BJJ Barcelona | Where to Train: The Complete Guide

If you’ve already searched Google Maps for BJJ in Barcelona, you’ll know that finding somewhere to train isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. Results can be mixed in with MMA gyms and other martial arts clubs, and even once you’ve found the actual BJJ academies, you still need to work out whether they’re open, whether they accept drop-ins, what their current timetable looks like and which classes you can actually attend. So, to save you the headache, here’s what you need to know about where and how to train BJJ in Barcelona.

The BJJ scene in Barcelona

Barcelona has a particularly varied BJJ scene. As one of Spain’s largest cities, it has attracted some of the sport’s biggest international affiliations, but it’s the independent academies spread across the city that give much of Barcelona’s Jiu-Jitsu scene its own character.

There’s also something distinctly Barcelona about training here. Academies are spread across neighbourhoods including Eixample, Gràcia and Sant Martí, and you can even train beside the Mediterranean at Port Olímpic. The city has an active competition scene and plenty of both gi and no-gi training, with some academies adapting their schedules towards more no-gi during Barcelona’s hotter summer months.

Three excellent examples of that independent BJJ culture are Gullo Jiu-Jitsu, Circle Academy and Coragem Jiu Jitsu. Each has developed its own approach and community, and together they offer visiting grapplers three quite different ways to experience Jiu-Jitsu in Barcelona.

There are plenty of academies to explore if you’re looking for a permanent home gym. But if you’re visiting Barcelona and want to get some good training in while you’re here, these three are among our favourites to drop into.

Gullo Jiu-Jitsu

Gullo Jiu-Jitsu is led by head coach Raphael Gullo and takes a modern, professional approach to Jiu-Jitsu. The academy offers both gi and no-gi training, with classes for different experience levels and a strong emphasis on high-quality training.

What particularly stands out is the experience away from the mats. The team is extremely friendly and the facilities include a sauna, free coffee and Wi-Fi, making it the kind of gym where you can comfortably stick around after training rather than having to rush out as soon as class finishes.

If you’re visiting Barcelona and have some time to spare, it’s a great place to spend half a day: get a good training session in, recover in the sauna, grab a coffee and hang around before heading back into the city.

You can find everything you need to know about Gullo Jiu-Jitsu and book a drop-in right here.

Circle Academy

Circle Academy is based in Gràcia and is led by Javier Feliubadaló, a fourth-degree BJJ black belt with more than 25 years of experience in martial arts and combat sports.

Javier has a particularly interesting place in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Spain. He was the first BJJ instructor in Spain and has since trained a number of black belts who have gone on to run academies of their own. His approach places an emphasis on technical understanding and adapting instruction to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Circle itself combines serious Jiu-Jitsu training with a strong community atmosphere. The academy caters to everyone from people stepping onto the mats for the first time to competitors, and its Gràcia location makes it particularly convenient if you’re staying around one of Barcelona’s most popular neighbourhoods.

You can find everything you need to know about Circle Academy and book a drop-in right here.

Coragem Barcelona Jiu Jitsu

Coragem Barcelona Jiu Jitsu is led by second-degree black belt Gina Contel and offers both gi and no-gi training, with fundamentals, dedicated no-gi sessions and sparring available throughout the week.

Gina brings extensive competition experience to the academy. She is a three-time IBJJF European Masters 1 Champion, two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and two-time IBJJF World Masters 1 Champion, alongside more than 16 years of international competition experience.

That experience feeds into a structured training environment designed for practitioners across different levels, from white belts through to experienced grapplers. Coragem places a strong emphasis on technical development and progression, with its fundamentals sessions focused on building and refining the core concepts of Jiu-Jitsu.

You can find everything you need to know about Coragem Barcelona Jiu Jitsu and book a drop-in right here.

Can visitors drop into BJJ gyms in Barcelona?

Yes. There are BJJ gyms across Barcelona that welcome visiting grapplers, making it easy to fit some training into a holiday, work trip or longer stay.

Instruction is likely to be in Spanish, but many coaches speak English and will usually be able to translate or explain techniques to you if needed. If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking with the gym before you train.

Barcelona is a large city, so location is worth considering when choosing where to train. Check the gym location and class time together before booking, particularly if you’re fitting a session around sightseeing or other plans.

How to book a BJJ drop-in in Barcelona

Check to see if the gym you want to visit is on DOJOTAP. All gyms listed on DOJOTAP welcome drop-ins, and you can book and pay for your session directly through the platform.

Search Barcelona and enter your dates to see the available gyms and sessions, along with the timetable, drop-in price, location, facilities, uniform policy and other information you need before training.

There’s no need to message the gym beforehand or wait for confirmation that visitors are welcome. If a session is available to book, the gym has made it available for drop-ins. Gullo Jiu-Jitsu, Circle Academy and Coragem Barcelona Jiu Jitsu are all currently available to book through DOJOTAP.

Choose your session, book your drop-in and go train.