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Things to do in Barri de La Ribera

Our most recommended things to do in Barri de La Ribera

Barcelona: The Dark History Tour

1. Barcelona: The Dark History Tour

Explore the medieval neighborhoods of El Born and La Ribera in central Barcelona to see the city's sordid past come to life. The 2-hour dark history tour takes you into a world of dungeons and public executions. There will be no gimmicky paranormal activity or scary pranks. Instead, you will stroll the maze of streets of Barcelona's picturesque neighborhoods to learn about real life tortures, executions, and victims of the Spanish Inquisition, all based on true historical facts. The tour takes place in English only, with exact times varying throughout the year, depending on the time of nightfall. Numbers are limited so it is highly recommended to book early.

Intimate Barcelona eBike Tour with Gourmet Tapas & Wine

2. Intimate Barcelona eBike Tour with Gourmet Tapas & Wine

Explore Barcelona on guided e-bike tour and see more in less time with the help of a bike propelled by electric motor. Glide from some of the most popular attractions in the city to hidden treasures, including secret bars and cafés. Take a break with the included wine and tapas. Starting by the Gothic Cathedral, your guide will give you a short briefing about the bikes and Spanish cycling rules, before leading you to the El Born neighborhood. Pass by sites like Palau de la Música, El Fossar de les Moreres, and the seafaring church of St. Maria del Mar. Discover the former fishing village of Barceloneta, now one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. Soak up the vibrant life of the city’s beaches. Ride past Art Noveau architecture and shops and bars that date back to the beginning of the century. Head to the eatery Els Quatre Gats which was frequented by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Savor tapas and wine while appreciating this venue that is overflowing with history and the echoes of the geniuses who drank and dined here in ages past, from Pablo Picasso to Salvador Dalí. Open your senses to the rich Spanish flavors and leave with photos and memories of mystery, romance and adventure on a tour ideal for electric bike first timers and experts alike.

Barcelona: Secret Food Tour

3. Barcelona: Secret Food Tour

Firstly, your local Barcelonian guide will take you to a little family cafe where you will try a homemade typical Spanish breakfast: Churros and hot chocolate. Some tiny streets later, you will have the chance to taste and see the diversity of gastronomy in the local Market Hall, where you will taste sumptious Spanish and Catalan cheeses and the famous Iberian Ham (jamón). Along the way, your guide will teach you some great knowledge about both the history and the gastronomy to enhance the whole experience. Have fun and try to drink from a Porrón (you will find out on the day).  You will understand the influence of other cultures in Spanish dishes in one of the most emblematic shops of the city, which  has also been a  master roaster since 1851. Learn the real origins of tapas and try some delicious items in a family restaurant with some wine. Get closer to the Meditéranean sea by sitting around a table and drinking fresh sangria and authentic paëlla, in one of the most picturesque places in the city. Finally, look out at the sea and finish this great adventure close to the beach for a friendship toast with Cava wine.  There will also be a delicious secret dish to look forward to!

Barcelona: Bike Tour for Families

4. Barcelona: Bike Tour for Families

Mix adventure and education on this family-friendly bike tour in Barcelona. Visit popular areas like the vibrant El Borne neighborhood and see top city sights like the waterfront and the Arch of Triumph. Stop to learn about the sights along the way.  Meet your guide in George Orwell Square and get fitted with your bike and helmet. Begin your ride through the city with the grand architecture of the Gothic Quarter which retains elements from Roman times. Make your way to the hip El Born district which is known of its bohemian atmosphere and designer shops. Head through some of Barcelona's parks and greenspaces with a stop to capture a picture of the Arch of Triumph and the waterfall in the citadel garden. Reach the waterfront area and feel the sea breeze in your hair as you cruise along Barceloneta beach on your way back to Barcelona's old town. Get some recommendations on what to do on your stay in Barcelona from your guide before ending your tour. 

Barcelona: Barrio Gótico Dragon Tour for Families

5. Barcelona: Barrio Gótico Dragon Tour for Families

Go on a discovery tour of Barcelona with your children. Uncover the hidden dragons and their special significance to the city with a map, compass and a few riddles.  Begin in the Born/La Ribera district and find the answers to questions like why half a house stands nearby or so many geese live by an abbey, as you play the game. Follow a path set by different clues and wander the winding streets of Barrio Gótico. Learn about the symbolic power of the dragon and why it is part of Barcelona's iconography as well as its meaning in other cultures. Once at Las Ramblas, see how the dragon dances with a fan.

Barcelona: 1-Hour Sightseeing Segway Tour

6. Barcelona: 1-Hour Sightseeing Segway Tour

Experience the beauty of Barcelona by Segway on a 1-hour sightseeing tour of the Old Port, seafront promenades and historic Gothic Quarter. Following a short training session on the easy-to-operate, self-balancing vehicles, start by riding through the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), famous for its 4th-century Roman Wall and magnificent cathedral. Glide down to the seafront to see the yachts and beaches of the Mediterranean coast. Enjoy a panoramic view from the ground floor terrace of the W Hotel, before riding past the beaches of Barceloneta. Go to the Olympic harbor, before a ride through Parc de la Ciutadella to the Arc de Triomf, built as the main entrance to the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Learn how vast areas of La Ribera were demolished to create the city’s only green space for decades, before riding your Segway back to the meeting point.

Markets Walking Tour: La Boquería, Tastings and More

7. Markets Walking Tour: La Boquería, Tastings and More

Begin your tour at the Boqueria Market, rated one of the top food markets in the world. You’ll be amazed at the sheer variety and quantity of fresh and prepared food available here. As your guide leads you through the patterned walkways, you’ll learn about Catalan food traditions and taste traditional Catalan olives and some of the most popular flavors of turrón, a sweet nougat confection. Exiting the Boqueria Market, you will find yourself at the scenic Ramblas promenade. Itself a former market, famous for its flower sellers, Ramblas today is a wonderful place to soak up the ambiance and snap a few photos as you stroll past its open-air cafes, fragrant flower stands and the colorful Miró mosaic. Next, we’ll travel back in time to ancient Barcelona with a walk in the streets of the Gothic Quarter, full of antique stores and even an occasional antique market. Continue to the bustling Santa Caterina Market, the first covered market in Barcelona, with its undulating, brightly colored roof. Here, you’ll have the chance to sample Catalan ham and salami. On your way to the last stop, we’ll also visit a local caganer shop to discover the story of one of Catalonia’s strangest traditions. Marvel at the monumental church of Santa Maria del Mar, where you’ll hear the intriguing stories of La Ribera neighborhood sailors. Your Barcelona markets tour ends at the sprawling Market of Born. Built as a market, this striking steel and glass structure now houses the remains of the Born neighborhood dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Barcelona: 3-Hour Segway Sightseeing Tour

8. Barcelona: 3-Hour Segway Sightseeing Tour

Experience the beauty of Barcelona by Segway on a 3-hour tour of old and new neighborhoods, including the former fishermen’s enclave of Barceloneta. Following a short training session on the easy-to-operate, self-balancing vehicles, start by riding to the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), known for its 4th-century Roman Wall. Along the way, learn how the 1992 Olympic Games dramatically changed the city, including its connection to the sea. Marvel at the urban art of Sant Sebastià beach, and see street performers entertain the crowds. Admire the yachts and sail boats of the Old Port (Port Vell). Pass through the former fishing village of Barceloneta, and learn the dramatic history of the Catalan people and their struggle for independence along the way. Pause at the ground floor terrace of the W Hotel for a panoramic view of Barcelona’s coastline. Continue to Port Olimpic, site of the Olympic Games and now a hip night spot of seafood restaurants and nightclubs. Reflect in the tranquil gardens and open-air spaces of the Olympic Village, before riding to the Arc de Triomf, built as the main entrance to the 1888 Universal Exhibition. End in Parc de la Ciutadella, and hear how vast areas of La Ribera were demolished to create the city’s only green space for decades.

Barcelona: The Ghost Walking Tour

9. Barcelona: The Ghost Walking Tour

What do the streets of Barcelona hide when night falls? Which stories marked our ancestor’s lives forever? Let yourself become absorbed by the paranormal mysteries of Barcelona with the explanations of an experienced guide. The Ghost Walking Tour is a night visit around Sant Pere, Santa Caterina and la Ribera quarters, based on the book “Fantasmes de Barcelona” written by Sylvia Lagarda-Mata. The tour tells the mysterious and hair-raising stories that have been taking place in those areas for decades. An experienced guide leads the visit. Based on the book, exorcisms, witchcrafts, bewitched convents and records of phantom apparitions invade the streets of Barcelona. Participants will have the chance to discover those baffling phenomena in a funny and entertaining way.

Barcelona: Gothic Quarter Walking Tour for Families

10. Barcelona: Gothic Quarter Walking Tour for Families

Discover Barcelona as a family on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, catered specifically to children and their families. Using pictures and drawings, your kid-friendly guide explains historical sites and history in an engaging way. Walk along the narrow streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, witnessing the richness of the city from Roman times to when it was considered a superpower in the Mediterranean. Visit the Roman-built Augustus Temple, and see gothic cathedrals as you explore the city. Make a short stop at Santa Caterina, the local food market filled with food stalls and restaurants under a colorful wavy roof. Continue to the neighborhood of La Ribera, where local designers, hipster shops, and artisans live together in its labyrinth of alleyways. While in La Ribera, pass by Santa Maria Del Mar whose history dates as far back as 998. During your walking tour, hear about the bombings of Barcelona during the Civil War, and other major events the city has endured. The final stop is the Centro Cultural del Born to see the ruins of the neighborhood demolished at the order of Spain’s King Felipe V. Stroll through the remains of the market and houses destroyed back in the 1700s.

Other Sightseeing Options in Barri de La Ribera

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What people are saying about Barri de La Ribera

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 696 reviews

Had a really great experience taking the tour. our guide Daniella was exceptional. she was very knowledgeable about the food and the history of the places that we walked around. A pair of comfortable shoes is recommended. Overall I would highly recommend taking this tour.

Very nice tour through different parts of the city. Also lots of "inside" tips. Jordi was a very pleasant guide, who provides you with a lot of information. Well worth it !

Owen was a lovely guide, with lots of history, and insight. The markets are quite the maze, and it was nice having someone to highlight various areas.

Best tour ever… Carlos our guide was the best, very knowledgable, personable… I highly recommend this tour…. Thanks for a great time Carlos

We loved our bike tour and particularly enjoyed our guide, Agatha!