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Getting into the Outdoors with Sports in Barcelona

Sports in Barcelona can be found throughout the city; from atmospheric football matches, sailing, hiking, and much more ensuring locals and visitors are kept active and engaged during their stay in the city

The NH Housekeeper’s Tips

Sports in Barcelona

If you know anything about Barcelona, you’ll know that it’s a city with sports close to its heart. This city, of course, is home to one of the world’s biggest football teams. FC Barcelona has long been a juggernaut on the Spanish and European footballing stage, but they’ve taken it to a new level entirely in the past ten years, winning many domestic and international trophies.

Any holiday with sports in Barcelona as its theme could do worse than focusing entirely on the esteemed football club. However, don’t plan to just visit the Camp Nou and see the team, because sport in Barcelona is about much, much more than just its premier football team. Basketball and handball are also important players on the sports scene in Barcelona.

Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games

The success of the 1992 Olympic Games had a huge impact on Barcelona as a city, an impact that can still be felt today. It was a tournament filled with notable moments: the first South African participation since 1960, the all-star American basketball “Dream Team”, and a spectacular opening ceremony, among others. Visit the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Company, the Olympic Stadium that was actually built in 1929, to step into the Games’ most famous venue.

Sailing in Barcelona

Barcelona is a beautiful city to discover on foot, but it gets even better when it is experienced from the water. The laid back nature of the city and great weathers lend themselves well to a day spent on the water. If you’re interested in sailing, you can book yourself onto one of the many sailing experiences offered by captains in the city, or you can bring your own yacht and dock it in the habour. The conditions on the Mediterranean Sea from Barcelona are usually ideal for a relaxing afternoon unwinding on a boat, facing the great city ahead.

The Barcelona Marathon

Fancy testing yourself against some of the world’s best runners in the Barcelona Marathon? If you do, prepare for quite the test. You’ll be running from Avenida de La Reina Maria Cristina, then the 42 kilometres through the city before arriving back at your start destination. You’ll have to give it your best - there’s a six hour limit on runners. If you don’t want to run yourself, you can cheer on those who do from the side and enjoy the energetic atmosphere. The Barcelona Marathon takes place in March.

Hiking near Barcelona

You can do all sports in Barcelona - including hiking. You’ll have to head just outside of the city to find a great hike. An hour away from the city is Montserrat, a beautiful area with many hikes ranging in difficulty, from beginner to advanced.

If you want the hardest challenge - not to mention the best view - then tackle Sant Jeroni which is the highest mountain in the area. The journey to the top and back will take around six hours, so make sure you have all the necessary supplies - including a hat, snacks, and plenty of water. If you want to reach the top without necessarily hiking the whole way, you can take the St Joan funicular, which will drop you off around ten minutes from the summit.

Planning your trip to Barcelona? Check out our best city center hotels in Barcelona.

Where to stay in Barcelona

See all hotels in Barcelona
nh-hotels
NH Barcelona Stadium
Travessera de les Corts, 150-152,. 08028 Barcelona
Reviews

The NH Barcelona Stadium hotel is the nearest hotel to FC Barcelona’s stadium and its museum. If you’ve come to see exciting football, there’s no better place to stay. Meanwhile, if you’re here on business, we’re close to Palau de Congressos de Barcelona and Gran Via Area Congress. And from here you’ve got easy access to the airport, as well as the major highways.

  • 5.77km Agbar tower
  • 5.42km Barceloneta beach Barcelona
  • 4.42km Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
  • 3.36km Casa Amatller
  • wifi
    Free Wi-Fi
  • parking
    Parking
  • gym
    Gym
  • pool
    Pool
  • nonSmoking
    100%
  • airConditioner
    Air conditioning - Climate Control
  • eco-friendly
    Eco-friendly
  • pets
    Pets
  • accessibility
    Accessibility
  • celebrations
    Celebrations
  • meetings
    Meetings
  • numberRooms
    Rooms
nh-collection
NH Collection Barcelona Constanza
C/ Deu i Mata, 69-99,. 08029 Barcelona
Reviews
2023 Certificate of Excellence

The NH Collection Barcelona Constanza hotel is in the heart of Barcelona’s business district, next to Avenida Diagonal and L'illa Shopping Center. There are plenty of bars and restaurants on the doorstep, and the city center is just 15 minutes away. The building itself is an avant-garde creation by the famous Spanish architect Rafael Moneo.

  • 4.73km Agbar tower
  • 4.76km Barceloneta beach Barcelona
  • 3.68km Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
  • 2.41km Casa Amatller
  • wifi
    Free Wi-Fi
  • parking
    Parking
  • gym
    Gym
  • pool
    Pool
  • nonSmoking
    100%
  • airConditioner
    Air conditioning - Climate Control
  • eco-friendly
    Eco-friendly
  • pets
    Pets
  • accessibility
    Accessibility
  • celebrations
    Celebrations
  • meetings
    Meetings
  • numberRooms
    Rooms
nh-hotels
NH Sants Barcelona
Numancia, 74,. 08029 Barcelona
Reviews
2023 Certificate of Excellence

The NH Sants Barcelona hotel is located in the heart of Barcelona’s financial district, just a few steps from the trade fair and the Sants train station. You can get to the city center in 15 minutes on the metro and Camp Nou, the home ground of Barcelona’s soccer team, is only 20 minutes away on foot.

  • 4.81km Agbar tower
  • 4.55km Barceloneta beach Barcelona
  • 3.52km Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
  • 3.69km Born cultural centre
  • wifi
    Free Wi-Fi
  • parking
    Parking
  • nonSmoking
    100%
  • airConditioner
    Air conditioning - Climate Control
  • eco-friendly
    Eco-friendly
  • pets
    Pets
  • accessibility
    Accessibility
  • celebrations
    Celebrations
  • meetings
    Meetings
  • numberRooms
    Rooms
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