Spanish Civil War Tour
Spanish Civil War Tour
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Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023
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Spanish Civil War Tour
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(49 reviews)
(32 reviews)
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,586 reviews
Excellent
1,552
Very good
29
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Cristi H.
Santiago, Chile23 contributions
Mar 2020
The Civil War had always been a source of confusion to me, so many parts that did not fit entirely. I understood that Barcelona had played a very big part in it but it seemed fuzzy, and then I took this tour.
Taking this Tour was one of the best ideas we could have had; Nick is extremely passionate about the history of Barcelona and specifically the Spanish Civil War.
We booked this tour together with my mother who understands English very well but who sometimes has trouble speaking, Nick was extremely polite, since there were only a few of us taking the tour, he calmly explained the bits she had more trouble understanding in Spanish.
It is a very informative tour, if you are looking for a walk around Barcelona with some tidbits of information here and there, this is not the tour for you.
You go into the history of how Spain arrived at the Civil War, what Barcelona's involvement was and of course Orwell.
I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in knowing more about the history of Barcelona and the roles the city and its building played in the Civil War.
Taking this Tour was one of the best ideas we could have had; Nick is extremely passionate about the history of Barcelona and specifically the Spanish Civil War.
We booked this tour together with my mother who understands English very well but who sometimes has trouble speaking, Nick was extremely polite, since there were only a few of us taking the tour, he calmly explained the bits she had more trouble understanding in Spanish.
It is a very informative tour, if you are looking for a walk around Barcelona with some tidbits of information here and there, this is not the tour for you.
You go into the history of how Spain arrived at the Civil War, what Barcelona's involvement was and of course Orwell.
I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in knowing more about the history of Barcelona and the roles the city and its building played in the Civil War.
Written May 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George V
Cluj-Napoca, Romania3 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Beyond the admitedly beautiful and mesmerizing facade of touristy Barcelona lies a deep history of struggle for liberty, dignity and hope, paid for dearly in pain, loss and sacrifice. Nick does a wonderful job of taking you through this story for the ages, a story intervowen with the very fabric of Barcelona and which echoes around the world, to this very day. By the end of the tour you are immersed in the history of this epic struggle, feeling deeply for its heroes and for the sacrifices of everyday people who dared to dream of a better world and paid for it with their lives. You will see Barcelona with different eyes, and maybe will even carry a little part of it in your heart when you go home, along with a seed of hope that when people share a dream, even the impossible can happen, against all odds and against forces orders of magnitude mightier. The narrative thread Nick has woven and the treasure trove of memorabilia, many of which are authentic artefacts of the conflict, are deeply fascinating. Holding them in your hands feels extremely powerful and humbling, as they carry profound memory in them, which courses through you once you touch and experience them. I cannot recommend this experience enough, if you're reading this don't think twice, you won't regret it. Thank you Nick for this transformative experience, I left the tour with a heart full of hope and gratitude for the sacrifice of those who dared to dream.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jayne550
Castelldefels, Spain25 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Completely engrossing. Nick brought a complex period in history to life by taking us to places where key events happened, passing round unusual, rare and fascinating artefacts from the period, and telling moving eye-witness stories. Thank you for a truly educational and eye-opening few hours.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walker G
2 contributions
Jul 2022
I can't recommend highly enough Nick Lloyd's masterful walking tour ("mobile classroom") of the Spanish Civil War, focused on Barcelona but extending far beyond that in time and space. Nick's extremely engaging narration through discrete episodes and the experience of specific individuals, reinforced by photos of the period and ephemera he's collected, is engaging and edifying. Nick demonstrates tremendous enthusiasm for the subject material, even with a substantial tenure of work on it, and answers questions thoughtfully and without airs of an academic who covets their expertise. The tour was everything my friends described it to be and more.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SRe
Wanstead, UK8 contributions
Jan 2020
I had been told about Nick's tour through another tour guide and contacted him right away to sign up. I was already impressed by the thorough and detailed information and reading list (!) he sent me before the tour.
The tour itself is an absolutely unique and incredible experience. Nick brings the time, the circumstances, the city, the people to life in the most entertaining, thoughtful and educated way. There's not a single aspect that is left out. There are too many highlights to list them all. For me, his collection of artifacts was a special treat.
Don't think twice - do this tour.
The tour itself is an absolutely unique and incredible experience. Nick brings the time, the circumstances, the city, the people to life in the most entertaining, thoughtful and educated way. There's not a single aspect that is left out. There are too many highlights to list them all. For me, his collection of artifacts was a special treat.
Don't think twice - do this tour.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosiemeachin
Bath, UK4 contributions
Jan 2020
Nick manages to passionately convey the complicated intricacies of the war. 4.5 hours sounds like a lot, but much of it is seated, and it is so interesting and well-paced it goes by in a flash. Thoroughly recommend both the tour and his book.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeteSmythe
manchester16 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
Really enjoyable time spent on Nick’s tour. His passion, knowledge and delivery really bring alive the stories from the streets of Barcelona. I’d never been on a guided tour before and I can’t imagine many are as much fun as this one. Nick brings out some artefacts from the period and it was memorable to sit outside a little bar and handle the objects. Contributions from the eight members of the group added to the experience, particularly from Tom and his son from Ireland. All in all great value and I’d go again next time I’m in Barcelona.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seatt1eFamTrav
Seattle, WA10 contributions
May 2023
A must-see for history buffs, this tour has an amazing and deeply knowledgable guide (my guide was Catherine), a truly compelling, tragic, and moving storyline, artifacts that you can see and touch, a not-too-far walk around central Barcelona, and even a coffee break... So much detail on historical events that continue to resonate in Spain and all over the world. The story is complicated and depressing, but Catherine does a masterful job of bringing it all into focus with her detailed stories, props, and artifacts. Highly recommended and worth every penny. Several on my tour were repeat customers, bringing friends, which speaks to the quality of the tour. Wear shoes that are comfy for standing and walking; dress for the weather, with a hat or sunglasses on sunny days, and bring water on hot days.
Written May 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Washington DC, DC10 contributions
A 3+hour waling tour (with time to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee as well) in the heart of Barcelona.
Apr 2022
Having now been on this tour I can't imagine a visit to Barcelona without being part of this tour. Nick is a fantastic guide, who shares years of avid learning about the civil war as well as familiarity with the city. Nick is a balanced and passionate reporter about the events of the civil war, including the leadup and follow up to the event sof 1936-39. An inspired storyteller, he relates the story to key places in the city, the Placa Catalunya, the Ramblas, and sites in the Gothic Quarter. Because of the subject matter, he attracts an avidly interested group of tour participants who add to the experience. Nick also comes supplied with fascinating foto's, maps and artifacts that bring the subject to light. Barcelona is a beautiful and fascinating city, and Nick's tour ranks as one of the highlights of our visit.
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArtistJames
Salem, OR191 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Catherine, an academic and historian, did an excellent job breaking down the confusion that is the Spanish Civil War, making it interesting and understandable. She did so with clarity, enthusiasm and humor, owning a true talent for teaching.
The tour lasted 3.5 hours but felt much quicker. Part of that was how engaging Catherine was. The other part was getting the opportunity to sit on benches a couple of times plus learning more while sipping yummy coffees in a cafe together.
This tour is a true gem, run by folks who love history and love even more the sharing of it. They are a pleasure to work with and quick in their communications.
I would recommend this tour both for people already knowledgable of the Civil War as well as those who know next to nothing. Everyone with even a bit of curiously and love for history will enjoy it greatly.
The tour lasted 3.5 hours but felt much quicker. Part of that was how engaging Catherine was. The other part was getting the opportunity to sit on benches a couple of times plus learning more while sipping yummy coffees in a cafe together.
This tour is a true gem, run by folks who love history and love even more the sharing of it. They are a pleasure to work with and quick in their communications.
I would recommend this tour both for people already knowledgable of the Civil War as well as those who know next to nothing. Everyone with even a bit of curiously and love for history will enjoy it greatly.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wagmel
USA77 contributions
How does one contact these folks? I have tried emailing them at three different email addresses that are given on their web site, but I haven't heard back. The only way to book seems to be by contacting them by email.
joe T
Estepona, Spain26 contributions
Sorry only seeing that now
E-mail worked for me!
janetolivas03
Mystic, CT
Where does the tour end? We have a 3 p.m. train to catch to Madrid.
Crisdean60
5 contributions
it ends at La Lllibertària, that bar that is a memorial to the anarchists in the Spanish Civil war. Note that it is here that Nick will get out most of the stuff - and their is loads - so you need a fair amount of time to see it all. Not everyone stayed for the whole of that part - but most people did. If you can stay for that part - as you will get to hold very personal things from the struggle.
If you do a web search for "la LLibertària" on-line you will get results about it
It's in Carrer Tallers 48
It's not very far from Placa Catalunya
You shouldn't miss the tour if you can make it
Anne P
Clitheroe, UK52 contributions
I would like to go on this tour but I can't see what time it starts or on which days it takes place
Natasha B
2 contributions
Just email Nick (you can find the address on the website if you google Spanish Civil War tours Barcelona - sorry I can't paste the address here...) and he will get back to you. He's very helpful.
trencherman34
Philadelphia, PA13 contributions
how do I reserve a tour for February 2018?
rw19472017
Hawkwell, UK4 contributions
As per the previous answers contact nick via the website, our guide was Catherine Howley, if you have an interest in the Spanish Civil War and the effect it had on Barcelona you will not be disappointed she really had a passion for the subject.
Grace R
6 contributions
Im trying to book a tour for next week however I see no place to order tickets or the prices?
Thank you in advance.
David C
Medicine Hat, Canada22 contributions
What days of the week does the tour run. I will be there in February 2017
kunmingirl
Gezer, Israel363 contributions
In September we were offered a choice of 4 different days of the week, but I'm pretty sure it changes seasonally. You should just email him and ask, he usually answers within hours. Enjoy!
Travelgirl03801
Portsmouth, NH3 contributions
How long is the tour?
Independent R
Melbourne, Australia6 contributions
It depends on how long people keep asking questions for. The walking part is about 3 hours and then its an hour of sitting in a bar. Note that the "walking" part involves lots of standing and talking or sitting on benches and talking about fascinating topics.
Travelgirl03801
Portsmouth, NH3 contributions
How long is the tour?
Torben C
Ohio1 contribution
He also offers a two-hour tour