10 Best Scenic Walks in Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gotic, is the historic centre of Barcelona and features the oldest parts of the city, including the remains of the city’s Roman wall. Here you’ll find mazes of back streets opening up into wide squares. While this may lead you to get a little lost, you never know what hidden gems you’ll unearth along the way.

Stretching from the iconic La Rambla to Via Laietana, the main sights in the Gothic Quarter are the Barcelona Cathedral, a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, and Placa Reial, a square known for its outdoor cafes and summer concerts. If you’re looking for an expert local guide, consider taking a walking tour to explore this area in more depth.

Designed by the famous architect Antonio Guadi, Park Guell was originally designed as a private project for wealthy families before it was handed over to the city. Guadi plays with colour and shape to create beautiful sculptures which are sure to make you smile. One of the most iconic sights is the monumental staircase at the entrance, including the mosaic dragon which will welcome you to the park.

Located around 20 minutes from the city centre, Park Guell is accessible via bus, metro and the tourist “hop on, hop off” buses. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Calvary viewpoint will offer you stunning views of the city. Make sure you book in advance as tickets sell out fast.

Built at the end of the 19th century, Ciutadella Park was Barcelona’s first public park. With century-old trees, waterfalls, a lake for rowing boats and numerous sculptures, there is much to explore. The Barcelona Zoo also shares this site which always proves popular with little ones.

Around a 10-minute drive from Placa de Catalunya, Ciutadella Park is the perfect place for a picnic, stroll or boat ride, offering you an escape from the bustle of the city. You can also see Catalonia’s Parliament and take a tour. If you’re travelling with children, there’s also an extensive play area, including workshops, games and cultural activities.

Barcelona is well known for its quirky and eye-catching Art Nouveau architecture and this walk will help you discover it. You’ll start at La Pedrera-Casa Mila, a real work of art. There’s not a single straight line used in the house, allowing the curves to play with your perception of space.

Around a 30-minute walk between the 2 sites, you’ll walk towards the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau and pass La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s still unfinished masterpiece. The Modernista Dant Pau Complex was initially a garden city for nursing the sick but is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its architectural and artistic value.

This hilly area of Barcelona has great historic significance, having seen everything from ancient palaces to Olympic stadiums. The Parks of Montjuic are a beautiful set of gardens and parks that weave their way up the mountain. At the bottom, you’ll find the Grec garden, named after the Greek inspired amphitheatre.

The hills are located to the south of Barcelona, and as you continue to climb, you’ll continue to find more beautiful botanical spots. The Joan Broassa gardens have tiered ponds teeming with wildlife while the Mossen Costa i Llobera gardens are home to tropical plants and cacti. Make sure you take the cable car to the top of the mountain to get the best views of the city.

El Born offers you the same charm as the Gothic Quarter with its narrow streets and café culture while being a little quieter and a little more relaxed. The beating heart of this district is Passeig del Born Square. Once used for jousting competitions, it’s now perfect for an evening out with bars and tapas abound.

Located in the centre of Barcelona, this area is also home to the Picasso Museum and Born Cultural Centre. Some more unusual sites include the Chocolate Museum and Pinzat, a shop that recycles PVC posters, tyres and seatbelts into bags. If you want to explore and eat, consider taking a tapas and wine walking tour around the area.

On this walk, you’ll begin at the Arco de Triunfo which acted as the gateway to the Universal Exhibition in 1888. Now one of the city’s iconic landmarks, it features ground-breaking sculptural and decorative finishes. From there, you’ll go through the gate and across the city, passing La Sagrada Familia en route.

Around a 70-minute walk in total, the endpoint is Turó de la Rovira, a 262-metre hill which overlooks Barcelona. Not only is this a brilliant viewpoint to watch a sunset from, but it also has its own history. Used as a strategic vantage point during the Romans and the Spanish Civil War, you can still see the remnants of its military past.

This 1-hour walk will take you along Barcelona’s coastline, allowing you to stop off and explore beaches along the way. Beginning at Llevant Beach, newly created in 2006, you’ll next reach Playa de la Mar Bella, a stunningly beautiful beach. This beach is also well known for being LGBT+ friendly, as well as nude sunbathing and water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding.

Along the way you’ll walk along Mar Bella and Nova Icaria beaches, typically a little quieter and more relaxed than some of the other spots along the shore. The renowned Barcelonata Beach is next so make sure you try the seafood and tapas here. You’ll end at San Sebastian Beach, the most popular beach in the area.

Feel like escaping the city life and spending a day in nature? Head to the Vallvidrera Reservoir, nestled in the Collserola forest north of the city. The reservoir was designed in 1865 to provide drinking water to the town of Sarria. Now no longer in use, it has become a leisure spot for enjoying local wildlife and the natural surroundings.

Around a 35-minute drive from the city centre, the walk around the reservoir is around 7.5 km and medium difficulty. You’ll climb up and down until you reach the pink house which used to belong to the reservoir watchman. Keep an eye out for local frog species including green, tree and parsley.

For this walk, you’ll begin at the Casa Lamadrid, an architecturally significant building designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1902. The house has a Modernista style, and its ornate balcony shows how much can be achieved in a small space.

Around a 30-minute walk, you’ll pass the Casa Batlló, one of Guadi’s iconic houses, and Placa de Catalunya, a lively square steeped in history. The endpoint is La Muralla Romana, or the Roman Wall, which has been in place since the 1st century BCE when the Romans founded Bàrcino. Look out for other sections of the wall in the Gothic Quarter.