The best scenic walks around Barcelona

Barcelona is a breathtaking city to visit at any time of year, and whilst it’s incredible during the summer months, you might find yourself wanting a break from the crowds. We’ve prepared a selection of our favourite walks for you to try during your stay in Barcelona, so you can ‘get away from it all’ and check out some of these gorgeous sites on our list. You don’t have to be a hiking expert to enjoy them – but be sure to have good walking shoes and enough water. With the temperatures rising we would also recommend going early in the morning or later in the evening. Tibidabo The first one on the list – and absolute favourite – is the hike up to the Tibidabo Mountain and the church atop, the Templo del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. You can start your walk from pretty much anywhere in the city but we would recommend starting from the Parc del Turó del Putxet. It’s a wonderful site to visit; the park boasts some beautiful flowers and is a very peaceful place. Walk up Avinguda del Tibidabo and feast your eyes on the luxurious villas in the neighbourhood, continuing to the bottom of the Funicular through the Parc del Font del Racó. The Funicular of Tibidabo, making its first journey in 1901, is one of the oldest in Spain. Get ready: the fun starts now! The hiking trail starts directly in front of the funicular, leading up on your left. At the dog shelter turn right and enjoy an amazing walk through the shadowy paths – you can choose from a variety of hiking trails, but don’t worry, Tibidabo summit is very well signposted. When you have made it to the top, we highly recommend that you visit the church for its magnificent design and breathtaking views: built between 1902 and 1961 by Spanish architect Eric Sagnier in a roman-neo gothic-neo byzantine-modernist style, its location on the highest point of Barcelona makes it the best place to see Barcelona in a 360-degree radius – if you suffer from vertigo, you have been warned! Entrance fee to the church: €3.5, opening hours 11.00 – 20.00 Metro station: Vallarca (L3) or Avinguda del Tibidabo (L7) Bunkers del Carmel An aperitivo with a view – the second walk on our list is a trail through Park Güell to the Bunkers of El Carmel. This walk will take you back to some keys sites of the history of Spain. Start the walk in Park Güell and discover Gaudí’s masterpieces before heading to the Bunkers. Built during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) as a defence point, today the Bunkers are a hotspot for Barcelonans and tourists alike. Grab a bottle of wine or a few cans of Estrella, some crisps and a blanket (season depending!), and watch the sun set behind Tibidabo Mountain. Metro station: Lesseps (L3) Vilanova Beach Fancy a swim without hordes of tourists? Then this is the perfect solution. Catch the train at Sants station for Vilanova i el Geltrú. The path starts at the north end of Vilanova’s beach, right after the harbour. You’ll discover a rocky footpath along prominent cliffs, turquoise water, pebbles and sandy beaches. It’s a little peace of heaven for the LGBT community, home to the first LGBT beach clubs. This is a really easy trail with stunning views through the woodland of Massís del Garraf, ending in the beautiful little town of Sitges, with modernist bourgeois buildings and half-timbered houses. Visit the Catholic church and the wall of Sitges at the end of the beach, getting lost in the small alleyways. Afterwards, enjoy a nice drink in one of the many bars in the town, you deserve it! How to get there: R2 from Sants or Passeig de Gràcia Camí del Mar To discover a well-known area in Barcelona, home to many significant sights of the city, be sure to check out the Montjuïc Mountain and more especially, the Camí del Mar. Begin your walk at the Paral-lel or Drassanes metro station towards the Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies and start climbing the mountain through Carrer de Palaudàries. Upon reaching Passeig de Montjuïc you’ll see a flight of stairs; climb them and take the path on your left. This route offers stunning views of the harbour of Barcelona, with the cable car right above your head and amazing flora around you. The next stop is the luxurious Hotel Miramar, like a kingdom perched on the mountain, with its splendid gardens. Continue to the right to join the road up to Montjuïc Castle – but prepare yourself…it’s very steep. Visiting the castle is worthwhile, as it’s of great importance to the history of Cataluña. But here comes the best part of the entire walk: standing in front of the Castle, go left towards the sea, following the signs for ‘Camí del Mar’ and discover the outside walls of the castle while enjoying one of the most spectacular views of Barcelona. Instead of turning left, following the fortification, continue straight, till you reach the relaxing bar and restaurant under the pine trees. La Caseta del Migdia is only reachable by foot, hidden in the Montjuïc forest, and offers ice-cold beer and BBQ dishes to devour whilst enjoying the views of the Mediterranean Sea. Metro station: Drassanes (L3) or Paral-lel (L2&L3) Sandra Roig is Marketing Director at AB Apartment Barcelona. If you would like to be a guest blogger onA Luxury Travel Blogin order to raise your profile, pleasecontact us.