Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Paella & Secret Tastings Walk

Summary

Tapas and paella in El Born to Barceloneta’s sea breeze

You’ll taste Barcelona’s best tapas in lively markets and old neighborhoods, from salty anchovies to melt-in-your-mouth jamón ibérico. Share laughs with your guide as you wander medieval streets toward Barceloneta’s sea breeze for paella and sangria — plus one secret dish you probably won’t guess. Come hungry; you’ll leave full of stories.

What’s the experience like?

Someone handed me a paper napkin before I’d even figured out what I was supposed to do with the anchovy. Our guide, Marta, grinned — “Just eat it!” she said, so I did. Salty, sharp, a bit of olive oil running down my thumb. We were standing at a counter in Mercat de Santa Caterina, surrounded by locals arguing softly over tomatoes. The market roof looked like a mosaic wave above us. I kept catching whiffs of fresh bread and something sweet I couldn’t place — maybe that Catalan pastry we tried later? It was still early but the place buzzed.

We wandered through El Born after that, ducking under balconies draped with laundry and listening to Marta explain why jamón ibérico is so expensive (I still think about those thin slices melting on my tongue). At one point she stopped to chat with an older man selling olives; they laughed about football, or maybe politics — my Spanish is shaky. Someone in our group tried to pronounce “pa amb tomàquet” and got a round of applause from the stall owner. It felt like we were part of the neighborhood for a minute.

By the time we reached Barceloneta, the air had changed — saltier, lighter somehow. We squeezed into a tiny spot for paella (seafood glistening on top) and sangria so cold it made my teeth ache. There was this moment when everyone went quiet except for forks scraping plates and waves somewhere beyond the buildings. Oh — and there’s a secret dish too, but I won’t spoil it. Just don’t wear tight pants if you book this Barcelona food tour; you’ll thank me later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Barcelona's culinary highlights

• Meet at Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran
• Visit Mercat de Santa Caterina market
• Explore El Born neighborhood streets
• Discover La Barceloneta coastal area

Top questions

Where does the Barcelona food tour start?

The tour begins at Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran in central Barcelona.

How many tastings are included on this food tour?

The tour includes 8+ tastings such as tapas, paella, jamón ibérico, cheeses, churros, pastries, and more.

Does this Barcelona food tour include paella?

Yes, you will enjoy mouth-watering paella during the tour in Barceloneta.

Is sangria served on this tapas tour?

Yes, both wine and sangria are included among the drinks offered during the tastings.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

You should contact the organizers in advance to discuss any dietary requirements so they can accommodate you as best as possible.

How much walking is involved on this Barcelona food tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking through El Born and Barceloneta neighborhoods; comfortable shoes are recommended.

What is the secret dish mentioned in the description?

The secret dish is not revealed ahead of time; it's part of the experience during the food tour.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through El Born and Barceloneta with plenty of stops for over eight tastings: white anchovies, jamón ibérico and cured sausages, Catalan pastries, cheeses, pintxos (hot and cold), churros dipped just right, olives with crisps on the side, classic paella with seafood or meat depending on availability—and both wine and sangria poured generously along the way. There’s also a surprise secret dish before you finish up feeling happily stuffed.