Barcelona is undoubtedly one of the most important tourist destinations in European routes. The capital of Catalonia represents the perfect summer trip with good weather, historical memory, famous monuments (Parc Güell, La Sagrada Familia, El Camp Nou), architectural wonders, museums, and a wide gastronomic offer. Add a variety of landscapes that allows you to enjoy the sea and the mountains, all being in the same city, and you will probably fall in love with “Barca”. Here is the ultimate itinerary to explore Barcelona like a local – and on a bike!
To start with, the city itself has a world renowned urban plan designed by Ildefons Cerdà, from the early 19th century. The architect aimed to ensure the best living conditions for each citizen; he decided to design a geometric grid that directs a fluid movement of the city which works perfectly until today. Nowadays, urbanists strive to make the city more and more accessible for bicycles and pedestrians, as there are more than 200 kilometers of cycle lanes available to you. So find a Donkey bike and start exploring one of these unmissable routes in Barcelona!
Explore Barcelona’s architecture with Gaudi’s famous works
The starting point of this route is the Modernista Sant Pau Complex, a public hospital that functions as a garden city. This former hospital now serves as a museum and archive of documents of more than 500 years old. A great way to level your Barcelona’s culture!
From there, you will make your way down to Avinguda de Gaudí that runs diagonally across Cerdàs grid. Raise your head and you’ll recognize the most popular monument of Spain: the infamous Sagrada Familia. As one of the most iconic buildings in Europe, la Sagrada Familia is better known as the unfinished masterpiece of Gaudí, with a forecast of completion in 2026. Make sure to pay a visit to the only terrace with a prime view of the Sagrada Familia, la Terraza Ayre at Ayre Rosellón Hotel. Booking ahead of time is mandatory, as it is usually very busy! After a great refreshment, ride on Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona’s most luxurious avenue. Here, you will find many jewels left by Gaudí and his associates. Pay attention to the organic pavement stones alongside the street lamps with their white-mosaic benches.
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Admire las casas of infamous Spanish architects
Welcome to the district of the “casas”. Here, you will find a couple of casas, which also are the symbol of Barcelona. These buildings represent real crown jewels of Catalan art nouveau and modernism that stand alongside Barcelona’s most prestigious stores. You’ll discover La Pedrera (aka Casa Mila) and La Casa Batlló by Gaudí, La Casa Lleó Morera and La Casa Amatller – our favorite one! Inside, there is a hidden coffee shop chain, Faborit. There you can sit in the open patio of the building and taste the chocolates of Amattler himself.
Then go to la Placa de Catalunya, you will find yourself in the heart of Barcelona and the most common meeting place of the locals, surrounded by a heap of pigeons!
Stroll in Las Ramblas to the beach
Ride along the beach on your Donkey bike Las Ramblas is another important boulevard of the city that leads you towards the coast of Barcelona. But on the way, you will encounter many hidden places that cannot be missed! The promenade can lead you towards the Barcelona Cathedral and the Raval district. Looking for a flavorsome site? The market La Boqueria will give you all! This food market specializes in selling a variety of fingerlicking options that will guarantee you a memorable experience – including delicious tapas.
Jump on your Donkey bike and ride to Las Ramblas passage, where the statue of Columbus will open to you the coast of Barcelona. In the Barceloneta district, streets are unique, but pleasant. The neighborhood is densely packed with tiny passageways flanked on both sides by antique buildings, churches, stores, and restaurants that appear to have remained unchanged since the 1800s. Apart from its natural beauty, the neighborhood offers a number of worthwhile attractions, such as the Museu d’Història de Catalunya or Barcelona’s clock tower. From Barceloneta Beach, take the cable car to the Miramar Gardens overlook for spectacular views of the port. On windy days, you can even spot surfers!
Chill by the seafront around the Olympic Port
As you continue to cycle along the coast, you will discover the Olympic Port, one of the city’s most appreciated locations by the tourists thanks to its vibrant nightlife. The Port features a lovely promenade that runs the length of the coast and is ideal for a daytime or nighttime stroll. It is lined with restaurants (La barca del Salamanca), patios, bars, taverns and nightclubs. Get a drink at Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre, two skyscrapers from where you can enjoy the sunset over the Mediterranean sea.
Beyond the Port Olympic, the coast resumes to serve as a shoreline, with several beaches that are separated with perpendicular rock jetties. These beaches belong to the district of Poblenou, an area with big antique warehouses and modern IT hubs coexist in this area. Hipsters, designers, and start-ups have all made their homes here. @22 is the name given to the region, which is now home to design schools, galleries, craft beer breweries, and new-age digital enterprises striving to conquer the world.
Head to one of the parks of Barcelona
After having spent some time in crowded areas, you might feel for a calmer atmosphere. Go to Parc del Forum. It isn’t a park or green space in the traditional sense, but rather a big area with a variety of areas and amenities that hold a variety of activities. Ride from the Blau Museum to the large open-air space by the sea Parc dels Auditoris or to the spectacular Photovoltaic Cell, whose sloping structure is supported by a forest of columns and is a symbol of Barcelona’s devotion to sustainability and environmental preservation.
The final stop for this bike tour in Barcelona can be the ascension of the Montjuïc. Get a local shot of culture at the Joan Miró Foundation or admire the sunset from the Castell de Montjuïc. With this itinerary, you should feel more like a local. From the hidden gems to the new coolest spots of Barcelona, there is no doubt your summer holidays in Catalonia will give you a change of scenery!
