Barcelona, walking tours

http://www.runnerbeantours.com/ -my choice! | http://www.newbarcelona-tours.com/daily-tours/free-tour-of-barcelona.html | http://www.discoverwalks.com/barcelona-walking-tours/ | http://www.feelfreetours.com/ | Tours with a twist: http://www.pummbarcelona.cat/en/

There are plenty more though :)

Rick lists a variety of walking tours in the current Spain guidebook, including some run by the tourist office, the Ruta de Modernisme people, and a specialist in the Spanish Civil War. There are also three companies running food-related tours, plus two recommended individual guides and a guide bureau. Some of the tours are shorter than a half-day.

I have no experience with any of the companies, but there are many interesting options. If you don't have the Spain guidebook, I recommend it.

We picked up a couple of excellent tours from the TI at the top of the Las Ramblas, south end of the plaza. We always find the local TIs as excellent sources for good tours.

Thanks everyone... I do have Rick's guidebook... will look in there too.

You can see a full list of the TI's tours on their website. Most are 2-3 hours. I've taken 2 and they were both quite good.

I have taken several walking tours in Barcelona over the years. I heartily endorse both those conducted by the TI in Placa Catalunya and those conducted by Runner Bean. All had knowledgeable, and sometimes entertaining, tour guides.

We took a RunnerBean tour and thought it was very good.

I've done the RunnerBean tour of the Gotic and thought it was fine for those with a general interest; for those with a special interest in the Civil War the tour done by Nick Lloyd is excellent.

Note that most of the RunnerBean guides are native speakers of English, so their pronunciation of Spanish tends to be Anglicized, for good or bad depending on your druthers.

Spend your morning on the Ramblas, taking time to visit the Boqueria Markets.
At 11am join the Runner Bean Old City Walking Tour at Placa Reial.
http://www.runnerbeantours.com/barcelona-tours/free-walking-tour-old-city/13
Enjoy a seafood lunch in Barceloneta by the waterfront.
Finally, make a paseo along Passeig de Gracia, possibly visiting Casa Batllo or Casa Mila.

In April 2016, we did the morning food tour with Devour Barcelona. It was really great, if eating and drinking is your main interest. They dropped by a great bakery (rare in Barcelona), the local market, and several tapas places. The guide was from England and the tour included some history of Barcelona. So depending upon your interest, they are a consideration.

When we were in Barcelona last September we did several tours with Runner Bean tours, one with Fat Tire Bicycle Tours and one with Hidden City. Each was different - the Runner Bean Tours were with much larger groups and while the guides were good the size of the group made it challenging and at times, the talks felt more like a well-rehearsed spiel. We did the Mont Juic e-bike tour with with Fat Tire and it was fun because we explored areas of the city we otherwise might not have and I have to say, e-bikes are the bomb! Our Fat Tire guide was a native Catalan and we really appreciated her insights. Her tour was definitely not a canned speech - she was showing us her city and her devotion to the city was heartfelt. But the tour that left the lasting impression was the Hidden City tour. All the tour guides are formerly or currently homeless people. Go to the website and read about this social enterprise. The tour we went on was just the 2 of us and it was fantastic. We learned lots about the Gothic Quarter and we got insight into homelessness a massive problem in Barcelona. It was informative, fun and memorable and at no point was it uncomfortable, despite my initial concerns. Our guide was professional, honest about her circumstances but more importantly, focused on making sure we learned about the unique history of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. And along the way, we learned how people survive on the street - what it takes to get through the day and how it's possible to come out the other side. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

KAS - the Hidden City tours website is fascinating! Thanks for posting it.

Another vote for Nick Lloyd's Civil War tour. Exceptional!

As the Runner Bean Tours are "tip the guide" types of tours. What is the usual tip; 10 Euros a person?

I generally tip 10 euro for a good tour, perhaps 15 for an excellent one.