Trip Type: Educational

Art, identity, and creative spirit

Barcelona is bold, bright, and full of character. You students will find it everywhere they go.

In Gaudí’s surreal architecture, where buildings twist and shimmer like something out of a dream. In the Picasso Museum, which traces the early development of one of the world’s most influential artists. And in the everyday culture of Catalonia, with its own language, history, and sense of identity.

That identity is intertwined with the city’s sporting heritage, too, which your students can discover on a tour of Camp Nou.

A trip to Barça’s stadium is something of a pilgrimage for football fans. The stadium is incredible, as is the experience of seeing Lionel Messi’s 8 Ballon d’Or trophies in the flesh. But it also serves as an important educational experience too – highlighting the business of sport and the pursuit of success.

A city shaped by visitors

Barcelona welcomes millions of tourists each year. That’s great for business – and a brilliant case study for students looking at the geography and economics of tourism.

But it also raises big questions about sustainability, local impact, and how cities manage success. In the summer of 2024, locals protested about the effects of tourism on the cost of living. This is an important and sensitive debate, especially for a city where the tourism industry provides over 150,000 jobs.

To take it further, your group could head down the Costa Brava. There, they’ll learn more about coastal erosion and the impact of rising sea levels, local ports, and dams on Spain’s famous beaches.