Barcelona's Dark History Night Tour in English

Badge of ExcellenceBarcelona, Spain

The Dark Legend Night Walking Tour in Barcelona

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Uncover Barcelona’s dark past on this night walking tour of the city in a small group. When twilight falls upon the city, stroll from the Arc de Triomf to El Born Cultural Center listening to tales of medieval torture, religious punishments, and public executions. Dive into the darker days when the Spanish Inquisition ruled the area and suffering was a part of daily life for many city dwellers.

Follow your guide from the Arc de Triomf to El Born Cultural Center exploring Barcelona's tainted past
Learn about the Spanish Inquisition and the seriousness of their actions
Hear stories of 15th-century executions and other gruesome punishments
Small-group tour limited to 15 people ensures a personalized experience with your guide

What's Included

Professional local guide
Small-group walking tour
Use of projector for images
Radioguides for communication between the guide and the participants

Food and drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Arc de Triomf, Ciutat Vella, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
The guide will be under the monumental arch wearing a bright green vest with the company's logo.

End point

El Born Center for Culture and Memory
Plaça Comercial, 12, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

What To Expect

Meet your guide and small group of no more than 15 in central Barcelona. As twilight hits the city, stroll around the Catalan capital listening to stories of what the city was like during its darkest days.

Understand what the Spanish Inquisition was, what they believed in, what methods they practiced, and how they affected the city and its people. Go further, and discover what types of executions took place in Barcelona and what public executions consisted of.

Other historical concepts you learn are what other medieval punishments happened at that time, how the development of cemeteries came about, and what the Acts of Faith of the Inquisition were. Get a chance to hear some of the city's really gnarly legends, along with the history.

Please note that because of the darker content of this tour, it isn’t recommended for children younger than 14 years of age.

Arc de Triomf

2 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

El Born

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
The number of participants per group is limited
The tour is not cancelled due to weather conditions so please bring an umbrella if it rains
Not recommended for children younger than 14
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

122 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 122 reviews

Highly recommend this tour

SusanM, Apr 2024

This tour is fantastic, and was one of the highlights of our trip. Sara was a wonderful guide and had all sorts of interesting information for us. We both learned about the history of the city, some of its dark past, and got a feel for the old city.

Gaudi Barcelona

Lynn_R, Apr 2024

Alicia was a wonderful guide. We could tell how much she appreciates Gaudi and his work and she brought him to life for us.

Great Experience

Amy_W, Oct 2023

Sarah was so friendly and very knowledgeable. Was hoping for more history than just the Spanish Inquisition.

Fun night in El Born

Jesse_S, Oct 2023

With so much to do around Barcelona we had not seen the El Born until we joined this tour. The guide made the stories interesting and helped us understand some of the dark history of Barcelona.

Thanks Runner Beans!!

Alice_H, Sep 2023

Tour guide was very lovely & very interesting, engaging. We were late joining and spent 30 mins trying to catch up -Runner Bean support was super helpful & did their very best - live tracking to send pinpoints would have been a great help but we had an interesting time & glad we went.

Definitely go

Karen_D, Aug 2023

This is a great tour if you want to learn some of the dark history of Spain, see various places in Born you probably wouldn’t otherwise go to, and have a great guide to show you! Albert was awesome. Speaks perfect English, is engaging, and such a great guide. My two teen daughters and I loved the tour!

An evening well spent

Amani_G, Aug 2023

Sara was a great guide. She is very knowledgeable about the history, and very detailed. She included video clips with photos to help tell the story and she shared some of the local legends.

Discovered interesting insights into some twiste realities and rumors!

Lisa_K, Aug 2023

Sarah was delightful and very welcoming to us all. She was knowledgeable and fun. Walking the streets and learning the history was fascinating and I appreciated her projecting images at well chosen spots to help us visualize the past.

We took this tour...

Jennifer_C, Jul 2023

We took this tour thinking it would be something different that your standard tour. It was a great walk, lots of interesting history.

Sara was a great tour...

Nicole_B, Jun 2023

Sara was a great tour guide! I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. It was unique and a fun way to explore old Barcelona.

Fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable

Jordan_F, May 2023

Fascinating stories expertly told. Sara was interactive, knowledgeable and approachable throughout. Enjoyed every minute

Informative and enjoyable

Melissa_C, May 2023

I booked this tour as I wanted to learn more about the history of Barcelona. Sara did a great job pointing out historical sites and using old paintings to discuss the "dark history" of Barcelona. Highly recommend!

Hidden gem in Barcelona

CHINGAI_H, May 2023

I really loved the tour and my tour guide Sara is amazing!! She is rich in knowledge and history about Spain and Barcelona. And she is very accommodating too trying to take care of everyone in the group. Highly recommended if you are into dark history like torture, punishment and politics.

Fabulous. Worth doing.

Lynda_D, Apr 2023

Albert was enthusiastic and had a fast knowledge. We loved walking thru streets we would not have gone too.

Great tour guide!

Sergio_M, Oct 2022

Albert great tour guide, with lot of knowledge!! Great for couples or adults since its late at night

Brilliantly organised and informative

Helen_H, Aug 2022

Well organised trip and saw parts of Barcelona that would have been missed otherwise. Miguel was excellent. Animated, knowledgeable and friendly.

Excellent, fun, stroll through old town

Jennifer_O, Jul 2022

Our tour guide had a nuanced and factual understanding of the areas we toured. She brought her storytelling to life with a mobile projector and by engaging each of us as actors/volunteers at every stop. I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in the Spanish Inquisition and beautiful strolls around the city’s old town.

Great tour about some not so great things that happened in Barcelona through the ages.

Jamie_F, Jul 2022

Loved this tour, guide AnneMarie was a really great storyteller and made everyone on the tour feel welcome/included and part of the stories being told. Good vibes and time well spent - despite the dark subject matter!

Awesome

ashleylesick, Oct 2019

We had a wonderful time on the tour. So much history and our tour guides was awesome, i can’t remember him name but i believe he Irish. Highly recommended!!!

Response from Host, Oct 2019

Thank you, Ashley. Your tour guide was Ross. I am delighted to read that you had such a fabulous time on his tour. All the best :-) Gorka

Can I rate 6 STARS ????

Robert_S, Oct 2019

I forgot the name - and I should be ashamed - of our Irish guide. This is my best visit ever anywhere in the world and I have been traveling x 50 years.An actor, a comedian, all in a beautiful human being . It was GRRREEEAAAAATTTT !!!