When you think of Barcelona as a summer destination, you inevitably think of its warm beaches and crystal-clear waters lapped by the Mediterranean. However, Barcelona is much more than just a sun and sand destination; it is an idyllic place for lovers of speed and excitement on wheels. With a wide variety of motorsport events and activities, the city offers a vibrant alternative for those looking for a pulse-racing summer.
From world-renowned motor racing competitions to driving experiences through its majestic landscapes, Barcelona has something to satisfy any motoring enthusiast’s appetite. In this article, we’ll take a look at the many possibilities Barcelona has in store for those looking for more than just relaxing on its beaches.
Top plans
1. Supercar Tours
If you’re an enthusiast of brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche, we invite you to explore our exciting routes and experiences designed to discover the cultural richness and idyllic landscapes of Barcelona and Catalonia behind the wheel of your dream supercar. Choose from our City Tours, where you’ll enjoy a pleasant ride through the most beautiful corners of the city of Barcelona, or our Road Routes, which will take you through the most characteristic landscapes of the Catalan geography, escaping the bustling metropolis of Barcelona.
You can opt to have the expert company of an instructor as a co-driver, who will guide you along the route and provide you with safety. We also offer the option of hiring, for an additional price, a leading car, where the instructor will be in front of you showing you the way and you will be able to communicate with him along the route via walkie-talkie.
City Tours
We offer four different options, each meticulously designed to captivate you and exceed your expectations.
- Test Drive: A brief but intense experience of approximately 10 minutes, perfect for a first introduction to the world of supercars. The route is characterized by its intensity, with two long straights that will offer you the incomparable sensation of driving a supercar for the first time.
- Barceloneta Route: Immerse yourself fully in the Barcelona coast for approximately 20 minutes. Admire the stunning views of La Barceloneta beach and the beautiful Mediterranean coast while enjoying the driving of a supercar in a coastal setting full of energy.
- Tibidabo Route: Discover the greatness of Barcelona from its highest point on a route lasting approximately 90 minutes. Enjoy an exciting journey full of twists and turns surrounded by vegetation as you ascend to the top. Once there, you will be delighted by the breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean. Additionally, once at the top, you can also visit the iconic Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, in neo-Gothic style, and the Tibidabo amusement park, two must-see stops on your trip to Barcelona.
- Montjuïc Route: Embark on an exciting route of approximately 40 minutes through the old Montjuïc Formula 1 urban circuit. Enjoy the thrill of driving on the same streets that in the past witnessed the feats of great drivers like Jackie Stewart or Emerson Fittipaldi. The winding roads and spectacular views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean will leave you breathless.
Road Routes
If you prefer to venture away from the metropolis, our Road Routes will guide you through the stunning landscapes surrounding Barcelona. We offer three different options: a wine route in the Penedès region, a mountainous route in Montserrat, and a coastal route in Sitges.
- Penedès & Vineyards: Get to know firsthand the region where the famous Catalan Cava is produced. From Barcelona, you will drive to the heart of the Penedès wine region along beautiful narrow roads that border the hills of the coast and small villages. Your next stop will be the distinguished Segura Viudas winery, where you will enjoy a personalized tour that will take you from the sloping vineyards to the cellars, followed by an exquisite wine tasting and traditional appetizers. On your way back to Barcelona, you will delight in a journey through the winding and charming mountain roads of the interior.
- Sitges & The Coast: Travel to the charming coastal town of Sitges, nicknamed the Saint-Tropez of Spain for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and luxurious real estate. You will drive through winding coastal roads that offer breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coast. The stunning turquoise bays, charming marinas, whitewashed Mediterranean-style houses, and sparkling sea will captivate you.
- Montserrat & The Mountain: Venture into the mountainous roads of Mount Montserrat, one of Catalonia’s most emblematic places. Its unique rock formations, resembling the teeth of a saw, have earned it notorious fame. But Montserrat is not only known for its stunning landscape but also for its rich history and culture. At its summit, awaits an impressive 12th-century Benedictine monastery, still in operation, home to the revered Black Madonna “La Moreneta,” the Holy Patroness of Catalonia. You will also have time to explore the Montserrat Museum, which features works by renowned artists such as Dalí, El Greco, Monet, and Giordano.
2. Karting
Another unmissable option for speed and competition enthusiasts is karting, an exciting activity best enjoyed in the company of family and friends. Test your skills on the track, pushing the limits, tackling curves, and competing elbow-to-elbow with other drivers to reach victory.
In the Barcelona area and its surroundings, there is a wide variety of karting circuits dedicated to satisfying driving enthusiasts. From indoor to outdoor tracks, the offerings are diverse. However, since the high temperatures of summer can make outdoor practice challenging, we recommend opting for indoor tracks.
Just a short distance from Barcelona, we find two exciting indoor karting circuits: Indoor Karting Barcelona in Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Barcelona Gené Karting in Viladecans, both less than half an hour from the city. These circuits offer a combination of fast, slow, and technical turns, as well as chicanes, descents, and banked curves, and feature karts designed for both children and adults.
3. Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix
From June 21st to 23rd, Barcelona once again becomes the epicenter of world motorsport with the tenth stop of the Formula 1 championship at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya in Montmeló. The best racing drivers on the planet gather to offer an unparalleled spectacle, dazzling fans with their speed and overtaking maneuvers. What better way to complement your visit to Barcelona than with the premier motorsport championship on the planet
The organization of the Grand Prix has prepared an attractive sports program packed with activities for all ages, offering unique experiences for fans to make the most of their visit. The Fan Zone area, located behind the Main Tribune, will be the epicenter of the action, offering eSports simulators, pit stop challenges, opportunities to take selfies with the drivers, augmented reality pit lane portals, wind tunnel simulations, podium recreations, and displays of championship trophies and race cars, among other activities. Additionally, various actions, including appearances by the drivers, will take place on the stage.
Fans will have the opportunity to live unique experiences that will bring them closer than ever to their idols, accessing exclusive spaces such as the track itself or the Pit Lane. For two hours on Thursday, fans will be able to stroll through the Pit Lane, the heart of the action where team garages and various race cars are located. Additionally, once the race concludes on Sunday, they will have the opportunity to tread the same asphalt that their idols just raced on with the race cars. Various gates along the track will be opened for attendees to descend onto the track. Those situated near the main straight will be able to witness the podium ceremony up close and observe firsthand everything that happens in the team garages at the end of the race.
4. Ferrari Land
Undoubtedly, a must-visit for Ferrari enthusiasts and supercar fans in general. Located in the province of Tarragona, just over an hour and twenty minutes from Barcelona, it is part of the complex of the PortAventura World amusement park. This theme park is unique in Europe and offers an exciting experience for the whole family, allowing you to discover all the secrets of the iconic Italian brand of the Prancing Horse and its visionary creator, Enzo Ferrari.
The park features 13 attractions ranging from the most intense thrills to family-friendly options, combining technology and adrenaline to immerse yourself in the legendary world of Ferrari. Among the standout attractions is the Red Force roller coaster, the tallest and fastest in Europe, standing at 112 meters tall, reaching speeds of 180 km/h in just 5 seconds, and covering 880 meters. There are also the Thrill Towers, two 55-meter drop towers inspired by the movement of engine pistons: one offers a controlled drop, and the other a free fall.
Additionally, the park features a museum area, the Ferrari Land Gallery, where the history of Ferrari is showcased interactively, immersing visitors in the legacy and evolution of the brand over time.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, Barcelona offers a wide variety of thrilling activities for motor enthusiasts during the summer season. Beyond its famous beaches and the Mediterranean, the city provides unique opportunities to experience excitement and speed on wheels. From exhilarating routes in supercars exploring the city and its surroundings to indoor karting tracks, Barcelona caters to the desires of any speed enthusiast. Additionally, standout events like the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya and the must-visit Ferrari Land at the PortAventura World amusement park in Tarragona add even more allure to the summer experience in the city. In summary, Barcelona promises a summer full of adrenaline and excitement for those seeking more than just sun and beach.
