Whether you prefer hot or cold weather, taking in Barcelona while walking around in the open air is always a good plan. The Catalan capital has many interesting open spaces to enjoy culture, exercise or simply let yourself get carried away. Now that due to Covid-19 we must avoid closed spaces and crowded places, we invite you to put on your mask and find out how to have a good time outdoors during your stay in Barcelona.
The magic mountain of Montjuïc
Several means of transport take you to Montjuïc, but this 376-hectare space is a good place to go for a walk and to isolate yourself from the noise of the city. You can enjoy it on foot or challenge yourself to grab a bicycle and pedal through its steep streets.
An ideal starting point is Avinguda de la Reina María Cristina. At the start you’ll be greeted by two Venetian towers. From there you can see the magic fountain, which offers a show of water and light. We recommend that you check the schedule, since once a year it shuts down for maintenance. Very close to the fountain you can visit the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, built to represent Germany at the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition, and a little higher up you can find the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the MNAC.
Another interesting spot is the Olympic Ring, made up of the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Olympic Esplanade, with the Communications Tower designed by Santiago Calatrava.
If you want to learn more about the flora that can be found in the Mediterranean climate, you cannot miss the Botanical Garden. In it you’ll find everything from species that are present in other parks of the city to plants from South America and Africa.
And to finish your tour, you shouldn’t miss the Castle of Montjuïc. The current enclosure is the result of a renovation that was carried out between 1753 and 1779. And to finish your tour, you shouldn’t miss the Castle of Montjuïc.You will be able to admire the access bridge, its facade and the lookout towers, stroll through the parade ground and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
The Serra de Collserola Natural Park
This large natural park that spans nine municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area is a vital territory for wildlife and plants that must be preserved. That’s why the Consortium that manages it emphasises respecting the rules of coexistence and good practices.
In its 8,295 hectares you can observe its plants and wildlife and go for a walk through the several paths that it offers, as well as its bike routes. If you want to get to know the park better, the Consortium organises activities for the whole family. There are also places to stay, restaurants, museums, and shops where you can buy local food.
Within the municipality of Barcelona is the Tibidabo, the highest peak of the mountain range where the iconic amusement park and the Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are located.
If you like astronomy, you can visit the Fabra Observatory and sign up for one of the night guided tours. The schedule of these visits may change due to restrictions occasioned by Covid-19, so we recommend contacting the Observatory in advance.
The beaches of Barcelona
If you prefer the sea, the city has ten beaches with a total length of 4.5 kilometres. Stroll from end to end passing through the beaches of Sant Sebastià, Sant Miquel, Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella, Llevant and the bathing area of the Fòrum. Some of them show a blue flag, which indicates, among other things, clean water and sand.
The beaches of Barcelona are a very good place to do sports: playing beach volleyball and running and cycling along the Passeig Marítim are some of the most popular activities. As a preventive measure for Covid-19, be sure to keep a safe distance from others and to avoid crowds. In three of the beaches there are sports areas, which can be used as long as the current health recommendations allow it.
Of course, we also encourage you to go for a swim. The Mediterranean climate allows you to do so for most of the year, but make sure to check the water temperature first!
You have to bear in mind that when the bathing season is over there is no lifeguard service and, therefore, extra precautions must be taken.
You can reach all of the following places by metro and by bus. To move easily within the transport network, the perfect option is to buy the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, a flat-rate ticket with unlimited trips for 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours.
