The best places in Barcelona to ride a bike

Barcelona is one of those unique cities with both beach and mountains. It has stunning landscapes. But what is not mentioned that much is that in the city there is a huge area with a flat geography, which makes Barcelona an ideal place for locals and visitors to enjoy with a bike.

A group or solo ride can be a perfect way to know all the different areas of the Catalan city in a record time. Although if you have the level and you dare, there are areas such as Mount Tibidabo or Parc Güell that will put your legs to the test.

Today we bring you a list of the best areas of Barcelona for biking. Because traveling with a bike is fun and a good way to get involved with the environment.

** Previous recommendations

Before getting on the bike you should know a couple of things about traffic and some tips to enjoy your bicycle or e-bike in Barcelona. Although there are more than 150 kilometers of bike lanes in the city, it is essential that you always stay aware of the traffic of vehicles and motorcycles. In addition, it is important that you wear a helmet, although the journey may seem easy and without risks. Keep in mind that anytime you ride a bicycle you are considered a vehicle, so it is mandatory to drive on the road and not on the sidewalks, intended for pedestrians. If you drive at night, try to bring reflective elements and consult the route previously to avoid surprises.

Enjoy Barcelona by bicycle

1. Passeig de Sant Joan

Passeig de Sant Joan is a wide multi-lane road, as well as a bike path, which goes from the Gràcia neighborhood, crossing Diagonal, to the Parc de la Ciutadella. It’s a nice promenade if you want to ride your bicycle on a charming district. The Passeig de Sant Joan passes through the district of l’Eixample Dreta, where you’ll enjoy different points of interest such as the Plaza de Tetuán, the Parròquia Sant Francesc Sales or Aragó Street, one of the main arteries of the city. The promenade reaches the Arc del Triomf, an impressive monument from the time of the 1888 Universal Exhibition. This one gives access to the Passeig Lluís Companys, where our headquarter office is, and where you can see the old building of the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia.

2. Parc de la Ciutadella

If you continue along the Passeig Sant Joan, you will reach the Parc de la Ciutadella, another of the green spaces and one of the top areas for biking in Barcelona. You can explore the different corners of the park on your bike, stopping at the monuments, the lakes and garden areas inside the park. There you can also find some churches, libraries, monumental buildings and even the Parliament of Catalonia. In the park you can explore the dirt roads, drink from the hidden fountains and enjoy the yembé circles that become popular when the good weather arrives.

3. Barceloneta and the Port

The coastal area of Barcelona is one of the best districts of the city to travel by bicycle, because of the beauty of its landscapes and the amount of bike lane that exists. The route that we would like to recommend would start at the Mirador de Colón to reach the Forum. On the way you can enjoy Port Vell, stop in the Barceloneta neighborhood, the old fishermen’s area, and get to know its streets and markets. You could continue along the promenade until you reach the Olympic Port, the area for the athletes of the 1992 Olympics. In this area there are a lot of restaurants, so it would be a great stop to have lunch or dinner.

4. Montjuic mountain

The Montjuic mountain is a wonderful place for biking in Barcelona. It has long stretches of road that are ideal for cycling, especially if you love riding uphill. On your way you can see the Fundació Joan Miró, the Joan Brossa’s Gardens and many of the Olympic facilities that were used in 1992. From the Olympic Stadium begins a steep climb that will end at the Montjuic Castle, an impressive historical fortress that is worth visiting. From the top of the castle you will get impressive views of the city, so we recommend getting there.

Take a look the Monjuic eBike Tour for more information

5. Parc Güell

If you are an experienced cyclist, the climb to Parc Güell can be an interesting challenge for you. It’s a hard ride if you are not used to the bicycle, but we assure you that it is worth it for the incredible views of the famous park designed by Gaudí. Once you cross the Gràcia neighborhood towards the upper part of the city, there is the climb that ends at Sostres street. You should know that there are escalators that you can use and carry your bike if you feel that the journey has been too hard. In the area there are many shops where you can get your strength back with a sandwich or a soft drink.

6. Tibidabo

Although there is a great and familiar amusement park at the top of the mountain, getting to the top by bike will be a difficult experience. It is a path of just over 10km that in addition to giving you the opportunity to enjoy the amusement park, will let you see a great panoramic view of the city. We must also mention that it is a road open to traffic, so it is necessary to take precaution.

7. Collserola and its gardens

The Can Borni Gardens, located in Collserola, are another perfect excuse to take the bicycle. It is an excursion that at a calm pace can take you all day. One of our proposals for the ascent to Collserola is to wake up in the morning, enjoy a meal and a picnic in these beautiful gardens and in the afternoon, enjoy the descent. Get your bicycle ready and discover all the secrets of this beautiful natural area in Barcelona.

8. Passeig de Gràcia

If you want to combine your bicycle adventure with some shopping in Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia will be the perfect area for biking. This street has some of the best stores and brands in the world, with numerous shopping areas where to find the latest fashion trends. But it is also in the same street you will find modernist Catalan monuments such as Casa Batlló or La Pedrera, true icons of Barcelona. The bicycle will allow you to make the most of this trip here.

Traveling with children?

Bicycling and tourism can be a perfect way to get the kids to have a great time. Among these areas in Barcelona for biking, we can highlight the road of Les Aigües to enjoy the great views of the city. This road will not involve a great physical effort for children. Another recommendation is to know the Forum and the adjacent beaches. The Forum architecture can be a good reason to visit this area by bike and end the visit with an ice cream on the Paseo Marítimo.