40 years of bike lanes in Barcelona

40 years ago, a group called the “Amics de la Bici” laid out Barcelona’s very first cycle lane. Since then, the city has continued to expand its cycle network. But it hasn’t always been so easy.

It’s interesting to note that Barcelona wasn’t always the bike-friendly city it is today. 40 years ago, it was very difficult to get around the city by bike. The environment and soft mobility were not yet major issues, and the city council was not determined to change things.

This was without counting on the cyclists’ group Amics de la Bici, an association that still exists today, and which was campaigning for Barcelona City Council to create spaces dedicated to non-motorised vehicles. When their request went unheeded, the group decided to inaugurate Barcelona’s first cycle path on the 15th of July 1983. It was built illegally in the heart of the Eixample.

Amics de la Bici, a group that fights for the development of bycicle lanes in Barcelona.

Today, Barcelona City Council is trying to reduce its environmental impact and is working hard to develop bicycle transport. If you’re planning to visit Barcelona in the near future, we recommend that you use a bicycle to discover this beautiful city. It’s a fun and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy your trip!

discover our offers at Born Bike Tours Barcelona!

El Mercat del Born

The Mercat del Born, located in the heart of Barcelona’s Born district, is a little-known spot for tourists. Yet it is a cultural site brimming with history that is well worth a visit!

First, an ordinary market…

The Born covered market, designed by the architect Josep Fontserè, was inaugurated in 1876. It was one of the first iron buildings in Barcelona. For 95 years, the Mercat del Born fulfilled the function for which it was built: It became an emblematic location for fruit and vegetable wholesaling in Barcelona.

In 1971, the market closed its doors and was left derelict for many years. Initially, it was to be demolished, but several disapproving Barcelonans allowed the building to be preserved.

The Mercat del Born in Barcelona is a place of culture and history!

…Now an archaeological site

In 2002, a remarkably well-preserved medieval and modern city was discovered in the basement of the Mercat del Born while work was being carried out to convert the old market into a library. This city corresponds to the old quarter of la Ribera, which was destroyed as a result of the War of Succession in 1714.

Today, you can visit the market, which has been transformed into a museum and cultural center providing information on the Spanish War of Succession.

The Mercat del Born in Barcelona: an archaelogical site

Easily accessible by bike, the Mercat del Born is an essential stop on our Beach Bike Tour. Book one of our Bike Tours, and your guide will be happy to tell you more about this and other must-see places in Barcelona.

Barcelona by bike.

Barcelona is known for its excellent transport network. Recently, Barcelona has focused on sustainable mobility and, in particular, on bicycle transport by building more and more bike lanes. And it’s working! According to Barcelona City Council, between 2021 and 2022, the use of bikes and scooters in the city increased by 11%.

Between November 2022 and June 2023 alone, 32.6 kilometers of bike lanes were built, and 11.7 kilometers were renovated to make them more accessible. Barcelona now has more than 270 km of bike lanes throughout the city, including some of the most popular tourist spots! The Arc de Triomf, Casa Milà, Casa Battló, Barceloneta beach, Parc de la Ciutadella, Montjuïc, etc. In short, there is something for everyone when it comes to cycling.

Guided bike tours in Barcelona by Born Bike Tours Barcelona.

Born Bike Tours Barcelona allows you to visit Barcelona by bike, in the most sustainable way possible! We offer bike rentals for the more adventurous (you can find a map of Barcelona’s bike lane network here), and we also offer guided tours with guides led by knowledgeable guides who are well-acquainted with Barcelona and will share their anecdotes about the Catalan capital.

Are you planning a visit to Barcelona soon? Treat yourself to a guided tour with Born Bike Tours Barcelona.

On the 23rd of June, we celebrate Saint John’s Night in Barcelona!

Like every night from the 23rd to the 24^th of June, Saint John’s Night (Noche de San Juan in Spanish) will be celebrated in Barcelona! If you visit the city on these dates, don’t miss the festivities of the shortest night of the year!

Bonfires on Saint John's Night (Noche de San Juan) at Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona.

Where does Saint John’s Night come from?

Saint John’s Night is a celebration of pagan origin that was already celebrated in Europe in the Middle Ages. It was originally intended to celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The night before, bonfires were lit in the fields and at street crossings to prevent evil spirits and witches from passing through, but also to ward off storms and tempests. It was hoped that this tradition would lead to a good harvest.

Later on, the festival was Christianized and dedicated to Saint John, set for the 24^th of June. Today, the summer solstice or Saint John’s Night is still celebrated in many countries, especially in Scandinavia and Spain.

How to celebrate Saint John’s Night in Barcelona?

Barcelona is no exception!

This year’s festivities will once again take place on the night of the 23rd to the 24^th of June, and you won’t be able to avoid them if you visit the city. Fireworks will be set off all night long, and bonfires will be lit all over the streets of Barcelona.

If you want to enjoy Saint John’s Night, we recommend you visit Barceloneta beach, where the locals like to gather during the Noche de San Juan.

Fireworks on Saint John's Night (noche de San Juan) at Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona.

You can find more articles about Barcelona traditions on our blog!

La fiesta de la bicicleta returns in Barcelona in 2023!

La fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) is back in Barcelona for another edition on Sunday the 11^th of June 2023. Organized every year by the city hall of Barcelona to promote sustainable mobility for everyone, la fiesta de la Bicicleta should once again be a great success this year.

La fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) in Barcelona, the 11th of June 2023.

On the agenda of la fiesta de la bicicleta

The event will take place from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, Passeig de Lluís Companys (Between the arc of Triomf and the Ciutadella Parc).

On the agenda, activities for young and old:

Games and workshops around the theme of the bicycle
Raffle to win various prizes
Presentation and testing of various bicycles such as cargobikes or bicings (Bicycles available to everyone in the streets of Barcelona, offered as an alternative to polluting transport)
The traditional Bicicletada

La fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) in front of the arc of Triomf, Passeig de Lluís Companys.

The Bicicletada: the famous bike ride of la fiesta de la bicicleta

Every year, on the occasion of la fiesta de la Bicicleta, a bike ride of a dozen kilometers is organized in the streets of Barcelona. The Bicicletada connects the intersection of Carrer d’Aragó and Passeig de Sant Joan to Passeig de Lluís Companys, passing through several emblematic places of Barcelona. You will be able to discover the Eixample, Ciutat Vella and Sant Martí districts while pedaling!

Are you convinced?

Then meet us on Sunday the 11^thof June 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of Carrer d’Aragó and Passeig de Sant Joan to participate in the Bicicletada.

It is advisable to arrive 30 minutes early.

The bicicletada from la fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) in Barcelona.

We hope to see you at la fiesta de la bicicleta on the 11th of June. But, if by chance you are not available that day, discover Barcelona by bike is possible every day of the year at Born Bike Barcelona.

Want to discover Barcelona? Let us explain the advantages of cycling.

*Discover the Parc de la Ciutadella by bike.*

Born Bike Tours Barcelona is a Catalan cultural tours company created in 2009 with a clear objective: to take advantage of our roots and origins, to combine our knowledge of Barcelona’s history and our passion for the world of cycling and culture.

The human factor is one of our values and we consider it our responsibility to achieve our collective goals with empathy and fidelity.

With 240 kilometres of cycle path, visiting Barcelona by bike allows you to drive to unusual places, emblematic or not yet known, to discover its history or its milestones.

Through these authentic guided tours. Born Bike Tours Barcelona offers you a historical, cultural, economic and sociological point of view.

Why choose cycling as a means of transport ?

Cycling is the fastest means of transport in the city and will allow you to stop regularly without constraints in places where cars do not pass in order to admire the landscape.

In addition, visiting the city by bike will improve your physical and mental health while reducing the stress that road traffic could generate.

These days, we must also take into account the economic factor.

Indeed, a bike does not need fuel to move forward, just the strength of your legs. Thus, you will reduce your carbon footprint, and the planet will thank you!

*A group taking advantage of a sunny day to cycle the Montjuïc.*

The bike is ideal for families !

If you have children, this is the opportunity to offer them a holiday around a pleasant activity that will be perfect to create unforgettable memories.

22-23 October: The Barcelona Architecture Festival reopens its doors!

The city of Barcelona opens the 14th edition of the ***“48h Open Doors” architecture festival*** from 22 to 23 October 2022.

This year’s festival highlights all the disciplines and professionals that make Barcelona’s architecture a collaborative and global work.
The aim is to bring designers, craftsmen, users and architects out of the shadows to share their collaborative design secrets and to raise awareness about these professions that build Barcelona’s environment.

Planning :

Visits to the most emblematic places in Barcelona will take place in all areas of the city.
For example, in the Centre you can visit

THE “APARTAMENT PICASSO”.

This is a complete remodelling of a small, very isolated house into an open flat, where the spaces interact and nothing is designed at random

“NNWALLERY: VALÈNCIA-ROGENT WALL”

On the Carrer de València at the corner of Rogent street, you can find the work of DXTR (Dennis Schuster, Berlin), an internationally renowned urban style artist who combines applications on city walls with advertising campaigns for well-known brands. It will be an interactive mural of over 50 metres in length and 2.5 metres in height.

You can also search for all other exhibitions on the festival website at

https://www.48hopenhousebarcelona.org/els-edificis/

Enjoy your immersion in Barcelona’s architecture!

Las fiestas de Gràcia : a fantastic journey through one of Barcelona’s typical neighbourhoods

Every year for more than 200 years, the Gracia Fiestas are back from the 15th to the 21st of August to take young and old on a journey through the streets of this emblematic district of Barcelona.

A little bit of history :

The history of Gracia’s fiestas dates to the 19th century when the Vila de Gràcia became a neighbourhood of small craftsmen, tradesmen and workers, and then, following its annexation to the city of Barcelona, fiestas began to be organised to celebrate the religious feast of the Assumption of Mary on 15 August. Although these popular festivals had a strong religious character, they now only have a festive and playful dimension.

And now ?

It is a popular festival that lasts for a week and includes many activities such as concerts, workshops, shows and, most famously, a traditional decoration competition, the guarnits, of the different streets of the district that compete for the first prize. You can see the famous processions of giants and cabezudos (big heads) or correfocs (running lights).

In addition to the street decorations, you will be able to dance, enjoy live music and gastronomy in the neighbourhood squares until 2am on August 21st.

Note: the eco-responsible dimension of the fiestas de Gracia. Indeed, the guarnits give a second life to a lot of waste of the inhabitants of the district. For example, last year the Calle Progrés used no less than 12,000 egg boxes to carry out its project!

So don’t hesitate and come and discover las fiestas de Gracia !

5 ways to do sport for free or cheap in Barcelona

In Barcelona, there are different ways to do sports for free or cheap while enjoying a beautiful view:

Rent a bike from Born Bike Tours Barcelona

By renting a bike, you can enjoy the 240km of cycle paths that the city of Barcelona has to offer.

Some ideas for cycling routes:

– Along the Els Vivers de Can Borni gardens which are located in the heart of the Collserola mountain. (10km)

– Along the beaches of the Maresme (32km)

Running at the Carretera de les Aigües

Also located in the heart of the Collserola mountain range, it is very popular with runners and cyclists also.

A great way to combine sport and spectacular views.

Carretera de les Aigües — © Sh Barcelona

Climb Montjuïc Hill

Climbing this hill will help you burn off as many calories as possible and enjoy the panoramic view when you arrive. You can also take a break by visiting the Montjuïc Castle.

Walk in Park Güell

Park Güell is a magnificent creation of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, covering more than 17 hectares, and will allow you to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site while walking a few kilometres. It will cost you 10 euros per person.

Do sports at the beach

On the beachfront there are facilities where you can do fitness for free. There are also facilities located in the Eixample or Poblenou.

Holy Week in Barcelona

Spain is a Catholic country, so Holy Week is a time of celebration in Barcelona.

Holy Week celebrates the end of Lent and commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus. It begins on Palm Sunday, which is the most important day of the week.

WHAT TO DO DURING HOLY WEEK IN BARCELONA?

Attend the religious processions:

– La Borriquita: Palm Sunday (April 10, 2022) from 11:00 to 11:30, starting and finishing at the Parish of Sant Agustí, Plaza de Sant Agustí, 2.

– The Procession of the Good Death: Palm Sunday (10 April 2022) from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, departure and arrival will be at the Major Parish of Santa Anna, calle Santa Anna, 29.

– The Way of the Cross of the Blood: On Holy Thursday (14 April 2022), the start and finish will be at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, Plaza del Pi, 7.

– Procession of the Virgen de las Angustias: Good Friday (15 April 2022) from 7pm to 11pm, starting and finishing at the Parish Church of Sant Jaume, Carrer Ferran, 28.

Attend the Castellers demonstrations:

The Castellers troops are groups that perform acrobatic figures, there will be two demonstrations on Palm Sunday (10 April 2022):

– First will take place at 11:30 am in the gardens of the Rambla de Sants with the Castellers de Sants.

– The next one will be at 12:00 in Plaça de la Revolució with the Castellers of Vila de Gràcia, Sant Cugat and Berga.

Eating a Mona de Pascua:

Originally, the Mona de Pascua is a crown-shaped bun. In Catalonia, it is a typical dessert and, according to tradition, it is the godparents who must offer one to their godchild.

Discover the palm markets:

The palm markets or “Fires de Rams” are located on the Rambla de Catalunya, in front of Barcelona Cathedral and also in the Sagrada Familia park on the side of the Passion façade. They are usually present from the Wednesday before Palm Sunday and are blessed during the blessing mass that marks the beginning of Holy Week.

Although Holy Week is a quieter time in Barcelona than in other Spanish cities, Barcelona’s tourist sector still estimates that it accounts for 70% of hotel occupancy. However, during this period the opening hours of shops and museums may be modified.

Summary of Holy Week (10 to 18 April 2022) :

Palm Sunday: 10 April

Holy Monday: 11 April

Holy Tuesday: 12 April

Holy Wednesday: 13 April

Holy Thursday: 14 April

Holy Friday : 15 April

Holy Saturday : 16 April

Easter Sunday : 17 April

Easter Monday : 18 April

Sports competitions in Barcelona in 2022

In Barcelona, sport is very present. Indeed, the people of Barcelona are sporty and have competition in their blood! That’s why we are going to present you the main sports competitions taking place in Barcelona in 2022.

TRAM BARCELONA OPEN 2022

📆 Dates : From 18.05.2022 to 22.05.2022

📍Place: Real Club de Polo de Barcelona – Av. Doctor Marañón, 17-31, 08028 Barcelona

In order to show that sport is accessible to all and thus normalize disability sport, one of the most important events will be present in Barcelona for the 5th edition. This sports competition is an international tennis tournament for people in wheelchairs. The Tram Barcelona Open highlights the surpassing of oneself, the efforts and also the perseverance in spite of some differences. The tournament is hosted by the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona.

Poster of the Tram Barcelona Open — ©JohanCruyffInstitute

E-DREAMS: MITJA MARATÓ OF BARCELONA

📆 Dates: 03.04.2022

This is the eDream half marathon of Barcelona. It takes place in the center of Barcelona and passes through the most famous avenues of Barcelona. This sporting event brings together runners from all over the world, from different countries, of different levels, to spend a great time in the beautiful city of Barcelona.

Photo of the finish of the E-Dreams Marathon of Barcelona — ©20minutos

45th INDOOR TRIAL OF BARCELONA

📆 Dates: 10.04.2022 – 17h00

📍 Place: Passeig Olímpic, 5-7, 08038 Barcelona

The Trial Indoor Barcelona is the best Indoor Trial for men and women. This event takes place once again at the Palau de Sant Jordi in Barcelona for a round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship 2022.

On the program: Obstacles, jumps, and acrobatics. The best riders in the world will compete to offer a show as beautiful as impressive.

Photo of the X-Trial of Barcelona — ©TrialIndoorBarcelona.com

ZURICH MARATON OF BARCELONA

📆 Dates : 08.05.2022

It is the 44th edition of this marathon which is very famous in the European continent. It is a great civic celebration in which runners from all over the world come together. Indeed, the circuit of more than 42 kilometers is one of the most spectacular in the world!

Photo of the start of the Zurich Marathon in Barcelona — ©World’sMarathon

FORMULA 1 FIRST GRAND PRIZE OF SPAIN

📆 Dates: 20.05.2022 to 22.05.2022

📍 Place: Circuit of Barcelona, Catalonia, Mas “La Moreneta”, 08160 Montmeló

The Formula 1 invites itself to the circuit of Barcelona in the year 2022. It is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year in Barcelona. It is the fifth race of the F1 championship season.

Poster of the Formula 1 of the circuit of Barcelona — ©CircuitdeBarcelona

It’s up to you, the enthusiasts, to come and support your favorite athletes!

The festival of Sant Jordi in Barcelona

The festival of Sant Jordi, known as the Diada of Sant Jordi, is a very famous festival in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia! It is celebrated on 23 April 2022, the day on which the patron saint died in 303. He is considered the patron saint of many places such as Bulgaria, England and Portugal. In Spain, he is the patron saint of Catalonia and also of Aragon.

Sant Jordi slaying the dragon — ©RosasSantJordi

Traditions of Sant Jordi’s Day

It should be noted that this day is also considered to be the day of lovers. Therefore, there is a tradition of giving a rose and a book. At first, the rose was intended for women and the book for men. But many men give a book as well as a rose. Normally, the rose should be red but this varies and you can even find multi-coloured roses!

Giving a rose is a distant tradition from the Middle Ages, while giving a book is a much more recent one: this initiative was started by Vincent Clavel, a writer and publisher from Valencia who lived in Barcelona. Since 1930, this day is also the International Book Day.

Lady reading a book during Saint George's Day in a street decorated with red roses — ©Turisme de Barcelona

But why a rose?

According to legend, a dragon terrified the village of Montblanc. The inhabitants started to feed the dragon with their own animals so that it would not harm the inhabitants. As the animals in the village were not infinite, once there were only the villagers left to devour, they had the idea of organising a periodic draw. This draw involved all the villagers as well as the king and princess. Whoever was drawn would be devoured by the dragon.

Then came the day when the princess was drawn. As she was about to be eaten by the dragon, a knight on horseback fought with the dragon. After a long battle, the knight defeated the dragon with his lance. Then the spear pierced the dragon, its blood gushed out and from it a rose bush sprang up from which a rose sprouted. The knight offered this rose to the princess.

casa batlo decorated of roses for the Sant Jordi — ©Paseo de Gracía

How is it celebrated?

It has become a tradition for writers to sign their books on International Book Day. That’s why you will find stands with writers and their books for you to sign at several places.

Secondly, the promotion of books is also in the spotlight. For this reason you will find public readings organised. For children, there are puppet shows that tell the story of the evil dragon!

Are you convinced? Don’t hesitate to come and see the Sant Jordi Festival in Barcelona and rent bikes at the same time!

The festivals of March in Barcelona in 2022

In this month of March 2022, you will not be bored! You’re going to get an earful!

Indeed, many festivals are planned and organized this month and there is something for everyone. Jazz, classical music, cinema, humor and so on.

Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival & Obertura City +

The Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival is a classical music festival that highlights great international performers. The festival is in collaboration with the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Auditorium. The Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival also takes place in major emblematic places of Barcelona such as the Casa Batlló, the Museum of Music, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the Joan Miró Foundation and others.

For this year 2022, the festival wants to highlight women composers who have been forgotten only because they were women.

Festival poster of Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival — ©Barcelonaturisme

41th International Jazz Festival of Terrassa

In this year 2022, the 41st edition of the International Jazz Festival takes place in the city of Terrassa and the Vallès Occidental region.

In fact, several concerts and artists will perform in the squares, courtyards, terraces, or parks of the city and on the stage of the famous Nova Jazz Cava. The festival will organize various activities, competitions, film screenings, workshops, or swing sessions!

It’s a great way to discover Jazz and you won’t get bored!

Festival poster Jazz Terrassa — ©Distritojazz

In Risus Festival

This year in Barcelona you can enjoy one of the most entertaining festivals, the In Risus Festival. Indeed, you can enjoy great comedians and masters of monologue who will perform on the stages of several theaters and halls in Barcelona.

Artists such as Berto Romero, Ana Mogarde, Charo López, or David Fernández will be present on stage.

Laughter is at the center of the festival for our greatest pleasure! And yes, the month of March rhymes with farce and it is not for nothing!

Festival poster In Risus 2022 — ©mpcmanagement

XXIV Mecalpro Festival

The Mecalpro Festival is an international festival that aims to present more than 5000 short films by international directors in Barcelona. Its objective is to promote new talents and thus to bring together creators and distributors.

It consists of audiovisual screenings divided into 4 sections, other diverse activities are also organized including themes, genres, authors and different eras.

Festival poster XXIV Mecalpro — ©Barcelonaturisme

This month of March promises to be full of discoveries !

Don’t miss the Barcelona rally !

The Barcelona Rally returns in 2022 for its 64th edition. It will take place on 19 and 20 March 2022. The participating cars and motorbikes come from various national locations and will run from Barcelona to Sitges. The only condition to participate is their production date! Up to 1928 for the cars and 1938 for the motorbikes. Some of them will be a hundred years old!

Did you know that? The rally is considered as an Event of National Tourist Interest!

2022 poster:

This year’s poster pays tribute to the French brand Amilcar, which produced 3 or 4-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 350 kg.

Old cars at the Barcelona rally — ©BlogStaySitges

Waiting for the start of the Barcelona – Sitges rally…

From 7 to 19 March, to keep you waiting, you will be able to see many vintage cars on display, open to the public!

The rally program

On the program on Saturday 19 March :

9:30 am: Cultural Gymkhana. 20 cars (Porsches) will participate in this gymkhana which will start in front of the ME Terramar Hotel in Sitges. The route ends at 14:00. The cars will then be on display at the Fragata until mid-afternoon.

10:00 – 17:00: Inspection and control of the vehicles and their display at Avenida Diagonal. For an atmosphere in keeping with the era of the cars, a music group will play jazz from the 1920s which will be danced by members of the BCNswing association.

On the programme for 20 March :

Arrival of the participants at the plaza de Sant Jaume at 8:30 am sharp!

The drivers and passengers of the cars will be dressed in the same way as they were when their car/bike was designed, often in collaboration with Menkes (a specialist in the craft of clothing and shoes).

The start will be at 10:30! The route is as follows :

Barcelona (Pl. Sant Jaume – Ferran – Rambles – Pl. Catalunya – Ronda Universitat – Ronda Sant Antoni – Sepúlveda – Paral-lel – Pl. Espanya – Gran Via – Badal – Constitució), to L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Santa Eulàlia – Enric Prat de la Riba – Barcelona), Cornellà de Llobregat (Carretera de L’Hospitalet – Av. de la Fama – Tirso de Molina – Av. Baix Llobregat – Connection with the C-245), Sant Boi de Llobregat, Viladecans, Gavà, Castelldefels, connection with the C-246, Costas del Garraf and arrival at the port of Sitges-Aiguadolç around 12:30.

Meanwhile, around midday, a music and dance show will begin with the group Apocadixie Cotton Pickers accompanied by dancers from Swing Garraf. The show lasts until the arrival of the Ral Oleo caravan.

They depart again at 13:30 pm :

This time from the port of Sitges to the Fragata, the cars will be on display until 17:00 once they arrive at the Fragata.

The itinerary of the route is as follows: Av. Puerto de Aiguadolç – Emerencià Roig and Raventós – Av. Balmins – Puerto Alegre – Rafael Llopart – Jesús – Cap de la Vila – Parellades – Marqués de Montroig – Plaça de l’Industria – 1 de Mayo – Pº de la Ribera – Balsa Redonda – San Antonio – Avda Sofía and Paseo de la Ribera to the Fragata.

Then, the passions, the amateurs or the curious one awaits you numerous! 🏁

Street art, a modern art

Very common in Barcelona, street art is still growing. “Street art” means Urban Art, it is a contemporary artistic movement that appeared at the end of the XXth Century. It is present in the streets, on the walls, in public places. It comes in different forms: graffiti, poster creation, stencil graffiti, pastel and video projection.

If you want to discover street art, Barcelona is for you! In this article we present you the 5 graffiti not to be missed, but you should know that there are some on almost every street corner !

The Carboneria of Sant Antoni : a place full of history

The old abandoned coal factory is now transformed into a squat. It is one of the spaces where we find the most street art. Long threatened with demolition, the coal factory is now one of the most emblematic places of street art. Indeed, the *okupas have made a fresco on the facade of the charcoal house, making it of historical and artistic interest and avoiding its demolition.

*People who occupy and take possession of unoccupied places to live in.

📍 Address : Carrer del Comte d’urgell 30 08011, Barcelona

Hot air balloon represented on the facade of the coal factory — ©lavanguardia

The face of Rosalia : the Barcelona pop star

Originally from Barcelona, Rosalia has been known worldwide since 2018 thanks to her songs and duets with international stars. Supported by the citizens of her hometown, the Catalan singer has been represented on the walls of the city by the famous artist Uriginal, in the district of Sants to immortalize the face of the new voice of flamenco!

📍 Adress : 32 calle Creu Coberta, 08014 Barcelona

Portrait of the singer Rosalia on the walls of Barcelona — ©pinterest

El Pez : an explosion of colors

Renowned worldwide, the Barcelona artist is one of the greatest figures of street art. He has created works all over the world: Barcelona, Lyon, Paris, Oslo, Miami, Bogota, etc. His works are easily recognizable because he always represents smiling fish with bright colors.

📍 Adress : Mia Festival Barcelona

The artist painting the smiling fish in bright colors on a wall in Barcelona — ©beyondstreetart

Pablo Picasso : youth has no age

Portrait of Pablo Picasso by #myhoodisgood with the phrase “youth has no age.” This phrase is dedicated to Picasso’s adolescence and early adulthood in Barcelona, where he met his lifelong friends. It also expresses the youthful spirit of the famous painter who died in 1973.

📍 Adress : Carrer de l’Agricultura, Barcelona

Portrait of Pablo Picasso with the sentence " Youth has no age" — ©Barcelonaviguator

The agora : street art pays tribute

This work is a tribute to Juan Andres Benitez, who died in 2013 during an altercation with the police that degenerated in the Raval neighborhood. Several artists wanted to honor his memory by telling his story through street art. This place is called the Agora and is a space for meetings and exchanges.

📍 Address: Carrer de l’Aurora, Barcelona

An eye with people represented in the ward — ©juontheroad

Don’t hesitate, come and discover the street art in Barcelone !

To see more, here are the artist’s Instagram accounts :

@pezbarcelona

@uriginalbcn

@myhoodisgood

5 events not to be missed in Barcelona in 2022 !

Exhibition of Adolf Mas “the eyes of Barcelona” :

Major Catalan figure of the photographic reportage, he allowed through his pictures to see the evolution of the city of Barcelona during some decades of the XXth Century. Through 200 photographs you will have the opportunity to discover the urban, political, socio-cultural and artistic transformation of Barcelona.

Where? Centro de Fotografía KBr Fundación MAPFRE

When? From 18/02/2022 to 15/05/2022

The Ou Com Balla :

A traditional festival in Barcelona, the Ou Com Balla consists of dancing an egg. The egg is balanced on the jet of water in pools located in cloisters, patios and gardens. On this occasion, you can admire the fountains decorated with flowers and fruits. This Barcelona festival commemorates the institution of the Eucharist.

Where? Different areas of Barcelona

When? 16/06/2022 – 19/06/2022

An egg dancing on a water jet — ©TimeOut

Banksy, the art of protest :

A renowned street art artist, Banksy’s identity is still unknown. However, for the first time, Banksy is coming to Barcelona to exhibit more than 80 exclusive pieces from international private collections. During this exhibition, you will have the opportunity to live a multi-sensory journey thanks to the installation of immersive multimedia present for this event. The allocation of a free audio guide for smartphone will allow you a better understanding of the different Banksy.

Where? Museu del Disseny (Design Museum)

When ? 12/11/2021 – 13/03/2022

Piece of art of Bansky in an exposition — ©MetrópoliAbierta

Barcelona Design Week :

The BDW’22 has been an unmissable event in Barcelona for a few years now, putting art, design, gastronomy and creativity at the center of the project. During one week, design is made accessible to all the city’s inhabitants. Barcelona Design Week also includes Food Design Week, which highlights local food designers and gastronomic experiences. In fact, it is a new edition of the event Disseny en Diagonal that takes place on the main avenue of Barcelona.

Where? Several areas of the city

When? October 2022

Design Furnitures in exposition — ©MXcity

101 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya :

On the occasion of the 101st edition of the Vuelta, the world’s biggest stars will compete in different stages through the 4 provinces of Catalonia. That’s why the route is specially made for high level athletes! Although the vuelta does not pass through Barcelona, it is a major event in Spain!

Where ? In Spain

When ? 21/03/2022 – 27/03/2022

The itinerary of the Vuelta in 2022 — ©ciclismo

Carnival in Barcelona, come and discover the masked city!

Like every year during Carnival the city of Barcelona transforms itself to offer the inhabitants a show of colors, lights, disguises, imagination and creativity.

Carnival is one of the longest celebrations of the year.

This festival is present all over the world but includes important particularities in some countries or cities, which makes it unique. Carnival called Carnestoltes in Catalan is originally a pagan or even Egyptian festival.

Carnestoltes: It is a Latin word that means Carne levar and Carnes tolendas which means period of youth and abstinence from meat. However, during Carnival, some rules are lifted, leaving room for caloric and abundant food, such as the Coca de Llardons or the Butifarra de huevo.

On this occasion, the food is the center of the party, it allows to gather to party.

egg sausage — ©ElGraner – Butifarra de huevo

Preparation based on eggs, flour, greaves and pine nuts — ©CataMayor – Coca de llardons

The dates of this festival vary each year because Carnival is a lunar festival. In fact, it is anchored in the cycle before the Karem and begins 7 weeks after the first moon of the winter solstice !

During this festival many activities are present in the city.

THE PROGRAM OF THE CARNIVAL 2022 IN BARCELONA

DIJOUS GRAS aka Shrove Thursday

Carnival begins with the “Dijous Llarder” or “Dijous gras” (Catalan). During this day there is first of all the arrival (Arribo in Catalan) which is the opening event. Thus, during this event there is the presentation of the King: “El Rei Carnestoltes”, the main character of this festival who is responsible for firing the gun that opens the Carnival in Barcelona.

This event is present in the following districts of Barcelona: Gracia, Horta, Les Corts, San Andreu, Sant Martí, Sarrià.

WHEN : February 24, 2022 at 18:00

WHERE : From Plaça Reial to Boqueria and Palau de la Virreina through the main avenue of La Rambla.

The Carnestoltes King in Barcelona — ©Equinox

TARONJADA :

This event present at Carnival is actually an old tradition including dances, the presence of King Carnestoltes, a camp battle with oranges and also the Sarau de la Taronjada which is a traditional mask dance.

WHEN: Mardi Gras – February 24, 2022 at 18:45

WHERE: Palau de la Virreina (La Rambla)

People in the street of Barcelona for the carnival — ©Flickr

CARNIVAL PROCESSIONS AND PARADES:

At the initiative of the inhabitants, colorful and festive parades are organized in the different districts of Barcelona. In each parade 7 ambassadors are present in addition to the king.

Indeed, Saturday is the day when the atmosphere is at its maximum, activities are present throughout the city so that everyone can enjoy the party.

WHEN: Saturday, February 26, 2022

WHERE: Different areas of Barcelona

Parades in the Barcelona's streets for the carnival — ©CatalunyExperience

BURIAL :

Known as the burial of the sardine, it is the imposition of ashes which symbolizes penitence and repentance for the crazy days of Carnival (apologizing for their excesses during Carnival).

This burial is a religious devotion that serves as preparation for the celebration of Easter. In addition, in some neighborhoods of Barcelona, associations or organizations organize a common meal to meet.

WHEN: March 12, 2022

WHERE: Different areas of Barcelona

NIGHTLIFE DURING THE CARNIVAL:

During this festival much of the atmosphere is present at night. In fact, Barcelona’s discotheques set up themes every night for Carnival.

Night club in Barcelona for the Carnival

For more information : ▷ BARCELONA CARNAVAL 2022 – Dates – Programme événements | irBarcelon

Discover the festival of Saint Eulalie

The festival of Santa Eulalia or “La Laia” is a major festival of the winter season in Barcelona. It takes place on February 11, 12 and 13, 2022 in all the city’s neighborhoods with various activities. Its purpose is to commemorate Saint Eulalia, the co-patroness of Barcelona.

WHO WAS SAINT EULALIE?

She was a Christian and practicing child, born between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century. When she was 13 years old, this young girl faced the repressions directed by the emperor Diocleciano towards the Christian community. She then decided to address the governor of Barcino (modern Barcelona) to contest these acts. Despite her young age and her convictions, the governor did not wish to act. Indeed, he forced Saint Eulalia to renounce her religion. Not wanting to give in, she was sentenced to 13 martyrdoms for her 13 years of life and was finally crucified. She is buried today in the Cathedral of Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona.

MAIN ACTIVITIES OF SAINT EULALIE :

Most of the activities take place in the Plaza de Sant Jaume. This is where the inauguration and the famous castellers of Barcelona take place! Also organized are the “gegants” (giant walk through the city), the “correfocs” (fire show) and the sardanes (traditional dance). Music groups also travel through the city following different routes. The Saint Eulalia is for young and old alike!

CASTELLERS: HUMAN TOUR

As in all the great Catalan festivals, the castellers stand up to offer you an incredible show. Casteller comes from the word castell which means “castle, human tower”.

It is a Catalan tradition that represents an acrobatic prowess recognized by UNESCO as part of the cultural and intangible heritage of humanity. These towers are performed by people of all ages, all types, and all physical conditions. Each of them has an indispensable role. Indeed, the tower is composed of 3 parts:

– The Pinya (=pine cone): it is the base of the tower, it is on it that all the weight rests and it has for role to absorb the possible falls.

– The trunk: is the part that is between the base and the top of the tower whose role is to ensure their connection.

– The pom de dalt (= apple of the top): often ensured by children thanks to their flexibility and their lightness which allows them to climb on top of the tower with ease.

Castellers : Human tours in Barcelona — ©CarlaHenriquez

SARDANES: A MYTHIC DANCE

Considered the national dance of Catalonia, men and women dance together to the rhythm of the music played by the copla, holding hands while forming a circle. Are you ready for a wild dance to the rhythm of the copla?

People dancing the typic dance of Cataluña — ©FemTourism.Chat

CORREFOCS, A SPECTACLE OF FIRE AND DEVILS

Popular in Spain, this street show comes from a cultural activist group (1978) that wanted to create a fire show and a devil dance. Later, the public joined the show, which led to its popularity.

The Correfocs : A fire spectacle in Barcelona — ©Es.Cultureevents

THE GIANTS :

Attend the parade of Eulalia in the streets of Barcelona!

The parade of the giants is a tradition in the Catalan capital during which they move and dance.

These characters of several meters are made of materials such as wicker, wood, worm, aluminum, or fiberglass and are supported by carriers.

The giant of Eulalie parade in Barcelona — ©beteve

Don’t hesitate, come to discover this emblematic festival in Barcelona!

If you want more informations :

https://www.barcelona.cat/santaeulalia/en

The flower of Barcelona

As you walk or cycle through the streets of Barcelona, you will have noticed these little flowers on the cobblestones of the city. This motif has become one of the symbols of Barcelona, but do you know where it really comes from?

Flower of Barcelona Gotic Eixample modernism cobblestone streets

Symbol of Modernism

From the middle of the 19th century, Barcelona experienced a strong economic and urban expansion. The industrial revolution that affected Europe at that time allowed the Catalan capital to enter the modern era. It began to build a new district, the Eixample, which means “the extension” in Catalan. Many modern buildings appeared. The streets, however, were not yet adapted: they looked more like dirt roads, sometimes covered with gravel.

The problem arose when it rained, as the streets turned into streams of mud that flowed down the mountain to the sea. To solve these urban problems, the town council decided to pave the streets. For economic and resistance reasons, concrete slabs measuring 20 x 20 cm were used. This type of paving is called panot in Catalan. Other very old slabs have also been found in the Montjuïc and Gòtic districts.

Five types of tiles were standardised: flower, calavera (four circles with a square in the centre), four concentrated circles, four squares and four squares with four circles inside. In 1916, the company Escofet y Cia won a competition from the town council to pave the town. It lined many streets with the five forms of panots.

Barcelona Flower Barcelona Gotic Eixample modernism cobblestone streets patterns competition

However, two paving patterns have become the majority. These are the four-square tablet and, above all, the Barcelona “flower”. Why these two symbols? Because the tablet is easy to make and practical if one or more tiles need to be replaced, as it can be subdivided. The flower, on the other hand, allows water to be stored in its grooves in case of rain and to walk without risk.

An influence of Josep Puig i Cadafalch?

Legend has it that the flower motif was inspired by one of the city’s most important architects, Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

In fact, a four-petal flower-shaped slab was first used to pave the entrance to the Casa Amatller, a modernist house on the Passeig de Gràcia, built between 1898 and 1900. However, this flower design is not exactly like the famous Barcelona flower. The link between the architect and the Barcelona cobblestones is therefore not proven.

Feria y Mercado de Navidad/ Christmas Fair and Market

December is just around the corner, which means that the Christmas celebrations are starting!

Can you think of a better way to gradually get into the magic of Christmas than by taking a walk through these famous markets and fairs? From the smell of Christmas trees, to the colours and lights of the decorations, to the products of the local craftsmen, it’s a real immersion in the heart of this festival that awaits you. Barcelona has many Christmas markets and fairs, both old and new, with their own history and identity. Among all these events, there are three that are part of the city’s history.

Feria de Santa Llúcia:

This is the oldest fair that revolves around the world of nativity scenes and Christmas traditions. It is therefore the most authentic fair in Barcelona. It was founded in 1736, so this year we are celebrating its 235th anniversary. For this reason, the organisers have gone to great lengths to put up more than 20 illuminated Christmas trees.

Located in the Avinguda de la Catedral, it has a total of 170 stands. It is the only fair in the world where you will find more than 140 spaces for the sale of strictly Christmas products, such as cots, figurines, foam, Christmas trees, accessories for your home and many others. In addition, you can also enjoy more than 25 spaces dedicated to gift items, such as textile accessories, ceramics, jewellery, leather, etc.

It runs from 26 November to 24 December!

catedral gotico market
festival stars present christmas family holidays

Feria de Reyes de la Gran Vía:

As it has every year since 1877, the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes will host the Epiphany Fair (Feria de Reyes), which will open its doors from 17 December to 6 January 2022. It is the second oldest Christmas fair in Barcelona.

Initially, the 18 stands of this fair were dedicated to the sale of toys and sweets. Today, the number of stands has increased and diversified. You will of course find the famous traditional toys and stuffed animals, but also many traditional and handicraft products or various stands of Catalan crafts. This market is therefore perfect for finding last minute gifts!

Don’t forget to stop at the famous Churrerías, spread throughout the fair, to try the famous “churros con chocolate caliente”, which will warm you up while stimulating your taste buds!

Tio de Nadal, christmas, celebration, tradition, market, craft, family gift

Feria de la Sagrada Familia:

Celebrated for the first time in 1972, the Feria de la Sagrada Familia is the most recent of all the Christmas fairs in Barcelona. It takes place on the same dates as the Santa Llúcia fair, and this is not by chance. In fact, it was created when there was no more room for stalls in Santa Llúcia. Several craftsmen decided to set up shop next to Gaudí’s masterpiece.

This fair has a lot in common with its two “big sisters”. You will find all kinds of figures and elements for nativity scenes, Christmas trees and plants, gift items, food and sweets. On the food side, the “churrerías” will naturally be present, and you will also find a chestnut and sweet potato stall.

In addition, there are free family activities such as competitions, workshops, music and theatre. They also have a photocall with a giant “Tió” and a “Caganer”.

Don’t hesitate to take a walk through one of these Christmas markets!

Why should you cycle on holidays?

Is good for your mood !

Our main aim when we go on holiday is to relax and clear our heads. If your goal is to forget about your daily worries for a few days, then cycling is for you. As well as giving you a great deal of oxygen, which is very good for your brain, cycling increases the level of certain neurotransmitters, in particular dopamine and serotonin, which are mood regulators. This triggers a feeling of psychological relaxation, pleasure and euphoria. In short, everything you want during your holidays!

Beach Bike tour guided tour family friends group born bike tours barcelona sport excursion barcelona relaxation discovery sun holiday

The best way to explore a city

Getting around by bike during your holiday means taking more or less known roads. Unlike the metro, bus or car, you are outside all the time. In addition to allowing you to perfect your tan, cycling gives you the opportunity to observe the landscape, monuments and architecture around you more closely. It can also lead you to take lesser-known roads, and thus make discoveries. This is the best way to explore a city!

Allows you to be physically active during your holiday

Cycling during your holiday allows you to maintain your physical health and avoid a sedentary lifestyle! As well as being good for your heart and breathing, it is a non-weight bearing exercise, which is ideal for people with joint pain or injuries. A sport that can be practised at any age, whether you are a great sportsman or not!

Bike tour guided tour family friends group born bike tours barcelona sport excursion barcelona montjuic relaxation discovery holiday

More ecological, cheaper and easier!

Unlike the car, public transport or scooter, the bicycle has a neutral ecological footprint, which is a very important concept today.

Moreover, the car can be a considerable waste of time. Between the traffic jams, the traffic problems, or the ordeal to find a place, it is a real waste of time! In Barcelona, you can find 240 km of cycle lanes, which allow you to move around freely, avoiding traffic problems.

This mode of transport also has the advantage of being inexpensive. At Born Bike Tours Barcelona, you can rent your bike for only 18€ for 24 hours, which is on average double the price of a scooter!

So don’t hesitate any longer, and come and rent a bike for your holidays!

Palao Market Fest

Palao Market Fest is an atypical market/festival, which takes place every first weekend of the month. It’s an atypical and modern concept that the organisers offer us: it’s not just a simple craft market with different food trucks, but a real dynamic festival mixing different arts, so you can live a real experience. During the month of November, the organisers have decided to add a date on the weekend of 20 and 21 December for the “Cool Christmas Fest” to get us into the Christmas spirit.

Far from the traditional markets that can be found in Barcelona such as the Boqueria or Saint Antoni, this market offers you the possibility of making artistic discoveries. Between jewellery, cosmetics, textiles or decoration, you are bound to find something you like. All the exhibitors are real craftsmen, and will make you discover their product with passion.

In addition to the exhibitors, you will also be able to find many Food Trucks of all kinds to eat, or simply to test! All types of cuisine will be present: Vietnamese, vegetarian, burger, pastry … The hardest thing will be to choose!

In order to live a real cultural experience and to make this event more dynamic, street concerts will be proposed. You will find the DJ set MIGUELITO SUPERSTAR and DJ set ZONZO on Saturday, and DJ set IVAN IVANOVICH and DJ set BUSA on Sunday. In addition, there will be 5 STREET MUSIC EXPERIENCES to make sure you have an unforgettable time.

market crafts light crowd tourist activity food stand

The market is therefore present this weekend of 20 and 21 November, but also the first weekend of December, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December 2021. Two time slots are available: from 12:00 to 17:00 or from 17:30 to 22:00. These times offer more opportunities to visit, but also two different atmospheres: one during the day and one at night. There is bound to be one that suits you!

The entrance fee is 5€, and it is recommended to book your place in advance on their website (https://palomarketfest.com/es/home), in order to be sure to have a place.

Regarding accessibility, you can get there by metro (SELVA DE MAR (L4)) or by bus (H14, H16/ N.BUS: 12, 29, 30). There is a bike park right at the entrance of the market, so don’t hesitate to rent a bike to get there!

5 reasons to visit Barcelona in November!

When we think of visiting Barcelona, the first idea we have is to go there in summer, to enjoy the beach, the sun and the eternal parties. You are quite right! But Barcelona is a real destination for all seasons, especially in autumn or winter, and we’ll prove it to you.

Pleasant weather and temperatures

Visiting Barcelona in summer means that you can enjoy great weather and high temperatures throughout your stay. However, when you want to do something other than go to the beach, this temperature can become a handicap. In November, temperatures hover around 12 degrees, with an average of 5 days of rain in a month. This makes the weather very pleasant, especially when compared to other European cities in the same season. Visiting Barcelona in November allows you to enjoy the city without being too cold or too hot, while enjoying the constant sunshine!

barceloneta beach barcelona empty volleyball autumn winter sand holidays enjoy

Less tourists

The most interesting thing about going on holiday in the low season is how few people are present in the tourist areas. This is especially true in November, as there are no school holidays during this period. It is therefore more pleasant to walk along Las Ramblas, the beach, or even your bike paths as you won’t feel like you are suffocating under the tourist rush. It’s also the perfect time to take beautiful souvenir photos without having a stranger come and spoil it! This is also the same situation in the restaurants, you will not need to make a long queue to be able to taste good tapas. It is not uncommon to find yourself face to face with a local, in the restaurant or in the street, which is a real cultural immersion.

Enjoying the local gastronomy

Speaking of restaurants, November is the perfect month to come and discover the local gastronomy. With the sun setting earlier and cooler temperatures, an evening out at a good local restaurant seems like the perfect activity! From the ever-popular Paella to Arroz Caldoso and Fricandó, Barcelona has plenty of specialities to warm you up after a long day of exploring. If you want to take a sweet break, don’t hesitate to stop at one of the many chocolate shops in the city to enjoy a good hot chocolate or churros con chocolate!

the Arroz Caldoso friendly dish winter spain barcelona family typical restaurant local rice

Many indoor activities

If you are unlucky enough to find that your holiday falls on the only rainy days of the month, or that the temperature is too low for you, don’t worry! Barcelona is full of indoor activities. Whether it’s the Gaudi houses, the Sagrada Familia, the aquarium, or one of the many museums (over 55!), you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re more of a shopping enthusiast, you can stroll through the Corte Ingles, the Maremagnum or the authentic Boqueria market while staying dry!

picasso museum barcelona family culture discovery activity leisure holiday

Last but not least,the price

If, despite all these points, you are still sceptical about the idea of taking your holiday in November, you should know that this is one of the cheapest seasons. Whether it’s for transport or accommodation, it’s the opportunity to offer yourself a dream trip that you couldn’t afford in high season!

Don’t hesitate to visit Barcelona in November!

Llum BCN 2021

Created in 2012, the Llum BCN will be back on the streets of Barcelona on 5, 6 and 7 November 2021. Originally scheduled for February this year, the festival of lights has had to be moved to November, to the delight of end-of-year visitors. Poblenou, as it has been since the 2018 edition, has been chosen to host one of the most anticipated events in the city’s cultural calendar.

Llum BCN is a large-scale light show featuring international artists. For three nights, the festival will bring together these creative explorers from different disciplines: art, lighting design and interactive environments, architecture, extended audiovisual and performing arts. Attending this festival will of course give you the opportunity to fill your eyes with stars, but also to ask yourself questions, since its aim is also to challenge our preconceived visions of what urban space can be and to create new models of participation and coexistence in public space. During three nights, the public can also discover a new neighbourhood, as in many cases the doors of restricted spaces are opened for the first time. It is a unique event for its artistic singularity, like the great European festivals of light.

In previous editions, Llum BCN has welcomed leading creators such as Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, United Visual Artists, Luke Jerram, Julio Le Parc, Daniel Canogar and others. Like this year’s participants, they are part of the official programme with Barcelona’s design, architecture, art and lighting schools, in a coexistence between leading artists and works from the academy, a distinctive element of the Llum BCN model.

This year there are 31 proposals from 14 different artists, three of them international. Among the places or spaces where you can enjoy a show of light, music and colour are the Plaça de les Glòries, Les Encants, the façade of Disseny Hub Barcelona, the Pompeu Fabra University, Jardí del Sol, the Plaça de les Glòries…

moon torre agbar lights event festival architecture llum

This year the festival pays tribute to the figure of the artist Eugenia Balcells. She will present two installations as part of “Light as the voice of matter”: the projection of the work Frequencies on the façade of the Museu del Disseny will show the chemical symbols of each element, and the work “From infrared to ultraviolet”, which will illuminate the neighbouring Glòries building and show the horizons of colour on an urban scale.

You will also be able to see the work of Jordi Mitjà, which is based on a ban: “Don’t look”, which is what his father used to say to him when he was welding, and he has taken this name to search for options and observations that allow us to get as close as possible to the light and, in the room, it is resolved by three video projections. You can wander around the visual and sound installation and get closer to the projected images in the Hangar space, Centro de Producción e Investigación de Artes Visuales (Carrer d’Emília Coranty, 8-16).

There is also a gastronomic area run by Van Van Llum where all festival visitors can enjoy a meeting and resting point where you can taste different hot dishes from the now famous food trucks parked in the area.

2020 lights wall coulour festival llum architecture

How to book?

This edition of Llum BCN has limited spaces. The festival is free, but it is advisable to book in advance to reduce queues and to be able to plan the visit, choose the times and improve the quality of the experience.

La Castanyada: the international chestnut festival

This traditional and popular festival, deeply rooted in Catalonia, is celebrated on All Saints’ Day (1 November), but also the day before (31 October).

The tradition of this festival is to eat chestnuts. Chestnuts are traditionally eaten on the day before and the day of Castanyada, but they can be found at street vendors in Barcelona at any time in late October.

What is it?

Chestnuts are roasted chestnuts on charcoal grills and often sold wrapped in newspaper, perfect for warming company when it is cold in Barcelona. Panellets are also very common in Barcelona at this time of year. They can be described as small almond-flavoured balls covered with pine nuts. These snacks are served in coconut, lemon or chocolate flavours. They are beautiful and traditional, and you can find them mainly in local bakeries. If you visit Barcelona during this period, this is a must-have dessert, which can also be used as a souvenir!

If you have a salty palate, you can also find sweet potatoes during the Castanyada. These little delicacies will warm you up from the inside out, often accompanied by a glass of sweet traditional muscatel wine.

chestnut, autumn, october, november, eating, food street, barcelona

Where does this festival come from?

Castanyada is a pagan tradition – like Magosto in Galicia or Asturias or Halloween in the Anglo-Saxon countries – whose origins date back to the 18th century. There are several legends that explain these beginnings. It is said that before All Saints’ Day, families gathered to watch over their dead. In order to survive, they stocked up on the first fruits of autumn, mainly chestnuts, legumes and sweet potatoes washed down with sweet wine (today’s Muscat). This custom gave rise to the emblematic figure of the “castanyera”, who prayed while the chestnuts were roasting.

Another theory is that the festival was for bell ringers, who rang the bells all night to remind the faithful of the need to pray for the souls of their dead. Whenever they rested, they regained their strength by eating what people brought them, in this case the fruits of autumn.

How is it celebrated?

Although most festivities in Catalonia include wild street parties, dancing, costumes and fireworks. The castanyada is more of a quiet celebration, with most families going to the cemetery to lay flowers and then spend time with their loved ones. If you are in Barcelona during this festival, do as the locals do and visit one of the city’s most beautiful cemeteries, the Poblenou Cemetery.

New cycle paths in Barcelona to encourage the use of soft mobility.

Apart from being a leisure activity and a family sport accessible to all, cycling is becoming one of the best means of urban transport. More ecological than the car, healthier than public transport, and faster than walking, the bicycle is more than ever a sustainable solution to the ills of today’s society, and the Barcelona City Council has understood this.

In recent years, Barcelona has made a major effort to increase the city’s network of cycle paths and become a cycle-friendly city. From 2015 to today, the kilometres of cycling infrastructure have doubled to the current 240 kilometres of network. These steps are in line with the objectives set out in the 2024 Urban Mobility Plan (PMU), where the City Government commits to strengthening sustainable travel, moving towards a more sustainable, healthy and safe mobility.

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The need for sustainable mobility has been taken on board by city dwellers, even after COVID 19. The month of September saw an increase of 22.4% in cycling on working days, which proves this trend. In view of the increase in the use of this means of transport, the municipal government wishes to increase and improve the current network of cycle paths. In total, the new package includes 28 new actions that will take place between 2021 and 2023. This includes 44.3 kilometres of the cycle network: 32.6 kilometres of new cycle paths will be created and 11.7 kilometres of the current network will be improved.

This means that by 2023, the city will have 272.6 kilometres of cycle network. To make this possible, Barcelona City Council is planning an investment of 30.8 million euros.

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Among the new cycle paths you can find

– Plaça Catalunya (Ciutat Vella – Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya)

– Còrsega (Freser – Castillejos)

– Vía augusta (Laforja to Bonanova)

– Fabra y Puig (avinguda Meridiana – plaça Virrey Amat)

– Escòcia (Arnau de Oms – Avinguda Meridiana)

– Independència – badajoz (Sant Antoni María Claret – Passeig Marítim)

– Mallorca (Clot Tarragona)

– Joan de Borbó (plaça Idrissa Diallo – Escar)

– Travessera de les Corts (Numancia – Joan Güell)

– Avinguda Roma (Tarragona – València)

And many more to discover on the website of the Barcelona City Council!

Vive Montjuïc

Vive Montjuïc, the cultural park, is a celebration in which, on 16 and 17 October 2021, the 22 cultural facilities that inhabit Montjuïc will offer their own and joint activities, with the aim of promoting the cultural offer of this very special place.

Considered the lungs of the city, Montjuïc Park is a hill overlooking the old city and the old port of Barcelona. Many buildings were constructed here for the 1992 Summer Olympics. It is well known to tourists for its castle, its splendid view and its cable car. But Montjuïc is much more than that. It is a unique offer that combines forest areas with themed gardens, leisure, sports and service areas, but of course, culture.

montjuic garden tree nature sky tourism discover barcelona

Due to the need to make all citizens aware of the particularities of Montjuïc Park and all the facilities it contains, the city has decided to carry out a joint cultural action aimed at both locals and tourists, in order to share the cultural wealth of the place.

This year will be the first edition of this event. The aim is to repeat the experience every year. This project is part of the Montjuïc Park Action Plan 2019-2029. It is a municipal plan that seeks to make the cultural activity of the Park visible, as well as to create new spaces, establish synergies between all the sites that make it up, all with the aim of recovering the spirit of the 1929 International Exhibition.

During the weekend of 16 and 17 October, you can enjoy over 70 activities for all ages. Guided and theatrical routes, participatory interventions, guided tours and treasure hunts, concerts, dance and theatre performances, etc. There will also be reserved areas for eating, drinking and resting. You can also visit the centres that will be holding open days – Castell de Montjuïc, Cementiri de Montjuïc, Espai Bombers and Jardí Botànic – or take a guided tour of some of the exhibitions currently on show in the institutions, such as the Coneix CaixaForum Barcelona. Modernisme modernitat at CaixaForum or Memòria de les Arts Escèniques at the Institut del Teatre. Some institutions even organise treasure hunts, such as the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and the Poble Espanyol.

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All activities are free of charge and you must register on the Vive Montjuïc website. : https://www.barcelona.cat/viumontjuic/es

Don’t hesitate, come and (re)discover Montjuïc Park this weekend!

CICLOBCN21

CicloBCN21 is a new international cycling event that will take place from 5 to 10 October 2021. This year’s slogan is “Pedalem ciutats i territori”, which means “We pedal cities and regions”. CicloBCN21 will include three bicycle congresses: the EuroVelo and Cycle Tourism 2021 Congress, the 17th Iberian Congress “Bicycles and Cities” and the 7th International Bicycle Congress.

These three events will include exhibition areas, meetings between professionals, technical visits and activities in various public areas. Most of the events will take place at the AXA Auditorium. Their aim is to promote the central role of bicycles and to reaffirm the commitment of the city’s institutions and inhabitants. Indeed, the bicycle appears to be one of the best ways to face the current and future challenges we are facing, especially from an environmental point of view. This is why these kinds of events are crucial today.

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EuroVelo and Cyclotourism:

EuroVelo and Cycle Tourism conference, organised since 2012, is the main forum on cycle tourism in Europe, promoted by the European Cyclists’ Federation. The event serves to highlight cycle tourism in Europe, and in particular the roll-out of the EuroVelo network, a set of fifteen transnational cycle tourism routes that cross Europe from one side to the other. The conference will bring together, among others, tourist operators from Barcelona, transport companies, universities, tourist organisations, public authorities and, of course, bicycle users.

In Catalonia, the development of cycling has many advantages. It allows us to participate in a more sustainable form of tourism, reaching a wide audience and, above all, being able to extend to all seasons. In addition, the project to extend and consolidate the EuroVelo 8 route between Cadiz and Cyprus, which passes through Catalonia, is a development asset that should not be overlooked.

7th International Bicycle Congress of Catalonia

The International Bicycle Congress is the main forum where public administrations, professionals in the sector, cycling organisations and users in Catalonia can discuss the latest developments and exchange experiences on the world of cycling.

The “Catalan Cycling Strategy 2025” will play a central role at this year’s congress. This is a document recently approved by the Government of Catalonia that proposes several actions to promote cycling as an active and sustainable mode of transport, both for daily travel and for leisure, sport and tourism. A strategy designed with the clear objective of gaining the support of the rest of the Catalan administrations and organisations linked to the bicycle sector.

17th Iberian Congress “Bicycles and Cities”.

This congress is a joint initiative organised by ConBici, the national coordinator for the defence of the bicycle in Spain, and the Portuguese Federation of Cycle Tourism and Bicycle Users (FPCUB). Its objective is to present the most important news and experiences related to cycling in Spain and Portugal. A congress organised by cycling organisations, with a special role played by social initiatives related to the world of cycling.

Auditorium Axa Barcelona congresse SPORT professional tourism

Fiesta Major of Sants

Today on the blog we are going to talk about the Fiesta Mayor de Sants which is celebrated in the Sants neighbourhood of Barcelona. Just like the festival in Gràcia, the Festa Major is known throughout Barcelona.

This festival is held in commemoration of the town’s patron saint, Bartomeu. According to Barcelona legend, in the time of the Roman emperor Diocletian, this martyr lived in Sants, as did many other Christians in the area. Saint Bartholomew was flayed, which may explain why he is the patron saint of leather workers, such as skinners, refiners and tanners.

The festival started three days ago, on 24 August, and will end on 29 August 2021. The festival will be adapted to the health situation and all necessary protocols will be put in place to ensure maximum safety for all participants.

During the pandemic, two key departments will be the focus of attention: the health department, Marta Sorribes, director of CABO Numancia; and the commercial department, the pastry chef Joan Galimany, owner of one of the oldest and most emblematic establishments in the region.

Every year the main activities take place in different parts of the district; this year they are held in the gardens of Can Mantega and in the streets near the garden.

garden of can mantega in barcelona sants

During the festival, we will maintain a garrison in the streets, this year it will be an aerial garrison with only eight squares and no competitions, as well as the traditional offerings in San Bartolomé, the church of Santa Maria de Sants and the neighbourhood market. Vehicle traffic will be restricted so as not to obstruct or hinder pedestrian traffic, thus avoiding crowds.

church of santa maria de sants in barcelona sants

One of the main features of the festival is the decoration of the streets and squares by the neighbourhood associations. But popular culture is also very important and exists in various forms, including huge festive images of giants, castles building human castles and demons. Sants has numerous associations and organisations that promote these activities. And, as with any festival display, there is no shortage of dancing, sumptuous communal meals, Cuban songs from Havana, children’s workshops and street fairs, to name but a few.

We hope you enjoy this Fiesta Mayor!

Barcelona, world capital of architecture in 2026

The International Union of Architects (UIA) has decided that Barcelona will become the UIA-Unesco World Capital of Architecture in 2026. The city was already the capital of this event in 1996.

The Catalan city outperformed Beijing by 147 votes to 129. The decision was made in Rio de Janeiro, which currently holds the title of World Capital of Architecture. Rio de Janeiro will retain this title until 2023, when Copenhagen will hand it over. The Danish capital will pass the title to Barcelona in 2026.

The architecture, the landscape and the urban planning of the city of Barcelona will make the city a world architectural reference.

Throughout the year, cultural events on architecture and town planning are organised in the Catalan capital to convey to citizens the importance of these fields.

These events will strengthen the city’s role as a centre of production and also of thought in contemporary architecture and urban design. The city will also deepen its ability to improve the lives of its citizens.

The relationship between the city and the city’s arhitecture is recognised worldwide and allows us to think about a viable and sustainable future.

We hope to see you in 2026 to make the most of the city of Barcelona with events that will blow your mind!

GRACIA DISTRICT FESTIVAL

Today in the blog we are going to talk about the famous Gràcia festival, more precisely called Fiesta Major de Gràcia, which is a free festival that takes place in the streets of the district every year in August. This year, the festival takes place from Sunday 15 August to Friday 21 August 2021. This festival is open to the public, so it is not necessary to buy a ticket. You can go at any time to enjoy this wonderful moment with your loved ones. This festival is very well known throughout Barcelona, especially among children, as there are countless activities in which they can get involved while enjoying themselves and having fun.

Street in the Gracia district during the annual festival

During this week, the streets of this very bohemian and relaxed neighbourhood come alive with numerous shows and concerts. The concept of this vibrant festival is that the streets of Gràcia must compete to win the prize for the best decorated street. This is why you can see streets full of festivities and flamboyant, sparkling decorations that will blow your mind!

street decorating gracia during the festival

The Gràcia district takes rivalry very seriously as the standards are very high. There is a different theme for each street and any subject can be represented, which gives us a colourful and very diversified show. Take a walk through the streets of Gràcia and you will be amazed by the canvases of colourful decoration that are above you and the creativity and originality that each street demonstrates.

The district also offers numerous events such as giant processions, devil dances and a large fireworks display.

processions of giants during the festival de gracia in barcelona

In order to inform you in advance about the different performances that the Gràcia Festival offers, here is the link to the official website of the festival with all the programmes that this wonderful week has in store for you: https://www.festamajordegracia.cat/

We hope you will be able to come and enjoy this unique and magical moment with your family and friends!

Discovering the works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner

If you are asked to name an architect from Barcelona, you will undoubtedly think of Antoni Gaudi. Probably less known internationally, Lluís Domènech i Montaner is a Catalan architect known for his numerous modernist buildings in the city.

In this article we will introduce you to his different works that you probably don’t even know are his.

Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau – Arts i Cultura

The Hospital de Santa Creu is one of the most beautiful examples of civil and Catalan Gothic architecture.

A former gothic monastery built in 1401 and then rehabilitated as a hospital between 1905 and 1930 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Today it is a museum that allows you to travel through the history of Barcelona’s medicine and the history of one of the oldest health institutions in Europe. You can also walk through the tunnels that connect the different buildings underground and visit the most representative heritage spaces of the Administration Pavilion.

Palau de la Música Catalana – Consell Any Turisme Cultural

It took less than 3 years, from 1905 to 1908, for Barcelona to build one of its most impressive buildings: the Palau de la Música Catalana.

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Palau de la Música is an artistic monument and a musical stage of international prestige.

Its construction, driven by a popular choral society, was entrusted to Domènech i Montaner. Together with a group of collaborators, including the famous Eusebio Arnau, Lluís Bru and Miquel Bla, he designed an innovative metal structure in a modernist style that allowed the use of materials such as stained glass walls, giving the building a greenhouse style. He innovates with the use of curtain walls and uses a wide variety of artistic techniques such as sculpture, mosaics, stained glass and ironwork.

Casa Fuster – Premium

Considered one of the most expensive buildings in the city, Casa Foster was built between 1908 and 1911 in collaboration with his father. Adopting a certain neo-gothic and modernist air, the beauty of the building comes from the use of expensive noble materials, such as white marble, glass or slate.

Domènech i Montaner’s work can be seen in the characteristic columns with a pinkish base, the three-lobed windows, the classic modernist floral decoration and the combination of curves and straight lines.

Classified in 1997 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now transformed into a luxury hotel, the Casa Fuster has the good fortune to have Woody Allen as a regular guest, who chose the hotel in 2007 to direct some scenes from his award-winning film “Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona”.

Casa Navàs – Ciutat i Vila ami Caràcter

Built between 1901 and 1907, one of the most outstanding features of Casa Navàs is its magnificent interior decoration, which has remained practically intact thanks to the care of its owners: the ceramics, mosaics, graffiti, stonework and stained glass windows are excellent examples of the decorative arts of Modernism.

Fundació Tàpies – Consell Any Turisme Cultural

The main objective was to promote the study and knowledge of modern and contemporary art, for these reasons was founded in 1984 the Antoni Tapies Foundation, which today is a museum and cultural center mainly dedicated to the life and work of the Catalan painter Antoni Tàpies.

Built between 1881 and 1885 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, its facade was the first in the Eixample to combine bare brick with wrought iron, following an Arabic architectural influence.

Today the Foundation has one of the most complete collections of Tàpies’ artworks, and also presents a wide range of exhibitions of other contemporary artists.

Now you will be able to talk about Barcelona’s architects without the discussion necessarily being about Antoni Gaudí!

Visit Barcelona in 3 days

You’ve decided to give yourself a few days off and have booked your flight to the Catalan capital but once you’re there you’re in trouble! You only have a few days to visit the big city and you don’t know where to start, don’t panic, we have prepared a guide to visit Barcelona in 3 days.

Day 1 – The historical center

The Holy Cross Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter

What better way to start than in one of Barcelona’s most emblematic neighborhoods? The Barrio Gòtico is what you might call the city’s historic center. A medieval district, you can discover the Sant Jaume square, the Plaça del Rei, the Barcelona History Museum, the Plaça Nova, the Plaça del Pi and above all the Holy Cross Cathedral, considered one of the city’s most important monuments. Don’t just admire it from the outside, the 7€ entrance fee is worth it, cloister, choir, chapels, you won’t know where to look

Walk on the Rambla

The Rambla is a must-see avenue in Barcelona and is a must during your stay. It is the busiest pedestrian avenue and connects the port of Barcelona to the Plaça Catalunya for approximately 2km. Going down to the port you will be able to observe the Grand Theatre of the Liceu, the mosaic of Joan Miro, the Plaça Reial and the Güell Palace.

The Boqueria market

Also located on the Rambla you will find the Boqueria market. The oldest market in Barcelona, you can’t miss its entrance marked by a large portal in the Art Nouveau style.

Casa Batlló and Casa Mila

Both symbols of Barcelona, we owe these creations to the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Located on the Passeig de Gracia, it takes about 20 minutes to walk from the market. Both registered in the world heritage of the UNESCO, the Casa Batlló can also be known as Casa del Ossos due to its balconies in the shape of skull and the Casa Mila under the name of La Pedrera in reference to the cliffs from which Gaudi would have been inspired. Our article will introduce you to these two essential works in more detail.

Day 2 – Gràcia

Güell Park

Built between 1900 and 1914, the Güell Park was built to house gardens and about 60 houses, but due to a lack of budget, only 4 houses were built. Divided in 2 parts (one paying and the other free) it is in the paying zone that you will be able to admire the wavy bench and the mosaic salamander. Don’t hesitate to go up to the Mirador de Virolai, which will offer you a panoramic view of the most beautiful places in Barcelona.

The Bunkers del Carmel

Let’s continue with another point of view which are the Bunkers del Carmel. Located on the Turo de la Riviera on an old anti-aircraft base, they offer a 360° view of the city. From the Parc Güell it is a 20-minute walk, but you can also get there by bus.

The Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau

Our path continues towards the Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau. Formerly a public hospital, it now hosts exhibitions. A visit to the different buildings that trace the history of the place is possible but if you are in a hurry you can just observe its architecture from the outside.

The Sagrada Familia

A must-see is the Sagrada Familia. Major work of Gaudi, this basilica is classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO and is the most visited monument in Spain. Although it will not be completed until 2026, it is well worth the visit from the inside, let yourself be enchanted by the colors of the stained glass windows and the spectacular architecture of the interior.

The El Born neighborhood

To finish this day nothing better than a walk in the El Born neighborhood. Together with the Barrio Gotico it forms the old town of Barcelona, old stores, tapas bars, gothic churches, Picasso museum, Music Palace, you will not lack things to see. Don’t forget the Citadel Park and the Arc de Triomphe in this neighborhood.

Day 3 – Montjuïc Hill

Plaça Espanya

To begin this last day of visit we give you an appointment on the Plaça d’Espanya. Built in 1929 for the Universal Exhibition according to the plans of the architect Puig y Cadafalch, this square is recognizable by its large sculpture installed in the center of the huge traffic circle. Around the square you can also find Las Arenas, an old bullring transformed into a shopping center, on its roof you can enjoy a breathtaking view.

The MNAC

The National Art Museum of Catalonia is located in front of the Plaça d’Espanya, passing by the Magic Fountain. Housed in a palace, it is one of the most interesting museums in Barcelona and one of the largest in Spain. It houses the richest collection of Romanesque art in the world!

Montjuic Park

The green lung of the city, take the Montjuic cable car to get there. The park is home to green spaces and gardens as well as museums such as the Olympic Museum and the Joan Miro Foundation. A good opportunity to enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the city, visit the botanical gardens, museums and historical monuments.

The Olympic facilities

In order to host the 1992 Olympic Games, many sports facilities had to be created, which you can visit today on Montjuic hill. You can see the Olympic stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Calatrava Earth, the Sports Palace of Barcelona and the Pavilion of Industrial Spain.

The Castle of Montjuic

In the park of Montjuic you can also find the Castle. Built in 1640 to protect the city from Catalan rebels, Montjuic Castle was later converted into a prison and then a military museum in 1960. The visit, which will cost you 5€, will allow you to walk around the ramparts, visit the military museum and admire the magnificent panorama of the Barcelona coastline.

The Magic Fountain

To close these 3 days in Barcelona we suggest you return to the Plaça Espanya to enjoy tapas before enjoying the show at the Magic Fountain. Located between the MNAC and the square, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic welcomes the public every evening from Wednesday to Sunday (from 8pm from November to March, and from 9pm from April to October) with light shows on a musical background.

Now you know how to visit Barcelona in 3 days! Visiting the city by bike can also be rewarding, especially since we offer guided tours with local guides. Choose the Gothic to Modernism Bike Tour if you want to visit the points of the first day or the Montjuic Bike Tour to discover the last day itinerary by bike.

This summer do not get bored with the museums of Barcelona

Concerts, poetry, cinema and guided tours, among the multitude of scheduled activities.

For some time now, many museums have been organizing activities that go beyond the usual exhibitions. The summer that is now beginning is a good example of this desire of museums to be not only a place to go to observe historical or valuable objects or where to acquire knowledge from static pieces, but also to be cultural dynamizers from very diverse activities and a meeting point for citizens. From the end of June to the end of September, the museum spaces of the city of Barcelona, both municipal and consortium and also many private, mount dozens of proposals ranging from film screenings to concerts and poetry recitals, as well as courses and workshops, guided tours and dynamic, open days, and even games of clues and trivia. There will be something for everyone and for all age groups.

projection of a movie in the Park Güell of Barcelona

Some of the summer activities of the museums, moreover, have two singularities compared to most of those organized by these facilities in the other seasons: there are many more in outdoor spaces, and in the afternoon-evening time slot. Among the multitude of proposals that you will find, we mention for example the free express tours organized by El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, the outdoor film series of the Museum of History of Barcelona (MUHBA) to be held in a unique space such as Park Güell and will be called Portraying Barcelona on the threshold of the XXI century, or the itineraries by sea of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona (MMB), one aboard a traditional sailboat and another with the historic pailebote Santa Eulàlia. Precisely the MMB starts this summer a virtual escape room entitled Mar adentro… guardas del tiempo, and, with three other spaces, the Botanical Garden of Barcelona, the Museu d’Arqueología de Catalunya and the Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona, organizes the fifth edition of the cultural trivia team Museum Quiz Summer Tour, a free activity with prior registration inspired by the pub quiz, a question and answer contest played in the pubs of Great Britain.

Music will be very present in the summer program of the museums, and, in addition, you can see and hear concerts in charming places. The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes, the Palau Güell, Casa Vicens, the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Montjuïc Castle and the Museum of the History of Catalonia are some of the emblematic places that will host these shows. On the other hand, there are those that make summer casals related to the theme in which they are specialized, as is the case of the Egyptian Museum or the Design Museum of Barcelona, while the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món offers the casals combined visits with workshops. There are spaces that will live a particularly intense month of July, such as the Arts Santa Monica, scene of the international festival of contemporary art and charity Kronos Art Barcelona and the emerging photography festival Art Photo Bcn.

Check all the details of the activities on the websites of the respective museums and cultural facilities, and also on the websites of the Institute of Culture of Barcelona.

You can also spend the summer with our bike tours and enjoy several of the museums presented.

The Copenhagenize Index

The Copenhagenize Index is the most comprehensive and holistic ranking of cycling cities on Earth. Being a biennial index since 2011 for its 5th edition (in 2019) it has been months of research and work. Creating an inventory of urban cycling around the world is not an easy task.

Why did this index was created?

In early 2011 a discussion started at Copenhagenize Design Co. about which cities are really the best for urban cycling. Working with a large number of cities to help them improve, it was necessary to be able to offer them an international reference.

Initially for internal company use, they soon realized that it was probably useful to make it public but only the Top 20.

How is it calculated?

The Copenhagenize Index awards points to cities for their efforts to re-establish cycling as a feasible, accepted and practical mode of transportation.

Scorecard and parameters

Cityscape parameters (0-4 points)

1. Cycling infrastructure

2. Cycling facilities

3. Traffic calming

Cultural parameters (0-4 points)

4. Gender repair

5. Bicycle modal share

6. Increase in modal share over the past 10 years

7. Safety indicators

8. Image of the bicycle

9. Transport bikes

Ambition parameters (0-4 points)

10. Advocacy

11. Policy

12. Bike sharing

13. Urbanism

If you want more details on all the parameters, please visit their explanatory page.

How to read it?

this picture shows how to read the index

The index of 2019

The last one was published in 2019 and we hope to see the new edition very soon and why not a rise of Barcelona in the ranking.

The history of the bicycle

It is very difficult to tell the history of the bicycle, from one person to another the inventor can be different according to the definition we have of a bicycle.

So as not to confuse you, we have selected 5 key dates that retrace the history of the bicycle and in addition, a small video showing the evolution over time.

1817 – It all started without pedals

The ancestor of the bicycle is the dandy horse, invented by the German Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn in 1817. It is a wooden vehicle with very little steel, two wheels in a row and a handlebar for steering. To move forward, you have to push yourself with your feet on the ground. Conceived in 1817, the invention was patented in 1818.

dandy horse invented by Karl Drais von Sauerbronn in 1817

1860’s decade – Pedals on the front wheel

In the 1860’s in Paris, the first pedal velocipedes were marketed by Sargent, Michaux and Vincent. Pierre Michaux, a locksmith, is said to have invented the pedal velocipede when a hatter brought him a draisienne with a faulty front wheel for repair. One of his sons would have tried it and would have complained about the inconvenience of keeping his legs up once the vehicle was launched. Pierre Michaux would then have imagined footrests positioned on the wheel which allows to turn the hub of the wheel.

first pedal velocipede created by Pierre Michaux in the 1860's decade

Decade of 1870 – Invention of the penny-farthing

The pedals being fixed on both sides of the front wheel hub, it was necessary to increase the size of the front wheel in order to give more impulse to the velocipede at each pedal stroke and thus go faster. The size of the rear wheel is reduced, serving only to maintain the balance of the velocipede. The first penny-farthing, Ordinary was born in 1872. It was a huge success with the bourgeoisie in England and France.

1880’s – The modern bicycle

In 1884, the chain was invented by John Kemp Starley. He created, with the Coventry Sewing Machine Company, the bicycle with reasonable-sized wheels and a chain drive. In 1886, Peugeot started marketing these bicycles. Finally, in 1888, John Boyd Dunlop invented the tire and filed a patent. The bicycle became more efficient and more comfortable. In 1891, Edouard Michelin, perfects the tire by imagining the “removable tire”, it is the arrival of the inner tube. The two great names of the tire are still there today.

modern bicycle with a chain, equal wheels size and pedals in the middle

20th century – The bicycle of today

At the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the Second Industrial Revolution, the bicycle became the queen of transportation. The first Tour de France, won by Maurice Garin, is realized in 1903 and meets a real craze and allows to reinforce the popularity of the bicycle.

Finally, it is in the 1930’s that the use of a multi-speed system became widespread. Finally, it was not until the 1950s that the first derailleur appeared. We can now recognize our current bikes!

The first bike lane, with a pick and shovel

Today Barcelona has exactly 240 kilometers of bike lanes in the city. But do you know when the first bike lane in Barcelona was built?

It was not the City Council that built it, but the cyclists themselves who demanded the use of this means of transport in the city. Already in 1982 Amics de la Bici created an imaginary bike lane with a ride along the Paseo de Gracia and Provença.

A year later, in 1983 the Gracia Verde collective painted green what would become the first “pirate” bike lane on Passeig de Gràcia and Diputació. Using pick and shovel they lowered the curbs, painted the ground with “bike lane” and the drawing of a bicycle.

After the actions of Amics de la Bici and pressure from other groups in the City Council, that same year the first official bike lane was made on the street of Consell de Cent and Diputació, but it was still very dangerous for cyclists and could only be used on weekends.

Currently, although the number of bike lanes is increasing, several demands are still pending. Lanes not very connected, narrow, deformed lanes, dangerous crossings, Amics de la Bici tries to put forward all these problems. The main demand of Amics de la Bici is the safety of users, fairer regulations and cities for people.

As you can see, the first bike lane is quite recent and like all the others, it is not perfect. To continue to support the city’s cyclists the City Council aims to reach 308 kilometers of bike lanes before the end of its mandate, bike enthusiasts that we are we hope to reach this figure as soon as possible and not stop at those 308 kilometers.

5 reasons to visit Barcelona

We all know that Barcelona is a magical city and that without a doubt, you have to visit it, if you are still hesitating whether to come or not, today we present you 5 reasons why you should visit Barcelona.

Places of interest

If we had to list the 10 most characteristic things you can not miss during your visit to Barcelona. Without a doubt we would choose the following places. We would start the visit by the famous Sagrada Familia, one of the most characteristic works of Gaudi and that today is still under construction. We would continue the tour visiting La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, two emblems of the city that we are sure will surprise you. In the neighborhood of Gracia, and very close to the Batlló house, we will visit the Casa de Vicens, another work of art by Gaudí. A house of Moorish influence.

Other icons of the city are the Tibidabo, the Montjuic Castle and, of course, the Parc Guell. 3 places you should not miss thanks to their historical importance, the last two, and the Tibidabo to contemplate breathtaking views of the city.

Finally, we want to recommend 3 museums that we love such as the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Activity for the whole family

There is no better way to explore the city, and enjoy some time with family or friends, than by bike. Born Bike Barcelona offers cultural guided tours, private tours and bike rentals. Everything for you to enjoy Barcelona on wheels, and without having to worry about public transport.

4 guided tours to explore the port area and the Mediterranean coast, enjoy a tour of Montjuic, the oldest Barcelona or even the tapas tour. The best tours for you to discover first hand everything that a city like Barcelona has prepared for you.

Gastronomy

Of course, visiting Barcelona and not eating anything typical of the area should be a sin. During your visit to Barcelona, as you explore all its corners, taste typical dishes such as pa amb tomata, the most traditional dish that serves as both breakfast and tapa. Another of the star dishes and even celebrated abroad are the calcots. Onions cooked on the grill and then eaten with a romesco sauce.

Other classics such as coca catalana, escalivada, butiffara with mongetes or roast chicken a la catalana, can not miss on your menu. Or the star dish of every December 26th, the cannelloni. Made with all the leftovers from the previous days.

Finally, and for the sweetest palates, savor sweets such as panellets, crema catalana, xuixos or buñuelos de cuaresma.

Supporting local commerce

Due to the current situation, another reason why we want to encourage national tourism and your visit to Barcelona is to support local commerce, which is suffering so much from the consequences of the coronavirus.

That is why we recommend that you sit on the terrace of your neighborhood bar, establishments dedicated to tourism or small family-run lodgings. Another tip we want to share with you is to share your experience with family, friends and even social networks and platforms such as tripadvisor. All these recommendations help future users to get a better image of the establishment and, as we all know, are of great importance in the modern times in which we live.

Finally, we suggest that you make reservations. By making these reservations, you are helping the establishment to manage its resources in a better way and this translates into less waiting time for its users. However, there are many establishments that have this reservation system, such as bars, adventure activities, tours and even parking lots. If this is your case, we want to remind you that you can compare and book your parking space at the airport of El Prat, Barajas or whatever your airport of departure is with Vuelapar. With this platform, you will be able to compare and book your parking space saving time and money.

Weather

In Barcelona you will enjoy an enviable climate. Winters are characterized by being mild, and usually does not fall below 8 degrees and with an average of 4 days of rain per month. And on the other hand, summers are warm but without reaching extreme temperatures. With minimum temperatures of 20 degrees and maximum temperatures of 29 degrees, with an average of 2 days of rain per month. The autumn and spring months are also characterized by being very mild and with pleasant temperatures. In conclusion, a perfect climate so you do not have to worry and enjoy your visit to Barcelona to the fullest.

Riding a bike makes you happy

We’re not kidding, and we’re not just saying that because you’re passionate about cycling. Cycling allows our body the production of endorphins, the more scientific will already know what it is, but if you do not know endorphins are also known as the hormone of happiness.

What are endorphins?

As we have already told you, endorphins are the hormone of happiness, but from a more scientific point of view they can be defined as a neuropeptide whose function is to stimulate the areas of the brain that produce the sensation of pleasure.

As a natural drug, endorphins are classified as endogenous opiates due to their chemical composition and their effects are similar to those produced by opium derivatives.

Why do we produce endorphins?

Cycling training can have as side effects muscle inflammation, fatigue and stress, with the endorphins produced you can counteract these negative feelings and provide a sense of wellbeing.

Endorphins as an anxiolytic

Pedal for 20 minutes at 70% of your maximum heart rate and the secretion of endorphins will reduce negative emotions such as stress. The effects generated will last up to 6 hours afterwards.

Endorphins as an analgesic

It is normal to feel better after a cycling session, even if you were in pain before. Endorphins also act as an analgesic. Muscle and tendon pain will be reduced for 4 hours.

Endorphins as anti-fatigue

They allow the reduction of exhaustion by slowing down the cardiac and respiratory rhythms.

this picture is a foto of a violet bike in front of the beach, it was taken in the Llobregat River mouth

Endorphins are not the only benefits of cycling, in this article we present you the different benefits of cycling.

Do you want to get a shoot of endorphins?

Don’t hesitate to book your tour with our guides or simply rent our bikes for the time you want.

International Museum Day

Every year since 1977, ICOM organizes the International Museum Day on May 18th. The aim of this day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important medium for cultural exchange and the enrichment of cultures.

After a year of pandemic that has affected us all, especially the world of culture, with serious economic, social and psychological repercussions, for this edition we could not find a better theme than “The future of museums: recovering and reimagining”.

ICOM poster on the occasion of the International Day of Museums on May 18, 2021

In Barcelona, the Night of the Museums of Barcelona is already organized on May 15. European initiative since 2005, during this night from 07:00PM until 01:00AM different museums, centers and cultural spaces attached to the event will offer free access to their local.

More than 70 museums will open their doors for you to come and recover what the pandemic took from us. Museums such as La Pedrera, the Picasso Museum, the Palacio Güell, etc. Visit the official website for more information about the museums participating in this event.

With the Montjuïc Bike Tour we organize you can visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia but to fully enjoy this event nothing better than renting a bike and visit each museum or center as you wish.

Don’t forget, on May 15th the Night of the Museums in Barcelona and on May 18th the International Museums Day!

The RACC’s study scared us…

RACC carried out a study on cycling in Barcelona in 2020 and we cannot say that the results are very positive.

The most worrying thing is the fact that 38% of bicycle users in Barcelona admit not knowing the traffic regulations. However, 87% of cyclists consider that they circulate correctly.

Faced with these figures, the president of the RACC, Josep Mateu, has demanded a “minimum of training” ending what could be a licence. Of the surveys conducted, 76% are those that would be “in agreement” or “very in agreement”.

On the other hand, this survey highlights the figure that 24% of users recognize using the mobile while riding a bike, and 36% wear headphones and in the case of those under 20 years are 55%.

It is also noted that 56% of cyclists wear helmets despite the fact that it is not mandatory and that they grow from 55% to 60% who feel vulnerable to driving.

In the light of the report’s findings, RACC has made a number of recommendations in addition to increasing training. These include growing the bicycle road network and improving its quality and signage, establishing mandatory liability insurance to cover accidents or boosting the use of bike registration to minimize the risk of theft.

But you can also visit our article on how to go safely by bike, we present you the main signs you should know to go safely

Ride a bike safely

Restrictions on the use of the car in the city center, economic savings, more important rental offers, etc. There are several reasons why more and more people are choosing to use bicycles as a means of transport.

According to la Vanguardia, in Barcelona 99% of the population has a bicycle network within 150 meters of their homes, and 89% has a bicycle lane within 300 meters. But are cyclists aware of the traffic regulations that affect them?

this picture shows the blue bicycles that we have in Born Bike Tours Barcelona

Following, we will present you the main bicycle traffic signals that not only the bikers have to know but also the cycle users, the motors users and the pedestrians.

Main bicycle traffic signals

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Bicycle forbidden: entry or access to all types of bicycles is forbidden.

this picture shows the cycle lane or lane reserved for bicycles' signal

Cycle lane or lane reserved for bicycles: obliges bicycles drivers to ride in the lane reserved exclusively for cycles and cancels the previous signal.

this picture shows the end of lane reserved for cycles or cycling lane's signal

End of lane reserved for cycles or cycling lane: indicates the end of a lane reserved exclusively for cycles and cancels the previous signal.

this picture shows the cycle path's signal

Cycle path: indicates the existence of a path for pedestrians and cycles, separated from motorized traffic and normally running through open spaces such as gardens or parks.

this picture shows the destination sign for a bicycle lane or cycle path's signal

Destination sign for a bicycle lane or cycle path: indicates the way to a bicycle lane.

this picture shows the cycle lane or cycle lane attached to the roadway's signal

Cycle lane or cycle lane attached to the roadway: indicates that the lane on which the cycle lane sign is located can only be used by cycles. The arrows indicate the number of lanes on the road and the direction of traffic.

2. Bicycle road markings

this picture shows the cycle lane marking

Cycle lane marking: this is a marking consisting of two discontinuous and parallel transverse lines on the roadway indicating a lane where cyclists have the right of way.

Cycle lane marking: this image on the roadway indicates a cycle lane or cycle path.

Now yes! Take care of the traffic signals that you can see and bike safely in Barcelona or where you want.

Tour in the botanical garden

A bike tour on the botanical garden

Ideal for the weekend plan!

The botanical garden is located on the mountain of Montjuïc, between the castle and the company of Olímpic Lluís.

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It has 14 hectares of surface and its shape recalls that of a large amphitheater. It retains the collections of Mediterranean plants around the world and offers a magnificent view of the Delta del Llobregat, the Olympic Ring and part of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area.

In the botanical garden you will find a large collection of plants, you will focus on the plants of the Mediterranean regions of the world, it is a vegetation linked to the Mediterranean climate that is characterized by a long summer, of mild winters and rains in spring and autumn.

The paths allow us to access the area of the region, from the Canary Islands at the entrance and rises to the west Mediterranean recognizable by the Botanical Institute, which stands out.

From the Northern Hemisphere, the region with a greater representation is the Mediterranean basin, following the way of a visit welcomed to the Californian coast of the Mediterranean climate.

Then there are the Mediterranean regions of the southern hemisphere where the Mediterranean region of Chile, South Africa and the two Mediterranean regions of South Australia are visited.

Are you ready for a bike tour and enjoy a day of plants?

We are committed to cycling

Passionate about outdoor activities, sports and bicycles, we have united to ride and enjoy Barcelona fun, healthy and different. The bike is also an alternative solution to circumvent the city and the most efficient means of transport in terms of energy. It is the most practical, healthy and durable: it does not produce smoke, does not make noise, it does not consume energy and helps to recover the streets, the spaces of coexistence of citizens.

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The bike has many advantages and here are five of them:

1. Increased safety: The bike is a safe transportation that helps reduce the number of car accidents through variation in speed. However, we must not forget to circulate with caution and pay attention to other users of the road.

2. Better mobility: Did you know that the bike is faster than the car over short and medium urban distances? In the city center with all the prohibited senses and pedestrian spaces, the bike is the fastest transport.

3. Take care of the environment: Cycling is a key factor in reducing environmental contamination levels.

4. Greater pleasure: a cyclist occupies five times less space than a motorist, whether he is stopped as if he moves. These data have very deep implications in the well-being of residents, who can enjoy more peaceful, quieter and safe spaces.

5. Healthier: Cycling is one of the most beneficial exercises for health because large muscle groups are mobilized during the effort. If it is practiced regularly, it allows to keep in shape. In addition, it helps prevent coronary heart disease, hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes.

To book a tour or rent a bike nothing simpler, contact us
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
Carrer de la Brandsa n ° 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters from Barceloneta metro station L (4) Yellow
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com.
🔹www.bornbikebikebarcelona.com.
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Sunsets on bicycle

Barcelona is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Spain, with almost 200 kilometers of bike lanes, used both for those who use the bike as a means of daily transportation or for those who are just walking around the city, getting to know it and discovering its streets.

In Born Bike Tours Barcelona we propose a tour of the beach and the Barcelona neighborhood. Where you will find a complete tour, passing through the following points:

Christopher Columbus Monument
Drassanes
Port Vell
Palau del Mar
Barceloneta neighborhood
Olympic Port
Forum of Cultures
Parc Diagonal Mar
Poblenou neighborhood
Olympic Village (Olympic Games 1992)
Ciutadella Park

The tour runs almost entirely on peaceful roads without traffic, bike lanes and zones 30, very safe for all ages.

We accompany you with experienced guides who know the city and its history. In the course of the tour we will make several stops to liste, contemplate and enjoy each point and where you can take your pictures and your memories of the tour.

Live Barcelona on wheels!

Barcelona and photography

Many of the people who live in Barcelona are passionate about photography, but many tourists are too. We invite you to experience a photographic exhibition of the city where you will find all the magic that Barcelona hides.

Seventy photographs taken by women that explore the links between the history of the city and the images that women photographers have built.

The exhibition, which includes seventy images distributed chronologically, is a unique opportunity to vindicate the role that women have played in the history of photography in our city. Because, although the historical narrative has left them in the background, without them, without the photographers, it is impossible to know the real Barcelona.

The exhibition makes visible the line of continuity of the photographic practice of those women who placed the city at the center of their creative works, in a period ranging from the thirties to the early nineties.

You can visit this exhibition focused on women, photography and the city until June 6, 2021. In the Plaça Comercial, al savant d’El Born CCM (Plaça Comercial, 12 – Ciutat Vella – Barcelona)

Benefits of cycling

This is not a novelty that we are fanatics of bicycles. Go walking, take the air, see the city that surrounds us, the landscape, the sea. Mounted on the bike everything seems to have another perspective, we want to tell you the benefits it gives you a walk or to do Bike sport.

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1. A good way to exercise: the bike is a good exercise to work almost all our body and not just the legs. A bike ride makes us do cardio-cardio exercise and strength, especially legs, abdomen, back and arms.

2. Help our posture: Walk or pedal helps improve our posture. People passionate about yoga can go to their bike class. Adopt a sport routine!

3. A transport on time and available immediately: between bottling, pedestrians Parking, everything becomes a chaos and more if you go to the center of Barcelona, which is why the bike is a great allies that facilitates your daily life .

4. Take care of the environment and your leaflet: a car and public transport generate an additional expense per month. You simply move by bike: fast and good for health.

5. A much faster brain: The bike improves the functioning of your brain, influencing cognitive function, mental health and well-being, as has confirmed a study by the University of Oxford. The study, led by Dr. Leyland, investigated the impact of outdoor pedaling. The parameters, the cognitive function and the well-being, were measured before and after the period of use (for 8 weeks, at least three times a week and at least 30 minutes per session) and it was observed that not only The physical impact of cycling improves, but at the level of mental activity, the benefits are more important.

6. Sleeping more, the dream of all: exercise Every day helps to reconcile with sleep, about 20 to 30 minutes of pedal will help you better rest and eliminate the stress of everyday life.

7. Eternal Youth: The increase in blood circulation caused by the pedaling exercise transports the oxygen and nutrients required to epithelial cells more efficiently while eliminating toxins or other waste. Moderate exercise helps to optimize collagen production, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and accelerate the healing process.

8. Take care of your joints: the bike is a less risky sport than run for our joints, and the result is very similar.

9. Improve your performance in any type of sport: many athletes use cycling as a support sport to improve their muscle or respiratory performance. Objective 30 days of bike and see the difference!

10. And finally, the best advantage of cycling is that it will make you happy: Try it because it really works. Stroll, pedal, admire nature, city, beach, beaches, you will see how it changes ideas.

Do you already have your bike ready to travel Barcelona?

To reserve the Tour or rent a bike nothing simpler, contact us
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa No. 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters from Barceloneta metro station L (4) Yellow
✉️Info@bornbikebarcelona.com.
🔹www.bornbikebikebarcelona.com.
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Barcelona on your mobile

When we went on vacation, we have all the information on our mobile phones: tickets, maps, recommendations, schedules and addresses. We will present the applications that you can download today so as not to miss anything in Barcelona.

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Barcelona A Butxaca is a mobile application of the Barcelona Municipal Council that offers information, services on culture. And in one click, you can store in a virtual bag all favorite acts or equipment. This allows you to have a quick access to everything.

Tibidabo is an application from the Tibidabo amusement park that allows you to experience many experiences and stay up to date with all the novelties of the park. A range of activities await you in Tibidabo! Check out all shows and entertainment scheduled per day and do not miss anything!

Zoo Barcelona is an application of the Barcelona Zoo allows visitors to know their location in the GPS enclosure.

Puntos de Interés de Barcelona: it is a complete application where you can discover the city and its neighborhoods, you can visit the natural and urban areas, museums and study centers and research and locate on the map of the city.

Literapoli BCN is a game that encourages reading and knowledge of the city. In which each player must locate various geographical points of the city where the action of a book takes place. Once it is geolocated at each location and after solving a test, each player is rewarded with new information and can continue to play.

Do not miss anything about Barcelona with these applications for your mobile.

If you want to know more about the history of Barcelona, follow our social links.
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa No. 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters from Barceloneta metro station L (4) Yellow
✉️Info@bornbikebarcelona.com.
🔹www.bornbikebikebarcelona.com.
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Tours of the Tamarita Gardens

The Tamarita gardens belonged to a two-hectare finca of the Craywinckel family, a Belgian aristocratic family that was created in Barcelona in the 18th century. And who at the beginning of the twentieth century was acquired by the entrepreneur Alfredo Mata. There, he built a house surrounded by gardens, whose conception is considered one of the first works of the architect and landscaping Nicolau M. Rubió I Tudurí, who has kept forms and provisions. original.

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The gardens are divided into two different areas, one of the most classicism and another one that benefits from the passage of the torrent of the White Fraine to offer a more spontaneous view.

The gardens are full of decorative elements that reinforce their origins of domestic gardens, small ponds with fountain jets, terracotta figures, stone glasses, marble and ceramics converted into fountains, shers ornamental.

When you visit, when you enter, you will see a small pond surrounded by climbing plants. The whole hides one of the garden pavilions which now has social use as headquarters of the neighborhood association and a service building.

In the most classic garden, you will find a parterre (official garden design) of French origin. We find boards and roses, replanted to recover the original appearance of the garden in its last rehabilitation. Then there is a space that makes plazoleta features with an oval source, the place of the four continents, a nymph with the waterfall of the Gruta fountain and the meadow that leads us to the wild part of the garden.

The Tamaite gardens are perfect if you want to visit and admire the different varieties of shapes, statues and flowers.

House of the Punxes

The house of the Punxes stand out among the buildings that were created during the golden age of Barcelona, with Gothic inspiration and created in the modernist era of the early twentieth century, the work of architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, this house was built at the request of Bartomeu Terradas Brutau for each of his three daughters, Angela, Josefa and Rosa, receiving the name Casa de los Punxes by the needles that crown the six towers that crown the building.

The architect’s intention was that structurally it would look like a single architectural ensemble, but also included features characteristic of each of the owners, a fact that indicated to which of the daughters the house belonged, as can be seen on the facade of the corner that belongs to number 420 of the Diagonal, there is an interesting sculptural panel in which an angel is represented, a figure that alludes to the sister Ángela Terradas. The preparatory drawing made by Monserdà is in the archives of the Royal Catalan Academy of Fine Arts of Sant Jordi in Barcelona. Other decorative details that refer us to this property are found in the anagrams that, distributed as if they were a border, repeat the letters ATB, in reference to Ángela Terradas Brutau.

Josefa’s property went from Diagonal to Rosselló street, in whose back front we can find another ceramic panel drawn by Monserdà himself, where St. George is represented killing the dragon and we can read: “Patron Saint of Catalonia give us back our freedom”.

Right in the frame of this panel, in a strategic situation for the meaning that the figure of ST. George could represent, we find a familiar face sculpted. The male figure, with round glasses, large receding hairline and full lips, represents the great author of the project, the architect Josep Puig I Cadafalch.

On the facades of Bruc street, we find two more ceramic panels. One depicts a vase full of roses, with the initials RTB, and the other, the figure of a girl surrounded by roses. This property belonged to the sister Rosa Terradas Brutau.

Visiting Park Güell

For those who still do not know the Park Güell, located in the foothills of the Collserola mountain range. The park was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, commissioned by the businessman Eusebi Güell. Built between 1900 and 1914, it was inaugurated as a public park in 1926.

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Park Güell is a reflection of Gaudí’s artistic fullness: it belongs to his naturalistic stage, a period in which the architect perfected his personal style, through inspiration in the organic forms of nature, for which he put into practice a whole series of new structural solutions originated in his deep analysis of the ruled geometry, there you will be able to see.

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The Dragon Staircase, when you stand in front of it you will find a staircase that is organized in three sections, the one on the right served as a refuge or waiting space and is supported by a magnificent central column of conical shape, on the other hand Halfway up the staircase is the coat of arms of Catalonia and higher up is the dragon – or salamander – covered in trencadís, which has become the most popular image in the park.

The Pórtico de la Lavander, on the east side of the Greek Theater square, there is an original iron gate that leads to where the gardens of the Casa Larrard were, the old stately farmhouse that Güell adopted as his own house and that since 1931 is a college.

The Greek Theater or Plaza de la Naturaleza: in the middle of Park Güell is the Plaza de la Naturaleza, formerly known as Greek theater, its original name responded to the fact that it was planned for holding large outdoor shows, which could be seen from the terraces that surround it.

The Hypostyle Hall formed by 86 fluted columns that are inspired by the Doric order. The outermost ones lean, in an undulating movement and openly contrary to the rules of classical composition, while reinforcing the perception of their structural function. The colonnade is crowned by a cornice on which the undulating bench is located. A pipe arranged inside collects the rainwater that leaks from the square to store it in a large underground cistern, which has as a spillway the dragon’s mouth of the staircase.

Recommendation: spend an afternoon exploring the corners of Park Güell and enjoying the nature of Barcelona

Let’s rent a bike and discover !

If you want to know more about Barcelona, follow our social links
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters from metro station Barceloneta L (4) yellow
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Walk through Collserola

The Colserolla park, with more than 8,000 hectares, is an invaluable natural heritage. Its importance lies in the proximity of the urban environment. It is the lung and backbone of biodiversity. It is ultimately the city’s connection to nature.

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Collserola highlights a great diversity of landscapes and incredible views over the city. Its layout, which encompasses the entire northern limit of the city, acts as a border and delimits the city between two great natural elements: the sea, to the south, and the mountain, to the north.

This large longitudinal park represents, for Barcelona, the potential to be, at the same time, a large green space in contact with the urban fabric and the starting point of a whole series of green corridors that connect the city to the sea. visible across Montjuïc, to the west, but which is achievable from Besòs, to the east, and also through the urban center connecting different urban parks. These corridors connect spaces that range from Ciutadella Park and Linear Waterfront Parks to Aigües Park, Guinardó Park, Güell Park and Creueta del Coll Park, among others.

Let’s rent a bike and discover!

Walk in the Labyrinth of Horta

Barcelona is a city characterized by many qualities: history, architecture, nature and cycle paths. Neighborhoods are their own characteristic and the beauty of each different.

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Today let’s talk about the Labyrinth of Horta, a park transformed into a museum garden, which takes an architectural and design journey through the duality between neoclassicism and romanticism.

To get to know the park, you will find a Chinese gate, a vestige of an oriental garden which has now disappeared, and continue through the boxwood garden (Buxus sempervirens), a furtive garden that preserves the spirit of the Italian designer, landscaper and gardener Domenico Bagutti., creator of the park commissioned by Antoni Deszanjas, Marquis de Llupià i Alfarràs. From this garden, born of careful pruning, there are paths leading to the temples of Ariadne and Danae, to the domestic garden and also to the romantic garden, which occupies the entire left flank of the park.

An interesting fact is that Sundays are free, you can enter with family, friends or alone and walk through the different parts of the park.

Modernism and Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that is characterized by its architecture and beauty, since 1984 UNESCO has declared 9 architectural works as world heritage, seven of them by the architect Antoni Gaudí, along with 2 buildings by Lluís Domènech I Montaner.

The first buildings in the Catalan capital that entered the UNESCO list were Park Güell and La Pedrera, both by the architect Antoni Gaudí. The next to enter the list was also the work of Gaudí, the Palau Güell, built in 1889 on behalf of Gaudi’s great patron, Eusebi Güell.

The two great architectural works of the architect Lluís Domènech I Montaner, the Palau de la Música Catalana (1908) and the Hospital de la Santa Creu I de Sant Pau (1930) were declared World Heritage Sites in 1997 and are the only buildings in Barcelona with this classification that are not the work of Gaudí.

The list is closed by the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, the Crypt Colònia Güell and Casa Vicens, which were declared World Heritage in 2005.

Happy Holidays

Born Bike Tours Barcelona wishes you happy holidays!

This year has been a different and special year, but we will not stop celebrating Christmas and wishing you happy holidays.

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We recommend taking a stroll through central Barcelona, where you can see the traditional Nativity scene in Plaça de Sant Jaume, this year focused on family meals and good wishes, or the classic Nativity scene in the Frédéric Marès Museum.

Plaça de Catalunya will once again be the epicenter of the city’s Christmas program for 12 days. Morning and family activities, whether literature, science, plastic arts and sports. Evenings with dance, circus and live music proposals. And you will find the universalism of Charles Dickens with “Life cinema” made in Barcelona.

This year, traditional Christmas fairs are also organized, such as Santa Llúcia, Sagrada Familia or the Fair of the Three Kings on Gran Vía. According to health authorities, these fairs are considered comparable to non-sedentary markets and must meet specific conditions. For example, restrictions on access control, perimeter or capacity limitation.

Historical bicycle tour

Today we will show you one of the most interesting place in Barcelona and what it behinds.

The archeological remains excavated and that can be seen today inside the old Born Market show us the history of Barcelona from medieval times until the beginning of the 18th century, when life in this part of the city was suddenly interrupted by the outcome of the War of Succession.

Not all the remains have the same entity nor have they been preserved in the same way. We must keep in mind that the remains preserved before the 13th century were not part of the urban core of Barcelona, although they were related. On the other hand, from the 13th century, the structures onwards the city, as a consequence of its growth.

Despite being an area far from the city of Barcino, the Born area preserves in its subsoil burial from medieval times.

The first archeological remains documented in areas close to the Born date from the low-Imperial period. In this period an extensive necropolis was located, the main nucleus of which was located in what, some centuries later, would be the subsoil of Santa Maria Del Mar. No burials from this period have been located inside the old market, but in the archeological intervention of the Commercial Square in 1991, fourteen were located.

Give Barcelona on wheels

The holidays are coming and we want to help you make a unique gift at Christmas

Choose one of our bike tours and you will see how your gift will be different and fun.

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From Gothic to Modernism

We will discover the most emblematic works of Modernism: Sagrada Familia, Palau de la Música, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló with Gaudí in front and their unique and genuine geometric shapes. We will pass through Born, a medieval neighborhood, with some of its landmarks such as the Basilica of Santa María del Mar, the Picasso Museum and the Born Market.

Beach tour

We will visit various places such as the Olympic Port, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, dominated by its two towers and the immense golden fish (Frank Gehry) and we will pedal through the different beaches of the city to the Universal Forum of Cultures. On the way back, we will visit the Poblenou neighborhood, the industrial center of the city at the end of the 19th century, where the present and the industrial past coexist with the modernity of the 22 @ technological district. We will continue through the Olympic Village, shelter of the Olympic athletes, finishing the route in the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Walk through Montjuic

the history, the present and the past of the port, the 1929 Exhibition, its palaces, its Magic Fountain and the Olympic Ring.

It runs almost entirely on peaceful roads without traffic, bike lanes and zones 30, very safe for all ages. We accompany you with experienced guides who know the city and its history. During the Tour we will make various stops to listen, contemplate and enjoy each point and where you can take your photographs and your memories of the Tour.

Tapas tours

And finally and with an appetite, we offer a different route, with good taste and very good taste so that you can enjoy a selection of tapas. Designed for those who enjoy food wherever they travel. You will know the history of the typical dishes and you will live a very tasty experience, in which you and your palate will enjoy!

The athletic tower in Barcelona

In our bike tours Barcelona we have climbed the Montjuic mountain where we find the athletic tower built by the architect Santiago Calatrava, between 1989 and 1992, it is one of the best known elements that are part of the so-called Olympic Ring, referring to the whole of facilities that were built and remodeled on the occasion of the Barcelona 92 Olympic Games.

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Its enormous white and curved silhouette, reminiscent of an Olympic torch celebration, can be seen from many points of the city. Its avant-garde design and original shapes have made it a famous element of Montjuïc and a symbol of Barcelona.

The tower is a clear tribute to the modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. Its promoter was the Telefónica company, which is why it is also known as the Telefónica tower.

A curious fact is that, due to its shape, the tower is also designed to act as a sundial, as the shadow of its central spire is projected on the Plaza de Europa, which is next to it.

In addition to its functionality, its futuristic style of sloping lines and modern materials that evokes a moving image has made Torre Calatrava an architectural landmark in Barcelona.

If you want to discover Barcelona on wheels, don’t miss our tours
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
A 50 metros estación metro Barceloneta L (4) amarilla
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Live the Barcelona’s parks

The city of Barcelona is characterized by having large parks, full of nature and very beautiful structural designs, that is why we leave you a list of five parks, where you can enjoy a bike ride through Barcelona and beautiful sunny days in winter.

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Ciutadella Park

Built at the end of the 19th century, it was the first park designed specifically as a public park, and it is a space widely used for all kinds of recreational and cultural activities. It has more than a hundred plant species, with many hundred-year-old trees and interesting sculptures.

-The address so you can visit it is passeig de picasso 21 of the Ciutat Vella district.

Guinardó Park

The Guinardó park has three well differentiated parts: an urban, which becomes the prelude to the great space that this green area occupies, another historical one and, in the highest part, the lush forest vegetation. Its landscaped terraces and pine forests make this place one of the most refreshing and placid green spaces in the city.

-This park is located in the district of Horta-Guinardó.

Botanical Garden

The current Botanical Garden houses the legacy of a long tradition of gardens designed with the aim of studying, maintaining and preserving plant species. A space specialized in showing the biodiversity of the flora of the Mediterranean climate. It allows locating, in the proper geographic context, dozens of species that can be found in all the gardens of the city. They are plants that have adapted perfectly to the temperate climate even though they are typical of other latitudes.

-To visit the botanical garden you should arrive at the Sants-Montjuïc district, carrer Doctor Font i Quer, 2.

Gardens of Mossèn Costa i Llobera

It is one of the most important gardens specialized in cacti and succulents in Europe. Facing the sea, sheltered by the Montjuïc mountain that welcomes them, they are located in a privileged viewpoint and a few minutes from the city center.

-The gardens are located at Ctra Miramar, 38.

Laberint d’Horta Park

The Laberint d’Horta park includes the oldest preserved garden in the city. Born as a neoclassical garden with a touch of Italian physiognomy, it ended up as a romantic garden.

The d’Horta labyrinth is located in the Horta-Guinardó district, in Passeig Castanyers, 1.

Bicycle Rental in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the cities in Spain best prepared for tourism by bicycle, you can visit each point of interest in a safe, healthy and fun way, with its almost 200 kilometers of bike lanes perfectly marked and protected from traffic to guarantee the safety of cyclists who, more and more, use the bike for daily commute.

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Barcelona has two types of bike lanes: the unidirectional, which has a minimum width of one and a half meters, and the bi-directional, with a minimum width of 2.20 meters. They are always segregated from the rest of the vehicles by a 30-centimeter white strip and, in areas with heavy traffic, the separation is reinforced with rubber pieces. Wherever the bike lane intersects with other vehicles, it is painted red. The network is 186.7 kilometers long.

Don’t forget to rent your bike and get to know the best places that Barcelona has prepared for you

If you want to know more about bike rental, you can stop by our store
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters away from the Barceloneta L (4) yellow metro station
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Gaudí’s Barcelona

If there is an architect associated with Barcelona, that is, without a doubt, Antoni Gaudí. His mature works, such as La Pedrera, Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, are internationally known icons that attract thousands of visitors daily. However, in the city there are also several works by this great artist that are not so well known and that often, due to being far from the usual circuits, go unnoticed and make up a little-explored route, but no less spectacular.

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Like the ones we list here:

The Pavilions of Finca Güell
The gate of Finca Miralles
The pavement of Sant Pacià
The Bellesguard Tower
The Vicens House

If you want to know more about the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí you can do a bike tours with us.
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters away from the Barceloneta L (4) yellow metro station
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Walk around the Arch of Triumph by bike

We started a new month and went out to walk the streets of Barcelona in search of new adventures.

Today we will make a tour by bicycle through the Arch of Triumph which was built on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1888, the Arch of Triumph led the way to the main entrance of the fair, in the park of the Ciutadella, which had just opened.

During the last third of the 19th century, the universal expositions were events of enormous social impact, since they allowed everyone to get to know the city that hosted them, as well as the cultural, economic, scientific and industrial potential of each country. In this sense, the Arch of Triumph was not only the access to the Universal Exhibition of 1888, but also the symbolic entry of Barcelone into the modern era.

At the height of the modernist movement in much of Europe, constructions inspired by previous eras were very common: the Neo-Gothic, the Neo-Mudejar in Spain or the Neo-Romanesque were some of the predominant styles.

Following this trend, the architect Josep Vilaseca designed a monument 30 meters high and of classical proportions, but with a very colorful decoration and full of symbolism. Thus, the artists who sculpted the decorative friezes represented, on each of the faces, a theme related to the city: Barcelona welcomes the nations (on the side of Passeig de Sant Joan, work of Josep Reynés), the Distribution of rewards to the participants of the Exhibition (on the side of Passeig de Lluís Comanys, work of Josep Llimona) and the allegories of Industry, Agriculture and Trade, on one side, and of Science and Arts, on the other. The famas (the winged figures of the buttresses) were sculpted by Manuel Fuxà and Pere Carbonell.

Finally, in the curve of the arch, the coat of arms of Barcelona can be seen, flanked by the coats of arms of the remaining 48 Spanish provinces, 24 on each face of the monument.

Ciutadella Park

We continue with our Tour in Spanish and now we find the Ciutadella Park, being the first park specifically designed as a public park and was built at the end of the 19th century. It is a space widely used for all kinds of recreational and cultural activities. It has more than one hundred plant species, with many hundred-year-old trees and interesting sculptures.

Full of hundred-year-old trees, the Ciutadella Park contains a great diversity of elements: the monumental waterfall, 19th-century buildings now converted into museums, a lake for rowing boats, walks and numerous sculptures. Share space with the zoo.

an image that contain park, nature, people, bikes, born bike tours Barcelona, text — Come and enjoy a memorable experience!

The Barceloneta Tour

We continue with our tours in Spanish and we tour Barcelona by Bike.

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Until the middle of the 18th century, La Barceloneta was a practically uninhabited area. In 1754 fishermen began to settle in this area of the city due to its proximity to the sea.

Despite having acquired a more modern look, currently La Barceloneta still retains its special charm. Its narrow streets and facades darkened by the salt of the sea have made this area one of the most appreciated in Barcelona, a place with a quiet, maritime and family atmosphere that remains foreign to the big city.

One of the main attractions of the neighborhood are its beaches, the largest, best known and busiest in the city. They have a great atmosphere and excellent services.

If you want to know more about our tours you can stop by our place
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
At 50 meters Barceloneta metro station L (4) yellow
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Bicycle repairs and rental in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities to travel by bicycle with more than 200 kilometers of bike lanes, where you can enjoy a walk along the Mediterranean coast, through the Gothic streets or enjoy a day on the Collserolla mountain.

If you are still in doubt about repairing that old bicycle, or renting one to enjoy Barcelona on wheels, we leave you five tips that will help you make that decision.

Enjoy a safer ride

The bicycle is a safe vehicle, you will walk through the city of Barcelona enjoying great views and places, using the safety of the bike lanes.

Easier and simpler

Mobility by bicycle is easier than in other means of transport. Did you know that the bike is faster than the car in short and medium urban distances? Through several door-to-door competitions, with the city center as the destination, it has been found that, in general, the bike is the fastest transport. in addition to being faster in short distances, it is ideal to combine with public transport

Be more sustainable and collaborate with the environment

The bicycle is a key factor in reducing the levels of environmental and noise pollution in cities. An, at the same time, it is the most energy efficient means of transport: it uses twelve times less energy than a car, even if it is full, to move a person over a kilometer, and fifty times less than a car occupied by only one person.

To enjoy more space

A cyclist occupies five times less space than a motorist, whether he is stationary or in motion. This data has very profound implications for the well-being of residents, who can enjoy peaceful, calmer, safer and noise-free spaces.

To always be on the move

Going by bike is one of the most beneficial exercises for health, since during the effort large muscle groups are mobilized. Of practiced regularly it can reduce resting heart and breathing rates.

If you want to know about bike rental or repair you can stop by our store Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters away from the Barceloneta L (4) yellow metro station
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Tours in Spanish

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities to visit and learn, that’s why we tell you the four tours in Spanish that you can do with us.

From Gothic to Modernism

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A perfect tour for lovers of art and architecture, get to know ancient and medieval Barcelona through its streets, secrets and legends, reaching the works of Modernism. Born Bike Tours Barcelona for history lovers.
We will discover the most emblematic works of Modernism: Sagrada Familia, Palau de la Música, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló with Gaudí in front and their unique and genuine geometric shapes. We will pass through Born, a medieval neighborhood, with some of its landmarks such as the Basilica of Santa María del Mar, the Picasso Museum and the Born Market.

Beach tour

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At Born Bike Tours Barcelona we suggest that you enjoy maritime Barcelona. Live with us a cultural and pleasure experience discovering the history, evolution and transformation of the port, the lively beaches and the essence of some of the most emblematic neighborhoods. Barcelona is a city that faces the sea!
We will visit various places such as the Olympic Port, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, dominated by its two towers and the immense golden fish (Frank Gehry) and we will pedal through the different beaches of the city to the Universal Forum of Cultures. On the way back, we will visit the Poblenou neighborhood, the industrial center of the city at the end of the 19th century, where the present and the industrial past coexist with the modernity of the 22 @ technological district. We will continue through the Olympic Village, shelter of the Olympic athletes, finishing the route in the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Walk through Montjuic

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We will enjoy the Magic Mountain in a relaxing tour suitable for all audiences. Go ahead and discover the history, the present and the past of the port, the 1929 Exhibition, its palaces, its Magic Fountain and the Olympic Ring.
It runs almost entirely on peaceful roads without traffic, bike lanes and zones 30, very safe for all ages. We accompany you with experienced guides who know the city and its history. During the Tour we will make various stops to listen, contemplate and enjoy each point and where you can take your photographs and your memories of the Tour.

Tapas tours

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If you want to know more about our tours in Spanish you can stop by our place
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
At 50 meters Barceloneta metro station L (4) yellow
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

The Cathedral of Barcelona

Cycling through the streets of the Gothic Quarter, we come across the current Barcelona Cathedral, it is Gothic in style, but it was built on the foundations of an early Christian basilica and a later Romanesque Cathedral. The works began on May 1, 1298 and lasted a century and a half.

It was temporarily finished in 1417 with a simple wall, and it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the façade that we can see today was built.

On the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona (1888), the works were resumed thanks to Manuel Girona i Agrafel and his sons, who were the promoters of said reforms, where the competition for the construction of the façade was called in 1882, establishing as a stylistic criterion to follow the Gothic. It was awarded to Josep Oriol Mestres, titular architect of the cathedral since 1855, who was inspired by the plans made in 1408 by Carles Galtés de Ruan.

Sí quieres saber más sobre la catedral de Barcelona, pregunta por nuestros tours y te contaremos todo lo que sabemos de ella.
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
A 50 metros estación metro Barceloneta L (4) amarilla
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Spanish village in Barcelona

El Pueblo Español is a museum that offers contemporary art, architecture, crafts and gastronomy. The site is made up of 117 full-scale buildings, which make up a typically Spanish town with its streets, houses, squares, theater, school, restaurants and artisan workshops.

statue of a woman in blue clothes from Pueblo Espanyol, in Barcelona

It was built for the international exhibition that was held in Barcelona in 1929, an idea promoted by Joseo Puig I Cadafalch (Catalan architect) where they created a small town that brought together the main characteristics of all the towns in Spain. They also worked together with Joseo Puig, Francesc Folguera and Ramon Reventós, and the artists Xavier Nogués and Miquel Utrillo, in order to achieve this exhibition, they made various trips through Spain taking photographs, drawings, observing the styles and creating concepts of the different places. 

Today there are various activities, exhibitions or events.

Tourists can visit it by taking their ticket on the website  : www.poble-espanyol.com 

Our recommendation is to rent a bicycle and tour the mountains of Montjuic, where you will find various monuments, museums and historical buildings.

Free museums in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city full of life and culture, the good thing is that we have free museums so that we can all enjoy them, it is only a matter of knowing the hours and days.

image of a blue bike of Born Bike Tours Barcelona in front of the National Museum of Art of Catalunya

Picasso museum

The museum has a collection of 4,249 works by the Malaga painter Pablo Picasso in the multiple media that he addressed, which is the most complete in the world in works of his youth.

You can enter for free every Thursday from 5:00 p.m., the first Sunday of each month and on February 12 (Santa Eulàlia), May 18 (International Museum Day) and September 24 (La Mercè Day)

www.museupicasso.bcn.cat 

Museum of the History of Catalonia

The museum was created in 1996 by the Government of Catalonia, with the idea of narrating the history of Catalonia.

You can see it for free It can be visited for free during the Sant Jordi and Santa Eulalia festivities, the Museum Day, and the days of the Catalan and Mercè days.

 www.mhcat.cat 

Barcelona Center for Contemporary Culture (CCCB)

Located in the Raval, its main theme is the city and urban culture. It bases its success on quality, a certain eclecticism, attention to a wide range of audiences and a singularity in the way it treats things, and its function is to link the academic world with creation and citizenship.

You can visit it for free on Sundays

www.cccb.org 

Catalonia art museum

A must-see in the city with a tour of works of art from the 10th to the 20th century, highlighting above all its collection of Romanesque art, considered one of the most complete in the world.

It can be visited for free on Saturdays from 3 pm, the first Sunday of the month, Museum Day and Catalonia and Mercè Days. 

www.museunacional.cat

Bike Tours in Spain

image of a groupe of people with there bike in front of a building in Madrid, rent a bike

We are passionate about bicycles and luckily we are not the only ones 

That is why we decided to take a tour of Spain to visit different cities by Bicycle And today we arrive in Madrid where the guys from Rent & Roll (www.rentandrollmadrid.com) 

They will take you to know the city with their exclusive tours 

private tour for work agencies or family groups.
For those who want to visit Madrid at night
For those who travel at Christmas time and want to discover the magic of the lights of Madrid

And Surprise for wheel lovers! 

Because you can also rent your bike or go out to explore the city on skates 

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You can find them in
Calle Felipe IV, 10 28014 Madrid, Espagne
Or by phone (+34) 911484967 – (+34) 686178462
contact@rentandroll.es / www.rentandrollmadrid.com/

Get your bike ready and enjoy Barcelona

Get your bike ready and enjoy Barcelona

We really like healthy life and the city, that’s why we look for the perfect combination so that you can enjoy this summer of Barcelona by bike.

We carry out repairs and maintenance
We have answers and accessories
Review hardware and adjustments
Washing and greasing
Punctures and wheel centering

That is why we invite you to give life to that stored bicycle and accompany us to visit La Ronda Verda de Barcelona, a circuit that has about 72 kilometers of route and crosses different municipalities such as L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Montcada I Reixac, Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Sant Adrià de Besòs. There is also a variant that extends the round and incorporates the city of Badalona.

This route can be divided into six sections

Collserola Park: The Collserola Park extends over 8,000 hectares. Forest areas with a great variety of plant formations of valuable biological diversity predominate.
Parque Fluvial del Besòs: This section of the Ronda Verda connects the Parque de Collserola and the Front Marítimo. It has an approximate extension of five kilometers.
Park of the Cordillera de Marina: This natural space is part of the Cordillera Litoral and has a total area of 2,086 hectares. The visitor has the opportunity to envoy Iberian villages, hermitages, monasteries and numerous fountains and recreation areas.
Maritime Front: The Ronda Verda runs along the maritime fronts of Barcelona, Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona.
Montjuïc Section: The itinerary in this section of the pool is numerous museums, sports facilities, parks and gardens. The tour has splendid views of the city of Barcelona and its surroundings.
Llobregat Route: This route approaches the Llobregat basin, allowing connections with the river glare, the delta area and the Collserola Park.

A bicycle, a companion

We cheer you to take out that stored bicycle and rediscover the city on wheels, with its more than 200km of bicycle lanes to safely enjoy your ride.

Barcelona is an incredible city for cycling, walking the streets of Barceloneta, getting closer to the Parc de la Ciutadella, walking the wide streets of the Eixample such as Paseo de Gracia or visiting the neighborhoods and meeting friends.

That is why in Born Bike Tours Barcelona we carry out bicycle repairs so that you can enjoy a summer full of adventure, do sports or simply visit Barcelona.

We do review and maintenance so you can go for a walk without worries

Wash and grease so your bike is always ready

We repair punctures and also perform wheel centering

SURPRISE!

Because we are very anxious we give you a preview of our next blog post and we show you some of the routes you can do by bicycle.

From the Barcelona coast to Badalona.

It is a route of approximately ten kilometers, where you can see the entire seafront of the city, very easy to navigate since the entire itinerary is flat and you can surely enjoy incredible views. Starting near the Colón monument, passing by the Wy Hotel through the Forum area where you will find the “Diagonal Mar” shopping center and we will continue passing through the coastline until we reach Badalona.

It is an ideal route to do in the afternoon and end up enjoying the colors of the sunset next to the Mediterranean.

Bicycle Routes

We won the TripAdvisor Travelers of the Year award and we don’t want to stop posting cool things about Barcelona.

That is why we decided to create different routes so that you can go cycling.

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The Mountain of Montjuic

The Montjuic mountain (name attributed to the Montjuich etymology ”Mount of the Jews”) being a fortress, created as a strategic place to defend the city, where in 1751 the current castle was built, the work of Juan Martín Cermeño, who during the war of the Spanish Independence it was occupied by the French.

Nowadays and thanks to the 1992 Olympic games we can find around it the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium (next to which is the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica Museum).

Walking down Lleida street, you will find the old Palacio de los Deportes, now converted into the Barcelona Teatre Musical. You can also walk through various places of tourist interest such as the Pueblo Español, an enclosure built for the 1929 exhibition and which includes streets, squares and characteristic places from all over Spain, the Montjuic Telecommunications Tower designed by Santiago Calatrava. The Joan Brossa Gardens or the magic fountain of Montjuic that offers a night light show.

Collserola

You will find the great natural treasure in the ”Collserola Natural Park”, with more than eight thousand hectares of surface, where you can enjoy a bike ride through the mountains, one of the main routes is called “La carretera de las Aigües” where it begins on the Pla del Maduixers route (accessed from Avenida del Tibidabo) and ends in Plaza de Mireia. It is a path of low difficulty, since it is mostly flat, and it is where you can get to know one of the best views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.

The good thing about this tour is that it is suitable for all bicycles and you will be able to visit emblematic buildings such as the Collserola tower and the Fabra observatory.

Greenway of Llobregat

Greenway of Llobregat  is the old route of the Manresa-Olván railway. It runs through a natural environment shaped by the passage of the Llobregat river. It is a route suitable for families and children due to its flatness and ease of travel, on it you can pedal along the Llobregat river, crossing tunnels and visiting the Gothic bridge or the Pedret Monastery.

On this road you will find both vehicles, people walking or cyclists, since it is a route suitable for all kinds of walks and at the end you will cross the Llobregat river through a small bridge until you reach the Baells reservoir dam.

You can find the face of Barcelona a few steps from our local Born Bike Tours Barcelona, From the metro station Barceloneta L (4) amarilla🚇
Visit our web www.bornbikebarcelona.com
Or write to info@bornbikebarcelona.com
📍Born Bike Tours Barcelona find us Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona A 50 Mts.

Happy International Women’s Day

March 7th, 2019

Tomorrow, the 8th of March, the International Women’s Day, Barcelona will be full of feminist mobilizations during the whole day, in order to protest against the inequality that women suffer today.

You can enjoy this great day in an active way and/or being respectful with people who are fighting for their rights.

Colors, debauchery and happiness during de 2019’s Carnival in Barcelona

February 27th, 2019

From Thursday, the 28^th, with the ‘Dijous Gras’, one of the fiestas which looks better on Barcelona will be started, are you going to miss that?

Photo by BenKerckx on Pixabay

One of the favorite celebrations of the city of Barcelona is Carnival or, at least, we love the colorful of this fiesta.

On Thursday, the 28^th of February, all the activities, that will continue during Friday, Saturday and Sunday, are going to start in Barcelona with the famous Catalan celebration ‘Dijous Gras’. During this Thursday is practically obligatory to taste the Catalan egg sausage sandwich and a walk through the Ramblas at the sunset, the perfect scenario for the arrival of the Carnival’s Emperors.

During Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the city and all its districts are going to be full of activities. So, take your bicycle and don’t miss anyone of them. You can check them on the official program (you can access clicking here).

And among all this mess, don’t forget your costume, because thanks to the magic of this weekend you can be who you most desire.

Barcelona is enjoying a short spring, which is perfect to experience by bicycle

February 20th, 2019

Are you taking advantage of these idyllic days in Barcelona?

Photo by Walkerssk in Pixabay.com

For some weeks now, Barcelona and, obviously, some other parts of the territory are rejoicing in some days of idyllic weather, perfect for enjoying the city by bicycle. This is something that “professionally” we call “not a very cold weather, neither a very warm weather”. You will not need a lot of cloth layers in order to feel the warmth of the bicycle exercise, but, even so you will not feel the sticky weather of the summer.

So, you should take advantage of free afternoons and weekends. Enjoy the parks and gardens of the city: Parc de la Ciutadella, Labyrinth of Horta, Montjuïc, Collserola… Practically every district of the city has a natural space. Although, if you are not looking for the refreshing green, you can take advantage of the fact that there are not so many brave swimmers, and go to ride through the Passeig Marítim. La Barceloneta is a neighborhood where, during weekends, it is difficult not to find some kind of activities. And if there are not any of them, the tapas (appetizers) that you can get there will be a marvelous consolation prize.

Even though, if you are the kind of person who prefers going shopping, our suggestion for you is taking advantage of the big network of bike lanes and visiting the nice and great markets of Barcelona. In addition to the big offer, especially talking about food, they are Modernist works of art, so you shouldn’t miss them if you are interested in the architecture of Barcelona.

This weekend you don’t have any excuse, clean the dust off your bike and go out for pedaling through Barcelona!

¿Why not?

Valentine’s Day has awakened a lot of critiques about romantic love. But, when we realises that, why not take the positive part of it?

Born Bike Tours Barcelona working for an inclusive celebration.

Ready for the Great Winter Fiesta in Barcelona?

February 7th, 2019

From the 8^th to the 12^th of February, one of the greatest fiesta of the city will be celebrated: Santa Eulàlia.

Photo by freestocks.org in Pexels.com

Castellers, correfocs, giants, sardanes, bastoners, concerts… and every kind od activities for elder and young people during the saint and the daughter of the city fiesta: Santa Eulàlia. You can consult all the activities in the official program clicking here.

The Great Winter Fiesta of the city is the perfect opportunity to get to know a great part of the popular culture and tradition of Barcelona, together with all the local people who make it possible.

In addition, most of the activities are going to be celebrated through the old and magic central streets of Barcelona: in Ciutat Vella and the Gótic -where, we can assure you, it is better to circulate by bicycle than by car or motorbike-.

As we always say, the fiestas are the best option to get to know the popular culture of a city. So, you shouldn’t miss that one!

Barcelona will welcome the Pig’s Year

February 1st, 2019

This is a wonderful city, and it is due mostly because of its interculturality. In this sense, this Saturday you shouldn’t miss the Chinese New Year’s celebration.

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán

This year, the 2019, as the Chinese lunar calendar says, is the Pig’s Year and it is going to start on the 5th of February. Because of that, taking advantage of the weekend, the Chinese community in Barcelona has decided to celebrate it this Sunday, the 2nd of February.

This fiesta, every year, has more and more followers and that’s because it offers a lot of performances and activities to the most elderly and to the youngest people. This year, in addition, they have a honorable Catalan guest: la Porca de Sant Antoni.

It is said that the personality of the pigs is characterized by their diligence, their indulgence and their generosity. It is an animal that when it starts something, then it has to finish that. Although it’s really easy to it to let itself be fooled. So, you should try to apply these qualities in order to resolve your daily challenges and let yourself be fooled every now and then, as long as it is for taking yourself to a great party, such as this one.

In Born Bike Barcelona, we are very happy, because this fiesta will be celebrated very close to us. The opening show will start at 11.30 a.m. in the Parc de l’Estació del Nord and the fiesta will continue the whole day in the Passeig Lluís Companys.

‘Interculturalize’ yourself enjoying this great fiesta in Barcelona!

You can avoid the cold weather with the sofa, blanket and a film or… ¡with a bicycle!

January 21st, 2019

Ok, ok… We also like to take a break and collapse ourselves in the sofa. But let’s never forget that the best way to get rid of the cold from our bodies is riding a bicycle, enjoying the city or some mountain route.

Photo by Luca, Papagnoc in Pixabay

This January has been very “refreshing” in Barcelona, but it hasn’t been serious enough to stop us from keeping pedaling. No matter how much our sofa has been calling us, thanks to the bicycle we have become the heroes of our movies. We have discovered new corners of our incredible, insatiable, traditional and intercultural city. We have pedaled up to our last breath in order to get the best views. And we have met some marvelous people.

Don’t succumb to the trap of falling into the blanket and do this by keeping yourselves active and happy. In addition, it gives to you the break that you need for facing all the daily challenges.

Don’t think more about it. You simply leave the sofa, ride your bicycle and you will suddenly realize that you are having a great time.

Remember, in Barcelona of the year 2019, the cyclists must circulate away from the sidewalks

January 15th, 2019

Some weeks ago we informed you about the new regulation which has been applied this January, month dedicated to the bicycle circulation in Barcelona, so, today, we are going to present a reminder just in case you have forgotten it.

Photo by Claudia, einszweifrei in Pixabay.com

From the very first of this month of January 2019, the cyclists must circulate away from the sidewalks in Barcelona, in order to ride through the almost 1,000km (620 miles) of the city’s bike lane. And, why do you have to circulate away from the sidewalks? Because the cost of riding a bicycle on the sidewalks could be punished with fines of up to €500, so, save yourself this fine and the annoyance following this simple cohabitation rule.

We want to remind you that the only way allowed to circulate on the sidewalk is when it measures a width of more than 5 meters and 3 meters are free (and you haven’t any other alternative or bike lane closer) or if you are younger than 12 (years old) and you are circulating with your own bicycle and accompanied by an adult.

And returning to our wise words: Even if you usually pedal through the streets of Barcelona or because you are visiting this great city, remember, share and obey this regulation. All together we are building a healthier city and a good cohabitation is one of the keys.

The Christmas’ holidays are closer, do you know how to take the maximum advantages of them?

13th December, 2018

Guides, blogs, social networks… They are huge sources of information which will help you to get inspired this Christmas.

Photo by StockSnap from Pixabay

If Christmas is a good time to spend with the family, we are sure that you can find some free time to relax yourselves and digest the big meals.

You can organize bicycle tours with the family and friends during the non-official vacation days, it could be a great opportunity to get to know closer places that, during our daily routine, we have no time to discover and enjoy.

In order to organize a route which adapts to you, there are thousands of resources in just over two clicks away. Blogs, guides, key #hashtags (tags) in the social networks… all of them are going to help you to discover up to the last corner of the places that, maybe, you think you already know.

This vacation you shouldn’t leave your bicycle at home. Digest the nougats pedaling, you will see how good it feels.

And if you need help planning your route… you know where to find us.

As of the 1st of January, bicycles must circulate away from the sidewalks of Barcelona

December 5th, 2018

Kara De Leos

After the extension of the bike lane in the city, almost 1,000km (620 miles) adapted to the bicycle circulation, the City Hall of Barcelona considers that the bike circulation through the road is safe enough to forbid the circulation of this vehicle on the sidewalks.

The City Hall of Barcelona is in the middle of a campaign in order to make public, to every urban cyclist, local and temporary ones, that, as of the 1^st of January, the circulation on the city’s sidewalks will be punished with fines up to €500. Their motto, “When you are riding a bicycle, leave the sidewalk”, is covered by a second slogan: “You have almost 1,000km of alternatives”.

The only way allowed to circulate on the sidewalk is when it measures a width of more than 5 meters and 3 meters are free (and you haven’t any other alternative or bike lane closer) or if you are younger than 12 (years old) and you are circulating with your own bicycle and accompanied by an adult.

Even if you usually pedal through the streets of Barcelona or because you are visiting this great city, remember, share and obey this regulation. All together we are building a healthier city and a good cohabitation is one of the keys.

Enjoy your route through the ‘Ronda Verda’ of Barcelona by bicycle

November 28th, 2018

If you are visiting Barcelona or you still have no plans for this weekend, here you have a suggestion to keep you pedaling. A healthy and enjoyable activity for everyone.

Photo by Silvia (Sipa at Pixabay)

We are always talking about the improvements of the bike lane, which have achieved transforming the city into a paradise for the urban cyclist, but we cannot forget about the Ronda Verda -Green Beltway-. This road surrounds the whole city, connecting it to the neighboring cities, offering us a huge means of connection of 72km and a fantastic lane for riding a bicycle.

This lane connects Badalona, Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Esplugues de Llobregat y Montcada i Reixac. In addition, it has 6 sections, so we can decide if we prefer to ride the whole route or only enjoy one of its variated zones that we can find in this sea and mountain city. For example, we could dedicate our morning to riding through the mountain of Collserola, or spend our afternoon at the now very quiet beaches of Barcelona. In addition, we could start our route through the beach from the Front Marítim and get to the mountain through the Montjuïc route.

The options are very assorted, so take advantage of Barcelona and of every one of the marvelous options that this city offers you.

Barcelona will fill up with light

November 21st, 2018

Photo by Tim Mossholder

This 22^nd of November Barcelona will release the Christmas of this 2018 by the illumination of its streets. This year, the performance will be situated in rambla de Guipúscoa with Julián Besteiro street, in the neighborhood of Sant Martí.

It is not necessary to be very observant in order to realize that the shop windows are full of Christmas’ decoration. But among all this adornment, which tries to make us shopping compulsively, in the same city, we can also find some of the tradition of this celebration. An example is the illumination of the streets, which will arrive together with an official act from the city hall and a performance by the Efímer company.

And if the last year this illumination started at the city center, in Les Rambles, as a symbolism of the solidarity with the victims of the 17th of August attack, this year it’s being situated in the neighborhood of Sant Martí, in the crossroad of rambla de Guipúscoa with Julián Besteiro street. A neighborhood where, during these last years, the city hall has been working in order to transform it in a nicest place, with more green and pedestrian zones and, of course, with more kilometers of bike lane.

Take advantage of this season and ride your bicycle through the illuminated streets of Barcelona.

You only can go ahead by bicycle

November 12th, 2018

The number of urban cyclists in Barcelona has an exponential growth thanks to the extension of the bike lane during these last years in Barcelona. The security that these lanes provide is translated in a lot of people who enjoy the advantages of moving around with this very sustainable vehicle.

Photo by Joan Cabotti

Any person who has ridden a bike any time of his/her life will be realized that when you move the pedals backwards it’s useless. The bicycle has been designed for moving forward and if you need to go backwards you will have to do facing it, being fully aware of what you are doing and where we really want to go.

And, why is so interesting this consideration nowadays? Because in our 10 years of experience pedaling through the streets of Barcelona we feel astonished (in the good sense of this word) about how the kilometers of the bike lane in Barcelona have been so extended and, especially, how a lot of urban cyclists have leaped to take advantage of even the last signalized meter of lane.

The bicycle will continue advancing in Barcelona and it is going to do that in a conscious and safe way, transforming the city in a cleaner, more tranquil and more sustainable place each time.

Some tips in order to continue pedaling against the cold weather in Barcelona

2 de noviembre de 2018

This last week, in Barcelona and in Catalonia, the temperatures have suddenly fallen and with this descent the rain has come too. But this doesn’t to be a reason for stopping pedaling in the city.

Photo by Mabel Amber

In Barcelona, as a Mediterranean city, we have a really nice temperature which allows us to pedal without any problems, and if you don’t believe us, ask our neighbors in the north of Europe, where not even the snow can stop them.

For this reason, we shouldn’t stop pedaling during the cold days, because, in addition, with the movement and the sport that we do riding a bicycle, we will again feel the warm sensation that we usually miss. That’s why our first tip is that you should wear different layers, such as an onion, because, at the same time that you are feeling warmer your body will need you to remove some of these clothes layers.

Second tip, you should prepare yourself in order not to be surprised by the rain. Use waterproof clothes (also trousers) and also suitable shoes.

Third tip, something that you always have to keep in mind, whether it’s raining, snowing or it’s a really sunny day: you should keep your bike ready. Clean and greased chain, pumped up wheels (you can deflate a little bit your wheels if it’s raining in order to achieve a better adhesion, but not too much, because you could suffer a puncture), front and back lights and, in addition, it’s interesting to use a mudguard, because we will arrive at our jobs more decently.

If we follow these tips and we keep alert, we even will enjoy the cold and rainy days!

The bicycle as a way of life

October 16th, 2018

Photo by Pere Serrat

Who usually use the bicycle for moving around the city have another point of view about it. Ride one and stir up your life.

The continuous pedaling changes many things. We can assure this because we move constantly around Barcelona by bicycle.

For us the bike is a physical revolution, but also a mental revolution.

That’s physical in the sense of the health exercise as the reward of our work, because of the reduction of the CO² and because the completely change of the city’s view. For us, several noiseless bicycles going through the streets is a present for the eyes and for the ears, especially if we compare it with the motorized vehicles traffic.

But we cannot forget the mental revolution. The exercise and the simplicity of the bicycle release your mind and it allows you to observe around. And that’s a really good exercise to make you reflect and inspire.

If you not agree with us, ask to the people who usually meet every first Friday of the month to ride their bicycles in Barcelona. The next excursion will depart from Arc de Triomf.

Come to the healthiest movement! The pedaling through Barcelona 😉

For the people who keep pedaling under the rain in Barcelona and in any single city

October 9th, 2018

Autumn comes with rain in the city, but for the people who love to ride a bicycle, this is an unimportance challenge, because, finally, the rain cleans and purifies the city. What else can we ask for the people who like to breath clean air?

Photo by ORNELLA BINNI on Unsplash

Dear city cyclists,

Today, this post is for thank you for keeping pedaling this raining days in Barcelona or in any single city. For understanding the importance of this meteorological phenomenon in the city. For keeping calm and patient with the other drivers. And for being alert with the segurity, because this is very important these days.

The rain in Barcelona is not so usual than in other cities, because of that, during the week days, when the traffic jams in the city is normal, the rain could be a nuisance. For this reason, we should keep this though in our mind: the water from rain cleans and purifies the environment because it drags away the damaging particles. And for everyone who breathes the city air daily this is the key.

In addition, if we have the suitable equipment (nothing very especial) and we keep alert, the rain won’t be and impediment to pedal.

Appropriate equipment, waterproof clothes, a footwear which resists rain without problems and all the elements which make you being more visible, especially for the motor vehicles: reflective clothes, the front and the back bicycle lights. A back mudguard will avoid you to arrive at your destiny with your back full of mud.

Get your bicycle ready, you can help to improve adhesion on the road by reducing the tire pressure (a little bit! If not, you will be in danger of getting a flat tire) and be sure that the treads of your tires are well marked. It is also important to maintain the chain clean and lubricated. And, specially (with or without rain), check if your brakes respond quickly.

The rainy days are perfect to show our skills with the bicycle. We are talking about reinforcing your concentration on the road. Brake before a curve and take it slowly. Keep a safety distance with regard to the other vehicles; avoid puddles, marks painted on the road and the multicolour marks that appear on the road (they are car oil).

With these tips, the only thing that we want to repeat again is: thanks for keeping pedaling.

Don’t let the routine stops you, start pedaling also during October

October 1st, 2018

Photo by Pexels

October is right here, and with it the last remains of summer are gone. But don’t be sad, you can ride your bicycle also during the autumn, specially in a city like Barcelona.

For us, the return to the routine is an opportunity. The opportunity of carry out with all the good challenges that we have formulated when we were inspired by the calm and the good vibes of the summer holidays. And, a good challenge that could be nice for everyone? Using more the bicycle.

During your daily, the bicycle could be a key element for improving yours and everybody’s mobility, improving, at the same time, your physical and mental health.

But, using a bicycle during your daily for going to work, to shopping or for other errands is not the only interesting use of your bike. It could be also interesting to use it during weekends. The vacation time don’t need to finish yet, you could do excursions with the family, friends or alone through close places. Because, a lot of times, we leave getting to know these close places for late, when they could be so incredible as a lot of exotic destinies, which make us save money during all year.

So, now you know, this autumn, note to practice a little bit more of local tourism by bicycle down your challenge list. For sure you will be able to discover a lot of treasures in Barcelona!

Experience the culture and the tradition of Barcelona while you are pedaling through La Mercè 2018 festivity

September 20th, 2018

Photo by Feradz

From the 21st to the 24th of September, you have a very important date with Barcelona, in order to enjoy the cultural activities that the city has prepared only for you -well, and for other miles of people too-.

As we always say, the best way to get to know a city is introducing yourself in its festivities, because popular celebrations are the best show of the local’s environment, their culture, their tradition and their gastronomy. In Barcelona, the most remarked festivity -because each neighbourhood has each own festivities- is La Mercè celebration. And this year it will be celebrated from the 21st to the 24th of September.

From expositions, “cercaviles”, castellers, giants, sardanes to the night concerts and light shows.

You should be fit riding the bicycle, if you want to arrive at everything!

Take a look to the daily activities programming in https://www.barcelona.cat/lamerce/en and take the most advantage of this celebration. You only can enjoy it once a year.

Returning to school by bicycle

September 12th, 2018

This week a lot of kids are going to start again the school studies and that means a clear return to the routine for a lot of people. But, this time, if you haven’t tried it before, you can add a refreshing change to this routine, it consists in returning to the school by bike.

Barcelona is every time a safer city when we talk about riding a bicycle through its streets, all this thanks to the extension of the bike lane. So, why don’t take advantage of this situation and be an example for the little ones using the cleanest means of transport?

This video that we have used other times (yes, we admit it, we thrill every time we play it) shows how this situation can be absolutely normalized and a main situation, so, why don’t we try it?

For us, this is a mantra, we should work in order to Barcelona become a cleaner city by including the bicycle in our routine, being an example to the future generations.

Then, this new school year, are you going to join our club? That’s free and very healthy!

It’s still summer in Barcelona

September 1st, 2018

Although the summer holidays have finished with the August’s month for a lot of people, for other ones, who have suffered the hot weather in the work place while they saw how the work mates departed to remote countries, the good time starts now.

Photo by Katerina Zhang

Barcelona is not going to disappoint all the people who have been waiting for the arriving of their well-deserved vacations. On the contrary, the activity of the city is not going to let anyone to get bored.

From refreshing ridings through the beach by bicycle, to the challenge of getting to the top of the hill of Montjuïc, where you will be awarded with the amazing views of the city. Everything with the nicest weather and avoiding the July and August build-ups –overbooking in hotels, in restaurants and, even worst! in the streets-.

And, if it was not enough, we cannot forget that the great fiesta of La Mercè 2018 is very close. A festivity that, as always, will get you closer to the culture and tradition of the city.

Barcelona is waiting for you with open arms, take your bicycle and come to pedal!

The Great Fiestas time is here, the best way to enjoy Barcelona

August 16th, 2018

If this summer you are ridding a bicycle though the streets of Barcelona, you shouldn’t miss to get to the Great Fiestas, the best show of culture and tradition in the city.

During summer, Barcelona doesn’t stop, on the contrary, that’s really strange to find a week without any Great Fiesta. Next, a brief calendar with which you can check if your trip to Barcelona coincides with a neighborhood’s festivity.

Festes de Sant Roc from the 14th-18th of August.

Festes de Gràcia from the 15th-21st of August.

Festes de Sants from the 20th-28th of August.

Festa Major de la Bordeta from the 28th of August to the 15th of September.

Festes de Vallcarca coincides with the first two weeks of September.

Festa Major del Farró from the 7th-11th of September.

Festa Major de la Barceloneta, coinciding with the Sant Miquel festivity, around the 29th of September.

Festes de la Mercè from the 21st to the 24th of September.

Try to confirm this calendar in the City Hall web site, when the date comes closer. Some variations could be possible.

And, above all, enjoy this amazing fiestas!

Which characteristics have Born Bike Tours Barcelona for chosing a good bicycle for the city

6th August, 2018

One of the most common questions made by those who have just started their urban cycling is: “What type of bike is the best for the city?” For us, it is important to select a model that will make the coexistence with the traffic in the city easier, so it has to be safe.

1. It should be easy to start and stop

Upon forming part of the traffic of the city, it should be easy to put the feet on the ground when you’re waiting for the traffic light to change.

2. There should be a good acceleration

This is important when you have to move the bicycle to cross and intersection or change lanes.

3. It should be easy to see

It’s important to maintain yourself visible to other users. For this objective, you should have good front and back lights.

4. It should allow you to see the traffic around you

The straighter up the cyclist rides, the easier it is for him to see what is happening around you.

5. The bicycle should be easy to control with one hand

Take into account that the hand signals are extremely important in order to maintain an adequate communication with drivers and other cyclists.

6. There should be an efficient range of speeds

The diversity of the speeds depends on the topography of your city and the distance that you have to go. More important than the number of velocities is the range you have available. If there are many slopes in your city, you need a low range of speeds. The contrary happens in a city that is relatively even.

7. It should be efficient

The back suspension and the common rims in the case of mountain bicycles are not recommended for a city bicycle. Even though this is useful for the mountains, the suspension (especially the rear one) absorbs part of the energy we apply to the pedal. If you plan to use your mountain bicycle in the city, you should make some modifications.

As we have already said, there are a great variety of bicycles. It’s important that you like the bike, that I has the right size and be according to your necessities.

Now you know some of the important things about our bicycles, so, start to pedal!

Come to the activities in Barcelona during the month of August 2018 by bicycle

July 31st, 2018

Photo by Enes on Unsplash

Here you have a list of activities in Barcelona during this August, in order you don’t miss anyone during your trip.

Music in Barcelona!

2018.07.31 – 08.31 – Mas i Mas

The Mas i Mas Festival returns to Barcelona in the summer with jazz, flamenco, classic, techno and much more.

2018.08.10 – 11 -DGTL – Festival Barcelona

The DGTL Festival will make you dance in Barcelona at the rhythm of music house and techno.

2018.026.02 – 08.30 – Music in the Parks

This season, 2018, the program includes 49 concerts and all of them free. From June to the end of August you can listen to music in the parks of Barcelona. These have been taking place for the past 15 years and include best quality music. Not only this, it is also great for sitting in a pleasant place at night with good music, friends and family.

2018.07.01 – 09.16 Brunch in the Park

Take your picnic basket, your plaid table cloth and get ready to …. Dance without stopping until the 17th of September..

Outdoor movies in Barcelona

2018.07.06 – 08.31 – Mecal Air, outdoor movies

In summer we all want to spend a lot of time outdoors -and what a better way than watching short films with friends while having a glass of wine. Mecal Air is a summer alternative to the classical cinemas, It is the one preferred by the Barcelona neighbors. The good part is that there is a combination to “short films” and a gastronomical offer. The entrance is free.

2018.06.29 – 08.03 – Outdoor movies – Sala Montjuïc

Important recent films and concerts that take place outdoors.

2018.06.28 – 08.02 – Free films t the Barcelona beach

Free movies at the beach during the summer nights.

Other events

During summer from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00p.m to 11:30p.m. – The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

In the summer from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00p.m to 11:30p.m. the spectacles take place every half an hour.

2018.08.09 – 19 – Circuit Festival

Don’t miss the most fun gay Festival in Barcelona.

2018.08.05 – 05 – Joan Gamper Trophy from the FC Barcelona

Experience the Barcelona Football Club Joan Gamper a the Camp Nou!

Have a good time!

A new bicycle route from the sea to the mountain in Barcelona

July 26th, 2018

With the inauguration of the bike lines in the streets of Bilbao and Jonquera, which have been added to the street of Navas -look at the map and you will understand it better 😉-, the axis which will allow us to go from the Parc del Guinardó to Marbella beach is completed.

Something very especial from Barcelona that we always try to remark is that this city is a sea and mountain city, where the landscape and the environments are very varied and it allows us to enjoys its different modalities.

Up to now, a very important bicycle route was the one where you can go from the Port Olimpic to Montjuïc mountain in the Sants-Montjuïc district. In just one day you can enjoy the sea breeze and the mountain views. Now, to this amazing route, we have to add another one from Guinardó to the Marbella beach, so we have a new one for changing the views and the environment of the beach.

The most important thing of these routes is the fact that now we can do that in a safe way thanks to the extension of the bike lane in Barcelona.

This summer experience Barcelona to the maximum and discover the last of its corners by bicycle.

A bicycle as your best trip mate

Photo by Autumn Studio

July 27th, 2018

This summer you shouldn’t forget your bicycle at home. It will be your best trip mate.

If you have kept yourself fit all year getting around everywhere by bicycle, this summer you cannot waste all this effort. Moving around the cities by bicycle is the best investment that you can make.

With the bicycle, you can get to know all the cities at street level, without any problem when you decide to park, and enjoying the city environment directly.

The respect for the environment, the noise and the neighbors are synonyms of bicycle. This will make you earn points with the local people who are sharing the city with you.

Flexibility of movement, especially in Barcelona, city of sea and mountain. By bicycle, the moment you wake up, you can decide if this a mountain or a sea day. It will make you enjoy the trip and allow you to stop anywhere you want. It doesn’t matter if you want to immortalize the moment by taking a photo or if you want to have some tapas -Spanish appetizers- in a bar that you like.

All these advantages, combined with the bike lanes which the city is taking from the space of the cars, make the bicycle the best trip mate during our summer adventures.

This summer, let’s share Barcelona by bicycle

July 3rd, 2018

We have to insist that the best way to travel is by the ecotourism, achieving that our passing through the city be the most sustainable and positive possible, and generating the best memories for us and for the people who live in the city and who turn it into a marvelous place.

Photo by Sergi Larripa

The City Hall of Barcelona has initiated a new campaign this summer: ‘Compartim Barcelona’ -Let’s share Barcelona- where they gather some tips for everyone who visits and lives in the city. We feel very identified with them, because they are something that we try to transmit in many of our mails.

Sharing the public places, taking care of the urban furniture, not obstructing the life’s rhythm of the people who live in the city, not making noise after a celebration and, in general, controlling the volume… these are some basic tips from the web site. It seems very logical, isn’t it? Well, these are annoyances that the people who live in Barcelona are experiencing continuously, and which complicate their day-to-day. For this reason, we are sharing it in our blog, in order to do our part to achieve a more habitable city for everyone.

To all these tips, obviously, we want to add another one: riding a bicycle when you visit the city. This means of transport doesn’t make noise, doesn’t dirty it and, thanks to the extension of the bike lane, we can practically move around the whole city in a safe way for us and for the pedestrians. Of course, in order to make this idea a reality, we need your help by respecting all the traffic sign, the places to stop and park and this rhythm of the people who live in the city that we have talked about. Because, they are sharing their bicycle routes, so try not to obstruct the rhythm of these.

Take these tips with you and enjoy Barcelona by bicycle!

Summer has settled down in Barcelona and here you have some tips to live together with it

June 28th, 2018

Some weeks ago, the temperature increased significantly in Barcelona and, in addition, the sweltering. This, sometimes, make us feel lazy, but, keep calm, the experience has given us some tips to fight against this laziness and riding again our bicycle.

Photo by Alex Blajan

The breeze from the beach and the calm shade in the parks

If you are going to move around Barcelona in the morning, maybe it’s better if you don’t go through the sunny spot of the Eixample. There are some shades, but the accumulated hot weather, especially from the motorized vehicles, are going to make you feel tired. Going to the beach or to some of the great parks in Barcelona will be a better option. With the breeze or the fresh air that comes from the plants, you are going to feel much better. Go to the Sagrada Familiar or to the great modernist works of Passeig de Gràcia in the afternoon, when the sun has gone down a little.

Take cover in a tapas bar or restaurant

The worst hours of the heat are at midday, so, at this hour, you should look for a bar or restaurant -especially if you are at the beach- where you could find refuge from the worst sun rays and taste some of the delicious food from the gastronomy of Barcelona.

You shouldn’t stop hydrating yourself

A continuous hydration, especially if we are moving around by bicycle, is essential in order to avoid sickness. Always take a bottle of water with you and put a little bit of lemon inside it. It will make you feel great!

In addition, you will always find an ice-cream parlor and you will be able to refresh yourself with your favorite flavor.

This holidays you can practice the ecotourism in Barcelona by the best means of transport: the bicycle

June 19th, 2018

Summer is very close and we cannot avoid to remember you some tips that will help you to plan an unforgettable trip, respecting the environment and people who you are going to visit.

Born Bike Tours Barcelona are very fans of ecotourism, this combination of activities that allow us to travel respecting the environment and the people who live in this place. But, although this point of view comes from the respect, ecotourism is much more. We are going to sum it up in the 8 tips presented by the International Ecotourism Society:

Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts.
Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates.
Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.

You are going to see that a lot of these points are easy to resolve if you visit the place by bicycle 😉

Integrate yourself in Barcelona by bicycle

June 14th, 2018

One of the best ways to grade our trip experience is through the integration level. In order to reach the maximum grade in Barcelona -or anywhere- we suggest you to take a map of the bike lane and to get fit with your bicycle, the best means of transport to enjoy the city at street level.

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

June smells summer and, with the arriving of summer, we cannot avoid to start to think about our well-deserved holidays. For this reason, today we want to remember some ideas that we have set out in the blog, because we think that they are very important for achieving the best experience in Barcelona.

Bring us close tot the city people through their culture, their history and their social habits is a basic thing and, for achieving this, to move us at street level is very important, in order to don’t miss any detail.

When we know exactly our means of transport, the next more important thing is the destination. And for this part of the planning is very important to get informed before to leap to our trip. Be informed about the greatest monuments, to explore some more specialized corners and, above all, try to coincide with some popular celebration.

If you achieve getting into the plane, bus or train – whatever it is the means of transport that you use to come to Barcelona- knowing all the lessons, your trip will be incomparable. If you don’t have enough time for that, keep calm, the city is full of services where we can help you sharing all our knowledge.

Bon dia, bon profit, gràcies, déu-n’hi-do… Do you know the vocabulary for moving around Barcelona? Because you already have the means of transport, isn’t it? 😉 🚲

June 5th, 2018

Photo by Luis Gonzalez

We can move us free around the city by bicycle, but, in order to achieve all our objectives with the cooperation of the local people, knowing some words and expression will be so useful, and we can increase them during our stay.

Here you have a very basic dictionary with some words and expressions which will help us to move around Barcelona:

Bon dia = Good morning

Bona tarda = Good afternoon

Bona nit = Good night

Si us plau = Please

Com et dius? = What is your name?

Encantat/encantada d’haver-te conegut = Nice to meet you

Bon profit! = Enjoy your meal! (You should say it with joy)

Gràcies = Thank you

Moltes gràcies = Thank you very much

De res = You are welcome

On és el lavabo? = Where is the toilette?

Esmorzar = Breakfast

Dinar = Lunch

Berenar = Have a snack

Sopar = Dinner

El compte = The bill

(Which is not…)

Compte! = Take care!

Déu-n’hi-do= (this expression can be use in a lot of situations, it depends of the tone of voice, but we will translate it as…) My goodness

And finally… A reveure! = See you later!

Are you looking for culture, gastronomy and tradition in Barcelona? Here you have some suggestions for this weekend, come by bicycle!

May 23rd, 2018

After some years, the Sant Antoni Market opens its doors to the public and it does that on a large scale. One unique opportunity to move beyond the center of Barcelona and surround yourself by its culture.

Photo by Enric https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Enric

In many other mails, we have insisted that, if you are getting to know the city, a visit to the markets of Barcelona is indispensable. Because of its architecture, its traditional products combined with the modern gastronomy of the city, because of the interaction with the local people… But, specially this weekend, the Sant Antoni Market is going to celebrate a great inaugural party, where all the ingredients which we have mentioned before are going to be complemented by sport, musical and dance exhibitions, workshops for kids, poetry, art and culture.

If you are visiting Barcelona and you like cultural immersions, you should not miss this opportunity. Ride a bicycle, for us the best means of transport in the city, which will transport you directly to the activities, through the bike lane of the Compte d’Urgell street -the one that goes through Ronda Sant Antoni, the location of the market, is under construction-.

Barcelona never stops, take advantage of that by bicycle!

Barcelona, the perfect city for going by bicycle, here we show it to you

April 4th, 2018

The 30 days biking challenge, which a lot of us achieved during the month of April, has been a great success. If you don’t believe us, look at this marvelous map which shows you the bike’s circulation in Barcelona during this last month. You are going to be amazed 😉

You can find this map in the Hall City web page, the one which is dedicated to the bicycles, and where they have done an important informative campaign about this event. The fact is that Barcelona is working hard to become a sustainable city, accompanied by the vehicles which have 0 pollution.

The alert levels usually shoot up and to improve in this aspect is a job for every one of us, although, the environment of Barcelona is transforming itself to facilitate safe and pleasant routes. Some examples are the zones of the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Fòrum zone or the bike lane and the 30km/h routes, although, we have had these for a long time. Other examples, which are being key ones, are the extension of the bike lane up to 180km or the new green zones such as the Plaça de les Glòries.

Little by little, bicycles have won their well-earned ground, improving the environment of the city and its surroundings.

How can you feel better with the hot weather of these days? With some tapas, fresh drinks and, of course, going by bicycle

April 26th, 2018

These last days in Barcelona, the temperature has increased, so, here you have some tips about how you can take advantage of this moment pedaling a bicycle.

Appetizers, soft-drinks and a bicycle is our recipe for the warm days in Barcelona. Spring always invites us to carry out some activities and Barcelona is full of opportunities for enjoying every minute of a day. Today’s tip is that you should concentrate on the city’s gastronomy.

One referring to the sea and the mountain. There is a great variety of tours in Barcelona, but, if you feel like it, we can start by talking about beaches. An outing by bicycle through the promenade, stopping for a quick dip (this is only for the most courageous), has to be compensated by some tapas (Spanish appetizers) in more than one of the different bars and restaurants of this zone. In addition, by pedaling only 5 minutes, you can go to the center of the city, where you will not be disappointed.

And, from enjoying some fish and shellfish to the “pa amb tomàquet” (bread with tomatoes rubbed on it) with some home-made croquettes, some cold meat, olivada (an olive pure) or whatever you prefer. In Barcelona, the combination of flavors and textures is infinite, because, besides the local gastronomy, a lot of restaurants and bars bet on incorporating products from many other cultures.

So, now you know that, after some important pedaling, you have to recover energy!
And if you need more information, we, Born Bike Tours Barcelona, are going to be glad to help you 😉

Spring activities in Barcelona for going by bicycle

April 18th, 2018

This weekend, the 21^st and 22^nd of April in Barcelona, you shouldn’t miss the great Earth Fair, which is celebrated at the Parc Central de Nou Barris.

Photo by Fran Priestley

In Barcelona, the Earth Day is celebrated with a great street market with handmade, ecological and proximity products and that intends to report the bad behavior of our society with regard to nature.

A nice initiative, isn’t it?

Join it doing something good for environment, such as going to the great street market by the cleanest means of transport: the bicycle. In this way, you will add some more pedaling to the 30 days of biking, which are still active this month of April in Barcelona.

And, if after walking through this street market, you are still interested in something more, on Monday, the 23^rd of April, Barcelona will be full of books and roses in order to celebrate the Sant Jordi’s tradition. Again, we insist that you don’t leave your bike at home. With the bicycle you will be able to move around in a comfortable way and you will avoid streets closed to traffic and the mass of people.

Barcelona doesn’t stop, keep its rhythm pedaling!

We repeat: we love going through Barcelona by bicycle

April 10th, 2018

The “30 Days by Bicycle” challenge is still active in Barcelona, so, here you have some reflections in order to motivate you even more after this first training week.

If you have achieved the first week of pedaling, we are sure that you have seen a lot of the advantages of the bicycle and that you have achieved some of its challenges. Sharing your experiences in the social networks is the key to motivate and help other people. So, don’t stop doing that.

For example, you can talk about how pleasant it is when you arrive at work, or at any other place, after pedaling your bicycle: how you avoid traffic jams, how you enjoy the city environment, how you greet the other cyclists and how you activate your body as soon as you are awake. The physical exercise is a key element for motivation and creativity, we are sure that you have performed even better these working days.

In addition, you can talk about annoying fumes, which come from the other motorized vehicles -not the electrical ones, of course-. Imagine how nice the city could be without all the atmospheric and acoustic pollution.

And yes, you can talk about how you have overcome other things that were not so good, such as the rain of some of these days. We bet that it wasn’t as terrible as you imagined before leaving home. If you have the equipment, you will see that going by bicycle while it is raining is not a problem. In order to reach the step of leaving home, think about the importance of rain for the purpose of dispersing the polluting particles from the air. This always encourages us.

You can achieve the “30 days of biking” challenge. Do that for you and for your city.

In love with #30daysofbiking, or #30diesAMBbiciBCN in Barcelona

March 4th, 2018

Photo by Soroush Karimi

These days, this very special hashtag for us is shared in the social networks, because the pedaling is the best social movement for us, our neighborhoods and our city.

30 days of biking is the best challenge of the year. The 30 days of April pedaling for going from one place to another one in the city, for going to work, taking kids to school, going for errands or, basically, enjoying pedaling through the city. A challenge with which the most part of the participants, who have in the bicycle world, will not be able to ever leave it again.

In addition, we shouldn’t forget to share it in the social networks in order to inspire even the the laziest people to participate. A lot of photos have already been distributed in order to awaken the envy -very healthy in this case- and the motivation of a lot of people.

The 30 days of biking comes with a lot of activities organized by entities and collectives from the city, whereby every one of these is gathered in a specific web page (you can access it right here).

If you are tired of traffic jams and pollution since quite some time ago, this is your opportunity to immerse yourself into the bicycle world and start changing things.

The Easter Week, some perfect days to pedal through the streets of Barcelona

March 27th, 2018

Photo by Mari Carmen Díaz

This Easter Week say goodbye to the umbrella and prepare yourself for a tour through the activities in Barcelona with your bicycle. Here are some suggestions.

Park and garden tour

Barcelona is a beautiful city because of its beaches, its architecture, but, also because of its parks and gardens distributed through different points of the city. One of our favorite parks is the Parc de la Ciutadella. By bicycle or walking, this lovely and immense park, in the center of the city, is one of the most passed through parks.

But, if you feel more courageous, you can go to the Laribal’s Gardens by bicycle, in the district of Sants-Montjuïc, away from the center, but with incredible views.

And, in order to close the triangle, in the other extreme of Barcelona, we have the Horta’s Labyrinth, the oldest park of Barcelona.

One of beaches, please.

Pedaling through the Passeig Maritim, you will enjoy the tranquility of these days at the beach. Although you could think that this is a perfect destination for summer, these days the beach is also beautiful and very, very calm. So, it is one of the best moments to enjoy its breeze.

Gastronomic tour.

From the beach to the center is a nice pedaling experience by bicycle, without hills and full of bars and restaurants where you can rest, refresh yourself and eat some tapas –the typical Spanish appetizers-. But, if we are talking about eating during these days, above all, you shouldn’t miss the famous Easter “mona” cake. Although it is supposed that it has to be a present for our godsons and goddaughters, these cakes are delicious and this is a dessert that we should enjoy.

Haven’t you you decided yet? Come to Born Bike Barcelona Tours, we are going to help you 😉

Pedaling against cold weather in Barcelona

March 20th, 2018

Photo by Mabel Amber

The beginning of Spring has come accompanied by a cold snap and by a bit of snow. Here we are going to explain how you can manage this situation.

Today, the typical conversation about weather makes sense. From the start of the week the decrease of the temperatures has become noticeable and this Tuesday it has arrived accompanied by a snow alert at minimum levels.

This doesn’t mean that you have to leave your bicycle at home, if you usually use it as your habitual means of transport. With the correct kit, the bicycle will help you to keep yourself warm.

When you dress, you should use the onion trick, which means wearing various layers of clothes. You will start to pedal warm and at the same time that you get warmer, you will be able to remove the different layers of clothes. You should use a neck gaiter to protect your face, the wind is a bit cold.

Wearing waterproof clothes is very important, and this is not only important for protecting your torso; it is also for protecting your legs. Although at this moment it is not raining or snowing, if the streets are dirty, you will avoid mud splashing your clothes.

Finally, make you sure that your bicycle is in a good shape. A professional service is always useful. But, the most important thing is being sure that your chain is clean and lubricated, that the breaks work well and that the wheels are not deflated, because you could have a flat tire.

With these tips you will be able to arrive anywhere and you will avoid the typical traffic jams of these days when everyone takes car.

Come to the Pi’s Fiesta in Barcelona by bicycle

March 14th, 2018

Photo by Rang Oza

We never stop in Barcelona. This weekend the Pi’s Fiesta, also called Sant Josep Oriol’s fiesta, are going to start. We offer you some information in order to whet your appetite…

This Saturday, the 17^th of March, the starting stroke, in this case, to the popular Pi’s Fiesta will take place at the center of Barcelona with a proclamation, sardanes -the traditional Catalan dance- and the popular four original Pi’s Giants dance. You shouldn’t miss that since it is only repeated once a year. Although the celebration beginning will not stop here. During the afternoon it will continue with the castellers and the theatre. And on Sunday, you shouldn’t miss the “Bestieses” event, a very original dance.

This fiesta is celebrated every year around the 23^rd of March, with the arrival of the Spring. For this reason, the 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th of March are going to be days full of activities for every one and for every age.

The fiesta is a tribute to Sant Josep Oriol, who was born and who lived in the district of Ciutat Vella of Barcelona, during the second half of the XVII century.

If you want to get to know things about this saint, his popular celebration and its traditions, don’t doubt about coming by bicycle and experiencing that personally.

The international Working Women’s Day in Barcelona

March 7th, 2018

Susan B. Anthony North American suffragist, (1898)

This Thursday, 8^th of March in Barcelona we are going to celebrate the International Working Women’s Day and, in the whole of Spain, it is going to be a great feminist strike, which will coincide with a lot of activities in favor of the women’s rights.

If you are in Barcelona this week you should be aware of the fact that it’s not just any week. For the 8^th of March of this year 2018 a big women’s strike is planned in the whole State with the claim: “If women stop, the world stops”. The intention is that every working woman, remunerated or not, takes part in the strike to make her work visible, as well as giving importance to the incidence of her work in the society.

The strike will take place in an ambient of celebration. For this reason, a lot of activities will be carried out in the different districts of Barcelona: from breakfast to vermouths, popular lunches, etc. And at 6:30 p.m. the great demonstration, which will start at the crossing of Passeig de Gràcia with Diagonal, and will finish at Plaça Catalunya, where women will read the manifest and where various performances will take place until 10 p.m.

In addition, during this week, various expositions are available at different places of the city.

Get more information and cooperate with this great popular movement in order to enjoy it!

Get to know Born Bike Tours Barcelona from inside and bring yourself to go for a stroll by bike with the best guides

February 27th, 2018

Look at this cool video which has been made by the Born Bike Tours Barcelona Team for you:

In Born Bike Tours Barcelona, we love our job and for this reason we love to share these good vibes with everyone. But we not only make videos 😉 we offer marvelous tours through Barcelona by bicycle.

Do you want to know the secret of our happiness? You shouldn’t miss to visit us next time you come to the Born neighborhood in Barcelona. Either you are a local or a tourist, we are going to surprise you!

‘Bicia’t’, a promotional program for going to work by bicycle thanks to the City Hall of Barcelona

February 20th, 2018

‘Bicia’t’ certifies the ‘bicycle friends’ buildings, which favor the bicycle use among their workers and prepares a recommendation guide.

As we have talked about since quite some time ago, Barcelona is working a lot on the sustainable means of transport matter. And, which is one of its preferences? The bicycle, a means of transport without contaminant emissions, which keeps you fit, which adapts itself to your life and gets you into harmony with the environment of your city.

One of the ways that the City Hall has found to promote this means of transport is through rewarding everyone who works in its same line, with the creation of various grants and promotional programs. In this case, we are going to focus on the Bicia’t program of the City Hall of Barcelona in collaboration with BACC -Bicicleta Club de Catalunya-. If you are used to going to go to work by bicycle, find out about the activities of this program, because it could help to add more work mates to your cause.

With Bicia’t, the City Hall certifies the “bicycle friends” buildings and it recommends a necessary remodeling for achieving the highest emblem. In addition, it promotes the bicycle use with free bicycles for hiring, circulation and mechanical training, organized excursions, parking installations and so on.

¿How many reasons do you need to join this movement? The healthy movement of cycling.

Those of us who use a bicycle in Barcelona love the rain

February 13th, 2018

Photo by Di Zhang

There are a lot of reasons for using bicycle as the usual means of transport, but one of the most important ones is the reduction of pollution. And which is the other element that helps to clean the city? The rain.

If we usually take the bicycle to move around Barcelona, it is possible that when you wake up in the morning and you see that it is raining you feel a bit irritated. For this reason, we suggest you to focus on this idea: rain is an indispensable factor to reduce pollution in the city, so don’t consider it your enemy, consider it your ally.

The water from rain cleans and purifies the environment because it drags away the damaging particles. And for everyone who breathes the city air daily this is the key.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in its report WHO, GBoD 2016, estimates that “some 3 million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution”. This profound exposition to a high level of pollution could cause: an increase of allergy among the population; a development of cardiac illnesses; respiratory diseases, etc.

So, take advantage of every rainy day wearing the suitable bicycle equipment for these days and enjoy this phenomenon, which is very necessary for life.

In Barcelona and do not you know what to do? Come to Santa Eulàlia’s festivity and to the activities of Carnival by bike

6th February, 2018

This week from 9th to 12th of February in Barcelona, we are going to celebrate the Great Fiesta of winter, Santa Eulàlia, coinciding with Carnival!

Photo by Ylanite

The streets of the Gòtic neighborhood, in the center of Barcelona, are a monument by themselves that you shouldn’t miss. But, in addition, during the 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th of February the popular festivity of Santa Eulàlia is going to be celebrated, an opportunity which is only repeated once a year. This festivity mixes all the years of history of these streets with a show of popular Catalan culture.

Giants, cabezudos, colles de castellers, sardanes, correfoc… Are the ingredients of this festivity. If you are closer, you don’t have any excuse. This is your chance for blending yourself into the people of Barcelona and share their traditions.

But that’s not all! The 8^th of February, also in the center of Barcelona, the Carnival’s king will proclaim the start of his festivity. During a week Barcelona will be full of Catalan egg sausage, parades and sardine’s burial.

The best you can do is forgetting the car or the motorbike for arriving at the activities, this only will cause you a headache, specially if you want to park closer. The best is to bet for the best means of transport: the bicycle.

The best week to take advantage of every one of its days in Barcelona.

Barcelona makes its way through the bike lane

January 24th, 2018

In 2015, the City Hall of Barcelona promised us 308km of bike lane, nowadays the city has 184km and, although the final goal for the end of the year is lower than the first one -233 of 308km-, the 89% of the citizens of Barcelona already have a bike lane at a maximum of 300 meters from their homes.

The City Hall of Barcelona can already boast that in the last two years they have extended the cyclist infrastructure of the city, also improving the security. And this is something very important to promote the use of ecological and alternative means of transport such as the bicycle.

We have already noted this promotion because, according to the information of the City Hall, between 2015 and 2016 the average of urban cyclists increased by 14%.

The fact that the City Hall continues betting on bicycles is something we all have to work for. Going to work by bike means a healthy routine, getting fit and an ecological benefit for the whole environment of the city.

We cannot feel happiest seeing that every day Barcelona is closer of being a big net for bikes 🙂

Dear Three Wise Men…

January 3rd, 2018

After Christmas Day and the New Year’s Eve, there is another important moment of these days: the arriving of the Three Wise Men. What are you going to wish for? We will explain how to contact with them here.

If you are one of the persons who has been doing things in an unlimited way these last days –eating non stop, visiting your family and playing games with the kids-, surely, the first thing you will wish for is some outdoor activities.

These days Barcelona is full of activities referring to the Three Wise Men, because the people can walk through its streets and enjoy the last days of Christmas. The Three Kings’ toy factory will be active until the 4^th of January at the “Fabra i Coats – Fàbrica de Creació” facilities. Do you know anything about this place? It is a spectacular industrial building in the district of Sant Andreu, which has been remodeled to become a place full of activities, where different businesses and projects live together. Take advantage of this event to leave the center and discover a bit more of this city. In addition, you will enjoy a tour full of magic and you will see how the letters to the Three Wise Men are transformed into presents.

You can also deliver your wish list to the helpers of the Three Wise Men, Estel and Omar, who are at Plaça Catalunya from Tuesday to Thursday, in order to assist the Three Wise Men with their work.

And, certainly, you shouldn’t miss the Three Wise Men’s parade of the 5^th o January, which will start at 6 p.m. You can follow the planned trajectory or you can wait for their arrival at one of these points:

6 p.m. Av. Marquès de l’Argentera

6.10 p.m. Pla de Palau

6.25 p.m. Via Laietana

7 p.m. Pl. Urquinaona

7.05 p.m. Fontanella

7.10 p.m. Pl. Catalunya

7.25 p.m. Pl. Universitat

7.35 p.m. Rda. Sant Antoni

7.45 p.m. Sepúlveda

8.25 p.m. Paral·lel

8.35 p.m Pl. Espanya

8.45 p.m Av. Reina Maria Cristina

Remember to include non-sexist presents in your list, for example… a bicycle 😉

The future of Christmas is already present in Barcelona

20 de desembre de 2017

The end of the year is closer and with that our reflections about Christmas in Barcelona, pedaling our bicycles, increase.

You can contact with the Three Wise Man by email. Girls can order race cars and boys can order kids’ play kitchens. An original present is the one which is related to sustainability, education… There are a lot of examples about what we can find nowadays at Christmas, which shows that we are making progresses for a more equal and sustainable future.

In Barcelona, we are maintaining the tradition, but we also make aware about that, because this is not based on consumerism nor discrimination. So, in order to don’t miss this tradition, it is important to maintain the basic values, either at Christmas, at Carnival or Halloween.

So, we couldn’t avoid to do that, we have related a good Christmas with a bicycle.

The bicycle is for everyone, without regard gender or economic level, because we can find it with a very affordable price. It can be adapted to any situation easily. It is completely sustainable, it doesn’t contaminate or waste. And the energy that moves it is ourselves.

If you are agreed with these values, make the exercise of comparing your Christmas with your bicycle, what else do you want for your celebrations?

Are you worried about the best present for this Christmas? Look for it at the Christmas streets markets of Barcelona

December 14th, 2017

As every year, during these days, Barcelona is full of Christmas activities for everybody. One of the most important ones is the Christmas streets markets for their tradition, culture, proximity and sustainability. Discover the most popular ones and the alternatives too.

Photo by Gerhard Gellinger

If during these days you are in Barcelona, you shouldn’t miss these Christmas streets markets:

Santa Llúcia Market

One of the most important markets. Situated at the Catedral Avenue, this market, with a religious tradition, is where you will find all kinds of Christmas products, in addition to the Christmas trees and different gastronomic products.

Sagrada Família Christmas’s Market

With an enviable view towards the Sagrada Família, this market has all the traditional products of Christmas. So, you shouldn’t miss it!

III Market of Responsible Consumption and Social and Solidary Economy

Younger than the other two markets, this one has the innovative element of responsible consumption and social and solidary economy. If during Christmas we feel the solidary spirit, it doesn’t necessarily wake up every time we buy our presents. So, you know, go to the Plaça Catalunya and get new ideas and enjoy the other activities organized at this place.

Lost & Found Market

And within our selection of alternative markets, we want to highlight this second hand one. Situated at the Estació de França, this is one of the shortest lasting ones, because it is only celebrated the 16^th and the 17^th of December. You shouldn’t miss this opportunity because it’s absolutely certain that you will find a good and original present here.

Come to go through the beaches of Barcelona, a place of rest also during November and December

November 28th, 2017

Shahariar Lenin

It is normal that, during these dates, we relate the bike routes with the forests and mountains. Although, we love to remember that, during November and December, beaches, less visited than during summer, are the perfect option to ride our bike and find a bit of calm.

Barcelona, as we like to remember, is a sea and mountain city. Just riding your bicycle, you can go from Montjuïc -and its amazing views- to the beach in an easy way.

Why don’t do that during winter?

If during summer the beaches of Barcelona are the meeting point of millions of tourists who visit the city, during November and December months, this coming and going of people becomes calm and tranquility for all the people who dare to go there. The bike lane, parallel to the promenade, goes through all the beaches of the city, a fact that become itself in a perfect route to enjoy the landscape and the sea breeze. We can pedal during a long time since we decide to stop and rest. Then, we can lie down on the sand -of course, remember to take something to wrap you up warm- and focus yourself in the swell sound.

¿Haven’t you feel like to experience something like this? For us, who are very close to the beaches, this is the best you can do for relaxing yourself and disconnect from the frenetic rhythm of these days.

Christmas lights for paying tribute to the victims of the attack in Barcelona

November 21st, 2017

This year, 2017, the Christmas lights take on a new meaning. The City Hall of Barcelona has decided that this illumination will start on the 23^rd of November at 7 p.m. in a very specific place, La Rambla de Santa Mònica.

Photo by Rang Oza

If, until now, the Christmas lights disguised the beginning of the campaign of these dates, this time, they will be used in order to pay tribute to the victims of the 17^th of August attack. In addition, they pretend to pay homage to the Rambla’s shopkeepers in gratitude for their responses and for their generosity.

For this reason, this year, the illumination will include the dove of peace, symbolizing what represents the day of the attack and the next days, when the people of Barcelona and a lot of other people return to open the Ramblas with the motto of “No tenim por” -We are not afraid-.

Remember, if you want to participate in this act of solidarity, go to the Rambla Santa Mònica on the 23^rd of November at 7 p.m.

Tips for tolerating the cold weather when we go through the city by bicycle

November 14th, 2017

This week the cold weather of Barcelona has inspired us to remember some tips for keeping on pedaling also during the winter.

Photo by Ben Kerckx

From one week ago, in Barcelona, we have observed a significant descend of the temperatures, although the weather of this city uses to be between comfortable limits.

In any case, if we want to keep us pedaling during winter, to focus us in our clothes in order to avoid unnecessary colds is very important. In spite of the fact that when we do exercise we use to warm up quickly, so as to avoid the drastic changes, it is important to use tight clothes which could be made of cotton or some other material which should be breathable and comfortable. Over these clothes, in order to avoid the wind and, if it is necessary, the rain, we suggest you to use a coat made of nylon. If we wear various clothe layers, we can adapt our clothing to the corporal temperature during our trip.

Other important part of the body, which we should keep in mind, are the hands. A pair of gloves will be perfect for avoiding that the cold chaps our skin. It is also important to keep our feet warm, so the best we can do is to use warm and comfortable socks.

For your head, if you use to wear a helmet, which is the most recommendable, you will not suffer for it.

In spite of been winter, you should remember that being hydrated by drinking water is very important.

And, at last but not least, remember the front and the back lights. In Barcelona, they are obligatory, specially, during winter, because it gets dark early and they are essentials for your security.

Don’t be stopped by anything ¡Keep on pedaling!

Nature for achieving a bit of tranquility

November 10th, 2017

Photo by Iris von Lienen

Barcelona, in spite of being a big city and for this reason extremely edified, it also has some important natural places which allow us to disconnect from the frenetic madness of the city during some hours. Discover which these zones are and go to there by bicycle.

The parks and the gardens

There are for everyone’s tastes. For us, the best park is the Parc de la Ciutadella, where you can pedal on your bike or take a walk. Although this is a very frequented track, due to the fact that is a centric place and within it you can find the Parlament de Catalunya.

For this reason, if you are interested in some more tranquility, you can go pedaling to other proposals: the Laribal’s Gardens. These gardens are situated in the district of Sants-Munjuïc, further away from center, but with a perfect access by bicycle. The park is composed of various terraces that communicate through pathways and stairs, which are flooded over by the vegetation which will allow us to breathe in a little bit of peace. If you go there, please don’t miss the famous Font del Gat and discover its legend if you haven’t done it yet.

In practically the other extreme of Barcelona, we have the Horta’s Labyrinth. If the stress doesn’t allow you to think, lose yourself within the knowledge of the oldest park of Barcelona. Sometimes, disconnecting is the best way of looking for answers.

The Natural Park of Collserola

For the most courageous cyclists, the natural park of Collserola, which protects Barcelona, could be the best option. Take the whole day to pedal through this mountain. In order to take a break. You can use its picnic zones to eat something and, in general, enjoy this jewel so close to your home.

*Remember: please take care of the environment and ride the bicycle only within the indicated zones. We are not the only ones who need these places to disconnect. We hope the next person finds the park in the same or in a better condition.

¿Have you paid attention to the activities of these days in Barcelona? This week, we are preparing ourselves for the “Castanyada”

October 24th, 2017

Although the popular party is going to be celebrated at All Saints’ Day, the 1^st of November, during this week, we will be able to enjoy some of the activities which will be celebrated on the occasion of this festivity. And the most important, we can stuff ourselves with chestnuts and “panellets”.

Maybe some people don’t know it yet, but the chestnuts, the fruit of the chestnut tree, are very typical in Catalonia, in special during their harvest season, which coincides with October and the beginnings of November. For this reason, in the middle of some streets, we can find the typical stand with the “castanyera” (the person who sells chestnuts), roasting chestnuts and selling them in a cone, made by a sheet of newspaper, and accompanied by roasted sweet potatoes. And, as far as we are concerned, at home, we have never achieved ones as good as the ones we bought in these stands.

On the other hand, these days, the “panellets” are also very typical. They are little cakes, make by a sweet dough, which contains: sugar, ground raw almond, egg and potato or sweet potato. There are the chocolate ones, the coconut, the candied fruit and, for us the best ones: the pine nut ones.

If these days you are in Barcelona, you can enjoy all the organized activities and taste some of these culinary delicacies. And, then? Going to pedal in order to burn all these sweets and being able to repeat 😉

Finally, it will rain in Barcelona, are you ready for continue pedaling?

October 17th, 2017

These autumn months haven’t been so wet as always and, although some people appreciate the convenience that this means when you have to take the bike, we need to be aware about the importance of the rain in the city.

Photo by Liv Bruce

Rain is an indispensable element for life and, specially, in the city, this is a key element for cleaning the accumulated pollution. If you are a person who pedals through the streets of Barcelona daily, breathing a clean atmosphere is very important for you. So, when the autumn rain will arrive, the best we can do is waiting for them with excitement and ready.

Remember wearing the appropriate equipment, waterproof clothes, a footwear which resists rain without problems and all the elements which make you being more visible, especially for the motor vehicles: reflective clothes, the front and the back bicycle lights. A back mudguard will avoid you to arrive at your destiny with your back full of mud.

Get your bicycle ready, you can help to improve adhesion on the road by reducing the tire pressure (a little bit! If not, you will be in danger of getting a flat tire) and be sure that the treads of your tires are well marked. It is also important to maintain the chain clean and lubricated. And, specially (with or without rain), check if your brakes respond quickly.

The rainy days are perfect to show our skills with the bicycle. We are talking about reinforcing your concentration on the road. Brake before a curve and take it slowly. Keep a safety distance with regard to the other vehicles; avoid puddles, marks painted on the road and the multicolour marks that appear on the road (they are car oil).

With these preventive measures you will arrive dry and happy to your destination 😉

The bicycle: good vibes for the atmosphere in Barcelona

October 10th, 2017

Fotografia de David Marcu – Fuente: Unsplash

Wake up, have a quick breakfast, take the car, wait in the traffic jam, sit in your chair and work, take the car, wait in the traffic jam… go to sleep. Wake up, have a quick breakfast, take the car, wait in the traffic jam, sit in your chair and work, take the car, wait in the traffic jam… go to sleep.

Every now and then, we like to remind you that sometimes our society pushes us towards an unhealthy routine, which is not good for our physical, mental and atmospheric health.

If you break with just one of the elements of this routine, and, of course, it cannot be one of the basic needs, you can achieve great changes in your life. For example, what could we change if we took the bicycle instead of the car?

“You wake up, you dress, you have breakfast and… you take your bicycle; you enjoy the fresh air of the morning and the first sleepy faces; your muscles become more active in the same way that your mind does. And when you get to work you park just in the entrance. You sit in your chair at your desk, but this time you are ready for the next 8 hours”.

We wrote this 2 years ago, and since then, things have changed. Maybe you are one of the nice people who has changed his routine, improving your life and the life of the other people. Or, maybe, you are one of the indecisive person who has seen the creation of a new bike line near your house and now you are contemplating whether or not to go to your work pedaling.

Try it. We are sure that with one week of going to work by bike, you will not be able to return to the old routine.

Rueda, the international film festival about cycling in Barcelona returns one more year

October 5th, 2017

Among all the events which are taking place these last days in the city, we shouldn’t forget the importance of the bicycle and all the mobilization that goes with it. For this reason, we shouldn’t miss this festival.

Have you thought about disconnecting these next days? The best cultural suggestion that we have found is this festival about cyclist cinema in Barcelona, which will be celebrated from the 5^th to the 8^th of October.

This is not only an exposition and a competition of films, this is also a variety of activities for adults and children, which will induce us much more in this cultural space dedicated to the bicycle.

Discover unique cinematographic works with one common element: the bicycle. Connects with this style of life on another level. It will be one of the best trips that you will take with this vehicle.

We love going through Barcelona by bicycle

September 27th, 2017

The new season has been a cause of reflection, because we love riding a bike in Barcelona and here you have some of the reasons

Every season is good

We love summer. Tourism, vacation, beach, tapas… During autumn the sweat is finished, the mountain is really beautiful and we again start with renovated energies. Winter, Christmas holidays, weekend breaks with a bike, the opportunity of getting to know closer places, the warm food after a nice day pedaling… And again spring, discovering gardens and tracks which are blooming, with a scented air that fill our lungs when we are doing exercise.

We improve the good vibes in our city

Mark physical challenges, although they can so easy as going to work by bike, will improve our creativity and productivity when we were working. “Mens sana in corpore sano” -healthy mind in a healthy body-. How couldn’t we feel better, with ourselves and with the other people, after this personal growth?

We improve the environment in Barcelona

For each person added to the pedaling, one exhaust pipe less.

If you are not already decided to pedal through Barcelona, try it, you will not be able to leave it! 😊

An important week for Barcelona: The great fiesta of ‘La Mercè’ combined with a sustainable mobility

September 19th, 2017

This week is the #MobilityWeek in terms of sustainability. If we combine that with the beginning of the celebration of “La Mercè”, this Friday, the 22^nd, coinciding with the Day Without Cars in Barcelona, the plan cannot be better.

Photo by Feradz

Are you ready to pedal? This week you don’t have any excuse. Keep yourself fit these days, because on Friday you will not be able to avoid enjoying this great city breathing the clean air, which is not going to be contaminated by the private vehicles.

The 22^nd of September of 2017 will be a great day, because it will coincide with the day without cars and the beginning of the great fiesta of “La Mercè”. So, you will be able to enjoy all the organized activities during the day and the macro-concerts at night, riding around with your bike.

And the rest of the day? Pay attention to us… don’t stop riding a bike. The streets of the center, narrow and busy enough in themselves, can be worse during the fiesta. In order to move around, the best vehicle will be the bicycle, it will give you flexibility when you are pedaling through the streets and when you need to park it. Because, although there will be activities all around the city, the streets of the center are the place where the big cultural events will be concentrated: castellers, giants, trabucaires and so on.

Enjoy the fiesta, pedaling!

12 Tips for Better Cycling, specially with the weather change

September 12th, 2017

Next week we are going to embark on many activities and events, before we would like to remind you of some basic safety tips when using a bicycle

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Wear a Helmet

Only in the U.S. more than 6,000 cyclists need emergency care for head injuries each year. Choose a well-fitting helmet.

Start Slowly

A good training could be only to pedal about 30 minutes on flat terrain during the first three or four weeks.

Dress for Comfort

Choose comfortable clothes.

Go Bright When there is only Low Light 😉

Try not to ride at night, but if necessary, make use of the lights.

Always Use Good Road Sense

Respect all traffic signs and norms. It’s well worth while for everyone.

Be Traffic-Aware

If there is heavy traffic, ride in the lane with the cars, not to the side.

Use your Brakes Adequately

For optimal pressure, put your hands at the ends of the levers. Apply firm pressure to the brakes.

Get In Gear

Try not to pedal in high gear during long periods to avoid pressure on your knees.

Taking these simple tips into account, you’ll get more enjoyment out of biking!

Has anyone missed the fresh air of his/her city? Welcome to the Barcelona of September

September 04th, 2017

Holidays are finished but, for sure, more than one person feels like having a rest, returning to his/her routine with recharged batteries and with the fresh air of September. In addition, we always have the weekend plans!

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

During September, the tourism period becomes more relaxed. Although the warm weather continues during this month, it is not that intense anymore. And the routine, sometimes, results in a relaxing time after having had intense trips. So, September, welcome to our life.

With the return to work, you can also return to the weekend plans, more relaxed and nearer by. And if you have followed our tips and you have taken advantage of bike as a means of transport, you cannot miss all you have achieved and learned. Enjoy your city and #GoToWorkByBike –with this hashtag you will find a lot of motivation in the social networks- and during the weekend look for the places that you have yet not gotten to know in your city and organize a bike tour with your friends.

Sport activates the mind and the motivation, new challenges and objectives, such as the ones we have recommended, will avoid your thinking about any post-vacation depression 😉

We are not afraid in Barcelona

August 26th, 2017

A week has already passed since the terrible acts in the Rambla of Barcelona, although we only needed a few hours to recover this place and show that we are not afraid in any sense.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the 26^th of August, the streets of Barcelona are going to be full of people from different places in order to show the whole world that we are not afraid. This is something that we have done all week through the different intercultural events, which honor all victims of the entire terrorist attacks.

We love Barcelona for always being open to the world, something that will not change thanks to all the people who live here and who make it a welcome place for everyone.

Tomorrow we will give support, as many other people in the world, to the call of “We are not afraid”, because by getting all these people together, we feel more empowered to share our culture of peace.

Traveling, moving around, discovering, pedaling, Barcelona… We love our job and TripAdvisor knows it very well

August 15th, 2017

Another year, TripAdvisor has awarded us with the Certificate of Excellence in its social network thanks to the score and the flattering comments that you have given us.

Ernest, the Gaudí of the guides

Revolutionary, genius and fantastic are the adjectives which we use to make reference to the master Gaudí.

The paradox arrives when the very one guide seems an incarnation of the character. A man out of the boring rationalism which other guides use to offer, without falling into the lack of precision with the datum and showing a great passion for the profession.

An artisan of his work.

This has been the best way of discovering this curious city.

Thanks Ernest.

Signed by Los cuatro Gallegos

Although it could seem that we have had looked for the best comment in a very long list, this is the last comment that we received in our Spanish page of TripAdvisor. The poet is Alejandro and we cannot stop thanking him and all the other people who have participated in our project during this last year, because, although it sounds typical, they are the ones who have achieved that we enjoyed this last year so much.

With this kind of presents, we feel like keeping pedaling more than ever!

The best great fiesta of summer is comming, the great fiesta of Gràcia

August 8th, 2017

If you like getting to know the popular culture of the places where you travel, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity of enjoying the great fiesta of the district of Gràcia, which will be celebrated from the 15^th to the 21^st of August.

Every year we dedicate a mail about this very special fiesta and this year we cannot fail because it is going to celebrate its 200 anniversary and nobody looks better at this age. Although, the fiesta starts some days away, you can see some neighbors preparing the details which will dress the streets of different themes for the annual competition. You can feel the festivity in the ambient.

If you are in Barcelona from the 15^th to the 21^st you shouldn’t miss the activities which will be celebrated during the day nor the concerts of the night. You will enjoy the popular culture very near: sardanes, castellers, giants…

For sure, you will find all the streets closed to the traffic, so the best you can do is get there by bike, you will arrive more away and you will not find problems to park 😉.

If you are not here during these dates, don’t worry, you will have another opportunity the next week with the great fiesta of Sants.

Don’t forget the keys of the ecotourism at home during these holidays

August 1st, 2017

Among the notes of the trip, remember the keys of the ecotourism is nice in order to achieve that our footprint is always positive in the different places of the world.

Summarized in the 8 points presented by the International Ecotourism Society, these are the keys which we should follow during our holidays:

Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts:

Obviously, at this point we cannot stop insisting on the kind of means of transport that we use. We, of course, prefer the quick, efficient and non-contamination bicycle, always knowing and respecting (the) each city‘s regulations.

Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect:

And an interesting way to do that is moving around the city to the maximum in order to get to know its history, its art and its culture, in addition to its surroundings, especially if they are a source of nature and always leaving a minimum physical trace of our visit.

Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts:

Knowing local people and sharing experiences with them will always make our trip so much richer. In order to do that, it is usually enough to be respectful and friendly.

Provide direct financial benefits for conservation:

Collaborating, as far as possible, with these places which we love to visit.

Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry:

To go and use local shops and services will get us closer to the people of the place and to the way that they live together. So, why do we have to go to the same shops, which, surely, are also in our city?

Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates:

The present context will indicate much about the place and the people that we are getting to know.

Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities:

Something so basic that we surely will always intend to comply with it in our daily life.

Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment:

Something so basic that we surely will always intend to comply with it in our daily life.

These holidays, experience Barcelona like a local person

July 25th, 2017

Fiestas, gastronomy and architecture are the three keys that will help you to enjoy Barcelona as though you had lived here all your life.

Barcelona keeps its high level of activities during the whole year, but, during summer, coinciding with the fiestas of some of its districts is much easier.

During these fiestas, all families in the neighborhood work in the organization and in the celebration. For this reason, if you are looking for typical elements of the popular Catalan culture -sardanes, grallers, giants, music…-, in these fiestas, you will find them.

During the next weeks we will announce them.

Gastronomy is another one of the essentials keys, in order to get to know the culture and, in addition, this is one of the best pleasures which we can access easily. In Barcelona, walking through the narrow streets in the center, at the Gòtic or the Born, at the port or, even, in other neighborhoods like Gracia or Sants-full of pedestrian streets and squares- we will be surrounded by restaurants and bars, where we will be able to eat some tapas -Spanish appetizers.

Finally, architecture, the one which we can find walking at the street level, is the key that has converted Barcelona into the most important modernist city. You shouldn’t miss that.

The best of all of this is that you can achieve all these key points while you are riding your bike placidly around the city.

Pedaling through the parks and gardens in Barcelona, the green zones that you shouldn’t miss!

July 4th, 2017

Barcelona, sea and mountain city, takes care of its green lungs and turns them into a perfect places where take a walk and refresh yourself during summer.

In our opinion, this is the number 1: Parc de la Ciutadella. Why? Because it has a perfect access for bicycles and converts it into one of our favorites places in Barcelona. More than 17 hectares where you can walk, ride, look it over, stop to rest and, even do some rowing, because the park has a little lake.

Although, if you really want to get away from the city, there are two parks, which are very special for us. On the one hand, we have the Laribal’s Gardens, situated in the district of Sants-Montjuïc. We can get there on bicycle, even though, we will have to park it at the entrance. There, we will be able to enjoy the great vegetation and the different ponds and waterfalls. In addition, we shouldn’t miss the famous Font del Gat (The Cat Fountain) and getting to know its legend. And, on the other hand, we have the Horta’s Labyrinth in the district of Horta-Guinardó. This is the oldest park of the city, but it preserves a great beauty in its vegetation, streams and statues of mythological characters.

Soon, the city will have a new green lung in Glòries. The City Hall of Barcelona has already presented the project of a great park which will give life to this end, which, until now, has been a grey point in the city.

This summer bet on the sustainable tourism

June 6th, 2017

This 2017 has been declared International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations.

Photo by Homestage Multimedia

Although in Barcelona we have noticed the warm weather of summer, this season hasn’t arrived officially until this week and with it the holidays of some people are going to start.

The United Nations has declared this 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. So if we are planning a trip it will be nice to be on the ecotourism plan, following the guidelines which have been reminded by this international institution: “The declaration by the UN of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is a unique opportunity to advance the contribution of the tourism sector to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental -, while raising awareness of the true dimensions of a sector which is often undervalued” said World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Generate wealth during our trips and don’t destroy a place where people welcome us is a responsibility of every one of us. The best experiences are experienced through the streets join with the local people who share their culture.

Catch up on the bike lane of Barcelona with a simple look

June 13th, 2017

The City Hall of Barcelona puts a new and updated bike lane map at your service.

Such as we have previously announced, Barcelona has decided to bet on the bicycle as the future vehicle. For this reason, there is an effort to improve the traffic safety that is relative to this means of transport. One of the improvements is the one related to the extension and the updating of the bike lane in Barcelona.

If you are thinking about spending a few days in the city, obviously, we advise you to use the bicycle. It is quick, easy for parking and it allows you to enjoy the city at the same time you are moving around. In addition, you will help to improve the pollution levels in the city, a very nice touch for people who live in the city and welcome you to it.

You can prepare different routes for all the days. In order to do it in a safe way, have a look at the updated bike lane map. You will quickly realize that almost no corner is out of range of being visited by bike.

¡Barcelona is almost ready to welcome, in a safe way, all the urban cyclists of the whole world!

Join the Bicycle Fiesta of this year 2017 in Barcelona, pedaling!

June 6th, 2017

This Sunday, the 11^th of June, the Bicycle Fiesta will be celebrated in Barcelona with a pedaling from the center of Barcelona, crossing Sants-Montjuïc and the port, to Poble Nou.

If you want to ride a bike through Barcelona with the local people, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity this Sunday, the 11^th of June, offers. With the bicycle fiesta in Barcelona, streets will be closed for cars, but opened to this excellent means of transport for enjoying this spring day together with the most enthusiastic fans of the bicycle.

If you would like participating in this event, at 9.30 a.m. you should be all ready at Aragó with Roger de Flor street. From this point, you will circulate to the Tarragona Street. From there you will go down to the Espanya Square, and then from Avinguda Paral·lel to Floridablanca Street, until arriving at the center. Although the route won’t finish there, but rather, it will continue to Marina, at this point , you will go down to the sea and then up for going to ride through some streets of Poble Nou. The tour will be finished at the Passeig Lluís Companys, to end up where the great Bicycle Fiesta will take place.

Totally, 12km of enjoyment. So, take a bike and don’t miss this opportunity!

The bike lane in Catalonia continues progressing towards a safer circulation

May 25th, 2017

The Catalan institutions are continuously more aware about the importance of this means of transport for the future, for this reason, they continuously invest more funds for improving the safety of every one of the cyclists.

Before 2020, the Catalan government will have invested between 20 and 40 millions of euros to improve and increase the bike lane in Catalonia, it was announced in this way by Josep Rull, minister of Territory and Sustainability of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Next October, the local help call will be opened for City Halls, regional councils, etc.

These investments are within the growth of the habitual cycle users who have exceeded all expectations. According to the Institut Opinòmetre’s survey, requested by the Department of Territory and Sustainability of the Generalitat, a total of 190,000 people have changed the car or motorbike for the bicycle.

A series of numbers which don’t stop indicating that the bicycle is here to stay. Citizens are already making the first effort of the change and, it seems that institutions are also getting moving in order to achieve that this transition becomes safer for all the users.

We cannot stop imagining a future where the streets of Barcelona, including the Eixample, are clean and tranquil passages where we can circulate with our favorite means of transport. And it seems that this idea is getting closer!

What should you eat if you are visiting Barcelona? The most popular gastronomy

May 16th, 2017

Photo by Javier Lastras

Barcelona gathers the most traditional food of the Catalan cuisine. The major part of the bars of Barcelona have menu which combines sea and mountain foods perfectly.

In order to get familiar with a city, its people and its culture, getting close to the bars and restaurants which offer us the popular gastronomy of the place is essential.

Barcelona is not different in this aspect, and all its tapas (Spanish appetizers) and menus are characterized by their perfect mixture of sea and mountain. So, in this case, bars, restaurants and markets are an obligatory visit.

You cannot only eat the “pa amb tomàquet” (tomato rubbed on bread). In spite of being one of the best inventions of our gastronomy, you shouldn’t miss combining it with some cold meat (fuet, llonganissa, cheese, ham…) or with fried squid or with some “seitons” (anchovies) in vinegar.

When you choose the menu, you should be guided by the seasonal food. During winter, you will be grateful for a good stew, a Catalan “escudella” or a fricassee. At the beginning of spring it should be some “calçots” with romesco sauce. During summer the “coca catalana” (Catalan tart) or the “escalivada” with cheese will help you renew energy. For autumn, a soupy rice with mushrooms. And the jack of all trades during the whole year is the Catalan sausage with beans.

Obviously, to base the typical Catalan gastronomy only on these dishes is miscalculate the Catalan food, but a list with all the typical Catalan dishes won’t fit into only one blog post. So, you should get a good gastronomic guide which will help you not to miss any of the delicious morsels that Barcelona offers.

Barcelona in the European Cycling Challenge 2017

May 9th, 2017

Again, we have the opportunity to participate in this great international event, where cities compete for the best one prize: cleaner and healthier cities.

The European City Challenge, although being an international great championship, is not only for elite athletes. Here the winner city is the one who gathers more people as you to pedal for a city free of pollution.

It is not about being the faster, it is about being the most constant one. The winner city will be the one where people have done more kilometers during their daily trips: going to work, to the school, etc. The idea is about replacing the motor vehicles, which we are using daily to move around, and transforming all the smoke in good vibes and healthy exercise.

This is very simple, you only have to sign up and you can do that through the application Naviki.

You can find all the information in the official web: http://www.cyclingchallenge.eu/

You shouldn’t miss it! We are already pedaling in Barcelona.

Do not be held up by the rain in Barcelona, continue pedaling thanks to our tips

May 2nd, 2017

During April and May the rain is unavoidable and, although for some people this can embitter his/her walking, we want to recall its profits for the city and some of the tips, which will allow us to ride the bicycle without worries.

Fotografía de Lauren Ellis

Cities like Barcelona usually have problems regulating the pollution levels. A key element for this regulation is the rainwater, because it reduces the air’s polluting particles and it levels the temperature.

In addition, if the city is sensitive to the benefices of rain, it can take profit from other characteristics. With rain it is possible to generate electric energy to illuminate the city. We can irrigate our plants and crops and facilitate the life of the nearby fauna. And as far as the level of the domestic consumption is concerned, we can take advantage of this water to fill tanks and cisterns.

If all these advantages are not be able to raise your spirit during rainy days, you can try going out and pedaling. Adequate equipment: waterproof and flashy clothes and shoes which facilitate the visibility for the rest of the other vehicle drivers; a ready bike with branded wheels, a clean and lubricated chain and good brakes plus; and all your senses on the road. These three key elements will allow you to enjoy your trips on rainy days, while the others stress themselves with the unavoidable traffic jams of these days.

In the end, you will miss these rainy days.

Why we love our job? Because we enjoy our tours by bike in Barcelona like you

April 25th, 2017

We know that bragging is not nice, but we are as happy with the bike tours as our clients, and one of the best ways to show you this satisfaction is sharing some of the comments that people have given us in the social networks. Some of them are true poets 😊

Beautiful, beautiful is the perfect word to define the tour we had.

Eli was the guide that took us with a map throughout the area of the viewpoint of Barcelona, we visited Montjuic the part where the Olympic games of the year 92′ were made and it was incredible.

I recommend visiting the Miramar Restaurant with a spectacular view towards the sea.

The best tour I had in many years.

Aimad Brown (Facebook)

With only three available hours to visit the city and wishing to see everything possible, we ask at BornBike Tours Barcelona, if organizing a private tour for three people in Italian was possible.

It was a great experience!

A perfect organization, disposition and patience which adapted to our necessities and requests.

An absolutely honest and affordable price for all the pockets.

To a great extent, the merit is for Jordi, our guide. Grazie Giorgio!

It could seem a promotional message, but we enjoyed it very much!

Mille Mille (Facebook)

I rent a bicycle for some days and I received an excellence service, personally from Ernest. This man is a poet and a philosopher from the streets, a troubadour of the history, with a warm and personal service, he never let you go without knowing, in an excellent way, all the things that you can do and where you can go by bike in Barcelona, it is like a personal instruction at every place, with stories of the near and far history of the beautiful Barcelona.

10 points!

Gustavo (TripAdvisor)

This is only a little show of all the flattering comments that people gift us since we start the business. We hope that the translation does justice to what they wanted to express.

We only can say that the thanks are for you, because without these great clients we couldn’t work at easy.

Do you already have the Sant Jordi’s book and rose? Get close to the culture by bike, pedaling through the streets of Barcelona

April 19th, 2017

This Sunday, 23^rd of April, Barcelona is going to relive the Sant Jordi’s legend with hundreds of books, roses and activities distributed through the whole city.

Bookshops, florists and, also, all kinds of entities are going to take the stands out to the streets this 23^rd of April, adorning the sidewalks of Barcelona with their decorated roses and the best sellers of the year. So, if you are nearby, you won’t be able to resist the temptation of stopping there and buying some of the literary wonders which are hidden among the piles of books, and you will leave taking away roses for all your loved ones.

On the other hand, remember that the Sant Jordi’s tradition has progressed. Now, it isn’t a rose for the lady and a book for the gentleman. Luckily, these differences have been left behind, but not the spirit. Culture and beauty are now joined together, in order to create one of the best presents of the year among the people who really want to participate.

If you want to enjoy this day 100%, you also need to leave the car behind. The streets of the center in Barcelona, with a complex access for motor vehicles, are going to be fuller of people this day. Our tip? Take a bike and also enjoy the pedaling to the center.

Which are your plans for this long weekend during Easter?

April 11th, 2017

In Barcelona, you have a lot of offers related or not to this festivity that you shouldn’t miss.

From the Easter workshops for all ages in community centers and museums, to the long pedals through the beach and the mountain by bicycle. In Barcelona you can do almost everything during this weekend.

Are you the whole the family? Go to some of the workshops, such as the CosmoCaixa, or the Chocolate Museum, or the Fundació Suñol.

Maybe you are thinking about something for couples. A pedaling by bike from the beach to the Montjuïc Mountain, enjoying nature and landscape, could be the best plan for you.

And for the other ones that prefer going out with friends, the best you can do is enjoy some tapas (Spanish appetizers) in the center of the city.

With this kind of plans it is unavoidable to love Barcelona, but the part that we really love is that you can do every one of these three routes by bicycle. In this way we contribute to a more healthy tourism, in harmony with the city and the people who live here.

Experience Barcelona in the same way that we do!

Spring has arrived, and it is the best season to move around through Barcelona by bicycle

March 20th, 2017

This Monday, the 2017’s spring has started and, in addition to the activities and the good mood which accompanies these days, the perfect temperature to pedal through the streets of Barcelona has also arrived.

It’s the 20^th of March, the first day of spring and, an inevitable coincidence, the International Happiness’s Day. It seems that seeing how the streets flower, the new smells and the good weather without scorchers can raise spirits even in the case of the grumpiest people.

And, what is directly related to happiness? The movement and the energy. It’s not a matter of chance that the good mood and sports walk hand in hand. The more we move around, the better we feel, and the better we feel, the more we want to do things. It is a feedback which, during this season, make us to get up from the sofa and propel us to get to know new and old places in different ways.

So, we have specialized ourselves in this sector, the sector of the good vibes which make us feel lively. For this reason, we cannot stop recommending you that it’s so important to take advantage of this shove from the spring and rediscover Barcelona pedaling your bike through its streets. For us, this is the best therapy for mind and body.

Bike tours through the popular fiestas in Barcelona

March 14th, 2017

From the 16^th to the 26^th of March, the fiesta of Sant Josep Oriol will be celebrated in the center of Barcelona. Catalan tradition and culture.

Photo by Chris Lawton

This week, the streets around the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi are preparing themselves to celebrate the famous Father’s Day, a fiesta which is going to be concentrated between the 18^th and the 23^rd of March.

Giants, grallers, cercavida, popular music and a lot of activities offer the opportunity of enjoying this great fiesta of the Barri del Pi in Barcelona as an authentic local. Couples, young and elderly people, families… everybody can find the most suitable activity and enjoy them with everybody.

Again, remember that the streets of the center, in addition to be closed to the motor vehicles, are narrow streets due to their historic structure. So, the best means of transport for these days is the bicycle, with which you will be able to move around with complete freedom, going to places very fast and avoiding yourselves the parking problems.

Enjoy the fiestas of Sant Josep Oriol with the people from Barcelona!

Women are unstoppable, even more so if they ride a bicycle

March 8th, 2017

The 8^th of March, the International Women’s Day, of this year, has coincided with this spring week in Barcelona. And in this day of historic fight, we want to remember how women are still progressing by bicycle.

Photo by Manfred Antranias Zimmer

Bicycle has been a revolutionary symbol for women, breaking taboos, such as the female’s strength and her resistance capacity through a simple outdoor activity. Women have been empowered by this sport up to the point that a lot of brands have already detected a market niche which is specialized in this gender.

However, it is clear that the fight has to continue.

The image of a woman riding a bicycle in her quotidian life is something that we have interiorized, but as the result of many years working on it. Now, we need to interiorize this image in the competitive world, where they are also achieving great results.

Again, we want to remember the historic quote that Susan B. Anthony, North American suffragist, said in 1898: “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”

How to avoid the mobility problems during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona? Riding your bike, of course

February 28th, 2017

Photo by Mari Carmen Díaz

This week, the City Hall of Barcelona is working very hard to avoid the mobility and access problems to the giant congress of mobile technology. We, riding our bicycle, haven’t noticed it.

Barcelona is the headquarter of the Mobile World Congress since 2006 and, since this year, the mobility and the access to the city have been the greatest. Speaking of public transport, the underground and the bus lines are completely packed. Speaking of taxis, we find a frenetic movement. But, speaking of bicycles, a luxury.

In counterpoint to the frenetic rhythm which seems that Barcelona is experiencing Barcelona as the headquarter of the newest technologies, we are there, and we are enjoying the city through the streets without stress nor masses. A nice image that we want to share with everybody who hasn’t yet planned a rest, such as we have, during this week.

Our tip for this week: relax yourselves with a great stroll by bike through our parallel world in Barcelona.

Barcelona is going to be dressed up by the Carnival this week

February 21st, 2017

From the 23^rd of February to the 1^st of March, this fiesta of the popular culture is going to be present in the city, with a great number of performances and activities for all ages.

Carnival is a great date for going to visit other cities, because it is a fiesta which is enjoyed and, at the same time organized, by a lot of entities of the local society. A fact that turns that into a unique piece of popular culture.

From costumes, your Most Gracious Highness the King of the Carnival, to the Catalan sausage -made with egg, which is typical of the “fatty Thursday”, because gastronomy also enjoys this fiesta. All in all, it’s a combination that you will not be able to resist.

Take your bike and take a ride through the different activities of the neighborhoods. Go into the markets and taste the diverse varieties of the Catalan sausages. And, specially, go to one of the two great events of this Thursday: at 6 p.m. at the Palau de la Virreina, the Seven Ambassadors. At the same time, at the Plaça Sant Jaume, the arrival of the King of the Carnival with animation will take place.

Take your bike and pedal through the dressed-up streets of Barcelona!

A new example about sustainability associated with the bicycle in Barcelona

February 14th, 2017

We are not tired to repeat that the bicycle is the best means of transport in the city. And here we have the news that confirms this premise, but this time we are not only talking about moving ourselves, we are talking about moving products.

The City Hall of Barcelona, together with the Rezero organization, has promoted the Comerç Verd, Comerç + Sostenible initiative –Green Business, Business + Sustainable. With this initiative, the City Hall pretends to make public and spread a great number of testimonies, who work producing 0 pollution.

The bicycle couldn’t be out of this project. For this reason, we find a couple, Marina and David, who are the owners of Freefood, an alimentary products shop. They base their contribution for improving the environment, in the distribution of these ecologic products with their bicycle. In addition, they make discounts to the clients who go to their shop by this means of transport.

We encourage you to look at the video, where the protagonists of this story tell you the advantages and the importance of the bicycle in the city.

(We are sorry, it is only in Catalan, if you have any doubts, contact us by our social networks).

¿Have you been convinced? Tomorrow, you can be who contribute for a better city.

Why you should visit Barcelona by bike this weekend? Because it is going to celebrate Santa Eulàlia’s fiesta

February 7th, 2017

Photo by José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro (CC BY-SA 3.0)

This Friday, the narrow streets of the city center are going to be full of life with the co-patron of Barcelona, Santa Eulàlia. This is the second great fiesta of Barcelona and it will light up its streets in the middle of the winter.

If you are thinking about visiting Barcelona, again, it brings you a great opportunity during this weekend. With Santa Eulalia’s fiesta, from kids to the most elderly will find activities which are adapted to them and which are spread out in the city center.

Giants, cabezudos, colles de castellers, sardanes, correfoc… a little of everything to taste Catalan culture in its entirety.

All the information and the map of the activities are in the event web page. You can visit that clicking here.

Now, of course, although it is not emphasized in the web, we advise you to go to the fiesta with the best means of transport: the bicycle. The streets in the center of Barcelona are very beautiful and full of history, but, they are also very narrow. Forget the car or the motorbike for going to the activities, they will only cause you a headache, especially if you want to park close by.

As we always say, fiestas are the best way to get to know the popular culture of a city; so, you shouldn’t miss that!

A perfect week for a tour by bicycle through the activities in Barcelona

January 31st, 2017

The meteorological prediction advises us that this week are going to have a great opportunity to enjoy the city pedaling through all its streets

Maximum temperatures of 16ºC and minimum temperatures of 7ºC will allow us to go from one side of the city to the other one with our bikes without getting cold or sweating at all.

From the Agbar Tower, going to Sagrada Família and the great modernist works at the Eixample -such as the Casa Batlló and La Pedrera-, stopping to shop and discover the most typical products in the markets of the city, for example, in the symbolic Boqueria, up to arriving at the relaxing parks and gardens, either in the Parc de la Ciutadella, closer to the sea, or in the Laberint d’Horta, close to Collserola. And you cannot forget to stop at some of the innumerable restaurants and/or bars where you will taste a piece of Catalan gastronomy.

You can experience all these things pedaling through the streets and don’t miss any detail. You can leave your bike close to the place where you want to relax -always assured with a good chain-. The bike lane connects the streets of Barcelona and is getting continuously longer, allowing us to enjoy this experience in a safe way.

Therefore, you cannot miss that! Come to pedal through Barcelona.

Pedaling through the activities in Barcelona during this weekend with the fiesta of Sant Antoni

January 24th, 2017

On the evening of this Saturday, the 28^th of January, you will have work if you want to celebrate this fiesta of Sant Antoni with the best traditions.

On one hand, the streets of the lovely neighborhood of Gràcia will be full of life with this Majorcan fiesta: els Foguerons, which is reaching the 25 years of celebration in Barcelona. A tradition which comes directly from Sa Pobla and gathers its community with the people of this neighborhood around a bonfire.

Don’t arrive late. Music, gastronomy and dancing will start at 9.30 p.m.

On the other hand -and unfortunately, at a very similar hour-, the neighborhood of Clot will celebrate Sant Antoni too.

In this case, the theme will be focused on a very special pork: the capgròs del Pork del Clot, a large-figure of the head of a Pork- This fiesta, which has been celebrated during the last 3 years, doesn’t leave you hungry. Its main course? A degustation of delicious tapas -appetizers-, every one of them prepared, obviously, with pork meat.

This fiesta starts at 6 p.m. and finishes at 10 p.m. -and it only costs 5€-, so, if you are still hungry, at 9 p.m. you can go directly to Gràcia. The communication between these two neighborhoods is very simple. Go to Plaça de les Glòries, start to pedal there through Avinguda Diagonal until you arrive at Passeig Sant Joan, and there burn some fat with its ascent for arriving at Gràcia. All this journey is connected by a comfortable and safe bike line.

Which is the best way to get over this cold wave? Pedaling your bike through Barcelona

January 17th, 2017

Since last week, the meteorology services have been announcing the great cold wave that we are experiencing these days. Don’t be afraid and take your bicycle, in a few minutes your body will feel warm.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo

Cold weather is used as the best excuse to get sleepy under the sofa’s blanket, but this luxury is not allowed on working days, so we have to manage this situation to reactivate our body and keep it warm.

Sport is the key to achieve that. If, in the morning, instead of walking to the underground and becoming squashed among people, or going to the garage to take the iced car (or, still worse, taking the motorbike to suffer a slow freezing while, impotent, we give it more speed), if, instead of all that, we take the bicycle, for sure, we are going to start the day better.

The bicycle gives us life. We will start a bit cold (although, at your own home’s entrance door), but after some pedaling we will need to unbutton the coat. Little by little, we will enjoy the air, the same which bothers the rest of the people, and when we arrive at work we will feel fresh and awake, with our muscles and articulations more active and stronger to stand all the work’s day.

Present and future of the bicycle in Barcelona

January 11th, 2017

At the beginning of last month, in 30 minuts, a weekly program from the autonomic television of Catalonia, TV3, released a report entitled Torna la bicicleta -The bicycle returns- which talked about the development and the future of this vehicle in the city of Barcelona.

“It is: learn the new rules of the game”, comments Enric Batlle, an architect in Barcelona, who talks about the interaction between bicycle, pedestrians and motor vehicles. This interaction, such as the report shows us, results in a real conflict in Barcelona, especially when a new bike lane is opened.

This piece of informative -which we can find in the Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals web- results in the key for anticipating the importance that the bicycle is obtaining in Barcelona. In addition, they present Copenhagen as an example, a city which, nowadays, could be a reflection of our city -Barcelona- in a few years from now, if we are capable of doing a good transition from motor vehicles to bicycles.

If this city, from Denmark, spent around 30 years to change the citizens’ habits, in order for them to start using the bicycle, nowadays, according to the experts, this transition can be done in 4 years. This number attracts the attention of politicians, who can see one of their electoral points during their government’s period complied with.

Something very interesting about this transition, which is also emphasized in the report, is the fact that around the year 1910, when there was a transition in the streets of Barcelona for incorporating the cars, the discussions were very similar to the debates about bicycles that we have nowadays. Cars also had to make way in the streets and the news about accidents was incessant -numbers much more disproportionate in comparison to the present victims related to bikes-.

Surely, from our point of view, which is not objective, we cannot stop seeing a great number of positive points which are explained about the bicycle. For this reason, we want to encourage everyone to have a look and make their own conclusions.

The bicycle is here to stay, so, the best thing we can do is for everyone to be in agreement.

The final stages: pedaling through Barcelona with the Three Wise Men

January 3rd, 2017

The 5^th of January the Three Wise Men arrive in Barcelona and with them the Christmas days will finalize, so, take advantage of the last activities of the city.

The 5^th of January at 6 p.m. the Three Wise Men’s parade will start out from the Avinguda Marquès de l’Argentera and will go up through Via Laietana. It will cross the center of Barcelona and will continue through Sepúlveda street to Plaça Espanya, and it will finish at the Avinguda Maria Cristina at 8:45 p.m. If you want to get yourself ahead to one of these points, remember that the best means of transport to avoid the crowds of this day is the bicycle.

Although, if you are a foresighted person and you want to deliver your letter to the Three Wise Men before anyone else, from the 2^nd to the 4^th of January at the Plaça Catalunya, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, the page Estel, and from 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. the page Omar, are the ones in charge of collecting the letters of kids and adults, advancing the work of the Three Wise Men.

Before writing your letter, remember some of the intentions for this New Year and ask for sustainable and non-sexist presents. In Barcelona, there are a lot of sustainable consumption fairs with original and proximity products.

And, if you don’t know what you could ask for, remember that the bicycle is a great present for now and for the future.

New Year and a healthy life: our list of intentions for this 2017 with which you will not be able to stop pedaling

December 28th, 2016

If you still don’t have your list of intentions for this New Year, from BornBike Tours we are going to suggest some key points to improve your health and your environment.

Go to work by bicycle in order to improve the environment

We know that. This point has appeared in our blog a lot of times. But, the daily bike displacements in Barcelona continue being a 2% in comparison with the other modalities (car, motorbike or walking) and, although during the last 10 years these displacements have been multiplied 4 times, there is still a long way to go with regard to pedaling.

Moving around by bike with intern displacements through the city, as well as when we go to work, is the key to improve our health and reduce the pollution and the bad mood.

Responsible and sustainable trips, the best ecotourism

Ok, yes, again nothing new. But, did you achieve this intention last year? Because if you have done it, forgetting it now is not right. Share your experience this year and you’ll be sure to go on your trip accompanied.

Remember, the best tourism is the one you do together with locals.

Keeping fit without losing money or time

This is for when you have finished the Christmas holidays. Although the gym is always a basic point in our lists, when we return to the daily reality, we forget it due all the expenses and the little free time. So, we can always take advantage of our daily displacements and take our bike, not only for going to work, we can use it for taking the kids to school or for going shopping and so on. You will enjoy the fresh air, which you cannot breathe in the public transport or in the car. You will share the public space with your neighbors, something very important for feeling integrated in the city. And, at the same time, you will lose the extra kilos gained on Christmas.

Now you know that, if you don’t have a bike for starting the new year, don’t forget to ask the Three Wise Men for one!

Merry Christmas from BornBike Tours Barcelona

December 24th, 2016

If you are going to travel during Christmas, remember some of the main points of ecotourism

December 12th, 2016

During Christmas, there are a lot of people that bet on knowing these dates from other cultural perspectives. For achieving this purpose, it’s essential to keep some main points in mind in order to leave a positive mark at the place

Minimize the negative impacts on the environment and on the community

Get a bicycle and enjoy the city from the best perspective, helping to not increase pollution and noise.

Respect the environment and the culture

With your bicycle, you will be able to enjoy a lot of places at a street level, something essential for experiencing the culture of a country. If you have never been there, you should look for some information about its traditions in order to avoid slip-ups.

Positive experiences for visitors and hosts

If you are respectful with the environment and culture, you will achieve a better atmosphere with the local people. If the people of a country are happy with you, you will achieve a unique experience and, what are we looking for when we travel, if it’s not this?

Direct financial benefits for the local people

Being Christmas, probably, you will not be able to avoid buying some souvenirs. Try to keep away from the big chain stores, which you can find everywhere. The local commerce is unique. In this way, you will be able to buy the most original presents.

Enjoy your trips during Christmas or during any other time of the year following these basic tips.

Christmas in Barcelona arrives in November

November 22nd, 2016

Photo by Maria Rosa Ferre

A lot of activities and expositions with a Christmas theme is already available in the main squares of the city. If you feel like enjoying these dates, in Barcelona this is possible.

Street markets and great mangers are already set up as of the 25^th of November.

From the traditional Santa Lucia fair around the Cathedral, to the curious poetic manger in the Sant Jaume Square are some of the activities which are already available to enjoy while taking a walk through streets of the center of the city. In addition, streets are already filled of Christmas lights.

Although for the most critical people, this can be a call to start with the consumerism before time, we have to mention that in addition to these events, the City Hall has also started its campaign to promote the sustainable consumption, purchases in little stores, and the purchase of non-sexist toys. An initiative that, for us, is basic.

Enjoy Christmas walking through the most beautiful streets of Barcelona and having fun in its street markets and mangers. And (in order to give you an idea) if we are looking for a non-sexist and sustainable present, which respects the environment… ¿what about pedaling through Barcelona?

The bicycle as an educative tool

November 22nd, 2016

Improving the environment of the place where we live by reducing the pollution, the noise and the stress is important. But, for maintaining it, educating the youngsters with good habits is a basic thing.

This post has been inspired by the initiative of the neighborhood of La Sagrera in Barcelona. From the 17^th of November, this neighborhood is celebrating its great fiesta. And, among performances and activities, we have wanted to emphasize the children’s bicycle race, which will be celebrated on the same day of the closure, this Sunday, the 27^th.

In this race, which will take place in the Pegaso Promenade, the participants will be between 5 and 14 years old. And, so that none of them lose the will to participate, in addition to the common race, the “snails” race, where the winner is going to be the last one, will also be celebrated.

This great initiative will motivate children to enjoy their streets, as well as to introduce themselves into some healthier habits, with which to enjoy the journey and the everyday life a bit more.

Take part in this solidary action through the bicycle in Barcelona

November 15th, 2016

Do you have any plans for this weekend? If you have a Brompton folding bicycle and 15 euros saved, take a look at this initiative to collect money for the Movember Foundation at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit.

Some months ago, we talked about the curious Brompton World Championship, which will again be celebrated on the 22^ndof April this coming year within the BiCircuit Festival frame. In the same line, this Saturday, the 19^th of November, the Solidary Vermouth with Brompton will be celebrated.

At 12.30 p.m. participants, with their Brompton being ready, will meet at the Circuit and at 13 p.m. the lap around the circuit will start. After enjoying the pedaling over the asphalt track, all the participants will be able to recharge batteries with a luxury vermouth at the Privilege Corner building.

Photo by Geoff Peters

So, now you know that, if you don’t have any plans for this weekend yet and you are close to Barcelona, don’t doubt about signing up for this solidary action and training for the next Brompton World Championship.

Wind gusts in Barcelona represent a challenge for cyclists

November 9th, 2016

This week the wind has the leading role in the meteorology of the Barcelona city. Although it doesn’t seem like it, this phenomenon represents a big challenge for the cyclists on a psychological and physical level. So, here you have some tips to get pass this gust.

Photo by Everton Vila

Pedaling in a group

You can organize pedaling in a group with your working mates or other friends and thus protect each other from the wind. Sharing a burden allows us to endure it better.

Up gears in the same way as when we are on a slope

When the wind blows against us the sensation is the same as though we were going up a slope. So, you have to act in the same way, up gears, and, although we will have to pedal more, our knees will be grateful to us.

Tight clothes

We should try to as aerodynamic as possible. For this reason, our clothing should be suitable. Specially, we have to be sure that our coat doesn’t flap in the wind. For these kinds of days, choose comfortable but tight fitting clothes.

Anticipate yourselves to dangers

When we cross a bridge or we are being passed by a heavy vehicle, we know that the wind could be dangerous, so we have to be alert and emphasize the caution in this kind of situations. Don’t stop of pedaling, the bicycle is more stable while the back wheel is in movement.

The daily training, the best remedy for keeping up the spirit

This principle can be applicable to practically every daily challenge. It is also very important during our daily pedaling. The more trained our body and mind are, the easier it will be to advance with our bike on windy days.

Which is the evolution of the bike lane in Barcelona?

November 2nd, 2016

Photo by Sergi Larripa

Almost one year ago, we published ‘If we were already enjoying Barcelona, we will do it even more in 2018 with the 308km of finished bike lanes’ and, after these 345 days, the issue of the bike lane in Barcelona is still in the spotlight.

These days, the City Hall is working on the bike lanes of the following streets: Marina, Travessera de Gràcia, Cartagena, Eduard Maristany, Taquígraf Serra and Gelabert and on the connection of Barcelona with Esplugues del Llobregat.

On the other hand, with regard to the streets of Joan Güell, Can Bruixa, Marquès de Sentmenat, La Jota, Múrcia and Numància, the bike lane is working at full capacity.

The Numància street bike lane connects, in both directions, the Plaça de Països Catalans with the Avinguda Diagonal, one axis more than necessary. But since its first use, some weeks ago, there has been a polemic between shop-keepers, drivers of motor vehicles and cyclists. The shop-keepers criticize the lack of space for loading and unloading products; the drivers, basically of cars, complain about lacking the parking lots; and finally, the cyclists are sick of vans and taxis which park on the bike lane itself.

Another point that has also been conflictive these last weeks, is the delay referring to putting the prohibition of the bike circulation on the sidewalks into practice. This month of November this prohibition, which doesn’t allow bicycles to circulate on the sidewalks with a width of less than 4,75 meters, and with a minimum of 3 meters of free terraces for bars -although this does not affect children younger than 12 and people who ride the bike between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.- had to become effective. For the moment, this regulation will not become effective until next year, because the City Hall considers that we are still lacking infrastructures which make the bike lanes safer for the bike circulation.

All these changes have again opened up the discussion between cyclists and drivers. The first ones ask for more safety, the other ones are reticent to losing space. But, in our opinion, if we want a city with less pollution and at the service of people and not of cars, it is essential to improve the condition of those who work for this better future.

Bicycle theft is still a problem in Barcelona

October 26th, 2016

Barcelona is working on a safer road circulation -which is the most important- but, on the other hand, it’s necessary to make a bigger effort in order to reduce the number of the stolen bicycles, and this is a problem which discourages a lot of people to continue taking this means of transport every day.

BACC -Bicycle Club of Catalonia- has denounced the great number of bicycles which have been stolen in Barcelona repeatedly. They have calculated that around the half of the users, who use bicycle, have suffered a theft. We can, even, find users who have been theft victims several times in a row.

If we used to be in love with using this means of transport to circulate in Barcelona, we cannot avoid this general problem: the theft, because a lot of users decide to give up the bicycle for this reason.

The only action that we have found in order to solve this problem is Vadebike

This is a company that has provided a service to the citizens with this bike parking lot, which allow us to park our private bicycles in a safety way. We can even leave the helmet. But this solution has a cost for people who use it: €15 per year year and you have to add an extra price per hour of parking.

Other associations and organizations have launched themselves to denounce this problem. An example which deserves to be mentioned comes from these students of the Pompeu Fabra University.

After they hung a bicycle from a height of 5 meters, in order to make their denunciation visible, they have started campaign with signatures so as to ask the City Hall for some measures about these robberies.

We, the same as we advise you to follow all the safety and maintaining tips about your bicycle, in addition, we advise you to lock it the best you can. You should keep in mind to lock the front wheel to the place where you park and to the bicycle frame, and using a second padlock you should assure the back wheel and the seat.

Don’t let them take away your means of transport!

‘Som Meridiana’ -We are Meridiana-, an example of a fight for a better Barcelona through the bicycle

Photo by MarisaLR

October 18th, 2016

This next Saturday, the 22^nd of October, a pedaling through Avinguda Meridiana will be celebrated. It will be organized by the platform Som Meridiana with the support of the Catalonia Bicycle Club (BACC) and they will claim for a space, which is now completely invaded by the motor vehicles.

Som Meridiana is a platform formed by different neighborhood associations, that are from some of the neighborhoods which involve this avenue and who, this weekend, riding their bicycles, will claim for a Meridiana:

Which is not a highway.

Which prioritizes (the) public transport and, of course, the bicycle.

Which is a more human place, with green zones and more facilities for the neighborhood shops.

Which is not a wall.

In general, they claim for stopping to be a “forgotten city” and they will do that with a day of reflection, which will be initiated at 9.30 a.m. with a popular bicycle tour called “pedaling the Meridiana”, organized by the BACC. The meeting point will the Plaça de les Glòries and the final point the Jardins d’Elx. At this point, a parade with Batukadas, Giants and Devils will take place and the celebration will continue with activities for the kids and hot chocolate. In addition, from 11.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a lot of talks about environment and alternative means of transport.

Don’t miss it and give your support on your bicycle!

Autumn is back again and we don’t want you to stop pedaling around the city

October 11th, 2016

Photo by Lauren Ellis

Although the rain can be a bit annoying, the autumn’s temperature is perfect for circulating around the city by bicycle and for taking advantage of the weekends for doing excursions. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is to follow some safety tips which we want to remind you about.

You always have to be a prepared person

You should always take a comfortable raincoat with you (there are some of them that you can use that over your trousers) and a good footwear for circulating on bicycle, especially, and for any other occasion where you could be surprised by a rainstorm. So, keep it in a comfortable backpack and take it everywhere.

Pay more attention to the safety rules

When it is raining, inside cars people use to lose vision, for this reason it is even more important for you to have front and back bike lights, put emphasis on your safety signs and be sure that the other drivers pay attention to your next maneuver. Even though all these things seem a lot of bother, but if you drive a car or another vehicle, surely, you will have the same problems.

And, of course, don’t forget your helmet at home!

Photo by Briana Blum

Improve your adhesion to the road to the maximum, avoid slipping!

When it is raining, it is the only occasion where we can reduce the pressure of our wheels (only a little bit, because you could get a flat tire). It is also important to keep in mind that the zebra crossings and the other painted signs on the road could be very slippery, so try to avoid crossing them directly or if you can’t avoid it, cross them very slowly. Sometimes the cars lose oil on the road and this is very dangerous too. When it is raining, you can identify the oil stains easily, they are multicolor marks that appear on the road.

As you can imagine, neither is it advisable to go through zones with mud, unless you want to arrive at the first meeting of the morning with your whole back decorated.

If you keep these three tips in mind, you will enjoy one of the best seasons for doing sport or for going from one place to another avoiding sweating.

Enjoy the autumn in Barcelona or any other city!

The International Cyclist Cinema Festival of Barcelona is nearing

October 4th, 2016

The 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th of this month of October, at the Texas Cinema in Barcelona (Bailén street, 205), Rueda, an international film festival that revolves around bikes, will take place.

If you are a lover of this two wheel vehicle, you shouldn’t miss this ode to the bicycle, with which you will enjoy films, short films and other activities which will be celebrated in the city during these dates.

For these four days, the Texas Cinema has prepared a selection of 10 films and 15 short films. In addition to the projection of the Rueda Kids, during Sunday morning, there will be a selection of short films for the smallest ones of our homes, in order for them to “start to dream with cyclist adventures”.

But not only the cinema will be the meeting point during this event. The Nautical Base at the Playa de la Marbella in Barcelona will be another place with a lot of different activities such as cycling races bike polo and street markets.

We are sure that you will not be able to find a better excuse for leaving home to go pedaling this weekend.

‘La Mercè’, the great fiesta in Barcelona, is coming

September 20th, 2016

Tradition, culture, music, gastronomy… everything you want to know about Barcelona is summed up from the 22^nd to the 25^th of September.

Photo by: Feradz

One more year, Barcelona will celebrate its great fiesta, La Mercè, which, this year, is going to be celebrated from the 22^nd to the 25^th of September. And we will never get tired of repeating that: if you really want to experience the city the same as an authentic local person, a celebration like this one is the best opportunity for achieving this. So, if you are visiting Barcelona this days, you shouldn’t miss this.

During the day, you will enjoy all the activities that you can imagine for all the family in the streets of the city. During the night, you will have the best local and international music concerts. A lot of people are going to come these days in order to enjoy and keep this amazing fiesta alive, are you going to be one of them?

Remember, the 22^nd is going to be celebrated as the Day Without Cars in Barcelona and the bicycle will take over all the importance in this city, maintaining it clean of fumes during this first day of the festivity.

Are you going to come with us to pedal during the fiestas?

Warming up the pedals for the Mobility Week in Barcelona

September 15th, 2016

During this week and the next week, coinciding with the great fiesta of La Mercè in Barcelona, we will celebrate the Mobility Week. It will be accompanied by a lot of activities for the awareness which we should have about our vehicles in order to maintain the city’s environment.

The Sustainable and Safety Mobility Week in Barcelona, from the 16^th to 22^nd of September, is directly related to the European Mobility Week, in which almost 2,000 registered cities from different countries are participating. The goal is that all these cities organize different activities in order to awaken the awareness about a sustainable mobility model for everyone.

In Barcelona, the bicycle, together with the going on foot and the public transport, will be the protagonist of this campaign.

The week will culminate with the Day without Cars, during which the motor vehicles will remain parked, in order to allow civic centers, schools, etc. to occupy the road with their activities. This day is already a tradition in our city, but this year it will be more special. Instead of fitting it into a weekend, the Day without Cars will be celebrated during a working day Thursday. A risky bet of the City Hall, but surely that it will encourage a lot of people for taking the bicycle to go to work, reducing pollution and increasing the quality of life.

Barcelona, a city which is continuously better for circulating by bicycle

September 6th, 2016

The City Hall of Barcelona is continuously working to obtain easier and safer the journeys through the streets of this city by bicycle. And it seems that they are achieving it!

Barcelona thinks that the bicycle is the best means of transport for circulating through the city. For this reason, as we indicated in other mails of this blog, it is working in order for the circulation to become easier and safer, something that the very neighbors of the city are perceiving.

During the year 2015, the journeys through Barcelona increased a 2.7%, which has turned into 4.9 MILIONS of internal journeys, of which more than 96% have been carried out by the people who live in the city. For us, these figures are an irrefutable evidence that bicycles are going to be the means of transport of the future in these streets, improving, in this way, the traffic, the pollution levels and, in general, the good mood of all the people who are moving through the streets of Barcelona.

In order to guarantee this result, Barcelona has created a new manual about the bike lanes’ signposting. With this manual, it pretends, among other goals, to improve the cyclists’ security, reducing the conflicts with the pedestrian and also improving the routes’ connectivity. You can find this manual in the Bicycle section of the Barcelona’s City Hall web, together with other audiovisual resources which completes it.

If you are not already circulating through the city by bicycle, it seems that you will run out of any excuses to avoid trying it.

The end of August is arriving, but not the end of vacation on bicycle

August 30th, 2016

Photo by Alex Blăjan

With the ending of August we also say goodbye to the summer, but we shouldn’t forget that September is a perfect month for planning long weekends on bicycle. At least in Barcelona.

More pleasant temperatures

If in August the most recommended routes were the ones around the beach so that we could have a necessary swim, in September the degrees decrease so that we can get lost on our bicycle in any place.

Looking for routes on the weekends, be this in order to increase our culture or to the mountain to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, it’s the best way to get rid of the post vacation depression.

Less is more

Sadly, fewer people in the more touristic cities will allow you to move around easier and with much more economical prices. Something inevitable also has its positive part that we should take advantage of.

Take advantage of the increase in energy that we get travelling during vacation in order to continue enjoying different places during different weekend escapades.

More Catalan tradition and culture in the fiestas of the neighborhood of Sants in Barcelona

August 23rd, 2016

Photo by Pere Prlpz

Sants, another one of the neighborhoods with the best atmosphere among the neighbors in Barcelona, replaces the fiestas of the la Vila de Gràcia and adorns its streets from the 20th to the 28th of August.

If your holidays haven’t coincided with the fiestas of Gràcia that we announced last week, there’s no reason to worry. In August Barcelona keeps active and this week it’s the turn of the neighborhood of Sants.

Sants, within the district of Sants-Montjuïc, has been acknowledged during its entire history for its solidarity and the organization capacity of the people who live in it. This element is definitely not forgotten during these days of fiesta.

Activities for Young and elderly people, for families and friends, concerts, alternative fiestas, etc. The possibilities to enjoy these celebrations are practically infinite. You’ll surely find the ones that best fit your taste in order to enjoy the local people.

The neighborhood of Sants can be easily reached by bicycle from different parts of the city. For this reason, as always, and in order to avoid traffic jams, we advise you to get there by pedaling.

Enjoy your stay in Barcelona at one of its fiestas full of popular culture!

Have you taken a stroll around the surroundings of the streets of Gràcia in Barcelona?

August 17th, 2016

One more year the streets of the neighborhood of Gràcia dress themselves up thanks to the impetus and imagination of the neighbors.

Photo by Amaianos

If you haven’t yet taken a walk around the surroundings of the Villa of Gràcia, you have time until this Sunday, the 21st of August.

This year the winning street has been Fraternitat, enlivened within fishing and dressed up with naval details. It’s a refreshing point of the city that you should definitely not miss these days.

If you know the villa of Gràcia, this is a great opportunity to explore it. It’s a neighborhood that is practically pedestrian, full of squares, bars and restaurants. The good environment that is enjoyed is created by the neighbors who are an example of coexistence, cooperation and integration. There’s a clear reason why it has such an important role in the Catalan rumba.

If you’re in Barcelona this weekend, you have the perfect opportunity to discover Gràcia and its history. Of course, we advise you to go by bicycle since the streets are closed to car traffic.

Don’t miss this fiesta and go there by pedalling!

Tips about how to enjoy Barcelona as a local person

August 9th, 2016

There are three key elements to guarantee that your visit to the city will be worth while

The fiestas
As we already explained some weeks ago, summer is the time when the major fiestas of Barcelona’s neighborhoods find place (you can consult the dates and places a few articles further down). The fiestas are a concentration of tradition and culture that gathers the local people and is even organized by them. Human towers, fok musicians, giants, Catalan music and sardanas are elements that are usually always present.

The food
Barcelona is full of restaurants and bars, from the busiest zones with a lot of people, as well as the harbor and the beach, passing through the neighborhoods with squares and the best atmosphere, like Gràcia and Sants, to the most residential ones or full of offices, such as Poble Nou or les Corts (the list, in reality, is interminable, because we have found good places to have appetizers or a good daily menu in all parts).

The architecture
Right on the street and totally free, you have real modernist jewels spread through the entire city. From buildings you can enter (and here you do have to pay) to markets full of local products, that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you like to go shopping.
Everything is perfectly connected through the bicycle lane so that you don’t miss anything and take maximum advantage of your time in the city using the best transport – the bicycle.

Here you have three bicycle routes for deciding what you don’t want to miss in Barcelona

August 2nd, 2016

Do you only have a few hours to enjoy the city? Choose what most interests you.

Appetizers:

Gastronomy is a basic element of the Mediterranean culture. Passing through Barcelona and not stopping at one of the bars to have a drink and an appetizer is almost a sin.
A route by bicycle near the harbor and the beach will open our appetite in order to enjoy the traditional Catalan cuisine.
It’s one of the best mementos of the city that you can take with you.

From the sea to the mountain:

If what most interests you are the visits to Barcelona, a perfect route for you is the one that takes you from the beach through the harbor and to the heights of Montjuïc.

Barcelona is one of the few cities that allows you to enjoy these two types of landscapes at the same time. Therefore, take advantage of it!

Modernist style route:

If what you like is getting lost in the streets of the city and discovering its architectural jewels, this is your route.
A great part of the activity of the city is carried out in these buildings, so you will find the majority of them in the most centric zones.

Have you decided which route best fits your tastes?

Experience Barcelona from one celebration to another

July 18th, 2016

As we always say from BornBike, there isn’t a better way to enjoy the city than introducing yourself directly into the traditions and the culture, and, where is a major concentration of these two ingredients? In the festivities. Summer is the season of the different celebrations in the neighborhoods of Barcelona per excellence.

Photo by: Feradz

The 16^th of July the Festa Major of Poble Sec, in the district of Sants-Montjuïc, was inaugurated, but if you haven’t had time to enjoy the activities, you have the opportunity to do it until the 24^th of this month of July. Coinciding with these dates, the Clota’s fiesta is also going to be celebrated, in the district of Horta-Guinardó, a place a bit further away from the center of the city.

From the 22^nd to the 16^th of August, Sant Roc, the Festa Major of the Gótic neighborhood in Ciutat Vella, is the most ancient celebration of Barcelona with more than four centuries of history. You can find it easily, because it is centered mainly in the Nova square.

And we love the Gracia fiesta, this year it will be celebrated from the 15^th to the 21^st of August. We love it for its activities, but, especially, because of its neighbors making works of art in every one of its streets. Although, if you want to avoid masses of people, the best for you is to wait for the Sants celebration, from the 20^th to the 28^th of August, it also is a great example of a good team work between neighbors.

If you are the kind of people who prefer to travel during September, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the celebrations of Vallcarca, Horta, Poblenou and the great fiesta per excellence: La Mercè.

What should you keep in mind before doing a tour through Barcelona by bike during these summer’ holidays?

July 12th, 2016

During the summer, you can visit Barcelona in a thousand different ways. We want to give you some options, riding your bicycle, with which you will enjoy the hot weather.

30ºC of temperature (86ºF) can be a bit suffocating, especially if we are riding a bicycle. For this reason, there are two very interesting tours for these summer days, with which we can enjoy the landscapes and the culture of Barcelona (especially the gastronomic one) in a refreshing way.

Tour through the beaches of Barcelona

Barcelona has a long coast and with it a great diversity of beaches, which have been transformed throughout the years. Going through them by bicycle, discovering their history and breathing the sea breeze is something unique during the summer.

¡Now, of course! You should not forget a good sun-cream and wearing cool clothes.

Tapas Tour through the most symbolic neighborhoods

Close to the beaches, we can also find the most antique neighborhoods of Barcelona and they have a notable gastronomic variety, so you should not conform yourself with only one of them. The bicycle will allow us to go through these streets and stop at every one of the different terraces, in order to enjoy of a fresh drink with its respective tapa. You will get to know from the most traditional tastes to the most experimental ones. You or your stomach set the limit.

The best experiences for a refreshing Barcelona!

4 reasons for visiting Barcelona on bicycle this summer

July 05th, 2016

If you are someone of last minute planning and you don’t know where do you want to go these holidays, here you have 4 good reasons for coming to Barcelona and enjoying it by bicycle.

Mediterranean city

Weather, gastronomy, tradition… Barcelona doesn’t let determinants to chance. Whatever makes you travel, here you have a lot of everything. If you don’t want to ride your bicycle under the rain or under extreme weather conditions, this is your city. If you want an unlimited number of restaurants and bars where you can go to fill up on energy with a good price and a good taste, this is your city. If you want to get to know something different every time you go through a street, this is your city.

Sea and mountain

You can go through beaches and port by bicycle, but if you keep yourself pedaling you can go to the mountain. Everything in a day, from the Parc del Fòrum to Montjuïc and if it is not enough, you can lose yourself in Collserola. Every one of the views are amazing.

Almost 200km of bike lane

In order to make your visit as comfortable as possible, you can access practically every corner in the city easily. In order not to miss anything at street level, because, according to our philosophy, this is the best way to get to know a place from within.

Events, concerts and parties, almost every day

If your holidays don’t coincide with one of the neighborhood celebrations, you can enjoy, in a live way, the culture of the city in many other centers, theaters, museums and bars. Barcelona always has a good plan.

Dances around a bonfire and quick nightly swims on the ‘Sant Joan’ night in Barcelona

June 23rd, 2016

One more year, we have the opportunity of celebrating this tradition during the shortest night of the year.

At BornBike, we love summer: riding our bicycle through the city, through its green zones and through its beaches. So, we couldn’t miss its welcome.

Photo by Tamorlan

From the tour of the flame which never extinguishes, the Canigo’s flame; making a pause for dinner and the “coca de llardons” (a sort of flatbread with pork rind) which we love eating with chocolate; to enjoying dancing around a bonfire with the rhythm of a live concert. And, if it is possible, we should do all of this close to the beach so that we can take a swim which will dispel the bad spirits and refresh us before the coming warm months.

It sounds good, doesn’t it?

And the best thing is that this traditional celebration, as almost all of them, comes with some stories of our culture.

Do you want to get to know them? Don’t miss it. We, if you wish so, can accompany you by bicycle, of course.

Getting to know the Catalan culture, dancing ‘Sardanes’

June 14th, 2016

From the 15^th of June to the 3^rd of July, every Friday (except the 24^th of June) you can enjoy one of the most typical things of the Catalan Culture: Sardanes, with the people dancing to the rhythm of the ‘Les Cobles Rambles” and ‘Baix Llobregat’.

As we always say, one of the best things for getting to know a country’s culture is introducing ourselves in its history, its traditions and its festivities, because we will be able to talk easily with its people and we will feel like a citizen more of this land. So, following this premise, you should not miss the opportunity of experiencing the Sardanes’ dance and music.

sardana-1313942 This is a tradition with an unknown origin, danced and played around all Catalonia (it is its national dance) and, practically everyone who wants to dance it, can try it. Your age doesn’t matter, it is for elder and young people.

So if you would like to know more about it, you should take your bicycle and go to Vapor Vell Passage (number 2) in the district of Sants-Monjuïc any Friday (remember: there are no events on the 24^th of June) from now to the 3^rd of July at 7.30 p.m.

Enjoy it!

Popular Pedaling at the 2016 Bicycle Festivity of Barcelona

June 8th , 2016

Another initiative which has been added to the promotion of the bicycle as the common means of transport in the city.

This Sunday, 12^th of June, the Bicycle Festivity in Barcelona, a popular celebration open to everyone, and perfect for every member of the family, will take place.

This Popular Pedaling will suppose 10km through the district of the Eixample, with the starting point at 9.30 a.m. in the Aragó Street, at the crossing with Balmes Street, and it will go through key points of the city as: Plaça Espanya, Avinguda Paral·lel, Ronda Sant Pau, Plaça Catalunya, Passeig Lluis Companys (Arc de Triomf), etc. ending at the Plaça de les Glòries with a great fiesta full of activities for everyone.

In addition, this event pretends to be totally accessible to everyone. For this reason it will be a service of adaptable bicycles for people with reduced mobility.

The only thing which is required, in order to get an easier organization, is that each person who wants to participate, sign up through the application form published at the City Hall web.

If you are near Barcelona, you should not miss this year’s event!

TripAdvisor, the best traveler critic community, has updated the excellence certificate to us one more year

May 31st , 2016

We have received this amazing news again thanks to the good and continuous reviews from everyone who has shared this marvelous experience through Barcelona with us.

We didn’t want to do the typical gratitude discourse, but… we want to start thanking everyone who has spent a bit of time sharing the reviews about the different experiences with us. We have read all of them carefully, the good ones and the not-so-good ones, to continue working in order to improve our service a bit more every day.

Something very special that we have seen in the reviews is the fact that a lot of them point out the passion we feel for our city, Barcelona. We are sure that this is the key of our success, because we love to share its culture, its history and its gastronomy with everyone interested in them and we want to do it in the most unique and special way.

So, maintaining the words of last year, we want to continue enjoying and doing our work while we guide you through Barcelona with our tours, riding the best vehicle: the bicycle.

The markets of Barcelona, gastronomic culture and tradition

May 23th , 2016

Last days for “Love your market” in the International Week of Markets, which has been held since the 15^th of May and which is going to finish next Thursday, the 31^st.

Under the motto “Choose the market, choose health”, from the 15^th, the 3^rd edition of this initiative, the International Week of Markets, has been held and which has been joined by municipal markets of Barcelona and other ones of the province.

As we have insisted in other blog entrances, a perfect way to get to know Barcelona in a gastronomic manner and to go to shopping is visiting the incredible markets of Barcelona, which, at the same time, are architectonic jewels. But, these days, in addition, we have the incentive of the activities which are being held in these places for everyone in the family: workshops, talks, gourmet samplings and gastronomic competitions.

All of these activities pretend to foment the promotion of responsible, safe and healthy nutrition. At the same time, they also aim to promote the market products, fresh and high-quality products.

If you are from Barcelona or you are spending some days here, you don’t have any excuse not to take your bicycle and come to take a stroll through one of these city markets.

Live music in ‘The spring in the neighborhoods’ in Barcelona

Photo by Oscar Keys

May 16th, 2016

A musical initiative from Barcelona city to energize the cultural life in some of its districts which has been celebrated from the 5^th to the 26^thof May, each Thursday of the month.

In the second edition of this festival: “The Spring in the neighborhoods” 12 concerts have been prepared along the different districts of the city, emphasizing some of them, where don’t usually have a lot of this kind of activities, such as Marina de Port, Parc and Llacuna of Poblenou or the Turo de la Peira.

These concerts are in the line of the Primavera Sound Festival (which will be held from the 1^st to the 5^th of June in Barcelona) and they are an introduction for the new musical groups of the city. In resume, a perfect opportunity to get to know the city in a musical way.

The performances are free and they start at 7.30 p.m. every Thursday in different municipal centers, such as youth or civic centers.

If you haven’t attended any one yet, you will have the opportunity to do this Thursday the 16^th of May at 7.30 p.m in the Parc Sandaru (a civic center in Poble Nou) or the next and the last one (Thursday the 26^th) in the Tomasa Cuevas (youth center of Les Corts).

Don’t miss them!

Barcelona needs you in the ‘European Cycling Challenge’

May 9th, 2016

Barcelona has again taken part in this competition at a European level in the fifth edition and it needs all the support of the city’s cyclists.

The European Cycling Challenge is a competition which has been held for the past five years where the urban cyclists are organized in teams (each city is a team) and they have the whole month of May to do the maximum number of kilometers through the city.

Whenever we do any trip through the city (go to work, to buy, to take the children to school or, simply, go for a stroll) riding our bicycle, this will be useful. The most important thing is signing in, we can do that by completing the information manually in the cycling365.eu or (for us the best choice) downloading the Cycling365 free app, signing in as a user, at first, and in the second place within a team.

At the time, Gdansk (Poland) is winning with 259,597km, the same city which was proclaimed winner in the last edition, and Barcelona is in the 34^th position (of 52) with almost 5,000km.

Although, for the moment, victory is 254,600km away, we have time to win some positions and show that, in Barcelona, the best means of transport is the bicycle.

Brompton World Championship in Barcelona, for everyone who likes to pedal well-dressed

BiCircuit Festival Barcelona has organized this foldable bicycle world competition, where the only conditions to participate are to be older than 16 and to wear a suit and a tie.

This 30^th of April at 10.30 a.m. the Montmeló circuit is going to be invaded, not by the quickest cars of the world, but by the best dressed cyclists. After various editions, the participants of the Brompton World Championship will come back to ride these handmade foldable bicycles, which are fabricated in London.

Photo by Duncan Hull

Why you should participate? The award will be a trip for pedaling in the final of London, where the participants are going to ride 8 laps around the Buckingham Palace this 30^th of July.

If you are not yet registered, you have time until the day before the competition (29^th of April). In order to train, you only need to ride your bicycle to your work during some days, because the three laps to the circuit are only 14.1km.

This is a good activity for this Saturday (although you will have to get up early, because the distribution of the numbers will start at 8 a.m.) and a good way to encourage yourself to keep pedaling through the urban zones.

Sant Jordi in Barcelona

The story is about a tyrant dragon who threatened the population of the Montblanc village and a courageous knight, who riding his white bicycle… was it not like this?

Photo by Alfred Comin

This 23rd of April, coinciding with the weekend, in Barcelona and everywhere in Catalonia everybody will celebrate one of the most emblematic traditional festivities, the Sant Jordi’s Day, patron of Catalonia. This Day is focused on two different key elements: love and culture. We will find both represented in the thousands of street market stands with roses and books which are going to be present at the main streets in the city, whereby Passeig de Gràcia and Rambles are the protagonists.

In addition to the obligatory walk through the Rambles, each neighborhood of the city will be celebrating all kinds of activities for every age. Not only books will be the protagonists of the culture, at Tiquet Rambles (Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, 99), from the 14th of April, the tickets of a great diversity of performances (theater, dance, museums…) are being sold at reduced prices.

A perfect celebration for the promotion of the small businesses, such as bookshops and other kinds of social organizations which will sell their roses in the street.

Take your bicycle, ride it through Barcelona and discover the famous legend of Sant Jordi, the real one, being guided by the people from Barcelona.

A heat wave has come to Barcelona and we have to take care of ourselves

Every time we notice a warm temperature in Barcelona city, although the bicycle is a healthy sport, we have to keep in mind other elements, such as the hydration to avoid heat strokes.

Although temperatures have not yet reached the summer’s maximum temperatures and it is good weather for riding the bicycle, if we are in a hurry, it is better to have a drink on hand which allows to keep ourselves hydrated.

Remember that with the physical exercise our body loses a lot of water, either through sweat or through forced breathing, so we should not forget (yes, forget, because a lot of times, as a result of the daily stress, we forget to hydrate ourselves completely and if you are doing exercise you should drink water even though you are not thirsty) then, we should not forget to drink water or other kinds of isotonic soft-drink.

Nowadays, in a lot of shops you can find bottles (the lifelong canteens) which will keep your soft-drink at an adequate temperature and which you will be able to reuse during a long time, helping the environment and your pocket.

Taking water with you is essential, but if you want to enjoy some added benefits, you can add a bit of lemon. Lemon is a diuretic, blood tonic and antioxidant citric fruit that will provide our drink with a touch of freshness, which will be very welcome at the end of good ascent.

Now you can see that taking care of ourselves is easy, so if you are doing exercise to keep in good health, you should not forget the importance of a well balanced diet and a good hydration.

30 days on bike, a citizen initiative for the pollution reduction and everyone’s wellbeing

Last Friday, 1^st of April, all over the world the agreement of pedaling during 30 days when we go through the city was started, a step which reduces fumes and pollution, makes us feel better and, surely, will get more than one person hooked.

Since some days ago, the hashtag #30DaysonBike started to move around the social networks, with which a lot of people explain their experiences, stories or, simply share some images about what this great challenge is supposing.

Because, going on bicycle means improving in a lot of senses: in an individual way, pedaling is a cardiovascular exercise with which you can tone up your legs’ muscles, bettering your back position and strengthening your knees. In addition, as we always back up from BornBike, we are sure that the relaxation caused by this exercise, directly affects a stress shortage and an improvement of our inspiration.

At a community level, in addition to being an activity which you can practice with more people and share the experience, with time, it is one of best ways to reduce high levels of pollution which our cities can reach. In this way, we improve the daily traffic and the air that we breathe.

If you have not joined this initiative yet, you still have some days to to take advantage of it. In addition, we are sure that, if you achieve going on bicycle non-stop during 30 days, you will not be able to stop!

What is the best way to enjoy spring’s arrival in Barcelona? Pedaling your bicycle

Although the winter has come and passed unnoticed and it has given us nice trips through the city, spring continues being the favorite season for traveling on a bike.

Sunny days without being scorching ones

Hot weather can be an enemy, even worse than cold weather, for everyone who likes to travel on bicycle. Enjoying spring temperature will avoid the tiredness caused by other seasons of the year and, even more, it can give us a short break stretched out on the green of a park.

Colors that make the trip more pleasant

We are talking about the colors of spring, not only the colors from plants and trees which start to flower everywhere, but also the warm color tones of the sun over the buildings. If you like to take good photos of your trips, spring light, without burning landscapes as happens in the summer, will give life to your mementos.

The beginning of the festivities

Even though every season has its festivities and they are always reflected on the big city, during spring, the celebrations in streets with all the community are more common, taking advantage of the warm weather. If you are interested in getting to know new cultures during your trips, these kinds of celebrations are the best chance.

You should not forget that spring comes marked by rain. So, when you are preparing your trip, make sure of taking the correct clothes for possible changes in the weather. Warm and under a raincoat, a rainy city also has its charms.

The neighborhoods which bring Barcelona to life

If nothing is written about taste, Barcelona is a city which gathers the major part of it with its parks, museums, markets, monuments… even its streets are different from district to district and in each one we can find a piece of history.

Ten are the districts of Barcelona and in each one we find the neighborhoods and the communities which bring them to life. Starting with Ciutat Vella, where we can imagine ourselves through its narrow streets through the same corners where the first city’s activities were originated. Markets, cathedrals, restaurants, the port, the beach, its passages and its people are the elements which configure the landscape and the neighborhood.

Bordering the sea, on the right of Ciutat Vella, we will find Sant Martí, one of the biggest districts. Here, apart from the conglomerate of offices which form the 22@ zone led by the Agbar Tower, we can find the major part of the beaches of Barcelona; the calm neighborhoods of Poble Nou and Clot; in addition to the impressive Fòrum.

barcelona-984035_1280 On the other side, we have the left hand of Ciutat Vella, where we can go from the sea to the mountain of Montjuïc. But, of course, to do this route we have to go through the streets of Sants, where it is always a good plan stopping there and having something to eat and drink. And which is the street separating Ciutat Vella from Sants-Montjuïc? The Paral·lel Avenue, the center of performances par excellence. A fame which has cost a lot of years of work for all the theaters situated on this street.

Over Ciutat Vella we will find the Eixample, where, far from its squared appearance, we will find the figures of the Casa Batlló and La Pedrera with their exuberant shapes; in addition to the Casa de les Punxes, the Palau Baró de Quadras, la Casa Ametller, la Fundació Antoni Tàpies and, of course, the endless Sagrada Familia.

And if we continue ahead we will find, from the left to the right, Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, the bohemian and, at the same time, gipsy Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris and Sant Andreu, districts which, as residential zones, contain the soul of the communities that live there. Each one does this in its own way, especially with their celebrations and activities, that are a sample of the people which build Barcelona.

So, remember that in order to experience Barcelona on your trips, you should not forget any one of the details that bring the neighborhoods, and finally the city, to life.

A Popular Catalan Culture Show at this Santa Eulàlia Celebration of Barcelona

Photo by José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro

In order to meet a community in a close and local way, there is nothing better than participating in their festivities. This week, from the 11^th to the 14^thof February, Barcelona celebrates its Santa Eulàlia Festival, in the district of Ciutat Vella, a celebration full of performances which are characterized by the Catalan culture in a scene which has been the testimony of the city’s history.

Castellers, giants and cabezudos, dancers, correfocs, light performances, grallers, bastoners, fairs and more activities concentrated in these four days of fiesta in the heart of the Condal City. This results in a master class about the history of these streets through the popular culture of the territory.

Not only the most emblematic characters, such as the Eagle, go out to the streets, all the residents also participate in this fiesta. Being able to enter and camouflage yourself among people is, without any doubt, the best way to enjoy the city like a local person, leaving a positive mark of your visit and taking with you the best experience. After all, why do we travel, if this is not the reason?

If you are near Barcelona these days, this has to be an obligatory stop.

Come pedaling!

The Carnival arrives in Barcelona

If you are thinking about taking advantage of some days and coming to visit Barcelona, you cannot miss the opportunity of meeting the Reina Belluga (Belluga Queen).

From the 4^th to the 10^th of February, Barcelona dresses up its streets with activities and popular parties, starting with L’Arribo, a tour through different streets of the city, which will start at the Sant Cugat Square at 6 p.m. on the 4^thday, in order to receive the Reina Belluga with music, giants and fireworks. With this welcoming, the Queen of this Carnival will initiate all the events which will take place in a lot of centres, associations and institutions of the city.

Three other important activities which you cannot miss (and which will be held very close to our BornBike premises are El Ball del Molinet (The Little Mill Dance) on the 5^th at 7 p.m. at the Born Cultural Centre; the Taronjada on the 7^th at 4.30 p.m., which will start at the Comercial Square, it will be perfect for all the family members; and the carnival streets, there will be 30 of them distributed through the different districts of the city. You will need to pedal strongly if you want to see more than one.

Start looking now for the best costume in your wardrobe for this festivity, because the level will be very high.

Some of the intentions which cannot lack in your 2016 New Year list

In a few days we will start the new year and, as usually happens, we cannot avoid looking back, reviewing everything that we have achieved this year and prepare a new list of intentions for this next year.

Surely all of the intentions that you have thought of are good and laudable, but, please, ask yourself these three questions:

Are these intentions specific enough? Setting up great goals without some specific steps which we need to achieve in order to arrive at the finish line is a typical error which distances us from our objective.
(¿)Have you deadline dates? Using a deadline date in each one of the steps is also a key tool.
Are these intentions realistic? No one knows us better than we ourselves, so, on the base of this, review your intentions again and convert them into something realistic.

Based on our principles, we want to suggest three intentions to everyone, which cannot be lacking in any list:

Go to work by bicycle… You have a lot of tips about how and why you can do this in our blog. Following the previous questions, you can start achieving some steps, such as: the first weeks I will go by bicycle one day, the next ones two days and, in this manner, increase the number progressively. It’s important for you to mark you the dates of the advances on a calendar so that you can see the quick progress.
During the next holidays put the tips about ecotourism into practice: look for new activities which you haven’t experienced yet, in some place of the world that you don’t know and share them with the people of the place.
Get to know more about your city: How many corners of your city don’t you know? Start with local tourism which brings you closer to your roots. It’s cheap, easy and gratifying.

With these three intentions, which each one has to adapt it to his expectations, we will achieve a lot of other intentions that appear on our list: more exercise, more savings, reducing the pollution, reducing the consumption…

And if you have achieved some of them already, plan on a way to improve them and share them with us 😉 We are in contact through the social networks.

A different Christmas in Barcelona

As we have announced last week, we will inform you about the different activities which will be carried out in the city during the next Christmas’ weeks. This week it’s the turn for the Fira de Consum Responsable (Responsible Consumption Fair) at Catalunya Square.

This year, the center of the city has become a place of reflection and change, but, of course, enjoying games, activities and performances related to Christmas to the maximum.

The Responsible Consumption Fair, which will start this Saturday, 19^th of December, and which will be prolonged to the next 4^th of January, is the best example. With the objective of making public a lot of companies and associations which work within a supportive and social economy, everyone who gets there will be invited to participate in their activities (in the mornings and in the afternoons) and to buy a Christmas present, because, which is a better present than the one that collaborates with a fairer society?

Again, we want to remind you, that from BornBike we want to strengthen this kind of local market and work in favor of citizens and visitors living together and getting acquainted at places like that, promoting, at the same time, a kind of ecotourism which favors everyone.

We are convinced that we will take our bike and we will go and see what is going on at the Catalunya Square. Will you come with us?

With Christmas days so close, Barcelona bets on supportive and responsible consumption activities

Let’s have a look at the coming activities to be celebrated in the centre of the city, such as the Altaveu per a la Cohesió Social (the Loudspeaker for the Social Cohesion) at the underground lobby at the Universitat Square.

Photography by Kate Zaidova

If, during these last years, Christmas has been the reflection of a society who lives a model of consumption and excess, this year it seems that Barcelona wants to make the population aware of the necessity of a more supportive and sustainable model through the activities organized during this festivity.

As bicycle lovers, because of this being an example of sustainability, ecotourism and effort and self-improvement capacity, we want to do our bit to help this initiative add efforts to promote this kind of activities and talking about them these next weeks.

So we will start emphasizing that this Friday, 11^th of December, La Fàbrica del Sol and Eduxarxa has organized a number of activities at the lobby of the Universitat Square underground, all of them aimed at promoting the good neighbourliness, under the name of the Altaveu per a la Cohesió Social (the Loudspeaker for the Social Cohesion).

If you are from Barcelona, you should take your bicycle and go there to participate in the great Scrabble with supportive words and enjoy the Planet Impro performance. And if you are not from Barcelona, but you are around here these days, also come by bicycle to get some ideas for your city.

Let’s all together achieve a more supportive and sustainable Christmas.

December, a great month to visit Barcelona by bicycle

The weather, the city’s activities and, of course, the holiday and relaxed days are the best ingredients for going through the city by bicycle.

Photography by Maria Rosa Ferre

One might think that during the winter the best choice is the sofa with a blanket and a film, but we have a better recipe to fight against cold and boredom, taking advantage of Barcelona and getting to know it to the maximum.

The cold can be a great ally (or the cold air, because in Barcelona, being a Mediterranean city, the coldest temperatures during December vary with the maximum around 5/6º C); we will start pedalling with a coat, a scarf and a cap and in a few minutes, we will have enough with wearing a sweater or a jumper. We will be more than warm.

With the long weekend of the Constitución festivity and Christmas’ holidays so close, the city, usually full of activities, extends its number of proposals with new expositions, stage plays, street markets, etc. Wherever you go on your bicycle, you will find one or another activity adapted to your tastes.

In conclusion, if you are living in Barcelona or you have the opportunity of visiting it, you already know which is the best form of arriving everywhere, enjoying the city to the maximum.

If we were already enjoying Barcelona, we will do it even more in 2018 with the 308km of finished bike lanes

Photograpy by Jennifer Boyle

November 24th, 2015

Last Friday, the 20^th of October the City Hall of Barcelona announced this extension of the bike lane which will make us more unstoppable.

The City Hall of Barcelona has marked a great challenge: in less than two years we will enjoy a bike lane extension of 308km, so that 90% of the citizens of Barcelona have a lane at a maximum of 300 metres from their homes.

Its action plan includes a budget of 32 million of euros and an extension of the lane in streets as necessary as: Casanova, Pau Claris and the following street Via Laietana, Travessera de Gràcia, Sant Antoni Maria Claret, Cartagena, Ronda de Ciutat Vella and an extension of Marina Street. And in order to get us closer to the most peripheral zones they will make another lane at the Maragall Promenade and in the Zona Franca.

We cannot forget the 23% increase of parking lots in the city, which will make us feel relaxed when we leave the bike with its lock during the time we need.

The final goal of the City Hall, as they have expressed, is no other one than the citizens’ health improvement through the environmental improvement, a goal with which we so much agree; and a project that we will observe closely in order to inform you.

The bicycle’s importance to improve mobility of the cities in the ‘Smart City Expo’ of Barcelona

This week the Smart City Expo in Barcelona is taking place, in which, among many other things, the importance of reducing city traffic jams are being talked about. Which is our favourite proposal? The use of the bicycle, of course.

Photography by Frank Müller

During the last years, the interest in improving circulation in cities, the pollution and the level of life in general through the bicycle has stopped being only an interest of the society. City Halls and important firms at a technological level, for different reasons, are seeing an opportunity in this simple transport. This is shown by the Smart City Expo that is being celebrated in Barcelona these days, where they are presenting a great number of projects to improve the city and make it “smarter”, more efficient and for the service of society who lives there or who is passing through.

In addition to different projects focusing on making the public bicycle services more accessible, the mobile applications also stand out: “I think that the best invention for smart cities is the mobile phone” has affirmed the Smart City Expo World Congress director, Ugo Valentí. Because of the different and infinite applications, especially dedicated to routes, which we can access from our mobile phones and which are totally free.

It seems that we will continuously have fewer excuses to leave our bicycle at home; so, if you haven’t done it yet, start to pedal towards the city’s future.

The 200km of bike lanes in Barcelona

Related to last week’s mail and in order to complete our safety guide a bit more, here you have a map and some tips to circulate through the bike lanes in Barcelona.

It continuously results easier and safer getting through Barcelona on bicycle; this fact is thanks to the 200km of bike lanes in a lot of streets of the city which connect us with almost every district (it would only be necessary to have an extension through the peripheral zones).

At first, if we don’t know all the streets exactly, Barcelona on a bicycle might seem quite big. For this reason we can access to this City Hall updated map of the different bike lanes.

click on the image to access to the map

Although, if we have problems for getting orientated, and we want to consult if we are on the right way while we are circulating, we will be able to do that through our Smartphone thanks to the Google Maps application, which, among its different options, allows us to highlight the different bike lanes of Barcelona on our map.

In order to circulate in the bike lane, in addition to wearing the necessary bike equipment and always respecting all the sign posts, it is also important to follow these basic tips:

Signal your next manoeuvre with your arms for the benefit of the rest of the cyclists.
You should circulate in the right direction: not every lane is two directions; pay attention to the direction of the road marks; it’s possible that you sometimes need to cross to the other side of the street.
And, specially, keep calm with some pedestrians; warn them kindly if they are walking in our lane. They are almost never conscious about this error. Remember that at the crossings they have priority.

To get to know more details, consult Article 14 of Pedestrian and Vehicle Circulation of Barcelona.

Remember that our security is the most important factor for arriving at our destination!

An infinity of opportunities for taking advantage of Barcelona

As we have described many other times, Barcelona is a city full of opportunities for anyone who wants to get to know new places, and don’t mind the origin and tastes. Here you have some of these opportunities:

For adventurers:

From the sea to the mountain, through the beach of the Barceloneta, the Ciutadella Park, Montjuïc, and stopping at the Laribal Gardens, going down and then up again to the Horta Labyrinth and the Park Güell, in order to go to look for peace and tranquillity in the great Natural Park of Collserola. Although we can find innumerable buildings in Barcelona, it has achieved to conserve these places of gardens and green zones.

For shoppers:

The Boqueria, Sant Antoni Market, Santa Catarina, Concepció, Ninot, Barceloneta, Lliberat, Sants, Galvany, the Encants, or many other ones! We will find all kind of local products and, we will also get to know the architectonic works which constituted many of them.

For the cookers lovers:

Barcelona provides the most authentic tastes of the sea and the mountain in the most typical appetizers. At the port zone we have the freshest shellfish and fish, and as we enter the city, we can find the most traditional tidbits of meat and cold meat.

For people who prefer the architectonic jewels:

From Gothic to Modernism, two historic eras which have left a trace in a lot of the Barcelona buildings, even though the great edifications are not the only testimonies. Taking a walk through the streets of Barcelona, especially through the Ciutat Vella district, we can find a lot of unknown corners which bring us closer to the previous life of the city.

For the sporty people:

Any one of the former tours can be combined with the bicycle. If we want to arrive at all the destinations, it will be the best means of transport to arrive quickly and without missing a detail.

Haven’t you gone through the 64th Barcelona Fair of the Second Hand, Antique and Modern Book yet? It’s the last days!

From the first day of the Mercè, the beginning of Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona harbors little stands filled with books, where, surely, we can find our favorite one.

Between big clothes shops and some elegant bars, at one of the most crowded streets of the city, we can find these stands full of countless literary works, resulting inevitable that one stops to take a look. And, away from any conventionality, we can find the strangest works, even unlisted ones. Who can resist looking for a hidden treasure?

There are books for all tastes and ages, from the most extensive and pretentious books to the easiest ones and full of illustrations.

Furthermore, this year the issue of the exposition is Circus and Magic, and one can find books, posters, postcards, among other works of art, which deal with this issue.

The opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., opening one hour later on Sundays and holidays (from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

If you haven’t gone to this corner of the city yet, take your bicycle quickly because this very Sunday the stands are going to be taken down.

New plans for September, nearer and, of course, on bicycle

Although so many people have finished holidays at the end of August, this doesn’t mean that they can only go into reclusion at their homes. They can also look for activities for weekends in September and get to know better nearby zones where we live.

September is also a great month for continuing with family activities. The weather is good, there are not too many agglomerations and we have weekends to fill with activities.

Probably a lot of you will be in a saving mode after paying planes, food, hotels, etc., so in order to recover a little, the best we can do is to keep close to home at a place where we can arrive without doing a lot of kilometres by car or where we can go by public transport.

And, we are sure that after going through the most exotic places, for example, of our city, Barcelona, you’ll be surprised about a lot of details of its history, architecture or gastronomy.

So, upon returning from your holidays, don’t stay at home look for new corners to discover and get around on bicycle, the best therapy for post-holiday depression, for your pocket and to get fit again after this well-deserved month of relaxation.

Convert yourself into one more citizen of Barcelona pedalling the bicycle

Getting closer to people of a city in a cultural, historic and social way is what will transform our journey into a unique trip. How should we do this? Get carried along the streets by someone who really knows them!

When we travel to new places, apart from breaking the routine, usually, we look for getting to know the city in detail. We look for all the information through guides and internet and, we leave with thousands of routes in our head to experience and to pass through. But all architectonic works, museums and corners of the city lack sense if we don’t know their history fully and, finally, we just forget them or we mix them up with memories of other trips.

In order to avoid this, the best choice is to look for a trip mate who knows all the details of the history, because he or she has lived with them all his/her life.

By travelling with local people, we will have a great opportunity to live a new experience, much richer and more authentic than all the notes that we could compile before and during the trip.

This, together with the opportunity of going through the streets on a bicycle, a vehicle which allows us to move through all the streets easily, much quicker than walking and appreciating more details than going by car, will be the perfect combination for assuring us that we are using our trip up to the limit.

Vila de Gràcia of Barcelona has dressed up for the fiesta one more year

Take your bicycle and go to this very special sector of Barcelona. You will experience a different Festa Major from any other one.

And after months of preparations this weekend the Festa Major de Gràcia has started. To everyone who doesn’t know about this fiesta yet, this is an event characterized by the fact that its neighbours transform their streets into real works of art.

There are 18 streets exposed to everyone who goes there, with very different themes: from circus, to theme parks, airports, Japan, revolutions, animals, vegetation… the imagination of the neighbours is endless.

You can arrive, go through the different streets and decide which of them is your favourite one, although this year they have already proclaimed the winner, the Verdi Street.

Streets are cut off everywhere and the parking places (including the paying ones) are usually full all the time, so the best choice is to take the bike, park it close to the sector, and go around it walking. In some of these decorated streets there is a controlled access: 30 people every 3 minutes, a control to avoid an agglomeration.

If you are in Barcelona you should enjoy these streets, exhibitions, activities, expositions and at night you cannot miss the concerts of this very special fiesta.

On bicycle through the Parc de la Ciutadella of Barcelona

One of our favourites places where we will find all the facilities for circulating on bicycle.

Two weeks ago we promised you an article dedicate to the amazing Parc de la Ciutadella of Barcelona, and BornBike keeps its promises. Although we have talked about this and other parks of the city, we want to dedicate a special mail, because Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the perfect places to visit, to enjoy, to rest and especially to circulate on our bicycle.

Its very situation makes it special, because it take up all the central space of the triangle made up by the Estació de França (a train station), the Arc de Triomf (a monument) and the Olympic Port, places that you cannot stop to visit if you are in this zone.

Even though over the years of its history it had a dark age, due to the fact that in the 18^th century it was the Fortress of the Ciutadella which was built by Felip V in order to dominate the city after the War of Succession, on the occasion of the Universal Exposition in 1888 it was rebuilt by the architect Josep Fontserè i Mestre. The result was this great park visited by millions of people every year.

It’s important get to know this and a lot of other details about its history because when we ride the bike through its sinuous earthen pathways, we will find pieces as unique as: the Monumental Waterfall; the Music Kiosk; the Mammoth; the Lake (where we can take a small boat); the Ciutadella Church; the General Prim Statue; the Lath House and the Greenhouse; the Lady with the Umbrella; the Martorell Museum of Geology; the Castle of the Three Dragons; or also the very Parliament of Catalonia, with the Desconsol (Distress) Statue just in front of that. If we don’t know its history we cannot enjoy these jewels which make this park unique enough.

So, save a morning of your stay in Barcelona and start riding through the paths of Ciutadella, stopping at every one of the marked places and having had a ride around all the park, look for a calm hideout at the picnic zone to rest and eat some appetizers. Without any doubt, it will be one of the best mornings that you can enjoy in Barcelona and in the evening, when the temperature becomes more pleasant, you can go to refresh yourself at the beach. It is so close, and even more so on bike.

From Gothic to Modernism, all the faces of the historic Barcelona in a tour

Which could be a better way to discover the history of Barcelona than through its art and its architecture?

Basílica Santa Maria del Mar fotography, by Paul M.R. Maeyaert

Barcino was the first name of this city in its founding during the Roman Age. In the medieval period, it became an important capital and some of the Romanesque works were reconstructed to give way to the Gothic ones. Nowadays you can get to discover a lot of these creations, such as the Born Market or the church of Santa Maria del Mar, by taking a ride through the streets of the city.

But the centuries of Barcelona history bring us many more works of art, such as the modernist ones, which were born from one of the most important artistic movements in the capital and in Catalonia. In this city we will find, in a perfect state, works such as the Palau de la Música, The Pedrera, the Casa Batlló or, popularly known for its continuous construction, the Sagrada Família.

We can get to know almost the whole of these architectonic works during a morning on bike. The narrow streets of the Born sector, one of the most important parts of the district of Ciutat Vella, are full of secrets which you have to discover if you want to get to know this Gothic part of the city. In the sector of the Eixample, a really important commercial centre, we will experience the change with great wide streets where we will find the famous modernist works.

Take advantage of your trip and experience the history of Barcelona closer by pedalling through its streets.

Discover the coast of Barcelona in a different way, a new plan for this summer

To plant yourself under the sun of the beach in the Barceloneta all day is not the only way to enjoy the coast of Barcelona. Discover that by taking a ride by bicycle.

If the last week we proposed a tour around the mountain of Montjuïc, this week we suggest for you to also discover the history and the evolution of the beaches in Barcelona, especially the Barceloneta.

We will start at the Port Vell (Old Port), one of the oldest parts of Barcelona. It has gone through more than four centuries of transformations: from being one of the first stable docks of the city to becoming an important commercial and touristic zone.

Following the sea line, we will go through the sector of the Barceloneta to arrive at the Port Olímpic, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, a key event in the Barcelona transformation. And in this line of transformations, we will arrive at the Universal Forum of Cultures, another great place of modern architecture of the city.

Upon returning, in order to not repeat, the best place to get to know on bicycle and stop to rest is the Parc de la Ciutadella with perfect earthen pathways for circulating and green spaces for lying down and enjoying the shade. In addition, you will find great jewels (although this will be the content of another mail, so we will do it in the future…).

Enjoy this tour through the coast of Barcelona which is full of activity during day and night. From now until the 16^th of August, on Thursdays and Sundays at 9 p.m., there are also free projections of films and short films at the San Sebastian Beach of Barcelona!

From the sea to the mountain during a morning of a cultural and historic tour through Barcelona on bicycle

Barcelona is not only a port city with lively beaches; it also stands out thanks to its green places, especially Montjuïc, a magic mountain, which we can reach by pedalling from the sea and where we will find the best combination of nature and culture.

From this elevated place we will have the best view of Barcelona, but before, we will enjoy an amazing tour, because in BornBike we think that without the previous experience the end is not so worthwhile.

In order to arrive at the top from the port, the best choice is to start at the Statue of Colón, although instead of following its indication, we will go up through the Paral·lel Avenue, a homage to the scenic arts in the city.

At Plaça Espanya, we will continue going up through the Maria Cristina Avenue, a street that, without any doubt, you should not miss if you want to get to know the history of the great events in Barcelona. We will see the National Palace, the Magic Fountain lit up in the evening and the Poble Espanyol in first person. All of them are the results of the International Exposition in 1929.

Once we have arrived at the top, we cannot forget the Sant Jordi Palace and the Olympic Stadium: both were protagonist of the 1992 Olympic Games.

And then yes, we can observe Barcelona at the Mirador (Lookout) de Miramar, because then we are going to do that with a richer and more experienced vision.

Experience Barcelona through a gastronomic tour

One of the best ways to learn about the culture of a place is tasting its more traditional products.

Taking a walk through city streets, we can learn about its history, its art and its architecture; we can observe some details of the daily life of the people who live in the place; and we can take nice mementos in the form of a photographic postcard, but if we really want to enjoy the city exploring it, it is basic to enjoy its gastronomy.

There are dishes which cannot taste the same in any other parts of the world. Barcelona is characterized (in addition to many other things) by its port zone, so it’s basic to save some time for sitting on one of its terraces to taste its fresh fish and shellfish appetizers.

Although, as a big city of the Mediterranean, the traditional and the new tastes are combined in appetizers and tidbits elaborated in bars and restaurants. We will find them as we pass through the streets of Ciutat Vella. There we can taste food from the most traditional Catalan cuisine tidbits, to the most experimental fusions.

Without these appetizers, the experience in Barcelona would be incomplete. So, now that you know this, take the bicycle, go around the city pedalling in order to stimulate your appetite and go to taste part of the culture!

Take the bicycle and go around the markets of Barcelona, there are a lot of choices!

We propose up to 14 markets to pass through, where you will find all kinds of typical and non-typical products from Barcelona, all of them better than the habitual July sales.

Mercat de la Boqueria de Alain Rouiller

Markets have always been very important meeting places for the cities. There you can (would) find all kinds of curiosities and products of the gastronomic base of the zone. Barcelona is not only full of a great variety of markets; in addition, the majority of them are architectonic pieces which uncover part of the city history. So…¿Which would be a better way to shopping than visiting some of these emblematic markets of the city?

If you really want to shop and taste some of the most delicious products of Barcelona, it is almost obligatory take a walk through one of the most famous markets: the Boqueria Market; although if it is far away from you or not within your tour, there are five more markets where you can find the best typical products: the Sant Antoni Market, the Santa Caterina Market (we will be impressed by its colourful roof), the Concepció Market, the Ninot Market or the Barceloneta Market.

If, apart from the products, we are interested in modernist art from Barcelona, we can’t fail to go to the Llibertat Market, the Sants Market, the Galvany Market or the Sarrià Market.

¿And what if we are full and we want to look for clothes or other curiosities? The Encants Market of Glories is the best place to lose ourselves among clothes, handmade products, new and old objects… although if you prefer a place which is specialized in culture, the Sant Antoni Dominical Market is your place. And following the Barcelona traditions, you couldn’t miss the Flors Market in the Rambla.

Besides these permanent markets, in Barcelona the tradition of second hand street markets has also increased. One of the most famous ones is Lost&Found. The next upcoming date is on the 20^th of September at the Plaça del Mar (Barceloneta).

Don’t forget your bicycle! With it you can plan a one day tour through the different markets, which we have proposed you, and in addition you can load all the things you have bought in a better way.

Continue pedalling the bicycle, also during the summer

In January the Department of Territories of the Generalitat de Catalunya made the information of the Barómetro de la Bicicleta (Bicycle Barometer) public, showing that 450.000 of the people in Catalonia daily move around with their bicycles, number which has maintained itself stable since 2011 and which has doubled itself compared to 2006.

450.000 of the people in Catalonia love pedalling to their job every day, a number which has maintained itself in the majority of the cities and which has increased 11.5% in Barcelona. With our strong legs, knowing the pleasure of moving around by this means of transport to our destination and being aware of the personal satisfaction which the fact of pedalling the bike every day means, how could we stop doing this during the vacation?

Whoever rides the bicycle daily doesn’t do that only to go from one place to another. Besides being pleasurable, we also contribute to an improvement of our environment. Everything is advantages which we can continue enjoying during our vacation. We can discover new cities going through their streets faster than walking, saving time, but without missing little details, as would happen if we travelled by car or by public transport while we contribute to a responsible ecotourism which get us closer to the people who live in this city.

During the summer, don’t park your bicycle. With it you can enjoy yourself much more.

We welcome the summer with the Sant Joan Celebration in Barcelona

An itinerary through one of the most special celebrations in Barcelona so you don’t miss anything.

Today, 23^rd of June, at 7 p.m. at the Plaça Sant Jaume we will be looking forward to the arrival of the “Flama del Canigó”, alongside the city authorities: the Eagle and the City Giants. We will accompany its arrival by singing at this symbolic part of the city. Once the celebration has started, we will be able to decide which place would be the best to continue celebrating the arrival of summer.

We can take a walk around the Passeig the Gràcia and the Plaça Catalunya fountains, where the City Hall has planned a special illumination for this night. We can walk around the streets of the different neighbourhoods where there are expected to be around 20 bonfires surrounded by the typical fiestas. Or we can go to the beach, a place where every year a great number of people congregate and where the night will stretch on until well into the day.

Whichever place you choose, you should taste the traditional Coca de Sant Joan, (a sort of flatbread with pork rind or Catalonia style). Without it, this celebration wouldn’t be the same.

2 simple tips for a safe circulation with the bicycle around Barcelona

If you like to move around Barcelona on bicycle like us, you need to keep 2 basic points in mind in order to avoid some risk situations.

1. Take care of the maintenance of your bicycle

The maintenance of your bicycle is very important for your security, especially if you have to pedal every day, and it’s more simple than the maintenance of a motorized vehicle, so you don’t have any excuse for not looking over your own bicycle. It’s important to maintain it clean and greased; in addition you need to check that the brakes work perfectly. The tires have to have clear treads. If they are worn they could lose the adhesion to the road and it might be dangerous, mostly when it rains.

These are some of the most important points to keep in mind. As time goes by you will learn more about your bicycle, even though at the beginning, if we have to assemble and disassemble anything it’s important to take note or make some photos of every step that we make. And if you don’t feel quite confident with your mechanical qualities, you should consult a professional.

2. Keep the ordinance in mind

You should take into account that the rules about circulating with a bicycle according to the city ordinances can vary depending on the city you’re in. This is very important if we don’t want to get a fine, but also to avoid dangers for us and for others (especially for the pedestrian). Something really basic about of Barcelona is that whenever possible, we always circulate in the bike lane. We can circulate on the sidewalk if we don’t have any bike lane near or if circulating on the road is dangerous. Nevertheless, it needs to be wider than 5 meters and not have too many pedestrians. If one of these two points are not present, it’s better to walk with the bicycle. We can also circulate on 30km/h roads. We will be able see that these are duly signalized, and it’s recommendable to circulate in the middle of the road so that we more visible for the motorized vehicles.

Even if the helmet, the bell and the lights are sometimes not obligatory elements, we will avoid risk situations if we use them.

If you follow these simple tips, you will avoid dangerous situations and you will continue enjoying your bicycle as always.

When the bicycle cannot transport us, but we have to transport our bicycle through Barcelona

There are some times that the terrain or the time that we spend in going from one point to another will impede us to travel comfortably on our bicycle. But there are some alternatives, like public transport, which will solve this problem, although we have to keep in mind when and how.

Even though we haven’t any doubt about the bicycle being the best means of transport, we have to accept the fact that some distances or terrains cannot be crossed with the same speed if we go pedalling. For this reason, we need to calculate the time well and have to know which kinds of alternatives are available for us.

In Barcelona, for, example, if we don’t want to give up the bicycle, because when we arrive at our destination it will be very useful, we can take the subway. Although we have to remember this: there are peak hours when we will not be allowed to board the subway with our bicycles: from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (these restrictions are not applied during July and August).

If you are interested in getting away from the capital city, we recommend you to take the train, Renfe, since some of the train cars have a place where we can leave our bicycles safely.

There are some other means of transport, like the bus, but in this case, if we haven’t a folding bicycle, we cannot use it (because of an obvious question of space, of course).

Anyway, even though it’s good to remember these other means of transport, we think that if you have the necessary time available, with the bicycle you will enjoy the route more and you will turn a simple trip into a nice journey.

You cannot miss these 4 incredible places… Enjoy the parks and gardens in Barcelona!

Take the bicycle and go around the spring-like green places before the mosquitoes attack you!

1. Parc de la Ciutadella

With a perfect access for bicycles, this is one of our favorite places, situated in the district of Ciutat Vella. This park has 17 hectares, which were declared a historic monument in 1951. This is because in the same park you can find buildings from the 19^th century which are in perfect condition and statues as singular as the Mammoth that was made in real size.

You also have to take a walk around the gardens, through the earthen pathways. And what if we get tired of pedaling? We can row for a while in the lake of the park.

2. Laribal’s Gardens.

These gardens are situated in the district of Sants-Montjuic and we can get there on bicycle, but we’ll have to park it at the entrance.

This place rounds up all the peace that we sometimes cannot find in other parts of the big city. It is composed of a series of terraces that communicate through pathways and stairs, which will take us through the native and exotic vegetation and through a great diversity of ponds and waterfalls.

And finally, we will arrive at the famous Font del Gat, an incredible fountain situated at the exact point for observing the views of Barcelona.

3. Horta’s Labyrinth

But if you need a place for meditating, the best you can do is lose yourself in this labyrinth in the district of Horta-Guinardó. You will be helped by its wild plants, its fountains and its streams, which form the oldest park of the city 18^th century. You will be able to sit beside mythological characters like Eros who, as a statue, will be waiting for you in the middle of the garden; or you will also be able to enter and inspire yourself in the pavilion dedicated to the muses. At the last stop, in contrast to all the life in these gardens, you will find a false cemetery, but keep calm, there are no more gravestones.

4. Collserola Natural Park

In order to get to this park you will have to pedal with all your strength until you arrive at the outskirts of the city. But once there, the whole nature, country houses, hermitages, fountains, swamps and streams will compensate your effort. And you can always rest or have a picnic while you observe all the little movements of Barcelona.

*And remember: please take care of the environment and ride the bicycle only within the indicated zones.

Enjoy these surroundings and get to love them like we have!

Bike rental

We offer fully equipped and adjusted city bikes with 3/6 speeds! We also rent tandems, for couple’s rides.

Historical & Modernist Tour

This tour is perfect for art and architecture lovers. Wander through the alleys, secrets, and legends of the ancient and medieval Barcelona … and end up exploring the most emblematic works of the Modernism movement.

Read more about our Bike Tours

Beach bike tour

A cultural and fun experience right by the sea! Enjoy the amazing sights from the coastline. You will discover the history, present and past of the harbor as well as the charm of its typical neighborhoods (La Barceloneta-Poblenou-Port Olimpic).

Read more about our Bike Tours

Montjuïc : Magic & Art

You will discover the palaces from the international Exhibition of 1929, its Magic Fountain, the Olympic Stadium (Olympic games) and much more… Enjoy a relaxing ride to Montjuïc, offering wonderful views of the whole city.

Read more about our Bike Tours

Tapas tour

Delight your senses discovering the medieval Barcelona and the charm of the Born district. Loose yourself in the Gothic Quarter with its narrow streets, become familiar with our typical dishes and taste the “Tapas”.

Read more about our Bike Tours