For approximately 140 years now, Las Golondrinas has been in the business of providing Barcelona visitors the opportunity to experience this beautiful city from the water. Though the vessels may have evolved throughout the decades, Las Golondrinas’ commitment to sightseeing excellence has remained consistent. While Las Golondrinas offers guests a few different experiences to choose from, their most popular product is a 60-minute cruise that showcases the city’s lovely waterfront, skyline, and architectural landmarks.
History of the Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise
Las Golondrinas traces its history all the way back to 1888; it was during that year’s Barcelona Universal Exposition (Spain’s first World’s Fair) that the company initially began its services. Even today, this long history is reflected in the Las Golondrinas fleet: two of its five vessels are traditional wooden boats capable of carrying a maximum of 150 people across two uncovered floors. The remainder of the Las Golondrinas fleet is rounded out by three modern catamarans that feature amenities like restrooms and a small bar.
Though the 60-minute Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise gets most of the attention, the company also offers a 40-minute guided tour that sticks exclusively to Barcelona’s Port Vell harbor; this excursion usually runs only on weekends. Tickets for either the 60-minute or 40-minute cruise may be purchased as part of a “combo ticket” that also grants the holder admission to the Barcelona Wax Museum or L’Aquàrium de Barcelona.
Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise Highlights
The 60-minute boat cruise departs from Las Golondrinas’ headquarters, which are located in the heart of Barcelona’s Port Vell neighborhood just around the corner from L’Aquàrium de Barcelona and the Barcelona Wax Museum. Your tour will depart from the docks situated almost directly beneath the landmark Columbus Monument.
Once underway, your hour-long Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise will chart the following course: you’ll exit the Port Vell commercial harbor by passing underneath the Porta d’Europa bridge; once you’ve hit open waters, you’ll ride along the coastline; there you can bask in breathtaking views of Barcelona’s beautiful beaches and notable attractions like Sagrada Familia, Torre Glòries, and Vila Olímpica before returning to port with a whole new perspective on the many charms of this fabulous city.
While subject to change, the 60-minute Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise typically runs five times every day: 11:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, and 6:00pm. Kids between the ages of five and ten years old are eligible for discounted admission, as are students and senior citizens. Children under the age of four years old may join the boat cruise free of charge.
More to See and Do on a Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise
Keep reading for even more details about what to expect from your upcoming Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise experience.
*Some tour participants find their boat cruise experience enhanced by listening to an audio guide available from Las Golondrinas. This audio guide costs three euros, and is available in English, Spanish, Catalan, German, French, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, and Portuguese. While the audio guide can be accessed on a smartphone, you’ll need to bring along your own headphones or earbuds.
*One crucial thing to keep in mind as you’re planning your Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise: the weather. If the weather turns inclement on the day your cruise is scheduled, it’s quite possible the tour will be delayed or cancelled altogether. For more information in the face of these conditions, you’ll want to be in touch with Las Golondrinas directly.
*Many individuals interested in going on the 60-minute Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise decide to do so by using a Barcelona tourist pass. A Barcelona tourist pass can be a convenient way to save time and money while sightseeing here; in addition to covering the cost of your Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise ticket, it’ll get you in the door at many of Barcelona’s most popular museums, historic sites, and tourist attractions.
*A good rule of thumb for any boat ride is to dress in layers. Even if the day is quite warm, it can feel significantly cooler out when you’re cruising along the open water. When in doubt, bring along a sweatshirt you can throw on if you get a bit chilly during your Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise.
Why a Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise Should Be on Your Must-Do List
The history of Barcelona is inseparable from the history of its waterfront; given the importance of the Mediterranean to the city—the port has played a tremendous role in shaping Barcelona’s rich past, and its harbor and beaches remain significant attractions today—it’s difficult to imagine planning a visit here and not making time to include (at the very least) a sightseeing cruise. As a result, Las Golondrinas Boat Cruise makes for a worthwhile addition to any Barcelona tourist intinerary.