Barcelona: Gothic Quarter Tapas Tour & Wine Cellar Tastings

Summary

Barcelona’s old city flavors, tapas bars and centuries-old cellars

You’ll follow a local guide through Barcelona’s winding Gothic Quarter, tasting pork cheek, jamón ibérico, Padrón peppers, and Catalan desserts in family-run tapas bars and ancient wine cellars. Expect laughter over shared plates, stories behind medieval stones, and moments where food brings strangers together. You might even leave thinking about those flavors long after.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the first turn—Google Maps got confused by the alleys (honestly, so did I). But then I spotted Marta waving from under a stone arch near Plaça de Sant Jaume. She had this easy grin and a habit of switching from English to Catalan mid-sentence. Our small group shuffled together, still a bit awkward, as she led us straight into the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. It smelled like wet stone and something frying—croquettes maybe? The streets were narrow enough that you could touch both sides if you stretched.

The first stop was this family-run place tucked behind an old Roman wall. I tried to order vermut like a local but probably butchered it; Marta just laughed and poured me a glass anyway. We shared plates—pork cheek that fell apart on my fork, eggplant drizzled with honey, and these little green peppers (Padrón?) that surprised me by being mostly mild… except for one fiery outlier. Someone at the table yelped and everyone cracked up. There was bread with tomato too, simple but somehow perfect after walking those cobbles.

We wandered past the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar—Marta pointed out bullet scars on the stone from the civil war, which made everything feel heavier for a second. In the Jewish Quarter, she showed us carvings so worn you’d miss them if you weren’t looking. The air in those alleys felt cooler and close, like secrets were tucked everywhere. At another bar we tried jamón ibérico (the real stuff), calamari with kimchi sauce (didn’t expect that), and croquettes that reminded me of my grandma’s kitchen somehow.

The last stop was my favorite—a tiny wine cellar hidden behind an iron gate. It was candlelit and smelled faintly of figs and old wood. We ended with crema catalana and Cava; I scraped every bit from my dish while someone told a story about their first trip to Spain years ago. Walking out into the night, I realized how much food can make you feel part of a place—even if just for an evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Gothic Quarter and tapas tasting

• Walk through Ciutat Vella old city
• Pass Roman walls and cathedrals
• See Plaça de Sant Jaume and Sant Just
• Explore historic Jewish Quarter alleys
• Pass Gothic Quarter Baroque square
• Visit 12th-century Capella d’en Marcús
• Pass Roman city wall remnants
• Pass El Born and La Ribera areas
• Pass Catedral Del Mar Gothic church
• Stop at family-run restaurant for tapas
• Taste Spanish omelette and pork cheek
• Enjoy vermouth drink
• Visit unpretentious tapas bar in Gothic Quarter
• Taste Jamón Ibérico and calamari with kimchi
• Pair food with Catalan red wine
• Finish with Catalan dessert and Cava wine

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this Barcelona tapas tour?

You’ll enjoy around 8 to 12 tastings during the tour; exact items may vary depending on day or season.

Is this Gothic Quarter food tour suitable for vegetarians?

Vegetarians can be accommodated—just email dietary requirements ahead of time.

Does the tour include drinks like wine or vermouth?

Yes, drinks such as vermouth, red or white wine, cava, and water are included along with your tastings.

Are there any famous landmarks visited during this tour?

You’ll pass sites like Plaça de Sant Jaume and Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar as part of the route.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers for an intimate experience.

Is hotel pickup included in this Barcelona tapas tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; you’ll meet your guide at a central location in the Gothic Quarter.

Can guests with severe allergies join this food tour?

No—guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate for safety reasons.

What neighborhoods does the tour cover besides the Gothic Quarter?

You may also pass through El Born and La Ribera depending on the day of your tour.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided walks through Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella (old city), stops at family-run tapas bars for signature dishes like jamón ibérico, pork cheek, croquettes or Padrón peppers (plus vegetarian options by request), tastings of local drinks including vermouth and cava, all led by an English-speaking local guide before finishing in a historic wine cellar tucked inside the Jewish Quarter.