It’s probably one of the coolest cities on Earth too, so students always love it. It has a great vibe that just seems to resonate with teenagers. And so many of the visits and activities here offer educational opportunities for pretty much every school subject (so, it’s pretty easy to put together a trip that’ll hit all your learning objectives).
In fact, there’s so much to see and do here, the biggest problem you’ll have is choosing what to squeeze into your itinerary (and what can be left out).
But don't worry, that’s what we’re here for. Our school travel experts have put together an example 4-day itinerary that hits all the most popular activities, to provide some inspiration (your actual trip will look a little different, because it'll be carefully designed to suit your specific group and trip objectives).
So, grab yourself a cuppa and let’s dive in.
Example 4-Day Itinerary for School Groups Visiting Barcelona
Day 1
Day 1 is your first opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Barcelona through a variety of team challenges.
- Flight from the UK to Barcelona.
- Transfer from airport to accommodation and check in.
- Spend the afternoon completing the ‘Race for Time’ activity trail.
- Evening meal at your accommodation or in a local restaurant.
Once you arrive in Barcelona, the first thing you’ll want to do is get your bearings. Our ‘Race for Time’ activity will help you do exactly that, while at the same time making sure your students are completely engaged with their surroundings.
This self-led activity trail will see your group complete challenges in teams as you make your way around key sites in the city. The activity is available in ‘enrichment’ (in English) or ‘MFL’ (Spanish) versions, so you can choose the option that best suits your learning objectives.
Having completed the challenge, you’ll have gotten your bearings a bit. So, you can enjoy a delicious evening meal (either at your hotel or in a local restaurant), before settling in for a good night’s sleep, ready for a full day of exploration.
Day 2
On day 2, you’ll introduce your group to some of Gaudí’s masterpieces.
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Self-guided visit to Park Güell
- Guided visit to the Sagrada Familia
- Walk along the Passeig de Gracia and take a look at the Casa Batlló and Casa Milà – La Pedrera, before taking a walk along La Rambla
- Evening meal at the accommodation or in a local restaurant
When you think of Barcelona, you think of world-famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, whose work has become synonymous with the city. In short, you can’t come to Barcelona without taking some time to visit some of the marvellous buildings he created.
Art and design technology students will want to delve deeper into his inspiration (like nature, geometry, his strong Catholic faith and Catalan patriotism) and the key elements of the Modernisme movement (and all the key Gaudí sites offer opportunities to do just that).
But for any students, his work really shows how limitless the human imagination is (and if that’s not inspiring, we don’t know what is).
So, after breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll head to the north of the city for a visit to Park Guëll (the perfect place to start your discovery of Gaudí).
Inspired by the English garden city movement, the project was intended to be a modern housing development for wealthy families offering spectacular views across the city and out to the Mediterranean. The park was named after the owner, Eusebi Guëll, who was Gaudí’s friend and patron.
Ultimately, only two of the 60 proposed houses were ever built – a guardian’s house and a model home to attract investors. However, none came forward, and the project was eventually abandoned, although there is still lots to explore here.
Gaudí was convinced to buy the model home in 1906 and lived here with his family until shortly before his death.
The Serpentine Bench (with its views across to the Porters Lodge Pavilions and out towards the city and the sea) is the perfect spot for a group pic. As is the famous Dragon Staircase. If you needed any more reasons to visit Park Guëll, we covered some of them in a previous blog post.
Gaudí’s magnum opus remains unfinished – and unmissable. Construction on the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and is expected to be completed in 2026 (although work on some of the decorative details is expected to continue until 2034).
It’s been called the ‘world’s most beautiful construction site’ (and they’re not lying). There really is something very special about the Sagrada Familia. From the outside, its general shape does scream ‘church’. But take time to really look at the details and you’ll see they’re completely different to any church you’ve seen before.
When you enter, you’ll be drawn into a bright space, bathed in the soft, coloured light that streams through the stained-glass windows and envelops you in warmth (unlike the dark, imposing atmosphere of many of Western Europe’s major cathedrals and basilicas).
As well as exploring this incredible monument and learning about its design and construction, make sure you take the time to just sit for a moment and absorb the atmosphere.
Once you’ve finished exploring the Sagrada Familia, a short stroll will bring you back to the Passeig de Gràcia. This is Barcelona’s answer to the Champs-Elysées, with many luxury shops (it’s not only the most expensive street in the city – it's the most expensive street in Spain). But you’re not here for the shopping. This street is also home to some of the most famous examples of Modernista residential architecture in the city.
As you walk from the Sagrada Familia towards Plaça Catalunya, you’ll come across Casa Milà - La Pedrera first. Take a moment to check out the undulating stone façade and twisted wrought iron railings that wrap around its balconies.
As you continue along, you’ll come across the Illa de la Discòrdia - a block of modernist homes built by the four main architects of the movement (all with quite different, slightly jarring styles). The most famous of these is the Casa Batlló, designed by Gaudí. It’s a tall, relatively narrow townhouse, known for its coloured tile façade and skeletal quality (the locals call it the Casa del Ossos or House of Bones).
Before heading back to your accommodation to freshen up in time for dinner, you’ll cross the Plaça Catalunya and take a stroll along La Rambla (also sometimes called Las Ramblas), which divides El Raval and the Gothic Quarter. Here you’ll find souvenir kiosks and street performers, La Boqueria market, the Liceu theatre, and the Virreina Palace.
Day 3
Day 3 starts with a real highlight for any football fans in your group.
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Self-guided visit to Camp Nou with immersive experience
- Take the cable car to the top of Montjuïc for epic views across Barcelona
- Self-guided visit to Poble Espanyol (with churros and chocolate)
After a nourishing breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll head over to the iconic Camp Nou, home to the world’s second-most decorated football club (after El Clásico rivals, Real Madrid). That club is (of course) FC Barcelona. Like Gaudí, the club has become closely linked to Catalan identity and is one of the most-supported clubs in the world (across Europe, it’s the most popular second-choice club).
So, chances are, you might have a few Barça fans in your group. And they are going to love the chance to visit the Camp Nou. There’s a fully interactive museum where you can explore the club’s history (which is so entwined in Catalan and Spanish history).
The grand finale of the museum is the Spotify Camp Nou Live, which is an immersive audiovisual show that allows you to experience what it’s like for the players to stand on the pitch of Europe’s largest stadium.
After a morning exploring the exciting world of FC Barcelona, you’ll head up to Montjuïc. This is where the city was born, and its strategic position between the Mediterranean and the River Llobregat, and panoramic views across Barcelona, means that it has played a key role in the city’s history ever since.
And it’s those panoramic views that you’ll be heading up there for. Hop on the cable car (which is always fun in itself) and take in the incredible views across the city and the port.
In 1929, Montjuïc was the site of the International Exposition, and many of the highlights of this hillside area date back to this. The Olympic Stadium, Palau Nacional (which houses the MNAC art museum) and the Magic Fountain were all built for the exposition.
And the next stop on your itinerary was also built specifically for the exposition. Poble Espanyol was intended to be temporary and was designed as a ‘Spanish village’, showcasing some of the different architectural styles from around the country.
It’s still super popular, especially with school groups, as it gives students the chance to learn a bit more about the diversity of Spain and its regions. It’s also possible to arrange cultural experiences as part of your visit – anything from tapas workshops to flamenco shows with dinner.
Day 4
Day 4 is about exploring the historic centre before it’s time to bid Barcelona adéu.
- Breakfast at accommodation and check out
- Visit to the Picasso Museum
- Explore the Gothic Quarter and El Born
- Enjoy lunch in Parc de la Ciutadella
- Free time for some last-minute souvenir shopping
- Transfer to airport for return journey home
Once you’ve checked out of your accommodation, you’ll head over to the Picasso Museum.
Although Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, he started his art studies in Barcelona and thought of the city as his true home. In fact, he himself suggested that it would be more appropriate to open this museum dedicated to his work in Barcelona than in Malaga.
Here you’ll find over 4,000 of his works, organised into three sections focusing on painting and drawing, engraving and ceramics. For any students interested in art, this will be a real highlight of the trip.
If you can drag your students away from all the amazing art, you’ll have the chance to explore the Ciutat Vella (the historic centre of the city) a little bit. Just meandering through the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter and into El Born is fascinating, with loads of independent shops (as well as plenty selling souvenirs), cafes and restaurants. The narrow streets often open up into charming, sun-drenched squares.
The famous Gothic Quarter stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana. As well as the cathedral, you’ll find the remains of the city’s Roman wall and several medieval buildings. But actually, much of the Gothic architecture the area is famous for is much more recent (the cathedral façade, for example, looks medieval but was actually built between 1882 and 1913).
El Born is now the hipster area and you’ll find even cooler independent shops, art boutiques and cafes around here (and far fewer souvenir shops). It’s named after the huge 19th-century market that still dominates the area and now covers the ruins of the medieval city that were discovered here in 2002.
Eventually, you’ll reach the Parc de la Ciutadella. The entrance to this lovely park certainly makes an impact – from the Arc de Triomf you’ll be led towards the Mediterranean seafront by a long, wide avenue (the Passeig de Lluís Companys, named after the President of Catalonia executed during the Spanish Civil War) flanked by palm trees and some of the most ornate streetlamps you’ll ever see.
There’s plenty to see within the park itself, from the gorgeously ornate fountain (where you’ll often find musicians playing and couples dancing), to the tranquil boating lake, the city zoo and the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya.
This green oasis in the heart of the city is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Depending on your flight time, you may have a little more time in the afternoon to grab some last-minute souvenirs before it’s time to say goodbye to Barcelona and head back to the airport for your return flight.
Halsbury Team Tips
When should we visit Barcelona on a school trip?
Barcelona is a year-round destination for school trips. The warm, sunny weather means it’s always a great option (even in the winter). Being a popular tourist city, if you’re able to avoid travelling during the holidays, you’ll find there’s more availability and it’s a bit less busy (which is always a bonus when you’re trying to herd a group of students around the city).
November to March in particular work really well for school groups visiting Barcelona (just note that some visits, like water parks, might be closed out of season). The weather is still warm and sunny (certainly in comparison to the UK in winter) and you’ll have far fewer crowds to contend with.
How should we travel to Barcelona for our school trip?
Most school groups will fly to Barcelona, but it is also possible to travel by coach (and this could work out cheaper).
School groups travelling by coach tend to stay on the Costa Brava (where there are better options for coach parking and cheaper accommodation) and then travel into Barcelona by coach for their visits. This is pretty convenient (you’re looking at travel times of 60-90 minutes on average) and offers the added benefit of being able to enjoy the beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere in the evenings.
Is Barcelona easy to get around for a school group?
Barcelona is super easy to get around for school groups. Lots of the key sites of interest are within walking distance of each other, and for those that aren’t, there’s the city’s fantastic public transport system.
Unless you’re travelling to Barcelona by coach from one of the resorts on the Costa Brava, we wouldn’t usually recommend coach transfers in Barcelona. That’s because it’s often not possible to be dropped right outside visits, and it’s really much easier to either walk or take public transport.
What are the most popular activities in Barcelona for school groups?
There are so many exciting activities in Barcelona that you’ll be spoilt for choice. But most groups will want to include some of Gaudí’s iconic architecture (because it’s so emblematic of Barcelona). So, the Sagrada Familia, Park Guëll, Casa Milà – La Pedrera, or Casa Batllò (or a couple of them, at least) should probably feature on your itinerary if you don’t want to disappoint your students.
The Camp Nou is also super popular with school groups and offers a really immersive experience that any football fan will love.
Some kind of walking tour is a great idea too, because that’s the best way to really soak up Barcelona’s unique atmosphere. You can choose a guided tour (perhaps of the historic centre), or you can choose our ‘Race for Time’ self-guided activity trail, which is brilliant because it really makes sure students are engaging with their surroundings.
We’d also recommend spending some time on Montjuïc, whether that’s taking a ride in the cable car to enjoy the views of the city, or exploring the diversity of Spanish architecture at Poble Espanyol.
What subjects is Barcelona suitable for?
Barcelona is a great destination for loads of different school subjects, from Spanish to art, and business studies to geography. It’s amazing for food technology, and it also offers some brilliant opportunities for sport and music groups.
It’s one of the few destinations where you can add just an afternoon or a few hours of Spanish language lessons too (in most other destinations, your group will need to attend lessons everyday if you want to include them). This is a great option for adding another educational element to your trip and really making sure the students get the most out of the time (and that extra educational edge can help you get your trip approved too).
The fact that Barcelona is great for so many subjects means it’s also the perfect destination for a cross-curricular school trip (which is definitely worth considering, by the way, if you think you might struggle to hit the numbers needed to make your trip viable).
Is Barcelona a good choice for a school sports tour?
The people of Barcelona and the Costa Brava are sports-mad, and so you’ll find plenty of local opposition of a good standard for rugby, football and hockey. This flexibility means it’s also a great choice for a school multisport tour, giving you the opportunity to inspire more of your students to love sports.
Of course, as the home of both FC Barcelona and Espanyol, this is an inspiring choice for a school football tour. You can take on local opposition in friendly fixtures, take part in an international youth tournament, or enjoy professional coaching from Espanyol’s own youth coaches.
And for both hockey and rugby, you can choose between taking on local teams of a similar standard or international youth tournaments. Both options give your students the chance to experience different styles of play and grow in confidence.
Most school sports groups choose to stay in one of the more peaceful resorts along the Costa Brava, which are within easy reach of Barcelona. This gives them the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds, taking in all of the culture and excitement of the city before relaxing on the beach.
Of course, most school sports groups, regardless of the sport they’re focusing on, will want to visit the Camp Nou, which is home to FC Barcelona. Here, you’ll enjoy a tour of the stadium, including a chance to walk out onto the pitch, and a visit to the club museum.
Are there any free activities in Barcelona?
Perhaps surprisingly, there are quite a few free activities for school groups to enjoy in Barcelona.
A popular free activity is a visit to the famous La Boqueria. This is one of the best food markets in Europe and is centrally located just off La Rambla. A visit here gives students the chance to learn more about Spanish cuisine. For language groups, there’s plenty of opportunity to chat to the stallholders and find out more about their produce (they may even want to purchase some of the many tasty treats you’ll find here). Food technology students will learn lots about some of the key ingredients in Spanish cooking. And everyone will enjoy browsing the well-stocked stalls (and trying a few freebies). Just note that if you are a large group, you might need to take it in turns going in.
There’s great news for artists – you can visit both the Picasso Museum and the MNAC (National Museum of Art) for free (just make sure you book well in advance, and note that guided tours of the Picasso Museum in English will cost extra).
While there are paid visits on Montjuïc, you can explore the area for free, and it’s definitely worth it for the views over the city and the harbour. There are several lovely parks up here that are free to stroll around in too.
And if you’re in El Born and are interested in the history of the city, you can visit the Centre de Cultura i Memòria archaeological site, where you can walk the streets early 18th-century Barcelona for free.
Ready to start planning your trip to Barcelona?
Barcelona really is one of our favourite destinations for school trips. We hope this blog has given you some ideas for your trip to the city. Just remember that your trip will be designed to suit your group and learning objectives, so it may look a little different to the itinerary we’ve shown you here (but we promise it’ll be just as exciting).
If you have any questions at all, or need any further information or advice, please feel free to get in touch. And if you’re ready to start planning, let us know and we’ll be pleased to send you a no-obligation, tailor-made quote.
