We just got back and had a great experience with both a bike tour and a food tour. I'm usually very anti group tours, but these were both good.

Bike tour was the daily one given by Fat Tire bikes. It gave a 4 hour overview of the city, hitting the highlights. If i would do it again, I'd look into Greenbikes tours to see a bit more off the beaten path.

The food tour by The Barcelona Taste was amazing. It was 4 people plus the guide, and we stopped in 4 places in the Barri Gòtic. They offer 2 other tours, and really wish we'd had enough time to do the others.

as for food, def. look at the widely recommended Maribel's dining guide. (http://www.maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelonadining.pdf) It steered us well many many times.

kelsey - that's a shame [that there's only one concert on while you're there] . we heard a concert which was half opera and half flamenco - a bit weird but the surroundings were delightful. beforehand we ate at a very typical local restaurant in a street opposite - absolutely not touristy but very good.

Information on visiting Montserrat from Barcelona:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...rat-spain.html

We did Montserrat as a 1/2 day trip. Went to the Plaça Espanya station and took the 8:36 train. Got off at the station Aeri de Montserrat. Then the cable car to the top. Piece of cake.

((H))

@ kja - thanks for the link!

@maitaitom - thanks for your insight - sometimes I steer away from a day trip if I think it is too complicated.

@ jammytoast - Was the bike tour through the city? How did you find riding on the roads there?

Yes, the bike trip was through that city, but Barca is the best city for biking I've ever been in. I'm a usually a big Fraidy cat with riding on the roads, but there are so many great bike lanes (separate from both cars and people!) that it's easy. I even rented a bike on my own one day it was so fun to ride around! I Rented an e-bike and rode up Montjuic, over to Camo Nou and back to the beach. Gothic is hard to get thorough as its tiny streets, but as soon as you're out, it's fantastic!

Bumping this as I have more questions....

I found many of the restaurants listed above closed for August...is this the norm for the summer months? Has anyone been to Barcelona in August and had good restaurant experiences?

I have also heard that there are good wine tours...any recommendations?

Finally, I saw a post somewhere that said they did a market tour with a homemade dinner...the name escapes me but it seemed like a fun thing to do...does that ring a bell with anyone?

and one last question...the Hop on Hop off - yah or nah?

Thanks everyone...as always I appreciate your suggestions.

Large tour groups through the La Boqueria. maybe the group is small if not it will be something illegal..again.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...-Boqueria.html
The same newspaper gives some advice on where to eat. You have not given a budget.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...staurants.html
A bus tour is said to be good to orientate yourself in a new city. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...tractions.html