Hi. We will be going to Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada, and Sevilla in September. We plan on visiting, among other sites, Sagrada Familia, Al Hambre, Mezquita, Alcazar and Seville cathedral. We will be buying tickets ahead. Is it worth it to get a guided tour or would a self guided tour (many sites come with audioguide) be just as enjoyable and informative? Thanks
Posted by
NM, USA
911 posts
We've had fantastic guides all over Europe - knowledgeable, personable, etc. And you get a sense of connecting to a local which is always valuable. However I lean toward self guided because I can totally go at my own pace, see the things I'm interested in and not kept standing for long periods as a guide explains something. It also allows me to work around clumps of crowds. The only tours i didn't get much out of were on my own just relying on museum signs. I haven't been overly impressed with signage in European museums.
Edit: If using audio guides bring your own ear buds.
Posted by
Washington DC
28090 posts
Rick usually gives his opinion about audioguides when they are available. I think the Mezquita was one he didn't like (but check your guidebook to be sure). I used the audioguides at the other sights you listed and was satisfied with them. I prefer to move at my own pace rather than be part of a large tour at a major sight; I've observed that I tend to spend a lot more time at each sight than the typical tour group does. A private guide would be different, but those are quite expensive.