Reviews from guests
Our original tour guide canceled on us but Octavio jumped right in and saved the day! We only had a few hours in Barcelona and wanted to see as much as we could. Octavio showed us so many sites and gave us history lessons that included a wide knowledge of architecture styles of buildings/homes and monuments/art pieces. He showed us some of his favorite things as well. The churros with chocolate dipping sauce were sooo good! We ended it all with a glass of champagne and a really good restaurant recommendation. It was a perfect tour with a friendly face. So glad we squeezed this tour in to our tight schedule. Perfect Walking Tour of Barcelona
Octavio’s tour took us to places we would never have found on our own. We felt safe and comfortable riding through the streets with him. His knowledge of Barcelona was excellent and his commentary extremely interesting. Would thoroughly recommend him. Thanks for making my birthday special.
We toured Barcelona with Octavio in July ‘25. We did a 3 hour walking tour and it was great. He took us beyond the main sites and provided great insight and explanations.
We had two teenage boys and the brief was to keep it high energy and entertaining. Octavio did this - interesting stories, food markets and a detour to the best Churros in town!
He left us with a heap of restaurant, bar and ice cream recommendations, so we benefitted from his guiding for several days thereafter.
A great experience, would highly recommend.Great interactive tour
We had the most wonderful morning with Octavio, he was kind and knowledgeable and just truly lovely! We learned so much and felt like we covered a lot of ground in not much time, the perfect sprinkle of discovery during our touristing around Barcelona!Fabulous gothic tour of BCN!
If you’re heading to Barcelona and want more than a cookie-cutter experience, Octavio is your guy. He worked closely with us to create a truly bespoke tour that hit all the right notes—exploring both the charm of the Old Town and the vibrant energy of El Born. What made the experience special wasn’t just the sights—it was how thoughtfully curated every stop felt, tailored perfectly to our interests and vibe.
Octavio comes armed with what can only be described as the ultimate insider’s list—a massive collection of everything you didn’t know you needed but absolutely do: hidden tapas gems, rooftops with unforgettable views (don’t miss this), stylish restaurants, the best paella spots, wine havens, artisan gelato, cozy cafés, buzzing bars, and even top-tier brunch recs. Every suggestion felt like a local secret shared with a friend.
And just when we thought the trip couldn’t get better, Octavio gave us incredible advice for a beach day in Sitges. It ended up being the highlight of our trip—a perfect, sun-soaked finale we’ll never forget.
We truly can’t recommend Octavio highly enough. He’s knowledgeable, caring, and a ton of fun to be around. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning visitor, he’ll make you fall in love with Barcelona in a whole new way.Outstanding local guide with secrets!
We loved our local experience with Octavio! It felt like meeting up with an old friend for drinks and tapas. Octavio was very knowledgeable about the Barcelona, as well as the history of the city and Catalan culture. He also gave us several recommendations for the remainder of our trip -- late-night spots for drinks, brunch and cafe recs, and things to do in Tossa de Mar (where we were headed next). I highly recommend booking with Octavio early on in your trip so you can enjoy his recommendations throughout the remainder of your stay. Next time I'm in Barcelona, I know who I'll reach out to! 10/10 for Octavio.Perfect evening in Barcelona
Alan was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with. I was surprised and delighted by the food offerings. Would do it again!Yummy Barcelona
Our group of 4 senior women had a most wonderful tapas experience with Alan .
Upon request he greeted us at our hotel as we had only just flown in that afternoon from Sydney ( a gruelling flight )
He gave us a patient and detailed experience of how to use the metro system, travelling alongside us.
Alan entertained us with his vast knowledge of the history of Barcelona and Spain as we explored the streets and bars of this exciting city.
Alan’s knowledge , enthusiasm ,kind approach and experience made our evening tapas tour one to remember .Tapas Tour of Barcelona
I promise you Octavio is the best tour guide in the city. I’ve lived here for 6 months and have had over 20 tour guides, and he is by far the best. He gave me the best local recommendations along with the places to avoid, and never failed. Personable, respectful, and authentic. Highly recommend him! Octavio Rocks!!!
Alan was amazing from the start to the finish. Such a history lesson on Barcelona!! Funny, engaging, entertaining, and knowledgeable!! Our 3 hour tour turned was kindly extended (by a LOT) to ensure that we saw EVERYTHING!
We could not possibly recommend Alan highly enough!! The most enjoyable part of our 4 days in Barcelona!Tour with Alan
Spending 3 hours with Alan was pure delight. From the moment we met him we could see his passion and enthusiasm. We were touring with our 13 yr old grandson and he related perfectly to him and to us. He had lots of great anecdotes, tremendous command of Barcelona's history and a great sense of humor. He went out of his way to help us secure Park Guell tickets when there were none available.
He's an extremely nice guy and a top class guide. So lucky to have chosen Alan!Alan is a wealth of knowledge
Our group absolutely loved their tour with Alan. He was so accommodating and did a wonderful job showing us around the Gothic Quarter. Would 100% recommend!! Wonderful Tour!
Alan was fabulous! We did a food tour with him and left with full bellies and minds full knowledge. Alan's passion for food is equal to his passion for history. He also went above and beyond showing us nooks and crannies of the Gothic area on the way back to our metro station.Awesome!
4 of us spent a great evening with Octavio in El Born and Bari Gotic. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and fun to be with. He introduced us to many different tapas and drinks, while imparting interesting facts about the areas we toured. Thank you Octavio for a fun night out!
Great Evening With Octavio
We had a great tour with Octavio- he was knowledgeable, what he talked about was interesting, and our kids (14, 13 &12) were interested in what he had to say. Would definitely book another tour with Octavio! Fantastic time
What an amazing experience! I can't even just call it a tour, it was definitely an experience! Alan was amazing and really went above and beyond! We ate so much delicious food, trying things we hadn't yet as well. He picked great places to stop. Drink recommendations to pair with our food was great as well.
Now comes the best part...Alan our guide, friend, host, teacher...
He was AMAZING! So much knowledge shared in such a wonderful way! To say he went above and beyond is an understatement! He showed us so much. You could tell he loved being there sharing his knowledge of the beautiful city of Barcelona as much as we did! We highly recommend this experience with Alan!!!What an amazing experience!
We have had many Tours With Locals experiences and this one has been the best so far!! Alan was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of Barcelona in addition to being entertaining and thoughtful. He took the time to show us how to use the Metro and gave many good suggestions.We HIGHLY recommend him for anyone who wants to find out about the true Barcelona. We will be back!Fabulous Tour Guide
Alan is the most incredible guide. He took us to 3 different markets where he introduced us to the various tastes of Barcelona.
He went above and beyond! Knowledgeable and super personable. Not only learned about the local food but the culture and more. Great person all around!
Highly recommend!10 Tastings with Alan
We had the absolute best time with Alan! He was personally engaging and a wealth of historical knowledge! He brought us to a wonderful shop we would never have found on our own and he recommended places for us to eat/see after our tour together. He was incredibly generous with his time, making sure we got to see everything we were hoping to see. I highly recommend scheduling any tour you can get with Alan. We would visit Barcelona again just to tour more with Alan!History made FUN and brought to life!
My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of joining Alan on the Drinks & Bites in El Born Tour, and it was hands down one of the highlights of our trip to Barcelona! Alan was the perfect guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and effortlessly personable. He struck the perfect balance of sharing just enough history to enrich the experience without overwhelming the fun and laid-back vibe. While the bites were enjoyable, the true stars of this tour were the delicious cocktails and the vibrant, unique bars Alan introduced us to. Our favorite stop was an incredible speakeasy tucked away in El Born. From the moment we stepped in, it felt like we’d been transported to another era. The ambiance was unforgettable, and the expertly crafted drinks were phenomenal. Alan’s expertise shone through in every aspect of the tour. He clearly knows the neighborhood like the back of his hand and took us to hidden spots we never would have found on our own. Each stop was a delightful surprise, and Alan’s enthusiasm for the local culture and mixology made the experience even more enjoyable. This tour is a must-do for anyone looking to experience Barcelona’s nightlife like a local. It’s perfect for couples, friends, or anyone who loves exploring unique bars with a side of fascinating stories. We couldn’t stop talking about how much fun we had and how it felt like we were out for drinks with a good friend who just happened to be a walking encyclopedia of El Born. We highly recommend this tour—and Alan specifically! Don’t miss this unforgettable evening in Barcelona.
Our favorite tour in Barcelona
Well, in a nutshell Alan was an awesome guide! He really took the time to personalize our fun filled day of sightseeing in Barcelona, which included a few tastings along the way. He was on time and we promptly took off on foot and used the metro when necessary for our tour. We covered quite a bit of territory with perfectly timed stops at various locations around Barcelona including La Sagrada Familia. Very educational and the Alan really knew his history and answered all our questions which was awesome. Alan also did an amazing job of teaching us about some of the history of Barcelona, Gaudí and how they came to be what they are today. Long story short you cannot go wrong booking a tour with Alan in Barcelona. Enjoy your time in Barcelona and the great food as well!
Hanging in Barcelona!
Such a joy to be able to discuss history with Alan. He was extremely attentive and we connected immediately. Sensitive to our age and mobility- and fun to be with.Most enjoyble walking tour
Alan, was very generous with his time and knowledge/history of the area. It was a great experience where we learnt so much about the local cuisine. The stops we made were great and we were so full at the end of the tour we had to say no to the churros! It is a great was to learn about Pinchos and Tapa and I would recommend Alan as a guide to anyone.Great experience
Octavio was quick to respond prior to our visit. We messaged back and forth to plan our afternoon together. He met us at a restaurant at our convenience and had the whole afternoon planned out. We saw sites that we never would have seen without him. Highly recommend. Fun and knowledgeable
Alan took me, my husband and 2 teen daughters to Montserrat in July. Wish we had found him sooner - we would have booked more tours with him! Very polite and organized, he made our daytrip stress free, taking care of all of the logistics and showing us all of the must-see details. Alan is a gem
When travelling with my 80 year old parents and 15 year old son I wanted to have a guide to show us Monserrat. Alan was perfect! As soon and he met us outside the hotel we all felt comfortable and knew we were in very good hands. Alan had the day trip planned flawlessly… we took the train and cable car up the mountain which allowed us the enjoy the amazing scenery. We then took the rack train down the mountain, which was wonderful as we experienced both ways. Alan’s vast and detailed knowledge explained the history and present day importance of this majestic place. He also helped us to make sense of other pieces of related history that I didn’t quite understand and how they play a roll in shaping the present. With his intelligence, warm personality and humour the day went by to fast! He was able to engage my parents as well as a teenager!! We loved our time with Alan and I confidently recommend him 110%! You will be very pleased. Thank you again Alan for an unforgettable day!!
Most Sincerely,
Peter, Patricia, Nicholas and Tracey An Unforgettable Day!!
Cannot say enough about how wonderful our bike ride was with Octavio. He was easy to talk to, answered all questions thoroughly, and safely guided my family of four through the beautiful city of Barcelona…all while keeping a great sense of humor. The weather unfortunately did not cooperate but that did not dampen anyone’s spirits, including Octavio’s. He was full steam ahead with us. I cannot recommend Octavio and this tour enough. Thank you Octavio! We gained immense knowledge of Barcelona, but also feel like we gained a friend 😊Octavio was the BEST
It was a really engaging experience with Octavio. I was worried about it being awkward eating with someone we may not be too familiar with but it was really great company where we had interesting conversations. The places he brought us too were amazing and unique, combining different types of food. We especially love his thought process in planning for us! Great food and conversations !
Octavio was very well versed with history and we learnt alot spending time with him exploring the different places and taking the off beaten path to see more than just the main areas for tourists. We got to explore and see contrast of the different areas and had a really great experience! Great customized experience!
Our family of three booked with Alan for the Ten Tastings of Barcelona tour. Walking around the market, visiting tapas bars and finishing at a churros cafe, was such a delight with Alan, who quickly became like a member of our family. We visited Barcelona with our son, who is about the same age as Alan.
Alan engaged with every one of us and took an interest in our individual likes. He was so accommodating!
We had some great laughs, and learned the very interesting history of La Boqueria Market.
By the time our tour ended we were sad to go our separate ways. It’s nice to know that when we think of Barcelona, we will remember our time with Alan as a highlight!
Thank you With Locals and Gracias Alan! Alan was like family!
We had a brilliant evening tour with Alan. He showed us the authentic places to eat and drink in Barcelona. He gave great recommendations and an in depth tour of the gothic quarter. Alan was very knowledgeable and super easy going. I would recommend Alan’s service to anyone coming to Barcelona. The best way to explore the city
I had a wonderful tour with Octavio here in Barcelona getting exposed to some local foods, drinks and culture. Octavio planned a great itinerary based on my requests and I got to taste some great tapas, desserts and local drinks, while also getting a bit of Barcelona history. I always enjoy hiring a local tour guide when traveling and Octavio did not disappoint. Great personalize experience
Octavio was a fantastic guide who tailored our experience based on everything we had told him. He asked what we liked/had already seen in the city and even adapted the tour en route according to the conversation we were having and what we enjoyed. Would highly recommend! Fantastic bespoke tour
Octavio took us on a tour the night we flew in before a cruise. We had 6 family members aged 24 to 30 and they LOVED Octavio. We were late in arriving and were hungry. He took us to a restaurant suggested foods, told us about them, and ordered everything for us. The conversation around the table was a tour highlight and is one of our favorite memories from the trip! Memorable time in Barcelona with Octavio!
It was a pleasant surprise to have met Octavio, given our original guide was no longer available. Octavio was extremely flexible with our tour, given the day before we had independently visited Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. We had the most pleasant and unexpected tour of our entire Barcelona stay. Complete with recommendations for dinner and things to do in Madrid, our next city, he proved himself to be very knowledgeable on topics of history, architecture, art, food and culture. I was traveling with my seventeen year old son who had a lot of fun talking with him. He boasts Octavio’s tour was the highlight of our Barcelona trip!Exceptional and charmning
I had an amazing local tour experience with Octavio. The communication was excellent, he suggested excellent restaurants and other souvenirs shops besides doing an excellent job on touring.
Thank you again and we look forward meeting him and book with Withlocal again!Great experience with Host Octavio
Alan did a wonderful job showing our group around Barcelona educating and entertaining us about this incredible city. It was our fourth time using Withlocals and each one has been a great experience. I plan to continue using them in the future. Another great experience using Withlocals
Fue una buena tour con Octavio.
El es muy flexible y tiene muchos buenos consejos, aunque ya conocemos Barcelona muy bien.
Gracias Octavio! ♡
Sarah y Dominik con Lotta y Merle Buena experiencia! Gracias Octavio ♡
Octavio was very open to making our tour specific to the sites we wanted to visit. He happily shared many of his personal favorites when it came to dining, roof top bars and unique places to shop.Knowledge and very accommodating
Our day trip to Montserrat with Alan was amazing. We learned so much and had a lot of fun getting to know Alan and hearing about his experiences in Spain. He took care of all our tickets in advance and knew how to time the day well so we weren’t feeling rushed. There were a lot of logistics in getting to Montserrat and going into the basilica and we truly just got to enjoy the experience. It was like visiting a really knowledgeable friend in another city.
This is my first time doing a tour using Withlocals and I would definitely book again and recommend to friends. I hope your guides in other places are as great as Alan! Authentic Travel Experience
Alan was a gem! Apart from being friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful, he listened to what we wanted and tailored the tour for us. He went at our pace and took us to places we never would have experienced on our own. We got to have foodie stops, Gaudi stops and sightseeing diversions all of which encompassed both mainstream and off the beaten track experiences. Overall, a wonderful mix of everything we wanted plus he went above and beyond to help us get Sagrada Familia tickets for the next day when we were told they were all sold out for more than a week ahead. We had a great time with Alan and thoroughly commend his excellent service.Everything we had hoped for and more
The tour with Octavio was very exciting. He showed us places and revealed details that you certainly won't find in any travel guide. I found it particularly great that Octavio responded to individual questions and requests, so in addition to the tour, he also told us where to get the best churros with the best chocolate sauce and where is the best place to eat as a food lover. Octavio is very open and personable, the tour was very entertaining. All in all we had a really nice and successful tour. Full recommendation for Octavio👍
We chose Alan because he was a foodie and also had an interest in hidden Barcelona. We were not disappointed. We started off at the Boqueria market and sampled five year old Iberico ham, oysters, sea urchins, salami, olives and anchovies . We then went to two different Tapas bars one Basque and one Catalonian via side streets, art markets, all the while being shown hidden sights and learning about the history of the oldest part of the City. We visited a wonderful chocolate shop for coffee and then a churros stall. Alan was a great guide and we saw and learnt lots about the city that no guide book could ever impart. A great afternoon in Gothic Barcelona
We had a good time.great job
Alan was an incredible guide. We feel extraordinarily lucky to have had him for our day in Barcelona. Not only was he extremely knowledgeable, but he went above and beyond to show us many interesting sites, and discuss the history behind those sites and places we were seeing in great detail! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Alan and would highly recommend him. We will be requesting him again on any future returns!We had an amazing day with Alan!!
Alan was an absolute pleasure ...flexible with our group (family: 2 adults, 2 teenagers), incredible locations (especially the market) and insightful education about the city. Highly recommend. Thank you Alan!Excellent Experience!
We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Alan. First, he is warm and welcoming - it felt like we were being shown the city by a friend not a guide. Second, his stories kept all 4 of us (parents and sons in their early twenties) fully engaged for three hours. Alan is a font of historical knowledge and stories that spanned the cultural, architectural, political, industrial, and religious evolution of Barcelona. Our time with Him left us with insights that will make the rest of our visit a richer experience. All 4 of us give Alan the absolute highest recommendation, and would love the opportunity to meet up again. Exceptional experience!
We were unsure what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. Octavio was friendly, knowledgeable and fun. He went above and beyond to show us the city and educate us on the history. We never would have seen as much of Barcelona had we not done this tour with Octavio. Don’t hesitate, just do it. Amazing experience