Sunbathing & Swimming Head to the city beaches
to cool down and escape the stifling heat. Barcelona boasts a wide
range of fabulous beaches, from Barceloneta, lined with bars and
restaurants, to the reclaimed beaches of Vila Olímpica, Bogatell and Mar
Bella.
Sunbathers, Platja de la Barceloneta
Watersports A
wide variety of activities is on offer in the jet-set surroundings of
Port Olímpic and neighbouring beaches, including dinghy sailing and
windsurfing. For the experienced, boats are available for hire from the
Escola Municipal de Vela; for the beginner, there are classes.
Night-time kayaking tours of the city’s beaches are available from
Desconnecta. Escola Municipal de velaMoll de Gregal 93 225 79 40 Open 9:30am–8pm daily
DesconnectaSwimming Set
in the green environs of Montjuïc, the outstanding outdoor pool of
Bernat Picornell is surprisingly uncrowded, especially in summer.
Renovated for the Olympics, it has sun loungers, an ice-cream stall and a
huge electronic timer for swimmers to time their sprints. During the
summer, there’s a film programme known as “watch and swim”. Av del Estadi
Bernat Picornell outdoor pool
Pitch-&-Putt Golf The
Costa Brava is emerging as one of Spain’s top golf destinations but if
you’re looking to tee off in town, your best bets are the nearby
pitch-and-putt courses in Badalona and Castelldefells. Canal OlímpicBeach Volleyball On
weekend mornings year-round you can pick up a volleyball game at Platja
de la Nova Icària. It is best to go with enough people to form a team,
but you are usually welcome to join in an ongoing game.
Volleyball, Platja de Nova Icària
Weight Lifting The sports centre in the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial
has excellent weight-lifting facilities, a sauna, Turkish bath,
Jacuzzi, badminton courts and a swimming pool. One-day membership is
available. Biking Hire a city bike from Barcelona Biking and breeze around Barcelona. Mountain bikes are also available for rent here. Barcelona BikingPool & Billiards Shoot some pool at Gràcia’s lovely Cafè Salambó,
where there are pool and billiard tables for rent upstairs, not to
mention good drinks, tasty food, a friendly ambience and a lively, arty
crowd.
Sardanes These traditional Catalan dances take place regularly all over the city and at most local festas. Far
from being exclusive, they often involve up to 200 people and there’s no
reason why you can’t be one of them. The tourist office can provide information on these events. Frontó Egalitarian
tennis or poor man’s squash, all you need is a tennis racket and ball
to beat against the wall to enjoy this popular pastime. The city’s parks
are full of free frontó courts; one of the best is next to the Casa del Mig in the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial.
Top 10 Spectator Sports & Events
FC Barcelona Football Tickets to see this side are rare; book online or by phone. RCD Espanyol It’s easier to get tickets for this first-division football side; they play at Estadi Olímpic. FC Barcelona Basketball The team of the city’s second favourite sport play at the Palau Blaugrana. Sep–May 90 218 99 00 93 496 30 00
Barcelona Marató The marathon takes in the whole city before culminating at the Plaza d’España. Barcelona Open
This tennis tournament attracts some big names. Cursa El Corte Inglés A 11-km (7-mile) run with thousands of participants. La Volta Ciclista de Catalunya Cyclists warm up for the more serious European events with this testing route. Montmeló
Motor racing, including Formula 1, regularly comes to this circuit. Cursa La Mercè A 10-km (6-mile) run through Barcelona’s centre. Catalunya Rally Top-class rally-driving in spectacular surroundings.
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