Updated Mar 07 2022
Cruises allow you to enjoy many comforts whilst you travel from one city to another; swimming pool, jacuzzi, shops, beauty centres, etc. For fans of cruises, one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations is, undoubtedly, Barcelona. Yes, the time spent visiting a city when you travel in this way is not as much (from a few hours if it is a simple stop to a couple of days if it is a more substantial stopover), the fact that there are different cruise terminals in Barcelona that are at a relatively short distance from one the most central spots in the city, the famous Rambla de Barcelona, means you can make the most of the time you have to visit the city.
What to see in Barcelona if your are travelling on a cruise?
For anyone travelling on a cruise and stopping in Barcelona, we suggest you view the three pages on our website that will be the most useful for you;
“One day in Barcelona”, “Two days in Barcelona” and “Must-sees in Barcelona”.
Useful sections for cruisers
In these sections we offer detailed and useful information for all those travellers who are only going to spend a few hours in Barcelona or, in the best cases, one or two full days. We have also included the essential places in the city in a section so that you don’t miss out on any of its wonders.
Interesting places, products and tourist services
In the following items you will find some of the top places in Barcelona that we recommend you to visit and various interesting tourist services and products that will help you to enjoy and get the most out of your short stay in the city.
The top product, designed for tourists that come to Barcelona on a cruise, this is a day pass that allows you to squeeze as much time as possible to visit the city. Among the features and advantages of Barcelona Day Cruise Pass, highlights of how easy and convenient the purchase process is, totally online, and of subsequent use. Below you will find everything that it includes.
Hop on Hop off BusTo travel around all day
TransferBetween port terminals and the city (Portbus)
Combined tickets for top Barcelona attractions
Billetes Autobús Turístico y Tour guiado en español a la Sagrada FamiliaSingle tickets to visit the top attractions
Custom plan your time in Barcelona
Cruise ships companies that operate in Barcelona
The importance of the city of Barcelona means that, as well as being almost mandatory for major companies who organise cruises around the Mediterranean, it is often the city of choice for the start of a cruise. The length of the cruises usually vary from between 4 and 15 days, depending on the number of cities and countries that are visited. In terms of the stopover time spent in Barcelona it is usually one day, although sometimes it is extended to two days and one night.
The countries usually visited on a cruise that goes form Barcelona or stops in the city are: France (Toulon, Villefranche, Cannes), Italy (Naples, Geneva, Civitavecchia – Rome, Livorno, Venice, Cagliari, Capri), Portugal (Lisbon), Morocco (Casablanca), Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir), Greece (Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu), Tunisia (La Goulette) and Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split)
Cruise companies that operate in Barcelona
Ibero Cruceros
MSC Cruceros
Royal Caribbean
Costa Cruceros
Booking and prices of cruises
The preconceived idea of a cruise that many people have of it being very expensive is not actually true. Even so, it must be said that, depending on the type of cruise, the number of cities you visit and the length of the trip as well as the time of year, the prices usually vary quite a bit. The type of cabin you book can also influence the final price (interior, upper interior, exterior, upper exterior, etc.). As long as your schedule allows it, a good option is to go on a cruise avoiding high season or by booking well in advance. This way it is possible to find some excellent offers that range from substantial discounts to, sometimes, a 2 for 1 or the option to take kids for free. Sometimes, however, you can find last minute offers that are also very attractive.
Barcelona cruise terminals
The most frequently asked questions by cruisers when visiting Barcelona is: “where does the cruise stop when you arrive to the port?” Although the distance will vary depending on the terminal the cruise ship stops at, it will never be too far from the closest place to the centre (the end of La Rambla, next to the Columbus Monument).
Port terminal map
As Barcelona has various cruise terminals and although all are found relatively close together, they are not located in the same place and there are some important differences worth mentioning. The terminals that are located next to the World Trade Centre Barcelona (South Terminal, North Terminal and East Terminal) and the one known as Terminal Maremagnum, in Port Vell, is about 400 metres from the city’s public transport (the “Drassanes” metro stop, line 3 and buses 21, 91, 120, 121, D20 and H14) as well as the hop on hop off bus stop and at a similar distance to the square Portal de la pau. This means that you can easily get around by foot, be it to get to the transport you need or to start seeing Barcelona by foot.
Port-Bus
For the terminals that are further away (A, B, C and D), although it is possible to go by foot to the end of La Rambla, it is recommended to use the T3 Port-Bus shuttle service. This bus goes through all the cruise terminals at the port and the final destination is square Portal de la Pau, from where you can start to explore Barcelona.
Single: €3.00.
Return: €4.00.
* The Port-Bus journey is not included in the T10 transport ticket, or the Hola BCN! or the Barcelona Card.
Taxi (Information and booking)
Another option, which although may be more expensive is very useful and convenient, is to book a taxi in advance, online or by phone when you arrive at the port. It is a quick and efficient way to get to any point in Barcelona, as the taxi can be waiting at the terminal and take you directly to where you are interested in visiting.