Maritime walk from the Port Vell to the Barceloneta

Though we are in the winter season, the soft temperatures of Barcelona allow us to walk around town without being buried in layers of sweaters and coats. In this article we propose a route that is usually full of tourists in summer for being a gastronomic and cultural hub, but that is just as beautiful in winter. Take advantage of this “daydreamers” tourist’s absence that you won’t have to dodge… The route spreads from Port Vell to the Barceloneta beach, through various essential landmarks. If you are spending a few days or a long term in one of our rental apartments in Barcelona this is a perfect plan for the weekend.

The tour begins in Drassanes, one of the better preserved medieval shipyards from the thirteenth and fourteenth century. During the fourteenth century the building was renovated according to the gothic style and its height was expanded. Before the Spanish Civil War began its conversion into the Museo Marítimo de Barcelona and has been until now. Inside you can find several temporary exhibitions that take advantage of this huge space for artistic purposes, such as the controversial Bodies exhibition, which exhibits real human bodies, or the most recent and famous Titanic, commemorating the centenary of this ship sinking.

We continue this walk in the Moll de la Fusta, a lovely boardwalk that runs along the dock of Barcelona, where luxury boats, yachts and other smaller boats are tied up. The Moll de la Fusta runs parallel to Paseo Colón and invites you to go over it, jogging, skating or cycling. The culmination of this promenade is the statue of Roy Lichtenstein called “The Face of Barcelona”, leaving behind the floating Rambla del Mar that leads us to the mall Maremàgum, the IMAX (3D films are projected in Omnimax and Imax, suitable for the whole family) and L’Aquàrium (aquarium with more Mediterranean species in the world). This footbridge was designed by the architects Helio Piñon and Albert Viaplana. In this department store we also can find a multiplex cinema, dozens of boutiques, ice cream stalls, nightclubs, restaurants and other businesses. It is also located in one of the most beautiful locations throughout the city, with stunning sea views. Furthermore, Maremagnum is open from Monday to Sunday and from 10am to 10pm.

We continue to Paseo de Joan Borbó, known before the year 1993 as the Paseo Nacional. Right at the beginning we find the Museo de Historia de Cataluña, and from its terrace (free access) you can enjoy superb views of the harbour and the city. Moving forward through the “paseo” you will find very busy –specially in summer- restaurants, ice cream shops and supermarkets. The Paseo Joan de Borbó flows into the Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona’s busiest beach as is the closest to the city. On a sunny day you can even walk barefoot on the sand or take a cold beer on a terrace even in winter. If you go from the beach to some narrow street you’ll be walking around the Barceloneta area, the waterfront district where you can eat the best paella and the best tapas of Barcelona.