Barcelona and the Costa Brava

The ideal destination for Modern Foreign Language (MFL) tours and Art tours, it’s easy to see why Barcelona and the Costa Brava are the most popular choices for a school trip to Spain. A colourful, vibrant, and exciting city rich in culture and history, Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is best known for its art, architecture, and of course, its football club!

A school tour to Barcelona will give Spanish learners the perfect opportunity to practise and build confidence in their language skills, to learn more about Spanish and Catalan culture, and of course to sample the delights of the local cuisine. No visit to the city is complete without a stroll along the lively Las Ramblas, around the winding streets of the Barrio Gótico, or the bustling La Boquería food market, all of which will leave a lasting impression on pupils.

For those looking for an art focus to their school trip to the Costa Brava, the list of museums in Barcelona and the region is endless. Marvel at Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in and around Barcelona (the Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà and Parc Güell to name but a few), view some of Picasso’s earlier works at the ever-popular Picasso Museum, or wonder at the surrealist works of Dali in Figueres.

From Nou Camp for the sports enthusiasts, to Port Aventura for the thrill seekers, whatever the focus of your school trip to Barcelona and the Costa Brava, you can guarantee that there will be a wide range of excursions and visits to appeal to each and every student. Why not contact us today to find out more?

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Port Aventura

One of the best-loved theme parks in Spain, Port Aventura is the perfect addition to your school trip to Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Every Party Member is guaranteed a fun-filled day of rides, roller coasters and shows at this ever-popular excursion, which is split into six themed worlds, representing the five continents, plus the latest addition, which is based on Sesame Street! There are shops and food outlets throughout the park, as well as picnic areas where groups can eat their packed lunches. Located 70 miles south of Barcelona, this is an all-day activity and is recommended for any school tour to the Costa Brava. Please note this excursion closes during the winter months.

Nou Camp

A must for all sports fans, FC Barcelona’s Nou Camp Stadium has a cult-like status in the city, where football is almost a religion. Visitors to the stadium learn about the history of FC Barcelona and the incredible achievements of Spain’s most successful football team in the form of trophies and interactive tables and wall displays at the museum. Groups are also able to walk through the players’ tunnel, see the visitors’ dressing room, visit the press room, and marvel at the size of this massive stadium from the pitch. This enjoyable excursion can be included in any school trip to Barcelona, and is open all year round, although visiting hours are subject to match fixtures and special events at the stadium.

Picasso Museum

Still one of the city’s biggest draws since its opening in 1963, the Picasso Museum has to be at the top of the list when it comes to choosing the excursions for your art school trip to Barcelona. Located in the pretty La Ribera district of the Old Town, the museum exhibits the most extensive collection (an impressive 4251 pieces in total) of the artist’s earlier works, up to the Blue Period. The museum helps visitors understand in greater depth the works of Picasso’s formative years as well as his deep relationship with Barcelona. Early booking is highly recommended due to popular demand; the museum is closed on Mondays.

Sagrada Familia

It is hard not to be astounded by the scale and beauty of Gaudi’s most famous work, the Sagrada Familia. Since his death in 1926, work on Barcelona’s most iconic landmark has been slow, and its completion is anticipated in 2026. School groups can take in the fantastically intricate sculpting on the outer facades (the Nativity Facade is not to be missed), before entering the Cathedral, where the beautiful stained glass windows can truly be appreciated. No longer a worksite, the completed nave is now an amazing space; don’t forget to look up at the breathtaking ceiling! School Groups can also pay an additional supplement to ascend the towers by lift, where they can take in views of the city from the rooftop; not for the faint-hearted! A highly recommended excursion for Art trips and MFL trips alike.

Of course, the above excursions are only a sample. We will tailor-make your tour to engage with your exact learning requirements, and our information packs contain details of our extensive excursion package. Why not contact us now to request more information?

We work with a wide range of good standard accommodation in Barcelona and on the Costa Brava. For coach tours, our school groups are generally accommodated in a three star hotel in a coastal resort on the Costa Brava, for example Lloret de Mar, Calella or Sant Antoni de Calonge. Most of these hotels will have a swimming pool and/or be situated within walking distance of the beach. For our flight packages, there is the possibility of accommodation located in Barcelona itself, either in a good standard youth centre or in a hotel. All of the accommodations with whom we work have ensuite facilities and are well used to catering to the needs of school groups. Students are generally accommodated in multi-bedded rooms sleeping between two and four pupils (depending on the accommodation) and adults are accommodated in twin and single rooms. Packed lunches can be provided to take away for your day’s excursions and evening meals are taken at the hotels’ restaurants, although we can also offer the option of having Tapas on one evening (at a supplement), so that your students can enjoy a true taste of Spain during their school trip.