One of the most traditional water excursions you can make in Barcelona is Las Golondrinas. Las Golondrinas is a motorised boat that takes you on a breezy and relaxing trip around Barcelona’s harbour, taking in the sea front and really seeing the city from a completely unique and different perspective.
Las Golondrinas was one of the first ever tourist attractions in Barcelona and water trips have been running here since as far back as 1888. Although the vistas have most certainly changed a great deal since the trips inception. The boat trip was conceived to coincide with a large and famous exhibition that took place in 1888 called the Universal Exposition and the unveiling of the iconic Christopher Columbus monument at the end of Las Ramblas.
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Two available routes
There are two available routes, one that takes in the whole of Barcelona’s harbour including Montjuic, the Tower of the Clock, the active seaport and Maremagnum, which lasts around 40 minutes. And the other, which lasts 90 minutes and which includes the beaches of Barceloneta, the Olympic Port and all the skyline hugging buildings that run alongside the coast, such as Hotel W, locally known as ‘la vela’ (because it looks like a boat’s sail), and unique vistas of the Sagrada Familia.
Las Golondrinas – the traditional boat trip of Barcelona
Enjoy the gentle swell of the ocean
The beauty of Las Golondrinas is that you can sit back and enjoy the gentle swell of the ocean, enjoy a drink and take in a side of Barcelona it is impossible to see on land.
Due to the wonderful Mediterranean climate, Las Golondrinas trips are enjoyable all year round, although warm clothes are recommended from October onwards.
The 45 minute port voyages depart every hour between 11:15 and 16:15; and at 12:30 and 15:30 for the 90-minute coastal trips.
It is possible to book your trip directly via the website which is recommended during busier times and high season, but you can also rock up to the booths at the port and buy your tickets there.
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