The start of the 2026 Tour de France from Barcelona is much more than the beginning of a sporting competition: it is an opportunity to discover the city through its most iconic corners. From maritime tradition and Olympic spirit to the modernist heart of the Eixample and the majestic arrival at Montjuïc, this stage allows you to explore a city full of history, culture, and creativity. A Barcelona that combines unique architecture, vibrant urban life, nature, and Mediterranean gastronomy — and which, once again, presents itself to the world as a city worth much more than just one visit. Sea and Olympic legacy The official start of the Tour de France will take place at the Parc del Fòrum. This space, with the sea as a backdrop, symbolizes the Barcelona of the new generation: innovative, with international projection and a vision of the future. This setting of avant-garde architecture and open spaces is combined with the proximity of the sea and neighbourhood life. The cycling route continues towards the Port Olímpic, built for the 1992 Olympic Games and renovated in 2024. This area of more than 20,000 m² now combines large areas for walking, sports, and leisure. Popular sailing, the blue economy, Mediterranean gastronomy, culture, and entertainment coexist here. Walking along the dock, among sailboats and sculptures, lets you feel the pulse of the city from another perspective. And what better way to do it than with a glass of white wine or vermouth, while enjoying a seafood rice or fresh shellfish at the restaurants that dot the seafront? This is maritime Barcelona: a lifestyle that invites you to stop and enjoy. The modernist soul of the city Once inside the Eixample, the urban landscape transforms into an open-air gallery. The route passes by some of the most emblematic façades of Catalan modernism. The Sagrada Família is one of the most recognized icons of world architecture and an identity symbol of Barcelona. Designed by Antoni Gaudí and still under construction, it is set to become the tallest church in the world at 172.5 meters. In 2026 the city celebrates the Gaudí Year to commemorate the centenary of the architect’s death, making it the perfect occasion to explore his legacy. Nearby you can also visit the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, another marvel of architecture which will also be one of the venues for the team presentations participating in the Tour de France. The next stretch will be one of the most elegant parts of the route. The Passeig de Gràcia was the epicenter of Barcelona’s bourgeoisie at the end of the 19th century, and today its combination of luxury shops and modernist buildings is a manifestation of Barcelona’s elegance and creativity. Gaudí’s masterpieces such as the Casa Batlló and the Casa Milà (La Pedrera) — both declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites — share the spotlight with other modernist gems like the Casa Amatller and the Casa Lleó Morera, by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluís Domènech i Montaner respectively: two further exponents of Catalan modernism. With this impressive heritage, it is no surprise that Barcelona has been chosen as the World Capital of Architecture 2026 by UNESCO-UIA. Montjuïc: the arrival between history, nature, and sport After crossing the vibrant heart of Barcelona, the race ascends to one of its most emblematic settings: the mountain of Montjuïc. The monumental Plaça d’Espanya, with its fountains, columns, and the imposing Palau Nacional in the background, acts as a gateway to the mountain. It is one of the main access points to the city’s cultural and sporting legacy. Montjuïc is full of contrasts: peaceful gardens, Olympic facilities, world-class museums, and privileged viewpoints over the sea and the city. The arrival at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys — which hosted the ceremonies of the 1992 Olympic Games — brings this opening time trial of the Tour to an end with great symbolic weight: sport as a unifying thread between cultures, generations, and landscapes. But Montjuïc is much more than sport. Here you’ll find the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), with an exceptional collection of Romanesque and modernist art; the Fundació Joan Miró, dedicated to the work of one of Catalonia’s most universal artists; and spaces such as the Botanical Garden or the Laribal Gardens, offering corners of peace in the midst of nature. Montjuïc is also a viewpoint: from the Castell de Montjuïc, at the top, you can enjoy a spectacular panorama that connects the urban skyline with the blue of the Mediterranean. It is a place to stroll unhurriedly and rediscover the memory of the city. A gateway to discover Catalonia This first stage not only celebrates speed and sporting excitement but also opens a window to all that Catalonia has to offer: diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, local gastronomy, and great heritage richness. From the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees, passing through Priorat wines or medieval villages of the Empordà, the Tour de France will be the perfect excuse to discover a land full of life.