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Departing from the Port Vell and Barceloneta waterfront, boat trips around Barcelona offer visitors a chance to see the city and its coastline from the water, ranging from short harbour cruises to longer sailing excursions along the Catalan shore. A variety of operators run from the old harbour, using vessels that include the traditional Golondrinas pleasure boats, which have carried passengers around the port since the late nineteenth century, alongside modern catamarans, sailing yachts and speedboats. The shortest trips circle the harbour and breakwaters, giving views of the marina, the cable car, the Montjuic hill and the waterfront skyline, while longer cruises head out along the coast past the city beaches, the Olympic port and the Forum district. Sailing and catamaran excursions typically include time offshore with the option to swim, and many run sunset departures with drinks and music on board, popular for the views of the city silhouetted against the evening sky. Some operators offer themed cruises, including jazz and tapas evenings, private charters and eco-friendly electric or wind-powered sailings that emphasise a quiet, low-impact experience. The trips provide a different perspective on Barcelona's relationship with the Mediterranean, a connection central to the city's history as a major port and trading hub. Departures cluster around the Port Vell, within easy walking distance of the aquarium, the Maremagnum centre, the Barceloneta beaches and the Gothic Quarter, making a boat trip easy to combine with a day exploring the waterfront. Tickets can be booked in advance online or purchased at the harbourside kiosks, and trips run most frequently during the warmer months, though harbour cruises operate throughout much of the year, weather permitting, drawing both tourists and locals seeking time on the water across the seasons of the calendar. Private charters and group bookings can be arranged, and the harbourside departure points make a trip easy to combine with the aquarium, the beaches and the Gothic Quarter during a day on the waterfront throughout the year.