Why Visit Barcelona on a School Trip?

There are a million and one reasons to visit the beautiful and unique city of Barcelona: its modernist architecture, the Rambla bursting with life and hundreds of stalls, its diverse neighbourhoods full of personality, its beaches and lookouts, the museums, its culture, its endless shops and markets, etc. Secondary and high school students will undoubtedly feel enchanted with the excursions and ambiance you can experience while visiting Barcelona. Here we’ll describe the top reasons to visit Barcelona on a school trip and how your students can achieve an unforgettable group experience.

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that satisfies a variety of interests: cultural attractions to get to know the area, routes through local parks to immerse oneself in the natural splendour, markets and squares for socializing, bars and lively joints for hanging out…if you’re lacking for reasons to select Barcelona as a school trip destination, keep reading to see how it might be the best option!

Its Modernist Architecture

Barcelona, the Catalonian capital, achieves its own style and artistic expression thanks to the influence of modernism. The city was introduced to modernism by way of Antonio Gaudí, the most renowned artist of Barcelona. Thanks to his influence, and the work of later architects such as Rogent, Domènech, and Puig, Barcelona now is home to more than 100 modernist architecture sites. Between the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th marks the cradle of so-called Catalan modernism, a style wave influencing architecture, plastic production, design, and decoration. The fountain of inspiration for this movement was the theme of nature: all of the natural elements found in our surroundings should be incorporated into the architecture of buildings: birds, flowers, leaves, and bright colour. Some of the buildings that you can view on your modernist route include:

  • La Sagrada Familia
  • Casa Milà
  • Casa Batlló
  • Park Güell
  • El Palau de la Música Catalana
  • Casa Comalat

Its Historic Centre

As we’ve mentioned throughout this practical guide to Barcelona, this city is much more than just its modernist architecture. So much more! If your visit includes the city’s most historic districts, like El Born or the Gothic Quarter, you’ll get a taste of Barcelona’s medieval history: its grand churches, the ruins of El Born, and all the other historic buildings. The districts of Barcelona that make up the historic centre includes Ciutat Vella, composed of the neighbourhoods of Raval, El Born, the Gothic Quarter, and Barceloneta; bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the University and Urquinaona Plazas to the north. In sum, the historic centre includes the areas of the city with the most heart, placing it as the most visited region year-round. You can truly feel the life of the city through every winding street, narrow alley, and picturesque shop that convey the true essence of Barcelona. Below, we list what there is to see in the historic centre:

  • La Boquería Market
  • La Rambla
  • Güell Palace
  • Vía Laietana
  • Plaza Sant Jaume and the City Hall
  • Picasso Museum
  • Born Cultural Centre
  • Palau de la Música Catalana
  • Santa Eulalia de Barcelona Cathedral
  • Santa María del Mar Basílica
  • Del Pi Church
  • Santa Catalina Market

Its Expansive Parks

Another top reason to visit Barcelona for a school trip is its expansive offering of urban green spaces. There are numerous parks and gardens sprinkled throughout the city: urban parks, historic ones, theme parks, etc. These serve as the lungs of the city where you can disconnect a bit and utilize as an ideal location to have a picnic to break up a long day of cultural sightseeing. One of the city’s most popular parks, and certainly one of the most emblematic, is Park Güell. Park Güell is a public park filled with gardens and unique architectural designs that sits high up overlooking the city of Barcelona. The park is named for Eusebi Güell, a wealthy businessman passionate for the works of Gaudí who also served as one of his principal financiers. The main idea when it was constructed was to erect a luxury residential complex, although ultimately it transformed into the fairy-tale park it is today. Since its opening in 1922, it served as one of the city’s main sites of interest for tourists. In 1984, it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ciudadela Park, across the city, is a family park and one for daily activity, thanks to its proximity to the centre and the waterfront promenade. It’s known as home to the Barcelona zoo as well as the Castle of the Three Dragons. That said, it’s most well-known for its iconic fountain–one of the largest in the city that sits right next to the beautiful Triumph Arc. Another important park in the city is Montjuic Park. Here you’ll find the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum of Catalan Art. Also included in Montjuic Park is the Botanical Garden, the Spanish Village Museum, and the historic Olympic grounds. You’ll also be able to see the magical fountain of Montjuic that has music and light spectaculars in the evenings during high season. You definitely won’t want to miss this one!

Its Beaches

Roughly 90 years ago there was a major revitalization and clean-up of Barcelona’s city beaches that really transformed the area into the enviable coast it is today. Running alongside the city’s coastline is a long waterfront promenade that hugs all of the main beaches (best to follow along by bike so as not to miss any!) and beachfront cafes. Beyond ideal for relaxation, you can also utilize the city’s coast for an array of water sports for the ultimate beach experience. Here are some of the beaches that we recommend:

  • Barceloneta
  • Sant Miguel
  • Sant Sebastià
  • Nova Icària
  • Bogatell
  • Mar Bella
  • Llevant

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: