BrightSide Tours Barcelona

Let’s be honest: the hop-on-hop-off bus is a rolling coffin for the soul. You’re trapped behind plexiglass, listening to a tinny recording tell you facts you could have Googled, while breathing in the exhaust of three other buses just like yours. If that’s your idea of travel, stop reading. But if you want to actually feel Barcelona—the sudden shift in temperature as you dive into a narrow alley, the scent of roasting coffee in Gràcia, the chaotic energy of the Eixample grid—then you need to get closer to the pavement.

BrightSide Tours Barcelona operates out of a discreet spot in Eixample, and they specialize in the kind of transport that makes people stop and stare. Their flagship move? The vintage sidecar tour. We’re talking classic Ural motorcycles, maintained with the kind of obsessive love usually reserved for first-born children. You’re low to the ground, the wind is hitting your face, and you’re navigating the city’s grand avenues and tight corners with a sense of purpose that a tour group of forty people simply cannot achieve. It’s ridiculous, it’s a little flashy, and it’s the most fun you can have on three wheels without getting arrested.

The magic here isn’t just the machinery; it’s the humans. These aren't script-reading drones. The guides at BrightSide are the kind of people you actually want to have a drink with. They know the history, sure—they’ll tell you why Ildefons Cerdà designed the Eixample the way he did—but they’ll also tell you which bakery has the best ensaimada and which bars are currently being ruined by influencers. They treat the city like a living, breathing organism rather than a museum exhibit.

For families traveling with teenagers—a demographic notoriously difficult to impress—this is the silver bullet. There is zero 'educational' groan-factor when you’re cruising toward the Sagrada Família in a sidecar. It’s inherently cool. They also offer bike tours that actually make sense, avoiding the congested tourist traps in favor of routes that show you the Mediterranean soul of the city. You’ll see the landmarks, but you’ll see them from vantage points where you aren't being elbowed by a cruise ship excursion group.

Is it cheap? No. This is a premium, private experience. You’re paying for the expertise, the maintenance of vintage gear, and the luxury of not having to share your afternoon with strangers. It’s an investment in a memory that doesn't involve a lanyard or a numbered paddle. The service is personal, the routes are flexible, and the vibe is decidedly un-touristy.

If you’re looking for things to do in Eixample that don't involve standing in a three-hour line, this is it. You’ll cover more ground than a walking tour, see more detail than a taxi, and leave with a genuine understanding of why people lose their minds over this city. Just don't expect to be invisible. When you’re idling at a red light in a sidecar, everyone—from the local abuelas to the bored commuters—is going to be looking at you. Lean into it. It’s the best way to see Barcelona without feeling like a spectator.