15 Experiences to Have on Your School Trip to Barcelona

Getting to know a city thoroughly is rarely measured by the monuments you tick off a list, but by the experiences that let you truly live and make the most of it. Mixing with the locals, visiting the markets, trying the traditional dishes, exploring lesser-known spots, taking part in activities that only Barcelonians do — these are the things that matter. In this post we reveal 15 experiences to have on your school trip to Barcelona so that students can enjoy the city to the full.

We recommend experiences to suit every taste: for those visiting the city for the first time, for those who want to discover more, for those who don’t want to miss a single detail, and for those who simply prefer to soak up the atmosphere of the Catalan capital. Grab a notebook and pen, and take note!

For Those Visiting Barcelona for the First Time

  1. Visit the Sagrada Família with a Guide

Yes, of course a visit to the Sagrada Família is one of the unmissable experiences — but it is far better with a guide or audio guide who can narrate the fascinating facts and details you really ought to know about Gaudí’s modernist basilica.

  1. Watch a Show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

When night falls, the Magic Fountains of Montjuïc come alive with colour and music. A free and entertaining spectacle for your end-of-year trip to Barcelona.

  1. Eat at La Boqueria Market

Although it is the tourist market par excellence, the quality of its produce is excellent. We recommend a long stroll through its stalls to sample the delicacies, taste the finest ingredients, and soak up the lively trading atmosphere.

  1. Discover the Gràcia Neighbourhood

The Gràcia neighbourhood is the closest thing to a village within Barcelona: its residents’ associations, its local festivals, days of swing music in its squares… It is essential to explore this neighbourhood by wandering through its many squares. If you are also interested in urban art, Gràcia is full of murals and graffiti of outstanding artistic quality.

  1. Visit Barcelona’s Museums for Free

If your school group are museum enthusiasts, plan your end-of-year trip to coincide with the first Sunday of the month, as almost all of Barcelona’s museums are free of charge. Some examples include the MNAC, the Picasso Museum (which is also free on Thursdays from 6 pm to 9 pm), the Maritime Museum, and the Museum of the History of Catalonia, among others.

For Those Who Want to Enjoy the Atmosphere

  1. Cycle Along the Passeig Marítim

Cycling along the Passeig Marítim is one of the most rewarding experiences on this trip. You can take in all the beach bars and beaches at a glance and enjoy the sea breeze with the whole group of students. A different way to sightsee. You can hire bicycles from any of the many establishments that offer them along the promenade.

  1. Hunt for Bargains at the Flea Market

Barcelona is known for its hundreds of second-hand and vintage shops. A prime example is the Flea Market, usually held at Drassanes — though it occasionally moves — on the first and second Sunday of each month. There you can find clothing, accessories, and all manner of items to give a new lease of life.

  1. Watch the Sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel

The Bunkers del Carmel sit at one of the city’s highest points and make a wonderful viewpoint that is growing ever more popular. From here you will have stunning 360° views of the entire city, from Tibidabo to the sea, from Montjuïc to the Sagrada Família.

  1. Plaça del Rei

Taking in the bohemian atmosphere of Plaça del Rei is one of Barcelona’s most captivating experiences. Street music, people sunbathing, terraces everywhere… Just a stone’s throw from La Rambla, this is one of the most charming squares in the city. Highly recommended!

  1. Picnic in the Ciutadella Park

This is possibly the most famous park in the entire city. Here you will find a recreation of a mammoth, a small lake where you can hire rowing boats, and the city zoo. It is a wonderful spot to spend a sunny morning, stroll at leisure, and enjoy a light picnic with the school group — a welcome rest after an exhausting day of sightseeing. It is also one of the most activity-rich spots in Barcelona: there are workshops for children, and music and dancing at weekends.

For Those Who Don’t Want to Miss a Thing

  1. See a Performance at the Gran Teatre del Liceu

The Gran Teatre del Liceu, known simply as El Liceu, is the oldest and most prestigious active theatre in Barcelona, particularly as an opera house — and it is considered one of the most important in the world. If you don’t want to miss any experience on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona and you have a particular interest in culture, attending one of its performances is a must.

  1. Visit Camp Nou

For the football enthusiasts in the group, your end-of-year trip to Barcelona offers the opportunity to visit the largest stadium in Spain and Europe, with a capacity of 99,354 seats. During the FC Barcelona stadium tour, you can walk on the pitch, sit in the players’ dugout, and explore the stands, passing through the changing rooms, the press corridor, the chapel, and finally the museum and the club shop.

  1. Laberint d’Horta

Away from the city centre and perfect for a group disconnection and teamwork experience, you can explore this maze-like park. Opening times and prices vary from year to year, but it is an alternative leisure option you simply cannot miss on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona.

  1. See a Concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana

For music and art lovers, we recommend buying tickets for a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana. A beautiful modernist building with a breathtaking interior that is well worth a visit. The acoustics in this building are truly impressive!

  1. Ride the Tibidabo Ferris Wheel

This panoramic wheel, inaugurated in 2014, is located at the highest level of Tibidabo Mountain. It will take you up into the clouds and treat you to incredible views of the city of Barcelona, the sea, and the surrounding countryside. The best viewpoint you could find on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona — and one that will undoubtedly be among your students’ most treasured memories!

Practical Guide to Organising Your School Trip to Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Would you like to know everything about this city so you don’t miss a thing on your trip? We reveal the best neighbourhoods, share its secrets, and encourage you to live the full experience on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona. Here is everything you need to know:

For more information about all the end-of-year trips we organise to Barcelona from Natuaventura, write to us at info@natuaventura.com or call us on 91 714 06 36.