Barcelona is popular for many things such as traditional Catalan gastronomy, a mild climate and famous architecture. However, it is also great for fitness-conscious people as well as those who want to keep a little active during their stay. If you enjoy running along the beach, having a cycle ride around nature or doing Pilates in a chic studio, there are so many options for you here! In this article, we have put together a list of a few of the many ways you can get your blood pumping and stick to your fitness routine. And, obviously, all while still savouring your getaway in the Catalan capital!

Running

To start with, we have Parc de la Ciutadella. You can take a morning run while being surrounded by nature and amazing architecture. An example is the 20th Century Castell dels Tres Dragons or the Cascada Monumental.

If you want to push yourself, the city also organises incredible races throughout the year. One that we should mention is the Barcelona Marathon, which attracts runners from all over the world and gives you the opportunity to discover the whole city while attempting to beat your personal best. 

Finally, to experience a truly unique run, head to Gaudí’s Parc Güell, which has many steps to test your agility, and also great architecture to admire. Who fancies enjoying its colourful mosaics and panoramic views, while getting the blood pumping?

Walking

Want to stay active without even thinking about it? Just walk! Barcelona is a city made for walking. The best way to discover it is to just wander without a plan and get lost in its charming streets. At some point, you’ll come across attractions like the beautiful Casa Amatller or the renowned Sagrada Família. Isn’t that amazing?

 If you feel like escaping the hustle of the centre, head towards the coast. The seaside promenade stretches for 4.5 kilometres, dotted with golden-sand beaches. You’ve probably heard of Barceloneta, but Nova Icaria and Mar Bella are quieter and have a more local vibe – we love them for that. And when the sun gets too hot, there’s nothing better than a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. 

For something completely different, swap the city streets for the stunning trails of Montserrat – the views will take your breath away. It’s a major pilgrimage sight, located just about an hour’s drive away from Barcelona. In this beautiful and religious place, you can visit the Black Madonna and the Benedictine Monastery, as well as try some challenging hiking routes. There are a variety of mountainous peaks, so you will always be pushed to your hiking limits here!

Pilates

A new and up-and-coming way to work out is pilates. Lucky you, recently, many studios are popping up all over Barcelona. A few we must mention are Barrefit Eixample, Dona10 and Active Pilates. If you are new, don’t worry! There is surely an option for you! All of them offer a variety of classes and levels, which won’t push your body too much, as they are low-impact exercises. Which studio would you choose to visit first?

Cycling

Here in Barcelona, cycling has become very trendy amongst locals and visitors. Thanks to the city’s flat streets and its Mediterranean weather, it is a simple and great way to keep fit. We suggest the Carretera de les Aigues for beginners who want a relaxing and peaceful workout. You can find it on the Collserola mountain, just above the city. It’s only accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, so it’s perfect for those who have just got into this activity! 

However, if you want a true challenge, try out the 86km ride to the Costes de Garraf. Starting at Plaça Catalunya, you will set off on your 26km ride to Turó de la Cova Fumada. Make sure to admire the stunning views of the sea while cycling. You should definitely be proud of yourself when finishing this difficult adventure! 

Watersports

The final one on our list is none other than watersports. Barcelona’s long coastline provides great chances to experiment with different water sports to help keep you fit and active. Dozens of rental services can be found for paddleboards and surfboards at Nova Icaria, Port Olímpic or Barceloneta. With so many options, you may have a hard time deciding what sport to try. We recommend going to Barceloneta beach, as there are lots of surf schools that have both lessons and rental equipment. All of them will help you with on-water instructions, whether you are a beginner or an advanced surfer. 

Fancy experiencing an extremely thrilling activity? You should definitely not miss surfing in autumn and spring! During peak season, you will avoid windier months that tend to have bigger waves. This water sport not only improves your endurance, but also your core and balance.

Overall, Barcelona has endless options to do sports that will keep you fit and active during your holidays. Whether you are an avid biker wanting to cycle the most gruelling climbs, or keen on water sports, or you just simply want to take a relaxing walk through the beautiful city streets, in Barcelona, there is something for everyone! Make sure to try out at least one of these activities while on your city break. We promise you won’t regret it!

After a week of sailing around the South Ionian, we found ourselves spending a few days in Vasiliki in the south of the Greek island of Lefkada. This is a place that does watersports in style – it is not loud or lavish in the way some Mediterranean hotspots can be. Instead, there’s an understated magic here and a reliability in the weather thanks to an afternoon wind known affectionately as Eric.

Why Vasilki?

There’s a reason seasoned windsurfers, Olympic sailors, and wide-eyed first-timers keep returning to Vasiliki. It isn’t just the favourable conditions – rather, it offers all the requisite conditions for different watersports enthusiasts, spaced out throughout the day.

Mornings are quiet, with barely a breeze – perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking or e-foiling – in a bay that is sheltered and shallow.

But then the tempo changes.

By early afternoon, the air shifts. The wind comes cross-shore, bold and unrelenting, and just like that, the water becomes alive—dancing under the firm grip of Eric. It’s a consistent, clean wind and one that brings out experienced sailors and windsurfers in their hundreds.

It’s oddly reassuring as it’s a pattern that happens every day and, unlike other coastal spots where watersports feel like an add-on, Vasiliki pulses with aquatic energy.

The season runs long—from April through October—with peak winds and social buzz cresting in July and August. But even outside those months, the conditions are enviable. It’s the sort of place where you’ll meet people who came for a week and quietly never left.

E-foiling with E-VASS

Some experiences defy adequate description. Flying, for instance. Not in the seatbelted, pressurised cabin kind of way—but really flying. On water. On a board. Our sons had long wanted to try their hand at e-foiling and this was our chance to give it a go.

At E-VASS, a sleek little outfit that sits midway along the bay, we met May—our instructor— though she said that if we forgot her name, “any month would do”. She made e-foiling look effortless, but was also patient and encouraging when we tried our hand at it and made it look much more difficult.

We went out a short way into the bay with an oversized paddleboard that was anchored and used as a floating island, so we could take turns at learning to master our balance. The process begins humbly with you on all fours initially, familiarising yourself with your balance on the e-foil. As you accelerate using a handheld motor, you feel the board start to lift up and out of the water – it’s an incredible sensation, as though you are defying physics.

Thanks to May’s tuition, we were able to progress and get some success in standing and foiling in just our first lesson, even if it was only brief and invariably followed by some spectacular falls. Every wipe-out was met with raucous laughter and renewed determination.

If you should happen to find yourself in Vasiliki, this is an activity we would throoughly recommend, especially for anyone who enjoys a good dose of adrenaline. And with E-VASS’s meticulous guidance and encouragement, maybe you too can fly.

Sailing with Wildwind Holidays

Whilst e-foiling was an entirely new experience for us, sailing with Wildwind Holidays was a return to more familiar territory. For our boys, both seasoned sailors, it was less a lesson and more a homecoming—albeit with boats they’ve rarely sailed.

The morning began with a Hobie Cat—swift and agile, even in relatively gentle winds. The light breeze was perfect for some playful tacking and strategic bursts of speed. The bay, still waking up, provided the ideal stage.

By afternoon, as Eric took the reins, they opted for something a little more familiar – the RS500, a lean, fast and beautiful boat that had them racing across the bay. The key difference between this and the boat they usually race (the RS200) is that it has a single trapeze for the crew, enabling higher speeds in stronger winds, and a larger spinnaker (meaning faster downwind speeds).

Wildwind Holidays is no amateur operation. With decades of experience, world-class instructors, and a range of boats that would make any yacht club blush, they cater to both the curious and the committed. Whether you’re new to sailing or looking to refine your racing techniques, they have you covered—suncream not included, but highly advised.

Windsurfing and other watersports

Of course, no mention of Vasiliki would be complete without windsurfing. It’s the sport that put the village on the map and continues to define its soul. From teenagers learning their first waterstart to grey-haired veterans carving elegant jibes, the bay is a canvas of windsurfing stories in motion.

But the palette here is broad. You’ll find wingfoiling as well as sea kayaking along the rugged coastline, stand-up paddleboarding through the calmer coves, scuba diving in the depths, and more. So, no matter what your watersport of choice is, there’s something for everyone.

And with places like E-VASS and Wildwind peppered along the shoreline, you’re never short of expert guidance, high-quality kit, and a warm, enthusiastic welcome from like-minded enthusiasts.

The final verdict

Vasiliki is a watersports paradise.

It’s a place where even the wind has a name and the conditions are near-perfect, if not perfect.

So yes—come for the sports. Come for the conditions. But don’t be surprised if you stay a little longer than you planned, or find yourself coming back sooner than you’d imagined.

Disclosure: Our experiences were sponsored by E-VASS and Wildwind Holidays. Our trip was sponsored by AEGEAN Airlines.