Santa Coloma De Gramenet can be explored from several perspectives: an Iberian settlement sits atop Puig Castellar, while the Parque Fluvial del Besòs offers paved paths for walking and cycling. There is also the architectural history of Torre Balldovina, a viewpoint and contemporary art. When planning your trip, you can choose between archaeology, urban culture and outdoor activities.
Puig Castellar and early history
The Iberian settlement of Puig Castellar lies at the summit of the hill of the same name in the Parque de la Sierra de Marina, at an altitude of 303 metres. It covers slightly more than 4,000 square metres. The site was inhabited from the 6th century BC until the beginning of the 2nd century BC and belonged to the Laietani people. Its historical period and cultural affiliation are therefore clearly defined.
Architectural history and heritage
The Museo Torre Balldovina is housed in a defensive tower dating from the 11th century. The building later served as an agricultural building, a large residence and the summer home of the family of writer Josep Maria de Sagarra. While Puig Castellar is identified as a Laietani settlement, Torre Balldovina can be explored through its architectural and functional history. The Cova d'en Genís adds a burial site to this archaeological perspective: it consists of a cavity between granite rocks.
The heritage programme comprises three routes, organised by their location in the city centre, north and south. Visitors can explore them with an audio guide. The service is free; devices are collected and returned at the Museu Torre Balldovina, and audio guides are available in Catalan and Spanish. If you plan to use one, allow time for collection and return. Arrangements may change, so check the latest visitor information in advance.
The Centro Cultural Can Sisteré presents a wide range of contemporary art. Its exhibition programme may change; if art is a focus of your trip, check what is currently on offer before your visit.
Paths along the Besòs and viewpoints
The public area of the Parque Fluvial del Besòs in the Santa Coloma De Gramenet section stretches almost five kilometres, from the B-20 bridge, or Can Zam Norte, to the railway bridge in Sant Adrià de Besòs. The park has five hectares of paved paths for walking and cycling; there is a specifically marked cycle path on the left bank. The boundaries of the public area may be updated. Check them again when making specific plans.
A total of 20 access points with ramps and stairs lead to the paved paths. On the left bank, access points from the urban areas of Santa Coloma De Gramenet and Sant Adrià de Besòs lead to the park. If you are looking for a viewpoint rather than a riverside path, the Mirador de la serralada de Marina is on Calle Menorca in the Can Franquesa neighbourhood. From there, views extend across the Vallès and the Serralada Prelitoral.
Art, road safety education and winegrowing
Ecometròpoli offers guided tours of its permanent exhibition, workshops, nature trails in Parc Serralada de Marina and activities at Parc de Mobilitat Sostenible i Educació Viària. At the traffic course, visitors can learn basic traffic rules by riding go-karts and bicycles. As programme availability may vary, check in advance which activities are running on your travel dates.
More than 4,000 vines of four varieties grow at Vinya d'en Sabater in Recinte Torribera: the red varieties are Garnatxa and Garrut, and the white varieties are Pansa and Picapoll. The number of vines and the varieties may change. Guided visits focus on wine tourism and sommellerie; visit dates may also change. If you plan to include a wine tour, check the current offer beforehand.
Discover more destinations: Prats de Lluçanès, Sant Cugat Del Vallès, La Llacuna, Santa Eulália De Riuprimer, Fals, La Floresta, Caldes De Montbui, Castellar Del Riu.
For the overview of the wider area: Barcelona.
