One of my favourite nights of the year in Barcelona is fast approaching: The Night of the Museums. This free late-night viewing of exhibitions is not only exclusive to my city but is part of a wider initiative across Europe. It doesn’t matter if you are a local or a visitor. It is a great… Read More
How to skip the lines in Barcelona & Sagrada Familia
One of the things I take for granted about living in Barcelona is that the most amazing architecture and monuments are right on my doorstep. I can go and visit them whenever I want, tactically choosing the quietest times of the year and avoiding all the long lines. When you are on your holidays, this… Read More
Introducing our new video!
Finally! We have a video for our company… and we love it! A great way to show what we do to the world in a quick less-than-a-minute short film. Here it is, enjoy! Runner Bean Tours on Vimeo.
Casa LLeó i Morera: modernisme architecture in Barcelona
Unfortunately, the visits to Casa Lleó i Morera have been discontinued. We recommend you visiting Casa Amatller instead. Another beautiful Catalan Art Nouveau masterpiece in the same block. Want to visit an architectural gem without the crowds? The Art Nouveau Casa Lleó i Morera, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, opened its doors to the… Read More
Gaudí for kids: a family guide for Barcelona
Gaudí for kids? Yes, why not? Everyone knows Gaudí and his buildings are a not-to-miss attraction in Barcelona but will my children enjoy his work too? The answer is quite simply YES. Firstly, your kids will love the shapes and colours on the Gaudí buildings, and a great bonus is that some of the sites… Read More
Why Runner Bean Tours? The story of The Bean
One question that we sometimes get asked is “Why Runner Bean Tours?” Certainly not a common name for a tour company. Well, if someone is looking for an elaborate story with a meaningful background and, maybe, a final punch, I am afraid they will be disappointed. The answer to why we are called Runner Bean… Read More
Modernisme: an introduction to Catalan Art Nouveau
What is Modernisme? How does it relate to Gaudí and Barcelona? Let me give you some handy background information on this wonderful Art movement that revolutionised the face of the city. When I was a humble Art student many years ago, our final year trip was planned for Barcelona. Three things sprung to mind: sun… Read More
Masterpieces of the MNAC: the Romanesque, Gothic and Modern collections
Hello! I’m Catherine, one of the guides at Runner Bean Tours in Barcelona. With a background in History of Art and Museum Studies, I often get asked for museum recommendations when leading tours. With over 50 to suggest, from chocolate to archaeology to shoes, Barcelona has a museum to suit any interest! But when asked… Read More
A walking tour down La Rambla (part 3)
This is the last part of a walking tour that brought us from Plaça Catalunya through Pla de la Boqueria. Today we will end up at the Columbus Monument, that old sailor who has some stories to share about Barcelona. Join me on the last stretch of our adventure down La Rambla. Continuing on from… Read More