Planning your America’s Cup Barcelona Experience
ARE YOU COMING TO THE BARCELONA AMERICA'S CUP?
The America’s Cup is considered one of the most important sailing competitions in the world… And in 2024 it’s coming to Barcelona! Are you going to miss it? It’ll be a once in a lifetime experience! And in this post you’ll find everything you need to plan a seamless trip around the event.
In 1851m a yatch called America and designed to be the fastest of its kind, won an international race around the Isle of Wight (England). The American vessel arrived over 20 minutes before the rest of the (British) participants, apparently the signal-master announcing to the Queen of England that “there was no second” when asked who was behind the leader. The sentence has become since then the motto of the race, now considered the oldest continuous international sport competition.
All about the America's Cup in Barcelona
1
When?
Barcelona America's Cup Louis Vuitton will be the 37th edition of the race. The previous edition took place in 2021 in New Zealand and was won by Emirates Team New Zealand (representing the Royal New Zealand Yatch Squadron) and they'll be the Defenders of the Cup in 2024, friendly challenged by their rivals, the Royal Yatcht Squadron Racing Ltd - the current Challenger of Record. Preliminary regattas have already taken place in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Vilanova i la Geltru (Barcelona, Spain) in 2023.
Now it’s Barcelona’s turn to host the event August through October, from the preliminary regattas to the new women and youth editions, all as first-to-seven-wins match-race series.
CALENDAR
- Preliminary Regatta: August 20 to 25
- Round Robin: August 29 to September 11
- Semi Finals: September 14 to 26
- Finals: September 26 to October 7
- Match Race Final: October 12 to 27
- Youth America’s Cup: September 10 to 26
- Women’s America’s Cups: September 28 to October 13
2
Where?
The Cup activities will be concentrated along the most central area of the Barcelona waterfront, from the Port Vell Marinas and the Barceloneta beaches to the Olympic Village.
Race Village: Port Vell – Moll de la Fusta area
Youth & Women’s America’s Cup: Olympic Village Marina
Fanzones and Giant Screens:
- Port Vell : Moll de la Fusta
- Barceloneta District: Breakwater behind the W hotel, Sant Miquel beach in front of Plaça del Mar and Platja de la Barceloneta near the corner of Pepe Rubianes street with Passeig Maritim)
- Olympic Village Marina: breakwater at the end of Marina street.
Teams headquarters:
- Emirates Team New Zealand: Moll de Barcelona
- NYC American Magic. Moll Nou, passed the Cable Car tower.
- Ineos Britannia. Plaça de l’Ictineo
- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Moll de Llevant
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Moll d’Espanya
- Orient Express Racing Team. Moll de Ponent
America’s Cup Experience: Moll d’Espanya
3
How to watch the races?
There’s several ways to watch the America’s Cup Barcelona Edition:
- From the giant screens at the Fanzones.
- From the beaches of Sant Sebastia, Sant Miquel, Barceloneta and Somorrostro. The races will be taking place in front of them.
- From ships run by authorized tour operators.
- From your own private ship – there will be dedicated watch areas for small vessels and yatches around the race perimeter. We recommend to book your boat rental (Barcelona, Spain) ASAP, as ship availability is likely to sell out fast for the race dates.
4
Where to stay during the Barcelona America's Cup
Our recommendation is to stay close to the marinas and the beaches, so your best bet is to book a hotel near the Port Vell or in the Barceloneta District. Or if you prefer to be a bit more off the beaten path and you are mostly interested in the Youth and Women competitions (and you have a strong budget), the luxury hotels next to the Olympic Village marina will be your best bet. But don't worry, we get you covered! We've compiled a list of our top picks and we've disclosed what is near them, so you can choose wisely and according to your top priorities. Enjoy!
| CATEGORY | Hotel | Close to: |
|---|---|---|
| 5* GL | W Hotel | Fanzone, Luna Rossa, NYC American Magic |
| 5* GL | Eurostars Grand Marina | Emirates Team New Zealand |
| 5* GL | The Serras | Race Village, Fanzone |
| 5* GL | Arts Ritz-Carlton | Fanzone, Youth & Women's Cup |
| 5* | Sofitel Skipper | Fanzone, Youth & Women's Cup |
| 5* | Soho House | Race Village, Fanzone |
| 4* Superior | Duquesa de Cardona | Race Village, Fanzone |
| 4* Superior | H10 Port Vell | Race Village, Ineos Britannia, America's Cup Experience |
| 4* | Catalonia Port | Race Village, Fanzone |
| 4* | Medinacelli | Race Village, Fanzone |
| 3* | Hesperia Barri Gotic | Race Village, Fanzone |
| 3* | 54 Barceloneta | Fanzone |
5
Where to eat
NEAR THE RACE VILLAGE
- For Spanish food: Amaya, La Fonda
- For tapas: Grill Room Bar Thonet, Sensi Tapas, Bar La Plata, Bar Celta
- For paella: 7 Portes, Merendero de la Mari, La Gavina
- For fish: Carballeira
- Vegetarian friendly: The Green Spot, Honest Greens
- Rooftop bars: Duquesa de Cardona Rooftop, The Serras Rooftop
NEAR THE BEACHES
- For paella: Can Majo, Barraca, Ca la Nuri Platja, Mana 75
- For tapas: Bodega Iberia
- For Mediterranean food: Barceloneta, Torre de Alta Mar, Peix Vela, Agua
- Vegetarian Friendly: Honest Greens Barceloneta, Buenas Migas
6
Sightseeing in the area
AMERICA’S CUP EXPERIENCE
No true fan should miss the official exhibition center of the 37th America’s Cup Barcelona 2024! A unique experience taking you on a trip through the history of the race, its rules, the competing teams… You’ll also learn about the state of the art technology that allows their vessels to almost fly over the water at raging speeds. The visit is packed with immersive activities and simulators that will make you feel almost like you are in the middle of the race. And the most thrilling part will be viewing the “One hell of a battle” movie projected over the largest screen of Spain – the Imax.
MORE THINGS TO DO NEARBY
- Maritime museum. A walk through the history of navigation. The museum is located inside the medieval shipyards and it features among other a real size replica of a Royal Galley from the 1500’s.
- Saint Eulalia schooner. 100 year old sailboat stationed in Moll de la Fusta and opened to visits run by the Maritime Museum.
- Aquarium. Walk on a glass tunnel under the sharks tank!
- La Rambla. The most famous boulevard in Barcelona, home to the amazing Boqueria Market, the Wax Museum, Gaudi’s Palau Güell and many other city landmarks (but the restaurants along the street are mostly tourist traps to avoid!).
- Gothic Quarter. The historical area of the city comprising the Cathedral, the Jewish Section and many scenic plazas and alleys.
- Born District. Another medieval neighborhood of Barcelona famous for the Picasso Museum, the Santa Maria del Mar church and its many quaint cafes and trendy shops.
- Sagrada Familia church. Ok, NOT specifically in the area but it’d be a sin to leave Barcelona without visiting the inside. Your once-in-a-life-time America’s Cup experience won’t be the same if you miss this mind-blowing building that should be top of your bucket list.
7
How to get there
FROM THE AIRPORT
- Train or airport shuttle to Plaça Catalunya, then taxi or public transportation.
- Taxi
- Private transfer (ask us!)
SUBWAY
- L3 (green line). The Drassanes station located at the end of La Rambla is close to the Race Village, the Emirates Team New Zealand headquarters and a Fanzone with giant screens.
- L4 (yellow line). The Barceloneta station is also within walking distance from the Race Village and its fanzone, as well as the Ineos Britannia headquarters and the America’s Cup Experience. And from there you can walk or take buses to the beach fanzones. The Ciutadella – Vila Olimpica station takes you near the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup and the Fanzone in the Marina street breakwater.
Are you attending the Barcelona America's Cup?
Marta
Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.
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