Barcelona

Salt spray hitting the bow of a sloop just past Port Olímpic is my favorite way to start any morning in Catalonia. When the thermal wind kicks up off the Mediterranean, the Barcelona skyline transforms from a concrete maze into a jagged wall of Gothic spires and modern monoliths viewed from the rolling deck of a sailboat. As someone who lives for the pull of a tiller and the hiss of a hull cutting through blue water, I look at this city through the wake of a boat. There are 29 tours available here, and every single one of them is currently discounted, making it prime time to cast off. Sailing dominates the local options with 24 choices, complemented by 4 water tours and 1 snorkeling excursion. Why Barcelona Is Perfect for Water Tours # The Catalan coastline serves up reliable afternoon sea breezes and a geography that shelters boats from the harsher northern gales. Out on the water, the chaotic honking of Passeig de Gràcia fades into the rhythmic slap of waves against fiberglass. You get a front-row seat to the Montjuïc hill and the Sagrada Família’s distant towers without dodging a single pedestrian on La Rambla. The Mediterranean basin here gives sailors enough fetch to build up a decent chop, keeping things sporty without requiring offshore gear.