Barcelona is relatively flat, which means that most of its main streets make for pleasant cycling terrain. Whether you get around on your own two wheels or make use of either the comprehensive municipal bike rental scheme (Bicing, which has over 500 stations) or one of the various private rental services, the Mediterranean city is an attractive and extensive playground for cyclists. Thanks to a network of some 200km of cycle paths, it is easy to explore every corner of Barcelona's cosmopolitan neighborhoods, where you'll find a wonderfully wide choice of laid-back, sustainable restaurants and hotels.
La Boqueria by Bike
A good way to start this trip would, of course, be to visit the buzzing and beautiful Mercat La Boqueria. This market is home to DIREKTE Boqueria, a tiny restaurant encompassing just 14 square meters, where Chef Arnau Muñío serves up his very personal Japanese and Chinese influenced menu made using ingredients largely sourced from the market itself. There are even three Bicing stations in the vicinity! As the restaurant tells us:"Not only do we recommend coming by bike, but 80% of the restaurant's staff do so, while the rest use public transport. If you are getting around on your bike in the evening, when the market is closed, you'll find plenty of places to park next to the restaurant. There are also several bicycle-friendly streets nearby, such as Carrer del Carmen, Carrer Hospital and, of course, La Rambla, which is perfect for cycling. To keep their bicycles safe, our customers can park in the car park of the Mercat Municipal de La Boqueria, which has a space on the first floor that is monitored 24/7. For rainy days, there is a bus stop 15 meters from the restaurant, and metro stop Liceu, on line 3, just in front of the market. We don't recommend using your own means of transport, either to come to the restaurant or to get around the city, as we feel that Barcelona boasts a large public transport network, the use of which is also a way of reducing our environmental impact."
A Room With a View in Catalunya Plaza
About three minutes by bike from La Boqueria, you come to the hotel H10 Catalunya Plaza. Behind the 19th-century façade is a completely refurbished boutique hotel with an array of room categories: from the most basic guestroom for those travelling solo, to the fantastic Catalunya Duplex, whose two double rooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, and bright living room done out in a modernist style promise a unique experience. The location of the hotel, right in the center of the city, a few meters from Passeig de Gràcia and very close to some of the main tourist attractions, means that it's surrounded by Bicing stations, making it easy to reach on two wheels.
Traditional Cuisine With a Modern Twist in El Raval
In the heart of the El Raval neighborhood and easily accessible by bicycle (with a small parking area just outside the door) is the restaurant Suculent. Here, Chef Toni Romero showcases the talent that previously earned him his place in the kitchens of prestigious restaurants such as elBulli, Arzak, and Pic (in France) by means of two set menus, 'Los Clásicos' and 'Suculent', plus a varied à la carte. The cooking, with its particular emphasis on broths and jus into which to dip your bread, will delight diners who are fond of Mediterranean classics, which are given a modern spin in terms of both techniques used and presentation. The showstopper steak tartare with grilled bone marrow and 'pommes soufflés' is a must.
Stay Next to Sant Antoni Market
Hotel Market is just a few meters from Sant Antoni Market, one of Barcelona's modernist landmarks, designed in 1882 by architect Antoni Rovira i Trias. The best way to get around the wide pedestrian streets in the area is by bike. Furthermore, although it is easily accessible due to being so close to the city center, few tourists make a beeline for this neighborhood, meaning you can avoid the downsides of mass tourism. This modern, urban-style hotel, with a restaurant and bar, has 17 elegant guestrooms, the decoration of which is dominated by hardwood fittings and a palette of black and white. The prices are relatively reasonable for this part of town, too.
An Eco-Friendly Experience in Central Barcelona
The centrally located Eco Boutique Hostal Grau is committed to sustainability, and aims to provide guests with a real home from home. The service is friendly and the guestrooms (they also have apartments) are simple, bordering on minimalist, but by no means spartan. The entire refurbishment has been carried out in accordance with sustainable construction guidelines, and the interior design uses mainly recycled or salvaged materials, always with that warm and natural Mediterranean feel. Ecological paints, wooden bedheads and bedside tables, mattresses made from 100% organic and natural-origin materials… all these myriad details guarantee you a wholesome stay. Why not follow the hotel's recommendation and explore the city at your own pace, by hiring a bike at reception if you haven't brought your own?
An Oasis of Mediterranean Flavors
Open from Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, Dos Pebrots opened in 1996 as a concept proposed by the Dos Palillos team, with simplicity as its premise. But his past at elBulli led Albert Raurich and his team (Takeshi Somekawa and Adrià de Pablo) to elaborate on that initial idea, ultimately involving in-depth research into the culinary traditions of the different civilizations along the Mediterranean coast. The menu, which explains the origins of each dish's main ingredients, and the three tasting menus are a demonstration of this study of ancient texts and books, a study that is embodied in a singular and entertaining culinary offering in this gourmet oasis in El Raval. It has a small terrace where diners can keep their bicycles in view.
A Hotel With Great Taste, Even in Rental Bikes
On the other side of La Rambla, one accommodation option is the Kimpton Vividora Hotel. On the rooftop bar of this hotel in the Gothic Quarter, kick back with a drink while taking in the cathedral, Basílica Santa Maria del Mar, and even Montjuïc. 156 guestrooms done out in a timeless, cosmopolitan style welcome tourists looking to stay at this high-end boutique hotel in the city, on a par with the Kimpton group's 70+ properties all over the world. And because luxury does not have to be incompatible with responsible tourism, guests can reserve their tokyobike completely free of charge. Founded in Japan, tokyobike has won fans worldwide with the retro design of its best-selling bicycles designed for urban environments, which provide an alternative way to soak up the beauty of the city.
Tapas by Jordi Cruz
Just a five-minute cycle away is Ten's, the more informal restaurant of chef and media darling Jordi Cruz. In this bistro-like space right in front of the train station Estación de Francia (and with a bike lane that goes past the front door, plus a wide pavement where you can park your bike), the menu is based on updated versions of classic tapas, as well as new ones that demonstrate the creativity of the chef and his team. All dishes are available in single, half, or sharing portions, and there is also the option of the tasting menu, if ordered by your whole party, to which a selection of cheeses can be added as a supplement. From the extensive menu, don't miss the oysters and house-made desserts.
A Modern Aparthotel in a Gothic Quarter Stately Home
Don't let the original sgraffito façade of the Arai Aparthotel Barcelona mislead you: while preserving the essence of the original building, this place utterly embraces the contemporary in its 31 elegant and modern apartment-suites. Each one comes with a fully equipped kitchenette, which is perfect for preparing breakfast or satisfying any hunger pangs during your stay. As well as being a true work of art in itself, this late 18th century building, which is listed as part of the city's architectural heritage, has a plethora of artworks scattered throughout the premises, providing a true feast for the eyes. The easiest way to travel through the Gothic Quarter's network of narrow streets, in which this hotel is ensconced, is by bike. And if it's hot, guests can cool down on arrival by taking a refreshing dip in the charming open-air swimming pool on the rooftop.
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Cyclist-Friendly Dining in Sants
Cycling to Sants, the area that's home to La Mundana, takes about 15 minutes from the Gothic Quarter. At the head of this vermouth bar turned gastro bar are chefs Alain Guiard and Marc Martin. The latter tells us more about their services that cater to cyclists:"At La Mundana, we are passionate about offering a unique culinary experience to all our customers, and that includes cyclists. We are aware of the importance of sustainable mobility and strive to create a welcoming and accessible environment for those who choose to get around Barcelona by bike. Our restaurant is in the Sants neighborhood, within walking distance of several main cycle lanes, making it easy to access. In addition, we are located in a flat area of the city, meaning no exhausting steep slopes for cyclists to climb. We have parking spaces in the street adjacent to the restaurant, where you can leave your bicycles in complete safety. And 100m away, the metro station Plaza del Centro has dedicated parking and a Bicing service, which runs along the entire length of Calle Vallespir."
Committed to sustainable initiatives, such as using local and seasonal produce, reducing energy consumption and ensuring responsible waste management, the restaurant also offers cyclists a water bottle refill service free of charge, as well as a secure room in which to store their helmets and backpacks. It all adds even more appeal to the no-frills food inspired by the culinary traditions of Japan, France, and the Mediterranean. "We believe that the real magic lies in quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, such as grilling, baking, robata cooking (on Japanese charcoal grills), and marinating. Our menu is designed for sharing, so that you can enjoy a complete and enriching culinary experience in good company."
Modern Cuisine with a Catalan Flavor
The restaurant Avenir is increasingly focusing on its tasting menus, which are available in 8, 15, or 20 courses, in addition to which they serve their 'Classic' set menu for €30 at lunchtime, plus a full à la carte. The food is inspired by Catalan cuisine and, with the odd contribution from other cultures, it always has local gastronomy and local ingredients at its core. It's easy to get here by bike, as there are a number of Bicing stations nearby, and plenty of space to park your own.
'Popular cuisine full of emotions' is how they describe their cooking, which is ideal for sharing and getting to sample a good number of the delicacies that Roger and Chesco present at your table. A careful selection of Catalan wines and Cava will round off the experience, to be relished in a space designed by the owners as a restaurant promising quality cuisine for all its guests. They are mindful of sustainability, implementing practices such as using ozonated water for cleaning, reducing organic waste through the preparation of their own broths and reductions, and, of course, cooking with local ingredients.
From Barcelona to London
The name BaLó, which Lena María Grané and Ricky Smith gave to their project, comes from the first syllables of the two cities that have shaped the Chef-Owners professionally. Their modern cuisine infused with interesting global influences takes the form of several set menus: 'Baló', 'Degustación' and 'Mediodía' (the latter is only available for lunch service Tues-Fri). Expect creative dishes prepared with quality ingredients and drawing on modern techniques, plus local wines and intriguing cocktails. Access by bicycle is a breeze, since the restaurant is located in a 'bike-friendly' pedestrian street, as well as having parking right in front of the building. They also have a cloakroom, where customers can safely store folding bikes while they eat.
Easy-Access Cuisine in L'Eixample
Chef David Rustarazo, known for his work in some of the best restaurants in Barcelona and having notched up experience abroad, too, has called his current place Nairod (his son's name backwards). In a contemporary, bistro-style atmosphere, he crafts a menu that aims to 'serve food in the simplest and most exquisite way possible' and in hunting season that includes an appealing selection of game. Most of the dishes here revolve around meat or fish, which they combine with vegetables or fruit; stews, rice specialties and seafood also feature. In constant rotation, the menu sees new dishes brought in every two weeks, in line with produce on the market stalls. There is parking for bicycles on the pavement in front of the restaurant.
Another restaurant in Barcelona's Eixample district, a stone's throw from Plaça d'Espanya and easily accessible by bicycle along Gran Vía, is Cruix, which invites diners to discover its fresh and fun cuisine. It is easy to get here by bike, as there is a specific lane that crosses the city from east to west, connecting different neighborhoods and important sites in the city. Chef Miquel Pardo surprises diners with his innovative tapas, signature dishes, and paella rice pans that are reminiscent of the town of Onda in Castellón, from which he hails. Seasonal and local ingredients are the hallmarks of his cuisine, presented in two tasting menus ('Cruix' and 'Grand Cruix'), in which he takes humble ingredients and transforms them into haute cuisine dishes that are ideal for sharing. Cruix also boasts a terrace, another advantage for cyclists who don't want to lose sight of their bikes.
There you have it, our round-up of restaurants and hotels that can be reached by bike in Barcelona. We would like to remind you to cycle responsibly and always to ride on the road, in bike lanes, in 30kmph zones, or on specially designated roads, as recommended by the city council. And now… let's get pedaling!
Hero Image: Cyclists in the streets of Barcelona (© GettyImages)
