Using a free Gothic Quarter walking tour to explore the fascinating history, local culture, and cuisine of Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic
One of my insider travel tips when visiting a big city like Paris, Amsterdam or Barcelona is to use Google. Then, in Barcelona, search for “Barcelona Free Gothic Quarter Walking Tour.” The tours are usually small, anywhere from 5-15 people. And they last anywhere from 90-minutes to three hours. Knowledgeable guides lead the tours. They make their money on voluntary tips based on providing an excellent experience.
The free Gothic Quarter walking tour of the Barri Gòtic of Barcelona gave me insights that I would never have discovered myself. Thus, the two-hour tour was worth the large tip that I gave my guide. Before heading to Tibidabo, let’s explore the hidden neighborhood of Barri Gotic.
I stumbled upon my tour guide from Hidden City Tours on arrival at Placa De Catalunya. The guide had his Free Walking Tour labeled umbrella. And a small group of 6 tourists ready to share travel tips. We started down La Rambla. Our guide confided in us his fears based on memories of that fateful August 2017 day when a terrorist drove a van down the famous street, killing 13 people and injuring dozens. Our guide was leading a tour at that time, saw the truck mowing down tourists, and lives with that memory. Despite that attack, let me assure you that we have never felt safer or protected in such a big city. Don’t let that one attack stop you from enjoying a great city.
Exploring the the Barri Gòtic
Once our tour guide took us beyond La Rambla and into the Gothic Quarter, we met a maze of narrow streets. The Romans established the settlement of Barcino, from which Barcelona derives its name, in the Barri Gòtic.
Not far from La Rambla are the remains of a Roman necropolis or cemetery, whose 2nd- and 3rd-century tombs were recently excavated.
While strolling through its medieval alleyways, you can easily imagine they were often a source of inspiration to the artists Picasso and Miró.
Picasso designed a mural in Barcelona’s Placa Nova. Across the Plaça de la Seu and opposite Barcelona’s Cathedral, Picasso’s frieze is on top of the modern College d’Arquitectes building.
Exploring the streets of El Raval and around the Rambla
Our guided tour through the Barri Gòtic of Barcelona led us to Santa Maria Del Pi, great chocolate stores, Placa De Sant Felip Neri, the Jewish Quarter, the Cathedral, Roman Ruins, and Picasso Murals. I will not ruin your experience by going into detail about what each of these stops includes. I will, however, share with you some photos.
A free Gothic Quarter walking tour allowed me to find the Barcelona Cathedral. It is a magnificent Gothic church located in front of Plaça de la Seu, in Barcelona’s charming Gothic Quarter. However, what shines the most is the stunning Gothic façade beautifully decorated with statues, pinnacles, and arches. The cathedral was constructed from the 13th to 15th centuries, with the principal work done in the 14th century.
I enjoy the opportunity to talk to the tour guide one on one as they lead the group. It allows you to ask questions and have a conversation with a local.
I am going to recommend that you consider using the tour guides at Hidden City Tours. They were free a few years ago. But it appears they now charge a per person fee. The company employs unemployed, homeless people as guides. But before you question the quality of the tour, these unemployed, homeless guides receive around 80 hours of training. As a result, they are well-spoken and very knowledgeable.
