Among the many activities on offer in Barcelona, water sports are a great option. These offer a fun-packed day, the perfect way to escape the summer heat and enjoy the ocean in-between swimming, sunbathing and topping up your tan. Water sport centres are predominantly based around Port Olimpic.

Popular activities here which are suitable for families and all age groups include banana boat rides and kayaking. More adventurous activities available include Jet Ski hire, Windsurfing, Parasailing and Wakeboarding. For the still more adventurous, scuba diving can be arranged – the Mediterranean coast of Spain is rich in good dive sites. Sailing and boat rental are also available to those with experience, there are a good many sailing schools if you are interested in learning. People do surf in Barcelona, and while it is no Hawaii, in winter there is enough surf to attract plenty of people to the water.

One of the beauties of Barcelona as a holiday destination is its flexibility, this is a city where you can combine a hobby such as sailing, wakeboarding or scuba diving with the delights of one of the most cosmopolitan cities on earth. There truly are few cities where you can scuba dive in the morning, visit rich architectural treasures built by Gaudi in the afternoon, and dine in a stylish modern restaurant on world class cuisine in the evening.

Where to Stay

If you wish to do some water sports while you are in Barcelona you may wish to stay in front of the beach.

Close to the Port Olympic and Port Vell (where there is a Marina and plenty of sailing boats) in the quaint former fisherman’s quarter of Barceloneta. Here we offer the Sant Miquel building offering 4 apartments by the beach.

Further along the shore is Poblenou where we offer the Poblenou Beach building with 12 Barcelona beach apartments. The Marquet Beach building in the same neighbourhood has 4 more Barcelona beach apartments.

Back in the centre of the city on the edge of the historical Gothic Quarter and close to las Ramblas is the Colon Building, right next to Barceloneta metro station, where the Gothic Quarter meets the Barceloneta, with 16 Barcelona beach apartments. The Colon Building also boasts a roof deck with a pool with stunning views of the old port and of the sea.

Also see our Barcelona beach apartments section for other interesting rentals by the beach.