Cultural Visits
ICA Barcelona 2025
Cultural Visits for Attendees of the International Archives Congress - ICA Barcelona 2025
Barcelona and Catalonia await you with a programme of experiences designed to enhance your participation in the International Archives Congress – ICA Barcelona 2025 with world-class heritage, art and landscapes.
All activities have limited capacity and are subject to availability. Some require a minimum group size and a confirmed date to finalise the schedule.
Check the available slots and contact the designated coordinators to make reservations and inquire about fees.
1. Sagrada Familia Basilica
During this visit to Barcelona’s iconic monument, born from the vision of its most famous architect, Antoni Gaudí, you’ll explore the basilica’s distinct façades and its breathtaking interior, inspired by nature, with monumental columns forming a veritable stone forest.
After the guided tour of the interior (lasting approximately 1 hour 30 minutes), if you wish to ascend the towers for stunning views, ensure you book the visit with tower access, as spaces are limited.
Skip the queues. One reason some visitors miss out on the Sagrada Familia is the long queues. By booking this guided tour, you’ll enjoy direct entry without waiting.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Meeting point: Outside the Sagrada Familia (next to the temple).
- Advantage: Direct, queue-free access with the guided tour.
Useful notes: Tower access is not permitted for children under 6 and is not suitable for those with reduced mobility or health conditions specified by the temple; ascent is by lift, descent by stairs. Please adhere to the dress code and behaviour guidelines (Sagrada Familia).
2. Park Güell
On this visit, you’ll immerse yourself in the creative world of Antoni Gaudí, marvelling at the perfect harmony of the park. Thanks to its privileged hilltop location, you’ll enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Barcelona. The architectural interventions in the landscape make this park a magical and unique place.
- Includes:
- Transport by bus or minibus.
- Spanish-speaking guide.
- Queue-free access to Park Güell.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours 30 minutes.
Important note for Park Güell: Tickets are time-slot specific and named; there is a 30-minute grace period from the assigned time. Advance booking is recommended (Park Güell).
3. Mysteries and Legends of the Barri Gòtic (evening tour)
This tour, steeped in Barcelona’s mysteries and legends, begins at the corner of Fontanella and Estruc streets. It was on the latter that a peculiar sorcerer and astrologer is said to have lived. The street was also known as “escurçonera”, after a stone believed to cure numerous ailments. Who was this enigmatic sorcerer of Estruc Street? You’ll uncover these mysteries while strolling through this intriguing part of the city, just steps from Plaça de Catalunya.
The evening tour continues through the Barri Gòtic and around Barcelona’s cathedral, striking with its gargoyles, which also conceal fascinating stories. After uncovering more secrets tied to the city, the tour concludes by returning to the starting point.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Starting point: Corner of Fontanella and Estruc streets (near Plaça de Catalunya).
Includes: Spanish-speaking guide and audio system. A journey through the hidden stories and symbols of medieval Barcelona: the underground river of Santa Eulàlia, the Casa de l’Ardiaca, or the cathedral’s gargoyles.
4. Montserrat + Corpinnat Cava Winery (full-day tour)
After picking you up from your hotel, the group will depart Barcelona for Montserrat, a significant pilgrimage site and a stop on the Camino de Santiago.
The first stop is the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat, a spiritual retreat with nearly a thousand years of history. Have you heard of the famous Moreneta? Do you know what the Escolanía de Montserrat is?
The tour continues to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, the cava capital, to visit a winery renowned for its organic and sustainable viticulture and to learn about the production of Corpinnat cava, a high-quality sparkling wine from the heart of the Penedès region.
After the visit, you’ll enjoy a tasting of three varieties of wines and cavas, paired with traditional cheeses and cured meats, all set against the backdrop of Montserrat. Return to Barcelona is scheduled around 7:00 p.m.
- Duration: 10 hours (estimated return to Barcelona around 7:00 p.m.).
Includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, minibus, Spanish-speaking guide, entry to Montserrat Monastery, winery visit, and tasting of 3 wines/cavas with appetisers.
5. Picasso Museum (guided tour) — Saturday, 25 October
This tour offers a journey through the world’s largest collection dedicated to one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. The guided tour of Barcelona’s Picasso Museum begins at the agreed time at the meeting point: in front of Palau Dalmases, located in the city’s old quarter.
Did you know Picasso spent his formative years in the Catalan capital? This must-visit museum houses a permanent collection of over 4,000 works by the master, showcasing the unique traits that define the Malaga-born painter’s work and his lasting influence on the art world.
After approximately 1 hour 30 minutes of guided touring, you’ll have time to explore the museum at your own pace.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Meeting point: In front of Palau Dalmases (Barri del Born).
6. Casa Batlló
With your ticket to Casa Batlló, you’ll step into one of Antoni Gaudí’s most imaginative creations and a true gem of Catalan Modernism. It’s one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see icon of modernist architecture.
You’ll be captivated by its refined architectural details, myriad shapes and colours, and the magical atmosphere in every corner. During the visit, you’ll explore the noble floor, the former residence of the Batlló family, the attic, the rooftop, and the lightwell, and, of course, see up close the famous dragon’s spine defeated by Saint George, hidden behind the legendary chimneys.
- Approximate duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.
Includes (Gold): FastPass, audio guide, access to the Batlló family’s private room, augmented reality tablet, and immersive Gaudí Dôme experience.
General Conditions, Reservations, and Fees
- Activities require group confirmation and dates/times to be finalised; they will be assigned based on request order and availability. Arrange reservations and inquire about fees via email at booking@bcntravel.es or by phone at 932 654 071. Ask for Gloria or Ébène.
- Some venues have access and safety regulations (e.g., Sagrada Familia towers), while others operate with timed, named tickets (Park Güell). Review these before booking.
- Comfortable footwear, hydration, and arriving early at the meeting point are recommended.
Free Visits
1. Exhibition ‘Barcelona: The Archive We Are. The Documents of the City’s History’
This exhibition invites you to discover how Barcelona’s collective memory is preserved and shared through its archives. Organised by the Barcelona Municipal Archive at the Saló del Tinell (Barcelona History Museum, Plaça del Rei), it showcases some of the city’s most valuable historical documents.
Through nearly a hundred original documents, facsimiles, and reproductions, the exhibition traces eight centuries of history, from the birth of municipal governance to contemporary Barcelona. Visitors will see how archives reflect the city’s political, urban, and social evolution, and how each individual contributes to its shared memory through their actions and documents.
- Guided tour for ICA Barcelona 2025 accompanying guests:
- Wednesday, 29 October: At 11:00 a.m. In English.
- Registration: Via the User Area on the official International Congress of Archives – ICA Barcelona 2025 website, using the account of a registered congress attendee.
- Click “Register” (left sidebar).
- Under ACTIVITIES, click “Add activity” and select this option.
- Check “Select this option if you wish to include an accompanying guest for this activity.”
- Provide the name and surname, and specify if the accompanying guest will attend without you.
- Exhibition hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Saló del Tinell (Plaça del Rei, 10) — Barcelona History Museum
2. Archive of the Crown of Aragon
The Archive of the Crown of Aragon (ACA), one of Europe’s oldest documentary institutions and a global reference for historical heritage preservation, is located in Barcelona and operates across two complementary sites: the Palace of the Viceroys (Palau del Lloctinent) in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, and the modern Almogàvers Street site, dedicated to the conservation, management, and consultation of archival collections.
The historic Palace of the Viceroys offers a self-guided tour of the restored areas, where visitors can learn about the archive’s history and collections through a permanent exhibition. It also hosts two temporary exhibitions: “Women’s Voices: 900 Years in the Documents of the Archive of the Crown of Aragon” and “Crossing the Door of Memory,” opening on 27 October at 4:00 p.m.
- Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m: Visit the building and “Crossing the Door of Memory” exhibition.
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m: Visit the Exhibition Hall and “Women’s Voices” exhibition.
- Location: C/ Comtes, 2, Barcelona.
- Free entry.
3. Espai Moja
Espai Moja offers a permanent exhibition and immersive visits that allow you to discover Catalonia through its landscapes, traditions, languages, and cultural heritage. Using cutting-edge technologies—such as virtual reality and interactive games—visitors can travel back in time and relive key moments in Catalan history. The visits are free with prior reservation and suitable for all audiences.
Located in the heart of Barcelona at the historic Palau Moja, this space blends technological innovation with heritage outreach. Through a dynamic and inclusive journey, visitors can explore the roots of Catalan culture and learn how language, cuisine, festivals, and art have shaped the country’s collective identity. With a personalised digital compass, each visitor can save their favourite content and create their own itinerary to continue exploring Catalonia.
- Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Sundays and holidays: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Estimated duration: 60 minutes
- Location: Espai Moja — Palau Moja, c/ Portaferrissa, 1, Barcelona
- Online booking: Espai Moja Reservation
- Contact:
- Email: espaimoja.cultura@gencat.cat
- Phone: 937 070 671
4. Palau Güell
During the congress days, from 27 to 31 October, participants and/or their companions can visit Palau Güell free of charge. The offer is valid for up to two people by applying the code PALAUICA when booking through the official Palau website: www.palauguell.cat.
Built by Antoni Gaudí between 1886 and 1890 for industrialist and patron Eusebi Güell, a close friend and key client of the brilliant architect, Palau Güell blends ingenuity and creativity. From its restrained façades to its richly detailed interiors, every space showcases an exceptional mastery of volume, light, and functionality. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, it is the only building entirely designed and built by Gaudí and remains exceptionally well-preserved, maintained with great care by the Barcelona Provincial Council for over eighty years.
- October hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (last entry at 7:00 p.m.).
- Closed on Mondays.
- Booking procedure:
- Access the Palau Güell ticket platform: https://entrades.palauguell.cat
- Select the desired date and time (valid only from 27 to 31 October).
- Choose GENERAL RATE (€12) and select the number of people (maximum 2; selecting more will not apply the discount).
- Add the selection to your cart.
- On the purchase summary page, enter the code PALAUICA in the PROMOTION field and click “apply”. The 100% discount will be applied automatically.
- Complete the booking with your personal details and email.
- You will receive an email with the tickets and QR code for entry.
- The ticket office also offers the option to apply the promotion in case someone cannot book online, under exceptional circumstances.
For further information or inquiries about cultural visits:
info@icabarcelona2025.com
