See business in action in Barcelona
Barcelona is a brilliant place to see business in action. On this trip, students enjoy the city’s famous sights, then go behind the scenes to find out how its economy really works. They can attend a business and tourism presentation at Poble Espanyol, visit the bustling Port of Barcelona, and hear from experts in a Catalan economy masterclass at the University of Barcelona.
Add on a trip to the Cacaolat factory to see your business textbook theories happening in real time, and show your students how a well-loved local brand gets made and sold. Barcelona is one of our favourite destinations for showing students how business works in the real world, bringing supply chains, marketing and enterprise to life.
Trip Highlights
Business Studies and Tourism presentation at Poble Espanyol
Cacaolat company visit
Port of Barcelona tour with a boat ride
Masterclass on the Catalan economy at University of Barcelona
Itinerary suggestion
1 Flight to Barcelona
2 Transfer to accommodation
3 Las Ramblas & Gothic Quarter (flight time permitting)
4 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Transfer to La Fageda for business talk
3 Transfer to Girona
4 Transfer back to Barcelona for Flamenco show and tapas dinner
1 Breakfast
2 Visit Poble Espanyol Business Studies and Tourism presentation
3 Montjuïc cable car
4 Port of Barcelona visit or Barcelona Supercomputing Center
5 Sagrada Família
6 Dinner at local restaurant
1 Breakfast
2 Check out of accommodation
3 University of Barcelona tour or Barcelona Stock Exchange
4 Parc Güell
5 Transfer to airport and flight to the UK
Recommended excursions
Poble Espanyol Business Studies & Tourism presentation
Step behind the scenes at Poble Espanyol, Barcelona’s open-air village. This Business Studies and Tourism session explores how the site balances preservation with profit and manages daily, from crowd control to accessibility. It also shows how the site earns money beyond ticket sales through B2B venue hire, leasing and filming locations. Students will also learn about a real marketing challenge of how to appeal to two completely different consumer segments.
La Fageda business discussion and visit
Discover how business can drive social change at La Fageda. After a guided visit, students join an in-depth session with a member of the La Fageda team about its organisational development, business model, social impact and commercial activity. The discussion can be shaped around your group’s interests, from social mission to marketing strategy, with questions from students welcomed.
Cacaolat Company Visit
Go behind the scenes at Cacaolat, Barcelona’s iconic chocolate milk brand, created in 1933. Students follow the full production process: from harvesting and transporting the milk to extracting and crushing the cocoa. The visit continues inside the factory, where students see the bottling line in action. It’s a great insight into supply chains, manufacturing and how a heritage brand has stayed a household name for generations.
Catalan economy masterclass and University of Barcelona tour
Experience university life in Barcelona with a master class at the University of Barcelona. The masterclass explores the Catalan economy and how it connects with the wider Spanish and European economies, giving students a real-world view of regional strengths, trade and economic policy. Students then take a guided tour of the university, which gives them a taste of higher education abroad and inspiration for future study in economics and business.
Port of Barcelona
On a visit to Catalonia’s largest port, students learn about of the history of Port Vell – the Old Port – and its transformation into a public space. They also find out what goes on the in commercial – industrial area – and in the logistics port. The first part of the visit consists in a small introduction in the auditorium and then a sailing in a traditional boat around the harbour.
Barcelona Stock Exchange
The Stock Exchange in Barcelona was founded in 1915. During your group’s visit a broker explains the methodology of the Stock Exchange and its indexes. You also visit the Electronic Trading Centre – a gateway to the major national and international markets, which allows simultaneous trading on numerous markets as well as direct interaction of investors.
Image ©️ All rights reserved by Groupo BME
Barcelona Supercomputing Center
Step inside the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, home to one of Europe’s most powerful computers. Students tour two remarkable sites: the new building housing MareNostrum 5, and the striking Torre Girona chapel, where MareNostrum 4 sits in a glass case beneath the chapel’s arches. Along the way, guides explain the technology behind supercomputing, and a video shows research projects currently in progress. It’s an inspiring look at how cutting-edge technology is helping solve real-world challenges in science, health and climate.
Sagrada Família
Gaudi’s masterpiece, this large, sand-coloured Catholic church has fluid forms, towering spires and surfaces overflowing with sculptures. It is still under construction even though it was started in 1882. Gaudi spent the last 40 years of his life working on this project and it isn’t scheduled for completion until 2026.
Las Ramblas
Stroll down Barcelona’s most famous street, separating the barrios of La Ribera and the Gothic Quarter. Locals and tourists bustle around the stalls selling trinkets, flowers and pets, the smart shops and Boqueria market, or just enjoy a café con leche while watching street performers. Photo © Alberto Cabello Mayero.
Flamenco Show
Pupils can enjoy the colourful spectacle of this traditional Andalucian art form on stage. The passion, strength and confidence of Flamenco performers make for an unforgettable show. See how they artfully convey their full range of emotions – from humour, happiness and love to envy, anger and bitterness – within a strict framework of rhythmic patterns.
Parc Güell
Gaudi has let his most whimsical ideas take flight in this enchanting landscaped park, high on a hill in the Gracia district. It contains amazing stone structures, mosaics and fascinating buildings festooned with dragons and natural shapes, plus the spired house where the artist lived for most of his last 20 years.
Montjuïc Hill
The Teleferico of Montjuïc is a four-person gondola which takes you up the Montjuïc Mountain to visit the old military fort. The journey takes approx 8 minutes and includes a mid-way stop at Mirador del Alcalde with some superb harbour views.
Girona
This ancient town has all the charm of a large city but without the crowds. The old town is on the east bank of the river, with pedestrianized narrow streets surrounded by the old city walls, which you can walk along. There is an attractive Jewish quarter to explore, a magnificent gothic cathedral, Arab baths and an archaeological museum as well as great shopping. Photo © Miquel Caimary.
Learning outcomes
GCSE curriculum links (Business Studies)
- Marketing and segmentation: explore how Poble Espanyol appeals to two completely different customer segments.
- Business aims and objectives: learn how La Fageda’s social mission shapes its business model, compared with profit-focused firms.
- Production processes and supply chains: see Cacalat’s full production process, from milk and cocoa to the bottling line, and understand how a heritage brand stays a household name.
- Operations and customer service: see how Poble Espanyol manages crowds and accessibility every day.
- Technology: understand how supercomputing helps solve real-world problems at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
- Globalisation: see international trade first-hand through the Port of Barcelona.
A Level curriculum links (Business Studies and Economics)
- Strategic direction: understand how Poble Espanyol diversifies its revenue through venue hire, leasing and filming.
- Corporate social responsibility: learn about social impact and stakeholders at La Fageda.
- Social enterprise: see La Fageda as a social enterprise, and compare with other forms of business.
- Economics, international trade: understand how the Catalan economy connects with the Spanish and European economies in a University of Barcelona masterclass.
- University and careers: give your students a taste of studying economics and business abroad.
Typical accommodation
Hotel Roma Reial ★
Why groups like it:
- Located in the impressive Gothic quarter of the city – the oldest part of Barcelona
- Excellent location close to the cathedral, the Liceu Opera House and Las Ramblas
- Clean, comfortable rooms
Facilities
- En-suite rooms with TV and free Wi-Fi access
- Electronic/magnetic keys
- 24-hour front desk
Urbany Hostel Barcelona
Why groups like it:
- Great location between Barcelona beach and the famous Sagrada Familia
- Terrace area with fantastic views of Barcelona
- Striking contemporary building
Facilities
- 24-hour reception, internet access and air-conditioning
- Common room with large roof terrace
- Secure location with keycard access
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trip and also how quickly emails were returned. I felt TB staff were always there to assist.
Our Lady’s High School
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The professionalism and responsiveness of the Travelbound team gave staff complete confidence throughout, making the whole experience smooth and stress-free. We would highly recommend Travelbound to any school or group looking to organise an inspiring, well-managed, and unforgettable educational trip, we will certainly be booking with them again!
Baxter College
“
The agents at Travelbound were extremely attentive and responsive. They handled every detail of the trip perfectly and were flexible with any changes we needed to make along the way. The trip was brilliant and the girls very much enjoyed it.
Woldingham School
Ready to arrange your next adventure?
If you have any questions or would like to book your school business studies trip to Barcelona, please contact our educational specialists on 01273 244572 or request a quote below, tailored to your group and learning objectives.
