Welcome to Barcelona City stroll with Old Town, Historic Port and sailboat cruise

Your tour starts next to the famous Boqueria Market, where you’ll meet your guide and go straight to the spot where Barcelona began; the center of the old city. The Ancient Romans established a city here 2,000 years ago and you’ll be surprised by how much of those original structures still exist. Passing huge fragments of the old Roman wall, you’ll step into the Plaza Nova to see a mural by Picasso and the Barcelona Cathedral.

Next, your guide will lead you into the narrow side-streets of the city for a tour of the historic center. Although this is one of the most vibrant and historically-rich parts of the city, many visitors don’t know what to look for when they explore, or which spots are the most important. We’ve carefully crafted a route that showcases the best of this small area, weaving together a rich tapestry of stories from across 2,000 years of history.

Along the way, you’ll follow in the footsteps of a martyr; explore the old Jewish Ghetto; get some architectural history in a square that used to be the favorite of Antoni Gaudí; and even see where Barcelona’s official executioner lived.

Every street, plaza and point of interest on this tour is intimately connected with the story of Barcelona. From its beginnings as a small outpost of the Ancient Roman Empire, through its consolidation as a regional capital, and all the way to the early 20th-century flowering and 1992 Olympics that turned it into the beautiful cosmopolitan city that it is today. Since you’re touring with a local guide, you’ll also get some insight into modern politics, including Catalonia’s quest to gain independence from Spain.

Your final stop is Barcelona’s historic port, where you’ll learn about the city’s ancient connection to the sea, see a modern sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein, and hop aboard an 85-foot sailboat for an hour-long cruise up the coast where you’ll bask in beautiful views of land and sea as you enjoy a complimentary drink.

For travelers visiting Barcelona for the first time, this tour - with its passionate local guide and small group of 15 people or fewer - is the perfect way to familiarize yourself with the city and develop the sort of local knowledge that will set you up for the rest of your stay. There is no easier, or more enjoyable, way to begin your vacation in Barcelona.