cruise ship port barcelona

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Barcelona (Spain)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-04-17 01:19

Port Barcelona cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Barcelona, Spain. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Barcelona cruise port is currently ranked the largest Mediterranean cruise port with turnaround operations (roundtrip itineraries) and the world's 4th busiest. Its harbor area is one of the world's biggest. By population (over 1,6 million) the city is ranked Spain's largest and Europe's 16th largest.

By the metro population (around 5,5 million) it is ranked EU's 6th largest (after Paris , London , Madrid , Ruhr, Milano ). The city is on the Mediterranean Sea, located between the mouths of two rivers (Llobregat and Besos).

IMPORTANT : Since October 22, 2023, cruise vessels are no longer allowed to dock at Muelle Barcelona Norte (northern port, near the World Trade Centre area) and instead are redirected to berth at Moll Adossat Pier (southern port) which was previously utilized by larger cruise companies like NCL-Norwegian , RCI-Royal Caribbean and MSC . As a result, disembarking cruise tourists instead of stepping directly into the city's historic downtown (10-minute walking distance) are transported via shuttle buses (~30 minutes drive distance) from the southern port to access the city center.

Barcelona cruise port

Barcelona Port (locode ESBCN) is ranked Europe's 9th largest containership port by annual traffic.

The Port's area (sized 10 km2 / 4 mi2) is divided into 3 zones - Port Vell, Commercial Port, and Barcelona Free Port ("Zona Franca de Barcelona", industrial/logistics port).

There is an ongoing enlargement project that will double the port's size by diverting the Llobregat river to the south.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - ESBCN
• supported by excellent road, rail, and air infrastructure
• deep harbor water and berths (draft 11,5 m / 38 ft)
• sheltered harbor area
• access unrestricted by tides
• capability to accommodate 9 cruise vessels at a time

Each of the Port's international cruise ship terminals has air conditioning, public phones, lifts and escalators, currency exchange kiosks, duty-free shops, gift/souvenir shops, cafe-restaurant, taxi rank, bus shuttle to downtown.

The cruise port is accessible the whole year round - 24/7, 365 days a tear.

The best vantage points to observe the cruise port's traffic are the cable car (connecting La Barceloneta neighborhood, Ciutat Vella district), the Ferry Station and the Montjuic Castle.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Barcelona in the early morning (4, 5, 6, 7, 9 am) and in the early afternoon (at 1, 2, 2:30 pm) and depart from Barcelona in the late afternoon or in the evening (at 5, 6, 7, 8:30, 10 pm).

Port Barcelona's cruise operations contribute to the city's economy (as revenues) around EUR 796 million (USD 900M) annually. The cruise port adds EUR 413 million (USD 467M) annually to Catalonia's GDP (gross domestic product). This industry also supports 6760 local jobs and generates EUR 152 million (USD 172M) in government taxes. Each cruise vessel in Barcelona generates on average EUR 1 million (USD 1,13M) in sales, contributes EUR 0,5 million (USD 565,417) to Catalonia's GDP, and generates EUR 0,2 million (USD 226,131) in Gov taxes.

In 2014, at its 6 existing cruise terminals, the seaport handled 764 ship calls and over 2,36 million passengers, with an economic impact of EUR 257 million (spent on restaurants, bars, visiting museums, churches, also on transportation and city shopping). On February 5, 2014, Royal Caribbean announced that for the summer 2015 season the Allure of the Seas ship will be based in Europe and homeported in Barcelona. Starting May 24, the Allure's program had 25 voyages with a repeating 7-night round-trip itinerary visiting the ports of Palma de Mallorca , Marseille , La Spezia, Civitavecchia-Rome, Naples. Right after the RCI's announcement, the Barcelona Port announced its estimation for the Allure's additional 158000 passengers and expected spending of around EUR 17,5 million in the city.

On July 23, 2015, Carnival Corporation announced its agreement with Barcelona Port Authority to invest over EUR 46 million in building a second (private) cruise terminal at Moll Adossat (read more in the "Terminal" section). The facility was opened on May 5, 2018. On September 13, 2015, the cruise port had its day record for cruise tourists, handling a total of 26,770 passengers on 4 cruise ships visiting the port in a single day. These were the vessels Norwegian Epic , Nieuw Amsterdam , Vision OTS and Allure OTS .

Port's cruise passenger growth in the period 2010-2015 was as follows: 2010 (2,350264 million, growth of 9,06%), 2011 (2,658691 million, growth of 13,06%), 2012 (2,408618 million, -9,4%), 2013 (2,599363 million, growth of 7,9%), 2014 (2,364292, -9%), 2015 (2,540302 million, growth of 7,4%).

The port ended 2015 with more turnaround passengers (embarking in Barcelona) reporting 3,7+ million (a 7% increase). The number included regular ferry passengers (~1,1 million) and cruise ship passengers (~2,54 million). The biggest increase in passengers concerned those leaving on ships using Barcelona as a turnaround port (where the itinerary begins and ends). In 2015, the cruise port posted its highest-ever number of handled passengers (2,5+ million). In terms of home-ported ships, Barcelona was ranked Europe's second - following Port Venice .

In November 2016, Port Barcelona presented its "Air Quality Improvement Plan" - an initiative aiming to reduce bad emissions from port activities. The document involved 25 actions rolled out in 53 operations. Among the most representative actions are promoting the LNG fuel (liquefied natural gas) as an alternative for both marine vessels and road freighters. The policy offers discounts for cleaner ships and replacing the Port's service fleet with electric vehicles. According to statistics, port activities produce 7,6% of the city's average NOx concentrations annually and 1,5% of the fine particulates. Promoting LNG-powered ships , terminal machinery and trucks is one of the plan's highlights. LNG fuel cuts NOx emissions by 80% and eliminates soot, particles and SOx emissions. The environmental discounts are on port fees. Currently, the law allows a max 5% port fee discount for environmental reasons.

For season 2019, the cruise port had scheduled a total of 830 ship calls with estimated 3,2 million tourists.

In May 2021, MSC Cruises signed a deal for building an exclusive (for MSC ships only) terminal in Port Barcelona. The facility will be operated under a 31-year concession, includes an MSC investment of ~EUR 33 million (~USD 40,2M) and is planned for completion and inauguration in 2024.

In June 2022 the Port announced that starting in 2023, all visiting cruise ship tourists will pay an additional EUR 3 (12+ hours stay) and EUR 1 (fewer than 12 hours stay). The new port fees are added to the existing EUR 1,75 per person and are usually included in the cruise fares listed upon booking. For comparison, since 2019, Port Marghera-Venice charges EUR 10 port fee.

Port Barcelona statistics

FY2018 (fiscal) was a record year with significant growth in various sectors. Port's main trade is with China. Around 25% of all TEUs (containers shipped on large box ships ) passing through the port start or end in China. In 2018 also increased the shipping trade with Algeria (+45%), USA (+18%), India (+4,4%), Mexico (+12,6%), Vietnam (+27,5%), Thailand (+18,7%), Egypt (+14%). "Motorways of the Sea" (Mediterranean routes connecting to Italy and North Africa) goods shipping volumes increased 7%.

These Mediterranean lines connect Barcelona to the ports Civitavecchia-Rome , Genoa (Milan) , Savona , Livorno-Florence , Porto Torres (Sardinia Island) , Tangier (Morocco) , Algiers (Algeria) and La Goulette-Tunis .

• Liquid bulk (mainly hydrocarbons) grew 5,2% (to 15,2 million tons), LNG +3%, gasoline +12,6%, Biofuels +34,8%. Dry bulk cargo decreased 4,7%. Vehicle shipping decreased 3% (to 810,218 units). The port handled a total of 262,379 TEUs (+7,7%). Port's rail traffic increased 13,3%. Car transport by rail increased 11% (to 263,900 units).
• In 2018, the port handled total 4,4 million passengers (8,6% increase), including 1,4 million ferry (+2%) and 3 million cruise (+12%). Turnaround passengers grew 16%. Day-passengers grew 8%. Low-season cruisers increased 17% and were ~44% of all cruise passengers.

For 2018, Port Barcelona reported 4% increase in net turnover - EUR 173,5 million (USD 198 million), 8% increase in profit - EUR 53,7 million (USD 61,3 million) and 4% increase in cash flow - EUR 102,5 million (USD 117 million).

APM Terminals (global container terminal operator) operates under the concession port's container terminal. In 2019, APM Terminals Barcelona invested ~EUR 47 million in equipment (29x new straddle carriers/trucks, 2x new Super PostPanamax gantry cranes, 1x Reefer Rack with refrigerated container plugs) to improve terminal's efficiency and productivity. Also in 2019 APM increased terminal's reefer (refrigerated TEU-container) capacity by 31% (to a total of 632 reefer connections) and launched online real-time TEU tracking (on its website).

Cruise itineraries to and from Barcelona Spain

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Barcelona:

• Mediterranean itineraries on cruises out of Barcelona port visit the largest ports of Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey. Feature destinations are also the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera (coastal regions with top-luxury resorts).
• The most commonly operated are 7-day round-trips. One-way itineraries from Barcelona end up in Civitavecchia-Rome , Genoa , Piraeus-Athens , Venice , Istanbul .
• Most of the Canary Islands itineraries leaving roundtrip from Barcelona also visit North Africa (Morocco) and Funchal (Madeira Island) often combined with other ports in Spain and Portugal.
• Short-break (Mini Cruises) from Barcelona to Genoa are 2-nights / 3-days long. They are operated by MSC Cruises ships and visit Marseille France .
• Among the most visited Mediterranean island ports are Mallorca, Sicily, Corsica, Malta, Sardinia.
• World Cruises from Barcelona are offered mainly by Costa Cruises ships. The itineraries are usually eastbound (via Suez Canal ) and visit ports in Southeast Asia, South Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), South America.

Ship relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) are one-way itineraries from Barcelona to the largest ports of the UK, Holland, Denmark, as well as to the Canary Islands. Eastbound routes (transiting the Suez Canal) may end up in ports in Asia ( Dubai , Singapore , Hong Kong ) and even in Australia ( Sydney NSW ) on longer "around the world" itinerary segments.

Westbound Transatlantic crossings (on ship relocations out of Barcelona) are offered in the Fall (starting in late September - early October through the end of November). Among the special destinations that may be visited is Bermuda. The disembarkation could be in NYC New York, in some of the large Florida ports, also in Bridgetown (Barbados) , Fort de France (Martinique) , even in Havana (Cuba) . The longest Transatlantic cruises out of Barcelona are on Costa ships repositioning from Europe to South America. They offer disembarkation in either Brazil ( Rio De Janeiro , Santos-Sao Paulo ) or Argentina ( Buenos Aires ).

Barcelona cruise terminal

Port Barcelona has a total of 8 cruise ship terminals, 4 ferry terminals, and 2 large yacht marinas. There are restaurants and cafes at most of the terminals.

(NEW) Catalonia Cruise Terminal G (Royal Caribbean)

In January 2024,  RCG/Royal Caribbean Group became the solitary contender/only bidder for Barcelona Port's newest Cruise Terminal G. The bid was placed by the consortium "Catalonia Cruise Terminal G" including RCG and CTI/Cruise Terminals International Ltd (2022-founded, London England UK-based company that owns, develops and manages cruise port infrastructure).

The approval for Terminal G was granted in April 2024.

RCG will co-fund the project (total budget EUR 85 million/USD 92M), start the construction works, and also will be the managing company of Terminal G, scheduled for completion/inauguration in 2027-Q1.

The modern facility encompasses an area of 54000 m2 (581250 ft2) including a dock/quay with length 450 m (1476 ft), which allows berthing for the world's most colossal cruise vessels .

Initially, three companies - NCL/Norwegian ,  Viking OCEAN  and  Virgin Voyages - planned to participate in the bidding process. However, as the process resumed, Royal Caribbean remained the sole bidder.

One of the tender's stipulations was that the partner/participating entity could not hold a controlling interest in Terminal G.

Until 2024, through its subsidiary Creuers del Port de Barcelona, RCG held a 38% stake in Barcelona Port Investment - the entity that manages Barcelona's cruise terminals A, B, and C (at Adossat Dock), along with World Trade Center's two terminals. The remaining 62% were owned by the Turkish company Global Ports Holding/GPH. Since 2023, GPH is the sole proprietor of Creuers del Port de Barcelona's shares as RCG opted to divest its stake (38%) to ensure compliance with the Terminal G tender's conditions.

(NEW) MSC Cruise Terminal

In May 2021, MSC was approved to build an exclusive (for MSC Cruises ships only) terminal.

The facility will be operated under a 31-year concession (2024 through 2055), sized 11670 m2 (125620 ft2) and designed by Ricardo Bofill.

The new MSC Cruise Terminal project is budgeted ~EUR 33 million (~USD 40,2M).

Construction works started in June 2021, with planned completion and inauguration in 2024.

Port Vell (Maremagnum) cruise terminal "M" (Old Port Barcelona)

The Port Vell port complex includes a fishing port, 2 yacht marinas, 1 cruise ship terminal, ferry terminal. Terminal M ("Maremagnum", near the World Trade Center) is for both ferry and cruise vessels. It has 3 small piers - named "South Pier" (S), "North Pier" (N) and "East Pier" (E). All terminals are designed to serve smaller ships. Their location is near the World Trade Center (which has a dedicated cruise parking area) and the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel.

The Maremagnum terminal (aka "Port Vell terminal") is the port's smallest and the most central as location. The terminal is a short walking distance from the old city. The walking distance from here to La Ramblas street is some 10 min. There is a tour bus stopping at Portal de la Pau (at the harbor's end of Las Ramblas).

The Port Vell area has the Maremagnum (shopping mall, nightlife complex), the IMAX Port Vell (cinema complex) and the famous Aquarium Barcelona (with over 8000 fishes and 11 sharks kept in 22 seawater basins).

Moll Adossat Pier (Palacruceros) cruise terminal

At Adossat Pier are located 4 terminals - at berth A, berth B, berth C, berth D (Palacruceros). They have the biggest distance from downtown. Here berth most (including the largest) cruise ships. This dock handles over 85% of the visiting ships. There is a blue bus shuttle between the Port and the city center (Las Ramblas).

Moll Adossat Barcelona (or Muelle Adosado in Spanish) is the port's biggest wharf and also the newest cruise terminal. At this long quay can be berthed 4 large vessels simultaneously.

In October 2013 was announced a plan for the expansion of Terminal D and the building of a new Terminal E serving ships with capacity 4500+ passengers.

(NEW) Carnival's "Helix Cruise Center" terminal (Barcelona Adossat)

At the end of April 2017, the world's largest cruise shipping company Carnival Corporation released renderings of its new cruise terminal at Barcelona Adossat. The facility was named "Helix Cruise Center" and inaugurated on May 5, 2018, as Europe's newest passenger terminal.

• The new terminal (cost EUR 46 million / USD 55 million) is designed to handle Carnival's largest ships, among which are the new class LNG-powered vessels .
• The facility is designed by Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, sized 12,500 m2 (134,550 ft2). Paired with an existing facility, it represents Europe's largest (combined) passenger terminal.
• Building's design company is "Battle I Roig". The plans show a modern architectural style featuring straight lines, minimalistic concepts, a contemporary and comfortable environment.
• Construction works officially started in July 2016 and were completed in May 2018.

The new terminal is located at Adossat Wharf. Currently, this berthing is used by 8 of Carnival's all 10 brand companies. The terminal is used as both destination (call port) and homeport (for Barcelona turnaround operations). Carnival expects to handle here 1+ million passengers annually after the opening of the new (2nd) terminal.

This terminal has its own pier-side parking facility (max capacity 300 vehicles) dedicated to embarking passengers.

The new terminal is exclusively used by Carnival Corporation ships (only) as the company was granted with exclusive concession rights to operate the facilities. In addition to the new cruise terminal in Barcelona, Carnival Corporation also operates exclusive terminals at ports Puerta Maya (Cozumel Mexico) , Grand Turk Island , Mahogany Bay (Roatan Island, Honduras) , Amber Cove-Puerta Plata (Dominicana) , Long Beach (California USA) , plus 2 private Caribbean islands (in the Bahamas) - Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays .

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center has two terminals – pier South and pier North. Those terminals provide easy Las Ramblas tours. There is an overflow area at the East berth.

San Bertran cruise terminal

The port's Sant Bertran wharf is a terminal for the ferry and small-sized cruise vessels. It is used for docking of smaller cruise ships only during peak season.

The building's interior size is 2200 m2 (23680 ft2). The wharf's width is only 12 m (40 ft). The berth's length is 255 m (837 ft) allowing max ship length of 220 m (720 ft) and a max draft of 11 m (36 ft).

The distance from San Bertran to the city is 400 m (1310 ft).

Port Barcelona Ferry Terminals

The port has 3 terminals dedicated to ferry shipping traffic:

• Terminal Drassanes is operated by Balearia .
• Terminal Ferry de Barcelona is operated by Trasmediterranea .
• Grimaldi Terminal Barcelona is operated by GNV-Grandi Navi Veloci .

Each of the ferry terminals has a ticket office, air conditioning, public phones, cafe-restaurant, taxi rank, and provides short-term parking for check-in passengers (before embarkation).

Long-term parking is not permitted (only drop-off areas).

Long-term parking is available at the World Trade Center (phone number 0034 93 508 80 62), at Valet Parking Cruceros (phone number 0034 93 511 37 44) and at Parking Viajeros (phone number 0034 618 70 79 70).

The port's ferry terminals are with convenient underground (metro) and bus connections.

• Picasso museum: the best artworks of Picasso.
• Montjuic: see all the city, its countryside and the ocean from a vantage point. There is a good view of the two industrial Barcelona port terminal.
• La Sagrada Familia: Gaudi designed that iconic church in 1883. The building has big doors that show charity, hope, and faith. The towers and the frontage are designed with mosaic work.
• La Rambla: breathtaking promenade which connects the old Barcelona’s heart with Port to Placa de Catalunya. The famous street offers shops, cafes, lively food markets, street performers and here is situated the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the opera theater of Barcelona.
• Palau Guell: a 19th-century palace designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi
• Barri Gotic: enjoy the old-world experience in the narrow pavement streets with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Here you will find the Picasso museum and the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.
• La Pedrera: the last work of Antoni Gaudi before Sagrada Familia was made for Pere Mila Camps, a property developer.
• Barceloneta: situated across Port Vell, an ex-fishing port. Enjoy a clean and sunny beach surrounded by houses in a bright colour. The gamblers can spend some time at the Gran Casino de Barcelona.

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Barcelona - user reviews and comments

Sunshine Seeker

Dream ◇ Create ◇ Travel

Popular categories, barcelona cruise port: a complete guide for first-timers.

By: Charlotte · Last updated 8. February 2024 · In: Spain , Travel

ARE YOU DOCKING IN BARCELONA DURING YOUR CRUISE? Or maybe your cruise departs from Barcelona? Then you’re in for a treat!

Spain has many port cities such as Cartagena and Malaga, but Barcelona cruise port is among the busiest and most popular in Europe. And it’s easy to see why! The port can accommodate some of the largest cruise ships in the world, and it offers a wide range of services and amenities to passengers.

Located just a few miles from the city center, Barcelona cruise port offers easy access to all the sights and attractions of this exciting city. So let’s take a look at how to get around from Barcelona cruise port, the best shore excursions and the top things to do close by.

Everything you need to know about Barcelona Cruise Port in one place!

Article overview

Barcelona Cruise Port map

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Barcelona Cruise Port, or Port de Barcelona in Spanish, is located on the edge of Ciutat Vella, or Barcelona’s old city center. The port has nine terminals, with Terminals A, B, C and D, based at the Adossat Quay, being the most commonly used for cruise ships.

The other terminals are the World Trade Center Dock (North, South and East) and Maremagnum Dock (M) mostly used by smaller Mediterranean cruise ships.

The exact terminal where your ship will dock depends on the size of your ship and the schedule. You can confirm the terminal location with your cruise line or travel agent.

Barcelona Cruise Port is conveniently located within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions. The distance from the port to the city center varies depending on which terminal your ship is docked at.

Moll Adossat is located around 30-40 minutes away on foot from the beginning of La Rambla. While the other terminals are about 10-15 minutes away.

Yes, Barcelona is a walkable city from the cruise port. The city center is easily accessible on foot from all of the terminals if you are in shape.

However, depending on the weather, if you are limited on time or whether you carry luggage or not, it can be better to take advantage of the port bus or private transfer.

Let’s take a closer look at all your options.

Most Popular Shore Excursions

Make the most of your time in Barcelona by booking a shore excursion departing from the cruise port. Whether you are interested in visiting famous landmarks, sampling delicious food and wine, or simply soaking up the local atmosphere, there are plenty of options available to suit every taste and budget. 

This private tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Barcelona who want to see the city’s most iconic sights within a limited time. It includes a visit to the famous Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, Casa Batllo and the lively La Rambla street. You will also get to take in the stunning panoramic views of the city from Montjuic Hill.

Your English-speaking driver will be waiting for you right outside the ship, holding a sign with your name. It doesn’t get more convenient!

Worry-free Shore Excursion: Top Excursions Italy will ensure your timely return to the cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, they will arrange for transportation to the next port of call.

🎫 Check price and availability here >> Barcelona Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

⚠️ If you’re traveling with a larger group of people, I recommend this Barcelona Highlights Private Guided Tour instead. It is not as extensive, but a more affordable option for larger groups.

Explore Barcelona through three unique perspectives: land, sea, and air, on this super fun guided tour .

Start with a walking tour through Passeig de Gràcia where you will see some of the most emblematic buildings of Gaudí, architect of the world-famous Sagrada Familia that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera up to plaça Catalunya and Gothic Quarter.

Then enjoy breathtaking views of the city from above during your helicopter flight and take a boat to enjoy the beautiful skyline, accompanied by your guide. Such a unique and fun tour, and quite affordable for everything that’s included.

You have to make your way to the meeting point at Passatge de la Concepció 8, but the tour ends right back at the Cruise Bus stop, close to the Colombus Monument.

🎫 Check price and availability >> Barcelona Walking, Helicopter & Sailing Tour

Calling my fellow foodies! No trip to Barcelona is complete without trying the city’s delicious tapas and wine. This popular tour takes you to some of the best tapas bars in the city, where you’ll sample a variety of traditional Spanish dishes.

Enjoy typical Spanish vermouth and tapas in a truly authentic wine cellar in the Gothic Quarter. Eat and drink vibrant Spanish flavors in the same bar where Picasso, Lorca, and Dali wrote, painted and argued. Explore the squares, parks, alleyways, and beaches from a local’s perspective. So much fun!

You have to make your way to the meeting point at Plaça de Sant Agustí Vell, 16.

🎫 Check price and availability >> Barcelona Electric Bike Tour Tapas and Wine

Transportation from the cruise port

As a major port city, Barcelona offers several transportation options to and from the cruise port. Here are the best transportation options:

If I haven’t booked a shore excursion, I love having a private driver pick me up right at the cruise port for a hassle-free transfer and to make the most of my limited time.

Not only will the driver help you with your luggage so you can jump right into the airconditioned car, but he will also know exactly where to take you and give you some advice for visiting the city.

Luxury for a very affordable price.

🌟 Check price and availability >> Barcelona Cruise Port Transfer to City Centre

Is it easy to get a taxi from Barcelona cruise port?

All the terminals at Barcelona cruise port have taxi stands, but there are often long lines to catch one. And remember that there will be a surcharge for pier pick-up or drop-off. The last time I was there it came out to about about 10€.

The most affordable way to get to the Barcelona Cruise Port is by using public transportation. The city’s metro system is an affordable and efficient way to get around. You can take the metro from the Drassanes station on the green line, which is located near the port.

To get to the metro station you can take the Cruise Bus service (known as the T3 Port Bus and Blue Bus) offered by the port authority. The buses don’t follow a set timetable, departures are coordinated with the arrival and departure of the cruise ships.

The shuttle bus runs in circles from the port to the Colombus Statue in front of the World Trade Centre and costs €3 per person and €4.5 for a return ticket. From there, you have to walk about 7 minutes to reach the metro station and the beginning of La Rambla.

To continue on by bus you can catch the D20 to the beaches around Barceloneta, or the V13 that will take you to Plaça Universidad, from where you can walk to Plaça Catalunya in about 5 minutes.

The tickets for the Cruise Bus can be purchased with cash (coins or small notes) on the bus itself or online .

Barcelona public transport still operates on paper tickets valid for metro, bus, tram and train, which you can buy from vending machines at most stops.

If there are two or more of you travelling together, you can save money by purchasing a T-familiar travel card for €10 allowing 8 journeys over 30 days to be made by metro or bus in Barcelona.

Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus

Visit Barcelona at your own pace aboard a red double-decker bus , with two different routes available. Hop on and hop off as many times as you wish through the day with a single ticket.

🎫 Check price and availability here >> Barcelona 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Uber is not currently available in Barcelona, but the city has several other ride-hailing services, such as Cabify and Free Now. These services are similar to Uber and offer a convenient way to get around using the city’s regulated taxis.

Barcelona Airport To Cruise Port

For those of you who are starting your cruise in Barcelona, you’ll have a few options to get from El Prat Airport to Barcelona cruise port or vice versa. The total distance is 17 km and should take around 25 minutes by car.

You can book a shuttle from Barcelona airport to the cruise port with Moventis Experience. There are no set times or vehicles, it all depends on when you arrive and how many passengers have booked the shuttle.

Landing Terminal 1:

If you’re landing at   Terminal 1, after collecting your luggage you should make your way to the Tourism Office   located on the right side of the arrival point. There, someone from the Moventis crew will be waiting for you to finish the check-in process. Loom for someone in a bright orange uniform.

Landing Terminal 2:

If you land at Terminal 2, go to the Tourism Office   and you will find a From2 agent waiting for you, who will provide you with the necessary information to reach your destination.

The fastest way to get to the Barcelona cruise port by public transport is the super-convenient Aerobus , which departs every 5 minutes from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. A one-way ticket costs only €6.75 and you’ll have WiFi onboard if you need to do some last-minute research.

The bus takes you to Plaça Catalunya where you can take the metro two stops to Drassanes or you can hail a taxi and get to the port for about €10.

If you prefer not to wait for a shuttle or bus you have the option of going by taxi or private driver.

🚘 Click here to book a private transfer from the airport to Barcelona cruise port.

🏨 Click here to book a private transfer from the airport to your Barcelona hotel.

✈️ Click here to book a private transfer from Barcelona cruise port to the airport.

How much is a taxi from Barcelona airport to cruise port?

The fixed price to get from the airport to Barcelona cruise port is €39. There is no need to book in advance since there are always plenty of licensed cabs waiting at the taxi ranks at both airport terminals.

Nearby attractions

As one of the busiest cities in Europe, it’s important to book all your Barcelona tickets in advance. Some attractions have even stopped selling tickets on the ground, and require to be pre-booked.

If you visit during the warmer months and are limited on time, get skip-the-line tickets or you will spend most of your time waiting in line.

Barcelona City Center is easy to visit from Barcelona Cruise Port . As mentioned above, it is located just a few miles away from the port and offers a wide range of things to do. So whether you have 24 hours in Barcelona or just a few, these are the attractions you must see:

La Rambla 

La Rambla is a lively pedestrian street that stretches for 1.2 kilometers, from Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. It is lined with trees, flower stalls, street performers, and outdoor cafes, making it a vibrant and exciting place to explore.

Along La Rambla, you will find many interesting sights and attractions. One of the most popular is the Boqueria Market, a colorful and bustling market that sells fresh produce, seafood, meats, and other local delicacies. It is a great place to sample some of the city’s famous cuisine and immerse yourself in the local culture.

🥘 If you’re a lover of Spanish food (who isn’t, right), I highly recommend this paella class overlooking Las Rambla & Boqueria Market. You will shop for fresh produce at the market and also learn how to make Spanish tortillas, gazpacho and tomato bread.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is a stunning basilica located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. It was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and is known for its unique and intricate design.

Despite being under construction for over 100 years, the Sagrada Familia remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona, drawing millions of visitors each year. It’s a must on any Spain bucket list .

As the most famous landmark in Barcelona, Sagrada Familia draws quite a crowd. So I highly recommend you book your tickets in advance.

You can visit the Sagrada Familia with an expert guide, skip-the-ticket-line access and choose between a small-group or private experience.

🌟 Check price and availability here >> Sagrada Familia fast-track access tour

Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is one of the most historic and charming neighborhoods in Barcelona. It is located in the heart of the city’s old town and is known for its many charming streets and alleys, such as the Carrer del Bisbe, a narrow street that is famous for its beautiful archway, and the Plaça Sant Jaume, a historic square that is home to the City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat.

One of the most famous landmarks is the Barcelona Cathedral, a stunning Gothic cathedral that dates back to the 13th century. The cathedral is known for its beautiful stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and impressive bell tower.

Another popular attraction in the Gothic Quarter is the Plaça del Rei, a beautiful square that was once the site of the royal palace of the Catalan kings. Going for a stroll through the Gothic Quarter is one of the best things to do in Barcelona at night .

Parc Guell is a beautiful park located in the Gracia district of Barcelona and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. The park was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and is known for its stunning architecture, colorful mosaics, and beautiful views of the city.

One of the most famous landmarks in Parc Guell is the Dragon Stairway, a colorful staircase that leads up to the park’s main terrace. The staircase is decorated with a mosaic of colorful tiles and is guarded by a large dragon statue, which has become one of the most iconic symbols of the park.

🌟 Remember that all the Barcelona highlights I mention above are included in this Private Barcelona Highlights Shore Excursion .

Sagrat Cor Church

If you have the time I highly recommend you also see Sagrat Cor Church, a stunning basilica located on the top of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona. It was designed by the Spanish architect Enric Sagnier and was completed in 1961.

The church is known for its beautiful Neo-Gothic style architecture and its impressive location, which offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains.

One of the biggest draws of Barcelona is its stunning beaches. The city has several beaches that are easily accessible from the cruise port, including:

• Barceloneta Beach:  The most popular beach in the city, Barceloneta is known for its lively atmosphere and wide range of activities.
• Nova Icaria Beach:  A quieter beach that is popular with families and offers a variety of water sports.
• Bogatell Beach:  A long, wide beach that is popular with locals and offers plenty of space to relax and soak up the sun.

Barcelona is home to a wealth of museums and art galleries, many of which are located in or near the city center. Some of the top museums and galleries to visit include:

• Picasso Museum:  A museum dedicated to the life and work of Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
• Museum of Contemporary Art:  A museum that showcases contemporary art from around the world.
• National Art Museum of Catalonia:  A museum that houses a collection of Romanesque art and Catalan modernism.

So as you can see, there is no shortage of things to see and do near the Barcelona cruise port. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply soaking up the sun on the beach, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city.

The only hotel at the Barcelona cruise port is the  Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GL in the World Trade Center, a very good 5-star hotel.

The hotel offers 291 spacious and stylish rooms and suites, all of which are equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Many of the rooms also offer stunning views of the port and the city skyline.

One of the highlights of the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GL is its rooftop terrace, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The terrace is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing and features a swimming pool, a bar, and plenty of comfortable loungers and seating areas.

The hotel also offers a range of other amenities and services, including a fitness center, a sauna, a restaurant, and a bar. The hotel’s restaurant, the Aire de Mar, serves delicious Mediterranean cuisine in a stylish and elegant setting.

🌟 Book your stay at Barcelona cruise port >> Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GL

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between the main cruise terminals at Moll Adossat in Barcelona Cruise Port and Las Ramblas is approximately 2.5 kilometers, which is about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride.

The distance between the Barcelona Cruise Port and the nearest train station, Estació de França, is approximately 1.5 kilometers, which is about a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride. The main Barcelona Sants Train Station is 6 km away, about 20 minutes by car.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel from the Barcelona Cruise Port to the Barcelona-El Prat Airport by taxi or private transfer. Alternatively, you can take the Aerobus shuttle service, which takes about 40 minutes.

• Summer (June to August): The average temperature during this time is around 27°C (81°F), with highs averaging around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
• Shoulder seasons (April to May and September to October): The average temperature during these seasons is around 20°C (68°F), with highs averaging around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
• Winter (November to February): The average temperature during this time is around 12°C (54°F), with highs averaging around 15°C (59°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).

The nearest beach to the Barcelona Cruise Port is the famous Barceloneta Beach, which is located about 2 kilometers away. It is easily accessible by taxi or public transportation.

Several cruise lines operate from the Barcelona Cruise Port, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises.

Yes, €100 a day is enough to cover basic expenses in Barcelona, such as food, transportation, and one or two attractions. However, the amount you spend will depend on your travel style and the activities you choose to do. On average I have spent €150 per day in Barcelona.

Barcelona can be expensive, especially in tourist areas and during peak season. However, there are many budget-friendly options for food, accommodation, and activities. Eat street food and explore parks, architecture and viewpoints to keep your expenses down.

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10 Amazing Things To Do In Barcelona Cruise Port + Port Guide

Welcome to Barcelona cruise port! (Post updated: 2024)

Cosmopolitan. Artistic. Captivating. Whether you are a first-time visitor or have already been to Barcelona, you never get enough of it. The city has incredible energy and so many places to explore that one day in Barcelona is certainly not enough!

However, if Barcelona cruise port is in your cruise itinerary, you’ll be able to see the majority of city highlights as the cruise terminal is situated close to the city center. In this informative article, you’ll read about:

• Barcelona cruise port (Barcelona cruise terminal, getting around, helpful info & links)
• 10 best things to do in Barcelona port & Barcelona shore excursions

Visit our cruise port guides for  Marseille , Palma de Mallorca , Ibiza , Alicante , Cartagena , Valencia

Barcelona Cruise Port

Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia and one of the major Mediterranean cruise ports, located in the northeast of Spain. It is one of the busiest and most visited European cruise ports, particularly due to its proximity to the city center and its main attractions.

Barcelona cruise ship port consists of 9 terminals grouped around Port Vell marina, out of which 7 are cruise terminals. Depending on the size, cruise ships dock at Quai Adossat (Moll Adossat), which consists of 4 terminals (A, B, C, D), or at the World Trade Center (WTC), which has 3 terminals (South Terminal, North Terminal, East Terminal).

Two other terminals are Sant Bertran Wharf , used for ferry transportation between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, and Maremagnum Port Vell which can accommodate large ships, but not cruise liners.

Quai Adossat Cruise Terminals

A, B, C, and D terminals (D is also called Palacruceros) are located around 3 km/1.8 miles (a 10-minute drive) from La Rambla, the tourist hub and one of the most famous boulevards in Barcelona. Quai Adossat is connected to the city by the bridge Porta d’Europa (Puente de la Puerta de Europa).

The cruise lines may organize shuttle buses (for an additional fee) to transfer the passengers to the area of the World Trade Center, located a 5-minute walk from Christopher Columbus Monument, where La Rambla starts.

These buses are wheelchair-users friendly, and you can purchase the tickets onboard or in the terminal buildings (depending on the cruise line). For guests who don’t want to take buses, taxis or a 20-40-minute walk to the city center are an alternative option.

The terminal buildings are equipped with modern facilities, such as duty-free shops, elevators, souvenir shops, a bar restaurant, an exchange office, public phones, restrooms, and ATMs. There is a taxi rank in front of each terminal, as well as a shuttle bus station and parking for tour buses.

Given that Barcelona is not only a port of call but also a homeport, the terminals also feature embarkation/disembarkation facilities.

World Trade Center Terminals (WTC terminals)

South , North , and East Terminals are located at Moll de Barcelona, within a 10-minute walk from Columbus Monument and the start of La Rambla street. The three docks surround the modern, state-of-the-art building of the World Trade Center, and can accommodate cruise liners of moderate size. You can find public transport stations nearby as well.

The terminal buildings consist of duty-free and souvenir shops, an exchange office, and a small tourist information center. There are no restaurants or bars, as you can find those next door inside WTC. The terminals also feature embarkation/disembarkation facilities and suit the needs of guests with disabilities.

The cruise bus station is located near the terminals, so in case you can’t walk, you can take a round-trip ticket (prices starting at 3€), and the bus will drop you off at the Columbus Monument. Cruise buses don’t have fixed timetables – they depend on the arrival and departure times of the ships in port.

Getting Around Barcelona Port

• The port area is flat and wheelchair-accessible.
• Barcelona city center is partially flat, however, some parts are hilly so make sure you wear comfortable shoes (ex: the area surrounding Sagrada Familia is flat, but to get there, you need to walk slightly uphill).
• The currency in Barcelona (Spain) is EURO (€). ATMs and currency exchange are available at the cruise terminals and in the town. Local currency and credit cards are widely accepted.
• If you are embarking on a cruise ship in Barcelona, especially if you’re coming from the US, make sure you come to Barcelona at least two days before the embarkation to avoid the inconveniences of jet lag. If you want to fully enjoy the city, you’ll need to come at least 4-5 days before your cruise starts. Check out my article on the 15 Best Hotels near Barcelona Cruise Port
• Barcelona has an excellent public transport network which is primarily operated by TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona). Drassanes is the closest metro station, located at the foot of La Rambla. It serves the L3 line, which will take you to the majority of Barcelona’s attractions. To get to Sagrada Familia, you will need to change to L2 or L5 lines and get off at Sagrada Familia station. If you’re planning to get around Barcelona by public transport, it’s recommended to get Hola Barcelona Travel Card for 17.50€ (valid for 2 days, unlimited rides). You can check the timetables, fares and get extensive information on public transport’s official webpage https://www.tmb.cat/
• Josep Tarradellas Barcelona Airport – El Prat Airport is the main Barcelona airport and is located around 15 km/9 miles (a 20-minute drive) southwest of Barcelona cruise port. The best way to get from Barcelona airport to the port of Barcelona is by taxi or a private transfer. Alternatively, you can take the Aerobus shuttle transfer which departs from the airport every 10 minutes and stops at Barcelona city center. The travel time is 35 minutes and the fare is reasonable. You can purchase the bus tickets online, from the driver (make sure you have coins or small bills), or at the ticket machine at the airport. Check out the private transfers from/to Barcelona cruise port
• Barcelona Hop on hop off sightseeing bus tours are also available and the bus stop is located close to the cruise terminal. Three routes are offered and all include stops at the most iconic landmarks and attractions including the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the Pedrera, Camp Nou, La Rambla, Montjuïc and many others. You can check out the Hop on Hop off Barcelona tours on Viator and Get Your Guide
• Cruise lines sailing to/from Barcelona Spain include Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises .
• Explore the best Barcelona tours and activities

10 Amazing Things to Do in Barcelona Cruise Port

Before I share the best things to do in Barcelona, I invite you to grab your copy of the “ Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide” , the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports (including Barcelona) , packed with practical information, expert tips & unforgettable experiences! (PDF format/200 pages)

1. Sagrada Familia

Antoni Gaudi, the Catalan architect and one of the major exponents of Catalan Modernism, dedicated 43 years of his life to La Sagrada Familia (The Church of the Sacred Family). The construction of this stunning architectural masterpiece began in 1883, and when Gaudi died in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was finished.

Obstructed during wars, the creation of the fascinating cathedral resumed after 1950 and is anticipated to be completed in 2026, commemorating the centenary of Gaudi’s death. Sagrada Familia architecture reflects his religious views and the whole temple is an ode to nature.

For the best photo ops of Sagrada Familia, go to Plaça de Gaudí Park in front of the cathedral. The surrounding area is large and beautiful, it is packed with cafes, street sellers, parks, and restaurants.

The distance between Barcelona cruise port (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) and Sagrada Familia is around 9 km/5.5 miles (a 20-25-minute drive). The taxis shouldn’t charge you more than 15-20€ per vehicle one-way.

From Drassanes metro station, you can take metro line L3 and change to L2 or L5 to go to Sagrada Familia. You need to get off at Sagrada Família metro station and the entire journey takes about 15-20 minutes.

You can also book a shore excursion through your cruise line or with an independent tour operator . If you decide to come on your own, you must book the skip-the-line tickets in advance. Allow yourself at least 1 hour inside the Cathedral, and 1 hour to wander around as the surrounding area is beautiful and offers extraordinary views of Sagrada Familia.

Explore Sagrada Familia tours and activities

2. Casa Batlló

Located on one of main Barcelona’s shopping and business avenues – Passeig de Gràcia, in the heart of the Eixample district, Casa Batlló is another of Gaudi’s masterpieces and one of the finest architectural examples of Gaudi’s approach to Catalan Modernism.

The house belonged to a rich textile industrialist Josep Batlló who hired Antoni Gaudi in 1904 to redesign the house in an audacious and innovative architectural style that would make his house stand out among other houses on the avenue.

Casa Batlló is locally known as Casa dels Ossos (House of Bones) and Casa del Drac (House of the Dragon), due to its curving, skeletal shapes and design, and astonishing façade resembling the bony jaws of a surreal, fantastic beast.

Casa Batlló’s roof resembles the back of a dragon and features a turret with a cross, which symbolically represents St. George, the patron saint of Catalonia, killing the dragon.

Casa Batlló has been declared a World Heritage Site and today belongs to different owners. A part of it is a museum open for visitors, while the majority of the rooms in the building have been rented out for multiple purposes, such as company offices and event places.

Casa Batlló is situated around 5.5 km/3.5 miles from Barcelona cruise port (Quai Adossat cruise terminals). To get to Casa Battlo, take the L3 metro line at Drassanes and get off at Passeig de Gràcia Station . A taxi ride takes about 20-25 minutes.

If you are planning to visit Casa Batlló, I recommend you book a combo tour with La Sagrada Familia , as the distance between these two Gaudi’s masterpieces is around 2 km (a 20-minute walk).

Cruise ship shore excursions normally don’t include the Casa Batlló interior visit, but some tours include a stop in front of the building and a visit from the exterior. Also, if you go on your own, make sure you have a skip-the-line ticket as you don’t want to waste your time queuing in front of the museum.

Explore Casa Batlló tours and activities

3. Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Casa Milà is another of Gaudi’s controversial artworks located only a stone’s throw from Casa Batlló – on the famous Passeig de Gràcia avenue. It was built between 1906 and 1912 for Pere Milà and his wife but changed several owners throughout the 20 th century.

La Pedrera means “The stone quarry”, referring to the undulating quarry-like stone façade that consists of massive blocks of limestone and twisting wrought-iron balconies.

In 1984, La Pedrera was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and two years later was bought by Caixa Catalunya, a Spanish Bank that restored the building and brought back some of the original decorations.

Nowadays, a total of 4.500 square meters spread over the five floors can be visited, including an apartment and a splendid rooftop offering spectacular views of the city.

The driving distance between La Pedrera and Barcelona cruise port (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) is 6.5 km/4 miles or a 15-20 minute drive.

To get to La Pedrera, follow the same instructions as for Casa Battlo, as the two buildings are located close to each other. If you want to visit both buildings inside, it’s recommended to do it one after another.  Cruise ship shore excursions normally don’t include La Pedrera’s interior visit, only the exterior.

To avoid waiting in line, you can book skip-the-line La Pedrera tickets online.

Check out La Pedrera tours and activities

4. Park Güell

Sitting proudly on Carmel Hill and overlooking the city of Barcelona, Park Güell is one of Gaudi’s major works and a true gem among his masterpieces.

The large park where architecture and nature come together was originally constructed between 1900 and 1914 for the Spanish entrepreneur Eusebi Güell as private property, but soon after that opened its doors to all visitors as a public park.

The park features mosaic-covered buildings, sculptures, lush vegetation, and breathtaking views over Barcelona, as well as the Gaudi House Museum (Casa Museu Gaudi), a former residence of Gaudi, where you can get an amazing insight into the architect’s life and works. Park Güell was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

The distance between Park Güell and Barcelona cruise port (Moll Adossat cruise ship terminals) is 13 km/8 miles (a 35-minute drive).

To get to Park Güell, take the metro line L3 and get off at Lesseps stop , from where you will need to walk for an additional 20 minutes. Instead of walking, you can walk 150 m to the bus stop and take bus H6 to the park.

Cruise lines normally don’t offer shore excursions to Park Güell, so the best way to visit it is either on your own (make sure you book a skip-the-line ticket ) or with an independent tour operator .

Explore Park Güell tours and activities

5. La Rambla

The famous La Rambla Street is a must-see place in Barcelona. For cruise passengers, it is easy to get around as La Rambla is located within walking distance of the ship.

La Rambla is a tree-lined, 1.2 km/0.75 miles long pedestrian promenade (although there are narrow parallel streets used for traffic) that connects Plaça de Catalunya square and the Columbus Monument, located at Port Vell – a waterfront harbor that is part of the port of Barcelona.

It is a tourist-packed street full of shops, street restaurants, souvenir kiosks, street performers, and a great number of attractions.

You can find some important buildings on La Rambla Avenue, such as Palau Güell , Palace of the Virreina, Liceu Theater ,  Teatre Principal, Plaça Reial, and La Boqueria , one of the most visited and popular markets in Barcelona where you can find a large selection of goods, such as meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and much more.

To the east of La Rambla is the Gothic Quarter , the old town, another must-see landmark in Barcelona.

The distance between the Barcelona cruise terminal (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) and La Rambla is less than 3 km/1.8 miles.

To get there, you need to take a shuttle bus or a cruise bus (“blue bus”) that will get you to the Christopher Columbus Monument, where La Rambla starts. From the World Trade Center terminals, you can get to La Rambla on foot in less than 10 minutes (the distance is around 650 m).

When in La Rambla, keep your eyes open because there are many pickpockets .

6. Mercado de la Boqueria

La Boqueria market is located at La Rambla.It is a large, indoor public market offering an amazing selection of foods, including fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit, cheese, beverages, and a great number of shops and street stalls selling freshly squeezed juices, candy, nuts, quick bites and so much more. This place is absolutely awesome and a must-see Barcelona attraction!

Explore La Boqueria Market tours and activities

7. Plaça de Catalunya

Plaça Catalunya or Catalonia Square (Plaza de Cataluña) is a large square and a central hub often considered as Barcelona city center. It is located at the northern end of La Rambla, and a 10-minute walk from the Gothic Quarter.

The square covers a spacious area of 50.000 square meters and consists of a wide range of statues, fountains, sculptures, and decorative art. This is where important city streets and avenues meet, such as Passeig de Gràcia, a famous avenue where La Pedrera and Casa Batlló are situated.

The square is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, shops, bars and designer boutiques, and its most popular and photographed attraction is the flocks of pigeons that you can spot swimming in the fountain.

The distance between Barcelona cruise port (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) is around 5.5 km/3.4 miles or a 15-minute drive. The best and shortest way to get there is by walking because Plaça de Catalunya is located at the end of La Rambla.

8. The Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic in the Catalan language, is the historic heart of the old city of Barcelona, located near La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya.

Although the name of the quarter refers to the Middle Ages, the whole quarter was completely restored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries which gave the old buildings a brand new, neo-Gothic look.

A large portion of the quarter is closed to regular traffic (open only to taxis and service vehicles) and consists of pedestrian streets, squares, and several remarkable historic landmarks.

The iconic landmark is Barcelona Cathedral (the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia), an imposing Gothic cathedral that was originally constructed from the 13th to 15th centuries. It features an extraordinary, late 19th-century neo-Gothic facade, a sumptuously decorated interior, and a beautiful, verdant, geese-filled cloister that you can see on your tour.

Barcelona Cathedral dominates a large square – Placita de la Seu , surrounded by hotels, restaurants, shops, and souvenir stores. The square is connected with Plaça de Catalunya by a pedestrian promenade Avinguda del Portal de l’Angel.

You can reach the square in a 10-15 minute easy walk. At a stone’s throw from the Cathedral, you can find several other attractions and historical landmarks:

• The ruins of the Roman and Medieval city walls.
• Barcelona’s History Museum at Plaza del Rey.
• Gaudi’s Exhibition Center
• The 14th-century Gothic Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi
• Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya
• Ajuntament de Barcelona, a 14th-century Barcelona City Hall
• Picasso Museum
• Jewish quarter  and Sinagoga Major , one of the European oldest synagogues.

The distance between the Gothic Quarter and Barcelona cruise terminal (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) is 4.4 km/2.7 miles or a 10-minute drive.

To get there, the best way is to take a shuttle bus/cruise bus from your terminal to the Christopher Columbus monument and walk 10 minutes to the Barcelona Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter (800 m). If your cruise ship is docked at World Trade Center terminals, you can simply walk 15 minutes to the Gothic Quarter.

Check out Gothic Quarter tours and activities

9. Montjuïc Hill

Montjuïc Hill is another must-see area of Barcelona offering the best and most spectacular views of the entire Barcelona. The hill overlooks a harbor and covers a large area that consists of monuments, museums, a palace, a castle, a multitude of botanical gardens and much more!

The best way to get there is by taxi, with a shore excursion, Hop on Hop off bus , or by cable car. There are two cable cars in Barcelona: the Port Cable Car and the Montjuïc Cable Car . Both cable car base stations are located within a 10-minute drive from the cruise port. They cover different routes and you can check all the details on the official web pages:

• https://www.telefericodebarcelona.com/
• https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/

The distance between Barcelona cruise port (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) and both Telefèric de Montjuïc and Telefèric del Port is around 5.5 km/3.4 miles or a 10-minute drive.

If your cruise ship is docked at World Trade Center terminals, both Telefèric del Port and Telefèric de Montjuïc are around 3 km/1.8 miles away or less than a 10-minute drive.

If you decide to skip the cable car, you can simply catch a taxi at the cruise port and reach the major Montjuïc Hill attractions in less than 15 minutes, and then explore the area on foot. If you want to properly visit Montjuïc Hill, you need at least a half-day, but if you want to take a glimpse of it, you might consider booking one of the tours .

If you stay several days in Barcelona, save one full or at least a half-day for Montjuïc Hill, as there are so many beautiful places and attractions to see.

• Explore Montjuïc Hill tours and activities
• Book Telefèric de Montjuïc tickets online

10. Barceloneta Beach

Playa de la Barceloneta, or Barceloneta Beach, is a long, busy public beach equipped with facilities such as chair and umbrella rentals, showers, water sports, wi-fi spots, cafes restaurants, bars, and much more.

It is a bustling, urban area packed with both locals and tourists, offering beautiful views of the harbor and the lively surrounding area. It is a perfect way to spend a couple of hours if you want to soak up some Mediterranean sun.

How to Get to Barceloneta Beach from the Barcelona Cruise Port?

The distance between Barceloneta Beach and World Trade Center terminals is around 2.5 km/1.5 miles. If you go by taxi, the ride lasts less than 10 minutes, and if you decide to walk, you’ll need around 30 minutes to get from your cruise terminal to the beach.

The distance between the Barcelona cruise port (Moll Adossat cruise terminals) is around 5 km/3.1 miles. It takes 10-15 minutes to reach the beach by car, and if you walk, it takes 1 hour.

You can either take a taxi or   bus 59 at La Rambla – Santa Mònica (1325) stop and get off at Pg Marítim – Pepe Rubianes (1606) stop. The journey takes less than 15 minutes by bus. It might be challenging to find taxis at Barceloneta Beach on the way back to the ship. You need to book a taxi via the app or pre-book the transfer to the port.

Visit our cruise port guides for Rome (Civitavecchia) , Florence (Livorno) , Naples , Cannes ,  Malta (Valletta) , Dubrovnik , Corfu , Taormina (Messina)

You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean , Caribbean , Western Europe , Baltic & Scandinavia , USA & Canada , Australia & New Zealand

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your Mediterranean cruise experience with our “ Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide “- your ultimate companion to discovering the region’s hidden treasures and creating unforgettable memories; click below to purchase your copy today and embark on the voyage of a lifetime!

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Barcelona Cruise Port Guide: Everything You Need to Know

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Are you wondering about the Barcelona Cruise Port?

You’re in the right place. As a travel advisor that specializes in cruise travel, I have extensive knowledge of cruise ports and what to do in each port!

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for cruisers. As you take a stroll down the city’s charming streets or marvel at the unique architecture of Sagrada Família, it’s easy to see why.

The Spanish city’s popularity amongst cruisers means that the Barcelona Cruise Port is sprawling, comprising 7 different cruise terminals.

In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Port of Barcelona, from useful tips to recommendations on how to spend your glorious day in this beautiful city!

Barcelona Quick Facts

• Barcelona is located on the northeast coast of Spain, in the region of Catalonia.
• The official currency used in Barcelona, and throughout Spain, is the Euro (EUR).
• The official language spoken in Barcelona is Catalan, although Spanish is also widely spoken and understood.
• Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, with a population of over 1.6 million people.
• Barcelona is known for its stunning architecture, including the iconic Sagrada Familia Cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi.
• The city is also home to several world-renowned museums, including the Picasso Museum and the Joan Miro Foundation.
• Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean Sea and boasts several beautiful beaches, including Barceloneta Beach and Nova Icaria Beach.
• The city is a popular destination for foodies, with a vibrant food scene that includes traditional Catalan dishes as well as international cuisine.
• Barcelona is famous for its lively nightlife, with bars and clubs staying open late into the night.
• The city is home to two major football (soccer) teams, FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol, and is passionate about the sport.

Where is Barcelona Cruise Port Located?

The Barcelona cruise terminal can be found in Port de Barcelona, which sits just beneath the Gothic Quarter of the city, a short walk away from many of Barcelona’s key sights.

There are 9 terminals in the port, 7 of which are allocated for cruise ships.

The 7 terminals can be found at the foot of one of Barcelona’s most beloved streets, Las Ramblas.

The majority of the cruise terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) can be found on Adossat Quay, a long pier to the outside of the harbor, which is connected to the rest of the port by a bridge. Terminal D is also referred to as Palacruceros.

There are two more cruise terminals at the World Trade Centre pier, known as the North and South terminals. The World Trade Centre pier is the closest pier to the city center.

No time to read this? Book excursions and transportation ⤵️

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Getting Around Barcelona from the Cruise Port

The good news is there are a number of ways in which you can journey from Barcelona Cruise Port to the city center.

Are There Free Shuttles From Barcelona Cruise Port?

There is a shuttle bus available from the cruise port known as the Blue Bus which takes cruisers to the monument of Christopher Columbus (just below Las Ramblas).

The Blue Bus coordinates its run time with the cruise arrival and departure times and comes roughly every 15 minutes when there’s a cruise ship in port. It isn’t free, however.

🚎 The fare is €3 per person or €4.50 for a return ticket.

Can You Walk to the City Center from Barcelona Cruise Port?

From the World Trade Center pier, it is a short 10-minute walk to Barcelona city center.

From the other cruise terminals, however, walking isn’t recommended as you need to journey 2 km (1.2 miles) just to reach the opening to the city. Taking the Blue Bus or taxi is a far better option.

Are there Taxis Available from Barcelona Cruise Port?

Just outside the port terminal, you will find a taxi rank. The taxis liaise with the cruise terminal staff to ensure there are always enough taxis outside to accommodate everyone.

Taxis are convenient as you can take them directly to the location you want to visit. They are, however, a lot more expensive than the Blue shuttle bus and a typical fare to Las Ramblas is €10 each way.

Best Shore Excursions from the Barcelona Cruise Port

When you arrive in Barcelona, there are a number of exciting shore activities for you to enjoy. Below are some of my favorites!

1. Stroll Down Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas Boulevard is a colorful and energetic street in the heart of Barcelona. It houses some of the city’s most iconic attractions, spanning an impressive 1.2 km (0.7 miles) in length.

When wandering down this iconic boulevard, you’ll pass numerous street performers, all out to impress with their unique costumes and heart-stopping acrobatics.

One of the best places to visit in Las Ramblas is La Boqueria Market , Barcelona’s key market. It’s a fantastic place to grab a bite to eat.

2. Marvel at Sagrada Família

The infamous Sagrada Família is perhaps the first attraction that comes to mind when you think of Barcelona. This never quite finished landmark is a church designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudí.

It’s a spectacular piece of artwork and has earned itself the title of the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Construction first began in 1882.

La Sagrada Familia can be admired from afar. Alternatively, you can buy tickets and enter the famous church. The interior is just as impressive as the exterior, with so many intricate details in the structure waiting to be admired.

3. Visit Casa Milà

Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera which means ‘stone quarry’ in Catalan) is a beautifully-constructed block of apartments and was the last private residence designed by Antoni Gaudí, constructed in the early 1900s.

This grand building is undoubtedly spectacular. However, the star of the show is its terrace with unique chimneys shaped like statues.

Today the house is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a great monument to visit. Within the building is a Gaudí interpretation center. The site also houses art exhibitions and performances.

4. Relax in Plaça de Catalunya

Plaça de Catalunya is a large square in the heart of Barcelona, primely positioned at the meeting point between Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and the 19th-century part of the city.

The square covers an area of 5 hectares and features several interesting sculptures, expanses of verdant grass, and a handful of fountains.

Plaça de Catalunya is a great place to sit on a park bench and admire Barcelona with an ice cream or takeout coffee from one of the numerous local cafes.

5. Wander Through Park Güell

In the northern district of Gracia is Park Güell, a grand park consisting of neat gardens as well as beautiful buildings and sculptures designed by Antoni Gaudí. One of the houses within the park used to be the residence of Gaudí himself.

In this park, you can find the famous mosaic Gaudí dragon fountain as well as the tranquil Nature Square which has fantastic views over Barcelona city center.

6. Explore The Gothic Quarter

Made up of winding cobbled streets and tranquil squares, the Gothic Quarter is the historic center of the old city of Barcelona.

Included in this beautiful segment of the city are the remains of Barcelona’s Roman city walls, a Roman temple ( Temple d’August ), and a magnificent Gothic Cathedral.

The Gothic Square also houses the oldest restaurant in Barcelona and the second oldest restaurant in the entirety of Spain: Can Culleretes , which dates back to 1786.

7. Visit Casa Batlló

Considered one of Antoni Gaudí’s greatest masterpieces, Casa Batlló (also known as Casa dels ossos which means ‘ House of Bones’ ) is a remodeled house in the center of Barcelona.

The remarkable building is designed to look as though it has been constructed from skulls and bones and uses colors inspired by the ocean.

Visitors can enter the building to see yet more impressive work from Gaudí, who also designed the interior of the house.

8. Walk Down Passeig de Gràcia

Passeig de Gràcia is one of the most popular avenues in Barcelona, housing some of the city’s key sights such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, as well as markets, museums, and some of the city’s best restaurants.

As well as being regarded for its incredible architecture, Passeig de Gràcia is also renowned for its shopping scene, with some of the most prestigious brands found lining the street.

Getting From Barcelona Airport to the Cruise Port

If your cruise starts or ends in Barcelona, you’ll need to have a way to get to and from the airport and cruise terminal.

There are three main ways to travel between Barcelona Airport and the cruise port: by taxi, train, or bus.

✔️ Taxis to the cruise port from the airport typically take around 15 minutes and cost around €40. It’s by far the most convenient way to reach the cruise terminal.

✔️ There are no direct trains between the airport and the cruise terminal. Therefore you will need to take the train from the airport to the city center and then from there take either the metro or a bus to the cruise port.

✔️ Like with trains, there are no direct buses between the airport and the cruise port so you will need to take a bus to the metro and then the metro to the cruise port.

When you reach the entrance to the cruise terminal after catching the bus or train, you will then need to take the Blue Bus shuttle if your cruise ship is stationed on Adossat Quay.

Journeying from the airport by bus or train can easily take around an hour.

Hiring a shuttle is the easiest and most carefree way to travel between the airport and the cruise terminal.

🚙 Book a transfer between the cruise port and the airport

Places to Stay Near Barcelona Cruise Port

There are a number of highly rated hotels only a short taxi ride away from Barcelona Cruise Port.

InterContinental Barcelona is only a 12-minute taxi ride from the World Trade Centre pier or a 15-minute drive from Adossat Quay. The comfortable hotel has an outdoor roof terrace featuring a pool, sun loungers, and a dining area.

Another great option is Barceló Sants . This modern hotel is slightly further away from the cruise port but its fantastic online reviews make it worth the extra 5-minute journey.

Occidental Barcelona 1929 is another highly-rated hotel. Its convenient location in the center of the city not only makes it easy to reach the cruise port, but it’s a great base from which to explore the city itself.

Best Time to Visit Barcelona

Barcelona is generally considered a year-round destination. However, if you’d like to get the best weather for your visit then visiting between May and the end of September is the ideal time.

Barcelona is a popular destination so expect it to get busy in the school holidays and at weekends.

If you want to strike a good balance between good weather and beating the crowds then May and September are ideal times to make your visit.

Cruise Lines that Visit Barcelona Cruise Port

Barcelona Cruise Port is visited by numerous cruise liners from around the world. These include:

• MSC Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Seabourn Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Disney Cruises
• Princess Cruises

These are just a handful of the numerous cruise liners that pay Barcelona a visit each year.

Barcelona Cruise Port FAQS

How far is barcelona cruise port from the city center.

If your cruise liner is stationed at the World Trade Center pier then it is a short walk to the city center.

Adossat Quay, which is deeper into the port, is slightly further away from the city center.

How Do I get from Barcelona City to the Cruise Port?

After your day spent exploring Barcelona, you can return to the cruise port easily and directly via taxi. Alternatively, you can make your way to the Christopher Columbus monument (by bus, metro, or on foot), where the shuttle bus to the cruise terminal departs roughly every 15 minutes.

Is it worth buying a day pass for Barcelona?

A day pass is worth it if you would like to venture inside numerous attractions as it is cheaper than purchasing entrance tickets for each attraction individually.

It also saves you time as you are able to skip the lengthy queues to the attractions.

Final Thoughts on the Barcelona Cruise Port

Barcelona cruise ship terminals are conveniently positioned just a stone’s throw away from the lively city. The port’s own shuttle bus service makes journeying between the cruise port and the city center extremely convenient.

Based on the numerous incredible attractions and restaurants that are on your doorstep, a visit to Barcelona really is a must for cruisers!

Chantelle Kincy

Chantelle is a nationally syndicated travel writer, and travel advisor. An avid cruiser, Chantelle has explored many parts of the world through her travels. She is also a dedicated National Parks enthusiast and loves to hike in these beautiful locations. To further her expertise in the industry, Chantelle has taken numerous courses to become a specialist in various destinations, including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. Through her blog and advising business, Chantelle shares her love for travel and helps others plan their dream vacations.

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How to arrive:

The Airport of Barcelona is about 13 km from Barcelona center. Trains and buses have frequent schedules to the center, but since you have to change a couple of times and also to walk the last part to the terminal, the best option for traveling from the airport to the cruise terminal is to catch a taxi. Taxis are quick and not expensive. The journey will take about 35 min's by taxi. The journey from the airport to the port is unlikely to cost you more than €40. If you are a group of 4 or more you might consider a private transfer with Barcelona-airport-transfers . Luggage storage is only possible at terminal 1 (intercontinental flights) or at train station Sants Estacio (directly connected to the Airport and Plaça de Catalunya.

The Cruise Terminal of Barcelona and getting around:

The port is the starting and arrival point for many Mediterranean cruise itineraries. The seven operating terminals, and the various docks and facilities, are at a short distance from the city center. The terminal is at Port Vell in Barcelona which is at the Southern most end of the famous Ramblas. The seaport terminal is only 10 min's walk from the Ramblas. However, since there are several cruise terminals at the port and if you are in one of the terminals which are further away from the Ramblas you may catch a taxi or the shuttle bus, which will take you to Monument Christopher Columbus which is at the Southern most end of the Ramblas. The shuttle bus service runs from all port terminals down to the monument.

There is a port shuttle bus that goes from the cruise terminals to the Columbus Monument at the bottom of Las Ramblas. The bus is called Cruiser T3 but is often referred to as the 'Blue Port Bus'. The fare is €3 per person, €4.50 return. You cannot use a T10 ticket on this bus. The nearest metro station is Drassanes which is on line L3. It is about 2-3 minutes walk from the Columbus Monument, where the shuttle bus stops. The bus is wheelchair friendly.

A taxi is a good bet (around 15 Euro) if you want to go to Placa de Catalunya with its famous stores and stroll back, slightly downhill, over the Ramblas towards the harbor. Taxi back will be 2.10 euro more, due to port charges. Do not pay more than that as cabbies make you believe.

As your hand luggage is checked by the port authorities itself before entering the modern terminal, there is ample of opportunity to stock up on your favorite alcoholic beverage in the competitive priced tax-free shops before boarding. No carry-on bags will be checked when boarding the ship.

In spring 2018, Carnival Corporation opened a new terminal, which is designed to accommodate Carnival's next-generation ships, powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Ships from eight Carnival brands -- AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (U.K.), Princess Cruises and Seabourn -- visit Barcelona throughout the year.

Printable map to take along.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Cruise calendar for this port.

Check here for festivals and events in Barcelona when you are in port.

Watch a destination video

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Barcelona Spain Cruise Port

Sightseeing:

Barcelona balances itself on the cutting edge of architecture, intellectual life, and style. Among the city's unique delights is its Picasso Museum, palm-lined avenues, striking Gaudi architecture , revamped beachfront, and late-night club scene. The capital of Spain's Catalonia region is one of the country's -- maybe even Europe's -- most beautiful and vibrant places. A city of contrasts, it is like no other in Spain; this is most evident in its architecture, a marriage of Gothic spikes and modern curves.

Barcelona is also a city of neighborhoods, all distinct, which are surprisingly walkable and easily accessible by bus, metro or even on foot (in comfortable shoes). Don't miss a stroll along Las Ramblas , replete with produce and flower stands, a historic opera house and a thoroughly intriguing open pet market. Maybe you will be there when they are celebrating one of the many fiestas: whether they are celebrating a saint's day or the changing of the seasons, the people of Barcelona fill the streets with color, music, and excitement for young and old. Experiencing the traditions ranging from Spanish to Catalan or even unique to the city of Barcelona, adds to a visitor's enjoyment like nothing else can. The largest fiestas in Barcelona are Sant Joan (Saint John) on June 23rd ringing in the summer, and La Mercè for the Patron Saint, September 24th. The most beautiful holiday is undoubtedly Sant Jordi (Saint George) – the day of the book and the day of the rose April 23rd.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is indispensable for understanding the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso. The genius of the young artist is revealed through the more than 3,500 works that make up the permanent collection. However, the Picasso Museum also reveals his relationship with Barcelona: an intimate, solid relationship that was shaped in his adolescence and youth, and continued until his death. Thanks to the wishes of Picasso and his friend Jaume Sabartés, Barcelona now has the youthful work of one of the twentieth century's most significant artists.

Miró's works are to be found today in the world's principal museums and cultural institutions. Many, however, have remained in Catalonia, mostly in the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona. Throughout his life, Joan Miró took a particular interest in the diversity of materials, forms and colors. It led him to explore and experiment with different art forms such as painting, sculpture, printing techniques, ceramics, the theater, and tapestry. One result of this was a collaboration with Josep Royo, an innovative craftsman, who during the seventies aroused Miró's interest in tapestry and textiles.

Sagrada Família - Barcelona's most popular and famous attraction, the Sagrada Família is a testament to Antonio Gaudi's modernist style and unlike any other church in the world

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Rent a bike or take an excursion by bike with an English speaking guide showing the most important sights of Barcelona: the Gothic Quarter with the cathedral, the Old harbor with the statue of Columbus, the Ciutadella Park, the Sagrada Familia, the Olympic Port and Gaudi´s fabulous monuments with Fat Tire Bike Tours Barcelona . The best place for a ride is along the well-marked bike lanes by the sea, which lead to the medieval streets of the old city, past busy ports and down to beaches. If you're willing to brave traffic and tackle a few hills, you can crisscross the city and there are many more bike lanes in the planning. A guide and a map can be purchased at the Tourist Offices .

Hop on hop off . If you are coming to Barcelona for the first time, or if you are planning to stay in the city for a short time, this is one way of getting to quickly see the city's monuments and most important tourist sights of interest.

The Barcelona Tourist Office offers, among other interesting tours, 4 different, english speaking, guided walking tours, including a Gourmet walk in which you will find out about the history of Barcelona's cuisine as well as some of its flagship restaurants and food outlets, and sample some of their products. If you want to see Barcelona from a birds eye point of view, ride the Montjuic cable car . You can buy tickets on board. The entrance is not to far from the harbor, just follow the cables to the entrance. If it is too windy, the cable cars won't run. So simply look to the sky to see whether they are running or not. A small guide book is very useful, as there is so much to see in Barcelona!

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here .

Tourist Information

Nearby Places:

Nova Icaria, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Barceloneta are all beaches in Barcelona which has restaurant and café lined promenades.

Further away:

Shopping and Food

If you love to shop then you're going to love Barcelona! Barcelona Spain shopping offers around 35,000 shops. The city is also home to the famous 5 KM shopping line. The shopping line stretches from the top of the Ramblas, through Placa de Catalunya along Passeig de Gràcia and up Avenue Diagonal. Much of the shopping line is pedestrianized making it a pleasant experience to wander from shop to shop without worrying about traffic. Along the Ramblas you will find La Boqueria A very colorful food market which also sells other goods and souvenirs.

Also along the Ramblas you also will find the Gothic Quarter, the medieval part of Barcelona. Here you will find many fine restaurants and outdoor cafe's as well as great stores who specialize in colorful ceramic goods of top quality.

The Ramblas is also the world's most pick-pocketed area!

Communication:

Barcelona has free Wi-Fi in the city - they are currently working on completely covering the city, but it's not there yet. Around the Ramblas, the reception is generally good.

Fire brigade, police and ambulance: tel. 112

Opening Hours and Holidays:

The most common business for shops and businesses hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9.30 oh to 13.30 oh, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h.

Big shopping centers and department stores open from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h uninterruptedly. These big stores open in December sometimes on Sunday.

In coastal cities, in high season, shops are usually open passed 22.00 h.

Pharmacies open from 9.30 to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h. In all major cities you can find pharmacies that open 24 hours. Pharmacies follow a rolling late-hour schedule, which is published in the newspapers, and is posted at all pharmacies.

Museums are in general closed on Mondays.

National public holidays.

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Barcelona to Cruise Port Guide: Expert Tips & Tricks!

Posted on Last updated: February 9, 2024

Ah, Barcelona! The land where Gaudí’s whimsical architectures dance under the sun, and the aroma of tapas fills the air in ancient alleyways.

Barcelona isn’t just one of Europe’s artistic and cultural capitals; it’s also a gateway to the vast and wondrous Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona’s cruise port, humming with activity, echoes the vibrant rhythm of the city itself.

In this guide, we’re going to deep dive into everything you need to know about getting from the heart of Barcelona to cruise port, and vice versa.

Historical Background of Barcelona’s Cruise Port

Barcelona, with its rich maritime history, has always had the Mediterranean Sea close to its heart. Its port isn’t just a functional hub; it’s a tapestry woven with tales of adventures, trade, and cultures intermingling.

The Ancient Roots

Long before the modern-day buzz of cruise liners and cargo ships, Barcelona’s port played host to the Iberians and later the Romans, who saw the value in this strategic seaside location. Called Barcino by the Romans, the city was a pivotal maritime base that fostered trade with various Mediterranean cultures.

The Middle Ages: Expansion and Trade

Fast forward to the medieval era, and the port underwent significant expansions. As the Kingdom of Aragon merged with the Kingdom of Castile in the late 15th century, trade flourished. Barcelona’s port bustled with merchants from Italy, North Africa, and other parts of Europe.

The commodities? Wine, textiles, and grain were just a few. This period solidified Barcelona’s reputation as a thriving Mediterranean trading hub.

The Modern Era and The Rise of Cruises

By the 20th century, with advances in maritime technology and the rise of leisure travel, Barcelona began to see the potential in cruise tourism. The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona acted as a catalyst.

The city revamped its port facilities to cater to the influx of international visitors. Since then, the cruise port has grown exponentially, becoming one of Europe’s top departure points for Mediterranean cruises.

Today’s Vibrant Port

Today, the port is a harmonious blend of history and modernity. While its terminals and facilities are state-of-the-art, you can still see remnants of the past in the historic buildings and customs sheds dotted around the area. As ships depart, they’re not just embarking on a sea journey but also sailing through a portal of Barcelona’s rich maritime legacy.

To experience the port is to take a journey through time. From ancient sailors navigating by the stars to modern cruisers enjoying the luxuries of state-of-the-art vessels, Barcelona’s cruise port stands as a testament to humankind’s enduring love affair with the sea.

As we delve deeper into this guide, keep this history in mind. It’s not just about the logistics of getting from Point A to Point B; it’s about being a part of a tradition that’s centuries old. Stay tuned as we navigate the practicalities while soaking in the ambiance of this iconic port.

Getting to Barcelona: Transportation Overview

Navigating a city as vibrant and expansive as Barcelona can initially seem daunting, but fear not! The Catalan capital is as user-friendly as they come. Whether you’re arriving by air, rail, or road, we’ve got the lowdown on how to get you smoothly from Barcelona’s key transportation hubs to the bustling cruise port.

Barcelona Airport (El Prat)

• Located about 13 km southwest of the city center, Barcelona El Prat is the city’s main international gateway.
• Aerobús: This express bus service will whisk you directly to the city center (Plaça Catalunya) in roughly 35 minutes.
• Metro (L9 Sud): The metro can take you closer to residential areas and is a popular choice for those staying overnight.
• Taxis: Available 24/7, taxis are a convenient option to get directly to the cruise port. Look out for the black and yellow!
• Tips: If traveling with heavy luggage or in a group, a taxi might be more cost-effective and hassle-free.

Train Stations

• Barcelona Sants: This is the city’s main railway hub, connecting Barcelona to various Spanish cities and international destinations like Paris and Zurich.
• Metro: Lines L3 and L5 can connect you to Drassanes or Paral·lel stations. From there, it’s a short taxi ride to the port.
• Taxis: Directly available outside the station. A 15-minute ride should get you to the port.
• Tips: The train station is vast, so allocate extra time if you’re unfamiliar with it. There are plenty of eateries for a quick bite if you’re early!

Bus Stations

• Barcelona Nord Bus Station: The primary intercity bus hub, connecting Barcelona to both national and international destinations.
• Metro: Arc de Triomf station (L1) is nearby. You can take the metro to Urquinaona and switch to L4, alighting at Barceloneta or Drassanes.
• Taxis: They’re right outside the station. It’s a short, 10-minute ride to the port.
• Tips: The area around the bus station is picturesque. If time allows, explore the nearby Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella.

Recommendations

Barcelona’s efficient transportation system ensures smooth sailing (or riding!) for visitors. Remember:

• Tickets: Buy transportation tickets in advance where possible. Multi-day travel cards can be a good deal if you plan on exploring the city.
• Rush Hours: Just like any major city, Barcelona has its rush hours, typically between 8-10 AM and 6-8 PM. If traveling during these times, allocate a bit of extra time.
• Ask Locals: Barcelonians are friendly and most speak English. If in doubt, ask!

Next, we’ll dive deeper into the specifics of getting to the cruise port. Whether you fancy a scenic walk or want the quickest route, we’ve got the details lined up for you!

Transportation to the Cruise Port

Barcelona is more than just its historic landmarks and beautiful beaches—it’s also a gateway to the Mediterranean via its famed cruise port. Whether you’re tight on time or looking to soak in the city’s ambiance on your way, here’s how to make the journey efficiently and enjoyably.

Barcelona Metro System

The metro, with its intricate web of lines crisscrossing the city, is a popular choice for both locals and tourists.

• Drassanes (L3): Nearest to the port. Once you alight, you’re just a stone’s throw away from the cruise terminals.
• Barceloneta (L4): Another nearby station, especially useful if you’re coming from the northern parts of the city.
• Tickets: Opt for a T-10 ticket if you plan multiple journeys. It offers ten rides and is more economical than single tickets.
• Frequency: Trains usually come every 2-5 minutes during peak hours. Less frequent during off-peak times, but you’ll rarely wait longer than 10 minutes.
• Tips: Avoid rush hours (8-10 AM & 5-8 PM). The metro stations have escalators, but elevators are less common, so be mindful if you have heavy luggage.

Buses offer a scenic route through the city, with the added bonus of being above ground to catch all the sights.

• Bus D20: This route goes from Paral·lel to the cruise port, stopping right outside the terminals.
• Buses are frequent, especially during the day, with an average wait of 10-15 minutes.
• Fares are similar to the metro, and the T-10 ticket can be used here too.
• Tips: Buses have special spots for luggage, so they’re a good option if you’re carrying more than just a backpack.

Taxis and Ride-shares

For a direct, hassle-free route, taxis and ride-shares like Uber are great options.

• Cost: A taxi from the city center to the cruise port will typically cost around €10-€15.
• Availability: Taxis are plentiful in Barcelona. Look for the signature black and yellow cabs.
• Tips: Always ensure the meter is running to avoid overcharges. If you prefer ride-sharing apps, ensure you have a working internet connection.

Walking and Biking

For the adventurers who love to soak in the surroundings.

• Walking: It’s a pleasant walk from the bottom of La Rambla (the famous pedestrian street) to the cruise port, taking around 20-30 minutes.
• Biking: Barcelona is bike-friendly, with plenty of bike lanes. You can rent a bike and ride to the port. There are several drop-off points for rentals near the cruise terminals.
• Tips: If walking, ensure you have comfortable footwear. If biking, always lock your bike, even if leaving it for just a few minutes.

Barcelona’s multifaceted transportation system provides an array of choices tailored to every traveler’s needs. No matter your preference, the journey from the heart of the city to the embrace of the Mediterranean Sea at the cruise port promises to be memorable.

Up next, let’s go from Barcelona to cruise port itself, where your sea-bound adventure truly begins!

Port Facilities and Amenities

As you step closer to the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean, Barcelona’s cruise port welcomes you with open arms. But before you embark on your sea voyage, it’s worth taking a moment to explore the extensive facilities and amenities that this modern port offers.

Whether you’re in need of last-minute essentials or looking for a leisurely coffee before boarding, this port has it all.

Barcelona’s cruise port boasts multiple terminals , ensuring it can cater to the vast number of ships and passengers passing through each year.

• Adossat Quay Terminals (A, B, C, D): These are the primary terminals for larger cruise ships. They’re equipped with all the modern amenities and are a short shuttle bus ride away from the city’s World Trade Center.
• World Trade Center Terminals (North and South): These terminals are closer to La Rambla and are generally used by smaller cruise lines and ferries.
• Luggage Services: You can find luggage storage and forwarding services, handy if you have a few hours to spare before boarding or after disembarking.
• Currency Exchange & ATMs: Located in the terminals, ensuring you’re equipped with the right currency for your travels.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available, but if you’re after faster speeds, premium plans are purchasable.
• Information Desks: Multilingual staff are on hand to help with any queries or provide local tips.

Dining & Shopping

• Cafés and Restaurants: From quick bites to sit-down meals, there’s a variety of options to satiate your hunger.
• Duty-Free & Retail Outlets: Ideal for last-minute gifts, travel essentials, or luxury items. Remember, you’re about to embark on a cruise—perhaps a bit of shopping is in order?

Accessibility

• Wheelchair Access: The port and its terminals are wheelchair-friendly, with ramps and accessible restrooms.
• Elevators: Available in all main areas, ensuring those with mobility issues or heavy luggage can move around with ease.

Transport Within the Port

• Shuttle Buses: These run regularly between the terminals and other key locations within the port.
• Pedestrian Routes: If you’re keen on stretching your legs, there are safe walking routes marked out, especially useful if you’re at the World Trade Center Terminals.

Safety and Security

• Security Screening: All passengers undergo security checks, similar to airport procedures. Ensure you’re aware of the prohibited items list provided by your cruise line.
• CCTV & Patrols: The port area is monitored 24/7 to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff.

Tips and Recommendations

• Arrive Early: This gives you time to explore, shop, or relax without the rush.
• Local SIM Cards: If you’re in need of a data connection for your onward journey, there are kiosks selling local SIM cards.
• Port Lounge: Some terminals offer lounge facilities, perfect for unwinding before your voyage. Check availability based on your ticket or loyalty program status.

In conclusion, Barcelona’s cruise port is not just a departure point—it’s the start of your journey. With its world-class facilities, you’re ensured a stress-free transition from land to sea. So, grab that cup of coffee, buy that souvenir, or simply soak in the views—the adventure is just beginning!

Up next, we’ll shed light on nearby attractions. Whether you have a few hours or a whole day before boarding, Barcelona brims with treasures waiting to be discovered.

Culinary Delights: Savoring Barcelona from the Cruise Port

Ah, Barcelona! The name alone evokes visions of vibrant streets, mesmerizing architecture, and of course, an enticing culinary landscape. Spain’s Catalonian capital is a gastronomic paradise, boasting flavors that range from age-old traditional recipes to avant-garde culinary innovations.

If your cruise is docking in or departing from Barcelona, it would be an absolute sin not to dive into its rich culinary tapestry.

Tapas – Spain’s Coveted Small Plates

• Patatas Bravas: Golden cubes of fried potatoes topped with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
• Pimientos de Padrón: Fried green peppers sprinkled with sea salt.
• Albóndigas: Spanish meatballs, often simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
• Gambas al Ajillo: Succulent shrimp fried in garlic and chili.

Pro Tip: Head to the lively El Raval neighborhood or the bustling La Boquería Market on La Rambla to savor some of the best tapas in town.

Seafood – A Bounty from the Mediterranean

• Zarzuela: A rich seafood stew with fish, prawns, mussels, and clams in a saffron-infused broth.
• Suquet de Peix: A hearty fish stew, thickened with potatoes and flavored with garlic and paprika.

Spotlight: Don’t miss dining at Barceloneta , the city’s seaside neighborhood brimming with seafood restaurants.

Traditional Mains

• Fideuá: A paella-like dish, but with noodles instead of rice, often loaded with seafood.
• Butifarra: A traditional Catalan sausage often served with white beans.

Sweets & Desserts

• Crema Catalana: Catalonia’s answer to crème brûlée.
• Churros: Deep-fried dough pastries, best enjoyed dipped in thick hot chocolate.
• Panellets: Almond and potato-based pastries, especially popular during the All Saints’ Day celebrations.

Drinks to Sip

• Cava: Catalonia’s famous sparkling wine, often compared to Champagne.
• Vermouth: Enjoyed especially during the midday as an aperitif. Many bars in Barcelona have their own house-made versions.
• Horchata: A refreshing cold drink made from tigernuts, sugar, and water.

Culinary Experiences

• Cooking Classes: Enroll in a local cooking class and learn how to make paella, tapas, or other Spanish delicacies.
• Wine Tasting: Catalonia is home to several wine regions. Consider a wine tasting tour to sample local varietals.

Vegetarian & Vegan Eateries

While Spanish cuisine is traditionally meat and seafood-heavy, Barcelona has seen a rise in vegetarian and vegan eateries. From vegan tapas to plant-based paellas, the city caters to all dietary preferences.

Food Markets

La Boquería Market: Probably the most famous market in Barcelona, it’s a riot of colors, smells, and flavors. Dive into its aisles to discover fresh produce, meats, seafood, and a variety of eateries.

Mercat de Sant Antoni: A less touristy alternative to La Boquería but equally vibrant and diverse.

To truly understand Barcelona, one must savor its food. Each bite tells a story of its history, culture, and the passion of its people. So, while the city’s architectural wonders like the Sagrada Família or Park Güell might dominate most itineraries, remember that Barcelona’s real pulse can often be found in its bustling markets, cozy tapas bars, and the aromatic kitchens of its local chefs.

As you set sail from the Barcelona cruise port, let your palate carry the flavors and memories of this Catalonian jewel. ¡Buen provecho!

Things to Do Near the Barcelona Cruise Port

Barcelona’s cruise port isn’t just a gateway to the Mediterranean—it’s also a stone’s throw from some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and experiences. Whether you’ve got a few hours to spare before departure or a whole day after your cruise, here are some unmissable attractions nearby:

Distance: 10-15 min walk from the World Trade Center Terminals.

• Description: Barcelona’s iconic pedestrian street, stretching over 1.2 km, is lined with shops, restaurants, and kiosks.
• Mercat de la Boqueria: A bustling market offering fresh produce, meats, and tapas bars.
• Liceu Theatre: A historic opera house boasting beautiful architecture.
• Tips: Keep an eye on your belongings; the area is known for pickpockets.

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

Distance: 15 min walk from the port.

• Description: A labyrinth of narrow medieval streets filled with history at every turn.
• Barcelona Cathedral: An awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral with a rooftop that offers panoramic city views.
• Plaça Reial: A lively square surrounded by restaurants and known for its nightlife.
• Tips: Wander and get lost—this is the best way to experience the Gothic Quarter’s charm.

Barceloneta Beach

Distance: 20 min walk or a short taxi ride.

• Description: Barcelona’s most famous beach, perfect for a quick dip or to soak up some sun.
• Beachside Restaurants & Bars: Enjoy seafood paella with a view of the sea.
• Watersports: Rent a paddleboard or go windsurfing.
• Tips: The beach can get crowded, especially during summer. Arrive early for a good spot.

El Born District

Distance: 20-25 min walk from the port.

• Description: A vibrant neighborhood known for its bohemian vibe, boutiques, and tapas bars.
• Picasso Museum: Home to one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
• Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar: A beautiful example of Catalan Gothic architecture.
• Tips: Visit in the evening for lively tapas hopping.

Port Vell and Maremagnum

Distance: 10 min walk from the World Trade Center Terminals.

• Description: Once an old port area, now transformed into a bustling waterfront with an entertainment complex.
• Aquarium Barcelona: One of Europe’s largest and most fascinating aquariums.
• IMAX Port Vell: Catch a movie at this giant cinema.
• Shopping & Dining: Maremagnum offers a mix of local and international brands, plus several dining options.
• Tips: A great spot for families with kids.

Columbus Monument and Viewpoint

Distance: 10 min walk from the port.

• Description: A towering monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus, which offers a viewing platform.
• Elevator Ride to the Top: Get a bird’s eye view of the city and the port.
• Surrounding Plaça: A vibrant area with street performers and local vendors.
• Tips: The elevator has a small fee, but the view is worth it, especially on a clear day.

The proximity of Barcelona’s cruise port to the heart of the city ensures you can easily dip into the rich tapestry of culture, history, and leisure experiences the city offers.

Whether you’re a food lover, history buff, or simply keen to relax on the beach, there’s something for everyone just moments away from where your ship docks.

​​​​ Short Day Trips from the Barcelona Cruise Port

While Barcelona itself is a treasure trove of attractions, the surrounding areas are equally intriguing and make for wonderful day trips. If you’re extending your cruise vacation or have a long layover before setting sail, here are some short excursions from Barcelona’s cruise port:

• Duration: Half-day to full-day.
• Montserrat Monastery: A stunning 9th-century abbey nestled in the mountains.
• Montserrat Mountain: Offers panoramic views of Catalonia. You can reach the top via a funicular or hiking trails.
• Montserrat Museum: Features an array of art from artists like Dali and Picasso.
• Getting There: About an hour by train from Barcelona.

• Duration: Half-day.
• Beautiful Beaches: Soft sands and serene waters, great for relaxation.
• Historic Center: Meandering streets filled with shops, restaurants, and colonial-era buildings.
• Cau Ferrat Museum: Showcases the works of artist Santiago Rusiñol.
• Getting There: Around 30 minutes by train from Barcelona.

• Duration: Full-day.
• Medieval Quarter: Features well-preserved medieval architecture.
• Girona Cathedral: Boasts a stunning Gothic nave and the Tapestry of Creation.
• Jewish Quarter: One of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe.
• Game of Thrones Filming Locations: Girona was a primary filming location for the series.
• Getting There: Just over an hour by train or car from Barcelona.

• Dalí Theatre-Museum: A surreal museum dedicated to the life and works of Salvador Dalí.
• Sant Ferran Castle: One of the largest fortresses in Europe.
• Getting There: About 90 minutes by train from Barcelona.

• Ancient Roman Ruins: Includes an amphitheater, circus, and the Pont del Diable aqueduct.
• Old Quarter: Offers a mix of medieval and Roman architecture.
• Cathedral of Tarragona: A beautiful 12th-century edifice.
• Getting There: Roughly 1 hour by train or car from Barcelona.

Wine Regions: Penedès and Cava Country

• Wine Tastings: Sample local wines and cava (sparkling wine) at renowned vineyards.
• Winery Tours: Learn about the wine-making process.
• Scenic Vineyard Views: Enjoy the picturesque landscapes of rolling vineyards.
• Getting There: 30 minutes to an hour by car or organized tour from Barcelona.

Costa Brava

• Stunning Beaches: From secluded coves to vibrant beaches.
• Medieval Villages: Explore towns like Pals and Peratallada.
• Botanical Gardens: Such as the Marimurtra Botanical Gardens in Blanes.
• Getting There: Varies based on specific destinations, but generally 1-2 hours by car from Barcelona.

While Barcelona is a destination in its own right, its surrounding regions are brimming with history, natural beauty, and cultural gems. Each of these day trips offers a unique glimpse into the richness of Catalonia, ensuring that cruisers can make the most of every moment of their extended journey.

Cruise Lines Operating from Barcelona

Barcelona, being a major European cruise port and a gateway to the Mediterranean, plays host to a plethora of cruise lines. These range from luxury, intimate vessels to massive, state-of-the-art ships that resemble floating cities.

If you’re considering setting sail from this vibrant city, here’s a comprehensive overview of the major cruise lines that regularly operate from Barcelona:

Royal Caribbean International

• Notable Ships: Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas.
• Destinations: Primarily Mediterranean destinations, but also offers transatlantic cruises.
• Unique Selling Points: Perfect for families with onboard water parks, Broadway-style shows, and adventure activities like zip-lining and surf simulators.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

• Notable Ships: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Getaway.
• Destinations: Western and Eastern Mediterranean cruises with occasional transatlantic voyages.
• Unique Selling Points: NCL is known for its “Freestyle Dining” concept, extensive entertainment options, and vibrant nightlife onboard.

MSC Cruises

• Notable Ships: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview.
• Destinations: Covers a broad range of Mediterranean ports and occasionally sails to Northern Europe.
• Unique Selling Points: Emphasizes European elegance, offers Cirque du Soleil shows at sea, and provides family-friendly options like LEGO-themed play areas.

Carnival Cruise Line

• Notable Ships: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Legend.
• Destinations: Primarily Mediterranean destinations during the European summer season.
• Unique Selling Points: Offers a fun, laid-back atmosphere with plenty of entertainment and dining options suitable for families and younger cruisers.

Princess Cruises

• Notable Ships: Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Sky Princess.
• Destinations: Mediterranean, British Isles, and Northern Europe.
• Unique Selling Points: Offers a blend of traditional and modern cruising experiences with a focus on destination immersion and onboard enrichment programs.

Celebrity Cruises

• Notable Ships: Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Edge.
• Destinations: Primarily Mediterranean, but also offers transatlantic and Northern European voyages.
• Unique Selling Points: Emphasizes modern luxury with gourmet dining, sophisticated décor, and a spa-inspired approach to relaxation.

Holland America Line

• Notable Ships: Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Westerdam.
• Destinations: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and transatlantic voyages.
• Unique Selling Points: Offers classic cruising with a touch of Dutch maritime tradition, extensive enrichment programs, and world-class dining.

Cunard Line

• Notable Ships: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth.
• Destinations: Mediterranean, World Cruises, and transatlantic voyages.
• Unique Selling Points: Known for its British sophistication, offers traditional ocean liner experiences, afternoon teas, and grand ballroom dancing.

Oceania Cruises

• Notable Ships: Marina, Riviera.
• Destinations: Mediterranean, Baltic, and occasionally longer voyages that cover multiple regions.
• Unique Selling Points: Focuses on luxury and destination-rich itineraries, renowned for gourmet cuisine and upscale amenities.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• Notable Ships: Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor.
• Destinations: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and extended global voyages.
• Unique Selling Points: Offers all-inclusive luxury cruises with fine dining, spacious all-suite accommodations, and enriching shore excursions.

Barcelona’s reputation as a major European cruise port is evident in the array of cruise lines and ships that start or visit the city. Whether you’re searching for luxury, family adventures, or a rich itinerary that dives deep into the Mediterranean’s treasures, there’s a ship and cruise line ready to set sail with you from Barcelona.

Up next, we’ll provide you with some practical cruise tips to ensure your embarkation day goes smoothly. Safe voyages!

Travel Tips for Cruisers in Barcelona

Setting sail from the picturesque Barcelona can be an unforgettable experience, but a smooth journey often hinges on good preparation. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer , here are some travel tips tailored to help you make the most of your Barcelona cruise experience:

Arrive a Day Early

• Why: This not only gives you a buffer against travel delays but also an opportunity to combat jet lag and explore Barcelona.
• Tip: Choose a hotel close to La Rambla or the Gothic Quarter for easy access to both attractions and the cruise port.

Be Aware of the ‘Siesta’ Culture

• Why: Many shops and restaurants in Barcelona close in the afternoon, typically from 2 pm to 4 pm.
• Tip: Plan major activities and shopping either before or after this period.

Beware of Pickpockets

• Why: Popular tourist areas, especially La Rambla, are hotspots for pickpockets.
• Tip: Use anti-theft bags, don’t flash valuables, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Pack a Day Bag

• Why: It can take time for your luggage to be delivered to your stateroom.
• Tip: Pack essentials like medications, swimsuits, important documents, and a change of clothes in a carry-on.

Language Basics Help

• Why: While many in Barcelona speak English, knowing a few phrases in Spanish or Catalan can enhance your experience.
• Tip: Learn basics like “Hola” (Hello), “Gracias” (Thank you), and “Dónde está…?” (Where is…?).

Stay Hydrated and Sun-protected

• Why: Barcelona can be hot, especially in the summer.
• Tip: Carry a reusable water bottle and always apply sunscreen, even if you’re just exploring the city for a few hours.

Familiarize Yourself with Local Transport

• Why: Taxis can get expensive, especially if there’s traffic.
• Tip: Barcelona’s metro and bus systems are efficient. The T10 ticket offers ten rides on public transportation and can be shared.

Research Shore Excursions in Advance

• Why: While cruise lines offer organized shore excursions, they can be pricier than local operators.
• Tip: Check out reviews of local tour providers on platforms like TripAdvisor. However, ensure they have a reputation for punctuality; you don’t want to miss the ship!

Keep a Check on Boarding Time

• Why: Ships have a strict departure schedule.
• Tip: Always be back at least 30 minutes before the last boarding time, and keep the ship’s local contact number handy.

Get Acquainted with the Port Layout

• Why: Barcelona’s cruise port is expansive with various terminals.
• Tip: Before your cruise, check which terminal your ship departs from. If disembarking for a day in Barcelona, note where you’ll need to return.

Consider Dietary Needs

• Why: While cruise ships cater to a plethora of dietary requirements, local eateries in Barcelona might not.
• Tip: Research restaurants in advance if you have specific dietary needs. Many places now offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Save on Mobile Data

• Why: International roaming charges can be exorbitant.
• Tip: Either buy a local SIM card, utilize free Wi-Fi spots around the city, or download offline maps.

Embarking on a cruise from Barcelona offers a mix of cosmopolitan vibes and Mediterranean allure. By preparing in advance and being aware of the local nuances, cruisers can ensure their journey begins on a high note.

Conclusion: Setting Sail from the Heart of Catalonia

As we draw this comprehensive guide to a close, it’s evident why Barcelona remains one of Europe’s most coveted cruise ports. Nestled between the azure Mediterranean and the rugged Collserola hills, Barcelona is more than just a departure point—it’s a tantalizing blend of history, art, architecture, and vibrant street life.

From the undulating designs of Gaudí’s masterpieces to the rhythmic beats of flamenco dancers, the city is a feast for the senses. Its cruise port, strategically located and equipped with top-notch amenities, serves as a gateway to the Mediterranean’s shimmering coasts and beyond. The surrounding regions of Catalonia further elevate the allure, with their vineyards, mountain monasteries, and golden beaches.

For cruisers, Barcelona offers a seamless blend of relaxation and exploration. Whether you’re soaking in the city’s ambiance pre-cruise, embarking on short day trips, or simply taking in the panoramic city views as your ship sets sail, Barcelona promises an experience like no other.

So, whether it’s your maiden voyage or you’re a seasoned cruiser returning to this beloved port, Barcelona never ceases to captivate. As you step onto your cruise, with the city’s skyline fading into the horizon, it’s not just a journey you embark on, but a plethora of memories you carry along.

Here’s to adventures on the high seas, tales from ancient streets, and the timeless charm of Barcelona. Until next time, bon voyage!

FAQs on Barcelona to Cruise Port

1. where is the barcelona cruise port located.

The Barcelona cruise port is strategically located at the southern end of La Rambla, in the city’s Port Vell area. It is one of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise destinations and consists of multiple terminals.

2. How can I get from Barcelona airport to the cruise port?

You have multiple options:

• Taxi: Takes about 20-30 minutes and is the most convenient option.
• Bus: The Aerobus service connects the airport to Plaça Catalunya. From there, you can take the Portbus or a taxi.
• Private Transfer: Pre-booked vehicles that offer door-to-door service.

3. Can I walk from La Rambla to the cruise port?

Yes, it’s possible to walk from La Rambla to the cruise port, especially if your ship is docked at the Adossat Quay. The walk can take around 20-30 minutes.

4. Is there luggage storage available at the Barcelona cruise port?

Yes, there are luggage storage facilities at the cruise port where you can safely store your bags for a fee.

5. How early should I arrive at the Barcelona cruise port before my departure?

It’s advisable to arrive at least 2-3 hours before your scheduled departure. This gives you ample time for check-in, security checks, and boarding.

6. Are there any nearby hotels to the cruise port?

There are numerous hotels located near the port, ranging from luxury to budget options. Some popular choices include the Eurostars Grand Marina and the Tryp Barcelona Apolo Hotel.

7. What is the taxi fare from the city center to the cruise port?

Taxi fare from the city center to the cruise port typically ranges from €10 to €15, though prices can vary based on traffic and exact location.

8. Is there parking available at the Barcelona cruise port?

Yes, there are several parking areas around the port, offering both short-term and long-term parking options.

9. Are there any currency exchange counters at the cruise port?

While the Barcelona cruise port has many amenities, it’s advisable to exchange currency at the city’s banks, at the airport, or at major tourist areas for better rates.

10. Does the cruise port offer Wi-Fi services?

Yes, there’s Wi-Fi available at the cruise terminals, though it might be limited. Many nearby cafes and restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi.

11. Can I find duty-free shopping at the Barcelona cruise port?

Yes, there are duty-free shops available at the cruise terminals where you can purchase a variety of goods including alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, and more.

12. Are there facilities for travelers with special needs at the cruise port?

Yes, the Barcelona cruise port is equipped with facilities to assist travelers with disabilities, including ramps, elevators, and wheelchair-friendly shuttles.

13. How far is the Barcelona cruise port from major attractions like the Sagrada Família or Park Güell?

The cruise port is roughly 4 km from the Sagrada Família and around 6 km from Park Güell. You can easily reach these attractions by taxi, public transport, or organized tours.

14. What language is primarily spoken at the cruise port?

While Catalan and Spanish are the official languages of Barcelona, English is widely spoken at the cruise port and most associated service areas due to the international nature of cruising.

15. Are pets allowed at the Barcelona cruise port?

Pets are generally not allowed at the cruise terminals unless they are service animals or they are in proper carriers for travel.

16. Are there any dining facilities at the Barcelona cruise port?

Yes, the cruise port terminals feature a range of dining options including cafes, snack bars, and restaurants where passengers can enjoy a meal or a quick bite before departure.

17. How safe is the area around the Barcelona cruise port?

The area around the Barcelona cruise port is generally safe for tourists. However, like any major city, it’s essential to be aware of your surroundings and take basic precautions, especially against pickpocketing.

18. Can I rent a car at the cruise port?

While there isn’t a direct car rental agency within the cruise terminals, several major car rental companies have offices near the port. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

19. Is there a dress code to board the cruise ships at Barcelona?

While there isn’t a strict dress code to board the ship, most cruise lines recommend smart casual attire. However, each cruise line might have its own dress policies for onboard activities and dinners, so it’s advisable to check with your cruise operator beforehand.

20. Can I find guided tours that start from the cruise port?

Absolutely! Many tour operators offer shore excursions and city tours that commence from the Barcelona cruise port. These can be booked in advance or often even on the day of arrival, depending on availability.

21. Is it possible to store my cruise luggage and explore the city?

Yes, there are luggage storage facilities at the cruise port where you can deposit your bags for a fee, allowing you to explore the city without the burden of carrying your luggage around.

22. Are there any medical facilities or pharmacies at the cruise port?

While there’s a basic first aid station at the cruise port, for more comprehensive medical needs, it’s better to visit hospitals or clinics in the city. Pharmacies are abundant in Barcelona, with some located near the port.

23. What’s the best time of year to cruise from Barcelona?

Barcelona is a year-round cruise port. However, the peak cruising season is from April to October when the Mediterranean climate is at its best. Off-peak seasons might offer fewer crowds and potentially lower prices.

24. How can I stay updated about my cruise schedule or any changes?

Most cruise operators have mobile apps or websites where passengers can check real-time updates regarding schedules, boarding times, and any itinerary changes. Additionally, announcements are frequently made at the cruise port.

25. Are there any child care or entertainment facilities for kids at the cruise port?

While the cruise port terminals primarily serve as transit points and don’t have extensive child entertainment facilities, most cruise ships docked offer a range of onboard activities and entertainment options for kids.

Barcelona Cruise Port 

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Terminal & Transport Guide

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and its cruise port terminal is a major gateway for travelers from all over the world. The new terminal at Barcelona Cruise Port is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a seamless experience for passengers. Equipped with modern amenities such as restaurants, shops, and lounges, the terminal caters to the needs of travelers. The timetable for arrivals and departures at the terminal is carefully managed to ensure smooth operations and minimize wait times. With its strategic location and excellent facilities, the Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal has become one of the most popular cruise destinations in Europe.

Modern Amenities at Barcelona Cruise Port: Restaurants, Shops, Lounges

Passengers at Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal have access to a wide range of modern amenities that make their stay more enjoyable. There are several restaurants serving local cuisine as well as international dishes. Travelers can also find shops selling souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, electronics, and other items. For those who need some quiet time before boarding their ship or after disembarking it upon return home there are lounges where they can relax with comfortable seating areas.

Timetable Management: Smooth Operations

The timetable for arrivals and departures at Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal is carefully managed to ensure smooth operations. The port authorities work closely with cruise lines to coordinate schedules so that ships arrive and depart on time without delays or disruptions. This helps minimize wait times for passengers who are eager to start exploring the city or return home after a memorable vacation.

Ferry Terminals at the Barcelona Cruise Port: Adossat and Sant Bertran Docks

The ferry terminals at the port are located at two docks: Adossat and Sant Bertran. The Adossat dock is the largest and most modern dock in the port. It has three berths for large cruise ships, making it ideal for handling multiple large vessels simultaneously. The Sant Bertran dock is smaller and mainly used for ferries and smaller cruise ships.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The docks at the port are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure seamless operations. These include luggage handling systems that make it easy to transfer passengers’ bags from their cabins to their transportation vehicles or vice versa. Passenger boarding bridges have been installed to facilitate safe transfer of passengers between ships and ports without exposing them to harsh weather conditions or other hazards.

Security checkpoints are also available on every dock to ensure that only authorized personnel gain access to restricted areas such as cargo holds or engine rooms. These measures help prevent security breaches that could compromise passenger safety while they are on board.

Quay Length

With over 4 kilometers of quay length, there is ample space for ships to maneuver and dock safely at Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal. This feature makes it possible for large vessels like Oasis-class Royal Caribbean ships to navigate easily through narrow channels without risking damage or accidents.

Tourist Transport Options from Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal

Cruise ships are a popular way to travel, and Barcelona’s cruise port is one of the busiest in Europe. Once you arrive at the port, there are various transportation options available to explore the city. In this section, we will discuss some of the most convenient and budget-friendly tourist transport options from Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal.

Cruise Shuttle Bus

The cruise shuttle bus is a convenient option for tourists as it provides direct transportation from the cruise port to popular destinations in the city. The blue bus operates every 30 minutes, making stops at Plaça d’Espanya, Passeig de Gracia, and Plaça Catalunya. This service is especially useful for those who want to visit top attractions such as La Sagrada Familia or Park Guell without having to worry about navigating public transport.

Tourist Bus

The tourist bus is another great option for exploring Barcelona at your own pace. This hop-on-hop-off service allows tourists to get on and off at any stop along the route with stops near major attractions and landmarks such as Camp Nou Stadium, Park Guell, La Pedrera, and Casa Batllo. With an audio guide available in multiple languages providing information about each site visited, this service offers an informative and enjoyable experience for visitors.

Port Shuttle Bus

The port shuttle bus is a free service provided by the cruise port that connects passengers to the nearest metro station (Drassanes) for easy access to the city center. This service runs every 10-15 minutes during peak hours and provides a cost-effective way of reaching your destination quickly.

Shuttle Bus Service

For those looking for hassle-free transfer from the cruise port to hotels or other destinations in Barcelona can pre-book shuttle bus services. These private transfers offer door-to-door service with professional drivers who speak English fluently. The shuttle buses are air-conditioned and comfortable with enough space for luggage.

Public Transport

Public transport, including buses and metro, is a budget-friendly option for tourists looking to explore the city on their own. The Aerobus is an airport bus that connects the airport with the city center, making it easy for visitors to reach their destination quickly. TMB (Barcelona Metropolitan Transport) offers a range of tickets and passes that can be used on buses, metro, and trams.

Taxis are readily available at the cruise port and offer a convenient option for those looking for a more personalized mode of transportation. Taxi drivers in Barcelona are known for being friendly and helpful, making them a great choice if you’re new to the city or need help getting around.

How to Reach Barcelona El Prat Airport from the Barcelona Cruise Port

Taxi and private transfer: the most convenient way to reach barcelona el prat airport.

Barcelona El Prat Airport is the main airport serving the city of Barcelona, located approximately 15 kilometers southwest of the city center. For travelers arriving or departing by cruise ship, the cruise port in Barcelona is a convenient option as it is only about 20 kilometers away from Barcelona El Prat Airport.

The most popular and convenient way to reach Barcelona El Prat Airport from the cruise port is by taxi or private transfer. Taxis are readily available at the cruise port terminal, and a ride to the airport takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Private transfers can also be arranged in advance through various companies for added convenience.

While taxis and private transfers are more expensive than other transportation options, they offer several advantages such as comfort, convenience, and reliability. Travelers with heavy luggage or those who value privacy will find these options particularly appealing.

Public Transportation: A More Affordable Option

For travelers on a budget, taking public transportation such as buses and trains is a more affordable option for reaching Barcelona El Prat Airport from the cruise port. The Aerobus shuttle service connects both terminals of the airport with Plaça de Catalunya in central Barcelona, making stops at several locations along the way including Gran Via-Urgell and Plaça d’Espanya. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes one way and costs €5.90 per person.

Another public transportation option is taking RENFE trains from Estació de França train station near the cruise port to Barcelona Sants train station where there are connections to trains that go directly to Terminal 2 of Barcelona El Prat Airport. This option costs €4.60 per person one way but requires some walking between stations.

Flying into Costa Brava Airport: An Alternative Option

For travelers looking for alternative airports near Barcelona, Costa Brava Airport is located approximately 100 kilometers north of the city and offers a range of low-cost carriers. While it may require additional travel time to reach Barcelona from Costa Brava Airport, it can be a more affordable option for travelers on a budget.

Getting from the Barcelona Cruise Port Terminals to the City Centre

Walking distance to world trade center barcelona.

If you’re arriving at the World Trade Center Terminals in the south of Barcelona’s port, you’re already within walking distance to the city center. The World Trade Center Barcelona is located just a few minutes from the city center, making it an ideal location for travelers who want to explore the city on foot. It takes around 20-30 minutes to walk from the World Trade Centre Terminals to the city center.

The World Trade Center is a landmark that can be used as a reference point when navigating your way to the city center. You can easily spot it from afar due to its unique architecture and design. Once you’ve arrived at this iconic building, you can start exploring some of Barcelona’s most popular attractions such as Las Ramblas, La Boqueria Market, and Plaça de Catalunya.

Alternative Ways of Getting Around

If walking isn’t your thing or if you have limited mobility, there are other ways of getting around in Barcelona. Taxis are readily available outside both terminals and can take you directly to your destination in the city center. Alternatively, public transportation is also an affordable and convenient option for travelers who want to explore the city.

The metro system in Barcelona is extensive and connects all major tourist destinations throughout the city. There are several metro stations near the cruise terminals including Drassanes (L3), Paral·lel (L2/L3), and Liceu (L3). You can purchase individual tickets or multi-day passes depending on how long you plan on staying in Barcelona.

Left Luggage and Baggage Transfer Services at Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal

Luggage storage and transfer services are essential for travelers who want to explore the city without carrying their heavy bags around. The Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal offers these services to arriving passengers, making it easier for them to enjoy their stay in the city. Here are some of the benefits of using these services:

Luggage Storage Service

The luggage storage service at the Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal allows passengers to check their bags and explore the city without carrying heavy luggage around. This service is perfect for travelers who arrive early or have a late departure flight and want to make the most of their time in Barcelona.

The luggage storage service is located near Adossat Quay, which is just a few minutes away from the cruise terminal. Passengers can store their bags securely and pick them up when they’re ready to leave. The cost of storing luggage depends on how long you need it stored, but it’s generally affordable.

Baggage Transfer Services

Passengers with disabilities can also benefit from baggage transfer services at the Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal. These services allow them to easily transfer their luggage and navigate the terminal within minutes of arrival at Adossat Quay.

Shuttle Services, Private Transfers, and Taxi Ranks

Shuttle services, private transfers, and taxi ranks are available at the terminal for easy transportation to the airport or other destinations in Barcelona. Passengers can choose between shared shuttles or private transfers depending on their budget and preferences.

Shared shuttles are perfect for passengers who want an affordable option that still provides comfort during transportation. Private transfers offer more privacy and flexibility since passengers can choose when they want to be picked up or dropped off.

Taxi ranks are also available at Adossat Quay if you prefer taking a taxi straight from your cruise ship. However, keep in mind that taxi fares may vary depending on your destination.

Cheap Car Parks Near Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal

Several affordable car parks near barcelona cruise port terminal.

If you’re planning to embark on a cruise from the Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal, finding an affordable and secure car park is essential. Fortunately, several cheap car parks are available near the terminal that provides convenient parking options for passengers.

The Prices of These Car Parks Vary Depending on the Location and Services Offered

The prices of these car parks vary depending on the location and services offered. Some car parks offer indoor or outdoor parking spaces, while others provide covered or uncovered parking spots. The cost of indoor or covered parking is usually higher than outdoor or uncovered parking.

Some of the Car Parks Offer Shuttle Services to and from the Terminal

To make it easier for passengers to transport their luggage, some of these affordable car parks offer shuttle services to and from the terminal. This service is particularly useful if you have heavy bags or if you’re traveling with young children.

It Is Recommended to Book Your Parking Spot in Advance

Booking your parking spot in advance is highly recommended to ensure availability and avoid last-minute stress. You can book your spot online through various platforms such as ParkVia, Parclick , or Parking Kong. Some car parks also offer discounts for early bookings.

Tours, Shore Excursions, Hotels, and City Tours at Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal

Tours and shore excursions at barcelona cruise port terminal.

The Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal is a popular destination for tourists who want to explore the city’s rich culture, history, and architecture. The terminal offers a wide variety of tours and shore excursions that cater to different interests and preferences. Visitors can choose from guided walking tours, bike tours, food tours, wine tasting tours, art museum visits, and many more.

One of the most popular tours available at the terminal is the Gaudi Tour. This tour takes visitors to some of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works in the city such as La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batllo, and Casa Mila. Another must-try tour is the Gothic Quarter Walking Tour which takes you through Barcelona’s medieval streets while learning about its rich history.

To avoid long queues or fully booked slots upon arrival at the port terminal, tickets for these tours can be purchased online in advance or directly at the terminals themselves. By purchasing tickets ahead of time online visitors can save time and ensure they get a spot on their desired tour.

Other things to do in the city, wander the famous street of La Rambla, the most famous street in Barcelona, this 1.2km boulevard starts at Plaça de Catalunya and ends at the statue of Christopher Columbus down by the port.

Hotels Near Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal

Visitors who prefer to stay near the port terminals have several options for hotels in close proximity. One highly recommended hotel is Helix Cruise Center Hotel which provides guests with comfortable rooms equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi access and air conditioning.

Other nearby hotels include Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel which has stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea; H10 Port Vell which boasts stylish rooms with balconies overlooking the harbor; and Hotel Duquesa de Cardona which features an outdoor pool with panoramic views of Barcelona’s skyline.

City Tours From Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal

Barcelona has so much to offer beyond just what’s within walking distance from its cruise ship terminals. Visitors looking to explore more of what this beautiful city has to offer can easily access shopping areas as well as hop-on-hop-off city tours from the port terminals. These tours take visitors to different parts of the city such as Montserrat, Sitges, and Costa Brava.

Exploring Barcelona on Foot

For those who prefer to explore the city on foot, information is readily available at the port terminal. Visitors can get maps and brochures that detail popular walking routes around the city. One of the most popular walking routes is La Rambla which takes you through some of Barcelona’s most vibrant neighborhoods such as El Raval and Barri Gotic.

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Visiting Barcelona by Cruise Ship: What to do In Barcelona for a Day

Last updated: October 8, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 8 Comments

If you’re touring Europe by cruise ship, there’s a good chance that one of your stops will be the beautiful Mediterranean city of Barcelona. This is one of our favourite cities in Europe, and one we’ve returned to numerous times.

If you’re visiting Barcelona by cruise ship, you’ll likely have somewhere between five and ten hours to explore the city. With that in mind, we wanted to put together a guide to what to do in Barcelona on a shorter visit like this, and give you all the information you need to maximise your time in the city.

We’re going to give you a detailed itinerary for what to do in Barcelona if you’re visiting by cruise ship, tips on getting from Barcelona Port to downtown Barcelona, tips for getting around Barcelona, and more. Whilst this is focused on cruise ship visitors, it will also work for anyone visiting Barcelona for a shorter trip. Let’s get started.

What to do in Barcelona from a Cruise Ship

This is an itinerary for those of you who want to see Barcelona independently when you visit the city by cruise ship. It’s designed to be logically laid out and easy to follow, starting at the main cruise terminals, looping around the highlights, and returning to your cruise ship.

It should be doable in five or six hours, but of course you can stretch it out with additional stops if you wish, or spend longer at each attraction (or just enjoying a leisurely lunch with Sangria!). You could also drop some of the stops if you wanted to spend more time at each location. This is really just to give you an idea of a suggested itinerary.

1. Colombus Statue – Mirador de Colom

The Portbus (see below on section for getting from the cruise terminal to the city) will drop you at the Mirador de Colom, which is at the southern end of the famous La Rambla walking street. This is commonly known as thePlaça Colom or Placa Colon, which translates as Columbus Plaza, although its official name is actually Portal de la Pau.

Still, the giant 60 metre high pedestal topped with a statue of famous explorer Christopher Columbus has become so iconic, that the name Plaça Colom has stuck, named for the statue, which is known as Monument a Colom in Catalan (Mirador de Colón in Spanish, so you might also see it referred to as Plaça Colon).

If you want to, you can even climb to the top for a small fee, and get excellent views of the city. If you do this, note the Barcelona Day Pass offers a 20% discount on this, with redemption instructions in the e-mail you will receive on purchase of the pass.

It’s from the Plaça Colom that you can get the Barcelona Hop on Hop off bus, which is our recommended way to get around the sights in this itinerary.

Before you do that though, and if you have a longer stopover, you might consider visiting the nearby Maritime Museum  or the Barcelona Aquarium . The Maritime Museum is found in the former royal arsenal of Barcelona, which dates in part from the 13th century, and is a stunning building of itself. The museum focuses on the rich maritime and ship building heritage of Barcelona, with both models and real vessels on display.

L’Aquarium is around a twelve minute walk (or a short ride on the hop on hop off bus) from Plaça Colom, in the harbour area, and is home to over 11,000 animals across both fresh water and sea water tanks. Either is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in the sea!

2. Gothic Quarter

Our next stop in Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gotic. This is the heart of the old city of Barcelona, and stretches from La Rambla in the west to Via Laietana in the west, and from the seafront up to Plaça de Catalunya.

The Gothic Quarter was originally built in a time before cars (although has undergone significant renovation and restoration in recent centuries), so it is largely a pedestrian only area. The narrow, maze like streets are hemmed in by four and five storey buildings, making this a fun warren to explore – although you might want to take a map, as it’s easy to get lost!

Highlights of the Gothic Quarter include the spectacular Barcelona Cathedral and the UNESCO world heritage listed Palau de la Musica Catalana.

In terms of getting to the Gothic Quarter, you can either walk from Plaça Colom up through the old streets to the Cathedral (around 15 – 30 minutes walk), or you can take the Hop on Hop off bus, which has a stop right next to the Cathedral.

3. Casa Batlló

Depending on what time you arrive and how long you have in town, Casa Batlló is an optional stop for those of you keen to explore one of Gaudi’s works.

The nearby La Pedrera is another option, depending on which you prefer.

If you don’t have time to visit either of them, you can can at least get a good up close look at their interesting exteriors! See our full list of Gaudi sites in Barcelona for more ideas.

Along with the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló is one of Gaudi’s most recognisable works in Barcelona. The house was commissioned to be remodelled by Josep Batlló, who had bought it in 1900, and wanted a property that looked like nothing else his family owned, and he gave Gaudi free reign to design something both audacious and creative – a challenge that an architect like Gaudi no doubt relished and rose to.

The house as it stands today is pretty mind blowing, from the Venetian mask inspired balconies through to the dragon like chimney on the roof, with a number of unique and innovative features throughout. Even if you don’t decide to go inside, it’s well worth stopping here to admire the facade, although a visit inside is well worth it.

Note that Casa Batlló is a popular spot for visitors, so you might want to book your ticket in advance and skip the ticket line.

4. Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is the most famous of Gaudi’s creations. It’s a monumental cathedral which incorporates many of his design ideas, and construction has been underway for over 100 years. Whilst not finished, it was consecrated in 2010, so is an active place of worship.

A visit to the Sagrada Familia is a must for your stop in Barcelona. The incredible exterior and interior are unlike anything we’ve seen anywhere else in the world, and to stand inside this creation and stare up at the mighty tree like interior, almost like an organic concrete forest, is truly an awe inspiring experience.

We’d also recommend investing in an audio guide to get the most out of your visit as there is a great deal of symbolism and meaning throughout the church building that you might find escapes you without an explanation.

Note that the Sagrada Familia is a very popular attraction, and as such entry is on a timed entry basis. This means that you can’t just turn up and buy a ticket for immediate entry, and if you’re on a tight schedule because your boat is due to leave, it’s critical that you plan in advance.

You purchase your ticket online in advance from the Sagrada Familia website .

For more on the Sagrada Familia, see our complete guide to visiting the Sagrada Familia , which has all the information you need to plan the perfect visit.

5. Park Güell

After the Sagrada Familia, we recommend you head to Park Güell which is another well-known Gaudi site in Barcelona. This is the next stop along on the hop on hop off bus that we recommend. It’s a bit of a way to the north, so expect to take around 15 minutes to get here.

We’d advise against walking as this will take quite a while. The Hop on Hop off bus stops quite near the entrance to Park Güell, just requiring a short walk uphill to the entrance.

Park Güell is a little bit different from the others Gaudi sites. Instead of being a building, it’s a large park area with a number of interesting features.

The Park was originally envisioned as a luxury housing development for sixty properties, which would also include plenty of open air features and park space. The location would take advantage of the views, and also the fact that is was a little removed from the city center, thus benefiting from improved air.

Unfortunately, this vision was never realised, and only two houses were ever actually built here, neither of which was designed by Gaudi. However, Gaudi did in fact live here for twenty years in one of the houses (which you can visit), and he was responsible for a great many of the features in the Park itself, including the main terrace, the column filled lower court, terrace walls, colonnaded footpaths, tiled mosaics, and more.

After the Sagrada Familia, the Park Güell is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona, and so access to the central area (known as the Monumental Core or Monumental Zone) with the majority of Gaudi’s pieces is timed and ticketed. As with the other attractions on the list, we highly recommend booking this entry in advance of your visit so as not to be disappointed. You can do this on the official website up to three months in advance of your visit.

Just remember to leave enough time between leaving the Sagrada Familia and your Park Güell entry time to get between the two locations. More on this in the section below on getting around Barcelona.

6. La Rambla

Last on our list for the day is a wander down Barcelona’s La Rambla – the famous street that runs from Placa Catalunya to the Mirador de Colón and Plaça Colom, where you’ll get the Portbus back to your cruise ship.

La Rambla is three quarters of a mile long, and will take you between 15 and 30 minutes to wander down, depending on how fast you walk, and how often you stop.

The street was originally a stream, which separated the old city of Barcelona (now the Gothic Quarter) from the suburbs known as La Raval. Of course, the city has since expanded and the stream has been paved over, making this a large tree line boulevard with a large pedestrian walk-way down the middle.

It’s filled with restaurants serving jugs of sangria and tapas, souvenir vendors, bars, and pubs. You’ll also find La Boqueria market on La Rambla, which is worth stopping in at. There’s also a a mosaic by famed artist Joan Miró on La Rambla, which makes for a good photo opportunity.

Map of Attractions for a Day in Barcelona

To help you visualise your day in Barcelona, we’ve put together this map which shows the main attractions, as well as the location of the cruise terminal to help you orientate yourself. You can also see this map on Google maps here .

How to get from Barcelona Cruise Port to Barcelona City Center

There are a number of options for getting from the various Barcelona cruise terminals to the city center. These range from walking through to private transfers or the bus. Which works for you will vary depending on which terminal you arrive at.

The largest ships tend to dock the furthest away at Terminal A-D, which are around two miles from Plaça Colom. Whilst this is in theory walkable, it will take you around forty minutes each way, which will eat up a lot of your precious time for no good reason – the port isn’t exactly a scenic highlight of the city!

We think the best way into the city is the Portbus. This is a dedicated shuttle service that runs between the cruise terminals and Plaça Colom. It’s not a scheduled service – rather, it runs on demand, with more services available when ships are embarking and disembarking. It stops at all the cruise terminals, and then in Barcelona at Plaça Colom, which is where you will also pick it up to get back to your ship.

Portbus tickets cost €3 one way or €4 round trip.

You can also book a private transfer from the port , or catch a taxi. This is definitely going to be the most expensive way to get into the city, although you will avoid more of the queues, especially if you are arriving on a larger cruise ship.

How to Get Around Barcelona

There are a number of options for getting around Barcelona. Whilst the city is fairly walkable, some of the attractions, particularly the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell, will take you quite a lot of time to walk to.

With this in mind, we suggest instead that you consider either taking public transport, or using the Hop on Hop off bus service . Our preference would be the latter, as this is designed to get you between all the major attractions in Barcelona, plus from the open top deck you get great views of the city, as well as an audio guide. You can buy your ticket online in advance here .

What about a shore excursion tour of Barcelona?

Sometimes it’s nice just to not have to worry about planning and itineraries and schedules, and just let someone else take care of all the logistics for you. We’re sure that your cruise ship will have a number of shore excursions available, however we thought you would find the following specially designed tours worth checking out as well.

These offer drop-off & pick-up from the cruise ship and are either private or small-group tours. We think they’re very competitively priced.

• This small group tour which includes the Gothic Quarter and skip the line Sagrada Familia access
• A private, half day tour which includes the option to include the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell
• A full day private tour which includes skip the line access to Sagrada Familia, wine tasting, Parc Guell and La Pedrera

Hopefully that should give you an idea of some of the options available should you wish to arrange your own tour of Barcelona. Just be sure when booking a tour that they can guarantee an on-time return to your cruise ship.

Staying Safe in Barcelona

Barcelona has developed a bit of an unfortunate reputation for having a petty crime problem, in particular, opportunistic crimes such as pick pocketing or grabbing of purses, cameras, phones, or other valuables laid out on tables.

We would add that we have never had this problem on multiple visits to the city, however we are aware that it is an issue. Our advice would be just to be cautious with your belongings, to have valuables securely hidden away or on a secure strap around your neck, and not to have your wallet, phone or other valuables obviously visible in your back pocket. Think about either a money belt , a cross body travel purse , or pants that offer secure zip pockets.

Basic safety precautions and being aware of your surroundings should prevent you from these issues. Avoiding carrying large sums of money on you will also help. As I said, we’ve not had any problems, so we think that by being vigilant and preparing yourself by reading up on common scams in Barcelona , you will be absolutely fine.

Further Reading for Barcelona

We’ve visited Barcelona (and the Costa Brava and Pyrenees region) a number of times, and have put together a number of articles to help you plan your trip, whether you’re visiting Barcelona for a day or longer. Here are some resources we think you’ll find useful.

• If you’re lucky enough to be in Barcelona for longer, perhaps at the end of your cruise, we have a guide to spending 3 days in Barcelona
• We also have another itinerary for 1 day in Barcelona
• We have a detailed guide to the best photography spots in Barcelona
• Jess’s comprehensive review and guide to using the Barcelona Pass
• A post comparing the three main discount passes available in Barcelona , to help you decide which one will save you the most money
• If you want to head out of town, we have a guide to taking a day trip from Barcelona to Girona and Figueres , a guide to visiting Montserrat from Barcelona , and Salvador Dali sites near Barcelona , as well as a definitive  guide to visiting the Spanish Pyrenees !
• Interested in seeing more of Gaudi’s creations? Check out our definitive guide to the best Gaudi sites in Barcelona
• We can also recommend both the  Lonely Planet Guide to Barcelona  and Rick Steve’s Pocket Barcelona Guide

And that’s it for our guide to a how to make the most of your cruise ship stop over in Barcelona! We hope you found it useful – as always, we’re happy to answer any questions or feedback in the comments below.

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John Anderson says

10th July 2019 at 4:43 am

Thanks for this great information about Barcelona. We are arriving by cruise ship and it appeared your recommendation of the Barcelona Day Pass would be perfect. Unfortunately I have found it won’t process my application. Is it because I have listed 12 noon and 2p.m. as our time for Sagrada Familia? Any later is too risky for our liking..

Laurence Norah says

10th July 2019 at 5:32 am

Tbanks very much!

Yes, I believe that the ticketbar system has a restriction in place so you can’t book the timeslots too close to each other, as it takes a bit of time to get between the places and they don’t want people to miss the timeslots. You would need to contact ticketbar directly to confirm that of course, but I believe that is the reason.

I hope you are able to find a solution, I would recommend contacting ticketbar to see if they can help, they are quite helpful in my experience 🙂

Have a wonderful cruise and a great time in Barcelona!

20th March 2019 at 5:14 pm

Hi, love your article and so much details. We will be visiting in August this year for our first time via cruise and wonder if we also wanted to visit Camp Nou, how should this be placed in your itinerary? And also the transportation, We do not mind walking around the city to see the most, but appreciated the Hop-on-Hop-off bus option as well. We are a family of 3 (with a 7 yo).

Thanks in advance and all the best and success to your blog!

21st March 2019 at 11:05 am

Hi, and thanks!

So the hop on hop off bus will definitely be the easiest way to get around, this also goes on to Camp Nou after the Sagrada Familia, so that would be my suggested way of doing it. The only thing to be aware of is that access to the Sagrada Familia is timed, so you need to plan accordingly. The Barcelona Day Pass I recommend only allows entry to the Sagrada Familia after 3pm, which will not leave you enough time to see Parc Guell and Camp Nou. So you will definitely want to go a bit earlier than this.

If you let me know how much time you have in the city I can come up with a suggested plan for you 🙂

21st March 2019 at 11:20 am

Thanks Laurence. I believe our ship arrives at 5 in the morning and leave at 6 in the evening. But I don’t think we will be in the city till 9 in the morning and usually we will be back on ship no later than 4:30. After all I guess I may have to pick Camp Nou than Park Guell.

21st March 2019 at 11:29 am

It will definitely depend on what your priorities are. I think though with the Hop on Hop off bus you might be able to fit everything in. I’d suggest:

Take Hop on Hop off bus from Columbus Statue at around 9am. Book Sagrada Familia entry for 9.30. Take bus at around 10.45 on to Park Guell. Book Parc Guell tickets for 11.15. Allocate around 45 minutes to an hour at Park Guell.

Continue on bus to Camp Nou. You don’t need a timed entry. It’s about a 30 minute bus ride I think from Parc Guell to Camp Nou. Expect to spend around 90 minutes – 2 hours at Camp Nou, so you would finish up at around 2.30 I would say. You can then take the bus back into the city, and wander the Gothic Quarter until your time runs out 🙂

Of course, this doesn’t include much time for lunch, so if a leisure lunch is in your plan, this might not work! Also, if you want to spend more time at each stop you will likely have to drop one of these. Of them, I’d say Park Guell would be the most logical to drop 🙂

Have a wonderful time!

21st March 2019 at 12:00 pm

Thanks a lot for your reply. I thought you mentioned the Church only has 3pm and after time entry?

21st March 2019 at 12:02 pm

That’s if you use the pass I recommend in the post. If you use that, it only allows you to book for timeslots after 3pm. However, you can also book activities individually, in which case you can book from 9am onwards. It’s just more expensive in the mornings to visit the Sagrada Familia, so to keep costs down and avoid confusion some passes don’t offer the morning timeslots.

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Barcelona, Spain

Port schedule.

Barcelona, Spain cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship’s next port-of-call.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise ship arrivals from all major cruise lines. In order to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

Barcelona Cruise Port Guide Info

Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia and one of the major Mediterranean seaports located on the northeastern coast of the country.

• Oceania Marina 1.447 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• ms Oosterdam 2.429 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 07:00
• MSC Grandiosa 5.772 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 07:00
• Costa Pacifica 3.617 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Oceania Marina 1.447 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Costa Fortuna 3.250 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• MSC Musica 3.060 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• MSC World Europa 6.774 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 09:00
• Costa Pacifica 3.617 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 14:00
• MSC Seaview 5.336 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Costa Fortuna 3.250 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Costa Fascinosa 3.617 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 14:00
• Wind Surf 404 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 07:00
• Spirit of Discovery 1.000 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Norwegian Escape 5.218 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Costa Smeralda 6.554 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Marella Explorer 2 2.177 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 09:00
• Queen Mary 2 3.271 passengers 22 Apr 2024 - 00:00
• Azamara Quest 781 passengers 22 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• Costa Toscana 6.338 passengers 22 Apr 2024 - 08:00
• Oceania Vista 1.200 passengers 16 Apr 2024 - 21:00
• Carnival Glory 3.581 passengers 18 Apr 2024 - 19:00
• ms Oosterdam 2.429 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 15:00
• Costa Fortuna 3.250 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 17:30
• MSC World Europa 6.774 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 18:00
• Costa Pacifica 3.617 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 19:00
• MSC Musica 3.060 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 19:00
• Oceania Marina 1.447 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 19:00
• MSC Grandiosa 5.772 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 19:00
• MSC Seaview 5.336 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 17:00
• Costa Fortuna 3.250 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 18:00
• Costa Fascinosa 3.617 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 20:00
• Spirit of Discovery 1.000 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 17:00
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Barcelona bus route removed from map apps to tackle tourist overcrowding

Residents welcome removal of number 116 route, often used to get to Park Güell

While some places will go to any lengths to attract visitors, residents of La Salut neighbourhood in Barcelona are celebrating a move to wipe themselves off the map.

For years, residents had complained that they could not get home because the number 116 bus was always crammed with tourists visiting Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell. The park is the city’s second most popular attraction after the Sagrada Familia basilica.

Now they have the bus to themselves after the city council arranged to have the route removed from Google and Apple maps.

“We laughed at the idea at first,” said César Sánchez, a local activist. “But we’re amazed that the measure has been so effective.”

Luz López, 75, told elDiario.es: “Before, the bus was so full even people with walking sticks couldn’t get on.”

Albert Batlle, the deputy mayor of security and coexistence on the city council, said that as well as improving mobility around Park Güell, “we needed to eliminate references to the 116 on the internet”.

Batlle declined to admit or deny that the council had asked for the route to be removed, while a Google spokesperson would only say they would not delete a bus route unless requested to do so by the council.

Sánchez, who has been campaigning for eight years for the council to address the problem, joked: “The next thing we need to do is to get the whole of Park Güell removed from Google Maps.”

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Spain to deport dozens of Bolivians whose false visas held up cruise ship in Barcelona

Spain on Thursday will deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in the northeastern port of Barcelona

MADRID -- Spain will on Thursday deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in the northeastern port of Barcelona but were not allowed to disembark because their visas were false.

The Spanish government’s office in Barcelona said 65 of the 69 Bolivians who arrived will be flown to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. The plane will be paid for by MSC Cruises, which owns the ship in which they arrived from Brazil.

Four members of a family with Spanish relatives will be allowed to enter Spain .

Spanish authorities said the Bolivian passengers had false visas to enter the European border-free Schengen area, an ID-check-free travel zone comprising 29 European countries.

The Bolivians’ visa problems meant that the cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers was stuck for two days in Barcelona and unable to continue on its route in the Mediterranean Sea until the situation was resolved.

The cruise ship set sail after the Bolivians were temporarily accommodated in another boat while police interviewed them.

MSC Cruises said last week the Bolivian passengers’ documentation appeared correct upon boarding in Brazil.

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British expats have ‘worst cruise experience’ in 20 years after police board ship at Barcelona port

A British expat and her husband had one of their worst cruise experiences in 20 years after the ship they were sailing on was held at Barcelona port and more than 60 passengers with incorrect visas were marched off the boat.

Marina Carter, 69, and Richard Carter, 71, were looking forward to the Mediterranean cruise they booked with their local travel agent, which was due to take them to Barcelona, Corsica, Rome, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Sicily and eventually Venice.

The retired couple, who moved from Britain to Malaga in 2020, set sail on 31 March and were given a cabin aboard the MSC Armonia . They were enjoying the pre-paid drinks package they had purchased, and exploring the activities on the boat when their trip suddenly took a turn for the worse.

Ms Carter told The Independent : “We docked at Barcelona and had the day there, but when we came back there was a big group of people standing by the entrance to the ship all crying. I said to my husband: ‘I don’t like the look of this, I don’t know what’s going on but I don’t like it’.”

The couple heard on the boat’s tannoy there was a problem with immigration, but no further updates were given.

“The boat didn’t embark when it should have done, it did not sail away, but we were told it would in the next few hours, then midnight, then we thought to ourselves this boat is going nowhere is it,” Ms Carter said.

The couple went to dinner but when they returned they found that one of the hallways they would usually access to get back to their cabin was blocked off by a police officer and a speedboat with police officers was circling the cruise ship.

Ms Carter added: “The national police were everywhere. They had what I would call their riot vehicles with them ... they were just everywhere in the pool area ... some of the passengers got put in these cabins along by us with the door shut and they were just guarded 24/7.

“People started getting quite upset as now this boat was not moving. We are starting to miss ports of call. When the boat did finally start to move off we watched them take some passengers off four at a time. We could see as our cabin overlooked the dock.”

Authorities said that 69 Bolivians on the ship lacked valid documents to enter the European Union’s border-free Schengen area. They were marched off and held on another boat for interrogation.

The Spanish government’s office in Barcelona said that 65 of the 69 Bolivians who arrived in the city would be flown out to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz because they had false visas.

The incorrect entry requirements meant that the Carters, along with more than 1,000 other passengers were stuck for two days and not able to proceed with the cruise.

MSC Cruises said last week the Bolivian passengers’ documentation appeared correct upon boarding in Brazil. They also told The Independent that passengers were given regular updates about the incident and told how to claim compensation.

Spain ’s national police were looking into the possibility of a fake visa scam, Solange Duarte, a Bolivian diplomat in Barcelona, told the Associated Press.

Ms Carter said it was one of the worst cruise experiences they’d had and left them disappointed with the lack of communication from MSC Cruises.

She said: “Everybody was irate because nobody knew what was going on and though we are pretty laid back it was making us irate.”

The couple described having so many police on board as “intimidating”. The cruise vessel eventually set sail after two days, but Corsica, Rome, Corfu and Dubrovnik, were missed out on the trip.

MSC Cruises said in a statement Wednesday the Bolivian “passengers appeared to have proper documentation upon boarding in Brazil ” but Spanish authorities later said the visas were not valid for entry into the Schengen area.

MSC Cruises added: “The guests were given daily written updates in the form of letters that were left in their cabins. Additionally, there were onboard announcements and they were written to detailing the compensation they were going to receive for the disruption to their cruise.”

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Spain to deport dozens of Bolivians whose false visas held up cruise ship in Barcelona

FILE - Passengers are photographed on the cruise ship MSC Armony, moored in the port of Barcelona, Spain, on April 3, 2024. Spain is to deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in Barcelona but were not allowed to disembark because their visas were false. Spanish government officials said 65 of the 69 Bolivians that arrived would be flown to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

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MADRID (AP) — Spain will on Thursday deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in the northeastern port of Barcelona but were not allowed to disembark because their visas were false.

The Spanish government’s office in Barcelona said 65 of the 69 Bolivians who arrived will be flown to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. The plane will be paid for by MSC Cruises, which owns the ship in which they arrived from Brazil.

Four members of a family with Spanish relatives will be allowed to enter Spain.

Spanish authorities said the Bolivian passengers had false visas to enter the European border-free Schengen area, an ID-check-free travel zone comprising 29 European countries.

The Bolivians’ visa problems meant that the cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers was stuck for two days in Barcelona and unable to continue on its route in the Mediterranean Sea until the situation was resolved.

The cruise ship set sail after the Bolivians were temporarily accommodated in another boat while police interviewed them.

MSC Cruises said last week the Bolivian passengers’ documentation appeared correct upon boarding in Brazil.

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Beyond blueprints - barcelona, barcelona, spain.

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• 6 hrs Estimate Duration

Walk through two modernistic buildings with an architectural historian that will describe their design challenges in vivid detail. As futuristic as Torre Glòries tower is, its bullet shape resembles the steeples of Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudí’s famed but controversial basilica that has been under construction since 1882. Torre Glòries also has had its share of distractors, as the glass-covered, multi-colored building has been criticized for issues ranging from its small windows to awkward donut-shaped floor plan. However, seeing it in person with an informed architect will shed light on the tower’s design and how it was achieved. In the same vein, the quirky triangular Forum Building overcame initial design flaws to become an admired symbol of Barcelona’s urban renewal. The expert guide will point out its bold technologies and use of materials of alternating textures and patterns. Be sure to ask why much of the building is lifted off the ground. As you continue, you'll be led to the magnificent Sagrada Familia, where you'll have some free time to admire and contemplate its intricate façade and the beautiful surroundings. It's a truly remarkable piece of art. Finally, the tour culminates with an exterior visit to Barcelona's Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture, as you stroll through the historic Gothic Quarter. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Barcelona's treasures.

• Follow an architectural historian through two controversial buildings for an insider’s perspective. • Gain insight into the cutting-edge technologies used in the bullet-shaped Torre Glòries tower. • Learn how the futuristic Forum Building endured a rocky start to become a beloved icon. • Stroll by two well-known landmarks in the city, the Sagrada Familia and Barcelona's Cathedral.

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• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

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Eight passengers stranded on African island after Norwegian cruise ship left without them

A dream cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare for eight passengers left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after their ship left without them because they were late to return from a private tour.

The tourists — six from the U.S. and two from Australia — were aboard the Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian cruise line ship , which departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day voyage up the coast of Africa set to end in Barcelona, Spain, on April 10.

But on Wednesday, the group of eight tourists was late to return to the ship by more than an hour for the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. from a private excursion on the island, which was not organized by the cruise line.

Jay and Jill Campbell of South Carolina were part of the group that was left behind.

They said that their tour’s operator notified the cruise captain that they were going to be late to rejoin the ship and that the local Coast Guard tried to get them on the vessel but that they weren’t allowed to board.

As a result, the couple and the rest of the group have been stranded for days on the island off Nigeria, grappling with language, currency issues and complicated travel to catch up with the ship.

“The lovely people of São Tomé were very gracious, very hospitable. They had reached out as much as they could to help us find hotels,” Jay Campbell said on NBC's "TODAY" show Tuesday morning.

“We were able to get to a tour agency there to arrange flights to the next port of call. ... Very difficult process — you’re dealing with multiple languages, language barriers, you’re dealing with different currencies ... finding someone that even has dollars ... trying to get an agent to understand where we need to get to.

"It’s one of those ‘You can’t get there from here,’" he added.

A Norwegian spokesperson called the incident a “very unfortunate situation” and said, “Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The cruise line said that after the guests failed to return, their passports were delivered to local port agents, in line with protocol. The company said it was working with local authorities to understand “the requirements and visas needed for the guests to reboard the ship at the next available port of call.”

On Monday, the guests had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, but the ship was unable to safely dock there because of “adverse weather conditions” and “tidal restrictions,” Norwegian said. The guests were then contacted and provided with information to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday. 

Jill Campbell said they traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to arrive in Senegal on Monday night.

But the couple was reconsidering whether they even wanted to return to the cruise.

"We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. It is in dock here in Senegal," she said. "We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us."

"After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly. I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority," she added.

Ultimately, the eight passengers did rejoin the cruise before 8:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, Norwegian told NBC News in an e-mail Tuesday evening, after this story originally published.

Norwegian said the passengers were responsible for making their own travel arrangements to rejoin the ship.

"Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal," a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

A silver lining of the catastrophe was that the Campbells were able to connect with another Norwegian Dawn passenger — Julia Lenkoff, 80 — who was also left on the island, but for a medical reason.

Lenkoff was on a different day tour Wednesday. She had "medically disembarked" from the cruise to seek local treatment on that day, Norwegian said.

Norwegian said that its care team tried to call Lenkoff several times and was unable to reach her and that it worked with its port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe for updates on her health.

The Campbells met Lenkoff and were able to put her in contact with her family in California, who flew her home — a move Lenkoff's daughter said "saved her life."

"She's a world traveler. She travels all the time. So this was going to be one of her bucket list trips, because she's been to 120 countries so far, and she wanted to get to 130," her daughter, Lana Lenkoff Geis, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "TODAY."

Norwegian said Lenkoff was escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, then put in the care of airport staff members to continue her journey back to the U.S., where she has safely returned.

Breaking News Reporter