Barcelona Port Vell and adjacent beaches

If you head to Barcelona, ​​it would be a sin not to see the port and the adjacent beaches (see also complete overview of all beaches a ports in the city).

The best way to Port Vell city harbor is from the city center to the famous La Rambla, at the end of which you will find Columbus Monument, connecting the Rambla de Mar bridge and the beginning of Port Vell. 

A commercial complex in Port Vell

The construction of the port itself was started just before the Olympic Games in 1992 as part of the urbanization program to transform the city. Until then, there were only abandoned factories, warehouses and railway stations. Today, on the other hand, Port Vell is a place for walks, culture, but also shopping.

The port is one of the places I love in Barcelona - if it's nice, there's nothing better than buying an ice cream or something to drink, just sitting somewhere in the port, looking out to sea and watching the port chirp. 

The sea in Barcelona and the World Trade Center in the background

Lots of attractions, but also a shopping center

The port is located on the border Barri Gotic district a Barceloneta district and in addition to classic marinas, it also abounds in green areas with elements of modern street art. Right next to the port, it reaches up to the sky tall monument with a statue of Christopher Columbus (Mirador de Colom) pointing to the open sea.

The monument is located at the very end of the famous street La Rambla. The famous discoverer of America enjoyed high honors here, as evidenced by the fact that he was knighted. Although many people do not know this, there is an elevator inside the monument that will take you all the way to the top, from where there is a nice view of the local harbor (and not only it). 

Not far from the Columbus statue you will find Las Golondrinas cruise ship berth. Sailing is a great activity, especially for families with children. 

Las Golondrinas boat mooring

Barcelona's main port je an important transport hub, therefore you will also see huge ocean liners here, ferries and other ships waiting to sail.

It is also part of the port complex Maremagnum shopping center (website) with lots of shops, bars, restaurants and marine aquarium containing more than 8 fish and more than 000 sharks. The interesting thing is that this complex is located on a kind of artificial peninsula, which can be reached unconventionally even after long suspension bridge (Rambla de Mar).

Due to the high concentration of tourists, a variety of street vendors have recently started to congregate on the bridge, who will force you to buy guaranteed original handbags, glasses, jewelry and other trinkets despite the ubiquitous bans on street sales. You better avoid them because according to the law you can also be fined if you buy anything from them…

 
Suspension bridge to the Maremagnum shopping center

A major attraction of the port is i local cable car - "Port Cable Car" (or also Aeri del Port). You can see this anywhere in the port, if you look up, you will see the crimson red cabins of this means of transport in the sky. 

Cable car from the harbor to Montjuic hill in Barcelona

The cable car itself will take you from the harbor to the foot of Montjuïc a if you like adrenaline experiences, I definitely recommend this pastime. It all starts with the elevator taking you up to a tower several tens of meters high, which serves as an entry and exit station. Afterwards, the employees of the cable car quickly herd you into a cabin that can accommodate up to 20 passengers. There are no seats in the cabin, so you have to stand for the entire ride, which doesn't really matter because at least you have a good view of the city and all its sights. It's definitely an interesting experience if you don't suffer from a fear of heights.

Buy tickets for the red cable car and explore the harbor from above >

Don't miss the beaches!

Barcelona's beaches are a chapter in themselves. You will find several of them here and you will be pleased with all of them pleasant fine sand.

The advantage of the beaches in Barcelona is that from center they find really a bit so if you sights get bored, there is nothing easier than sitting on metro or bus and move somewhere to the beach. Here you can relax by the sea or sit in one of the beach restaurants.

Beaches in Barcelona

If you go to the beaches from Port Vell, you need to head north from the Columbus Monument along the water and you will arrive at the site after approximately 15-20 minutes of walking. The whole thing can be sped up if you have a pro moving around the city on a rented bike.

TIP: If you don't know which beach to choose, look at my article where I have a map along with descriptions of all the beaches in the city. 

If you drive further, to the end of the beaches from the north, you can come across a number of interesting buildings. Of those, it is worth mentioning, for example urban study Forum (which includes, among other things, the super natural science museum NAT) or perhaps giant solar power plant (La pérgola photovoltaica del Fòrum). And even if you don't like the buildings, nothing beats a walk on the beach and the splashing sea...  

Barcelona's beaches offer fine sand

If you prefer sunbathing, you can choose from several famous beaches. You can try, for example, Platja de Sant Sebastián in the La Barceloneta district, not far from the port.

Unfortunately, the sea right in the city is not exactly an example of transparency, nevertheless it is enough for bathing and provides pleasant refreshment and opportunities to stretch your body by swimming. In the suburbs of Barcelona or in her surroundings you will find the opposite the sea cleaner and bluer throughout.

Barcelona's beaches are excellently equipped for all kinds of leisure activities - you will often come across publicly accessible outdoor fitness equipment, volleyball nets or table tennis tables. If you're a fan of running like me and take your running shoes with you everywhere, definitely head here. You won't be alone - the beaches are a popular destination for both local and cross-country runners just jogging or training on the the annual Barcelona Marathon. 

If you enjoy swimming without a swimsuit, head to the nudist part of La Mar Bella beach, which is located in the northern part of Barcelona's beaches. 

Olympic Port (Port Olimpic) and in the background a fish by Frank Gehry

Barcelona's beaches are lined with bars and restaurants offering refreshments and refreshments. The beach is often lined with vendors offering almost everything from massages to henna tattoos and jewelry to food and drink. As elsewhere in the city, nor on the beaches don't stop being vigilant and always guard your belongings - tourists on local beaches, especially those in the Barceloneta area closest to the center, are a frequent target local thieves. 

You can enjoy yourself in Barcelona amount of water activities, windsurfing, water skiing and other activities included.