BARCELONA THROUGH AGES – 15K

Description

This 15km circular tour has time machine power; we will discover Barcelona and its transformation along the centuries from the middle ages, passing through the time of Gaudi and Modernism.

For this circular tour, our meeting point is in Plaza Catalunya – the beating heart of the city and where the famous Passeig de Gracia begins, one the most expensive and most beautiful streets in Spain which hosts luxury shops, 5-star hotels and gems of Catalan modernistic buildings, among them Gaudi’s “Casa Batlló” and “La Pedrera”, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Route of Modernism continues to the symbol of the city: La Sagrada Familia, the unfinished Gaudi masterpiece. I would recommend to take a quick breath and admire the magnificence of this piece of art.

Not far away, at the end of Avinguda de Gaudi, we will face the magnificent modernist Hospital de Sant Pau, another UNESCO World Heritage.

Running down to reach the beach, we find ourselves in Born, the old city famous for its narrow and cozy streets, home of the modernist Palau de la Musica, Santa Maria del Mar Church (yes, the one of Ildefonso Falcones great book “Cathedral of the Sea”) and Arc de Trionf, the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair, intended to welcome people. Don’t hesitate to ask your guide for some local tips, there is no better time and we can’t wait to share them!

Thru the big Ciutadella park, the first public garden built during XIX century over the old fortress, we will finally arrive to the beach. If you book this tour as an early morning tour and if we are lucky enough we can observe the sun rising and shining on Barceloneta and its iconic building such as the Peix (the fish) and sail shaped W Hotel. Be ready to be amazed by morning colors hitting the city and la playa.

On our way back, we will run aside the Port Vell arriving to the Columbus Statue. Here is where the famous Rambla begins. This emblematic avenue lined by tree lines is generally overcrowded by tourists, but has a completely different face during early mornings. Despite being nowadays famous for pickpocketing, it is still one of Barcelona’s must sees and running it without being hindered by people is a very good feeling. At the end of this 1,2 km Rambla we will reencounter Plaza de Catalunya; now you are ready to enjoy the city as a “local”.

This is a great tour if you are looking for a run that has it all – sea views, history, modernism – shaped into the unique feel of Barcelona.