Barcelona for Sport Fans: 5 Top Activities

Being one of the world's major touristic cities, Barcelona is a must-visit for every traveler. The city has it all: from breathtaking architecture, unique neighborhoods, sun-soaked beaches to many sporting activities.

The Olympic Games were held in Barcelona in 1992, which has resulted in a rapid expansion of facilities for playing sports, with a wide range of activities open to everyone.

Locals love doing sports, but visitors can also enjoy and get to know the city doing a little physical activity. Sports can offer a great insight into its culture; it is always well worth and a good investment attending a match while you are in Barcelona.

When it comes to the best places for sports fanatics to study abroad, Barcelona is guaranteed to be on the list. With Spanish courses Barcelona you can go abroad and combine your language course with doing sports.

Here is a list of 5 sport activities that will help you discover amazing Barcelona.

1. Walking and Running

Barcelona is one of the most pleasant places for walking or running. In the Ciutadella Park you can make laps around the park, making the most of the flat ground meanwhile enjoying the perfect Mediterranean weather and friendly atmosphere.

The waterfront is also one of the city’s highlights. It is possible to run along the water from 3km to 10km. The route is signposted and includes practical advice. Keep in mind that it could be very crowded during high season, but it is still possible to run.

For experienced runners, it is also possible to combine Las Ramblas and the Waterfront into one big run. And there are other designed routes for older people.

2. Water Sports

Due to its fabulous seaside location and its pleasant weather almost all year, Barcelona is a popular destination for many water-based activities, allowing you to experience the city from a different perspective.

Kite surfing, water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving or paddle boarding are just a few of its options, no matter your age or your skill level.

If the narrow central beaches are full, especially during summer season, you can choose to get out of the city and head up the coast to Castelldefels, a charming seaside town located just 20 minutes by bus from the city center. Castelldefels beach is wide and peaceful, and it is equipped with many facilities, which makes it perfect for doing any kind of water sports or activities (it also has free Wi-Fi along the whole beach!).

3. Football (Soccer)

It is no secret that some of the world’s best soccer players, such as Neymar, Suárez, and Messi, are playing or played on FC Barcelona, the local football club, founded in the 19th century. The sport is definitely the most popular in Barcelona.

The Camp Nou football stadium (located at about 5 km from the historic city center) is synonymous with guaranteed entertainment. Any football lover would like to experience the excitement of a Barça match, or at least feel the atmosphere and hear the crowds: watching the team play is a truly once in a lifetime experience.

4. Basketball

Football (or soccer) is the most popular sport in Barcelona, but it is not the only one that has an enthusiastic following among locals. In fact, Spain currently ranks second in the FIBA World Ranking for men’s and women’s basketball.

The Spanish League ACB is the second-most prestigious domestic basketball league in the world (behind the NBA), and is seen as one of the best options to prepare for the NBA.

The combination of basketball popularity and professional competition setting is quite rare for a country outside the USA, so it would definitely be a nice plan to attend a match while you are in Barcelona.

5. Cycling

Cycling around Barcelona to take in the city’s sights is an amazing, efficient, fun and healthy way to see some of the city’s most renowned places, from the sea to the architectural masterpieces and monuments.

The main benefit of cycling in Barcelona is that many of its streets are equipped with designated bike lanes, so you should not hesitate to look for them and use them and enjoy your ride in peace.

However, always remember to respect the signs and the speed limits (they exist for cyclists, too!), and that sidewalks are not included in the definition of “public road”, they are just the opposite: riding a bike on the sidewalk is forbidden, and breaking the rules can result in a fine up to €500.