Spanish Civil War Tour
Spanish Civil War Tour
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Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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5.0
1,579 reviews
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29
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3
goodidea-oz
Sydney, Australia53 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
There are quite a few of these civil war walking/talking tours and they are probably all good, we did Nick Lloyd’s one with the charming IrishCatalanish Catherine and it was very, very good….thank you Catherine.
This type of tour has to be for you - if Barcelona is tourists spots, food, bars, shopping, food, sunny days, food, bars and souvenirs….Barcelona is definitely the place for you.
BUT if you want to get deeper into understanding Catalans and this city, do yourself a big favour and let these folks take you on a stroll with them and they chat to you for 3 plus hours about 1931-39 pre-revolution, and revolution and fighting and reprisals and terror and anarchy and ongoing legacy and Orwell and Boix…and much more while visiting special spots in Gotica.
When you enquire to book they give you all the info and more info and even more info and you can then decide if it is for you, all I can say is it is one of the best tours I have ever done.
Do this and you will have a stronger bond to this wonderful city and these crazy, passionate, wonderful Barcelonans.
This type of tour has to be for you - if Barcelona is tourists spots, food, bars, shopping, food, sunny days, food, bars and souvenirs….Barcelona is definitely the place for you.
BUT if you want to get deeper into understanding Catalans and this city, do yourself a big favour and let these folks take you on a stroll with them and they chat to you for 3 plus hours about 1931-39 pre-revolution, and revolution and fighting and reprisals and terror and anarchy and ongoing legacy and Orwell and Boix…and much more while visiting special spots in Gotica.
When you enquire to book they give you all the info and more info and even more info and you can then decide if it is for you, all I can say is it is one of the best tours I have ever done.
Do this and you will have a stronger bond to this wonderful city and these crazy, passionate, wonderful Barcelonans.
Written 25 November 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.
Dennis G
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
We go for walking tours in each city that we visit, but I have never been on a better one than the Spanish Civil War Tour led by Nick Lloyd in Barcelona. It was to go on for three hours but went longer because we were all so captivated by the content that Nick provided. This is a tour that delivers everything that it promises.
Written 21 November 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.
HDanner
Reims, France3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Last week my friends and me joined Catherine on her Barcelona Civil War 'Hommage to Catalonia' tour. To sum it up, amazing! We are regular Barcelona visitors with knowledge of the Spanish Civil war, but Catherine opened our eyes and added so many new details, new places in the city connected to the civil war in Barcelona. Her knowledge of the subject is extensive and she looks at the developments in the town during those days from a human point of view. We found it touching and emotional. Thank you Catherine!
Written 9 November 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.
Fiona S
Boston, MA137 contributions
May 2023 • Family
If you have ANY interest in history, go on this tour! Our family consists on one European 20th C history student, one history buff and two of us who in general are game for learning. Nick provided our family of 4 with a private 4-hour tour. The two history buffs were blown away and we other two enjoyed it very much and learned a lot. Thank you, Nick!
Written 5 November 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.
Adrian L
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Solo
Fascinating and absorbing tour with a knowledgable and passionate guide, Catherine.
Having read George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia I felt I knew a bit more than the average, but I’d only skimmed the surface!
One example: I’d never heard of the alternative anti-fascist (non) Olympic games held in Barcelona in 1936 as a counterweight to Hitler’s exploitation of the ‘real’ ‘36 Olympics in Berlin. It becomes a significant part of the story Catherine skilfully weaves.
Orwell’s reputation has been somewhat tarnished recently by Anna Funder’s book Wifedom, but he’s still clearly crucial to the story, and was ahead of the curve in spotting totalitarianism on the left as well as the right. It was quite something to stand in the entrance to the hotel in La Rambla where Orwell first stayed when reporting on the revolution, and for Catherine to point out the roof of the building opposite where he was posted as a sniper.
The Catholic church’s complicity in the rise of dictator Franco is rightly shocking, and my tour of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia on the same day was thrown into sharp relief by the Civil War Tour.
A highly recommended and necessary tour.
Having read George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia I felt I knew a bit more than the average, but I’d only skimmed the surface!
One example: I’d never heard of the alternative anti-fascist (non) Olympic games held in Barcelona in 1936 as a counterweight to Hitler’s exploitation of the ‘real’ ‘36 Olympics in Berlin. It becomes a significant part of the story Catherine skilfully weaves.
Orwell’s reputation has been somewhat tarnished recently by Anna Funder’s book Wifedom, but he’s still clearly crucial to the story, and was ahead of the curve in spotting totalitarianism on the left as well as the right. It was quite something to stand in the entrance to the hotel in La Rambla where Orwell first stayed when reporting on the revolution, and for Catherine to point out the roof of the building opposite where he was posted as a sniper.
The Catholic church’s complicity in the rise of dictator Franco is rightly shocking, and my tour of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia on the same day was thrown into sharp relief by the Civil War Tour.
A highly recommended and necessary tour.
Written 2 November 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.
S G
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Catherine was a fabulous guide to the forgotten and unfortunately brief history of Spain's 1936 revolution and the subsequent "civil" war. Sadly the revolution quickly gave way to a vicious international conflict within Spain's borders -- in retrospect, one might consider this the beginning of the Second World War. Her passion for the subject and depth of research were obvious. Her use of George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia provided an excellent window back into these events, which remain controversial within Spain to this very day.
Don't be scared off by the time commitment. The 3.5 hours -- filled with captivating stories, artifacts, and historical locations hidden in plain sight -- flew by and left me wanting for more! Catherine was happy to entertain our group's questions. The leisurely walks (dare I say, rambles?) gave me the opportunity to make several acquaintances among our diverse 10-person group.
I took this tour near the end of a marvelous 2 week vacation in Spain. So I don't say it lightly: this was the highlight of my trip!
Don't be scared off by the time commitment. The 3.5 hours -- filled with captivating stories, artifacts, and historical locations hidden in plain sight -- flew by and left me wanting for more! Catherine was happy to entertain our group's questions. The leisurely walks (dare I say, rambles?) gave me the opportunity to make several acquaintances among our diverse 10-person group.
I took this tour near the end of a marvelous 2 week vacation in Spain. So I don't say it lightly: this was the highlight of my trip!
Written 31 October 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.
Tony M
Bath, UK73 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Unquestionably an excellent addition to anyone interested in the history of the Spanish Civil War. Our guide was Catherine who brought to life the daily scenes and dilemmas of those who took part. A passionate Irish girl/lady, bit of a lefty, but at home in a group utterly bereft of Nationalists, the tour was really not enough at 3.5 hours, and we could have spent the whole day on the case. I am hoping these guys expand their horizons!
Written 30 October 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.
Alex P
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
This was the best historical tour I have ever been on. Catherine gave context and details on everything, with more insight than other tours I've had on the Civil War in Barcelona. The artifacts she had on hand were original and amazing to handle in person! In addition to the tour, they provide many other resources and information related to the civil War for you to look into more or check out in Barcelona/elsewhere in Spain which I've been able to and so glad they provided the information. Amazing!
Written 27 October 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.
Alun B
Nottingham, UK9 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Brilliant Tour, Nick was very knowledgeable and clearly passionate.
You will definitely walk away with learning something and it's great to see the history of buildings that you would normally walk by.
The artifacts are rare and give you a great sense of history.
Go see it, it's well worth it.
You will definitely walk away with learning something and it's great to see the history of buildings that you would normally walk by.
The artifacts are rare and give you a great sense of history.
Go see it, it's well worth it.
Written 22 October 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.
toes1965
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK229 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I loved this tour. The guide was very friendly, extremely knowledgeable and ascertained what everyone's interest was to tailor the talk. Lots of artifacts and photos accompanied the talk as well as an excellent impression of Orwell. Walk not too strenuous, contents very moving at times and a break in a coffee.shoobwithbexcellent coffee. Full marks.
Written 21 October 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, UK51 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, Israel360 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