10 areas for running in Barcelona

Barcelona has various areas where you can go running comfortably without traffic issues or stops at traffic lights

Let's face it. Running has come to Barcelona to stay. There isn't a month without a popular race in one of the neighborhoods of our city. Even some events, such as the Cursa de la Mercè or the Sant Antoni race, have managed to carve out a niche in the program of their respective major festivals. And that's not to mention some classics like the Cursa de Nassos, the Bombers race, or the El Corte Inglés race, with limited registrations due to high demand. Above all, the queen races of the calendar: the ½ Marathon and the Barcelona Marathon, which run through the most emblematic places of the city.

One of the secrets to the success of running is the incredible ability to see improvement in our performance with just a bit of consistency in training. From there, sports marketing takes care of the rest. Evidence of this is that at any time of day, we can find people getting in shape. However, although this hobby can be practiced anywhere in Barcelona, there are areas of the city where it is more comfortable to prove that running is not for the faint-hearted. Therefore, today we present to you the top 10 running zones in Barcelona.

1. Water Road

Of all the options we propose today, this is probably the one with the most followers. It's a nearly 10-kilometer forest track that connects Doctor Andreu square, at the foot of Tibidabo, with the hill of Sant Pere Màrtir, in Esplugues. A true balcony over Barcelona located in Collserola where you can find temperatures 2 or 3 degrees cooler than in the center and breathe clean air. Just for that detail alone, it's worth going up there. Another point in its favor is that the route is quite flat, accessible for all levels. Being in the mountains, it also has various trails and paths of greater difficulty that go deep into the Collserola Natural Park. However, if you go up there, don't forget your mobile phone. The fantastic panoramas over the city will fill your Instagram with likes.

2. Gothic Quarter

Tourism and running combined into a single concept. Enjoying Roman Barcino and the medieval city quickly and without stopping at the sites: the cathedral, Sant Jaume square, Sant Felip Neri, King's square... Although it's not the most advisable since it would mean missing the essence of most places, it must be acknowledged that it's a charming option. In its favor, it's a pedestrian area and at the beginning or end of the day, one can run at a pace without too many crowds. And so, from alley to alley and square to square, we can add up about five or six kilometers around the perimeter of the neighborhood in a short time.

3. Montjuic

A quarter of a century after Barcelona '92, the Olympic spirit remains alive on Montjuïc mountain. There is no prestigious popular race that does not use the appeal of Montjuïc to gain followers. Some like the Salomon Run combine the great technical profile of the area with postcard-like views as the main attraction. If those two reasons were not enough, the enormous variety of routes, paths, and trails that the mountain offers guarantee an enviable fitness level with some consistency and a thousand combinations of training courses without falling into monotony. However, the highest point is at 173 meters above sea level, which may not make it the best place for beginners in running.

4. The Citadel

One of those places where running becomes a pleasure. With almost 2 km of perimeter, the Ciutadella Park is a true open-air museum where you can get lost for a few hours, or where you can run, walk, stretch, rest... and start over! And to feel like a great champion, we recommend going up Lluís Companys promenade until you pass under the triumphal arch. It's an uphill terrain, though not very steep, so it's suitable for all levels of runners. In short, running in Ciutadella is a pleasure for the senses, where you can contemplate the lake, trees, gardens, sculptures, and a monumental waterfall while you get in shape. Quite something!

5. Cervantes Park

Cervantes Park is a municipal park with more than half a century of existence that provides oxygen to the last stretch of Diagonal Avenue, where the artery turns into a highway. The park is located on the slope of the former Sant Pere Màrtir hill, offering a profile full of unevenness and a very technical circuit, almost leg-breaking, where you can perform power training or start a trail-running session towards the Carretera de les Aigües or Collserola.

6th Diagonal Avenue

Perhaps the least advisable of all options, as it has a lot of vehicle traffic, with its corresponding pollution, as well as being full of traffic lights and pedestrians that can hinder your pace. Even so, it remains a common area for runners and cyclists, who see its lanes and wide sidewalks as a great space to get in shape without having to pay for a gym.

If you don't have time to travel to a more natural setting or prefer to run within the city, Diagonal is your street. And if you don't mind staying up late or getting up at dawn, you can feel like you have the city at your feet, on an avenue that stretches nearly 11 kilometers, perfect for letting off steam after a hard day at the office or to start your weekend full of energy. Since completing the entire distance is a feat few can achieve, we recommend dividing the route into three sections. From Francesc Macià square to Cervantes park, from Francesc Macià to Glòries square, or from Glòries to the sea.

7. Can Dragó

Spanning across its 12 hectares of land, it features various sports facilities including an athletics track, a sports center, a golf course, as well as numerous recreational areas open to all visitors. Although runners are the ones who enjoy the complex the most, with a large perimeter around the park that is easily navigable through a series of boulevards lined with trees and benches. This allows us to run in Barcelona without having to step on asphalt. And if we get tired, we can always head to the pool and take a dip, although there is an entrance fee.

8. Joan Miró Park

A good option for beginner runners or for strength training sessions where intensity takes precedence over time. The best thing about this park is that it has a one-kilometer perimeter for doing intervals or starting to train without the need to cross any traffic lights. And if on the second lap you start feeling like a hamster in a cage, Montjuïc mountain is just 500 meters away with its slopes, paths, and routes enough to tire out even the most daring.

9. Seaside promenade

One of the most runner-friendly areas in the city, or at least, the one that provides the most satisfaction to runners. Adding kilometers to your legs with the sea breeze helping you fight the summer heat and the smell of salt are great incentives to head to the Barcelona coastline and start running. More than 6 km between Colón and the Fòrum area where you can run, jog, or sprint at your own pace. Although it's a busy place, its vastness ensures there's room for everyone. And don't worry about the heat. Along the entire route, you'll find various fountains to quench your thirst. And if you get tired of the pavement, you can always head to the sand and run barefoot. It seems to work well for Kenyan athletes.

10. Besòs River Park

Last but not least. The most recently created circuit and, therefore, a place to discover. The last kilometers of the Besòs river have been reclaimed for the citizens with a 115-hectare river park free of traffic, traffic lights, and interruptions, from Can Zam park to the river's mouth. A place to discover and ideal for runners, cyclists, and urban family plans. Well connected by public transport, the river park has mileage posts and adjacent parks where we'll find a fountain to refresh ourselves. If this route is enough for you, the beach or the vast green areas of the enclosure will help you catch your breath. For the more pro, taking advantage of the fact that this route intersects with the promenade, we recommend going back to point 9 of this post, which in turn can also connect with point 2... There are plenty of kilometers!