Barcelona - A Literary City
Welcome to our journey through the literary streets of Barcelona, a city that has inspired countless writers and artists throughout the centuries.
Barcelone
Inspired by The Shadow of the Wind of Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Immerse yourself in the spellbinding world of this magnificent Spanish novel
Throughout our tour, we'll explore the key locations from the book—from charming ancient bookshops through winding dark alleys where mysterious plots unfold, to the iconic landmarks central to the story.
This journey extends beyond Barcelona's cobblestone streets into an exploration of the novel's profound themes: solitude, family connections, fateful decisions, and the meaning of love and commitment. Our book club will hold in-depth discussions on these topics throughout the tour, at various locations related to the plot.
As you explore the very places that inspired Carlos Ruiz Zafón's masterpiece, you'll connect deeply with fellow readers during book discussions and shared journey.
Inspired by The Shadow of the Wind - A book club journey
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4 DAYS & 3 NUITS
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BARCELONE
€
START FROM
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MYSTERY, INTRIGUE, HISTORY
Literary Journey: Barcelona Through "The Shadow of the Wind"
Join us on a magical journey through Barcelona, a city of enchantment and mystery, following the masterpiece novel "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. During this journey, we'll walk through the ancient Gothic Quarter's narrow streets, visit sites that inspired Daniel Sempere's story, and experience the city through the eyes of the book's protagonists.
1
Following Daniel's Footsteps in the Gothic Quarter
14:30 - Meeting Point
We meet at Barcelona University where we'll have an introductory conversation before we embark on our literary journey toward the Gothic Quarter in Daniel's footsteps. We'll explore the locations that are central to "The Shadow of the Wind" story.
Gothic Quarter
We'll visit Daniel's house, the places where he first encountered Clara and Julian, and Plaza de Catalonia. Our journey will take us through charming narrow streets where Daniel shared coffee with Clara, past antique shops reminiscent of the famous pen, and into inspiring bookstores like Llibreria Rodés and Sant Jordi that echo the novel's beloved bookshop. We'll continue to Carrer de l'Arc del Teatre - the street leading to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and Plaza Real, where Clara resided and Daniel met his loyal friend Fermín. Throughout our walk, we'll discover numerous other significant locations mentioned in the novel scattered throughout this historic district.
Book Club in Plaza Real - Making Decisions
This book club will explore the boundary between what is beyond our control and what we can control. How can we recognise when a decision is leading us away from what we really want? At what point should we stop and redefine our path? These are questions that resonate as much in the novel as in our own lives.
Continuing the Tour
We'll visit Plaza de Sant Jaume and Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, important historical and political sites, and walk through Carrer de la Llibreteria, and visit Sant Felip Neri Square, where Daniel first saw Nuria.
20:00 - Dinner at Els 4 Gats
We'll end our day with dinner at this historic restaurant, once a gathering place for artists and intellectuals. Here we'll enjoy authentic Catalan cuisine while fostering connections and meaningful conversations in a charming atmosphere.
2
Montjuïc Castle and Barcelona University
10:00 - Montjuïc Castle
A private tour of Montjuïc donjon, frequently mentioned in the book. From the castle, we can also see the cemetery that appears several times in the story.
Book Club next to the castle - Lonliness and Sacrifices
This book club will explore the boundary between connection and isolation in our lives. How can we recognize when our social habits lead us away from authentic relationships? Perhaps true connection requires qualities never taught in schools—the courage to communicate authentically and to give without expectation. These are questions that resonate as much in the novel as in our own search for meaningful connection.
Lunch
At a charming book-café in the Gothic Quarter (beverage included).
Picasso Museum
Visit the Picasso Museum to explore the artist's connection to Barcelona.
Gothic Quarter - Continue
We'll visit Barcelona Cathedral (including going up to the viewpoint), the historic Police Headquarters (Prefectura Superior de Policia de Catalunya), and many more sites.
Casa Amatller
We'll visit this unique house that we believe demonstrates the book's special atmosphere.
Book club at Tibidabo Avenue
Relationships and Freedom: This book club will explore the boundary between authenticity and conformity in our connections with others. How can we embrace the freedom that strangers offer us to be seen as we truly are? How can we free ourselves from the boxes where family and friends have placed us? And at what point does our upbringing become a limitation rather than a foundation for growth? These are questions that resonate as much in Bea and Daniel's evolving relationship and in some father-son dynamics, as well as in our everyday struggles to create genuine.
20:30 - Dinner on Tibidabo Avenue
We'll ride the Blue Train, just as Daniel did in the book, to a special dinner. We'll discover that the castle where Penélope and Julián grew up has been converted into a five-star hotel, where we'll have a private talk with a team member about the book, have a book club meeting and enjoy dinner.
3
Palau de la Música Catalana
9:00 - Palau de la Música Catalana
We'll visit one of the author's favorite places, a modernist masterpiece.
Book Club - The Place of Women
The love stories in the novel are marked by passion, mystery and renunciation. The female characters evolve in a society where their freedom remains limited, torn between their own will and imposed expectations. During our book club, we'll discuss the portrayal of women in the book and more broadly in art and literature throughout history. We'll explore the various ways female characters are depicted, the evolution of these portrayals over time, and how we as modern readers can engage critically with these representations while still appreciating the historical context of the work.
Concluding Conversation and Farewell
We'll finish our journey with a farewell conversation, sharing experiences and insights from the past days, and part with memories and new friendships.
Barcelona Literary Journeys
Literary Facts
Barcelona's Gothic Quarter transported me to another time. Walking through the narrow streets, I felt the shadows of history and literature at every corner.
Barcelona was home to many important Catalan writers including Mercè Rodoreda, whose novel The Time of the Doves (La plaça del Diamant) is considered one of the most important Catalan novels of the 20th century.
Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez lived in Barcelona during the 1960s and 70s, becoming part of the city's literary scene.
The city hosts the prestigious Sant Jordi Festival (April 23rd), a Catalan tradition where books and roses are exchanged, similar to Valentine's Day but celebrating literature.
"The Shadow of the Wind" Reviews
The Guardian: "Part detective story, part boy's adventure, part romance, fantasy and gothic horror, the novel is, above all, a homage to the all-consuming power of books and reading... Zafón's novel is atmospheric, beguiling and thoroughly readable."
The New York Times: "Gabriel García Márquez meets Umberto Eco meets Jorge Luis Borges for a sprawling magic show... Ruiz Zafón clearly knows his way around the baroque byways of mad inventors, decrepit aristocrats and guttersnipe war heroes."
The Washington Post: "Anyone who enjoys novels that are scary, erotic, touching, tragic and thrilling should rush right out to the nearest bookstore and pick up 'The Shadow of the Wind.' Really, you should."
The Telegraph: "Zafón's Gothic mystery is both thriller and tragedy, with a touch of Borgesian magic. Post-Civil War Barcelona emerges as a city of secrets, where young bookseller Daniel Sempere unravels the enigma of novelist Julián Carax"
Literary Streets
The street signs of Barcelona tell stories of their own, named after poets, novelists, and cultural icons who shaped the city's literary landscape.
Each corner reveals a new chapter in Barcelona's rich cultural history.
Literary Walking Tours
The Gothic Quarter, El Born, and Raval neighborhoods are particularly rich in literary history and continue to inspire contemporary writers with their labyrinthine streets and stories behind every facade.
Architectural and Artistic Legacy
The city was the epicenter of Modernisme (Catalan Modernism), a movement that went beyond architecture to influence all aspects of design and decorative arts.
Picasso's formative years were spent in Barcelona, and the Picasso Museum houses one of the most extensive collections of his early works.
Joan Miró, another Barcelona native, left a significant mark on the city with his colorful, whimsical sculptures and mosaics.
The MACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art) designed by Richard Meier has helped position the city as a center for contemporary art.
About the Author
Carlos Ruiz Zafón (1964-2020) was born in Barcelona but lived much of his adult life in Los Angeles, where he worked as a screenwriter before achieving literary fame.
He once said: "Barcelona is a very old city in which you can feel the weight of history; it is haunted by history. You cannot walk around it without perceiving it."
Zafón refused to sell the film rights to "The Shadow of the Wind," believing that the story belonged in the minds of readers. He said, "For me, the pleasure of writing and reading is precisely that it's a world of the imagination."
Zafón typically wrote at night, considering himself a nocturnal person. He was known to be meticulous about his prose, often revising extensively.
Reader Impact
The novel created what tourism officials call "The Zafón Effect" - a significant increase in literary tourism to Barcelona, with readers seeking to experience the city through the lens of the novel.
Through literature, we experience Barcelona with all our senses.
Dates and availability
Do you want to find out more about the next travel dates?
Dates & Availability
Mars 15-21
AvailableAvril 5-11
Last placesMai 10-16
FullJuin 20-26
Available
Find out about upcoming dates
BARCELONA LITERARY JOURNEY: THE SHADOW OF THE WIND
ACCOMMODATION
- 3 nights in a centrally located hotel in Barcelona
MEALS
- Day 1: Dinner at Els 4 Gats (historic restaurant mentioned in the book)
- Day 3: Tapas and cocktails at a book-themed bar
- Day 3: Dinner at a 5-star hotel at Av. del Tibidabo, 32 (representing the castle where Penélope and Julián grew up)
TRANSPORTATION
- Day 3: Blue Train ride to Av. del Tibidabo (as featured in the book)
- All walking tours and local transportation during scheduled activities
ACTIVITIES & ENTRANCES
- Literary walking tour of Gothic Quarter
- Private tour of Montjuïc Castle
- Visit to Park Güell
- Santa Anna Church visit
- Casa Amatller visit
- Palau de la Música Catalana visit
- Three curated book club sessions at significant locations
OPTIONAL TICKETS (NOT INCLUDED)
- Casa Batlló
- Basílica de la Sagrada Família
- Picasso Museum
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