winter in Barcelona

[lilianroyle]

We were hoping to spend the winter in Barcelona, however Port Vell have told us that they have put us on a waiting list and can't guarantee a place, when pressed they are unwilling to give us an idea of how long the waiting list is. Our boat is 9.5M
Does anyone who knows the marina have an idea of the likelyhood of us getting in if we just turn up, are there alternatives, all suggestions welcome.
Thanks
Pete

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[charles_reed]

It's the standard reply, all along the Spanish coast: - Can't guarantee anything!!

As Port Vell is considerably cheaper than any of the other Barcelone marinas there is an enormous waiting list and you need to be on the list for about 3 years to hope to get a permanent berth. (I investigated this for a friend by actually calling there and examining the list).

You could try just turning up - possession is, after all, 9/10 of the law and I rate your chances of finding a berth in which to overwinter at about 50/50%.

Try Palamos - the marina is fairly empty in winter and well protected with adequate facilities. The town also stays alive in winter.

or L'Escala (La Clota), fairly good marina but the town is utterly dead in winter.

I prefer to stay in France and was paying €453/quarter for a similar size boat in Argéles-s-Mer. The port is dead, but the village is just great in the winter.
There's even a Scrabble club if your preferences are that exotic.

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[mikewilkes]

A lot of people put down a deposit to come back for the winter, some will not appear. Last year it did seem that if you were around then you may manage to get in. Its a great city to over winter in. Palamos we thought was the pits. Port Olympico, kind of next door may be an option if you are a heavy sleeper. Prices going south are cheaper but you pays for what you gets. If you come here at the back end of summer then try hanging around. Torredembarra does not have too many overwintering so may be an option.
Mike

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