On the other side of the palace there is another delightful courtyard which leads in the Museu Frederic Marès with its medieval sculpture collection
A Time and a Place
Plaça del Rei may be small, but it is dense with history. The Royal Palace - the Palau Reial Major - has enclosed the square for centuries, cupping it from the winds of time. As such, the Plaça del Rei is imbued with Barcelona’s Middle Ages splendour, and is perhaps one of the best windows into the city’s past.
The palace was the residence of the Catalan counts and King of Aragon who reigned during the Middle Ages. It dates from the 11th century, but underwent alterations in the 13th century. As a result, it’s a fine example of Gothic architecture, mingled with Romanesque elements.
Set in Stone
The highlight of the palace is surely the Salo del Tinell, a magnificent banquet hall which was added in the 14th century and now houses the temporary exhibitions of the city history museum. The museum itself can be entered by the stairs to the Palau Clariana-Padellàs, which was moved to this spot stone by stone from Carrer Mercarders early in the 20th century.
On the other side of the square you will find the Royal Chapel of St. Agatha, with its unique octagonal bell tower in the shape of a crown. Within the chapel is an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic art, Jaume Huguet’s Epiphany, and its ceiling is covered with striking polychrome tiles.
Hearsay
The steps that fan out from the corner of the square were allegedly where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella stood to greet Christopher Columbus when he arrived home after his first voyage to the New World.
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!
Experience the best of medieval and modern culture in El Born, Barcelona's trendiest and most beautiful neighbourhood on this private walking tour, including tickets for the guided tour of the Palau de la Música, an icon of modernism.
On your private half-day tour. you will:
El Born, while home to some of the oldest medieval buildings in Barcelona, has become one of the city’s most lively, trendy and popular neighbourhoods. Originally inhabited by fishermen and dockworkers, it was absorbed into the city walls in the 15th century and gradually became desirable to the aristocracy and merchant classes.
Today, it is a bohemian, artsy, cultural paradise –famous for its great tapas and fashionable bistros, museums, gothic architecture, food markets and music halls! A place where history and modernity blend effortlessly.
Your private walking tour will take in all the highlights of the art, architecture and vibrant culture of El Born and culminate at the Palau de la Música Catalana. This opera house is one of Barcelona’s most impressive Modernist masterpieces, designed by Catalan architect Lluis Domenech I Montaner. This is where you say goodbye to your guide, who will have arranged your tickets for a guided tour inside the iconic concert hall.
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