Blue Barcelona

Strolling along the seafront of Barcelona is much more than just a pleasant walk; it enables you to get in touch with the city's ancient maritime traditions. Whether you swim from one of its beaches or walk through the Barceloneta neighborhood with its deep-rooted fishing traditions (in fact, the city's Fishermen's Guild is still active today, and several families still make a living from fishing, supplying freshly-caught fish to various restaurants in the city), or enjoy any of the many nautical activities available, you will be coming into contact with a fundamental part of the Barcelona way of life.

You might start by combining green with blue and walking along the Parc del Litoral, which runs along the seafront and takes you to the beaches, parks and neighborhoods directly associated with the 1992 Olympic Games. You then come to the Forum Zone, a legacy of the Universal Forum of Cultures in 2004, which today provides a large space for holding major events. A large photovoltaic pergola has been installed here that generates 550,000 kilowatts per hour and supplies power to neighboring buildings and facilities.

You'll fall in love with the city's extensive beaches: almost five kilometers of fine golden sand and shallow waters. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the biggest leisure and relaxation areas for Barcelona residents. All the beaches are accessible to people with reduced mobility and there are also assisted bathing machines in the summer. You can get to the beaches easily by public transport or bicycle. And of course, the management of Barcelona's beaches adheres rigorously to the city's environmental policy, which includes a commitment to continuous improvement and the prevention of pollution, certified with ISO 14001:2004.

If you fancy a different type of aquatic environment, you have the option of walking or cycling along the two large rivers that bracket the city. The reclaimed space alongside the River Besòs is surrounded by places with great natural and scenic value. Meanwhile, the River Llobregat delta is the second largest in Catalonia and its surroundings are home to a wide variety of habitats, plants and wildlife. In fact, it boasts such a wealth of flora and fauna that the Council of European Communities has declared more than 900 hectares as a Special Protection Area for Birds, of which almost 500 hectares are a Partial Nature Reserve.

Blue, as you can see, is also the color of Barcelona.