Barcelona: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Catalonia & Champagne

Summary

Early morning flight over Vic city medieval rooftops, Pyrenees views, and Montseny peaks with a pink cava toast

You’ll start before sunrise in Barcelona, riding out to Vic for coffee with your group before lifting off in a hot air balloon above Catalonia’s countryside. With a local guide piloting, you’ll float past medieval towns and snowy peaks before landing for a champagne brunch. It’s quieter than you’d expect — just wind and laughter high above it all.

What’s the experience like?

The van was already humming by the time I climbed in at Plaça de Catalunya — I’d barely finished my coffee, still blinking at the city lights. Our pilot, Jordi, grinned and asked if anyone had flown before. Someone joked about heights; I just tried to act cool. The drive out of Barcelona was quiet except for the odd burst of laughter and that sleepy pre-dawn feeling. We stopped at this tiny Catalan cafeteria near Vic for strong espresso and fresh orange juice (I swear that juice woke me up more than the coffee). The staff there gave us that nod locals do when they see another batch of balloon-chasers.

Then we were suddenly out in the open fields, mist curling over the grass. The balloon crew moved fast — ropes, burners hissing, canvas unfurling like some huge animal waking up. I didn’t expect how gentle takeoff would feel; one second boots on earth, next we’re floating up so quietly it almost felt wrong to talk. Vic’s old town looked like a toy village below us. Jordi pointed out Montseny in the distance — snow-capped even though it was sunny down where we were. He told stories about Catalan masias and how you can sometimes spot wild boar in the fields (we didn’t see any but I kept looking). The air smelled faintly smoky from the burner but mostly just clean and cold.

I think what surprised me most was how peaceful it all felt — just wind, distant dogs barking somewhere far below, everyone whispering without meaning to. At one point someone asked if you could see Barcelona from here on clear days; Jordi nodded and pointed east but honestly I was too busy staring at the Pyrenees and trying not to drop my phone overboard. After about an hour (maybe more? time got weird up there), we drifted down into a field where a farmer waved as if this happened every morning.

We ended up sitting on picnic blankets with pink cava and these little pastries I still think about sometimes — maybe it was just hunger or maybe things really do taste better after floating 900 meters above Catalonia. Everyone got a certificate signed by Jordi (he wrote “bravo!” on mine) before piling back into the van for Barcelona. My hair smelled faintly of smoke all day after but honestly, I kind of liked it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot-air balloon flight near Barcelona

• Meet at Plaza Cataluña in Barcelona
• Optional visit to Hard Rock Café
• Stop at Catalan cafeteria for coffee and snack
• Drive to balloon launch site near Vic city
• Take off and fly over Vic old town and countryside
• Enjoy views of Pyrenees, Montserrat, Mediterranean, Montseny
• Land and have Champagne brunch
• Return to Barcelona city center

Top questions

How long does the hot air balloon ride last?

The flight lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours in the air; longer flights are available if selected.

Is pickup from Barcelona included?

Yes, optional pickup from central Barcelona is available if selected during booking.

Where does the balloon take off?

The launch site is near Vic city, about 30-45 minutes outside Barcelona.

What do you see during the flight?

You’ll see Vic’s old town, Catalan countryside, Montserrat, Montseny mountains, Pyrenees peaks, and sometimes even Barcelona itself depending on visibility.

Is food or drink included?

A light snack is provided before flying; after landing there’s a local brunch with pink cava champagne toast.

How many people are in each balloon?

The shared flight option includes up to 8 passengers per balloon.

Can children join the balloon ride?

Children under age 6 are not allowed to board the hot air balloon.

Are guides multilingual?

The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide depending on your group.

Is this suitable for people with health conditions?

This activity isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day starts with optional pickup from central Barcelona then heads out to Vic for coffee and snacks before your shared hot air balloon flight piloted by a local guide. After drifting over Catalonia’s landscapes for around an hour or more (depending on your chosen option), you’ll land for a celebratory pink cava toast and brunch before returning to Barcelona city center together.