Places to sit and walk
Jardins de Rubió i Lluch
Carrer de l’Hospital 56, 08001 
933 020 797
Free www.barcelona.cat
Open November–March daily 10am–7pm; April–October daily 10am–9pm
Metro Liceu Bus 91, 120
The garden is wheelchair accessible
Sometimes hard to find on city maps, these lovely gardens are hidden behind tall, formidable walls. Once inside, however, they are a haven of calm. Enter by the Passatge de l’Hospital or, at the other end, Carrer de l’Hospital and you’ll find yourself surrounded by ancient brick buildings that house, among other institutions, the renowned Biblioteca Sant Pau-Santa Creu. Art students wander in and out of the Escola Massana Art School where anyone can apply to take one of the vocational training courses, which range from mural design to textile art.
Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Barcelona
Plaça de la Seu s/n, 08002 933 428 262
Free (Fee to access the roof of the cathedral)
Open Cloister Monday–Saturday 8.30am–12.30pm and 5.45pm–7pm, Sunday 8.30am–1pm and 5.15pm–7pm
Metro Jaume I Bus 45, V15, V17
There is wheelchair access to the cloister, and to the cathedral via the Door of Saint Eulalia (Carrer del Bisbe)
Nestled within this 15th-century cathedral is an enchanting cloister that provides a peaceful place to linger in the otherwise crowded Gothic Quarter. Unusually, it is home to 13 white geese – kept here as a reminder of the age at which Saint Eulalia was martyred. The four walls of the cloister surround a large pond (Font de les Oques) and palm trees and orange trees provide shelter from the sun. Look up for a glimpse of the cathedral roof and its impressive gargoyles, carved in the shape of both mythical and familiar creatures.
Cementiri de Poblenou
Avinguda d’Icària, 08005 932 251 661
Free www.cbsa.cat/cementiri-poblenou
Open Daily 8am–6pm
Metro Llacuna Bus 14, 26, 36, 41
The cemetery is wheelchair accessible
Tall palm trees and stone benches greet you at the entrance to this small cemetery just a couple of metro stops outside the city centre. You’ll also find a small group of cypress trees; in Greek mythology this species is associated with mortality and the underworld. Once inside the cemetery however the greenery is restricted to a few faded flowers pinned to the memorial plaques that line the walls. If you want to discover another side to Catalan family history, this is an interesting place to visit.
Bunker del Carmel
Carrer del Turó de la Rovira, 08032
Free www.museuhistoria.bcn.cat/ca/node/16
Open All day, every day
Metro Guinardó/Hospital de Sant Pau, El Coll/La Teixonera Bus 24, 92, 119, V17
The roads are steep here and the area quite hilly, so wheelchair access may be difficult
A visit to a collection of abandoned anti-aircraft bunkers may not sound inspiring, but in fact this is a wonderful, secluded and often deserted area. Overlooking Parc del Guinardó, these derelict monuments are a fascinating mix of crumbling concrete and pristine Mediterranean forest. Built during the Spanish Civil War to protect the city from bombing, the bunkers are now part of the MUHBA (Museu d’Història de Barcelona), although have been neglected long enough to have acquired their own anti-aesthetic charm. It’s a relatively trendy location now, but remains a lovely spot for people looking to appreciate the solitude and awe-inspiring 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
Torre de Collserola
Carretera de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo s/n, 08017 934 069 354
Open See website calendar for dates and times
Bus 111
The tower is wheelchair accessible
Getting to this spot is quite the adventure. From Plaça Catalunya take the funicular to Vallvidrera Inferior, walk to Valvidrera Superior and then take the bus three stops to Cruïlla de Carreteres – from there, the spectacular Torre de Collserola is three minutes' walk away. The journey is well worth your while. From the top of this prize-winning Norman Foster-designed telecommunications tower you can see the Mediterranean Sea stretching far into the distance, as well as major landmarks such as Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia. On hot summer days, it’s cooler up on this hill than on the beach and it also offers some respite from the crowded streets below. If you’re a keen photograper it’s a must – even after dark, the sight of the glittering city below is simply stunning.
Avinguda de Gaudí
Avinguda de Gaudí, 08025
Free www.barcelonaturisme.com Open All day, every day
Metro Sant Pau/Dos de Maig, Sagrada Familia Bus 19, 20, 45, 47, 92, H8, V21
The pavements are wheelchair accessible
This avenue cuts diagonally across the Eixample district connecting the remarkable Sant Pau Art complex by Domènech i Montaner at one end (see here) with the stunning Sagrada Familia at the other (both worth a visit). The street is largely pedestrianised and has two cycle lanes, which makes it much less noisy than other thoroughfares. A number of cafes have also set up outdoor seating areas along the central corridor, so it is easy to find somewhere to stop and have a drink if you decide to walk from one end to the other. Look out for the elegant Modernista streetlamps which give the street its distinctive character. Designed by Pere Falqués, they were placed along the Avinguda de Gaudí in 1985 after being stored for many years in a warehouse. Come here in the early morning when it is quieter, as the area gets busy as the day progresses.
Cine Verdi
Carrer de Torrijos 14, 08012 932 387 990
€ www.cines-verdi.com/barcelona
Open See website for screening times
Metro Fontana, Joanic Bus 39, 114
Four of the cinema screens are wheelchair accessible
This lovely old-fashioned cinema tends to show Spanish-language, independent, European and old black-and-white films, alongside the occasional Hollywood blockbuster. It’s a great spot for cinephiles and anyone who is looking for a cosy, intellectually stimulating place to spend an evening during the winter months. The bar is also a nice place to sit and chat about everything cinematic.
Parc del Centre del Poblenou
Avinguda Diagonal 130, 08018
Open December–February daily 10am–6pm; March, November daily 10am–7pm; April, October daily 10am–8pm; May–September daily 10am–9pm Metro Poblenou Bus 7, 40, 42, B20, B25, V7 Train Pere IV, Fluvià
The park is wheelchair accessible
French architect Jean Nouvel was invited to redesign this neglected site in Diagonal Mar, and he created a stunning piece of contemporary garden design. Irrigated by groundwater and maintained using sustainable technologies, it is a lush green, modern urban oasis.
Terrace at Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Palau Nacional, Carrer del Mirador del Palau Nacional s/n, 08038 936 220 360
Free (Fee for access to the museum) www.mnac.cat
Open Terrace November–February Sunday–Thursday 10am–7pm, Friday–Saturday 10am–9pm; March, April, October daily 10am–9pm; May–September Monday–Wednesday 10am–8pm, Thursday–Sunday 10am–midnight
Metro or Train Plaça Espanya Bus 13, 37, 55, 150, Funicular de Montjuïc
Most of the building and terrace is wheelchair accessible
Originally built for the International Exhibition of 1929, the National Palace of Montjuïc is now home to the National Museum of Catalan Art, and its terrace is a spacious sun trap. Surrounded by palm trees and complete with its own urban waterfall, it’s the perfect place in which to sit and watch the world go by. The museum itself is full of medieval treasures, as well as some extraordinary landscape paintings by Marià Pidelaserra. If you like the great master’s work, an entire room is dedicated to the Catalan Modernista designs of Gaudi and his protégé Josep Maria Jujol.
Castell de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc 66, 08038 932 564 440
€ (Free for children and on Sundays after 3pm) www.barcelona.cat
Open November–March 10am–6pm; April–October 10am–8pm
Metro Paral-lel then Funicular de Montjuïc Bus 150
The fortress is not currently wheelchair accessible
This very solid fortress on the top of Montjuïc Hill has a notorious history. Perched on the highest point in the area, it was originally built as a watchtower, before it was extended in the 17th century to become a castle. The military then used the stronghold to suppress civil riots in the 18th and 19th centuries, and after the end of the Spanish Civil War it was turned into a prison. You can visit the courtyard where prisoners were allowed to exercise, as well as the former cells. Now, it is a peaceful location with gorgeous views of the harbour below. It is also set to become a Centre for Interpretation, where visitors can learn about the geology of Montjuïc Hill as well as the history of the inhabitants of the surrounding area, from early setters to modern day residents.
Teleferico del Puerto
Avinguda Miramar s/n, 08038 934 304 716
€ www.telefericodebarcelona.com
Open Summer 11am–8pm; winter 11am–5pm
Metro Para-lel Bus 21, 121
The cable cars are wheelchair accessible
For dramatic views of the Mediterranean from a quiet vantage point, these aerial cable cars are just the ticket. The short trip might seem expensive, but if you walk up the hill beforehand you’ll feel you deserve ten minutes sitting down in an old-fashioned cable car. If you ascend from the port, you’ll find some pretty gardens to wander through as you exit the car on top of the hill.
Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes s/n, 08013
Open All day, every day
Metro Glòries Bus 7, H12
The square is wheelchair accessible
Plaça de les Glòries is an unusual public space with an abundance of astounding contemporary architecture. On sunny days the paved square is full of portable furniture free for anyone to use. There are even three chairs with USB connections and built-in solar panels should you wish to charge your camera, and a mobile library loans books, board games and other activities.
Rambla del Poblenou
between Passeig de Calvell and Carrer de Tànger, 08005 Free
Open All day, every day
Metro Llacuna, Poblenou Bus 6, H16, N7, V27
The Rambla is wheelchair accessible
If you prefer to spend your evenings in a calmer, more relaxed part of town, ignore La Rambla in the centre and catch a bus or tram to the Rambla del Poblenou in the north-east of the city. This lovely street is full of independent shops and cafes with outdoor terraces where locals linger over a coffee or a beer until the early hours of the morning. People amble rather than rush here, and the almost traffic-free street has its own warm, unpretentious character. This is the sort of place you could spend hours hopping from one bar or restaurant to another. Try chatting to locals if you want to practise your Spanish or Catalan, and then sample some local delicacies from an authentic tapas bar.
