Here’s a nice edit from various 2012 footage the kids of FTC have shot in Barcelona. You can understand by yourself why BCN became the most prolific city for European skateboarding so far.

Featuring Winkle, Jabari Pendleton, Lucas Erlebach, James Capps, Yoshiaki Toeda, Javier Sarmiento, Mateo, and Raul Valencia Carrasco. Filmed and edited by Ando N. for FTC. 

What would you answer if I ask you what does skateboarding mean to you? I mean, in its wider acceptation? I guess the answers I’ll receive would include obviously fun, riding with friends and making new ones, the hype of tricks, finding new spots or skating the dopest, the meaning of being somewhat rebellious against the constrictions of society, arts involved in it, graphics, photography and filming, music, never mind if you’re an hardcore rat or an electro dog, the cultural behavior. And, well, possibly more, of course.

Now do this – substitute the word “skateboarding” in the beginning of this sentence with “Barcelona”. You’ll be surprised as in fact, the two match almost perfectly. Maybe is for this reason – or even, this could be the cause – that Barcelona is absolutely the most skated European city and surely one of the most influent of the worldwide skateboarding culture.
In any case, you got the point: BCN is linked to skateboarding as your rubber sole is linked to grip during ollies.

Being the most populous city of Catalonia (second in Spain after Madrid and also Europe’s largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast accordingly to Wikipedia), Barcelona has to offer anything you’ll searching for the definitive skate trip in old Europe. I had the luck – or more the will – to take a trip there in this hot end of June, with the aim of, obviously, document the skateboarding scene, but also without forgetting the essence of the city itself, the old city center, Gaudi’s masterpieces, the amazing architecture, and the people too. I’m pretty satisfied with the result, then. This is what I found unpacking my baggage – enjoy the read, it’s all based on my personal opinion, so don’t mind if you don’t agree – we’ll be glad to read your story too if you have one! (info@candiesmagazine.com)

MACBA: this is the very first place where my trip started. In Plaça Angels, deep in the Raval District, the “Museu d’Art Contemporani de BArcelona” is for sure the most skated spot in the whole city, and can also be considered the meeting point for youth and kids willing to take a drink in the near bars, chilling, or visiting the shops and boutique near the area. Skate on the front of the museum, on the granite curbs and ledges, or challenging your buddies in a game of s.k.a.t.e. on the flat ground. Going on the courtyard you can find a massive stair set, some benches, and other funny urban structure.

This spot is usually filled up with skaters from late afternoon to night. When you’re tired of skating, take a walk in the near area, full of boutiques owned by young people D.I.Y.-ing their stuffs by hands.
Uhm, the museum is sick, too. I liked it very much, for its art pieces and also for its architecture, it’s worth seeing it! Plus, it’s super cheap, like 6 € with university card!

Placa de la Universitat: take a quick walk from MACBA to Pl. de Catalunya and head to this super famous skate spot. Challenge yourself nose-manualing these huge granite benches. Better skate here during night, due to the amount of people (and cops) during daytime.

Paralel: head a bit West or ride the underground to Paral.lel to skate this spot and the Jardins des Tres Xemeneies (the Three Chimney, you can see it from the Port too).This spot is in pure BCN style: a sick architecture that makes you wonder what the hell was thinking when they designed it. Seems popped out straight from a skate videogames (like the whole city, by the way).Chill in the garden under the trees trying nollie to nose manual flip out of the massive banks, or take a tour in the area on these strange concrete structures.Summer afternoon are super hot in BCN, being this spot covered by trees allows you to skate a bit also in the hottest hours.

Barceloneta: kicks down to the port, pass the Colombo Statue at the end of La Rambla and head East towards Marina. Defining this just a spot will be reductive: in fact there are several miles of skateable terrain. On the walkway you’ll find easy banks, going straight ahead you’ll reach an area with some palms, with stair set and hand rails, and a massive redbrick structure that looks funny for drop in. But really all the features can’t be described; there are many. Just keep your eyes open exploring it. When you’re done, proceed to the near beaches. It’s just incredible here. Too many miles of sandy beaches, with a bright blue sea, just in front of the city center. Take a swim, chill, or drink some frozen mojito’s in the many chiringuitos. Don’t forget the sun lotion, it may hurts. Swedish bikini girls included in the package.

Arc de Triomf: head a bit North and takes some pics while you’re gapping the pavement in front of the Arc. Some features in the surrounding, a nice spot, where I always found kids skating at any hour.

Sants: let’s move again, this time worth by underground, and drop by the green line on Sants. Another well-known spot, plenty of urban feature: curbs, benches, a little stair set. Being a bit outside of the chaotic town center, this place can give you some hours of pure skateboarding. Head to the near Garden to see the majestic fountain and skate a bit on the marble steps.

Extra Spots: these are just some of the spots of the city, then. Maybe the most known, not necessarily the best one for your skating. There is really plenty of urban structures, skated (see it from the wax almost everywhere) or still to be discovered (I doubt it, but well, why not?). It will be so good to visit the city with your decks and stop sessioning where you and your friends will find something nice. A lot of spot are located also outside the city center, so an underground ride of a couple of stops will deserve the cause. I never went to any skateparks, but there are some outside the urban area. Really I donnow anything about it, so if you plan to get there ask a bit in order to avoid wasting time.

Arts and Must-See: my advice here is short – avoid stuffs overcrowded with tourists. I get quite mad about it due to the mess and the time wasted. For Gaudì, the best to me was Casa Batlò. Super. Other famous are Casa Pedrera and Parc Guell, I don’t liked them so much as the first. If you like modern-contemporary art you’ll feel like home in BCN. Plenty of it. Just walk around and stops in the many museums or art shops. Take a walk in the old city center and the Boqueria market for a different – more true – experience.

Your Travel: Barcelona is an international metropolis, so basically you just need your loaded credit card and passport to survive. It’s more to make your stay good without wasting money, I guess. To me was about finding a cheap hotel in the Barrio Gotico (plenty of it, is the oldest district, deep in the city center and near anything you may need). El Pratt Airport is like 15 min bus ride away. To eat avoid Ramblas and search for something less touristic in the streets in the surrounding.

Skaters, but generally the people there are super friendly and I found anyone glad to skate, or lead me to spots or giving me hints. Tourist are very welcome in almost any place as far as I have experienced.
For some extra advice just head to the local skate shops, they will be glad to help you ( a special thanks to FTC Skate shop, for this one.)

Nighttime is like, well, dope. You just have to head to the kind of night you’d like, depending on musical taste, and never mind the week day. Razzmatazz (HUGE) and Apolo (don’t miss the super Nasty Mondays) was the best to me, but let’s make your own. Nights are from 01:00 AM towards, no one eat before 01.00 PM and 09:00 PM in the evening.

Policemen I’d say they are “rigorous”. They’re keepin up doing their job. They don’t let you skate on urban structures, so avoid doing it when you see someone around. I’ve been held back two times and I got my backpack frisked both. Basically I guess they’re fighting drugs. But well, they’re doing the job they’re paid for, I never got particular troubles.
English is not spoken\understood everywhere, especially in the less touristic areas. A lot of time I ended up talkin’ Italian, and at the end of the tour I was even able to says some basics in Spanish. But people are friendly and you’ll get the point, for sure.

THANKS: the last – but not the least – goes to all the people I met and helped me out during the trip. In random order, FCT Skate shop (5 min from the Macba, don’t miss this one for any info you may need on the city. Full of quality skate apparel, too. Calle Notariat 5, http://ftcsf.com/news/bcn/) thanks for all the support and infos! Enrico Gorrea, Jacopo, Luca, and all the Italian locals for being so friendly, for being in touch, for helping me sessioning and finding spots. I was amazed! Nick Pescetto for the transfer to La Poma (review up soon – appreciated it so much buddy!!) . The Spanish skaters, Raul, David, for the nice time at Macba. All the skaters I met in the spots, from all over Europe everyone was so down to hand and friendly, I’m still stoked. Finally Daniel Lober and Ence for giving me some precious pre-trip advice. I can just say I hope to see anyone of you soon. So much respect.

Guys – now it’s your turn !!! go and FUCK UP BARCELONA!!