The Olympic Marina: Now a Grand Seaside Promenade
Olympic Port of Barcelona: what to see and do
Created for the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona's Olympic Port has undergone a major transformation. Today, it's a popular spot for seaside strolls, enjoying the beaches, the marina, dining at restaurants, and engaging in water activities.
At a glance
The Olympic Port of Barcelona at a glance
| Official Name | Port Olímpic |
|---|---|
| Type | Marina and Seaside Promenade |
| Neighborhood | Vila Olímpica del Poblenou |
| Must-See Attractions | Marina, Moll de Mestral, Balcó Gastronòmic, Gehry's Fish |
| Beaches | Somorrostro and Nova Icària |
| Perfect for | Stroll, beach, restaurants, sailing |
| Ideal Duration | 2 to 4 hours |
| Best Time | Late afternoon and early evening |
| Nearby | Barceloneta, Poblenou, Parc de la Ciutadella |
| Official Website | Port Olímpic Barcelona |
The Must-Sees of the New Waterfront
What to See at the Olympic Port?
The marina is no longer just about boats. Its recent renovation has transformed it into a true seaside promenade with new public spaces, restaurants, water activities, and several iconic landmarks along the Barcelona coastline.
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The marina
The basin remains the heart of the site. Sailboats, pleasure boats, and nautical activities give this part of the waterfront a very different atmosphere from Port Vell.
© Canaan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Moll de Mestral
The Moll de Mestral is one of the most pleasant areas of the new port. The promenade is widely open to the sea, offering a peaceful walk between the docks and the newly developed spaces.
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Balcó Gastronòmic
The Balcó Gastronòmic is the new space dedicated to the port's restaurants. Situated by the sea, it brings together various culinary offerings in a setting entirely focused on the Mediterranean.
© Miguel Discart, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frank Gehry's Fish
The grand Golden Fish by Frank Gehry remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the waterfront. This monumental sculpture is located at the foot of the Hotel Arts.
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Somorrostro Beach
To the west of the marina, Somorrostro Beach naturally extends the promenade towards Barceloneta. Wide and lively, it easily complements your visit.
© dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nova Icària Beach
On the other hand, Nova Icària Beach is generally quieter and favored by families. It starts almost at the level of the marina.
Come in the late afternoon.
Start with a stroll along the docks, take a detour to the beach or Gehry's Fish, then finish with a drink or dinner by the sea.
This is probably the best time to enjoy the light, the Mediterranean, and the atmosphere of the new waterfront.
Stroll along the Mediterranean
A walk between Barceloneta and Poblenou
The port is located in the middle of one of the most beautiful walking routes along the Barcelona coastline.
Barceloneta → Somorrostro Beach → Olympic Port → Nova Icària Beach → Poblenou
This walk allows you to discover several facets of the waterfront: the old maritime district of Barceloneta, urban beaches, the Olympic marina, and finally the more contemporary coastline of Poblenou.
Continuing towards Nova Icària and then Bogatell, the walk can easily take up half a day.
DimiTalen, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Passeig Marítim in Barceloneta
Palm trees, walkers, and beach seen from the promenade, with the W Hotel at the end of the sand.
What's Changed
The New Olympic Port
The area has been extensively redeveloped in recent years.
The project is not just about modernizing the marina: it primarily aims to better connect the port with the city and the sea.
The new site is now organized around four main themes:
- public spaces;
- nautical activities;
- gastronomy;
- blue economy.
Walkways more open to the sea
The quays have been redesigned to facilitate walking and offer more viewpoints of the Mediterranean.
A marina more focused on nautical activities
Sailing, regattas, and water sports now play a central role in the identity of the place.
A new gastronomic offering
The Balcó Gastronòmic has replaced much of the former bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is now more oriented towards dining, strolling, and the seaside rather than the nightlife that once characterized the area.
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Moll de Gregal at Night
The renovated quays lit up, the masts of the sailboats, and the two illuminated towers in the background.
Dining with a View of the Mediterranean
Where to Eat Near the Olympic Port?
The main dining area today is the Balcó Gastronòmic.
Located directly facing the sea, it brings together several establishments offering Mediterranean cuisines, fish, seafood, grills, cafés, and simpler options.
The real appeal is being able to have lunch or dinner by the water, in a part of the waterfront that has become much more pleasant after its renovation.
For more options, simply head towards Barceloneta or Poblenou.
For more information: Restaurants in Barcelona
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sailboats docked in the marina
The aligned masts of the basin, seen from the Moll de Marina on a sunny morning.
Two beaches on either side of the marina
The beaches around the Olympic Port
The port is located exactly between two beaches, making it very easy to combine a stroll with a swim.
Somorrostro Beach
To the west, Somorrostro Beach extends the coastline towards Barceloneta. It is wide, lively, and very popular during the summer months.
Nova Icària Beach
To the east, Nova Icària generally offers a calmer atmosphere. It is particularly appreciated by families and allows for an easy continuation of the walk towards Bogatell and Poblenou.
Also, check out our comprehensive guide to the beaches of Barcelona.
© dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nova Icària seen from above
The beach, its breakwaters, and to the left, the marina and the two towers, photographed by drone.
Enjoy the Mediterranean
Water activities
Nautical activities are now one of the main attractions of the new waterfront.
The marina hosts various sea-related activities:
- sailing,
- boat trips,
- water sports,
- regattas and competitions,
- berth rentals.
Even if you don't engage in water sports, this ongoing activity greatly contributes to the atmosphere of the place.
© Harvey Barrison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Two sailboats offshore
Under sail in front of the Olympic Port, with the red channel buoy in the foreground.
Sleep by the Sea
Where to Stay Near the Olympic Port?
Staying in this area allows you to be close to the beaches while remaining relatively near the center of Barcelona.
The Vila Olímpica is the most straightforward choice for staying in the immediate vicinity of the marina and Nova Icària.
Barceloneta is more suitable if you want to stay close to Port Vell and the historic center, while still having easy access to the beaches.
Further east, Poblenou offers a more residential atmosphere and more accommodations around Bogatell and Mar Bella.
To compare the best options, check out our selection of hotels near the beaches of Barcelona.
© dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Olympic waterfront seen from above
Somorrostro Beach, the marina, and the towers of the Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre from the sea.
Understanding the Different Port Areas
The Main Ports of Barcelona
Barcelona boasts several port areas with very different uses.
© Barcelona.com
Port Vell
Port Vell is the historic and tourist old port, located between Las Ramblas and Barceloneta. It's a popular spot for strolling, visiting the Aquarium, Maremagnum, museums, and admiring the boats.
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Olympic Port
The Olympic Port is the marina on the waterfront created for the 1992 Games. Surrounded by beaches, it is now primarily focused on strolling, sailing, and gastronomy.
© Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cruise Port
The cruise port welcomes large cruise ships and their passengers, primarily at Moll Adossat. It operates under a very different logic: terminals, boarding, transfers, and stopovers.
All Ports
Which Port in Barcelona Are You Looking For?
Port Vell, the Olympic Port, and the cruise port serve very different purposes.
Continue along the coastline
What to see around the Olympic Port?
The Olympic Port is ideally located for continuing your stroll towards several neighborhoods of Barcelona and major waterfront attractions.
© Barcelona.com
Barceloneta
To the west, Barceloneta invites you to continue your stroll to its historic maritime district and Port Vell.
© Barcelona.com
Parc de la Ciutadella
Located just behind the Vila Olímpica, the Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the main green spaces in the heart of Barcelona.
Nicolas Vigier, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Poblenou
In the east, Poblenou presents a very different face of Barcelona: a former industrial district that has become one of the city's most dynamic areas.
© Barcelona.com
Arc de Triomf
Heading up from the Vila Olímpica and the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Arc de Triomf naturally leads you towards the city center.
FAQ
FAQ - Port Olímpic de Barcelona
The main points of interest are the marina, Moll de Mestral, Balcó Gastronòmic, Frank Gehry's Fish, and the beaches of Somorrostro and Nova Icària.
Yes, especially if you enjoy seaside walks. The area has changed a lot and is now a pleasant stop between Barceloneta and Poblenou.
The marina is located between Somorrostro Beach, on the Barceloneta side, and Nova Icària Beach, on the Poblenou side.
Not directly in the marina itself, but two beaches are easily accessible on either side: Somorrostro and Nova Icària.
The Balcó Gastronòmic is now the main dining area in the region, directly facing the sea.
The Gehry Fish is a large golden metal sculpture created by Frank Gehry for the Olympic waterfront. It is located at the foot of the Hotel Arts.
No. Port Vell is the historic old port, near Las Ramblas, while the Olympic Port is a marina created for the 1992 Games, further east along the beaches.
Yes, especially around the restaurants and the waterfront. However, its current identity is much more focused on strolling, gastronomy, and nautical activities than on the old nightclubs in the area.