The Tour de France Is Coming to Castelldefels This Sunday
For the very first time in history, the world's greatest cycle race rolls right through our Paseo Marítimo. Here's everything you need to know.
Mark your calendars - Sunday 5 July 2026 is going to be a day to remember. The Tour de France, the most famous cycling race on the planet, is passing through our little town of Castelldefels for the very first time in its history...right on our doorstep: the entire Paseo Marítimo is part of the official route.
Whether you're a cycling obsessive or you've never watched a race in your life, this is a genuinely spectacular event to witness live. The colour, the speed, the noise - there's really nothing quite like it. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of the day.
What's Actually Happening?
This is Stage 2 of the 2026 Tour de France, part of the Grand Départ Barcelona - a rare and massive honour that sees the race start on Spanish soil. The stage runs 178 km from Tarragona to Barcelona, hugging the Costa Daurada coastline through towns like Sitges and Garraf before arriving in Castelldefels, then continuing north to Gavà, Viladecans, and finally finishing atop Montjuïc in Barcelona.
Tarragona→Sitges→Castelldefels→Gavà→Barcelona (Montjuïc)
Where Does the Route Go in Castelldefels?
The official route according to the Ajuntament de Castelldefels takes the peloton along the full length of the Paseo Marítimo:
Entry: Port Ginesta
Through: Paseo Marítimo
Exit: Carrer 23, heading towards Barcelona
The race passes Castelldefels at around km 74 of the stage - so the riders are well into race mode but still with plenty of legs for their Montjuïc climb. Expect the peloton to come through fast and tight, probably in one large bunch at this point in the stage.
What Time Should You Be There?
Here are the official timings from the council:
The advice is to get there well before 13:30. The Paseo Marítimo on a sunny July Sunday is already busy at the best of times - with the Tour coming through it'll be absolutely packed. Arriving early means you get a good spot on the barrier.
Don't just come for the riders - the publicity caravan is genuinely fun. Floats, music, freebies flying into the crowd. It's a proper event in itself and passes about 90 minutes before the peloton.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
The Tour de France has been running since 1903 and is watched by around 3.5 billion people worldwide each year. It has never passed through Castelldefels before. The fact that this year's Grand Départ is in Barcelona - and that our little stretch of coastline is part of one of the most watched sporting broadcasts on the planet - is genuinely historic.
Millions of TV viewers around the world will see the Paseo Marítimo, the beach, and Castelldefels Castle on their screens. It's a moment to be proud of, and an experience worth stepping outside for.
After the Race
If you want to keep watching once the riders have gone, the stage finishes in Barcelona with a dramatic triple ascent of Montjuïc - a brutal 1.6 km climb at 9.3% gradient that will decide who takes the yellow jersey. It's unmissable TV. Coverage is on Eurosport.
For more details on events taking place in Castelldefels and surrounding areas, make sure you sign up for the weekly newlsetter - research and written by me, Lisa! See you on the paseo xx
For the latest updates, road closure details, and any last-minute changes, check the Ajuntament de Castelldefels page: castelldefels.org/el-tour-en-castelldefels Information sourced from Ajuntament de Castelldefels and letour.barcelona. Timings are estimates and subject to change - always check official sources on the day.
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