PRIVATE MARKET TOURS IN SPAIN
The good private market tours in Spain sell out first, and the early departures go before the rest. Below: the 10 to book ahead, what each includes and how they differ.
Join a private group of up to six at Gastronomic Arts Barcelona. With chefs such as Gabriel, Maria, or Alberto, you’ll shop La Boqueria, prepare tapas, sangria, paella, and Tarta de Santiago, then leave with recipes and a group photo.
“We had a wonderful time learning to cook paella with Maria. She was really good with the kids. They had a great time. Worth doing!”
Walk from Sant Antoni to La Boqueria and Santa Caterina with a private local guide, tasting 10 foods and drinks, including paella and tortilla. Guides such as Silvina and Elvira have adapted the pace and focus for individual groups. Vegetarian alternatives are available.
“Great guide, very fun and knowledgeable. Lots if food and drink and learned great info about the city. Bonus was a 5 mile walk!”
Walk Malaga’s old center with a private guide such as Silvina, Elmira, Jorge, or Mohammed. Visit the Alcazaba, Cathedral, Atarazanas Market, and Archaeological Museum, while seeing the Roman Theatre and Picasso sites from outside. Expect history, local tips, and a flexible pace.
“Christine our guide was amazing. So much knowledge. She took us through highlights of Malaga and was interesting and informative. Definitely recommend her. Beautiful city and half day tour is very worthwhile.”
Start near the Palau de la Música at 5 p.m. and walk with a private English-speaking guide through La Boqueria, the Gothic Quarter, Plaça de Sant Jaume, and Santa Caterina Market. Expect Catalan tastings, a delicatessen tapas menu, and a final stop in El Born.
“My 4 star rating is an average of poor booking experience with an exceptional custom tour that we didn't actual book. This was our second excursion booked on Viator, once again we had some trouble with this booking. There was never any indication to choose one of the two tour times. The local office was not open and the meeting place was a random courtyard that was a little tucked away. So, we arrived for the afternoon tour. No one was there. We called and they had us booked in the morning. They agreed that the paperwork was incorrect and let us go back the next day fortunately, we were…”
Meet your private guide at Plaça Reial for a four-hour food walk through Barcelona’s Old City. Sample Catalan drinks, pintxos, Mediterranean tapas, and meat dishes while exploring La Boqueria and Santa Caterina markets. Guides such as Montse and Vincent are known for adapting the route to your preferences.
“Tip individuelle Tour......lecker Essen und Trinken...mit viel Info”
Spend about four hours walking from Plaça Reial through La Boqueria, a local pintxos bar, and Santa Caterina Market, ending with Catalan food and wine. Your private English-speaking guide helps you order, explains market traditions, and adjusts the experience to your group’s tastes.
“We had the most amazing experience with our guide! She made us feel like family, and tailored the tour to our taste. My 10 year old daughter enjoyed it as well. Lots of great information, and a fun time tasting the local delicacies. I definitely recommend this tour.”
Start at Sant Antoni Market at 10 a.m. and follow a private guide through Las Ramblas, Boqueria, Barcelona Cathedral, and Santa Caterina Market. You will taste Catalan snacks, hear local food stories, and finish in El Born. Guides may include Alessandro or Henrietta.
“Alessandro was a fantastic tour guide. My husband and I really enjoyed the history, food and his company. We toured 3 markets and walked through Old Town and New Town. I wish we had these types of markets in California where we are from. I highly recommend Alessandro if you are looking for a private and much smaller group tour. A++”
Join Brendan for a private 3 to 4-hour food walk from Font de Canaletes through La Boqueria and El Raval to Sant Antoni Market. Start with coffee and Catalan pastry, taste jamón, cheese, seafood, sweets, and wine, then finish with shared tapas.
“It was very personalised, informative and interesting. Felt like we were out with a friend. And the food was amazing.”
Spend four hours with a professional chef exploring La Boqueria, Santa Caterina Market, the Gothic Quarter, Plaça Reial, and El Born. Expect Catalan specialties, tapas, local wine, pan con tomate, and a small-group walk in English or Spanish. If Faco leads, you’ll have a guide praised for food and city insight.
“This tour was excellent! Great way to explore the city, learn about the history, and find some incredible food spots. Our guide, Faco, was very knowledgeable about the food and the city, and made sure we had a great time. Would highly recommend.”
Meet Chef Josh at 10 a.m. for a private market walk in Gràcia, then shop for ingredients and cook paella in his nearby studio. You will learn by doing, with sangria, tapas, dessert, and a choice of seafood, meat, or vegetarian paella. English instruction is provided.
“Our market tour & paella cooking class with Josh was one of the highlights of our time in Barcelona. Josh did a wonderful job teaching us how to make authentic paella & my son declared it the best meal of our trip (I would have to agree!). The tour of the market was informative as well. Oh, and the sangria was the best I’ve had!”
Pick a kind of market, or the hour of the day you want to be standing in one.
