Gaston Magrinat: Barcelona Experience Founder

All journeys begin with a single step.

Our first step came in 2003, when Gaston Magrinat started Barcelona Experience.

Gaston was born in Spain but raised in the United States from the age of 8 where he graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Forestry. He then held various positions as a teacher and travel guide.

For 6 years, he worked as an outdoor wilderness guide for youth-at-risk teens in the wilderness of Idaho and the mountains of North Carolina. During that time, he also lived and traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Mexico and Central America.

In 1999, Gaston moved to Barcelona with his wife Damarih. His first position in Spain was teaching English to local students. But it wasn’t long before he realized that his true love was working with international visitors and showing them all the wonders of Barcelona.

"Most of my life has been spent travelling, working in the service industry, teaching in various capacities and as an outdoor guide to youth,” Gaston says. “My love of all these activities and my desire to share beautiful Barcelona with others led to the creation of Barcelona Experience."

Growing Up Fast: Day Tours and Shore Excursions

Over the years, Barcelona Experience has matured into a reliable, professional company offering day tours of various kinds: walking tours in the Old City and more, driving tours in Barcelona and beyond, tapas and wine tours, shopping tours, employee incentive programs, bike tours and bike rentals.

Gaston has also found a way to include his favorite hobby, photography, in the business. In addition to offering professional photography services to visitors for their weddings or other special events, he also shoots photos as he guides tours.

“I bring high-end cameras, various lenses and a flash with me,” he explains. “I capture all the highlights of the trip. I shoot loads of posed and candid photos of the guests. My customers tell me they end up with the best vacation photos. I love that I can help create these wonderful visual memories of their special time in Barcelona.”

Since its inception, Barcelona Experience has assisted hundreds of travelers from all over the world in getting the most out of their visit to the unique and magical city of Barcelona.

Gaston and Damarih are raising their two children, Gaston Jr. and Carla, in Barcelona.

Barcelona Experience Founder, Gaston Magrinat.