Why sail from Barcelona
Renowned for its culture, history and lifestyle, Barcelona is an exciting city to begin a sailing holiday. Arranging your yacht charter from one of the city’s ports gives you quick and easy access from any national or international destination — the airport is fifteen minutes from the marina — plus guaranteed entertainment before you set sail. Few charter bases in the Mediterranean let you step off a plane, eat one of the great meals of your year, sleep in a world city and be at sea the following morning.
Before you leave, explore the charming seafront bordering the oldest part of the city, wander the former fishermen’s village of the Barceloneta with its countless seafood restaurants, or follow the winding cobbled streets of the Barri Gòtic.
The ports of Barcelona
There are four ports you can charter from in Barcelona. Marina Port Vell — our base — and the Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona sit next to the city centre; the famous Port Olímpic was built for the sailing competitions of the 1992 Olympic Games; and Port Fòrum lies to the north-east.
Marina Port Vell offers an impressive public space with a wide variety of cultural, sport and leisure activities. Housing the Aquarium, the IMAX, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Maritime Museum, nautical and maritime clubs, and endless tapas and seafood restaurants, Port Vell has you stepping into the local lifestyle from the moment you set foot here.
Where to sail
A weekend from Barcelona
If you plan to sail over a weekend, chartering from any of Barcelona’s ports gives you amazing views of the city — particularly the bustling summer beach life — as you clear the harbour. Sail 35 km south to Sitges and anchor off San Sebastià beach for the night, with the town’s terraces a dinghy-ride away. Sunday, poke into the secluded coves along the Garraf coast on the way back, and be tied up in Port Vell in time for a late tapas lunch. It is one of the most civilised two days on the Spanish coast.
Practical notes
- Season: Year-round from Barcelona for skippered and motor charters; the sailing season proper runs April to October, with July and August peak and Saturday-to-Saturday for monohulls and catamarans.
- Wind: Reliable summer sea breezes from the south-east through the afternoon; the garbí off Barcelona is a gentle, dependable sailing wind. Watch for the tramuntana further north.
- Berthing: Port Vell is a superyacht-grade marina in the city centre — book berths ahead in summer.
- Bareboat: An ICC or equivalent licence and appropriate experience. No licence? Choose a Local Skipper or a fully crewed Hidden Secrets charter.
- Getting here: Barcelona El Prat airport is 15 minutes away; high-speed rail from Madrid, Paris and beyond arrives at Sants, 10 minutes from the marina.
