Enrichment 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.

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.

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.

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.

Once the city’s sole green space, the Parc de la Ciutadella is home to abundant activities, including museums, the city zoo, a large fountain, and the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya. Owing to this huge political building, the park is also an excellent place to discuss the Catalan wage for independence with your students.

Immerse your students in the atmosphere of the phenomenal Camp Nou football stadium – home of Barcelona Football Club since its construction in 1957. With a capacity of 98,787, making it the largest stadium in Europe, we’ve seen school groups amazed by both its size and energy.

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.

Boasting a vast history dating back several thousand years, the 213-metre hill of Montjuic features several attractions, from its Spanish Village and Magic Fountain to the MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) – one of the city's most important museums. Explore the beauty of the local botanical gardens or exhibition rooms – excursions we know have been popular with student groups.

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.

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.

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 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.

The perfect excursion after a long day of exploring, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a spectacle that should be experienced by all of your students. Through its 3,620 jets, the fountain sprays an impressive 700 gallons of water each second, accompanied by an extravagant light and music show for the breathtaking full effect.

Catch a ride up to the top of Montjuïc hill on this gondola lift, which offers unbeatable panoramic views across Barcelona. The cable car has been the favoured way of travelling the hill since the 1970s, providing riders with a unique perspective of the most emblematic symbols of Barcelona’s skyline. The journey culminates at Montjuïc Castle – another attraction we know your students will love.

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.

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.

One of the most impressive natural sights across Spain, the Montserrat mountain range is famous for its 9th-century Benedictine monastery, which enshrines the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. Students will be inspired by the dramatic location of this tour, which reflects the spiritual heart of Catalonia. We recommend taking the cable car for spectacular views across the entire range.

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.