One of the hottest spots to moor a yacht this summer is the Spanish coastal city of Barcelona. Baroque Yachts finds out why it’s so popular
Barcelona has been Europe’s super yacht hotspot for the past year, and it looks as if it’s going to be a hot contender in summer 2017 as well. There are plenty of reasons why this beautiful port city is being chosen by yacht owners and those who are chartering super yachts for the summer months – it’s a stunning city, and it’s close to numerous exquisite destinations, both those in Catalan waters and the breathtaking Balearic Islands.
Barcelona’s port has been recently redeveloped and now provides a variety of state-of-the-at mooring facilities for visitors and their yachts right in the center of the waterfront. There are 10 marinas in Barcelona in all, offering at least 8,000 berths. The price of mooring your yacht in this city is comparable to mooring in any of the French ports, which is another reason the Spanish city is becoming so popular. And the city itself is another reason to moor here.
Barcelona is beautiful, and mooring your yacht in its marinas, including the stunning, centrally located OneOcean Port Vell, which caters to large yachts as well as smaller vessels, offers an opportunity to explore what is known as one of the most charming cities in Europe, with its many cultural and artistic treasures.
While Monte Carlo and the French Riviera will always be extremely popular, the Spanish have one thing going for them – they know how to party with abandon. And that’s another reason Barcelona is becoming such a hotspot, not only for those enjoying summer vacations on a luxury yacht, but for those travelling by air or road to get there.
The city boasts nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven of which are properties created by genius Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi to honor his exceptional, creative contribution to architecture and building technology in the 19th and 20th Centuries. This distinctive Spanish city offers a world of discovery that includes an artistic legacy not only from the likes of Gaudi but also from famous artists through the ages such as Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Maria Fortuny, Ramon Casas and Antoni Tapies.
The city is also renowned for its superb cuisine, and there are at least 23 Michelin star restaurants to be found there. It is also known for its lively street parties, food revelries and spectacular events. In fact, in Barcelona, every event is an excuse to have a good party.
Aside from OneOcean Port Vell, which is one of the most popular marinas in the Mediterranean because it can accommodate larger super yachts, there’s also Vilanova Grand Marina that can accommodate larger yachts as well.
Of course the cruising grounds close to the city are what makes it such a popular mooring destination. The Balearic Islands, including the most popular ones (Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca), are filled with spectacular beauty, stunning dining opportunities and lots of lively nightlife. Super yachts can also venture further down the Spanish coast. Alternatively, there’s the breathtaking Cote d’Azur and Sardinia just waiting to be discovered.