Barcelona, with its pleasant climate and beautiful streets, squares, and urban gardens, invites you to spend a lot of time outdoors and, therefore, to do a lot of walking. Among all the options the city offers, wandering through the old town, enjoying the beach, and hiking in the hills remain the most enjoyable activities. But which paths should you follow, and what makes for an enjoyable walk? I’ll tell you about it on this page.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
Barcelona is a city that is very walkable. Most of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so you can see a lot in one day by walking. However, it is advisable to follow a certain route when you are out and about, especially if you are not familiar with the city, to avoid getting lost.
Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of the Romans, explore Medieval Barcelona, follow the Modernist route, or just relax by the sea; in Barcelona, you can choose from different walks that help you get to know the city and all its facets better.
The pedestrian-friendly city center, the city parks, the hilly surroundings, and the beaches of Barcelona are some of the locals’ favorite places to go for a walk. Below, I have collected some of the most beautiful walks you can take in Barcelona.
1. Walk through the Gothic Quarter
The well-preserved old city center of Barcelona attracts many tourists daily and for good reason. If you want to get to know the Gothic Quarter well, it’s best to follow my walking route in the Barri Gòtic, which goes from the old entrance gate and busy shopping street Portal de l’Àngel, to the lesser-known Via Sepulcral: the old Roman cemetery. In between, you’ll also see major attractions like the Barcelona Cathedral, the beautiful Plaça Reial, the monumental Plaça del Rei, and of course, the Ramblas.
👉 Read more about my Gothic Quarter walking route here.
2. Fun Route through El Born
A favorite spot among locals and now every tourist is El Born, which lies in the shadow of its imposing church Santa Maria del Mar and is full of cozy restaurants, cafes, shops, and art studios. In the narrow streets of El Born, you’ll find large museums like the Picasso Museum, the underground ruins of Medieval Barcelona in El Born CCM, and the locals’ favorite city park, Parc de la Ciutadella.
👉 Read more about my walking route in El Born here.
3. Walking through El Raval
The multicultural Raval is a place to get inspired and experience different cultures. From its own rambla, the Rambla del Raval, and lively streets such as Carrer de Joaquín Costa and Plaça dels Àngels, to the hidden Jardins del Baluard in an old bastion. Along the way, you’ll encounter former monasteries, interesting museums like MACBA and CCCB, various alternative and second-hand shops, and the coolest street art.
👉 Read more about my walking route in El Raval here.
4. Discover the L’Eixample District
The block district of Barcelona is home to countless beautiful buildings, most of them in the Modernista style. But the real highlight is undoubtedly the Sagrada Família. Additionally, in this district, you can enjoy walking along Avinguda Diagonal or Rambla de Catalunya, shopping at Passeig de Gràcia, and dining at the restaurants in Carrer Enric Granados.
👉 Read more about my walking route in L’Eixample here.
5. Enjoy a Route through Gràcia
The old Vila de Gràcia is a great neighborhood to stroll through. Away from the tourist crowds and with a unique village atmosphere where you can easily interact with locals. After visiting Park Güell, it’s time to explore the old Vila de Gràcia. With numerous shops of local designers, trendy coffee shops, nice restaurants, and cozy squares full of terraces where people chat deep into the night.
👉 Read more about my walking route in Gràcia here.
6. Walking along the Beach of Barcelona
The long beach promenade of Barcelona, Passeig Marítim, is a pleasant walkway that is especially busy on weekends. At one end, we find the W Hotel, shaped like a sail and an iconic part of Barcelona’s skyline. On the other end is the Fòrum, a modern area built for the Forum of Cultures in 2004, now used for various events and museums.
👉 Read more about my walking route by the Beach in Barcelona here.
7. Walking the Gaudí Route
The famous architect Gaudí, besides the famous Sagrada Família and Park Güell, left many other buildings in Barcelona. My Gaudí walking tour takes you to the most important places in Gaudí’s life and shows you some of his best works.
