Colors of Gràcia: Casa Vicens & Hands-on Mosaic Workshop
Discover the rebellious origins of Modernisme in Barcelona’s coolest neighborhood and master the craft that defined a city.
100% Private
Architecture
Mosaic Workshop
Ideal for kids and teens
A bohemian journey through Casa Vicens and the hidden squares of Gràcia, ending with your own handmade ‘trencadís’ creation
Before the world knew his name, a young Antoni Gaudí was busy breaking all the rules in the village of Gràcia. This tour invites you to step back to 1883 at Casa Vicens, the architect’s first masterpiece. Here, we leave the tourist trails behind to explore an explosion of orientalist tiles, lush gardens, and revolutionary ideas. But this isn’t just a walk through history; it’s a deep dive into a living neighborhood.
After wandering through the bohemian plazas and artisan workshops of Gràcia, where the “village” spirit of Barcelona still thrives, we conclude our journey in a local studio. Here, you will transition from observer to creator. In an exclusive mosaic workshop, you’ll learn the secrets of trencadís—Gaudí’s signature “broken tile” technique. Under the guidance of a local artist, you will craft your own piece of Barcelona to take home.
It’s the perfect blend of architectural discovery and hands-on creativity.
Duration
4
hours
Meeting Point
at your
accommodation
Explore
The area
of Gracia
Price
340€+the tickets
price per group (1-6)
Tour Description
This experience is a tribute to the “handmade” soul of Barcelona. We begin at Casa Vicens, a vibrant, tile-covered oasis that serves as the manifesto for Gaudí’s future genius. Unlike the crowded icons of the city center, Casa Vicens offers an intimate look at the architect’s early obsession with nature and Mudejar influences. Together, we will decode the marigold tiles and the intricate papier-mâché ceilings, understanding how this private summer house set the stage for the Modernisme movement.
The Heart of Gràcia
From the house, we drift into the narrow, sun-dappled streets of Gràcia. Once a separate village, Gràcia remains the intellectual and artistic heart of the city. We will skip the commercial avenues to find the “hidden” squares—Plaça de la Virreina, Plaça del Nord—where locals sip vermouth under 19th-century clock towers. This is where we discuss the social history of the neighborhood: its revolutionary past, its community-driven festivals, and its enduring identity as a sanctuary for artists and thinkers.
Mastering the Craft
The climax of our tour takes place in a private artisan studio. Having spent the morning admiring the intricate ceramics of the neighborhood, you will now try your hand at the craft. We will master the trencadís technique, the art of breaking colorful ceramic tiles and reassembling them into something beautiful and new.
340€+the tickets
Price per group (1-6 people)
What's included?
- A Private Tour Guide just for you and your party. You won’t be sharing your guide with strangers.
- The VAT is included in the price as well. We are a 100% legal company.
Expenses to be expected
The entrance fee to Casa Vicens and the fee for the mosaic workshop
Should I buy tickets in advance?
In order to avoid problems of capacity, we will buy tickets in advance. During the booking process, entries are added to the final bill. You have nothing else to do, we we will take care of it.
How is the mosaic of activity in Barcelona?
After visiting the Casa Vicens in Barcelona and after having discovered and admired his decorative technique, a mosaic artisan awaits us in her study. This is where you will experience the life of a craftsman’s hand. Livia is a mosaic artist-master who has worked on the restoration of Barcelona’s most emblematic buildings. Beyond knowing the technique, its history and its relationship to Gaudí and the city, you will leave with a souvenir made with your own hands. This is the reason why this tour is ideal for families and groups of friends wishing to have an cultural and artistic tour. Great, isn’t it?
“I love this tour because it feels like a Sunday morning with friends. Casa Vicens is so colorful and ‘fresh’ compared to the later works, and Gràcia is where the real Barcelona lives. There’s something incredibly satisfying about finishing the day with glue on your fingers and a mosaic in your hands—it’s the ultimate souvenir!”
Yes! I want to take this tour
A journey through one of the most authentic neighborhoods of Barcelona where you will discover its history, its architecture and leave with a souvenir made by yourself.
Check our FAQS & Terms and Conditions – Contact Us
Related Tours
Anna was great! She was informative without being boring, catered to our specific sight-seeing requests, and kept us fully enlightened and entertained. How this woman has so much knowledge, I don’t know! She literally had the answer to every single question we had. We stopped for a coffee mid-way as she could sense we were getting tired from walking and I enjoyed chatting to her socially. I 100% recommend her for anyone going to Barcelona!
We engaged Anna for a 3 days private tour in Barcelona. She is very dedicated and knowledgeable on every places of interest in Barcelona. When my child wasn’t feeling too well during the trip, she was flexible and accommodative to our last minute changes and requests. My family truly enjoyed our trip in Barcelona and had a wonderful time spent with Anna. If you are looking for customized private tour, Anna will be the best person to engage!!
We concur with all the previous wonderful reviews of Anna and her team. We ended up having three tours with Anna and each one was different, informative and superb. If you would prefer to soak in the city and keep your nose out of the guide books and maps contact Barcelonina. Our trip to Spain had been derailed but once we contacted Jordi, everything started to improve. These folks have it together, make great suggestions on what to do and are patient with letting you make up your mind. Barcelona would not have been nearly as fascinating without them.