Roman Necropolis
• Las Ramblas
• Old Jewish Quarter

If these sites are of interest, consider taking one of these free Gothic Quarter walking tours to learn more about them.

Some tours extend just outside of the quarter and visit sights such as the Arc de Triomf.

Barceno Tours

We like Barceno Tours because they are founded and run by local Barcelonians and are very well-reviewed, with 5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Their Gothic District tour is available daily at 10:30 in English and Spanish, with more offerings for Spanish.

To start the tour, you will find your guide in PLAZA CATALUÑA #4 with a Pink Umbrella.

Book this tour or get more details .

Donkey Tours

Like Barceno, this is a local company with great reviews.

Their Gothic District tour is available daily at 10:00 am, 11:00 am & 15:30 pm in English and Spanish, with more offerings for Spanish.

The tour lasts for 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The meeting point of the tour is Plaça Nova, 1, 08002 Barcelona, Spain .

To find your guide, just look for the yellow umbrellas in Plaça Nova, next to the Barcelona Cathedral.

Other Companies

• Excursions Barcelona
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• Runner Bean Tours

SELF-GUIDED AND AUDIO TOURS

Rick Steves offers an excellent free audio tour you can use anytime you want.

His audio tours are well-produced, easy to follow, and a pleasure to listen to.

The only caveat is that his target audience is Americans, so you might occasionally hear measurements described in Imperial rather than Metric.

Self-Guided Gothic Tour of Barcelona :

This self-guided tour will show you all the main sights of the Mediterranean’s most vivacious city from the Barcelona Cathedral to the Jewish Quarter.

You'll discover some of the most beautiful views and awe-inspiring architecture spanning centuries.

MODERNISM + FREE GAUDI TOURS

Visitors who want to learn about the artistic history of Barcelona will be glad to hear that there are several free walking tours covering this subject.

On these outings, you’ll learn about how architects and artists such as Antoni Gaudi and Pablo Picasso contributed to the artistic movement of modernism.

You will see many of the sights that were inspired by their visions, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

These tours explain the representations of symbolism and help guests to understand the significance of the art and architecture they will see along the way.

Here are a few of the sites you can expect to see on these pay-what-you-wish tours:

• La Sagrada Familia
• Casa Lleó i Morera
• Casa Batlló
• Casa Ametller
• Palau Güell
• Eixample District

Learn about all these locations and see the masterpieces by taking one of the following tours.

Their Gaudí, La Sagrada Familia, and Modernism Tour takes place daily at 10:00 am & 4:00 pm.

The total duration of the tour is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Your tour will start outside the FNAC store at the corner of Bergara Street with Plaza Cataluña.

Your tour guide will wait with a PINK umbrella of Barkeno Tours.

Reservations are required. Book this tour here .

SELF-GUIDED GAUDI TOURS

We offer a self-guided tour covering all of the main Gaudí sites. As they are spread out, we will need to twice jump on the metro system.

If you are planning on paying to enter the Gaudí houses, the monumental zone of the Park Güell, or la Sagrada Família, you should plan and book tickets to avoid the lines.

FREE NIGHTLIFE BARCELONA TOUR

While most Barcelona night tours are paid outings, there is at least one free night tour available which shows guests a side of the city they probably won’t learn about anywhere else.

If you’re interested in learning how sex and drugs came to shape the city you see today, this pay-what-you-wish tour should be quite enlightening!

You can expect to see and discover more about some of the following sites and subjects on this journey:

• Barrio Gótico
• Barrio Chino
• Historic Bars
• Picasso’s favorite brothel
• Famous Thieves

Additional Free Tours in Barcelona

There are a variety of other free walking tours provided in Barcelona, and they cover several different subjects that might be of interest.

Free Spanish Civil War Tour

Note: The tour is currently not taking bookings.

If you’re interested in learning about the history of the Civil War that once destroyed parts of Barcelona, Be Local Tours offers a free tour every Wednesday at 11 a.m. 

The tour takes around 2 hours and the meeting point of the tour is the Center of Plaza Universitat .

Raval Underground Tour

Note: Currently unavailable. The paid version of the tour is active.

Alternatively, you may also want to consider taking their Raval Underground tour to see some of the more interesting locations in a neighborhood filled with history, urban art, skaters, and more.

This 2-hour free walking tour is provided every Tuesday at 15:00 (3 p.m.) and every Friday at 11 a.m.

Secrets of El Born Tour

Note: Booking for this tour is currently unavailable..

Be Local Tours also offers a trip that covers some of the secrets and history behind the El Born neighborhood, including stops at locations like Santa Maria del Mar, Parc de la Ciutadella, Palau de la Música Catalana, and more.

Guests can take this 2-hour tour in both English and Spanish every Sunday at 11 a.m. and every Thursday at 15:00 (3 p.m.).

The meeting point of the tour is Plaza Catalunya – Centre of the square .

FREE BIKE TOUR OF BARCELONA

If you want to ride around the city on a bicycle instead of just walking, this free bike tour is an excellent opportunity to see some of the most notable sites in Barcelona on two wheels.

The only thing you have to pay for is a bike rental, and that’s very affordable at around €10 per person.

This tour is approximately 3 hours long and it’s available every day at 13:00 (1 pm).

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Barcelona Lowdown

Exploring Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter: A Perfect Half-day Itinerary

With over two thousand years of history, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is a labyrinth of narrow streets and striking Gothic architecture that dates back to the Middle Ages and the times of the Roman Empire .

Located between Plaça de Catalunya and the Port Vell Harbour , the Gothic Quarter is the heart of the Old City and is where you will find many of Barcelona’s most historic sights, as well as the City Hall and other civic buildings.

Many of the narrow lanes and alleyways are only accessible on foot, and the Barri Gotic , as it’s called in Catalan, is a perfect area for exploring and wandering at your own pace. The itinerary outlined below visits the Gothic Quarter’s most interesting sights and guides you through some of the most picturesque streets and plazas.

The route is just under five kilometres long and, if you decide to walk it non-stop, would take approximately ninety minutes. However, I recommend taking your time and going inside at least a few of the buildings and museums, turning the route into a perfect half-day itinerary .

As usual, I’ve created a Wikiloc trail , which you can download to your phone . However, GPS coverage is quite poor in the narrow streets and alleyways, so I recommend keeping a copy of the instructions below for reference.

Don’t worry if you go astray. The Gothic Quarter is quite small; if you keep walking, you’ll soon find somewhere you recognize. If you aren’t comfortable with the idea and think you might get lost, I recommend this Gothic Quarter Walking Tour , which visits many of the sights mentioned in this post.

A Brief History of the Gothic Quarter

Self-guided walking tour of barcelona’s gothic quarter.

• Barcelona Gothic Quarter map

Where to stay in the Gothic Quarter

Sightseeing passes and tickets.

• Tours of the Gothic Quarter

Barcelona was first settled around four thousand years ago in the Neolithic period . The city as we know it today evolved from a Roman settlement called Barcino , which was founded in the first century BC and formed the nucleus of what is now the Gothic Quarter , centred on Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Although less important than Tarraco , the settlement quickly grew into a prosperous Roman city , complete with a forum, bathhouses, palaces, defensive walls and a grand temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus. This map shows Barcino superimposed on a modern map of Barcelona and clearly illustrates how the streets of the Gothic Quarter correspond with the streets of the Roman city.

In 415 AD, after the decline of the Roman Empire, Barcelona was taken over by the Visigoths and remained under their rule for three centuries. The Visigoths, who controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula and part of France, converted Barcino, which they renamed Barcinona , into their capital city due to its central location and strong defensive walls.

Visigoth rule ended in 755, after the Moorish invasion from the south when Barcelona came under the control of the Emirate of Cordoba . Muslim rule was relatively short-lived, and in 801, Barcelona became part of the Carolingian Empire after being taken by Louis I, son of Charles the Great.

Under Frankish rule, Barcelona became part of the Spanish March , a militarized buffer zone which separated the Moorish kingdom of Al Andalus from the Christian territories to the north. The Spanish March was divided into counties, each of which was governed by a count.

During the two centuries which followed, Barcelona repeatedly came under attack until, in 985, the city was razed to the ground. After this attack, Barcelona broke away from the crumbling Carolingian Empire. The Roman walls were further strengthened by adding three castles: Castell Nou, Castell Regomir and Castell Vell.

Today, all that remains of the castles is a small window above the storefront of the Sombrerería Obach hat shop.

During the eleventh century, Barcelona became more powerful and began annexing neighbouring counties, including Girona, Ausona, Cerdenya and Besalú . In 1150, Ramon Berenguer IV , Count of Barcelona, married Petronila de Aragon , uniting the Kingdom of Aragon with the County of Barcelona to form the Crown of Aragon .

During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Crown of Aragon began establishing trade routes and expanding across the Mediterranean to control Valencia, Mallorca, Sicily and Sardinia. The population and wealth of Barcelona grew and the city spread outside the original Roman walls. New medieval walls were built, the first surrounding what is now the Gothic Quarter, La Ribera and El Born neighbourhoods, and the second surrounding El Raval.

You can find out more about Barcelona’s neighbourhoods in this post >>

Many of Barcelona’s most emblematic Gothic buildings were built during this period, including Barcelona Cathedral, the Royal Palace, the Saló del Tinell, the Chapel of Santa Agata, the Royal Shipyards, the Palau de La Generalitat, the Basilica de Sant Just and the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar .

In 1469, Ferdinand II of Aragon married Isabella I of Castile , uniting the Crown of Aragon with the Kingdom of Castile .

In 1492, their combined armies finally defeated the Granada Emirate , marking the end of the Reconquista of Spain from Muslim control. The “discovery” and colonisation of the Americas reduced the importance of the Mediterranean trade routes, and the Catholic Monarchs transferred their administrative capital to Madrid.

The unification of the Spanish kingdoms and the wealth generated by their new colonies ultimately led to the War of the Spanish Succession when the Catalans sided with the Austrian Habsburgs against Philip V . The war ended in 1714 and resulted in the implantation of Nueva Planta decrees, the loss of Catalan autonomy, and the razing of part of the La Ribera neighbourhood to make way for a large Citadel , which was built to subjugate Barcelona.

During the nineteenth century, thanks to the Industrial Revolution , Barcelona was prospering again and began to expand outside the medieval city walls. This expansion had two major impacts on the old city centre.

Firstly, the medieval walls were torn down. The old city was overcrowded, and most of the medieval buildings had been divided into tiny apartments. By tearing down the walls, city planners intended to open up the old city, making it a healthier and more pleasant place to live and, at the same time, connecting it with the newer part of the city, the so-called l’Eixample district.

The second major transformation which took place was the construction of Via Laietana , the avenue linking the Eixample to the Port Vell , which runs directly through the middle of the old city.

The construction of Via Laitena involved tearing down a large swathe of buildings, including several emblematic Gothic edifices. Instead of destroying the historic buildings, the local authorities decided to move them and rebuild them in the neighbourhood surrounding the cathedral, which at this time was called the Cathedral Neighbourhood (Catalan: Barri del Catedral).

In the process, the area was given a facelift and many of the older buildings were restored to recapture some of the city’s medieval splendour. Some architectural features of medieval buildings which had been torn down were used to embellish existing buildings. Many of the narrower streets were closed to traffic, and the newly restored neighbourhood was renamed the Gothic Quarter .

As part of the remodelling process, Barcelona Cathedral was given an impressive new Gothic façade, and several other NeoGothic features, such as the Bishop’s Bridge , were added.

The tour follows a circular route which starts at the Jaume I metro stop, although you could start at any point along the way.

1. Plaça de l’Angel

Exiting the metro station, you’ll find yourself in a small square surrounded by majestic old buildings. On one side of the square, you can see Via Laietana . Running parallel to it, you’ll find the remains of the old Roman Wall , which runs alongside Carrer de la Tapinera .

To begin the tour, we walk along Baixada de la Llibreteria and take a right onto Carrer del Veguer after about 50 metres. This leads us to our first stop; Plaça del Rei .

2. Plaça del Rei & the Barcelona History Museum

As I mentioned earlier, during the Middle Ages, Barcelona was the capital of the Crown of Aragon , and Plaça del Rei was the courtyard of the Royal Palace.

The square is flanked on three sides by el Palau Reial Major, el Palau del Lloctinent and the Capilla de Santa Agata, which have been restored and converted into MUHBA Plaça del Rei , the Barcelona History Museum.

I decided to start the tour here because I think the museum is a good introduction to the history of the Gothic Quarter .

Tickets to MUHBA Plaça del Rei also include entry to the other MUHBA sites we visit later in the tour.

3. Temple of Augustus

After visiting the museum we continue along Baixada de Santa Clara towards the Temple of Augustus .

After a few metres, we come to Carrer de la Pietat and Barcelona’s impressive Gothic Cathedral , which dates back to the twelfth century. We’ll visit the cathedral later in the tour, so for now; we spend a few moments here looking up at the gargoyles before turning left along Carrer del Paradis .

All that remains of Barcelona’s Roman temple are four Corinthian columns hidden inside a small Gothic building belonging to the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya . A small plaque outside the building indicates that it is located on the peak of Mt Taber, which, at 16.9m high, was the highest point of the Roman city of Barcino.

There’s more information about the Temple of Augustus in this post .

After admiring the Roman columns, we continue along Carrer del Paradis to Plaça Sant Jaume .

4. Plaça de Sant Jaume

Plaça Sant Jaume has been the political centre of Barcelona since the time of the Roman Empire when it was the site of the Forum .

Barcelona City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya stand on either side of the square. At the weekend, you’ll often see small groups of people with banners protesting their cause directly outside the Town Hall or parliament building.

In addition to its political importance, Plaça de Sant Jaume also hosts celebrations such as La diada , El dia de Sant Jordí, and La Mercè, to name just a few.

5. Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya

The Generalitat de Catalunya is the regional government of Catalonia. Its origins can be traced back to the thirteenth-century Catalan Courts .

The Palau de la Generalitat building dates back to the fourteenth century, although the Reneisançe style main façade was built during the sixteenth century. The building’s original Gothic façade, complete with gargoyles, can still be seen along Carrer del Bisbe .

6. Barcelona City Hall

On the opposite side of Plaça de Sant Jaume stands Barcelona City Hall, a fourteenth-century Gothic building with a nineteenth-century neoclassical façade.

As with the Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona city council can trace its origins back to the Middle Ages and the so-called Concell de Cent , which was established during the thirteenth century.

The building opens its doors to the public each Sunday from 10:00 until 13:00 (free entry), or you can take a virtual tour here .

More information in my guide to visiting Barcelona City Hall>>

From here, we continue along Carrre de l’Arlet , which runs along the left-hand side of the city hall building. We then take the first left, along Carrer d’Hèrcules , to Plaçeta de Sant Just .

7. Basílica dels Sants Màrtirs Sant Just i Pastor

The Basilica dels Sants Màrtirs Sant Just i Pastor is one of the oldest churches in Barcelona and dates back to the fourteenth century.

The Gothic-styled church is open to the public from 10 a.m. and, although there is not much to look at from the outside, it’s worth checking out the interior and climbing the bell tower, which gives good views of the Gothic Quarter.

8. Font de Sant Just

Outside the basilica, on the other side of the small plaza, stands the Font de Sant Just , one of three medieval fountains in the Old City.

The fountain was built in 1367 when Joan Fiveller, a member of the Concell de Cent , built the infrastructure to channel water from a spring in the mountains outside Barcelona.

9. Plaça dels Traginers

Passing to the left of the fountain, we continue along Carrer del Lledo to the Baixada de Viladecols and the Plaça dels Traginers, where you’ll find another section of the Roman wall, including part of one of the original defensive towers.

From here, we turn right and follow Carrer del Correu Vell two blocks before turning left on Carrer de Regomir, which we follow until the intersection with the ironically named Carrer Ample , where we turn right. Literally translated, Carrer Ample means “wide street” in Catalan.

10. Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum

At the intersection of Carre de Regomir and Carrer Ample , we find Palau Mornau , a sixteenth-century palace which currently houses the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum .

The museum, which is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, explores the history of cannabis and its use in medicine, industry and popular culture. The building features an impressive Modernista interior and is well worth visiting if you have the time.

Check prices here >>

After visiting the museum, we continue southwest along Carrer Ample for two blocks until we come to the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy .

11. Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy

The Basilica of La Mercè is an eighteenth-century Baroque-style basilica dedicated to La Mare de Déu de la Mercè , one of Barcelona’s two patron saints. The current church was built on the site of a Gothic church built in the fourteenth century.

Unlike the plain exterior, the church’s interior is elaborately decorated, and it’s worth spending a few minutes here and looking inside. The painted wooden carving of La Mercè above the altar dates back to the fourteenth century.

On the other side of the plaza, in front of the basilica, there’s a fountain with a statue of Neptune . Standing next to the fountain, you get a good view of the basilica, including the large bronze statue which crowns the dome above the altar.

There’s more information about the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy here >>

12. Plaça de George Orwell

Next, we retrace our steps along Carrer Ample for one block to Carrer de la Carrabasa, which we follow all the way to Plaça de George Orwell .

If you fancy a break, there are several pavement cafés in the square, although, unless you see somewhere that you really like the look of, I recommend you wait a few minutes until we arrive at Plaça Reial .

Having said that, El Buen Bocado (Carrer dels Escudellers, 58) serves the best falafels in Barcelona and Vegetalia (Carrer dels Escudellers, 54) is one of the restaurants which I included in my Vegetarian’s guide to Barcelona .

13. Plaça Reial

After spending a few minutes in Plaça de George Orwell, we continue southwest along Carrer dels Escudellers for about a hundred metres before turning right into Carrer del Vidre , which leads to Plaça Reial.

Plaça Reial is an elegant Neoclassical square dating back to the nineteenth century. In the centre of the square stands a fountain called El Font de les Tres Gràcies , flanked by a pair of unusual cast iron street lamps designed by Antoni Gaudí .

The square is a hive of activity at almost any time of day and is a perfect place to stop for a coffee or a beer at one of the many pavement cafés.

14. Església de Sant Jaume

After a short break at Plaça Reial , we continue along Passatge Madoz under the arches to Carrer de Ferran , where we turn right.

Continuing along Carrer de Ferran for about a hundred metres, we come to the Church of Saint James (Catalan: Església de Sant Jaume), which is a small fourteenth-century church that was built on the site of a synagogue which, along with many of the buildings in Barcelona’s medieval Jewish quarter , was torn down after the violent pogroms of 1391.

Although the church was built in the fourteenth century, most of the building’s Gothic façade dates back to the nineteenth century when the church was remodelled. Inside the church, there’s an impressive carved altarpiece that once belonged to Barcelona Cathedral .

After visiting the church, we continued along Carrer de Ferran to Carrer d’Avinyo , the narrow street which inspired the painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso . Here, we turn left and enter the narrow streets of El Call .

After a few metres, we come to an old-fashioned hat shop called Sombrerería Obach, where we turn right into Carrer del Call . As I mentioned earlier, on the first floor of the hat shop, there’s a small stone window, which is all that remains of the three castles which were built after Barcelona was attacked in 985 AD.

15. Shlomo Ben Adret Synagogue

After passing the hat shop, we turn left along Carrer de l’Arc de Sant Ramon del Call . A few metres later, we turn right into Carrer de Marlet, one of the narrowest streets in the Gothic Quarter.

On the left-hand side is the entrance to the Shlomo Ben Adret Synagogue , which dates back to the third or fourth century and is one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. The synagogue contains a small museum and is open to the public from Sunday to Friday.

After visiting the synagogue, we turn left along Carrer de Salomó Ben Adret . A few metres later, we come to a tiny plaza called Plaçeta de Manuel Ribé and the MUHBA El Call museum.

16. MUHBA El Call

The MUHBA El Call museum is a small museum which recounts the history of Barcelona’s Jewish community. The museum, which is housed in a historic medieval building, contains a collection of ceramics and other archaeological remains.

The museum is very small and only takes about fifteen minutes to visit. Entrance is included with the ticket to the Barcelona History Museum , which we visited earlier.

17. Plaça del Pi & Santa Maria del Pi

From the MUHBA El Call museum, we turn left and retrace our steps along Carrer de l’Arc de San Ramon del Call back to Carrer del Call, where we turn right.

After passing the hat shop, we walk two blocks along Carrer de la Boqueria before turning right onto Carrer d’Alsina . After a few metres, we come to a small plaza called la Plaçeta del Pi and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi , a Gothic church which dates back to the fourteenth century.

The church is flanked by three small plazas, which used to be graveyards: la Plaçeta del Pi , Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol and Plaça del Pi .

On weekends, Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol hosts a colourful artists market, where local artists set up stalls and sell their paintings. Plaça del Pi has another small open-air market selling locally produced cheese, honey and deli items.

As you walk around the basilica, you’ll notice the words Plaça del Miliciá Desconegut daubed on the walls of the church. This is the oldest piece of graffiti in Barcelona and dates from 1937. There’s more information in this post .

If you have time, it’s worth going inside the church, although much of the original interior decoration was destroyed by fire in 1936 and has been replaced. The bell tower is open to the public and affords great views of the Gothic Quarter .

18. Petrixol Street

From the Plaça del Pi, we head down Carrer de Petrixol , also known as Chocolate Street , thanks to the number of restaurants specialising in hot chocolate (Catalan: xocolata desfeta) located here. It goes without saying that this is an ideal place to take a break and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate accompanied by a plate of sugary churros.

The longest-established xocolaterias are Granja la Pallaresa (Carrer de Petrixol, 11) and Granja Dulcinea (Carrer de Petrixol, 2), both of which are very popular with the locals.

19. Roman burial ground

After satisfying our chocolate cravings, we continue along Carrer de Petrixol and turn right onto Carrer de la Portaferrissa . Almost immediately, we turn left onto Carrer d’En Bot, which leads to Plaça de la Vila de Madrid .

In the middle of the plaza is the MUHBA Via Sepulcral Romana , an ancient Roman burial ground where stone tombs were uncovered in the 1940s. A small museum here explains the site’s history and is included in the ticket for the MUHBA Plaça del Rei that we visited earlier.

20. Plaça de Josep Oriol

From here, we continue along Carrer de Francesc Pujols to Carrer del Duc where we turn left, then right onto Carrer del Pi , which takes us back to Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol , one of the three plazas beside the Basilica del Pi .

21. Baixada de Santa Eulalia

We follow Carrer de l’Ave Maria from the plaza to the intersection with Carrer dels Banys Nous , where we turn left. After turning left, we come to a narrow alley called La Baixada de Santa Eualalia .

On the right-hand side of the alleyway, just above head height, there’s a small shrine dedicated to Santa Eulalia, one of Barcelona’s co-patron saints, who was supposedly pushed down the alleyway in a barrel.

22. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri

After about a hundred metres, La Baixada de Santa Eulalia changes into Carrer de Sant Sever , and we turn left into Carrer de Sant Felip Neri , which leads us to the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri , one of the most picturesque squares in Barcelona .

The square takes its name from the church of Sant Felip Neri , a tiny Baroque-style catholic church dating back to the eighteenth century. The church’s pockmarked façade is a sombre reminder of the Spanish Civil War , when two bombs exploded in the square, killing 42 people, mostly children, who were sheltering inside the church.

23. Bishop’s Bridge

After taking a few photos, we continue along Carrer de Montjuïc del Bisbe past the church of Sant Sever to Carrer del Bisbe, which runs between Barcelona Cathedral and the Palau de la Generalitat .

Where the lanes meet, there’s a tiny plaza with a monument dedicated to five Barcelona residents who were executed during the Peninsula War , when French troops occupied Barcelona during the nineteenth century.

To our right, we get an excellent view of the Bishop’s Bridge , the small neo-gothic enhancement added during the Gothic Quarter’s facelift, which I mentioned earlier in this post. The buildings on either side of the bridge date back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and are genuine Gothic.

24. Casa de l’Ardiaca & Plaça Nova

From here, we continue northeast along Carre del Bisbe to Plaça Nova , the large square in front of Barcelona Cathedral .

Just before we enter the square, we come to the Casa de l’Ardiaca , which dates back to the twelfth century. This unusual Gothic building used to belong to Barcelona Cathedral but now houses the city archives and can be visited free of charge from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Over the centuries, the building has been added to and remodelled several times, and it’s worth looking inside to check out the courtyard.

From here, we pass between two large stone towers, which are part of the Roman walls. Beside the towers, embedded in the walls of the Casa de l’Ardiaca, there’s a replica of a section of the Roman aqueduct which used to bring water to the city.

25. Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona’s stunning Gothic cathedral, el Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia , dates back to the thirteenth century and was built on the site of an earlier Romanesque cathedral, which in turn replaced an earlier cathedral, believed to have been built during the fourth century.

Like most great European cathedrals, Barcelona Cathedral was built in several stages and took over a century to complete. Construction started in 1298, and the original façade and the cloisters were finished in 1448. As mentioned earlier, the ornate Neo-Gothic façade was added much later and completed in 1913.

Although it is possible to visit part of the nave free of charge by pretending that you are there to pray, I recommend you purchase a ticket which gives access to the rest of the Cathedral, including the crypt, the roof terraces, the choir and the cloisters.

There’s more information about visiting Barcelona Cathedral in this post .

26. Plaça de Ramon Berenguer

After visiting the cathedral, we continue along Carrer de la Tapineria to Plaça de Berenguer el Gran, where we can see a section of Barcelona’s original Roman walls and an equestrian statue of Ramon Berenguer III , one of the counts who governed Barcelona during the middle ages.

The plaza is a few metres from the Jaume I metro station and marks the end of our self-guided walking tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.

Map of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

I’ve marked the places visited on the map below. When following the walking tour, I recommend you install the Wikiloc app on your phone and download the trail here .

Pl. de Ramon Berenguer el Gran, Barcelona, España

Pla de la Seu, s/n, Barcelona

Plaça Nova, 08002 Barcelona, España

Carrer del Bisbe, Barcelona

Pl. de Garriga i Bachs, Barcelona

Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, Barcelona

Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, Barcelona

Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol, Barcelona

Pl. de la Vila de Madrid, Barcelona

Carrer de Petritxol, Barcelona

Plaça del Pi, 7, Barcelona

Placeta de Manuel Ribé, 3, Barcelona

Carrer de Marlet, 5, Barcelona

Carrer de Ferran, 28, Barcelona

Plaça Reial, Barcelona

Carrer de n’Arai, 9999, Barcelona

Carrer de la Mercè, 1, Barcelona

Carrer Ample, 35, Barcelona

Plaça dels Traginers, Barcelona

Plaça de Sant Just, Barcelona

Plaça de Sant Jaume, 1, Barcelona

Carrer del Paradís, 10, Barcelona

Plaça del Rei, s/n, Barcelona

Pl. del Rei, s/n, Barcelona

Plaça de l’Àngel, Barcelona

The Gotic Quarter is a popular area and is conveniently located close to many of Barcelona’s top sights. There are plenty of hotels in the area to suit all budgets.

I recommend staying between the cathedral and Plaça de Catalunya . This area has several good-value hotels, including Hotel Barcelona Catedral , a comfortable, four-star hotel with a rooftop pool.

For more information about where to stay in Barcelona , check out my in-depth Barcelona neighbourhood guide .

Most of the museums mentioned in this post are covered by the Barcelona Card , the official Barcelona sightseeing card issued by the Barcelona Tourist Office .

In addition to access to many of Barcelona’s top attractions and tours, the Barcelona Card also includes unlimited travel by public transport, including the airport metro.

By purchasing the Barcelona Card online from the official Tourist Office website, you can benefit from an extra 10% discount and can pick up your card at the airport on arrival.

More information here >>

Tours of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

If you want to learn as much as possible about the history of the Gothic Quarter, I recommend you book one of the walking tours operated by the Barcelona Tourist Office .

The tours last two hours, and visit many of the sites mentioned in this post. The fully licensed guides speak fluent English, are well-versed in Barcelona’s history, and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Barcelona Card holders get a 50% discount on the tour price. More information here >>

As always, if you’ve any questions or think I’ve missed anything, please leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Explore the enchanting medieval part of Barcelona while learning about the history, legends and traditions of the city. Enter its narrow streets and charming squares on this Free walking Tour of the Gothic Quarter .

If there is one name associated to Barcelona, that is Antoni Gaudí . On this Free Tour we talk about the man and his vision while admiring four of his masterpieces. Sagrada Familia is the grand finale.

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