Sunshine and warm weather make Barcelona a top destination for travelers. This also means it is a fabulous city for biking.
We rate a hand-picked selection of the best tour options in three categories: itinerary, family-friendliness and ‘wow factor’, always rated from 1 to 5. Find your favorite from the 7 best Barcelona Bike Tours.
You might ask yourself:
Why should I use a bike?
Well, first of all, biking improves well-being, boosts endorphins and stimulates your mind. The culinary delights around Barcelona are a pleasure, but it is certainly easy to pack on the kilos when you travel.
Biking burns calories and promotes weight loss while also leaving you feeling energized for your trip.
Burn off that large paella you had the night before with a few hours of cycling through the magical neighborhoods of Barcelona.
Exercise like cycling rushes blood to your brain, making your mind sharper and ready for new information. This is a great benefit, as you learn many new facts about the city you are exploring.
Biking is also an environmentally friendly way to see any city!
But why should you try a Barcelona bike tour?
There are windy streets and hidden gems offered by this vibrant city that you can´t see by bus or car.
Professional guides will explain to you what you are seeing, making these Barcelona bike tours that much more impactful. Soak up the sun and their expertise as you glide through the city on two wheels.
Now that we have covered the benefits of cycling, let´s dive into the various options in Barcelona.
There are various Barcelona bike tours, so choosing can be overwhelming.
This guide is meant to help you choose the right Barcelona bike tour that match your interests and desires, making your trip to Barcelona stress-free and filled with lasting memories.
We present our 7 favorite Barcelona bike tours with a short description of each. We are rating them on the following benchmarks:
The quality of the itinerary (and guides), family-friendliness, and the surprise or ‘wow factor’ of the tours.
So sit back, relax and enjoy our advice and expertise as we now kick-off our top picks starting with a Quick Comparison Breakdown:
So since this is done, let’s dig real deep into those tours:
1. Gaudi Bike Tours
Gaudi created so many unmissable sights in Barcelona – and on the Gaudi UNESCO Highlights Tour you’ll see ALL of his most famous buildings in a small-group setting.
After visiting La Cascada fountain in Parc de la Ciutadella to learn about the architect’s early life, you’ll continue up, past the Arc de Triomf, to the simply unbelievable La Sagrada Familia. Gaudi’s crowning glory, La Sagrada Familia will be the tallest church in the world when it’s finished (172.5 metres) and each of its façades is packed with amazing imagery and stories – your guide will share some of the best!
Next you will check out one of Gaudi’s early works, the Casa Vicens. Oft-overlooked by other tours, this art nouveau masterpiece draws on Spain’s Arabic influences to create a colourful and playful mansion and one of the signature pieces of Catalan Modernisme.
After stopping on a picturesque plaza for refreshments, you’ll make your way to the epic Passeig de Gracia boulevard, where the grandiose mansions of La Pedrera (a building with no straight lines!) and Casa Batllo (an allegory of Gaudi’s proud Catalan roots), stand tall. Gaudi was at his creative peak at this point of his career.
There’s more to come, as you cycle down Las Ramblas and onto a small side street leading to the hospital where Gaudi died. The hospital’s pleasant courtyard is a serene place to contemplate the architect’s legacy.
Gaudi Bike Tours are unique because their 4-hr duration allows longer to dive into the life and legacy of Barcelona’s most famous scion. Meanwhile, the small-group setting and chance to take a break on a cafe terrace make exploring by bike fun and relaxed.
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: It would be hard to beat this itinerary, especially if this is your first time in Barcelona. Gaudi’s sights are joined by some of the city’s most beautiful streets, so you’ll finish having seen the best of the Catalan capital. 5/5.
Family Friendly: The tour works well for families as it follows mostly bike paths and children up to the age of 6 can travel in a child seat, with their parent. For the best experience a private tour allows the guide to match the pace and itinerary to your family’s needs. 4/5.
Wow-Factor: On this tour you’re going to see virtually all of Barcelona’s most spectacular buildings, along with some stunning squares and parks. 5/5.
Duration: 4 hours.
Price and tour options: The price is 39€. It starts at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm every day. The price includes the bike, helmet (optional) and guide. You can upgrade to an e-bike for just 10€ extra.
BCN Travel rating: 4.7/5
Gaudi Bike Tours also offer a special Gaudi Legacy itinerary with ticket to Park Guell included… read more on their website.
2. Steel Donkey Bike Tours
Steel Donkey Bike Tours are in a league of their own.
Being the first alternative bike tour in Barcelona you will never experience the same tour twice. The guides take you off the beaten path, where you will discover veiled jewels in Barcelona.
Skip touristy spots like Sagrada Familia that you have already seen and get a truly authentic feeling of the local culture. The destinations vary depending on your tour guide, therefore you could go on multiple Steel Donkey Bike Tours and have completely different experiences.
It is likely you will explore neighborhoods that were not on your radar or in your travel books while enjoying your Barcelona bike tour. Art, culture, architecture, and the expertise of your guide create a beautiful experience for any traveler.
While exploring the markets or where you can see the most stunning street art, learn about traditional Catalan history as well as how a neighborhood was shaped through time.
Halfway through the Barcelona bike tour, you will take a break with a drink and snack at a local café. Cozy groups of no more than eight embark on this bike trip, adding a more personalized feeling than larger tour groups. The guides are all locals and they are simply showing you their city with their eyes.
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: Steel Donkeys have a unique USP… the guides choose their own itineraries! That means you don’t get burnt out guides reciting the same tired facts. You get a friend for the morning, showing you their Barcelona! 5/5.
Family Friendly: Yes, the leisurely pace of this trip is appropriate for the whole family. Children’s bikes are available as well as baby seats & tandems. 4/5.
Wow-factor: Steel Donkeys tour tend to be packed with surprises and secret places, making their tours some of the most original and authentic. 4/5.
Duration: 4 hours
Price and tour options: 39€ on a typical city bike, 49€ on an e-bike. Every day at 10.00 am and 3:00 pm
How it compares to our list: This tour offers flexible departures. If you would like to request a different time with your private group or request a time that is not listed on the website, simply email the company.
BCN Travel rating: 4.3/5
3. Ocean Bikes’ Photo Highlights eBike Tour
For those of you interested in photography and capturing the best pictures the Barcelona Photo Highlights Tour by Ocean Bikes may be the perfect match for you.
Take advantage of Barcelona’s most photogenic spots on a highlights tour to the very best the city has to offer. Barcelona is the perfect canvas for photography thanks to its natural beauty, its unique architecture and the historical city neighborhoods.
This ambitious itinerary is made possible by brand new Italian electric bikes, allowing you to visit Sagrada Familia, the Gaudi Houses on Passeig de Gracia, the Olympic Park and the Olympic Stadium – as well as the old port and stunning beaches – in just 4 hours!
Halfway through your 4 hours of biking and picture taking you will stop for a light snack and drink.
Gaudí´s architecture is so powerful, colorful, and mesmerizing, and his creations are a large part of what makes Barcelona one of the most glamorous and good-looking cities in the world. Lucky for you, your professional guide is going to make sure these stunning works stimulate the same feelings in your pictures as they do in real life.
Thanks to Ocean Bikes’ premium ebikes (also available to rent), the climb up to the mountain of Montjuic is a breeze and the views from the Olympic Park across the city and the sea are priceless.
Cycling across this leafy hill full of cultural treasures (and almost free of traffic!) is also a great pleasure, and a nice antidote to some of the more crowded parts of town.
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: A true highlights itinerary, you’ll see many of Barcelona’s ‘must-sees’ and get a nice overview of the city. One of the only tour companies that goes to Montjuic and the spectacular Olympic Ring. 5/5.
Family Friendly: For kids up to the age of 6 they offer free child seats though. The legal limit to use an eBike is 12 years, so unfortunately children between 6 and 12 years cannot participate in this tour. 2/5.
Wow-factor. You’ll enjoy multiple panoramic views over Barcelona from Montjuic mountain, cruise along the beachfront AND see Gaudi’s top three creations! 6/5.
Duration: 4 hours.
Price and tour options: €49 – the tour runs daily at 10:00am.
How it compares in our list: This is the perfect tour for your first visit to Barcelona. Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, the Olympic Park, the seafront, the beaches, you will see the highlights of the city in an action-packed tour that takes you from the sea to the mountains and back.
BCN Travel average rating: 4.3/5
4. Barcelona Bike Tour with Tapas & Drinks
This exciting Barcelona bike tour captures all of your senses in beautiful Barcelona: taste, smell, touch, sight, sound.
Taste the famous tapas and refreshing drinks that have become an international sensation of culinary delight.
Smell the sea as you bike through the historic fishing district of Barceloneta.
See the series of exhibits about 18th-century life in the city at El Born Centre Cultural.
Listen to the bustling, vibrant market stalls lined up on Las Ramblas.
Touch the beautiful greenery in the Ciutadella Park, home to the Parliament of Catalonia.
For this bike tour, meet in central Barcelona where the office is located. These bikes look and feel like any other bike, however an electric motor kicks in when you start pedaling, making the workout less intensive.
Cultural attractions, art, and stylish and historic neighborhoods are a few of the Barcelona treasures you will discover through your guide´s expertise.
This tour combines the rich history of Barcelona with its tapas tradition, satisfying both your appetite and your curiosity. An old-school tapas bar in either Born or Barri Gòtic is your final resting place. Here you will taste three traditional tapas while sipping on three drinks of either wine or soda.
What better way to end your tour of Barcelona than with local delicacies and treats from the region?
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: For those who want to spend as much time in the bar as on the saddle, or those who would prefer an afternoon tour this is a good option. 4/5.
Family Friendly: Children should be ten years old to participate in this tour, therefore baby/toddler seats are not on offer. 2/5.
Wow-factor: Travellers will love the authentic bars on the tour’s itinerary. 4/5.
Duration: Approximately 3h30.
Price and tour options: Starting from 59€ (this includes the tapas and drinks as well as the e-bike). Departs every day at 16:00.
How it compares in our list: This tour combines some of the lovely elements of Barcelona all rolled into one. Participants experience the joy of biking, the stimulating dialogue in visiting sites and finally, the tour is topped off with quintessential Spanish tapas and drinks. It is also helpful that everything is included with the price.
BCN Travel average Rating: 3.33/5
5. Bicing
Important information to note: Bicing is designed for locals who have either a Spanish identity card or a N.I.E. which is the card received by foreigners living in Cataluña. So if you don’t have either one, this is not an option for you.
On a budget or want the freedom of being your own guide?
Bicing is a great option for you.
In 2007, Barcelona inaugurated Bicing, which is a bicycle sharing system modeled after similar systems in other European cities. Bicing bicycles are easy to spot around the city. There are many stations where they are parked in a line on bike racks.
The bikes are red and white; therefore, they are unmissable! Users can pick up and drop off the bikes at any of the 421 stations throughout the city. The Bicing app allows you to plan your routes, figure out the best place to pick up the bikes depending on where they are available, and mark your favorite stations.
You can design your own bike tour for you and your friends, giving you more freedom and independence to explore. Click here for some great example routes. When you´re done, simply drop the bike off at one of the stations and be on your way.
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: You are completely independent with this option, this is great for flexibility, although you are bound to the bike stations and especially in summer full stations in the city centre and on the beach can create some hassle. 3/5.
Family Friendly: Bicing is not a family-friendly option, as all of their bikes are the same size and there are no child seats. 1/5.
Wow-factor: It depends on what you make of it. A good choice if you know the city well, if you are new to Barcelona, finding your way around the city will be a bit of a challenge. 2/5.
Duration: You can ride for up to two hours straight on a bike, after that you have to check your bike out, but you can check right back in!
Price and tour options: The cost is 47€ per year
How it compares in our list: This is your tour in whatever way you choose. It is the ultimate freedom, as you can hop on the bike and explore the city on your own terms. Unlike the other tours in this article, you will not get the knowledge and expertise of a guide.
BCN Travel average rating: 2/5
6. E-Bike, Wine & Sailing Tour
Cataluña is known for its gorgeous wines, there are plenty of vineyards in Cataluña just waiting to be explored. Combine the fun of biking with the beauty of the sea and the taste sensations of local wines.
This tour takes you along the coastline, which is an easy and picturesque bike ride. Beginning at the Gothic Quarter, you will hop on your e-bike and ride outside of the city along the glittering Mediterranean Sea and its sandy beaches.
This tour takes you towards Alta Alella, which is nestled in the protected Park of Serralada de Marina. The 90-minute journey is broken up with a seaside stop for some authentic Catalan vermouth. Enjoy the authentic taste while snapping photos of the sea crashing on the rocks.
Your final destination is a family-run organic winery. While you learn about the process of winemaking, take in the lovely scenery on the vineyard and soak up the fresh air outside of the city.
This particular vineyard boasts wine that is listed on the wine menus of some of the most prestigious restaurants worldwide. Presented to you by a professional sommelier, are three different wines, all evoking different taste sensations and smells.
After your delicious wine tasting experience, we will cycle for 10 minutes into the marina of El Masnou from where we will sail back to Barcelona on a 12 meter sailing yacht. Relax on the boat after your stimulating day full of adventure.
This Barcelona bike, wine and sailing tour is a truly magical experience of 5-6 hours, taking you out of the bustling city and into nature via the breathtaking coast and back on the Mediterranean Sea.
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: Extensive trip with a very changing scenery from the inner city to the countryside of Alella. Perfect to escape the city and enjoy fantastic views of Barcelona from the sea. 5/5.
Family Friendly: The price might be a bit steep and there is no discount for children. Also, this could be a long day for young kids. 2/5.
Wow-factor: Impressive tour with plenty of hightlights along the coast and especially the wineries and the sailing part. 5/5.
Duration: Approximately 5h30.
Price and tour options: 139€ for adults and children. The price includes the guide, e-bike, guided visit to the vineyards, 6 wines for wine tasting and a train ticket for the way back. This Barcelona bike tour runs from April to October every day. Every tour starts at 10:00am.
How it compares in our list: Of course, this is the only one that offers a wine tour and a sailing trip back to the city. While many of the other tours are focused on the city of Barcelona, this tour takes you out of the city. This means more space, freedom, and less stress than biking in a populated city.
BCN Travel average rating: 4/5
7. Fat Tire Barcelona Bike Tour
Fat Tire is a well-known bike tour offering in Barcelona. This is a good option for those travelers interested in seeing the typical sights and tourist hot spots.
The knowledgeable guides will ensure that participants see the popular highlights that Barcelona has to offer while answering questions regarding your trip.
This Barcelona bike tour is appropriate for all ages and experience levels. During the tour, you will make a stop (cost not included) for some refreshments and a nice break. This bike tour includes everything you would want in terms of checking off your sightseeing list, however, there is not as much diversity as some of the other tours on this list.
If you are in Barcelona for a quick trip and want to ensure you hit all touristy spots, this is a good choice.
Traveler´s checklist:
Itinerary: A basic route that will show you the most common touristic sights of Barcelona. 3/5.
Family Friendly: This tour welcomes people of all ages and sizes. There are various sized kids bikes available, child seats on the bikes as well as child trailers. 5/5.
Wow-factor: Keeps its promise to show you the most popular spots, although you could find them with a guide book as well. 2/5.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
Price and tour options: From 28€. 26€ for children (4-12) and students (student ID required). Infants and children up to age 3 ride for free.
How it compares in our list: Expect a larger group on this tour. This can mean that it feels less personalized with your guide. It can also feel more overwhelming for less experienced bikers.
BCN Travel average rating: 3.33/5
That’s it from us folks. If you would like to read more about the different bike options you have in Barcelona click here.
Now it’s your turn, hit the pedals and explore Barcelona the two-wheel-way!
Don’t hesitate on giving us feedback, let us now which tour you chose and how you experienced it.
Or is your favorite tour missing here? We would love to try it out ourselves then!
Born in Almería, María Gómez is a Spanish architect and writer who has always been interested in travelling and discovering new places. She combines her job as an architect with her love for writing and telling stories.
After finishing the Univerisity in Granada (Spain), she has been living in The Netherlands for a few years and travelling around the world. She enjoys writing about monuments, buildings, customs, people and life. María will show you the world through her unique lenses and special approach. Her motto is to inspire others to travel and enjoy our awesome world!