When choosing a destination for volleyball travel, why compromise? As the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona not only provides an exciting source of endless adventure, but is also home to a rich history, enticingly good food, and a seemingly endless coastline to advance your beach volleyball skills.
In the year 1992, beach volleyball was thrust into the world’s spotlight thanks to the summer Olympic Games held in Barcelona. After a successful demonstration of the athleticism, grit, and excitement that that kept beach volleyball spectators on their toes throughout the tournament, men’s and women’s beach volleyball was named an official Olympic spot for the following summer games held in 1996. Fast forward to the present, where Kiraly, Walsh, and May have become household names, all thanks to the institution of beach volleyball propelled by Barcelona.
On your visit to Barcelona, you will be able to visit the magnificent Estadi Olímpic, the home of the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1992 games. Make sure to keep an eye out for the site of the Olympic torch cauldron, where archer Antonio Rebello shot a flaming arrow into the center to signal the start of the Olympic Games. Get your cameras ready because when you continue to the top of Montjuic, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the entire city of Barcelona.
Let’s not forget about the food, Barcelona has an incredibly diverse range of cuisines that will make even your pickiest eater begging for more. You’ll be able to try traditional, flavorful Spanish dishes such as paella and chorizo. Looking to save a little money? Check out tapas, Spanish appetizers that range from meatballs, fried potatoes with a specialty sauce to bread topped with tomato puree. For dessert, make sure to stop by one of the local bakeries who will satisfy any sweet tooth cravings with a mouthwatering pastry.
Take a step back in time while discovering the history of Barcelona that dates back to the ancient Roman Civilization. Tour the famous masterpieces of architect Antonio Gaudí – La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Head to an FC Barcelona fútbol game where you can cheer on Lionel Messi along with the other 99,000 fans the stadium can hold. In Barcelona, all you need to do is step outside your door to enjoy beautiful architecture, dancing fountains, populated plazas, and feel the sand underneath your toes while enjoying the Mediterranean Sea.
Barcelona’s unique combination of city life and small-town feel, historical sites and brand-new shopping districts, traditional Catalan food and hipster vegetarian restaurants, and the proximity of both the Pyrenees Mountains and the miles of beaches that line the city, create the ultimate destination you can’t miss out on for volleyball travel.
-Post Authored by Lauren Miller