What to Expect
Taste of Barcelona
For those who appreciate history, the Gothic Quarter in the heart of Barcelona city is the place to be. This 2.5 to 3-hour history and food tour will guide you around the most impressive parts of the neighborhood, including dynamic explanations and visits of 18 to 20 historical sites and points of interest. Along the way, we will also take some time to truly embrace the Spanish and Catalan lifestyle by visiting local taverns and restaurants. At these stops, you will get to try 7 to 8 authentic tapas and refresh yourself with 3 different beverages. With this history walk of the Gothic tour, you are going to create wonderful memories of Barcelona’s sights, tastes and smells that will linger long after your trip is over.
The Gothic neighborhood is one of the most iconic in all of Barcelona, and is well-known for its many cozy, authentic tapas bars; impressive architecture; quaint plazas; and restaurants where you can enjoy truly authentic culinary experiences. Let us show you around this mesmerizing zone and give you a taste and feel of the best bits of Barcelona!
To begin your history and food tour, you will meet your English-speaking historical expert just outside the Hard Rock Café, across from Plaza Catalunya. From there, we will delve into the heart of the Gothic Quarter, exploring the charming medieval streets which are brimming with incredible history. We will stop by the Santa Anna Church and the Via Sepulcral Romana, an ancient cemetery used mainly from the 1st to 3rd-centuries AD.
After appreciating these cultural points of interest, we will then make our way to La Rambla, one of the most visited places in all of Barcelona. We will also visit a local Pastisseria, or pastry shop. Founded in 1906, it is one of the oldest Pastisserias in the city and is still run by the original family, passed down through 4 generations. The building itself is an old Modernist house built in 1820, and used to be an old pasta factory. Everything here is handmade and baked fresh daily, and the artistic touches they add to each one will blow you away. Here we will try a typical Catalan pastry that has an interesting and rather amusing history dating back to the 1920s.
Now that we’ve satisfied our sweet tooth, we are off to Mercat La Boqueria, just off La Rambla. Here you will see where locals come daily to get their hands on the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. Your guide will tell you all about the history of the market, the typical foods you will find there, and some of the most famous stalls to eat, drink and buy souvenirs so that you can return later to enjoy them. As you take in the history, sights and aromas of this bustling market, you will also get to taste some local products from different family-run stalls which have been handed down through the generations.
Once we make our way back out onto the sunny streets of Barcelona, we will head more deeply into the heart of the Gothic Quarter to take in its beautiful architecture and learn more about its rich history. One of the charming historic streets we’ll explore dates back to the 1300s, and is famous for once housing many old chocolate shops where prominent social gatherings with Catalan celebrities would take place.
Our next point of interest will be Santa Maria del Pi, an impressive 15th-Century Gothic church that has withstood the cruel tests of time, including an earthquake, the War of the Spanish Succession, and a tragic fire. As if that isn’t impressive enough on its own, we will then explore the Barcelona Cathedral, one of the most emblematic and beloved images of Barcelona.
To see the city from another perspective, we will also visit the Jewish Quarter, which housed about 4,000 Jews in the 13th-Century and today boasts one of the oldest synagogues in all of Europe, dating back to the 5th-Century. In this area there are also many other hidden gems that we are eager to share with you!
After that, we will go to the Grand Royal Palace, or Palau Reial Major in Catalan. It is an enchanting and historic medieval palace with a rich history that dates back to the 1300s. And to keep with the royal theme, we will also admire the Royal Square, or Plaça Reial in Catalan, which has been a favorite stomping ground for many prominent historical figures.
A cozy, family-run Catalan tavern will be our last stop. At this point on your food and history tour, we will have a fun surprise for you (trust me when I say you will enjoy it immensely). Hint: it involves wine and, of course, incredible food! This location is an absolute must-visit in the Gothic Quarter, and our guests always rave about it! Here the owners make their own wines, and pride themselves on authentic tapas that are simple but packed with amazing flavors and always with the highest-quality ingredients.
All great things must come to an end unfortunately, but your expert guide will give you a list of all the tapas and drinks that you enjoyed on this walking tour so that you can go back and experience them again and again. Additionally, if you need any recommendations as to where to continue your fun for the night or even help planning your next few days, the staff here at Eye On Food Tours will be more than happy to share our favorite places to visit.
Finally, thank you for allowing us show you the real Barcelona!
