Best Marinas in Europe

By Peter14 mins read

Europe is a continent with wonderful sailing destinations and a rich natural and cultural heritage. The majority of European marinas are well-equipped and provide numerous services and facilities for sailors. In this article, I’m going to give you a list of the best European marinas, their characteristics, and some other details. So, in case your starting point is in Europe or you’re cruising overseas and want to visit some of the best European marinas, stay with me here and continue reading this article!

Best Marinas in Spain

Port Adriano, Mallorca: The wonderful Port Adriano marina is situated in the capital of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca. Port Adriano is considered an expensive area that’s why it offers high-end amenities and services for sailboats. You can find many luxurious hotels, restaurants, bars, and events as well as water-based activities. The marina can accommodate up to 500 moorings from 6 to 100m long.
Ibiza Magna, Ibiza: Another luxurious marina on our list is Ibiza Magna. A famous place for its nightlife, bars, and clubs. If you’re a party animal and looking for some noise then you should definitely moor in Ibiza Magna. In the marina, you’ll see mega-yachts up to 60m long and you can benefit from a plethora of high-end services.
Puerto Banus, Marbella: The marina is surrounded by the Sierra de Marbella mountain range and by many sandy beaches. Furthermore, you can enjoy the wide range of facilities offered in the port and of course visit the Old Town, the botanical garden, Nueva Andalucia area, and the historical district of Las Chapas. The surface area of the marina is 15 hectares and has slips for sailboats and yachts from 8 to 50m long. It’s definitely a huge luxurious complex that attracts wealthy customers from all over the world.

Marina Port Vell Barcelona, Spain, Europe

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Best Marinas in Italy

Marina di Loano: The marina is situated in the Riviera di Ponente in a small Ligurian village. The village is popular for its local food, small alleys, and dazzling beaches. The marina hosts more than 800 sailboats 6 to 77m long and is well-protected in case of extreme weather conditions. Moreover, the marina offers 24/7 mooring assistance, watersport activities, local tavernas, etc.
Marina di San Lorenzo: Again on the Ligurian coast, the marina of San Lorenzo al Mare is located southwest of Genoa. It’s a small and picturesque commune for those looking for relaxing and avoid crowded places. The marina has berths for boats up to 40 meters and guarantees mooring assistance 24 hours. Moreover, all basic services and amenities are provided as well as friendly personnel that will welcome you upon your arrival.
Marina di Portofino: It’s one of the most popular marinas in the Mediterranean. The marina is surrounded by a natural cove and wonderful mountainous scenery. It’s located in the center of Portofino village which is considered to be one of the best dolce vita locations in Italy. The marina has 14 mooring places for sailboats and mega-yachts and provides water, fuel, electricity, among others.
Marina di Punta Ala, Tuscany: The marina is located in the Italian town of Castiglione Della Pescaia. It’s in the province of Grosseto, in the Tuscany region, and offers a wide range of tourist activities. Moreover, in case you’re a watersport lover, there’s also the possibility of enjoying scuba diving, canoe, kayak, and others. In addition, Punta Ala is one of the most elegant touristic centers in Tuscany’s Maremma and has several hotels, villas, restaurants, and shops.

Marina di Punta Ala, Tuscany, Italy, Europe — Marina di Punta Ala, Tuscany, Italy

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Best Marinas in Portugal

Vilamoura Marina: This marina has been awarded the title of best Portuguese marina of 2019. The marina was the pioneer in Portugal and is the largest marina with 825 berths. Furthermore, it has a professional sail training center, a boatyard, and a marina quay.
Lagos Marina: Lagos marina has also received several awards because of its excellent facilities and quality services. It sits along the margin of the Bensafrim river in the port city of Lagos. Don’t forget to stroll around the city’s old town, do sightseeing and taste local Portuguese dishes. The marina has 462 mooring places, ensures surveillance, and provides medical assistance if needed. The city of Lagos is definitely worth-visiting as you can find anything you’re looking for. Relaxing or partying, nature or sightseeing, tours in the city, or even hiking, then this is the place to be!
Portimao Marina: You’ll be amazed at how many mega-yachts you’ll see when you arrive there! The majority of sailboats in this marina are more than 50m in length. The destination is in Rio Arade’s estuary and has the most spectacular beaches in Europe. Furthermore, Portimao has a beautiful boardwalk by the sea, several activities, and small local tavernas. The marina has enough manoeuvering space, a big entrance and it’s protected from any harsh winds.

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Best Marinas in Croatia

Marina Punat, Krk Island: The small town of Punat is on the Southwestern coast of Krk island. This marina is the oldest marina in Croatia and is considered to be the main location of nautical tourism in the Adriatic sea. The marina offers a wide range of services, maintenance, repair, and has the benefit of being in one of the most beautiful Adriatic islands. Don’t miss sailing around Krk island and exploring the surrounding reefs and islets! The marina has 800 berths for sailboats up to 45m and 400 berths for sailboats up to 10m.
Marina Kornati: Marina Kornati is nearby the cities of Zadar and Šibenik and is a perfect location if you’re a nature lover. This is because you’re close enough to the National Parks of Krka and Kornati as well as to the Vransko lake and the Telascica Nature Park. The Kornati marina is one of the largest yacht clubs in North Dalmatia. Finally, the marina has a capacity of 750 berths, top-quality services, and is listed as an environmentally friendly marina.
D-Marin Dalmacija: The marina is in the center of Sukošan and gives you the opportunity to explore the Šibenik archipelago as well as the city of Zadar. Sukošan is near the islands of Ugljan and Pašman and is separated from the Zadar Strait. Keep in mind that you might encounter strong sea currents and jugo while sailing through the Zadar Strait. It has a capacity of 1200 wet berths and 300 dry berths for boats up to 40 m and even super-yachts up to 80m long. The depth at the entrance is between 5 to 8 meters, however, in the central part of the bay ranges change from 3 to 8m.

Best Marinas in the Baltic Sea

Aarøsund Marina, Denmark: This location is really worth visiting! The marina has idyllic scenery and a wonderful view of the island of Aarø, the Little Belt, and Haderslev Fjord. It’s basically a small harbor, with some local restaurants, a hotel, some shops in a tranquil natural location. The marina has 180 berths, a slipway, and a shipyard.
Egå Marina, Denmark: If you’re looking to moor in a quiet but cozy marina and enjoy some water-based activities you should visit Egå Marina. It’s nearby the Egå river and the Strandparken area. The marina provides basic services and facilities. However, the relaxing atmosphere of the city will certainly fulfill your needs!
Aker Brygge Marina, Norway: In the middle of Oslo’s most vibrant area, in the heart of the capital, lies Aker Brygge Marina. Aker Brygge Marina consists of a 100 meter long and 15-meter wide pier that leads out to a 160-meter long promenade pier. Here you can dock the boat, for a day or an entire summer. The marina is the most well-equipped in Oslo and offers many activities such as a sauna, kayak, and a guided tour to the Fjords.
Strömstad Marina, Sweden: This marina has 129 small and large berths and can also function as a guest harbor during the summer. The marina is located in the quiet Kebalviken area just 500m north of Strömstad center. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then this is the place to be. The maximum length of sailboats the marina can accommodate is from 0 to 65m long. It’s definitely a quiet location in the Baltic sea with an organized marina that offers tranquility and a good starting point to explore the surrounding islets with your sailboat or with a local guide.