Cruise aboard Lo Blauet

Cruising along the Ebro in a boat carrying just eleven passengers offers a particularly close-up way to discover Tortosa and its river. The Cruise aboard Lo Blauet is a 60-minute guided journey combining the city’s historic riverfront, its bridges and the natural landscapes that emerge as the urban scenery gives way to riverside woodland.

Over approximately 8 kilometres, heritage and nature alternate along the banks of the Ebro. From the water, you can admire some of Tortosa’s major landmarks, discover the history of river navigation and approach Illa de la Xiquina. In addition, Lo Blauet’s small size and maximum capacity of 11 passengers make this a small-group experience.

Cruise aboard Lo Blauet: Tortosa from the Ebro

The cruise begins in Tortosa and offers an opportunity to see the city from what was, for centuries, one of its main communication routes. The river played a fundamental role in transporting people and goods and contributed significantly to the city’s economic development.

During the journey, the guide uses the landscape visible from the boat to explain this close relationship between Tortosa and the Ebro. In this way, the cruise is more than simply a boat trip: it is also an opportunity to interpret the city from a different perspective.

From the water, you can see the State Bridge and some of the most distinctive landmarks along Tortosa’s historic riverfront. These include the Episcopal Palace, the Cathedral of Santa Maria and La Suda Castle, rising above the city.

From the historic riverfront to riverside woodland

As Lo Blauet moves away from the city centre, the landscape gradually begins to change. The cruise continues towards Illa de la Xiquina, where riverside vegetation becomes increasingly prominent, creating a clear contrast with historic Tortosa behind you.

In this way, a single experience takes you from views of the city’s historic skyline to a landscape dominated by trees, riverside vegetation and the waters of the Ebro.

Other structures that form part of the river’s contemporary landscape also appear along the route, including the Red Bridge on the Greenway and the Mil·lenari Bridge. Therefore, the cruise reveals different aspects of the relationship between Tortosa and the Ebro, from historic heritage to the bridges of the modern city.

Llaguts, towpath workers and the history of the river

An important part of the experience is discovering how people once navigated the Ebro. For centuries, traditional cargo boats known as llaguts transported goods along the river, while towpath workers played an essential role in this system of navigation.

The guide also explains the history of the towpath, helping visitors understand why the Ebro was so important to trade in Tortosa and other riverside communities.

In fact, seeing the city from a boat makes this history particularly easy to understand. The same river that today offers an opportunity to enjoy the landscape was once a major route for transport and communication.

Discovering nature from the water

The transition from the city to riverside habitats also provides opportunities to observe the biodiversity associated with the Ebro. Depending on the season and conditions on the day, different species of aquatic and riverside birds may be spotted during the cruise.

Grey herons, moorhens, egrets and kingfishers are among the species that may appear along the route. At certain times of the year, other wildlife associated with the river ecosystem may also be observed.

However, these are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed. This also means that every journey along the river can offer something different.

Finally, the Cruise aboard Lo Blauet brings together several aspects of the Ebro landscape in just one hour: Tortosa seen from the water, the history of river navigation, the city’s major landmarks and the natural surroundings of Illa de la Xiquina.

Practical information

Cruise calendar
Please check availability and departure times.

Duration
60 minutes.

Distance
Approximately 8 km.

Capacity
Maximum 11 passengers.

Price
€15 per passenger.

What is included?
Cruise along the Ebro aboard Lo Blauet, with guided commentary on Tortosa, river navigation, local heritage and the natural environment along the route.