Do this because

On this exclusive National Geographic Day Tour, you’ll wander around the food stalls at Sant Antoni Market and help your guide pick out ingredients that you’ll use later during your cooking lesson

A National Geographic-trained guide will lead your tour. As a local and professional chef, they’ll give you the lowdown on Barcelona’s food habits and take you to lesser-known spots, like their favourite farm shop.

Head up to a nine-storey, open-air terrace and toast with a glass of sparkling wine that’s produced locally. The view up here looks out over the coast and towards the mountains

Under the guidance of a Spanish cuisine guru, learn how to make things like charcoal-grilled peppers and garlic prawns, as well as a true Spanish institution, paella

Sit down for lunch with some Barcelona locals and gain a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and heritage

Access

Immerse yourself in the destinations and attractions you explore through exclusive access and hands-on experiences based on National Geographic’s existing relationships around the globe.

Knowledge

Discover the world through the lens of National Geographic as National Geographic-trained guides and local experts share their knowledge and passion of the places and locations you visit.

Give back

Experience meaningful explorations with a commitment to sustainable tourism, with all tours meeting the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria and a portion of proceeds dedicated to fund research.

Local immersion

Become inspired to care about the planet and its people by gaining a deeper understanding of the communities and inhabitants of the places you visit through interaction and insights into their daily lives.

Storytelling

Be a part of the story of each destination you visit through the unparalleled content and research from National Geographic you’ll be exposed to, making you reflect on different current realities.

What to expect

Head off on a hands-on foodie tour of Barcelona, which includes everything from a shopping trip to one of the largest produce markets in the city to a cooking class led by a Spanish-cuisine savant. Your local guide, who’s also a professional chef, will tell you all about the city’s link to food and how it’s used to showcase the region’s history and culture.

To start, weave your way around the colorful food stalls at Sant Antoni Market, in the centre of the city. Fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses – you’ll be able to chat to the owners of all the stalls and get an understanding of how these foods are produced. While you’re here, your guide will pass out reusable grocery bags. With these, you can help shop for ingredients that will later be used during your cooking lesson.

From here, you’ll start the two-block walk to a nearby rooftop terrace, where you’ll dip into Spain’s wine culture while you sip on a glass of local sparkling wine. On the way, though, your guide will tell you all about life in Barcelona and point out their favourite vegetable store.

Afterwards, it’s time to start your cooking lesson. Under the tutelage of a Barcelona local who’s been cooking Spanish cuisine for years, you’ll use the ingredients you sourced earlier to make starters, main courses and a dessert. The main star, though, is the paella. You’ll hear all about the history and cultural significance of this iconic dish while you learn to carefully craft Spain’s national dish.