15 Must-Try Experiences for Your School Trip to Barcelona

Truly getting to know a city in-depth isn’t just measured by the number of monuments you visit, but also by the moments that allow you to soak in the true essence of the city. Mixing with the locals, wandering through the crowded markets, tasting traditional dishes, uncovering lesser known places, experiencing things only done by barcelonians…all so that your students can experience 100% of the city.

Here we recommend experiences to suit all tastes and preferences, for those who have never been to Barcelona, for those interested in getting to know it more, for those that don’t want to miss any detail, and for those interested in soaking up the city ambiance. Grab a paper and pen and let’s get started!

Those Visiting Barcelona for the First Time

    • Visiting the Sagrada Familia with a Guide

Of course, a visit to Sagrada Familia is an obligatory Barcelona experience, but we feel that it is much better with the addition of a guide or audio guide that can accompany you as you wander through to hear the details and history of Gaudí’s modernist basilica.

    • Seeing a Light Show at the Montjüic Fountain of Magic

At dusk, the Montjüic Fountain of Magic lights up with colour and music. It’s a free show that is a very fun addition on your school trip to Barcelona.

    • Eating at the La Boquería Market

Despite being a very touristic market, the quality of the products is undeniable. We recommend wandering past all of the stalls to taste the local delicacies, view handmade products, and take in the market atmosphere.

    • Getting to Know the Gracia District

The Gracia neighbourhood gives the vibe of a small town within the city of Barcelona: strong neighbourhood networks, local festivals, swing dance evenings in the plazas…it’s definitely an experience to wind through the neighbourhood and its many different plazas. If you’re also interested in urban art, this area is full of murals and graffiti of great quality and quantity.

    • Visiting Barcelona’s Free Museums

If your student group is very into museums, make the most of your time in Barcelona by planning your trip on the first Sunday of the month, when almost all of the city’s museums are free. For example: the MNAC, the Picasso Museum (which is also free on Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm), the Maritime Museum, and the Catalonian History Museum, among others.

For Those Who Wish to Soak Up the City’s Atmosphere

    • A Bike Ride along the Beachfront Promenade

Biking along the beachfront promenade is one of the most rewarding experiences on this trip. By bike, you’ll be able to see all of the activity on the terraces and beaches, soaking in the ocean air with your students. It’s a totally different way of touring the city. There are bicycles for rent in any of the many establishments that line the promenade.

    • Go Bargain Hunting at the Flea Market

Barcelona is known for having hundreds of second hand and vintage shops to peruse. One fantastic example is the Flea Market (usually held in Drassanes although it’s been known to change location) the first and second Sunday of the month. At this market, you can buy clothes, gifts, and all types of products second-hand to give them a new life.

    • Watch a Sunset at the Carmel Bunkers

The Carmel Bunkers can be found at one of the highest points in the city and is an incredible viewpoint that gets more and more popular each year. From here, you’ll enjoy unforgettable 360º views of the entire city, from Tibidabo all the way to the sea, and from Montjuïc to the Sagrada Familia.

    • Plaça del Rei (or King’s Plaza)

Basking in the bohemian atmosphere of Plaça del Rei is one of the authentic experiences that draws people to Barcelona. Street music, locals sunbathing, terraces on every corner..only a few steps from La Rambla, it’s certainly one of the city’s most enchanting plazas. Highly recommend!

    • Picnic in Ciudadela Park

This is quite possibly the most famous park in the city. Here you’ll find an impressive mammoth statue, a small lagoon where you can rent boats, and the city’s zoo. It’s well situated for a relaxing morning walk in the sun, stopping to have a picnic as a group as a small break after a full day of sightseeing around Barcelona. It’s also a main activity hub for the city: there are workshops for kids, music and other festivities on the weekends.

For Those Who Don’t Want to Miss a Thing

    • See a Show at the Liceu Theatre

The impressive Liceu Theatre in Barcelona, known as El Liceu, is the oldest running and most prestigious theatre in the city, widely recognized as one of the world’s most important opera houses. If you’re aiming to not miss any experience on your school trip to Barcelona, and you have a special cultural interest, it would be worth catching one of the shows.

    • A Visit to Camp Nou

For football fanatics, you’ll have the opportunity during your educational trip to Barcelona to visit one of the largest stadiums in both Spain and Europe–with capacity of almost 100,000 spectators. On a visit to the stadium of the famed FC Barcelona, you can walk on the field, sit on the player benches, view the field from the stands, and walk through the locker rooms, press hall, chapel, and stadium shop and museum.

    • Horta Labyrinth

A bit far out from the city centre, you can visit this labyrinth park to disconnect and work on group collaboration activities. The hours and entry prices can vary depending on time of year, but it’s a neat alternative for outdoor activity that you shouldn’t miss while in Barcelona.

    • See a Concert in the Palau de la Música Catalana

And for music and art lovers, we recommend grabbing tickets to a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana. This magnificent modernist building with its artfully luminated interior definitely merits a visit. The acoustics alone are stunning!

    • Take A Ride on the Tibidabo Ferris Wheel

This panoramic wheel, built in 2014, sits at the highest point of Tibidabo Mountain. You feel as if you are almost touching the clouds while enjoying incredible views high above the city of the sea and the surrounding area. It’s hands down the best viewpoint in Barcelona and will no doubt be a lasting memory for your students!

A Practical Guide for Planning Your School Trip to Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that you must visit at least once in your life. Want to learn all there is to know about this city so you don’t miss anything on your trip? We’ve mapped out the best neighbourhoods and gathered the city’s best kept secrets to help you live the experience to the fullest on your educational trip to Barcelona. Here is everything you’ll need to know: