Spanish language school trips to Barcelona

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We’ve got connections with several language schools in the Barcelona area, and can tailor your lesson programme according to your requirements. Student groups can learn new vocabulary and then put their learnings to the test while exploring Barcelona, enhancing their experience.

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.

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.

Students can learn all about the vibrant history and tradition surrounding Spain’s iconic small plates in this cooking lesson, while discovering the incredible flavours that go into Spanish tapas. Lessons are taught in Spanish, which we’ve found makes the experience more authentic, however there’s also a group translator to allow students to keep up.

One of Barcelona’s leading tourist attractions, Port Vell has several activities for your students’ entertainment, including the Maremàgnum shopping mall, IMAX cinema and Europe’s largest aquarium. The old harbour’s history dates back to around the 4th century BC, when it was occupied by the Laietani.

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.

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.

Open every day, Maremagnum Shopping Centre is a great opportunity for your students to practice their Spanish language skills. Here, you can find everything from H&M, to Havaianas and an official FC Barcelona merchandise store.

One of the oldest districts in Barcelona, we recommend exploring the city’s charming Gothic Quarter – where narrow, cobbled streets are filled with trendy shops, artisan market stalls and Catalan restaurants. Don’t miss the Plaça Reial – one of the city’s most beautiful squares – as you explore the quarter’s architectural and retail wonders. We know your students will love experiencing this side of Barcelona.

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.

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.