Kelli & Lucy’s Top Tips for a School Trip to Barcelona

As part of our commitment to customer service, Kelli and Lucy two of our Tour Planners, travelled to Barcelona on a fact-finding mission and for that first-hand experience. Here is their account of their trip:

Day 1

After an early rise and quick flight, we were both in Barcelona! We got the bus from the airport to the hostel, which was really easy as this was right outside the terminal. We visited Nou Camp in the afternoon – we were impressed with the scale of the stadium as well as the museum. There are loads of good photo opportunities for students, and they can go around the entire stadium including the commentary box and the changing rooms.

We had dinner at Moka along the Las Ramblas, which is in a great location. The students receive a 3-course meal which is good quality and filling after a long day.

Day 2

We had free time in the morning and we went to the La Boqueria Market which is a great spot for students to pick up some snacks or some lunch. We took the metro to Espanya, which was very straightforward, and took a walk up to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. We unfortunately did not have time to go in, however it is a beautiful building situated close to the magic fountains, where a light show is held every evening.

We walked up to Poble Espanyol, and although the walk is uphill, it is not long and is suitable for groups as the walking path is wide along the side of the road. Poble Espanyol is an open-air architectural museum in Barcelona, which charges a small entrance fee. It is great for groups to spend some free time here as they can get some lunch and do souvenir shopping. The tapas here was great and they offer a student menu.

Following Poble Espanyol, we took a leisurely walk up to the Cable Car. On the way, we passed the 1992 Olympic Stadium.

The cable car provides great views of Barcelona and is a fun activity for students. This visit does not need to be pre-booked so it is a great visit to fill out some spare time.

We had dinner at Nervion, which also provided a great tapas menu. We unfortunately did not see the Flamenco Show, but this is something that they offer to groups to get a real feel of the local culture.

Day 3

We went down to the Beach but did not spend much time here as it was November however we can imagine it would be great for summer travellers! Following this, we had a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, this was very informative, and it would keep students engaged. As well as seeing historical landmarks, we also got to see famous filming locations from films and TV shows, for example Game of Thrones!

We thoroughly enjoyed the Paella Making class as we got to see two different paella dishes being made. Students certainly would not go hungry after this!

Day 4

As this was our last day, we wanted to see a few more sites. We went up to Parc Guell. This is a lovely park and had lots of walking routes. If you wish, you can pay to get into the regulated zone, in which you can see more of Gaudi’s architectural designs.

Thereafter, we visited Sagrada Familia. We did the external viewing of this building which was equally as impressive. There are many spots here for the students to grab some lunch.

Whilst in Barcelona, we also visited over six accommodations. It was great to see the range of hotels and hostels that we offer, all of which are well suited to groups.

As it was time to leave for the airport, we could not fit anything else onto our itinerary. However, there are many other interesting activities for students to do whilst here, such as, Barcelona Cathedral, Picasso Museum plus many more.

Kelli and Lucy’s Top Tips

• Do not be afraid to use public transport – the metro is well connected and easy to navigate. Make use of a multi-day metro card to save money!
• Immerse yourself in the local culture by trying food from markets and tapas at restaurants.
• We highly recommend visiting Nou Camp as it’s an interesting visit which will keep students engaged.
• Booking a walking tour is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city and learn about the local history.
• If you’re stuck for an evening activity, why not visit the light show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.

Inspired? Our selection of college and school trips to Barcelona are suitable for many subjects including Art & Design, Spanish Language, Leisure & Tourism, Sport, Food Technology as well as a general Cultural & Enrichment tour.

Give us a call and start your journey to Barcelona with European Study Tours today.