Tested for you: Barcelona Free Walking Tour

In Barcelona, like in many other cities, there are plenty of free walking tour guides. Free? Yes! These guided tours last for usually two or three hours and they’re absolutely free! Seriously? Yes! So, what’s the catch?

The Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi right behind the Travel Bar (meeting spot for the free walking tour).

The Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi right behind the Travel Bar (meeting spot for the free walking tour).

At the moment there are Runner Bean Tours and the Travel Bar who offer free walking tours in Barcelona. The meeting point for the “Runner Bean Tour” through the historic city center or the “Gaudi Tour” is 11 am in winter or 11 am and additionally 4.30 pm in summer, at the Plaça Reial near the water fountain. If you like to take part in the “Travel Bar Tour” with a guide you should be at the travel Bar at 11 am or 1 or 3 pm, Carrer Boqueria, 27 – inside, outside or behind it. I took the Travel Bar Tour and was quiet pleased with it. You don’t cover a too long distance but learn about fascinating facts from really nice guides.

Over 2,000 years-old columns which can be seen on the Travel Bars Free Walking Tour in Barcelona.

Over 2,000 years-old columns which can be seen on the Travel Bars Free Walking Tour in Barcelona.

 

Now, what? For free? There’s no catch? No, no catch, seriously. Before it starts, your city guide introduces himself and informs you that it is his full-time-job to guide these tours. He introduces that it is all for free and no one shall feel bound in any way. But you may leave a tip at the end, of course. That’s it, that’s the deal? Definitely yes! If you wouldn’t leave any money – no problem! Otherwise you give what it’s worth to you. I recommend a value of EUR 5 to EUR 10. Trending that for only 30 persons per tour and three tours a day I conclude those guides make a good living out of these.

Best wishes,
Claire

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