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Daily Tours

Barcelona Highlights Walking Tour

5.0(6)BarcelonaFree cancellation

About this activity

Join us on a captivating walk through the Catalan capital and world-class city of Barcelona, where we take an UNBIASED look at both sides of the Spanish political coin: to allow an avenue for Catalan independence versus the preservation of Spanish unity. When demonstrators shout ´Visca Catalunya!´ (Long Live Catalonia!), what lies behind those passionate cries? And how widespread is their support, remembering that Spain is both a former world empire, AND a fractured nation of 44 million people speaking 4 different languages. We’ll consider Catalonia’s annexation by Spain and France in the War of 1714, and its consistent cultural suppression since, most notoriously and recently under the infamous Fascist Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco. We investigate what possible resolutions can emerge from this standoff. Trust our guide to take you on a riveting journey - not only political in scope, but scenic and aesthetic in practice, as we enjoy a city area not saturated by common tourism.

Highlights

    What's included

    • Guide

    Not included

      Itinerary

      1. El Born Center for Culture and Memory

        We begin outside the imposing former Marketplace of El Born which, in recent years, has garnered government funding for the display of Catalan artefacts.

        20 minutesAdmission not includedSee on map

      2. St. Mary of the Sea Cathedral

        Take a breath and enjoy views of the gorgeous local basilica made famous by the bestselling book and subsequent Netflix series "Cathedral of the Sea"

        20 minutesAdmission freeSee on map

      3. Bestriding the Basilica, we find the oft-derided monument to Catalonia's war dead of 1714 and the eternal flame that keeps watch over the symbolic red bricks.

        20 minutesAdmission free

      4. França Railway Station

        Recognize an escape route for exiles to France during the Fascist Uprising in Barcelona.

        30 minutesAdmission freeSee on map

      5. Ciutadella Park

        We see a statue of General Prim, a Catalan military legend that also served in the Spanish Imperial Army, then stop outside the Catalan parliament to discuss the 2017 'illegal' referendum and the ferocious political fallout.

        40 minutesAdmission freeSee on map

      6. Arc de Triomf

        Why is this 'alternative' Arch of Triumph so significant to the story of Catalan identity? It relates to the emergenge of Barcelona as an industrial powerhouse in the 1880s. We climax the tour underneatha figure of the most talked about hero/turncoat/pioneer of the St. Eulalia defence of the besieged city, and speculate on whether his surrender to the Spanish had either a galvanizing or demoralising effect in the cause for Catalan resistance.

        20 minutesAdmission freeSee on map

      Meeting point

      I´ll be right at the door underneath the HUGE Catalan (red and yellow) flag on a wooden pole, can't miss it!

      The map shows Barcelona. The exact meeting point is the address above.Open larger map

      Pickup

      • Pickup, or meet at the start point
      • 504 hotels are served
      • You can request another pickup address
      • The operator contacts you to arrange pickup
      • Pickup begins 10 min before departure

      Drop-off

      • We finish near the hub of the old and new city, where travellers using public transport are served by the L1, L3 and L4 metro lines, 5 minutes away from a registered taxi rank, while also within reach of various bars and cafes for post-tour refreshments.

      Know before you go

      • Service animals allowed
      • Public transportation options are available nearby
      • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
      • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
      • Mobile or paper ticket accepted
      • One per booking

      Cancellation and refunds

      For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

      If you cancelRefund
      At least 1 days before100%
      Between 0 and 1 days before0%
      Supplied by
      Exploring Barcelona Tours
      Product code
      165390P1

      Customer reviews

      5.0 · 6 reviews
      5.0
      6 reviews
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      Ratings from Viator 5.0 (3) · Tripadvisor 5.0 (3)

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      $50$46per person