Port Vell in Barcelona

Port Vell in Barcelona was built as a waterfront urban renewal project for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and offers history, waterfront views, museums and other attractions. The city's harbourfront area, once a thriving centre of commerce and business for Barcelona, had become rundown and filled with empty factories and railroad yards. Today, it is a hub of visitor attractions including malls, a giant aquarium and a scenic pedestrian walkway that offers gorgeous, romantic views of the harbour with the ships coming in and departing.

There's so much to do along Port Vell that visitors could easily spend an entire holiday just exploring the shops, restaurants, museums and other attractions in the area. Whether you're here on a romantic outing for 2 or you're with your entire family on your yearly holiday, Port Vell offers plenty of things to keep you excited and occupied, and take your breath away.

Port Vell in Barcelona - one of the highlights of 10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Barcelona and 11 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Barcelona (Read all about Barcelona here)

What are the highlights of Port Vell in Barcelona?

Highlights of Port Vell in Barcelona include everything from shopping and dining to historic landmarks, scenic viewpoints, animal encounters, nightlife where you can party into the morning and Hollywood blockbusters. It starts with a long, romantic walk along the waterfront where you can enjoy the sight of fishing, merchant and tour boats coming in and out all day long. You can book a cruise to get out on the waters and see the city in an entirely different way. You can also head for the Maremagnum mall with its dozens of stores, bars and restaurants and a multiplex cinema with IMAX capabilities.

You can also head for one of Europe's largest aquariums with 11 sharks and 8,000 fish encompassing hundreds of species. Finally, head to the Moll de la Fusta to see public art installations by Roy Lichtenstein, or visit the old harbour warehouse to learn about the port's historic past.

A brief history of Port Vell in Barcelona

Port Vell was first established in some form around the 1st century CE, when the Roman Empire founded the Barcelona colony on the site and opened the port to merchant trade, which is when the city began to flourish. By the late Middle Ages, the city found itself in the middle of the conflicts resulting from the Crusades, and at the same time became a vital trading port between the Christian West and the Islamic East, making it among the greatest maritime powers in the Mediterranean.

Construction on the dock began in 1477, and it was expanded, renovated and improved over the years, eventually being taken over by the local Board of Public Works that ran the docks until 1978. Throughout the '80s, it was subject to urban decay until just before the 1992 Olympics when an urban renewal project turned it into a vital destination for visitors.

What else is good to know about Port Vell in Barcelona?

Port Vell in Barcelona is an exceptionally safe place to visit as it is heavily geared towards visitors and offers an appealing way to explore the city's cultural scene. It was completely renovated and remodelled specifically for this purpose before the 1992 Olympic Games so that visitors to the city could enjoy its scenic waterfront area. You can enjoy a bit of everything here from shopping and dining to sports or just walks. It passes through several points of interest, from a Columbus monument to historic locations and the Royal Shipyards. Bring your walking shoes because you'll be moving a lot throughout the day.

Most of the port is flat and easy to navigate, making it a good choice for people with disabilities or who need mobility assistance. The waterfront tour boats are economical and affordable and offer a unique way to see Barcelona from the water.

Location: Barcelona, Spain

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