Barcelona from the sea: sailing from Port Olímpic
5 min read
Short answer: all our sailing trips in Barcelona leave from Port Olímpic, the marina on the city’s seafront. Shared trips (up to 9 guests) are the easiest way to try it; private trips suit celebrations; sunset departures are the most popular format, and a private sunset can add live saxophone. This guide explains the port, compares every format and lists what is included, what to wear and what depends on the day. We stay with what we can document: the exact route is decided by the skipper according to wind and traffic, so we do not promise a list of landmarks.
Quick answers
- Where from: Port Olímpic. The Barcelona Sailing Day trips meet at 10 Moll de la Marina; the Charter Low Cost trips at Gate 8–9, mooring 901.
- How big are the groups: shared trips have a maximum of 9 guests (6 on some); private boats carry 6, 8, 9, 11 or 12 depending on the trip.
- How long: 1 hour, 2 hours, or hourly private charters from 1 to 10 hours.
- Drinks: on the Barcelona Sailing Day trips, unlimited beer, wine, cava, soft drinks and water, plus snacks, are included.
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before departure on the listings we checked.
Port Olímpic in a few lines
The port is run by Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (B:SM). Its own page says it has 674 berths for boats of 7 to 30 metres, a harbour office on the Moll de Xaloc and a gastronomic area known as the Balcó Gastronòmic, and it describes itself as having 30 years of history. Tourism guides place it in the Vila Olímpica district, between the Somorrostro and Nova Icària beaches, with the two towers of Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre as its visual landmarks. We did not read an official source for that last part.
Which sailing trip to choose
| You want… | Trip |
|---|---|
| A short first taste, 1 hour, small group | 1-hour shared sailing tour (up to 9) |
| Two hours at sea with other travellers | 2-hour shared sailing tour (up to 9) |
| The sunset in a small shared group | Shared sunset sailing with tapas (up to 9) |
| A shorter sunset in a very small group | Shared sunset sailboat cruise, 6 guests |
| A sunset just for your group | Private sunset sailing (up to 9) |
| Live music at sunset | Private sunset with live saxophone (up to 8) |
| A private sailboat for a small group | Private sailboat for 6, 2 hours |
| Flexible hours, 1 to 10 | Private sailing, hourly (up to 9) |
What is included
On the Barcelona Sailing Day trips, the listing includes unlimited beer, red and white wine and cava, unlimited bottled water and soft drinks, premium snacks (olives, local fuet sausage, quinoa crackers and chips; the sunset trip adds local cheese and grapes), a professional skipper and soft cushions in the cockpit and on the bow. The maximum is 9 guests. Hotel pickup and towels are not included.
On the Charter Low Cost private sailboat for 6, the listing includes a professional crew, fuel and insurance, an open bar of water, soft drinks and beer, appetizers, and a shaded rest area with a sound system. Read each listing: the list changes by trip.
What to wear and bring
The listings recommend dressing for the weather, because it is often cooler at sea than in the city, and bringing a swimming costume and towel in summer if you want to swim. They also ask you not to wear high heels or shoes with black soles, which can damage the boat’s deck. Sun protection and a light layer are worth bringing at any time of year.
Sunset trips: what depends on the day
The sunset time changes through the year, so the departure time changes with it: the calendar of the sunset trip shows departures from the afternoon (16:00, 16:30, 17:00 and later). We do not give a fixed time. If the sea or the wind is not safe, the crew decides; check the cancellation conditions on each listing before you book.
A private trip for a group
If you are celebrating something, a private boat means your own pace and your own playlist. The private sunset sailing is for up to 9 guests and lasts 2 hours; the live saxophone version takes up to 8. For a longer day, the hourly private sailing lets you choose from 1 to 10 hours, and larger boats exist for 11 and 12 guests.
For the neighbourhood, restaurants and how to get there, read the Barcelona guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the trips leave from?
From Port Olímpic. The exact point (Moll de la Marina or Gate 8–9) is on each listing.
Is the open bar included?
On the Barcelona Sailing Day trips, yes, with snacks. Check each listing for the list.
Shared or private?
Shared trips are the simplest way to try it; private ones suit celebrations or groups that want their own pace.
What time is the sunset trip?
It changes through the year; the calendar shows the departures available.
Can I swim?
The listings mention bringing a swimming costume in summer; confirm with the skipper on the day.
Which landmarks will we see?
It depends on the route chosen on the day. We cannot promise a list.
Can I cancel?
Free up to 24 hours before departure on the listings we checked.
Sources
- B:SM · Port Olímpic.
- Our trip descriptions: 2-hour shared sailing tour, shared sunset sailing, private sunset sailing, private sailboat for 6.
Last checked: 27 October 2026.
