Art & design school trips to Barcelona

Barcelona's Gaudi Experience, located close to Parc Guell, offers a captivating glimpse into the extraordinary architectural legacy of Antoni Gaudi. Through interactive displays and audiovisual presentations, the Gaudi Experience brings to life the genius and artistic vision of this renowned Catalan architect. Students will leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Gaudi's unique style, that continues to shape Barcelona's skyline today.

Stroll around the stunning natural area of Parc Güell – a public area full of exquisite mosaic sculptures and buildings – and discover the earlier works of Antoni Gaudi, which are reminiscent of his naturalist phase. An outdoor space where students can enjoy both the architecture, the sun’s rays and a snack, we think the park is a great pitstop between the city’s sights.

Dedicated to works from the second half of the 20th century onwards, The Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum (MACBA) has more than 5,000 works of art to amaze and astound students during a school group visit. We also recommend taking some downtime to watch the skateboarders outside the museum after your visit – this area is considered one of the most iconic in the world.

One of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s greatest masterpieces, Casa Batlló was designed with the shapes and colours of marine life. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ve seen student groups fascinated by this unique piece of early 20th-century architecture.

One of the most photographed buildings in Barcelona, Casa Mila was the final private residential building to be designed by Antoni Gaudi and is regarded as one of his most iconic works of civic architecture. We think this building is a true work of art – every student should be given the opportunity to see this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site.

Devoted to the influential Spanish artist, this museum offers students a deeper view into Picasso’s formative years. The Picasso Museum is housed in five adjoining medieval palaces, inside which more than 4,250 pieces make up the museum’s permanent collection. During your visit, we expect students to be intrigued by the museum’s vast collection of his earliest works, as well as the tale behind his prized Las Meninas series.

The symbol of Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia is a must-visit when staying in this Catalan city. Arguably one of the most spectacular basilicas in the world, Gaudi’s original design is still unfinished to this day. Though breathtaking from the outside, the inside of the church doesn’t disappoint either – we’ve seen students gaze in awe at the colourful stained glass windows and towering columns.

Explore the artwork of Spanish artist Joan Miró at one of the largest art museums in Barcelona. Completely dedicated to the Barcelona native, students can delve into some of the finest pieces of artwork, sculptures and ceramics that led Miró to achieve global fame.

One of the best-known features of Barcelona, this magnificent mile-long boulevard was originally a mountain stream that ran alongside the 13th century second wall of the city. Now, flower stalls and street art line the pavement, between dozens of shops, restaurants and human statues that we know your students will love exploring.

It may take years to perfect the dance form of flamenco, the folkloric music tradition of southern Spain, but students can learn the basics with an evening of culture in a welcoming Barcelona dance centre. We’ve seen student groups immerse themselves in the spirit of the dance, encouraged by friendly flamenco musicians and their atmospheric guitar accompaniment.

A seaside neighbourhood favoured by locals and punctuated by its huge glass W hotel building, La Barceloneta offers an idyllic spot where students can watch surfers ride the waves on Sant Sebastià Beach, dine al fresco in its many seafood and tapas restaurants, and explore the glitzy marina. We recommend pairing this excursion with visits to Montjuïc, which you can get to directly using the port’s cable car.

Students can delve into learning about the environment, nature and science around the world at this amazing science museum, which also features a planetarium alongside its plentiful permanent and temporary exhibitions. With interactive elements based around all five senses, your school group will be captivated as they journey through the Amazon rainforest, geological formations, and even the Big Bang.

With its intricately framed windows and bright green shutters, Casa Museu Gaudi is instantly recognisable as the architect’s home for 20 years. Located in Park Güell, the house is full of furniture designed by Gaudi, as well as objects and documents relating to him and his life.

One of the most important collections of contemporary art in Europe is housed within this huge Montjuïc gallery, marking it as an essential stop on any school art trip to Barcelona. Here, your group can study more than 800 works by outstanding artists from Anish Kapoor to Tony Cragg, as well as learn about the gallery’s Modernist style – a common feature in Barcelona’s architecture.

Spend an afternoon exploring the various food stalls at La Boqueria Market, considered to be one of the largest food markets in the world. Here, you can sample local cured meats, fresh fruit juice or mouthwatering churros as you make your way around. We’ve found this excursion is really popular with school groups, and an excellent chance for students to try out their Spanish language skills.

Give your students a feel for Spain’s many contrasting locales in the ‘Spanish Village’ – an outdoor open-air architectural museum. Combining the main characteristics of all the towns and villages in the Iberian Peninsula, the village offers an “ideal model” of a Spanish urban area, complete with streets, squares and facades of different areas across the country.

There’s no end of things to do on Barcelona’s vast waterfront, which stretches across more than five kilometres of the eastern Spanish coast. Join the local joggers as you stroll along this beautiful palm lined promenade, taking in the street art, sculptures, and laid back atmosphere along the way.