Barcelona Port Guide - Average Cruiser

Barcelona is one of the busiest cruise port on the Mediterranean and it is easy to see why. Barcelona has a great climate, fun food and culture, intriguing architecture and history. Plus it is easy to get around. Regardless of if you have Barcelona as an embarkation city or a port, there is rarely enough time to fully explore a city. Use this Barcelona Port Guide to help you plan your time in the beautiful city of Barcelona!

Basic reminders for the port of Barcelona

Brush up on a few words of Spanish. It just makes your life easier.

Make sure you have some Euros! Not everywhere will take a credit card and the Euro is the currency of Barcelona.

Once you make it into town, public transportation is efficient and easy to use.

If your ship offers a shuttle into town (even at a small cost), it is worth it. There is a very long, hot bridge from the port into town. It’s not worth trying to walk it.

Make sure you eat in Barcelona. Tapas make a great meal for lunch or dinner!

Things to do in Barcelona within walking distance of the port

Ramble along Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is a pedestrian street with shops, performers and a lot of history of Barcelona. Just take a stroll.

Visit the la Boqueria Market. Walk around and take in Barcelona’s historic market then find some jamon, juice or other tasty treats to sample!

Visit the Barcelona Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter. Spend some time walking around the Gothic Quarter. The Cathedral is generally at the far end of it if you are walking from the port, so stroll through the medieval part of town.

Check open times for the Cathedral. It takes a midday siesta and is free in the morning and evening, but requires an entrance fee in the afternoon so plan accordingly! It also requires women to cover their knees and shoulders, so be prepared for that.

Stop in at any of the many tapas restaurants. Just not the ones along Las Ramblas. Walk over to the side streets and find somewhere that looks fun and local for some tapas. You can’t go wrong with Patatas Bravas!

Things to do in Barcelona that require a taxi or a subway ride

A taxi is easy to catch from the terminal. Like most European ports, taxis are lined up waiting when a ship arrives.

The subway is well marked and easy to ride. It is pretty easy to get to other parts of the city that you may not want to walk to.

The Sagrada Familia is one of the top tourist attractions of Barcelona. It is a huge modern church designed by Gaudi that is very different from the huge basilicas we are used to seeing around Europe. If you do want to visit Sagrada Familia, make sure you purchase your tickets in advance and go first thing in the morning when the lines *might* be shorter!

Parc Guell is also designed by Antonio Gaudi and is a very modern style. Part of the park is free and part of it has a timed entry that you should buy your tickets in advance.

Just note Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell will take up most of your day if you decide to visit them. They are both worth a visit, but make sure you plan accordingly.

A general note to guide you in the Port of Barcelona

Watch your belongings, especially on the subway and while eating at outdoor restaurants. Never set your bag down, put it on the back of your chair, or even store it between your feet while you eat. Do not set your phone, wallet or anything else on your table, especially if you are eating outside.

But don’t let that (and probably the million other warnings you will see about pickpockets in Barcelona) scare you off. It is a charming city.

Barcelona makes a great embarkation port as well as a great port to visit for the day. It is easy to get around and has a lot of fun things to see within walking distance.

Don’t forget to eat some tapas!