Barcelona is a historic city in Spain with plenty of tourism appeal. It is located in the Northeastern Mediterranean coast of mainland Spain. The city is filled with exciting things to do and unique experiences. Barcelona is an area of Spain that has a thriving art culture and welcoming locals. The city is quite expansive, so tourists traveling there should do their research to sort through all the options in the area. Some of the most popular things in Barcelona include top notch cuisine, stunning architecture and culturally significant landmarks.
Cruisers that have a port day in Barcelona are in for a great time. The city is known for its beautiful seaside views, nightlife and striking landscapes. Although many travelers say that longer visits work best, tourists can still explore Barcelona during shorter stays. An amazing port day in Barcelona may even inspire cruisers to visit Barcelona for a longer stay. Here is everything travelers need to know before visiting the Barcelona cruise port.
Is the Barcelona Cruise Port Popular?
Barcelona is a top tourism destination in Europe, so it is no surprise that travelers aim to visit. The city provides a quite walkable and welcoming environment. Over 800 cruises and 2.5 million cruise passengers visit Barcelona each year. The port has become quite popular with travelers. It has distinct areas that establish it as a major port. To better handle cruise crowds, Barcelona has moved cruise ships to its less central pier.
The Moll d’Adossat pier (officially, Port de Barcelona) is now the primary cruise port. This change means travelers now have a short commute to the city center. The change may seem like an inconvenience to travelers, but it also helps to avoid excessive tourism, pollution and crowds. There are seven cruise terminals within the main cruise port of Barcelona. Each terminal (A, B , C, D and E) offers its own amenities, but in general the port is quite modern and popular.
What Cruise Lines Dock at Barcelona’s Cruise Port?
The Barcelona cruise port has plenty of terminals, which holds space for up to seven cruise ships a day. Its high yield for cruise ships and local offerings make it a popular port. There is an array of cruise lines that visit Barcelona’s cruise port. This means that travelers have a huge assortment of cruise lines to choose from for their perfect getaway. These cruise lines include Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Virgin Voyages, Disney, MSC, Seabourn, Oceania, Viking Ocean, Costa, Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Cunard, Windstar, Silverseas, Holland America, Explora Journeys, Sea Cloud, Ponant and Lindblad cruises.
Things To Do in Barcelona
Barcelona is filled with grand architectural gems, so many tourists enjoy simply walking around. The Gothic Quarter (or Barri Gotic) is an area that is known as the heart of the old city. Because the area dates back to a time before automobiles, the area has been urban planned for walking. This means that travelers will have no problem getting around on foot. Many of the popular tourist’s sites in the city can be reached on foot, once travelers get to the area.
But there is plenty more for travelers to do during their short exploration of Barcelona. Some of the most popular local attractions include the Barcelona Aquarium, Maritime Museum, the Barcelona Cathedral, Casa Batlló and Park Güell. Another popular attraction is La Rambla. La Rambla is the famous Barcelona street that can help travelers get to know the local culture and provide a place to leisurely walk. The street is a nice pedestrian area filled with restaurants, vendors, bars and great photo opportunities.
Transportation
Getting to the central areas of Barcelona is not difficult for travelers since it is an easily accessible tourist destination. Cruisers should actually have an easy time getting around. There is a cruise shuttle bus (called the Blue Bus) that is dedicated for cruise passengers, which stops off around La Rambla. This bus goes between the Barcelona cruise port terminals to town and runs on a daily schedule.
Travelers should be able to catch the bus around every 15 minutes. The Barcelona cruise port can also be reached by taxi. This option is best for travelers who venture out of central areas and need transportation back to the port. The transportation system at the Barcelona port is quite efficient. So, travelers should not have problems catching a ride since buses and taxis are managed to meet the needs of visiting cruise ships.