What better way to explore a city and soak up its vibe than going for a run? Here are a few great ideas for where to run in Barcelona. Barcelona is a true sports city, home to FC Barcelona, the legacy of the 1992 Olympic Games, and its famous road races, including the Barcelona Marathon in spring!
The route we’re sharing is all about sport and the Olympic legacy. You’ll run through Plaça dels Campions, along the seafront, up to Barcelona’s castle, then finish right in the heart of the Montjuïc Olympic Park. The final section is a real challenge, with a solid climb (180 m of elevation gain) on the Montjuïc hill.
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Our route for running in Barcelona: Start at Plaça dels Campions
At the start, in Plaça dels Campions, you can see the names of all the 1992 Olympic champions, including Marie-José Pérec, Carl Lewis, the US basketball Dream Team, and more. Perfect inspiration before an easy run that takes you all the way to the Olympic Stadium. The easiest way to get there is to take the metro to “Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica”. It’s right next to the Olympic Village.
Barceloneta Beach and the Port of Barcelona
We suggest running along Barceloneta Beach. Stick to the promenade tiles, or hop onto the sand if you want a softer surface and a bit of strength work. Keep heading south, following the harbor past the Barcelona Aquarium until you reach the Christopher Columbus statue at the end of the famous Las Ramblas. Once you’re at the statue, cross the road to continue toward Montjuïc hill.
Montjuïc and Barcelona’s Olympic Park
The climb up Montjuïc is not easy. But once you’re up there, the view is incredible, and the effort is absolutely worth it. If it’s hot, don’t hesitate to take short breaks in the first gardens you pass or near a fountain. When you reach Montjuïc Castle, built in the 17e century, take a moment to walk up onto the ramparts and enjoy one of the best panoramas over Barcelona.
You’ve covered almost 7 km, take a few deep breaths, then you’ll start the downhill toward the Olympic Stadium.
The Olympic Stadium is usually well signposted along the road. You’ll pass the Botanical Garden. Then you’ll spot the Olympic Stadium and the Palau Sant Jordi, the city’s large multi-purpose indoor arena. Take the path between the stadium and Palau Sant Jordi, and you’ll arrive at the iconic square from the Barcelona ’92 Olympic Games.
All in, the route is 9 km, which is about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on your pace and training level. Plan on at least 30 minutes extra for sightseeing stops, because this run is seriously beautiful. Afterward, you could visit the Olympic and Sports Museum at Montjuïc or hop back on the metro at Plaça Espanya (about one kilometer away, see the first photo in this article).
And if you want more routes for running in Barcelona, you can download the Jooks app. It lists sightseeing running routes in the world’s biggest cities, including dozens of routes in Barcelona. And yes, a little national pride, Jooks is a French app!
To run in Barcelona, you can also choose the Barcelona Marathon, held at the end of March. It’s a fairly flat course and takes you past the city’s most beautiful landmarks, including the Sagrada Familia, the Arc de Triomf, Plaza Catalunya, and more. I can only recommend it, it was at the Barcelona Marathon that I ran my personal best marathon in 2:34!