Barcelona Uncovered! Gaudí, Football & Mediterranean Adventure

Arrival and walking intro to Barcelona

Upon arrival at Barcelona International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver and transferred by private coach to your hotel. After checking into your pre-booked rooms and taking some time to freshen up, set out on a three-hour guided walking tour. This lively introduction will help you become familiar with Barcelona’s streets, architecture and distinctive atmosphere while discovering some of the stories that have shaped the city. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Gaudí, La Boqueria & Barcelona Football

After breakfast at your hotel, visit the magnificent Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished basilica and one of Barcelona’s most recognisable landmarks. Admire its soaring towers, intricate façades and imaginative interior while learning about the vision behind its remarkable design.

Continue to La Boqueria, Barcelona’s famous covered market, where colourful displays of fruit, vegetables, seafood and traditional delicacies provide a fascinating glimpse into the city’s food culture. Later, discover the history and sporting achievements of FC Barcelona through a visit to the club’s stadium and museum experience. The day concludes with dinner followed by an entertaining ten-pin bowling session with friends.

Following breakfast, begin the day in Ciutadella Park, one of Barcelona’s most attractive green spaces. You will then take part in a two-hour paella cookery workshop, learning how to prepare one of Spain’s best-known dishes before enjoying the results together.

In the afternoon, explore the colourful and imaginative surroundings of Park Güell and visit the Gaudí House Museum. The distinctive mosaics, curved structures and playful designs demonstrate Gaudí’s ability to combine architecture with the natural landscape. Continue to Barcelona’s historic port and board a Las Golondrinas sightseeing boat for a relaxing cruise along the waterfront. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, spend the morning at Barcelona Zoo, home to a wide variety of animals from around the world. The visit offers an opportunity to learn more about wildlife, habitats and the importance of conservation.

Continue to Montjuïc, a prominent hill overlooking the city that is known for its gardens, museums and Olympic heritage. Enjoy a cable-car journey offering impressive panoramic views across Barcelona and its Mediterranean coastline. You will also visit the area surrounding the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc before taking part in an energetic one-hour flamenco lesson. Learn some of the movements, rhythms and expressive techniques associated with this powerful Spanish art form before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Figueres & the Surreal World of Salvador Dalí

After an early breakfast, travel north through Catalonia to Figueres, the birthplace of celebrated artist Salvador Dalí. Visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, an extraordinary attraction designed by the artist himself and filled with paintings, sculptures, installations and imaginative exhibits.

The museum introduces students to Dalí’s unconventional ideas and the fascinating world of Surrealism, encouraging them to look beyond the obvious and consider how creativity can challenge everyday perceptions. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Figueres before returning to Barcelona. The evening concludes with a traditional tapas dinner, allowing the group to sample a selection of small Spanish dishes.

Modernist Architecture, Picasso & Barcelona Shopping

Following breakfast at your hotel, visit Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, this remarkable building is famous for its flowing stone façade, innovative interior spaces and distinctive rooftop chimneys. The visit offers further insight into Gaudí’s creativity and the Modernist movement that transformed Barcelona.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the relaxing surroundings of Ciutadella Park before continuing to the Picasso Museum. Its extensive collection traces Pablo Picasso’s artistic development and highlights his close connection with Barcelona. Afterwards, enjoy some supervised free time to explore the city and shop for souvenirs before gathering for a final dinner at a local restaurant.

After enjoying your final breakfast at the hotel, there may be some leisure time to relax or take a last look around the local area, depending on your flight schedule. You will then check out and board your private coach for the transfer to Barcelona International Airport. Depart with wonderful memories of a journey filled with art, architecture, food, sport, music and Spanish culture.