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Barcelona by Bicycle: My Favourite Routes & Rides ~ A Cyclist’s Guide

Last updated on June 16, 2019

My personal favourite cycling routes, trails and loops in Barcelona, based on the last 5 years or so that I’ve been exploring the city on two wheels.

With its thriving bike culture and almost 300 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes, Barcelona is a cyclist’s dream city.

Note: Scroll down and you’ll also find my personal recommendations on the best bike tour companies in and around Barcelona.

Cycling in Barcelona's Old Town - Gothic Quarter, Born, Raval
Words & photos by your local two-wheeled guide, Ben Holbrook.

When I was a boy I would ride my little red BMX listening to Queen’s ‘I want to ride my bicycle‘ on my Walkman until the batteries ran out. Cycling is still extremely important to me, an essential part of my everyday life, made even more enjoyable by Barcelona’s year-round balmy climate. 

I love the fluidity of it and sense of freedom, the physical exertion and mental tranquility it brings me. It’s my meditation, a tonic for the the modern world.

I spend as much of my free time exploring Barcelona on my bike as possible. It’s one of the best things about living here and I almost always use my bike instead of public transport – it’s often quicker and always more enjoyable.

From sandy beach boardwalks and urban cycle lanes to pine-scented mountain bike trails and family-friendly parks, there truly is something for every type of rider in Barcelona.

The following are my personal favourite cycling routes, trails and loops in Barcelona. I should mention that I’m not much of a road cyclist and typically prefer to cruise the beach, urban bike lanes and mountain dirt tracks.


Breeze Through the Palm-Filled Parc Ciutadella

Perfect for easy riders and picnicking couples/families

Barcelona Arc de Triompf
Rolling towards the Arc de Triompf, which leads to the palm-filled Parc de la Ciutadella.

The verdant 70-acre Parc Ciutadella is perfect for a relaxing bike ride and picnic pitstop. It’s easily accessed from the Born barrio in the old town and is well connected to a cycle track that will lead you down to the waterfront.

Don’t miss the iconic Arc de Triompf monument, which was built as the gateway to the World Fair, which Barcelona hosted in 1888. Once in the park, seek out the gorgeous water fountains and boating lake, or lock up your bike and pop into Barcelona Zoo to see the tigers. Check out my post about Parc Ciutadella here for more.

Tip: There’s a tiny corner shop just across the road from the Arc de Triompf. I often stop here to grab a couple of cold ones and a bag of pistachios or an ice-cream to keep me company in the park.

Barcelona bike ride route mapped on Google Maps by Ben Holbrook of Driftwood Journals Travel BlogStarting point: Start at Arc de Triompf and follow the palm-fringed boulevard of Passeig de Lluís Companys. You can ride here from the city centre via the labyrinthine streets of the medieval Born barrio – you’ll probably get a little lost, but rest assured it will be a lot of fun.

End point: Head towards the beach and follow the beach boardwalk back towards the city centre or loop back on yourself and head back into the thick of the old town.

Bike needed: Any. Advice on where to rent bikes in Barcelona at the bottom of this page.

Time needed: 1-2 hours if you stop to explore the park.


Cruise the Boardwalk at Barceloneta Beach

Perfect for laid-back beach bums

Cycling by the beach in Barcelona
Beach cruising at Barceloneta.

Slap some sunscreen on and take a gentle saunter along the Passeig Marítim (maritime boardwalk), which traces the entirety of Barcelona’s sun-kissed coastline.

Stop for tapas, paella, cocktails and ice-cream at one of the many chiringuito beach bars and restaurants that overlook the cobalt waters – see my guide to the best bars and restaurants near the beach.

Cycling at the beach in Barcelona - by Ben HolbrookIf you’re feeling lively then park up your stead and get involved in some water-based action – see my Barcelona watersports guide here.

The crowds can be maddening for cyclists who have a need for speed, but if you’re keen to kick back and go slow then this will be right up your street.

Blogger Ben Holbrook's guide to cycling in Barcelona
Me relaxing after a ride at my favourite spot on the beach.

Tip: One of my favourite spots on the beach is at the foot of the glitzy W Hotel at the far end of the beach. It’s generally a little bit quieter and the little bay offers shelter on windier/wavier days – this is where I go paddle boarding.

Starting point: I like to start at the Christopher Columbus statue at the bottom of Las Ramblas and follow the cycle lane (it’s well marked) to Barceloneta beach. Then it’s just a case of following the coastline.

End point: If you’re feeling lazy then just head down to the glistening goldfish statue by the twin towers (you’ll know what I mean when you see it). Personally, I love the ride all the way down to Parc del Fòrum (mapped above), because you get to see all of Barcelona’s beaches and see how they change as you travel farther away from touristy Barceloneta beach.

Check out my guide to Barcelona’s beaches so you can choose one to take a pitstop at.

Bike needed: Any, though a beach cruiser will certainly add to the vibe.

Time needed: 1-2 hours for the ride and then as long as you desire for sunbathing and tapas munching.


Climb Montjuïc for Greenery and City Vistas

Perfect for adventurous/relatively experienced cyclists

Mountain Bike Cycling Routes and Trails in Montjuic Barcelona
Mediterranean views from one of my many Montjuic rides (I normally stop here for water… or a quick beer). BTW, this is not me in the photo.

With fragrant pine trees, sweeping views over Barcelona’s terracotta skyline and a host of attractions to admire along the way, this is the route I do most often. See my ‘One Winter’s Day‘ photo journal to see why I love it so much.

Montjuïc is a hill/small mountain which is most famous for being home to Montjuïc Castle and the remnants of the 1992 Olympic Games, which are still in use.

Don’t miss the needle-like Telefonica Communications Tower that sits within the grounds of the Olympic Park – a useful homing beacon.

Olympic Torch Tower/Statue, Montjuic mountain, Barcelona
Head to this communications tower to find the 1992 Olympic Park.

Tip: If you follow my route you will find yourself at the Caseta del Migdia, a little outdoor bar housed under the canopy of a pine forest with epic views over the Mediterranean. Be sure to stop here to cool off with a cerveza – the ride back into town is all downhill!

Starting point: There are many ways to take on Montjuic but I like to start at Plaça d’Espanya and take in the view of the majestic Palau Nacional (National Palace – houses the Catalan Museum of Art) as you begin the ride. To get here from the city centre, take the cycle lane in the middle of Avinguda del Paral·lel – it’s a long straight road. Once you’re at the foot of the palace, the road bears left. Follow it up towards the communications tower (pictured above) and keep going up, up, up until you reach the castle.

End point: The final destination is basically Montjuic Castle – the views from here are incredible and if you follow the crowds you will find a little look out point with dramatic vistas over Barcelona. From here you can swoop down the main road that leads back to the city (follow the cable cars) or double back on yourself if you fancy doing it all again.

Bike needed: Any as long as you have a few gears to play with – the climbs are pretty brutal. Advice on where to rent bikes in Barcelona at the bottom of this page.

Time needed: I do the full loop from my house (mapped) in less than an hour but allow 2 or 3 hours to fully enjoy the views along the way.


Push Yourself on Carretera de les Aigües in the Collserola Mountains

Perfect for experienced cyclists and those who want get out of the city

collserola barcelona cycling to tibidaboCarretera de les Aigües (Road of the Waters) is a gravelly cycle/running track that runs horizontally across the face of Barcelona’s Collserola mountain range for around 10 to 15 km (route mapped below).

With the various narrow paths and tracks that lead off it, it offers the best mountain bike routes in Barcelona.

I absoultely adore it here. There’s something magical about the sweet smell of the pine trees as they ooze their sticky sap and sway in the breeze, the sound of the sunbaked soil crackling under your tyres as you weave along the mountain’s contours.

Tip: Be aware that you may encounter wild boar, but they rarely seem bothered or even slightly interested in humans.

Collserola Mountain Biking Trails in Barcelona
Looking out over the Collerola mountains that box Barcelona in from the rear.

Most visitors don’t make it this far out of the city centre, which I think is sad because it’s probably my favourite part of Barcelona. Typically it’s just serious mountain/enduro bike riders and neon-blurred runners.

It’s an relatively easy ride once you’re there, but it’s an absolute ballbuster of a climb to ride up there, even if you take your bike on the FGC train up to the nearby Avenida Tibidabo stop. It’s totally worth it though and the views across the city are truly spectacular.

If you’re really “into cycling” and crave a bit of physical exertion, this is the route for you.

Tip: For an extra burn you can climb all the way up to Tibidabo, the vintage theme park that can be seen looming over Barcelona from almost anywhere in the city (route below). 

Starting point: I recommend following the cycle track along Avinguda Diagonal all the way to the western fringe of the city, cutting through Parc Cervantes and joining the track at the carpark here. Please note that this in itself is one hell of a ride – I see a lot of riders driving here and jumping on their bikes here.

End Point: At the other end of the Carretera de les Aigües is another carpark. I normally turn around here and double back on myself, taking the same route back into the city. In theory you could also follow the road from here back into the city, but I’ve yet to find a route that isn’t fraught with angry drivers who don’t like cyclists. 

Tip: Obviously you could start and/or end your ride at either of these carparks (especially if you have access to a car) – I’m just sharing my personal favourite way to do it.

Bike needed: You’ll need a mountain bike or a gravel bike with decently chubby tyres. Advice on where to rent bikes in Barcelona at the bottom of this page.

Time needed: The route I take (mapped above), which basically starts on Avinguda Diagonal and ends at the carpark before doubling back on itself, takes me around 2.5 hours on a good day, though you’ll want to set aside at least 3.5-4 hours if you want to stop and take in the epic views.


Practical Advice for Cycling in Barcelona

Cycling in Barcelona Guide
A night cruise in the hipster Sant Antoni barrio.

Best Bike Tours in Barcelona

Guided bike tours are a fantastic way to see and learn about Barcelona – if you’re in a small group that is (avoid large tour groups at all costs).

Here are a couple of the best Barcelona bike tour companies that I’ve experienced first-hand:


Buena Vista Bike Tours ~ Barcelona’s Friendliest and Most Versatile Bike Tour

Buena Vista BIke Tours Barcelona Photography By Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-3277
Me and my guide/new amiga Paula on the Buena Vista bike tour.

Buena Vista is a tiny bike tour company in Barcelona that’s big on sustainability. They’re strict about keeping their groups small and intimate, which means their tours feel more like you’re being shown around the city by a friend than a guide.

Check out my full review here to see my thoughts and photos.

Buena Vista also specialises in private tours and can customise routes to work in tapas bars and/or a picnic on the beach.

Tours take roughly three hours and are available to book on their website from €26 for adults and €23 for children (aged 4-12).


Steel Donkey Bike Tours ~ Barcelona’s Leading Alternative Bike Tour

Steel Donkey Bike Tours in Barcelona
Cruising among Barcelona’s tropical palms on the Steel Donkey Bike Tour.

To get a really complete overview of Barcelona, from the pine-blanketed cliffs of Montjuic to the vibrant street art of the hipster Poblenou barrio, I recommend taking an alternative bike tour with the guys at Steel Donkey Bike Toursbook a 4 hour tour here from €35.

Not only do the guides reveal the secrets and stories of the city’s ancient past, but they also take you off the beaten path and introduce you to local foodie spots and hidden nooks of the city.

No two tours are ever quite the same and the groups are always kept small, with the guides using their local knowledge to work in local festivities or avoid crowded areas, so you can spend more time exploring the city on your trusty steed. The ideal bike tour for first-time visitors in Barcelona.


Bamboo Bike Tours ~ Barcelona’s Most Eco-Friendly Bike Tour

Bamboo Bike Tours Barcelona
Our tour Andre cruising the beach on his bamboo chopper.

Fancy cruising Barcelona on a bike made, quite literally, of bamboo?

Bamboo Bike Tours specialise in private bike tours (all of their tours are customised for your private group) and were one of the first tour companies I came across in Barcelona that were “thinking green”.  You can read about my experience here.

Their private tours run from between 2 and 6 hours, depending on what your group wants to see, and are available to book from €41 here.

They also run a variety of specialist tours, such as the “Barcelona Street Art Bike Tour”, which you can book here from €53.


Where to rent a bike in Barcelona: I recently discovered a bike rental portal site called Baja Bikes that gives you access to most, if not all, of Barcelona’s bike rental companies. It’s great because you can find your nearest pick-up point and the best prices on your phone.

You may also want to check out the Donkey Republic stationless bike sharing company. Their bikes are locked at various points around the city – you pay for your rental bike and unlock it with the app. See my full post to hear about my experience.

Want to bring your own bike to Barcelona? As a bike tourer myself – see my Costa Brava touring adventure – I know that it’s nice to have your own gear, especially if you’re planning longer bike trips across other parts of Spain. Obviously you can box up your bike and fly with it, but you can also ship your bike to Spain easily and cheaply with well-known companies like TNT.


Beyond the City ~ Cycle Trips and Tours Outside Barcelona

Barcelona Vineyard Bike Tours

The Vines at Jean Leon bodega in Penedes outside of Barcelona

If like me your ideal bike ride would include riding and tasting your way through mile after mile of Barcelona’s nearby vineyards, you’ll fall in love with these vino-fulled bike tours.


Penedès ~ Catalonia’s Famous Cava Country

Located just over half an hour away from Barcelona, this fertile wine region produces 95% of the world’s Cava (the local version of Champagne) and is the perfect destination to combine bike riding with wine sipping.

This excellent e-bike vineyard Penedès tour includes visits to two wineries, a meeting with a local wine producer and a full lunch in the Catalan country side with wine pairings. Available to book here from €114.


Alta Alella ~ Catalonia’s Thriving Natural Wine Region

The Atla Alella wine region sits just north of Barcelona and is fast becoming one of the finest natural and bio-dynamic wine producing regions in Spain.

This impressive 7-hour e-bike tour sets off from Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and hugs the coast up to a small winery in the Serralada de Marina Natural Park.

The tour includes wine tastings and a picnic and is available to book here from €59 per person.


Girona ~ Discover Lance Armstrong’s Training Grounds

Girona cathedral
Girona cathedral glowing in the sun

If you’re a serious cyclist then you may already know that the region of Girona, which lies just over half an hour away from Barcelona, is world-renowned for its cycling terrain. In fact, Lance Armstrong once had a house here and brought his team here to train.

Whether you go for the day or stop over for a couple of nights, you’ll love the Medieval streets of Girona city.

My friends Dave and Saskia at Bike Breaks Cycle Centre will provide you with bikes, advice and everything else you’ll need to ride the area (including guided tours).


Barcelona Cycling Rules and Safety

Barcelona is extremely bike-friendly but there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Barcelona cycling/bike rules guide
Tearing through the old town.

1. Stay in the bike lanes – Remember that you shouldn’t be riding on the pavement/sidewalk – police will shout at you if you do and can fine you. This is annoying because I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve nearly killed pedestrians (and myself in the process) who were walking in bike lanes. And the police don’t seem concerned about this!

2. Ride on the right – Many of the roads in Barcelona are one way, which means the bike lanes are too. There’s always some jackass cycling the wrong direction at 100mph – don’t let it be you.

3. Stay focussed and think like a local – I understand. You’re on holidays and it’s sunny and it’s warm and it’s Barcelona! But don’t forget that this is a real city with real people. Respect the cycle lanes and don’t cycle four-abreast with your friends so that people can’t overtake you. More advice and things you should know before coming to Barcelona here. 

4. Helmets are not necessary – But if you’re an inexperienced rider or riding with kids then it’s definitely worth wearing one. I normally do (mainly because I normally like to stop for a beer or vino before heading home).

5. Lock, lock and triple lock your bike – I’ve had a number of bikes stolen in Barcelona and it never ceases to make me feel sick. It’s a HUGE problem here. Not only will thieves steal your bike but they will also take seats, wheels and pretty much anything they can. Someone stole the rear wheel off my last mountain bike and it worked out cheaper for me to buy a new bike than to replace it (frame, tyre, tube, gear cassette, etc.). So whatever you do, lock your frame to something sturdy and lock both wheels and your seat to the frame.

6. Avoid putting your bike on the metro – You can take your bike on the metro on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and every day in July and August, but it’s not a pleasant experience and generally not worth the effort. On weekdays throughout the rest of the year, bicycles are only allowed from 5.00 am to 7.00 am, from 9.30 am until 5.00 pm and from 8.30 pm until close of the service. Fold up bikes are allowed at all times and all days.


Happy riding! If you spot me on the trails then please do stop and say hello. If you have any Barcelona-cycling-related questions then please leave a comment below.


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5 Comments

  1. The Steel Donkeys look fantastic, sad I will only be able to bike on Sunday :( But thanks for the recs, this is really helpful, I’ll look at Bamboo!

  2. Barcelona a fantastic biking region in the world. I have read out many blogs and get Barcelona is one of the best places for air heal biking and an amazing fun friendly atmosphere. Be biker stay biker for best city bikes home biking.

  3. Rebecca White Rebecca White

    Thank you for the routes. I will be sure to go biking there when I visit Spain. I will be there to watch la Liga, and use the opportunity for biking. Seems like a nice place to ride around.

  4. PAUL GARDNER PAUL GARDNER

    Be in Barcelona for a month next week with my Brompton. I’m guessing it’s relatively safe for a folding bike as not leaving it anywhere. How about hotel rooms ? Unlikely to be targeted if left during day whilst working ?
    Is there good cycle routes to Santa Adria de Besos from town centre ?

    Many thanks

    Paul

    • Hola Paul!

      Yes you should be fine as long as you keep it with you at all times. Don’t leave it anywhere even for a second (not even to go pay for a coffee or take a pee). And yes, I believe there are plenty of bike lanes that go to Besos on farther. Just have a quick look on Google – they’re all nice and straight so easy to follow.

      Disfrutar amigo!

      Ben

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