Barcelona Segway Tours

Are you familiar with the Segway? It is a two-wheeled vehicle that remains stable thanks to a dynamic stabilization technology. There is no accelerator or brakes and each movement responds to a change in body position. Don't worry, before starting any tour the rental agencies will give you a short training.

This Segway tour in Barcelona is perfect to get to know the essentials of the Catalan capital. The routes usually start from the Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of Barcelona. The first settlements date back to the Roman domination - in Plaça Ramon Berenguer part of the wall and the defense towers of the time survive - and yet most of the buildings are from the Middle Ages.

Among the highlights are the Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, Plaça del Rei (the former residence of the Catalan counts) and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi. Some tours touch one of the most romantic corners of the city: Plaça Sant Felip Neri. It is a space away from the hustle and bustle and dominated by the church of the same name. The buildings bear the marks of the Civil War; in 1938 Barcelona suffered the bombings of the fascist air force and the temple still shows the holes of the machine guns.

Once you have left the Gothic quarter you continue to the Old Port (Port Vell) which is located just below the monument to Columbus. The tour also reaches the Olympic Port and trains in the Parc de la Ciutadella, the dean of Barcelona. Until the mid-nineteenth century it housed a pentagonal walled bastion that was demolished to make the first public park in the city. A must stop is the monumental waterfall, a splendid neoclassical fountain guarded by two large stone griffins.

The tour concludes at the foot of the Arc de Triomf, the monumental gateway built for the Universal Exposition of 1888. At the top you can see the inscription "Barcelona rep les nacions" (Barcelona welcomes the nations) that greeted the visitors of the great event.

• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
• Price: approximately 50 €.

Barcelona is known for its Art Nouveau architecture. Antonio Gaudí, one of the greatest geniuses of this artistic movement, embellished the streets with iconic buildings such as Casa Batlló or La Pedrera, but he was not the only one. On a segway the ride is more enjoyable and does not require physical effort, ideal if you travel to Barcelona in the warmer months.

The Catalan capital has several monuments that are worth discovering. The list below lists the most important ones.

• Arc de Triomf, the old entrance to the Universal Exhibition of 1888. The architect Josep Vilaseca designed a classical yet Moorish-style monument that symbolizes Barcelona's respect for the nations that participated in the fair. It is located at the confluence of Passeig de Lluís Companys and Passeig de Sant Joan.
• Casa Vicens, Gaudi's first masterpiece. It resembles an Arab castle decorated with white and green ceramic tiles.
• Palau Macaya, the former residence of a wealthy cotton farmer. It now houses a section of the Caixa Forum.
• Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's unfinished church
• Avinguda Gaudí
• Sant Pau, the largest modernist complex in the world. Until 2009 it housed a hospital while today it can be visited. The work bears the signature of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the same architect of the Palau de la Música Catalana.
• La Monumental, Barcelona's bullring. Today it is still used as a venue for concerts and artistic events.
• Casa Amatller, a "sweet" residence. It belonged to the eponymous master chocolatiers. Today it houses a museum.
• Casa Batlló, a Barcelona classic. You will recognize it by its colorful facade and skull-like balconies. It is considered Antonio Gaudi's masterpiece.
• Casa Milà, the famous Pedrera on Passeig de Gràcia. In 1912 it was compared to a Zeppelin parking lot, but the locals have changed their minds over the years.
• Casa de les Punxes, a fairytale residence on Avinguda Diagonal. This residential block built in the shape of a medieval castle will leave you speechless.
• Casa Comalat, a modernist work that is not as famous as others. It belonged to a lender who wanted to reflect his social position by commissioning the project to Salvador Valeri i Pupurull. The architect designed a building that pays homage to Gaudí's aesthetics.
• Fuster House. Here lived the painter and industrialist Mariano Fuster. Today it houses a five-star hotel.

With the segway you will easily reach the stages of the route. If you have never ridden a Segway before, you don't have to worry about anything. Most of the route takes place on cycle paths and roads with little traffic.

• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
• Price: around 100 €.

The coast is the flattest point of the city, ideal for a Segway tour. If this is your first time with this means of transport, it may be the most advisable option. The routes usually start in the Gothic Quarter, the medieval heart of Barcelona.

Its narrow streets hide charming squares such as Sant Just or Sant Felip Neri as well as churches, museums and countless bars and restaurants. After leaving this part of the old town, the route reaches the following areas and attractions:

• Parc de la Ciutadella, the most famous garden of the Catalan capital. It is a green area built on the remains of a military citadel.
• Barceloneta, an old fishermen's neighborhood that has not lost its link with the sea. You will pass by the beaches of Sant Sebastiá, Sant Miquel and Somorrostro with the scenic Hotel W as a backdrop. This neighborhood is also home to the famous Maremagnum shopping mall and the Museum of the History of Catalonia.
• Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's best known work. The temple is located on the right side of the Eixample district and is a must on any trip to Barcelona.
• Arc de Triomf, a small Mudejar jewel a stone's throw from the Parc de la Ciutadella and the coastline.
• Montjuic, the hill overlooking the old town. Thanks to the 1992 Olympic Games, it is home to some very interesting sporting venues
• Font Magica, a fountain known for its water games.
• Basilica de la Merce, the church dedicated to the patron saint of the city. If you travel in September you can participate in the celebrations dedicated to the saint.

The last stage is in the Gothic quarter and marks the end of our route.

• Duration: between 80 € and 100 €.
• Price: between 2 and 3 hours

The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games revolutionized the city. The urban transformations changed both the coast and the hill of Montjuïc although this route focuses on the lower area. If you are interested in climbing the relief, go to the next point on the list. Let's get back to business. As a general rule, the tours start in the vicinity of the Segway rental offices. In addition to the traditional streets and monuments, the tour focuses on the following attractions:

• Moll de la Fusta, the stretch of coastline from the Columbus monument to the Port Vell viewpoint. Until 1987 it was crossed by a railway that separated the city from the sea. It was remodeled in 1987 in view of the Olympics following the project of Manuel de Solà Morales.
• Cap de Barcelona. In addition to a large sculpture representing a lobster, the sky above the Moll de la Fusta has another guest: the Face of Barcelona. It bears the signature of Diego Delgado, who created a drawing of Roy Lichtenstein. The mosaic on the side is a tribute to the works of Gaudí.
• Vila Olímpica, the neighborhood that hosted the athletes. The 1992 Olympics gave not only a new neighborhood but also an iconic pair of skyscrapers (Mapfre Tower and Hotel Arts), squares, parks and the Nova Icària beach.
• Port of Vila Olímpica, the sports marina in the shadow of the towers. A few meters away are some of the best clubs in the city as well as the Casino of Barcelona.

The guides are very knowledgeable about the history of the time and will entertain you with interesting anecdotes. This tour is recommended for those who are passionate about sports and great urban projects.

• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
• Price: between 30 € and 50 €.

This district occupies a wooded hill in the southwest of the city. Its name means "Mountain of the Jews" because in the past it was home to the majority of the Jewish community. The area changed radically before the 1992 Olympic Games and is now the greenest neighborhood in the Catalan capital. As usual, the Segway routes include the following stages:

• Jardines del Mirador del Alcalde, a panoramic viewpoint towards Barcelona and the Mediterranean. Its particularity lies in the terraces at different levels embellished with stairs, ornamental fountains and a small waterfall. The cable car arrives a few meters from the entrance.
• Montjuïc Castle, a defensive fortress remodeled by the military engineer Juan Martín Cermeño. During the Civil War it was a place of detention for military and civilians accused of betraying the Republic. Unfortunately, it remained a place of confinement also during the Franco era. From here you can enjoy a 360º panorama.
• Joan Miró Foundation, one of the best museums in the city. Contrary to what you might think, it does not focus exclusively on the works of the Catalan painter but on contemporary art as a whole. Open every day except Monday.
• Teatre Grec, an open-air amphitheater built for the Universal Exposition of 1929.
• Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, the most complete of Barcelona. In its more than 50,000 square meters are home to different collections; one of the most interesting is that dedicated to the Renaissance and Baroque that houses works by Rubens, Goya, Tintoretto and other artists. The MNAC is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 while on Sundays and holidays it is open from 10:00 to 15:00.
• Poble Espanyol, a village built for the Universal Exposition of 1929. It recreates the most famous architectural elements of Spain and has been the backdrop for some scenes of the movie "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer".
• Anella Olímpica, an enclosure that includes the Bernat Picornell Swimming Pools, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Lluís Companys Stadium. It was the epicenter of the 1992 Olympic Games and after the closing ceremony it has remained for the enjoyment of the people of Barcelona. On one side of the square stands the sinuous Telecommunications Tower designed by Santiago Calatrava.
• Magic Fountain and its famous play of lights and water to the rhythm of music. To see the hours of operation I recommend you take a look at the official website of the city council.

In my opinion, this is the best Segway route. The hill reaches 173 meters high and walking up here would take your time and strength. On the other hand, with this means of transport the distances are shortened and the forces do not diminish. Alternatively, you can reach the summit by cable car.

• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Price: between 50 € and 70 €.

No, you don't. Segways are personal mobility vehicles and therefore are similar to bicycles. However, the minimum age to ride a Segway is 16 years old.

In any case you must respect traffic regulations and always wear a helmet. The rental companies will provide you with one. If you are traveling with children you can opt for an ebike tour which is subject to lower age limitations.

Sorry, the overwhelming majority of agencies do not allow it. The segway is a stable means of transportation and yet it is not recommended for pregnant women. In case this is your situation, I recommend you to book a hop-on/hop-off tourist bus ticket. It is cheaper and if you avoid going upstairs you will be able to move comfortably around the city.