Barcelona behind the facades

When it comes to cities, change is the only constant factor. For Barcelona, this has perhaps been truer than ever over the last 25 years. The return of democracy with the end of Franco's dictatorship also meant an opening up of funds for (re)development, resulting in Barcelona organizing the 1992 Olympics and taking advantage of the event to completely change the face of the city. Since then, practically every neighbourhood has been “touched up” (or “esponjado” as–they say here), creating open spaces and urban facilities, improving the covered markets and the passageways and making room for a fast–changing population in which immigrants and the elderly, particularly, are growing in numbers and significance.

If you want to know how Barcelona has grown, both physically and spiritually, to become the Mediterranean pearl of today, this walk is for you. The tour literally takes you through the maze of the Old Town (Ciutat Vella) in search of artefacts that are indicative of these changes, both past and present.

Our guide is an urban planner with a passion for the more “hidden” aspects of urban design and culture. As an active follower of daily life in all its aspects –political, social, artistic, cultural, economical and historical– he is currently working on different projects concerned with (re)discovering the soul and identity of places.

WHEN: on request

PRICE: € 26 per person, to be paid at the start of the tour. There will be a surcharge of € 4 pp for groups of 3, for parties of 2 people there's a surcharge of € 13 pp. Apart from 6 people: 10% discount. A private tour is possible as well.

BOOKING: Please phone or e-mail us as soon as possible, since the groups are limited to a maximum of ten. The tours can be given in English, Dutch or Spanish.

My Favourite Things walking tours in Barcelona are recommended by Time Out, the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet