Barcelona’s Top 10 : Walks & Bike Rides

La Rambla & The Port

From Plaça de Catalunya, stroll the length of Barcelona’s most famous street, La Rambla,
stopping en route to enjoy the street performances. Turn left at the
port and admire the luxury yachts as you follow the water round to
Barceloneta. Continue along Pg Joan de Borbó and turn left down any of
the side streets that lead to the sand and sea.

Barri Gòtic

Wandering
this network of atmospheric, ancient streets is the best way to
experience the old town. Take a short stretch of the busy C/Portaferrisa from La Rambla and turn right down tiny C/Petritxol,
with its confectionery shops and jewellers, to the Església de Santa
Maria del Pi. Continue down C/Rauric, left onto C/Ferran and up to Plaça de Sant Jaume. Turn left onto C/Bisbe leading to Plaça de la Seu and the Cathedral.

Eixample

For some of the city’s most breathtaking Modernista gems, walk the length of Pg de Gràcia south to north, past the Mansana de la Discòrdia and La Pedrera. Turn right onto C/Mallorca, which leads to Gaudí’s Sagrada Família. Take a left along C/Marina, past the church’s awe-inspiring Nativity Façade, and head up Av Gaudí to Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau.

Tibidabo

Get
high above the city by following the gently climbing Av del Tibidabo
from the FGC station. Then follow signposts to the right through the
steep wooded park, Font del Racó, and continue until you arrive at Plaça
Doctor Andreu with its terrace bars and panoramic city views.

Montjuïc

Take
in the city’s green scene with an amble around Montjuïc’s verdant
slopes. The initial climb to the grandiose Palau Nacionalfrom Plaça d’Espanya is eased by a series of escalators. From the
palace, veer left and continue along the main road, stopping off at
Jardí Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer before continuing round to Miramar for a spectacular view.

Parc de Collserola

It’s
difficult to believe that this serene nature reserve lies just 10
minutes drive from the metropolis. Explore its delightful hiking, biking
and nature trails on foot or by mountain bike. Take the funicular train
to the top of Tibidabo and head towards the Torre de Collserola, turning off on any one of the colour-coded woodland paths. A tourist information point provides maps and further information.

Tourist Info

• Carretera de Vallvidrera a Sant Cugat, km 4.7

• Open 9:30am–3pm daily

Coastal Bike Ride

Breeze
along the city’s coastal cycle path and take in seaside Barcelona. Pick
up the path from the bottom of La Rambla and follow it north to
Barceloneta, where it runs along the beachfront, past the shiny Port
Olímpic as far as Platja de la Mar Bella.

Diagonal Bike Ride

From
Pedralbes to the sea, this route along the city’s most elegant
boulevard gives you a clear idea of Barcelona’s size. The tree-lined
cycle path follows Diagonal; start at the top (Zona Universitària) and
continuing through the new city of Diagonal Mar until you arrive on the
other side of the city just a stone’s throw from the Besòs River.

Les Planes

Just a 15-minute ferrocarril
ride from Plaça de Catalunya (in the direction of Sant Cugat) is the
picturesque spot of Baixador de Valvidrera. Perfect for an out-of-town
stroll, there is a steep path through the woods, which opens up into a
beautiful, green valley. In summer, there are barbecue facilities where
you can throw on your own steaks.

• 4 km N of Barcelona

Costa Brava Coastal Path

At
the end of the Platja de Sant Pol in Sant Feliu de Guíxols is the start
of a beautiful, coastal path that winds north through shady tamarind
trees with views of rocky coves and the Mediterranean. Around the
headland and down a stairway, you will find the fabulous beach of Sa
Conca, voted the sixth best in Spain.

• 75 km NE of Barcelona