The ’92 Barcelona Olympics Games changed Barcelona’s appearance. Actually, before 1992 the city didn’t even have beach! Nowadays, though, at Barcelona beaches is possible to play all kind of water sports: surf, paddle surf, swimming in open water, windsurf,… The Olympic Games implied a radical change in all aspects, as well as the opportunity of being more European with regard to public services and sports grounds.
In Barcelona outdoor sport is the king. The mild weather and the city terrain allow practising any kind of physical activity. In many beaches and parks is easy to find petanque tracks, basketball hoops and Ping-Pong tables, as well as run tracks and cycle paths in the city centre where is possible to ride with total security. There is also a long trail ride from the city along the Besós river during 25 km, now reconverted in a green area.
We are fortunate to have sea, mountain and asphalt. That’s why is easy to run into a runner or cyclist along the Diagonal while crossing Barcelona from north to south.
In its outskirts there are also lot of options for playing some sports: In the north, in a well-known road that leads to the Collserola mountain, the practice of BTT is usual and, in the other end of the city, near Montjuich, there is a climbing wall for beginners and advanced climbing lovers.
There is also a long tradition of sport clubs. The Royal Nautical club of Barcelona, with more than 140 years of history; the Royal Polo Club ant the Royal Tennis Club, founded in 1899 and cradle of Arantxa Sànchez Vicario and Rafael Nadal himself! Without forgetting Futbol Club Barcelona that in its Masia grows future football players since they are 6 years old.
As a welcome city, new sports clubs have been created in order to satisfy new comers’ needs, such as croquet clubs, the British national sport.
A few kilometres from the city centre it is possible to enjoy the best golf courses. The Sant Cugat Golf Club, for instance, offers quality services for all kind of tastes and needs with privileged facilities: gym, swimming pool and children’s playground.
Living in Barcelona offers a whole range of possibilities for enjoying sport and exercise in all of its levels. Outdoors or indoors in the most exclusive centres, there is not excuse for not being active any time of the year.
