Detail of the Gaudí House Museum, located within Park Güell © Martijn Vonk via unsplash

Art & Architecture of Barcelona tours 2026

Our small-group art and architecture tours of Barcelona dive deep into one of Europe's most captivating creative cities. From Gaudí's soaring Sagrada Família to Gothic cathedrals and important contemporary art collections, Barcelona offers an extraordinary journey through centuries of creative vision.

Browse art & architecture tours of Barcelona

Exploring the art & architecture of Barcelona on an escorted tour

Barcelona is synonymous with Antoni Gaudí, whose fantastical modernist creations defines the city's skyline. Our tour celebrating the life and works of Gaudí immerses you in his visionary world - from the undulating façade of Casa Batlló to the organic forms of Park Güell, and of course the breathtaking Sagrada Família.

The city's medieval heart, the Gothic Quarter contains narrow lanes opening onto churches and elegant squares. The Cathedral, with its cloisters and geese, embodies Catalan Gothic at its finest, while the Picasso Museum charts the evolution of the 20th century's most revolutionary artist through his formative Barcelona years.

Beyond the defining landmarks, Barcelona rewards the curious traveller at every turn - from the curves of the Liceu opera house to the jewel-like mosaics of the Palau de la Música Catalana, and the bold rationalist lines of the Fundació Miró.

And because Barcelona's culture is inseparable from its cuisine, we've designed tours that weave together art, architecture and Barcelona's remarkable culinary traditions. From the modernist splendour of the Boqueria market to family-run wine bars and celebrated restaurants, you'll discover how Catalan creativity extends deliciously from canvas and stone to plate and glass.

Art & Architecture highlights of Barcelona

Sagrada Familia

Visit Gaudí’s awe-inspiring masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique towers, facade and use of natural light.

Visited on: 'Celebrating Gaudí'

The National Museum of Catalan Art

The National Museum of Catalan Art, which as well as its famous Romanesque collection, has rooms devoted to art produced during the conflict and after.

Visited on 'Two Spains: The Spanish Civil War and its aftermath'

Palau de la Música

Visit the extraordinary Palau de la Musica, designed by Domènechi Montaner, representing a touchstone of the modernista style in Barcelona.

Visited on: 'Gastronomic Catalonia'

Casa Vicens

Cas Vicens – a riot of colour and tiles. Located in the Gracía neighbourhood of Barcelona, this is considered Gaudí's first major work. Mudéjar, Persian and Japanese inspiration can be seen.

Private early morning visit on 'Celebrating Gaudí'

Barri Gòtic

Explore the most complete surviving Gothic quarter in Europe, including the extraordinary Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar.

Visited on: 'The Medieval Pyrenees'

Salvador Dalí Museum

Drive to Figueres to visit the museum designed by Salvador Dalí that houses a collection of his surrealist works and serves as his burial place.

Visited on: 'Gastronomic Catalonia'

Meet our expert speakers

Mr Gijs van Hensbergen

Art historian and author specialising in Spain and the USA. His books include The Sagrada Familia (2017), Gaudí, In the Kitchens of Castile and Guernica and he has published in the Burlington Magazine and Wall Street Journal. He read languages at Utrecht University and Art History at the Courtauld, and undertook postgraduate studies in American art of the 1960s. He has worked in England, the USA and Spain as exhibitions organiser, TV researcher and critic and is a Fellow of the Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies at the LSE. Twitter: @GvanHensbergen | Website: gijsvanhensbergen.com

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Dr Richard Plant

Architectural historian and lecturer specialising in the Middle Ages with a strong interest in the modern. He studied at Cambridge, followed by the Courtauld, where he obtained his PhD. He was Deputy Academic Director at Christie’s Education and has published on English and German architecture.

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Mr Giles Tremlett

Journalist and historian. Former Madrid correspondent for the Economist and the Guardian, he has lived in Spain for over 20 years. His books include Ghosts of Spain: Travels through Spain and Its Silent Past and Isabella of Castile: Europe’s First Great Queen, for which he won the 2018 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography. His latest book is about the International Brigades.

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Granada & Córdoba with Úbeda and Baeza

Essential Andalucía Spain’s southern province

Granada & Córdoba with Úbeda and Baeza

" A wonderful tour which will give cherished memories for years to come. Great value. Will look forward to another tour with you soon. " Granada & Córdoba - with Úbeda and Baeza

" A lovely week packed with information and sensory overload - so much to take in and so much to think about. " Granada & Córdoba - with Úbeda and Baeza

" Martin Randall Travel tours are educational and memorable. They provide a much appreciated in-depth and focused experience that other tours do not, and that are difficult and too time-consuming to attempt on one's own. It is invaluable to have a subject matter expert travelling with us. " Essential Andalucía - Spain’s southern province

" Philippa Joseph is an outstanding speaker, knowledgeable and enthusiastic as well as a person who listens to questions. She also has such an amazing joie de vivre that it is a pleasure to be with her. " Essential Andalucía - Spain’s southern province

" First rate - it covered everything I had hoped for and more. " Granada & Córdoba - with Úbeda and Baeza

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Why travel with us?

Leading expertise

Since 1988 we have been the most influential organisation in the field of cultural travel. Our expert speakers are a key ingredient in our tours. Academics, curators and researchers, they are selected not only for their knowledge but also for their ability to communicate clearly and engagingly to a lay audience.

Privileged access

Special arrangements are a feature of our tours – for admission to places not generally open to travellers, for access outside public hours, for private concerts and extraordinary events. In innumerable ways, we lift our clients’ experience far above standards which are regarded as normal for tourists.

Small groups

Most of our tours run with between 10 and 24 participants. Our travellers are self-selected by common interests and an endorsement of our ethos, and you are highly likely to find yourself among link-minded companions.

Value for money

The price includes nearly everything, not only the major ingredients such as hotel, the costs of the lecturer and manager but also tips and drinks with meals. You can secure your booking today with a 15% deposit. We provide full financial protection for our package holidays.

Joining a Martin Randall Cultural Tour

Frequently asked questions

Between 10–22 participants can usually join our small group tours, though the upper limit can be lower dependent on the tour.

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Art & Architecture of Barcelona tours 2026

Browse art & architecture tours of Barcelona

Exploring the art & architecture of Barcelona on an escorted tour