Detailed review by jeffjen
jeffjen
United Kingdom93%
The Port Vell area of Barcelona is one that has benefitted greatly from its major upgrade for the 1992 Olympics. Before the Olympics it was a run down harbour with old warehouses and industrial buildings, but was then transformed into an attractive bustling port and entertainment centre which housed the 1992 Olympic Village and also opens the city up to the sea.
Crossing a wooden pedestrian bridge (the Rambla de Mar) which was constructed to join the entertainment complex to the city, is quite a scenic walkway, giving great views out over the port. The bridge is an attractive looking construction, with its unusual shapes and may be moved in order to allow boats to pass through. The space it occupies used to be the old commercial dock.
The port is a hive of activity, with a variety of boats and ships coming and going. There are also one or two comtemporary floating sculptures on the water.
Majestic looking cruise liners dock here also and from the bridge you have a good view of the cable cars which cross back and forth up above. Something I would not venture upon having a fear of heights as I do!
A series of little boats called 'Golondrinas' take visitors through the dock on fun excursions.
Leaving the bridge, you then are facing the large entertainment complex, Maremagnum with its shops, restaurants, IMAX movie theatre and the Aquarium.
The shopping centre is on two levels with one of the entrances overlooking the port. Access to the upper level can be gained from an outdoor escalator which takes you conveniently up to Starbucks. The outside covered seating area of the coffee shop gives lovely views out over the port and is a nice place to sit and relax after shopping.
Inside is the usual assortment of shops, boutiques etc with some familiar shops such as H&M, Game and Claire's Accessories, alongside Spanish vendors and restaurants/cafes. There is also a small chocolate shop which is expensive but has some lovely unique chocolates and gifts such as chocolate candles.
Take any English guided trip to Barcelona and they will proudly announce that there is still a C&A store in Barcelona, which there is. Be warned however, that you will not find it in this shopping centre, it is nearer to the top of La Rambla than the bottom. I only mention this as on two separate visits now have came across visitors looking for C&A at Maremagnum.
Outside the shopping centre you will find the Aquarium with one of the largest varieties of habitats and sea species in Europe. Thousands of specimens are to be seen in its 21 main tanks. It's most interesting attraction probably being the shark tunnel.
Adjacent to the Aquarium you will find the IMAX Movie Theatre with its three projection screens: the Omnimax screen, the flat IMAX and the 3D IMAX for which spectators use 3D glasses.
Before leaving Maremagnum and heading back over the bridge you may notice a real size reproduction of the Ictineo Submarine on a grassed area.
The history of the Ictineo Submarine goes back to the height of Romanticism, when Narcis Monturiol believed that, as Julio Verne also did, that the deep waters of the sea were accessible. The Ictineo II was completed in 1859, one of the first submarines in history. Not only was the submarine a technological feat in those days, but was also typical of a group of people who stood out in the flourishing Barcelona in the mid 19th century.
Crossing back over the bridge you will cross a busy road which leads to the bottom of La Rambla. A square with a very high monument of Christopher Colombus dominates this area, with Colombus standing at the top of a 58m column, his arm outstretched and pointing.
Contrary to what some people think, Colombus is not actually pointing in the direction of America. If we followed the direction of his arm, it would actually be necessary to travel completely round the earth to arrive in America! Colombus is actually pointing in the direction where he thought the new route was to India and China.
The statue is impressive and an elevator allows you to access a viewpoint under the feet of the statue, which gives impressive views of Port Vell and the city.
Port Vell and Maremagnum is an ideal place to visit after a stroll down La Rambla to the southern end. The views over the port are stunning when you visit this area. There are plenty places to eat and drink in Port Vell, but it is also just a couple of minutes walk from La Rambla where there is an abundance of bars and restaurants.
Marina Port Vell10
