10 Must-Do Outdoor Activities in Barcelona: Explore the City Beyond the Indoors

1. Take a walk along Barcelona’s seaside promenade

Barcelona’s coastline offers spectacular views and a wide, spacious promenade to walk along to soak it all in. Alternatively, hit the sand, fill your lungs with the fresh sea air and let the waves of La Barceloneta tickle your toes. If you’re looking for more things to do in Barcelona on the beach, why not grab a pair of roller-skates, a bike or go for a run along this beautiful coastal promenade.

2. Visit Collserolla Park and Carretera de les aigües

Collserola park is the biggest metropolitan park in the world – believe it or not, it is 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park! The park can be easily accessed by many forms of public transport (bus, metro and train). Visitors will find many routes that are perfect for both hiking and biking. Keep an eye out for the local flora and fauna, including wild boar!

Visiting Collserola is one of our favourite things to do in Barcelona. Why not make a day of it with the whole family?

3. Discover Montjuïc

Head to Montjuïc and enjoy some fantastic views of Barcelona, the harbour and coastline. This monumental hill is easy to access by cable car and other forms of public transport. Discover the cemetery, the wonderful viewpoints and visit the Montjuic castle. 

4. Visit the Joan Brossa Gardens with the entire family

After you’ve taken in the views, another thing to do in Barcelona’s Montjuïc is visiting the Joan Brossa Gardens. It’s at its most beautiful in the springtime, so we recommend visiting during the spring months to make sure you catch the flowers in full bloom.

5. Get lost among the streets of the Ciutat Vella

Discovering the hidden corners of Barcelona’s old town is one of the most magical things to do in Barcelona. Wander through its medieval streets and visit many a charming square. Replete with history, we recommend taking in the Neo-gothic architecture of Barcelona cathedral, visiting the hidden Roman columns at the Temple d’August by Plaça Sant Jaume or strolling through Plaça Felip Neri to discover its tragic past.

Read our article to discover more things to in the Ciutat Vella.

6. Take a photo at the Lover’s Kiss mural

A romantic outdoor plan in Barcelona is seeking out the famous Lover’s Kiss. This unique mural is comprised of 4,000 photos of Barcelona locals to create a romantic mosaic in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Make sure to take a photo here with your loved one!

7. Take a stroll through the streets of Gràcia

Also top on our list of things to do in Barcelona is wandering the streets of Gràcia – an area to the north of the city. This quaint neighbourhood used to be a village and still retains its traditional charm. Visit the squares Plaça de la Vila with its grand clock tower and Plaça de la Virreina with its magnificent church. Also, discover many an artisan boutique, specialty coffee shop and local restaurant.

8. Get lost in the Parc del Laberint d’Horta

A charming maze can be found in the Horta-Guinardó district of Barcelona in this 18^th century park. Head here to enjoy utter peace and quiet amongst the towering cypress trees. Perfect for all ages to disconnect from the buzz of the city. If you’re looking for more parks to visit in Barcelona, we have an article with a list of our favourite Barcelona parks. 

9. Discover a piece of Gaudí at Park Güell

Park Güell is one of the most known works of Gaudí in Barcelona. Although you need to pay to access the Gaudí monument, you can visit the park and surrounding areas free of charge to discover this piece of green in the city.

10. Take in the views from the Bunkers del Carmel

In the past few years, a visit to the Bunkers del Carmel viewpoint has become one of the top things to do in Barcelona. Why not discover these fantastic views for yourself?