Tired of walking down the Ramblas, the beaches and the Gaudí tours?
If you want to try something different during your trip to Barcelona and chill with the locals, or just want something to do because you have some free time during the week, here are five great activities to try.
Climbing at the Foixarda tunnel
La Foixarda is the largest free urban climbing wall in Europe, maybe in the world. It is not really a “center”, but a tunnel complemented with rock walls on both exits of it.
No matter what your level is, you will have routes for you. It is a great place for beginners, but also includes a handful of mad overhung routes that require extreme expertise and technique.
There are about 120 routes in total. Along the 65 meters of the tunnel walls, several bouldering routes at different levels can be found; with some crazy numbered routes for the toughest climbers.
But La Foixarda is not just about climbing. There is a whole community that exists there, which includes people who live there (in a parked van).
As usual among climbing communities, you might also find people slack-lining, rope-dancing, playing their guitars and having a beer or reading a book between climbs. This community is extremely helpful; there’s always someone ready to give you free advice if you are doing something wrong in your climbings.
Not having your climbing equipment or being a total newbie are no excuse. With the large crowds of climbers that gather there, chances are you will find someone willing to let you try a route using their material if you are nice enough.
Additionally, the bouldering routes can be practiced without climbing shoes (or barefoot). In any case, please be careful and do not climb vertical routes alone. Although the place starts to get crowded at 6pm, climbers can be found at any time of the day; with early birds that show up at 7am and all-nighters that go home at sunrise.
Opening hours: 24h every day (open-air)
