7 days on a superyacht from Barcelona to Valencia

Meeting your own yacht or chartering a superyacht in Barcelona is great way to start your exploration of Spain’s east coast. This seven-day itinerary from Barcelona to Valencia combines modern architecture with ancient ruins, art with science, shopping and fine dining

Barcelona has two airports and numerous marinas making it extremely accessible. Crowned as the ‘capital of culture,’ the sites are endless. Museums, art galleries, a cathedral, sports stadiums and amazing shopping make up just some on offer.

Leaving Catalonia and moving south into Tarragona you will find the pace of life slows down. Here you will spend your time exploring rocky coves and enjoying an afternoon siesta on one of the sandy beaches. The Roman ruins in Tarragona were named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth the look.

As the cruise meanders further along the Spanish coast and into the vibrant city of Valencia admire the coastline and many sandy coves. Valencia is a popular holiday hotspot with the Spaniards largely due to its rich history. It’s the third largest city in Spain and famous for many things but most interestingly as the birthplace of the Spanish dish Paella.

Day 1: A shopper’s paradise in Barcelona

Moore at the heart of the city at OneOcean Port Vell marina. The marina completed an €80M development at the end 2014 and can accommodate yachts up to 190 metres. From there it’s possible to stroll into town, Las Ramblas is close by. A little further on, perhaps short taxi ride, is the Paseo de Gracia. Stretching from PlacaCatalunya northwards, this beautiful avenue is bordered by some of the most expensive properties in the city.

There is some fabulous architecture and Pere Falques i Urpi’s famously ornate benches and street lights – but many people head here to admire what’s inside these buildings. This is the place in Barcelona to stock up on luxury goods and check out the top designers latest creations.

If you’ve spent too much of your holiday, money already – you could try the La Roca Village where designer goods are sold at outlet prices. And for something really different, seek out some vintage delights in the Raval neighbourhood.

After all this exertion, refuel on tapas at the stylish Boca Grande or for a truly unique dining experience head to Tickets, the brainchild of former elBulli head chef Ferran Adrià.

You won’t be able to take in all that Barcelona has to offer in a day — but here are some not-to-be-missed highlights. Head up to Park Guell, designed by Antoni Gaudi; not only is the park uniquely beautiful, but you get panoramic views over the city. Another of Gaudi’s wonders the SagradaFamilia — his epic cathedral is quite incredible.

It was begun by Gaudi in 1883 (although work had started a year earlier) and it’s not due to be finished until 2026! The is a rare opportunity to see one of the world’s greatest buildings as it’s being constructed. The Museu Picasso, dedicated to this Spanish artist is a wonderful collection of his work, and also a superb location, as it is housed in five adjoining medieval palaces, so the backdrop is almost as impressive as the paintings…

If you would rather do your sight seeing at high speed then contact Drive Me Barcelona to hire a Ferrari to drive around the city. Take in the the views and drive the twisting streets of the old Formula One circuit.

Finish the day with some authentic Catalan food: at El Quim in the lovely Boqueria market off La Rambla you’ll have to queue with the locals for a seat at the bar.

Before leaving Barcelona, you may like to head to one of its beaches — even close to the city you can find some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Then cruise down to Tarragona, this much smaller town is a quiet antidote to full-on Barcelona.

A series of beaches, which nestle among rocky pine-clad headlands offer further rest and relaxation. Later you can stroll up into the town itself and take a seat at a pavement cafe-bar to enjoy a cool drink and perhaps listen to some music.

The Roman (and even more ancient) ruins at Tarragona have been designated a World Heritage Site and it’s easy to see why. Explore the immense Cyclopean walls near the Cuartel de Pilatos – these may well pre-date the Romans. Close to the sea shore you’ll discover the 2nd century amphitheatre, although it has been plundered and used as a quarry in the intervening millennia.

Many houses in the town bear Latin or Phoenician inscriptions, telling of their previous use in more ancient edifices. The cathedral, a mere youngster dating from the 12th/13th centuries combines Romanesque and Gothich styles.

If all this leaves you feeling a little dusty, you could take a wine tour into the nearby Priorat and Monsant wine regions.

A chance to enjoy your yacht; watch the coast slip by from the deck, perhaps have a massage or use all the excellent facilities you don’t usually get the chance to.

Valencia has a long history: it was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC. This means that it now boasts one of the largest historic centres in Spain, covering over 150 acres. Valencia is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations for Spaniards and travellers from abroad due to its rich culture and historic monuments.

Spend the day taking in all its glories: the Museu de Belles Arts de València houses a large collection of paintings from the 14th-18th centuries, including works by Velázquez, El Greco, and Goya; the InstitutValenciàd’Art Modern (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) offers both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and photography.

Valencia: Your last day might be a good opportunity to explore inland a little further. Keen golfers will face a large choice of courses, some designed by ‘Seve’ Ballesteros. Take a stroll at the Parque Natural de la Albufera, a lagoon a few miles outside the city full of birds and fish and a relaxing glimpse of what the coast must have been like when the Romans arrived.

Finish off in town by visiting the stunning gothic old Silk Market, and then pop across the road to the Mercado Central and discover the smells and tastes of the region’s best produce. Bring yourself up to date at the remarkable Ciudad de lasArtes y lasCiencas (City of Arts and Sciences) with amazing contemporary architecture, interactive science exhibits, an IMAX cinema as well as lovely landscaped scenery.