For just €3 you can visit the roof of the Cathedral and get amazing views of the city - as well as a good look at the gargoyles.
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is a gorgeous Gothic cathedral in the old centre of the bustling Catalan city; it is also the seat of the Archbishop of Spain. Construction of the Cathedral began at the end of the 13th century during the reign of King James II of Aragon, and took around 150 years to complete, by which time King Alfonso V ruled the kingdom. It was built on the site where two less regal Christian churches had previously stood; a primitive paleo-Christian temple was replaced by a Romanesque Cathedral in 1058, which was in turn replaced with the majestic Gothic structure we see today.
The Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, a young virgin who became a martyr for her faith when she was killed during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The story goes that she was publicly shamed by being forced to go naked in the streets, but that snow miraculously fell to cover her. She was then put in a barrel which was stuck through with knives and rolled down the street, now called Baixade de Santa Eulalia. Her tomb is in the crypt of the Cathedral.
Eulalia is also commemorated in the Font de les Oques, a well in the cloister which houses thirteen white geese - the age at which the saint was allegedly martyred. While the structure and internal decoration of the Cathedral were completed by the 15th century, its neo-Gothic façade was added at the end of the 19th century, covering the rather plain original exterior; the roof was also adorned with an impressive range of gargoyles.
Mass is celebrated daily in the Cathedral and the church remains extremely popular with members of the Catholic community today. Visitors of the Cathedral can marvel at its magnificent Gothic art, Baroque altar, splendid choir and the mysterious sepulchre of St. Eulalia. If you are lucky enough to visit during the feast of Corpus Christi, you may see the Catalan tradition of the Dancing Egg - a hollowed egg suspended dancing on the jet of the cloister’s fountain.
Explore Barcelona's historic and vibrant heart on this family-friendly 2.5-hour private walking tour, including tickets to the Big Fun Museum - great for kids of all ages. Discover the Gothic quarter and Roman Ruins with amazing stories of the past. See some of the city's dazzling architecture by Antonio Gaudi as you explore with your family-friendly private guide.
On your private walking tour, you will:
On this family-friendly tour, you'll be taken on an unforgettable journey through Barcelona's prettiest area, the iconic Gothic Quarter also known as Barri Gòtic. With its charming, winding, cobbled streets, medieval yet vibrant atmosphere, markets, artisanal shops, and amazing Gothic architecture - there are so many things to see and secrets to discover!
From the ruins of the Roman walls and gothic splendour of the cathedrals to the eccentric buildings by Gaudi, colourful mosaic by Miro, and vibrant streets and markets, your family-friendly guide will make the tour really engaging for your children - with quizzes, guessing games, interesting stories, and fun activities.
You'll see all the most iconic sites of the Gothic Quarter, including the Cathedral with its amazing gargoyles on the rooftop and the imposing Placa del Rei. Enjoy wandering along Barcelona's iconic La Rambla - famous for its flower stalls and street food vendors; you'll see the leather and jewellery artisan shops and boutiques, and soak up the fun and buzzy atmosphere of the elegant Plaza Reial with delightful fountains and elegant palm trees.
As you stroll towards La Boqueria, you will also see the legendary Dancing Giants on display. The Dancing Giants are wearable puppets and the traditional dances wearing these massive costumes are a highlight of the parades on Catholic feast days in Barcelona!
At the end of your tour, your guide will leave you with entrance tickets to the amazing Big Fun Museum. Here, you will discover a magical world, like stepping through the Looking Glass and into Wonderland—including an upside-down house!
Discover several incredible panoramic views over the city of Barcelona on this half-day private driving tour around the city's most amazing viewpoints, including a visit to the amazing Glòries Tower skyscraper.
On your private tour, you will:
Discover some of the most astounding panoramic views high above Barcelona, kept secret by the locals, on this fabulous private driving tour to the best viewing points over this stunning city! Your private guide will meet you at your hotel, and whisk you off in search of some of the finest panoramic views, not just of Barcelona but all of Europe!
Enjoy a relaxing and thoroughly scenic drive out of the city centre, while your guide will share lots of fascinating history and stories of Barcelona with you as you head up the hill, towards your first stop: the Carmel Bunkers. Rather than bunkers, this place was used during the Spanish Civil War to store firearms - specifically anti-aircraft weapons.
Afterwards, the area became a shanty town; the residents were rehoused during the Olympic Games in 1992 and today the site is still a well-kept secret by the locals and provides a breathtaking view over Barcelona - with the city and her grand monuments stretched out beneath you.
Next drive to Tibidabo, which at 512 meters it is the highest hill overlooking Barcelona. It rises sharply in the northwest and enjoys panoramic views of both the city and the coastline. Perched on the summit is the astonishingly beautiful Sagrat Cor Church (Sacred Heart), which was begun in 1902 and completed 60 years later. It is a vast neo-gothic church with a massive statue of the sacred heart of Jesus on top: a truly spectacular sight to behold.
Then drive to beautiful Montjuic - the most famous hill in Barcelona, filled with pavillions, temples, palaces, parks, botanical gardens, and other monuments from when Barcelona hosted the World's Fair in 1920. It means Jewish Mountain, named for the medieval Jewish cemetery there, and has glorious views over the city.
For years it was an important defence outpost of the city, with a wooded valley and fort. Today, there are many castles and museums to see and admire on Montjuic, including the Magic Fountain - and of course wonderful views over the city!
Then it's time to drive back into the city where you will be dropped off at the Glòries Tower, your guide will give you your tickets and guide you to the entrance. Then you have free time to head up to the Observation Deck of this grand glass skyscraper - with, yes, some of the greatest views over the city!
Please note:
- This tour runs rain or shine, and on a rainy day, the visibility of the city skyline might be affected. Your guide will be happy to change the stops to offer the best experience.
- Access to the Carmel Bunkers implies a walking part to get to the top of the hill from the parking area.
Explore Barcelona's iconic Ramblas and the historic Gothic Quarter filled with spectacular architecture in Gothic style, including the remains of the Roman-era city walls, many medieval landmarks and Barcelona Cathedral, famous for its statues of gargoyles and other mythic creatures. Uncover the rich history of the gothic centre of Barcelona, which has developed since the Roman period to become the thriving capital of Catalonia that it is today.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
The Gothic Quarter – also known as Barri Gòtic, is the area that stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere and is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It is known as the Gothic Quarter, as it used to be the location of a Roman village and some of the remnants still remain.
You will visit the Jewish Quarter, known as the Call, a collection of streets in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter that was established by a group of Jewish merchants in the 13th century. This section of the area was established because this group of people weren’t welcome anywhere else on the mainland along with everyone else, they built their own space to live, build churches or synagogues and freely practice any religion they wanted in peace.
Your tour will end with entrance tickets and a guided tour of Barcelona Cathedral. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is a gorgeous Gothic cathedral in the old centre of the bustling Catalan city; it is also the seat of the Archbishop of Spain.
Construction of the Cathedral began at the end of the 13th century during the reign of King James II of Aragon and took around 150 years to complete. While the structure and internal decoration of the Cathedral were completed by the 15th century, its neo-Gothic façade was added at the end of the 19th century, covering the rather plain original exterior; the roof (which your tickets give you access to) was also adorned with an impressive range of gargoyles.
Enjoy this masterpiece as the capstone to your highlights tour!
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