Picasso’s Footsteps: Private Tour & Museum
Description
Picasso had a deep passion for Barcelona, and this tour is designed to show you why. He arrived in the city in 1895 at just 13 years old. It was here that he experienced his first youthful adventures with friends—those who first recognized his extraordinary talent—and discovered the hidden pleasures of the city’s nightlife. Barcelona was also where Picasso established his first studio and created his earliest engravings and illustrations. It was here that he held his very first exhibition at the legendary restaurant Els Quatre Gats. At 22, Picasso moved to Paris and never returned permanently, but Barcelona always remained the dazzling city that inspired his youth and revealed the spirit of modernity to him.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Porxos d’en Xifré is a historic building of Barcelona which was inaugurated in 1840 after four years of works. It occupies the block formed by the Passeig d’Isabel II, the Pla de Palau and the streets of Reina Cristina and Llauder, plots of land that were urbanized in 1834 as a result of the demolition of the sea wall. The building was the first to appear in daguerreotype done in Spain and is decorated with Masonic symbols. But did you know that it was the first place where Picasso lived when his family moved to Barcelona? The exact point where Picasso’s family lived was the current number 4 of the Passeig d’Isabel II, where before a boarding house had been.
The Fine Arts School (Escola de Llotja) took up the top floor of the building In 1895, Picasso entered the School of Fine arts (Escola de Llotja) in the neo-classical building reached from Carrer del Consolat del Mar. The Trade Commission created the Fine Arts School on the top floor, where many artists studied, both those from Catalonia and those who were temporarily living in Barcelona.
The Picasso museum is a key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Picasso. The genius of the young artist is revealed through the 4,251 works that make up the permanent collection. Furthermore, the Picasso museum, opened in 1963, also reveals his deep relationship with Barcelona: an intimate, solid relationship that was shaped in his adolescence and youth and continued until his death.
The Sala Parés in Carrer Petritxol, which at that time dealt in modernist art, put on an exhibition of a series of pastel drawings by Picasso jointly with Ramon Casas in 1901.
Els Quatre Gats, at 3, Carrer Montsió, was the tavern founded by Pere Romeu, Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, Miquel Utrillo and others in 1897, in imitation of Rodolphe Salis’s Parisian cabaret, Le Chat Noir, for the purpose of holding gatherings for artists, as a concert and exhibition hall, and for puppet shows and shadow plays. The premises were on the ground floor of a fine building designed by Puig i Cadafalch and it advertised itself as a «gothic beer hall for those who love the North and an Andalusian courtyard for those who love the South». The bar itself was in the smaller room, with two large pictures by Casas in a prominent position and advertising posters, one of which was for the menu and was painted by Picasso. The exhibitions and concerts were held in the larger room.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(45)
Fantastic experience and learned so much about Rome. If you have limited time and want to see all the highlights, this is your tour.
Depth of knowledge and communication skills were outstanding. Well organized tour through the venue, building as she went.
Jordin was our tour guide and was excellent, knowledgeable and funny !! We Enjoyed the experience very much !! Highly recommended!!
Tour cancelled less than 24 hours before with no other option for return flight time. That doesn't sound professional. Knowing that before, could we have turned to someone else? For reimbursement? I have to go straight to the museum that sold me tickets and tours at a high price. Not recommended
Di solito, in caso di cancellazione, offriamo al cliente diverse opzioni di visita, adattandoci agli orari e ai giorni a sua disposizione durante il suo soggiorno a Barcellona. Il rimborso, se la cancellazione è stata effettuata da noi, viene gestito tramite VIATOR. La invitiamo a scrivere al reparto di ICONO che avrebbe dovuto contattarla e di cui non disponiamo dei dati con questa recensione.
If you ever find yourself wandering the vibrant streets of Barcelona, do yourself a favor and book a tour with Mr. Jordi! From the moment we met him outside an enchanting old coffee shop, we were whisked away on a magical journey through Picasso's world. He knew more about the artist than Picasso's own mother and made sure we understood the profound stories behind every brushstroke. First up, we strolled past the apartment where the young Picasso nurtured his talent. Jordi painted vivid pictures with his words, bringing the neighborhood's history to life – it was as if we were stepping right into one of Picasso's canvases. We even saw the college where Picasso’s dad taught – talk about art in the family! The grand finale was a captivating tour of the Picasso Museum. With tales that only a true art aficionado could share, he revealed secrets hidden in plain sight. We left feeling like we had dined on a banquet of artistic knowledge, leaving no stone (or canvas) unturned. As the cherry on top of this incredible experience, we ended our day at a café where Picasso would meet fellow artists. The ambiance was electric; it was like sipping espresso with the ghosts of creativity past! After Barcelona, we ventured to Madrid’s Prado Museum, where Velázquez's Las Meninas took our breath away, but honestly, without our prelude at the Picasso Museum, we might have missed the entire story of Spanish art! In summary: This tour was a masterpiece in itself—A+++! If you love art and want a tour that feels like a brush with greatness, don’t miss this unique experience. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to unlock the vibrant legacy of Picasso and beyond! Matthew & Michelle Malone TX
Our guide was fantastic . She knew a tremendous amount of interesting facts about Picasso and his works of art . Excellent pace of tour . She kept everyone’s interest in the museum.
Romina guided us through the exhibition sensitively and with her enormous knowledge of Picasso’s work. Definitely recommended.
The tour guide is really what makes a great experience here. Adriano showed true passion for Picasso and the museum. He shared useful historical info that flowed the artist and his work in very well. We really enjoyed this tour! We ended at the 4 Gatos restaurant and the drinks were included! The food was so very good also, so very grateful for this experience! Highly suggested!
Extremely knowledgeable guide, Ms.Paloma gave us an extremely educational and well spoken tour of Picassos works in his early years.
Wonderful private tour experience. Olga was a Picasso expert and shared so many interesting details and context that you would normally never get from a standard guide. She was warm and funny but mostly so deeply knowledgeable in Picasso's youth and training, his family conflicts, and the shift to cubism in his later life. So ironic that because of Franco's fascist anti-intellectual, anti-artist policies the man couldn't even oversee the milestone of his life — his museum in Barcelona. Would absolutely recommend this tour.
