In a nutshell

Costa introduces a new way to explore the city: a new experience offering the same quality, safety and duration as always, now reserved for small groups so as to best discover all the secrets of the city. A multi-sensory experience to discover the Catalan capital among its most authentic examples of architectureand traditional flavours. A complete journey into Gaudì’s Barcelona to admireits lively spirit and pulsing essence.

Main stops

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Sagrada Familia (external visit)
Tapas lunch in a typical local restaurant
CasaVicens
Casa Milà (photostop)
Barrio Gotico
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

The programme

Weleave the port behind us and head towards the Eixample district, where we beginby visiting an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Hospital de laSanta Creu i Sant Pau, a complex of monumental buildings connected viaunderground passages and enchanting gardens boasting numerous sculpturesfeaturing symbolic details. It is one of the most unusual and lesser known ofBarcelona's marvels created by architect Domènech i Montaner.
Wecontinue with the Sagrada Familia to admire its façades, doors andtowers. The vastness of the design and its unique style have made Gaudì’sunfinished project the most iconic in the city.
Wehave lunch in a typical restaurant where we can savour a few Iberianspecialities including patatas bravas, ensaladilla rusa, corquetas,buñuelos and pulpo... All these traditional delicacies cater to ourpalate’s every whim and perfect to nibble and share “para compartir”just the way the Spaniards do!
Afterrefuelling, we continue towards Casa Vicens, the first important projectcommissioned to Gaudì. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, themodernist building combines Gothic, Mediterranean and Islamic elements whileexpressing the amateurish yet already unique style of the artist, who waslooking for a “Gothic building full of light, which made use of colour; aGothic that was half maritime, half continental.”
Ourexcursion continues with a stop for photos at one of Gaudì’s most famous worksof art: Casa Mila. This monumental, eccentric and futuristic building -also known as La Pedrera * enabled the architect to break with all ofthe architectural rules of the time thereby sparking the rage of the municipalauthorities and attracting the criticism of his colleagues while, at the sametime, managing to create what went down in history as one of the mostrepresentative examples of his naturalist period and modernism in general.
Wethen move on to the splendid Barrio Gotico, the historic city centre andvibrant hub of the Catalan capital. We take in this open-air museum and letourselves be conquered by the timeless atmosphere which envelops its maze ofalleyways.
Thecentral element of the Barrio Gotico and the maximum representation of thestyle the district is named after is Barcelona Cathedral, i.e. Cathedral ofthe Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. With its stained glass windows andstatues characterized by a more expressive and angular naturalism, it perfectlyincarnates the archetype of Gothic architecture whose features inevitablyinvite observers to lift their gaze upwards and admire its beauty in itsentirety.
Ourtour has come to an end but, before returning to the ship, we enjoy somefree time to do a spot of shopping or stroll around the city centre whilewe remind ourselves of the incredible experience that has enabled us to fullyexperience this dynamic city.

Good to know

We recommend that you book early as only a limited number of places are available.