Catalonia centers on Barcelona and its surroundings, and the tours split neatly between food (paella classes, market-and-tapas walks) and adventure (Montserrat hiking, a Costa Brava kayak day, a sidecar-motorcycle spin). Ratings are near-perfect across the board, either 5.0 or 4.9, so review depth becomes the real differentiator. Prices run from $71.42 for the Costa Brava adventure day to $196.40 for the private sidecar tour.
If you want the most-proven option, the 4.9-rated paella class with 1,022 reviews and the tapas food walk with 934 reviews have by far the deepest track records. The 5.0-rated options (Montserrat, sidecar, two other cooking classes) are excellent but far less reviewed. So decide your appetite first, cooking versus tapas-crawling versus getting outdoors, then weigh whether you value a flawless-but-thinner rating or a near-perfect one with thousands behind it.
#1Best Outdoors
Montserrat Hiking Experience & Monastery Premium Small Group Tour
A small-group Montserrat hike and monastery visit.
★★★★★ 5.0 (133 reviews)·from $87·6h 30m·Small group
This 6.5-hour small-group tour pairs a Montserrat hike with the monastery, at $86.51 with 133 reviews at a perfect 5.0. It's the best escape-the-city option and the top-rated outdoor pick. Fewer reviews than the food leaders, but a flawless rating and a genuine mountain day.
★★★★★“Excellent experience with Ramon! He was an amazing guide for both the beautiful monastery and the hike!! I am amazed how much we learned about the area and the mountain! Ramon is passionate about Montserrat and it shows!”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Personal insurance
- Transport by private air-conditioned eight-seater minivan
- Montserrat Monastery skip the line tickets & guided visit
- Montserrat Natural Park guided hike
Where you'll go: Barcelona · Abadia De Montserrat · Montana de Montserrat · Monestir de Montserrat
What's good
- Perfect 5.0 rating
- Small-group hiking plus the famous monastery
- Full 6.5-hour day out of the city
What to know
- Only 133 reviews
- Requires a real hike (390 minutes total)
Best for: Active travelers wanting mountains and the Montserrat monastery.
Skip it if: You'd rather stay in the city or avoid hiking.
#2Best Cooking Class
Boqueria Market Tour, Paella Cooking Class, Sangria & Tapas
A perfect-rated paella class with market tour.
★★★★★ 5.0 (116 reviews)·from $119·3h 00m·
This three-hour experience combines a Boqueria Market tour with a paella class, sangria and tapas, at $119.03 with 116 reviews at 5.0. It's very similar to the top pick but with a flawless rating and far fewer reviews. Choose it if a clean 5.0 matters more to you than volume.
★★★★★“This experience was a hit from every aspect. The tour of the market introduced us to so many delights. The hostess did a great job of building a team environment and getting everyone involved. Oh, and dare I mention that the food was fabulous!
I highly recommend this experience as a way to learn more about and eat authentic Paella.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Paella options: Seafood Paella *DEFAULT* 2. Mushroom/Veg paella available (notify in advance)
- Mon-Sat: Boqueria Market entrance: Rambla 89-91, Look for red umbrella, 5 min before the start time
- Free-flowing Sangria, Cava and Wine. Non alcoholic beverages: Virgin Sangria, water, soft drinks and juice
- ️Catalan feast: Traditional Starters&Tapas: Artisanal Jamón &cheese. Golden or BLACK INK Seafood Paella (prawns/lobster/mussels/squid). Free-flowing Sangria, Cava, Wine, Soft drinks. Seasonal dessert!
What's good
- Perfect 5.0 rating
- Boqueria Market tour plus cooking
- Includes sangria and tapas
What to know
- Only 116 reviews
- Pricier than the 1,022-review class ($119.03)
Best for: Cooks who want a flawless-rated class with a market visit.
Skip it if: You trust review volume over a thin 5.0.
#3Most Memorable
Barcelona Private Tour by Sidecar Motorcycle
A private sidecar-motorcycle tour of Barcelona.
★★★★★ 5.0 (112 reviews)·from $196·3h 30m·Private
This private three-hour sidecar tour zips past Plaza de Catalunya, the Arc de Triomf, Sagrada Familia and Sant Pau, at $196.40 with 112 reviews at 5.0. It's the priciest tour here and a genuinely novel way to see the landmarks. Private and unforgettable, if the budget allows.
★★★★★“This was amazing and our guide Pablo was a bonus gem! The bucket seat was very comfortable (and safe). My husband is a motorcycle rider so I gave him the "back" passenger seat behind the guide which did seem a bit scary to novice riders like myself. Our guide was generous with time and knowledge and absolutely hit it off with my hubby about their shared passion for motorcycles.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Private transportation
- Driver / guide
- Helmets with headsets to communicate with your guide
- Pick-up at your hotel/apartment (city center)
Where you'll go: Plaza de Catalunya · Arco di Trionfo · Basilica de la Sagrada Familia · Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
What's good
- Private and highly novel (vintage sidecar)
- Covers Barcelona's headline landmarks
- Perfect 5.0 rating
What to know
- Most expensive option ($196.40)
- Only 112 reviews
Best for: Couples wanting a private, standout way to see the city.
Skip it if: You're budget-conscious or want depth over spectacle.
#4Best for Views
Interactive Paella & Market: Bottomless Wine & Rambla Views
A paella class with bottomless wine and Rambla views.
★★★★★ 5.0 (102 reviews)·from $149·4h 00m·
This four-hour interactive paella and market experience adds bottomless wine and Rambla views, at $148.79 with 102 reviews at 5.0. The bottomless-wine angle and longer duration set it apart from the other cooking classes. Fewest reviews here, but a fun, generous format.
★★★★★“Chef Juan was wonderful, very friendly, he made us feel like we were old friends. Most importantly he taught us a lot about cooking in general as well as the multiple dishes we prepared and cooked under his watchful care! The most fun cooking class I’ve ever attended. You won’t be sorry if you sign up for the wonderful class The trip through the Rambles market was so informative and exciting. Not”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Kitchen tools
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Lunch
- PDF Recipes
What's good
- Bottomless wine included
- Longer 4-hour interactive format with a view
- Perfect 5.0 rating
What to know
- Fewest reviews (102) in the set
- Higher price ($148.79) than similar classes
Best for: Groups wanting a lively, wine-forward paella session.
Skip it if: You want a proven track record or a cheaper class.
#5Best Overall
Barcelona Paella Cooking Class with Market Visit, Tapas & Sangria
The most-reviewed tour here: a paella class with a market visit.
★★★★½ 4.9 (1,022 reviews)·from $107·3h 00m·
This three-hour paella cooking class includes a market visit, tapas and sangria, at $107.13 with a class-leading 1,022 reviews at 4.9. That review volume, far beyond anything else in the set, makes it the most reliable choice in Catalonia. It bundles market, cooking and eating into one well-run afternoon.
★★★★★“Such a fun experience and one of the highlights of our trip to Barcelona. We made sangria, paella, and cake, and everything was delicious. The class was fun, easy to follow, and the instructor was so friendly and engaging. Such a great way to experience Spanish culture, definitely recommend!”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Beverages included: sangria, red wine, bottled water, and juice
- **La Boqueria Market Tour (Excluding Sundays and Public Holidays)
- Traditional Spanish dessert with instruction
- Tapas tasting (selection varies)
What's good
- Most reviews in the set by far (1,022)
- Market visit plus paella, tapas and sangria
- Strong 4.9 rating
What to know
- 4.9 rather than a flat 5.0
- Cooking class, not sightseeing
Best for: Barcelona visitors wanting a proven, all-in-one food experience.
Skip it if: You want the outdoors or a flawless 5.0 rating.
#6Best Food Walk
Barcelona: Guided Food Walking Tour with Tapas and Wine
A guided Barcelona tapas-and-wine crawl.
★★★★½ 4.9 (934 reviews)·from $101·2h 30m·
This 2.5-hour food walking tour along routes like Carrer de Montcada delivers tapas and wine, at $101.18 with 934 reviews at 4.9. With the second-deepest review base here, it's the go-to if you'd rather eat your way through the city than cook. Broad appeal and well established.
★★★★★“What an amazing food tour in the old quarter of Barcelona! Our guide, Mariah, was amazing. She was fantastic, with a great sense of humor and an amazing knowledge of the Barcelona food and drink scene. Our stops were filled with different types of tapas and drink, all tied into the local scene and all with a different flair.
We've been on many food tours and this was one of the best.
As a bonus”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Local drinks (vermouth, cava, wine)
- Fun, informative walking tour of El Born and the Gothic Quarter
- An award-winning culinary experience led by a passionate local guide
- Vegetarian & alcohol-free options at every stop
Where you'll go: Carrer de Montcada
What's good
- 934 reviews at 4.9, second-most here
- Tapas and wine across the city on foot
- Good coverage of Barcelona's food scene
What to know
- 4.9, not a perfect 5.0
- Walking-heavy over 2.5 hours
Best for: Travelers who prefer eating out to a cooking class.
Skip it if: You want hands-on cooking or a countryside adventure.
#7Best Value
Costa Brava Tour: Kayak, Snorkel & Cliff Jump from Barcelona
Cheapest here and a full Costa Brava adventure day.
★★★★½ 4.9 (689 reviews)·from $71·8h 00m·
At $71.42, this eight-hour Costa Brava trip, kayaking, snorkeling and cliff jumping from Barcelona, is the lowest-priced tour in the set and holds 4.9 across 689 reviews. It's a big, active day on the coast for a great price. Best for the adventurous and reasonably fit.
★★★★★“It was great. Everything was wonderfully explained. We had a great time!! 10/10 would recommend/ do again!! JB and Henery were amazing guides!”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- All kayaking & snorkeling equipment included, including life jackets and optional wetsuits for cooler months
- 2.5–3 hours of kayaking & snorkeling with certified English-speaking guides
- Security - Civil liability & accident insurance, safety boat & Secure storage for your valuables
- Free time to explore the beautiful coastline, swim, snorkel, relax or enjoy cocktails at a beach bar
Where you'll go: Costa Brava · S'Agaro · San Pol Beach · Cami De Ronda
What's good
- Lowest price in the set ($71.42)
- Full-day coastal adventure with 689 reviews
- Kayak, snorkel and cliff jumping in one trip
What to know
- 4.9, not 5.0
- Physically demanding, full 8-hour day
Best for: Active, budget-minded travelers wanting a Costa Brava day.
Skip it if: You want a relaxed pace or a city-based experience.
Before you go
- Wear proper shoes for Montserrat — the 'hike' means real trail walking around the peaks, not just visiting the monastery.
- Choose your paella class by inclusions: market visit (Boqueria) if you want the full experience, or a simpler class if you just want to cook and eat.
- For the Costa Brava kayak trip, cliff jumps are optional — you can swim and snorkel instead if heights aren't your thing.
- Book coastal and outdoor tours for May–September and reserve early; summer slots fill fast.
- The sidecar and food tours run through the city center — keep bags zipped and close on Las Ramblas and around Sagrada Familia, known pickpocket zones.
- Come to the paella and tapas classes hungry; portions plus sangria or bottomless wine add up to a full meal.
How I ranked these
For Catalonia tours I weighted three things: what you actually get for the money (group size, what's included, special access), the rating balanced against how many reviews back it up — a 4.9 from 200 people isn't the same as a 4.6 from 15,000 — and price for what's on offer. Ratings, review counts and prices shift over time, so always check the live booking page before you pay.
Good to know
How do I get to Montserrat and is the hike hard?
Montserrat is about an hour northwest of Barcelona in the mountains, and the small-group tour handles transport. The 'hiking experience' involves walking trails around the monastery and serrated peaks — moderate, with some uphill. You don't need to be an athlete, but wear proper shoes and expect real walking, not a stroll.
What's the difference between all the paella cooking classes?
They vary by what's bundled in. Some pair the class with a Boqueria or local market visit to buy ingredients first; others add tapas, sangria or 'bottomless' wine and Rambla views. If you want the full market-to-table experience, pick one that includes the market tour; if you just want to cook and eat, the simpler classes cost less.
Is the Costa Brava kayak and cliff-jump trip beginner-friendly?
Yes, for anyone reasonably comfortable in water. You kayak along the Costa Brava coast, snorkel, and cliff-jump (jumps are optional — you can skip and just swim). It runs from Barcelona as a day trip. Bring a swimsuit, towel and reef-safe sunscreen; the guides provide the gear.
Can I really tour Barcelona by sidecar motorcycle?
Yes — the private sidecar tour takes you past Plaza de Catalunya, the Arc de Triomf, Sagrada Familia and the Sant Pau modernist complex with a driver, so you just ride and photograph. It's a novelty way to cover the city's landmarks and great for photos, though it's sightseeing-from-the-outside rather than going inside monuments.
When's the best time for the coastal and outdoor tours?
Late spring through early autumn (roughly May to September) for the Costa Brava kayak/snorkel trip — the sea is warm enough and the weather reliable. Montserrat and the food tours run year-round, but summer coastal trips book up fast, so reserve ahead.
Prices are "from" prices in USD and change with date and availability. Last updated August 2026.