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Things to do in Catalonia, Spain: The Best Archaeology Tours
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1. Private Day tour : Tarragona, Spain in times of the Roman Empire
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The tour takes you to one of the oldest cities in Spain where Roman built the capital of the province Hispania. We'll find an impressive amphitheater and we'll visit the circus, which in Roman times was used for popular games and competitions. Later we'll discover the past of the town strolling around the charmy historical district. We'll also lead to the Gotic Cathedral and will visit its magnificient interior. Finally we'll have a nice lunch and stroll on the fishermen district by the old harbour. We'll reach Tarragona by train, which is about 1h15-20 from Barcelona, and will come back also by train.
Inclusions: Train tickets to/from Tarragona are included, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By mhw51689
We had the utter displeasure of having Elisabet Morera (private guide #GT-000840) as our guide during our tour in Barcelona last summer and she was hands down the worst tour guide we have ever used (and we've traveled to over 30 countries and used private guides in each, so we've seen our fair share of private guides!). I've been wanting to leave her a review ever since our terrible experience but I could not find her anywhere (that should have been my first clue of what was to come!). Now I see she is on TripAdvisor and can finally report my dreadful experience with her. I created an account just to leave this review, so that should tell you how bad it was as I feel a responsibility to warn others so that they don't make the same mistake I did. During our tour she was completely dull, boring, distracted, uninteresting, and whenever we asked her to go more in-depth, she just kept things superficial which gave us the impression that she didn't fully know what she was talking about. She was on her phone for most of the tour instead of engaging with us, presumably either because she had to read about what we were about to see next or she was distracted with something else. She sucked out all of our enthusiasm for Barcelona. To add insult to injury, she was quite dismissive of my kids, and that's a BIG no-no. I can't even say she was "nice" because she was quite rude at times and not just with us, but even with the staff at the places we visited (for example, we had invited her to lunch and paid for her, and she was rude to the waitress, who does that??). The only positive is that she was punctual. That's literally it. We even paid for skip the line tickets to Gaudi's Sacred Familia church and STILL had to wait when we got there. Reading her Bio here and seeing that her actual work experience is with an "industrial company" and that she only started guiding after a self-described "midlife crisis" makes TOTAL sense! She's not fit to be a guide. Period. Seriously, get ANY other guide but her in Barcelona and you'll have a better experience than we did!! It's been 7 months now and I still think about how we wasted our money and how she ruined Barcelona for my family (and it was supposed to be the highlight of our vacation in Europe). Ugh!! It would have been better value for money if we had just flushed the several hundreds of euros we paid her down the toilet and toured Barcelona ourselves WITHOUT her!
2. Sagrada Familia Private tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Sagrada Familia is a amazing monument: the great work of Catalan modernism and its greatest exponent, Antonio Gaudí. You will can visit the Basilica with a expert local guide You will receive a personalized treatment
Inclusions: Tickets for Sagrada Familia, Local Guide
Exclusions: Hotel Pick Up, Tips
Reviewed By bearcreek201
Great tour by Antonio, very knowledgeable and informative, fluent in English, and a pleasure to spend the day with. We booked this late and it still worked out great. Thanks
3. Tarragona Hidden Gems (English, Spanish or Catalan)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
On this route, we will see that there really is a Roman city under the Old Town and an enthusiastic and experienced guide will explain the archaeological work carried out for its recovery. We will also walk through nice little streets around the Cathedral, full of interesting stories and curiosities and you will find out some amazing traditions of Tarragona like the impressive human towers. The guide, like any good host, holds the keys to some elegant mansions courtyards in the Old Town and we will surprise you by opening them exclusively for a short visit. And the tour will end up at the breathtaking Mediterranean Balcony, a lookout point offering excellent views of the port, beach, and of course, the Mediterranean Sea.
Inclusions: Guía / Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By KatharinaMuehlbauer
We came to Tarragona in January outside the season. Though we were only 3 people our guide Xavi spontaneously decided to give us a full city tour in English. The Tour took about 2,5h and Xavi gave us very diverse an interesting insights. Through the entire tour you could notice how passionate he is about Tarragona and it’s history. We learned a lot and truly enjoyed this tour! We definitely recommend it to anyone!
4. Tarragona Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
On this route, we will see that there really is a Roman city below the old town and an enthusiastic and experienced guide will explain the archaeological work done for its recovery. We will also walk through beautiful alleys around the Cathedral, full of interesting stories and curiosities, and discover some of the surprising traditions of Tarragona, such as the impressive human towers. And the tour will end on the impressive Mediterranean balcony, a viewpoint that offers excellent views of the port, the beach and, of course, the Mediterranean Sea.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Water, Toll on the way
Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes
5. Costa Brava Full Day Trip from Barcelona
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 57 reviews
On this tour we are going to visit the Girona coast, christened 100 years ago as the Costa Brava. The name is due to its unique rocky, rugged and cut shape coastline, composed of small coves surrounded by pine forests and lapped by crystal water. Its natural wealth and beauty is apparent in several territories and protected areas, such us Cap de Creus, the Emporda Marshes and the Marine Reserve Medes islands. The fame of Costa Brava is also due to its villages. Small fisherman towns, with whitewashed walls and narrow winding streets, today still retain their charm. This area has historically been a point of entry, transit, and settlement for different cultures and civilizations. Each has left its footprints, which is evidenced by the Greek and Roman sites in Empuries. Our intention is to show in one day the most representative and emblematic sites along the northeastern shores of Catalunya, places of unsurpassable beauty that will give you a taste of all this area has to offer.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Transport by air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi, Boat tickets, Empuries admisions
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By Travelerchicagousa
I went to Barcelona last July and the highlight has been absolutely this trip to Costa Brava. Places are awesome, there is a gorgeous boat trip bordering the coast included. Tossa de Mar is like a dream. The walk with the guide in the old town was very interesting. Tour is very good organized and transportation by bus very confortable.
6. Tarragona Private Tour with Hotel Pick Up
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 26 reviews
Discover the Roman history of ancient Spain in this 5-hour tour of Tarragona, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Travel south from Barcelona in a private vehicle to the Costa Dorada, home to what was once the Roman empire's capital in ancient Spain. Explore the ruins of Tarragona's 2,000-year-old city walls, Roman forum and amphitheatre accompanied by a local guide, who will share fascinating facts and anecdotes to bring Tarragona's ancient past back to life.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Barcelona city , Air-conditioned vehicle, Professional local guide, Private tour for undivided attention from your guide, Walking tour of Tarragona Old Town, Entrance to Tarragona Amphitheatre, Entrance to Tarragona Circus (Roman events venue)
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By bastianr391
Informative yet entertaining tour with a great host. Miquel Arnau was an excellent guide! Highly recommended!
7. Private Guided Tour of Costa Brava from Barcelona
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 14 reviews
Live a great experience on this private tour around Brava Coast visiting the most beautiful spots. All at your own pace, as you will be able to customize your own route. This is a daily private tour which includes a private car, guide on your language, refreshments and snacks.. All included, just relax and enjoy. Here the protagonist is you: in all the routes, you will have your personal guide in your own language, and of course, in reduced-size groups (maximum 4 people) or mini-groups (you and whoever else you want). Need a guide just for you? Well, we also make that possible!
Inclusions: Afternoon tea, Beverages, Bottled water, Food tasting, Light refreshments, Snacks, Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Lunch
Reviewed By Inna7766
We loved our private day tour of Besalu and Girona with Gerard. There are 10 of us, 4 adults and 6 children, ages ranging from 5 to 14. Arranging the tour was easy, communication with BCN Hidden Tours was fast and clear. Gerard helped us decide on a tour that was just right for us. On the day of the tour, Gerard picked us up from our apartment in Barcelona in a comfortable minibus (with a driver). Gerard shared interesting historical tidbits about Barcelona, Girona and Catalonia in general during the drive. Gerard made Besalu and Girona come alive for us - he knows those towns so well! He accommodated our interests and remained flexible with the kids' needs. Gerard is incredibly knowledgeable, speaks 7 languages fluently (his English is perfect!), and clearly loves what he does. He is easy to connect with, both for adults and kids. Overall, just an incredible experience. I very enthusiastically recommend Gerard and BCN Hidden Tours.
8. Tarragona and Sitges Private Day Trip from Barcelona
Overall Ratings
4.4 based on 15 reviews
Combine history and the Mediterranean coast on a private day trip from Barcelona to Tarragona and Sitges. You'll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan to the Roman city of Tarragona, where you’ll see its amphitheater and Old Quarter. Then travel to coastal Sitges, where you can relax, take a walk and go for a swim. Led by a private guide, this tour provides personalized attention to you and your group.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Entrance fees for the museums and monuments in Tarragona
Reviewed By nickisroaming
The tour from beginning to the end was great, our guide was very knowledgeable and patient with a very good attitude and clear English. I highly recommend it.
9. Roman Tarragona and Glamorous Sitges Small Group Tour from Barcelona
Overall Ratings
4.2 based on 271 reviews
Combine history and beach fun on a visit to Roman Tarragona and coastal Sitges on a full-day small group tour by minivan from Barcelona. You'll travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 people on this small tour, you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Small group tour (maximum 15 people)
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop off, Entrance fees for the museums and monuments in Tarragona
Reviewed By nickisroaming
The tour from beginning to the end was great, our guide was very knowledgeable and patient with a very good attitude and clear English. I highly recommend it.
10. VR Virtual Reality Walking Tour
Travel through time in this guided virtual reality experience that allows you to discover Barcelona’s history over several time periods. The latest technology VR glasses will enable you to see Barcelona as it existed 2,000 years ago during the Roman times, the middle ages, as well as the 18th and 19th century. Your guide will take you on a journey back to Barcino, the Roman city with its impressive temples, aqueducts and large squares that was located in what is now Barcelona’s old town. You will discover the old port, a major commercial hub during the 16th century and enter the Parc de la Ciutadella to contemplate the 18th century citadel, a fortress of which only a few structures still exist today. Finally, you will be able to see and learn about the original monuments built for the 1888 universal exhibition, located near Barcelona’s Triumphal Arch.
Inclusions: Oculus VR Glasses, Local Guide, Bottle Water, Luggage storage, Bottled water
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By Tom_M71
My family and I did the 2.5 hour Gaudí Tour and Olga was our guide. She was really great, knew her stuff and was super friendly. While 2.5 hours might seem long, there are many stops and talking points so you are not on the Segway for 2.5 hours. We went to all the main Gaudí buildings. We have done Segway tours in many cities and this was definitely one of the best. Many thanks Olga.
