Head along to this square during La Mercè, the main festival of Barcelona in September, marvel at processions of fire-breathing dragons and tottering human towers
Found in the centre of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Plaça de Sant Jaume is the administrative nexus of Catalonia. Here, on opposite sides of the square, stand the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia and the City Hall, two imposing institutions which have run the region since Medieval times.
It is an ancient site of importance: this is where the centre of the Roman city of Barcino was once found, along with its forum and the Temple of Augustus, of which four columns have been preserved to this day and can be seen on top of Mont Tàber, on the adjacent Paradís Street.
Key Witness
Time and again throughout Barcelona’s history, the Plaça de Sant Jaume has been in the thick of it. More recently, it witnessed the proclamation of the Catalan State in 1931, and it often remains the site of separatist fervour today. It was also where the politician Josep Tarradelles returned from exile in 1977, two years after the death of dictator Franco, with the now famous words: “Citizens of Catalonia, I am here at last!”
Work Hard, Play Hard
Far from all work and no play, the Plaça de Sant Jaume is a hot spot for festivals and dancing. Head along on Sunday mornings and you can watch locals dancing the Sardana, the national dance of Catalonia. On the day of the National Holy Jordi, 23rd April, the blue of the city police is subsumed by the red of roses: this is the day Cervantes and Shakespeare died, and tradition dictates that each man gives a woman a rose, and each woman gives a man a book. It’s a wonderful sight.
Explore Barcelona's historic and vibrant heart on this family-friendly 2.5-hour private walking tour, including tickets to the Big Fun Museum - great for kids of all ages. Discover the Gothic quarter and Roman Ruins with amazing stories of the past. See some of the city's dazzling architecture by Antonio Gaudi as you explore with your family-friendly private guide.
On your private walking tour, you will:
On this family-friendly tour, you'll be taken on an unforgettable journey through Barcelona's prettiest area, the iconic Gothic Quarter also known as Barri Gòtic. With its charming, winding, cobbled streets, medieval yet vibrant atmosphere, markets, artisanal shops, and amazing Gothic architecture - there are so many things to see and secrets to discover!
From the ruins of the Roman walls and gothic splendour of the cathedrals to the eccentric buildings by Gaudi, colourful mosaic by Miro, and vibrant streets and markets, your family-friendly guide will make the tour really engaging for your children - with quizzes, guessing games, interesting stories, and fun activities.
You'll see all the most iconic sites of the Gothic Quarter, including the Cathedral with its amazing gargoyles on the rooftop and the imposing Placa del Rei. Enjoy wandering along Barcelona's iconic La Rambla - famous for its flower stalls and street food vendors; you'll see the leather and jewellery artisan shops and boutiques, and soak up the fun and buzzy atmosphere of the elegant Plaza Reial with delightful fountains and elegant palm trees.
As you stroll towards La Boqueria, you will also see the legendary Dancing Giants on display. The Dancing Giants are wearable puppets and the traditional dances wearing these massive costumes are a highlight of the parades on Catholic feast days in Barcelona!
At the end of your tour, your guide will leave you with entrance tickets to the amazing Big Fun Museum. Here, you will discover a magical world, like stepping through the Looking Glass and into Wonderland—including an upside-down house!
Explore Barcelona's iconic Ramblas and the historic Gothic Quarter filled with spectacular architecture in Gothic style, including the remains of the Roman-era city walls, many medieval landmarks and Barcelona Cathedral, famous for its statues of gargoyles and other mythic creatures. Uncover the rich history of the gothic centre of Barcelona, which has developed since the Roman period to become the thriving capital of Catalonia that it is today.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
The Gothic Quarter – also known as Barri Gòtic, is the area that stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere and is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It is known as the Gothic Quarter, as it used to be the location of a Roman village and some of the remnants still remain.
You will visit the Jewish Quarter, known as the Call, a collection of streets in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter that was established by a group of Jewish merchants in the 13th century. This section of the area was established because this group of people weren’t welcome anywhere else on the mainland along with everyone else, they built their own space to live, build churches or synagogues and freely practice any religion they wanted in peace.
Your tour will end with entrance tickets and a guided tour of Barcelona Cathedral. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is a gorgeous Gothic cathedral in the old centre of the bustling Catalan city; it is also the seat of the Archbishop of Spain.
Construction of the Cathedral began at the end of the 13th century during the reign of King James II of Aragon and took around 150 years to complete. While the structure and internal decoration of the Cathedral were completed by the 15th century, its neo-Gothic façade was added at the end of the 19th century, covering the rather plain original exterior; the roof (which your tickets give you access to) was also adorned with an impressive range of gargoyles.
Enjoy this masterpiece as the capstone to your highlights tour!
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