The Sustainable Traveler’s Eco-Friendly Guide To Barcelona

Are you planning on traveling to another country? We have covered a number of beautiful cities that have excellent track records for sustainability. You are probably surprised that we didn’t cover Barcelona before, because it is one of the most coveted travel destinations in the world. We finally decided to over a piece on the green benefits of traveling to Barcelona.

However, you are going to need to know what to do to make the most of your trip and travel sustainably. Here are some thoughts.

Making Barcelona Your Next Eco-friendly Trip

Barcelona is a top travel destination for people all over the world. Its location makes it easily accessible to those across Europe and Africa, although the allure of the city attracts visitors from much further afield. Whether it’s the combination of city and beach in one destination, the breathtaking Sagrada Familia or other works of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona will keep even the most energetic of tourists busy. Whilst tourists generally bring money, they can also bring ecological damage, this is why the local government is keen on protecting the environment and has made a commitment to develop responsible tourism.

Eco Friendly Accommodation

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay that will limit your impact on the environment, you will have plenty of choice in the Catalan capital. Examples include Hostal Grau, located close to Las Ramblas, or Hotel Casa Camper, which is situated in the Raval area. Both hotels have systems to save water, renewable energy sources and use cleaning products that don’t damage the environment.

Transport

Barcelona’s local government is not just looking to improve the sustainability of its tourism sector. It recently introduced a system it calls “Superblocks”, which closes some roads to most traffic. This helps to reduce noise and greenhouse gas emissions within the blocks, as well as making the streets safer and more attractive to those wanting to walk or use a bicycle.

Like most major European cities, there are good public transport options throughout Barcelona, including a subway system and buses, both of which have good coverage and a regular service. Cycling is also quite common, and likely to become more popular as the local government plans to introduce an additional 300 KM of cycle lanes, bringing the local to 400 KM.

Events

There is always something going on in Barcelona, it has a strong history of holding events, sporting and otherwise. As well as hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics and several rounds of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Barcelona is regularly home to major international football matches, with home team FC Barcelona winning several UEFA tournaments. Outside of football, Barcelona frequently hosts other sporting events, such as the European Poker Tour, and many conferences. For the environmentally conscious, the city hosts several events focused on improving the environment, such as the Green Energy World Congress and Expo.

Eating

There are plenty of options for eating sustainably in Barcelona, with organic, vegetarian and vegan options available right across the city. Examples include CatBar, located in the El Born area of the city it is (as the name suggests) a cat themed bar. It has a wide selection of local beers and many vegan burgers. If you need to cool off in the Barcelona heat, try Bodevici for ice creams, smoothies and frozen yoghurt all made from organic milk. If you are looking for some spicy Indian Food then try masala dose, tandoori chicken and chicken biryani. Please place our link on Indian Food.

Water

The tap water in Barcelona is safe to drink, at least according to the Barcelona Public Health Authority and the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers. However, there are some small local strains of E. coli, which could cause a few problems to those new to the city.

For those who have built up a tolerance (after a few weeks), or who are willing to risk it there are many water pumps and fountains around the city for you to fill up your water bottle. As you walk around the city, you will likely see locals and their dogs using these pumps. The water is as safe to drink as the other tap water around the city, but it may taste a little different. Staying hydrated in a hot city like Barcelona is very important, so the water pumps are a great old-fashioned solution to this problem, and they don’t create unnecessary plastic waste.

Barcelona is a great destination for anyone looking to explore the wonders of city packed with culture, history and great weather. For those who are more environmentally conscious, Barcelona combines the best of both worlds: a great tourist destination and the ability to enjoy it without it weighing on your conscience. Travel, accommodation and dining are all catered for, with sustainable options for all of these; if you arrive there by train instead of flying, the environmental benefits will be even stronger.

Visit Barcelona if You Want to Travel Sustainably

Barcelona is a great place to visit if you want to travel sustainably. There are some good reasons to make it your next travel destination. Just follow the tips listed here!