Outdoor fitness | Best workout spots in Barcelona
By Martin Ebner
Barcelona, with its gorgeous architecture, beautiful beaches, ample green spaces, surrounding mountains and idyllic climate, make it one of Europe's best cities to exercise outdoors.
Whether you are born and raised in Barcelona or are just passing through on business or holidays, Barcelona has a wide range of great outdoor spots for fitness and sports activities to satisfy even the keenest of fitness enthusiasts.
Here are our top outdoor workout spots in Barcelona:
Parc Montjuic
Parc Montjuic is best known for hosting the 1992 summer Olympic games which brought about major renewal and the installation of many world-class sports and fitness facilities. Some of which include; a stunning Olympic outdoor swimming pool and dive tank, running tracks, tennis courts, climbing facilities and football pitches.
Accessible from the city centre by most forms of public transport, Parc Montjuic is a favourite amongst runners and cyclist thanks to its various running and cycle routes that lead up to the 173-metre peak. If you do make it up to the top, make sure to pack a camera and selfie stick. The views overlooking the city are some of Barcelona's finest!
“Each and every-time I take a client up to the Olympic ring for a training session, they unequivocally decide that this is where all future sessions should be held!”
Barcelona's beaches
Barcelona boasts 7 beautiful beaches and a delightful climate, making it an ideal place to workout and get a tan at the same time.
With a wide range of activities to choose from, some of which include; surfing, swimming, volleyball, running, cycling, rollerblading, boot-camp-style fitness classes and personal training sessions, there really is something to satisfy everyone looking to get in shape.
If you don't fancy working out on the beach itself or perhaps you prefer to keep your feet sand-free, The Paseo Maritimo (boardwalk) runs for miles along the seafront and is the perfect place to walk, run, cycle and rollerblade.
Note: It can get a little caliente in Barcelona during the summer months (June to August) which can make exercising during the hottest hours of the day (11 am-5 pm) quite uncomfortable. To beat the heat, rise and run or wait for the sunset to get moving! Both of which offer very different experiences.
Parc Forum
Located on the Northeast side of the city, Parc forum boasts stunning contemporary architecture and infrastructure perfectly suited to exercise. A favourite amongst skateboarders and BMX riders for its wide open spaces and varying terrain, it's also a great spot for a stroll, cycle or run.
Parc Forum also has an awesome wake-boarding facility at BCP Barcelona Cable park.
Barceloneta Beach – Street workout park
Street workout park Barcelona is Spain's equivalent to muscle beach California. With beautiful views along the beach in both directions and a wide range of bars and equipment to choose from, it's one of Barcelona's best spots to get in a calisthenics workout and to show off your summer physique.
Note: Not for the faint of heart or those uncomfortable working out in front of others. At peak times (11 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm), it can get a little busy!
Parc de la Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutadella is a great spot to try out a personal training session or group fitness class. Thanks to its easily accessible central location (Accessible by all forms of public transport) large green spaces and infrastructure for a quick HIIT style workout session, it's a great choice for those wishing to squeeze in a quick outdoor workout before the mid-afternoon rush of tourists and sun worshipers.
Note: With trees and grass for a soft landing, it's also a great place to try your hand at a spot of slacklining.
The Carretera de Les Aigues
The Carrera de Les Aigues is a 9-kilometre unpaved track that winds it's way up and around the Collserola mountain. With beautiful views overlooking the city and a range of tracks to accommodate different fitness levels, it's a great place to walk, run and cycle whilst escaping the hustle and bustle of Barcelona city.
Note: There isn't much up there in terms of places to buy food and drink so pack a lunch and a refreshing drink and make a day of it.
