Barcelona Cruise Ship Visitors Guide and Port Map
Where do cruise ships dock at the Port of Barcelona, Spain?
The Port of Barcelona (aka Port de Barcelona) is among the largest cruise ports by volume in Europe and a Mediterranean turnaround base for all major cruise lines. Cruise ships berth at one of the 7 international passenger terminals. Terminals A, B, C, D lie at Moll Adossat, and have excellent infrastructure and facilities, catering the needs to cruise passengers. It’s a 20-minute walk from the terminals to the city center, however, due to the summer heat is advisable to take a shuttle bus or taxi. One of the best docking areas is Terminal Sud Barcelona, located next to the World Trade Center and Torre de Jaume I, just 5 minutes’ walk away from the city center. This terminal has the capacity to accommodate 3 small or medium sized cruise vessels which are called North, South and East terminals. Port of Barcelona Address: Moll Adossat, 1, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
Cruise Port Barcelona map with sightseeing attractions
The map of Port of Barcelona presented bellow shows cruise ships docking quays together with the shuttle bus drop-off points. If you are visiting Barcelona this map is of great help pinpointing city’s most visited tourist places.
Sightseeing in Barcelona for cruise ship visitors.
Christopher Columbus Monument
This historic monument is situated at the start of Las Ramblas, close to the cruise ships terminals. There is an elevator which takes you at the top of the monument from where you can enjoy the view of the entire city from the top. You can’t miss this landmark as it stands out as you walk from the cruise port to the city center. Here is located the drop-off point for the shuttle buses. This is a starting point for cruise ship visitors as they can walk up north to the Las Ramblas, visit Barcelona Aquarium which is 10 minutes walking distance or do some shopping at Maremagnum Shopping Mall.
L’Aquarium de Barcelona
Located near the cruise port L’Aquàrium de Barcelona is one of the most fascinating attractions in Barcelona.
This is Europe’s only Oceanarium with 14 different themed aquariums, from the Mediterranean to the Tropical Coral Reef. You can see over 450 different species, walk through an underwater tunnel and see live feedings. L’Aquarium de Barcelona has the largest Mediterranean-themed aquarium in the world, with the star species, such as giltheads, moray eels, ocean sunfish, rays and the sand tiger shark and the sandbar shark.
FC Barcelona Stadium Camp Nou
If you are a big soccer fan the legendary FC Barcelona Stadium is a must-do tour. Camp Nou is the largest football stadium in all of Europe, this unique Experience gives you the chance to walk through the most iconic areas of the stadium for an exclusive look behind-the-scenes. You will have a chance to visit FC Barcelona Museum displaying clubs rich history with all the trophies including the ones from the Champions League. Walk down the player’s tunnel and get in feeling as you retrace your idol’s steps down onto the playing field.
You can also see the visitor’s changing rooms and experience their nerves as they prepare before heading out to play at the famous Camp Nou. You will also have access to the pressroom where the teams sit to debrief post match results and a look at the famous field. There is also a fan shop where you can purchase FC Barcelona memorabilia.
La Rambla
La Rambla or Las Ramblas is a famous, lively and popular pedestrian street in the center of Barcelona. It’s a 1200 meters long and divided into five sections. If you are visiting Barcelona with a cruise ship Christopher Columbus Monument is your starting point for exploring this promenade street reflecting the spirit and energy of Barcelona. You will find lots of restaurants and shops, including the famous Market. It’s always busy though, so watch your belongings, pickpockets are known to be here.
Barcelona Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of the City.
This is mainly a pedestrian area with buildings dating from the 13th century which create a truly medieval atmosphere. There is a lot to do and to see in this bustling neighborhood. No matter how much you explore this historic place, you will always stumble upon the new enchanting square or mysterious alleyway. Here you can learn about Barcelona’s Jewish past, explore Picasso’s Old Stomping Grounds, or see Gaudi’s very first project.
The Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia
Built over six centuries The Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia reflects the different generations who have left their mark of architectural styles in this predominantly Gothic building which needs to be viewed inside in order to fully understand its splendor. The Cathedral was named after the 13-year-old martyr, whose sarcophagus can be seen, carved in bas-relief, depicting her torture and execution.
The building was funded by donations from the medieval brotherhoods and guilds.
The main façade and bell tower were completed in 1890, following the original plans, in the neo-Gothic style. The interior is an impressive sight with 25 side chapels, where the Knights of the Golden Fleece gathered during the visit of Emperor Charles V of Germany in 1517.
La Sagrada Familia
The most iconic landmark, La Sagrada Familia on Calle de Cerdena is one of Gaudí most famous works. The Cathedral, begun in 1882 is still under construction although Gaudí died in 1926. Gaudí is buried in the crypt. It is possible to take an elevator to the top of one of the towers for a panoramic view.
The Barcelona Zoo
Located in the Parc de la Cuitadella, Barcelona Zoo is ranked among the top zoos in Europe. The Zoo is also one of the oldest and most modern zoos in the world. Founded in 1892, the enclosures at the Barcelona Zoo are of open construction. Here you can discover more than 300 species of animals including albino gorilla, the felines, reptiles, tropical birds, and enjoy the educational sea lion sessions.
Picasso Museum
Located on Carrer de Montcada, several adjoining 15th-century palaces house the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Over 4,000 exhibits of Picasso’s earlier works, as well as paintings done later in his lifetime, are on the display. The museum has one of the most complete permanent collections of Picasso works.
Language:
Spanish is the official language of Spain.
National currency:
Euro is the official currency.
From the Cruise Ship Terminals to Barcelona City Centre
Barcelona Cruise Ship Terminals
Barcelona is Europe’s largest cruise ship port, and the city receives more than two and a half million cruise ship passengers every year.
Fortunately, there are plenty of transport options available to get you from your ship to the city centre as quickly as possible. Which mode of transport you choose will depend on which terminal your ship arrives at, what you plan to see and do and your budget.
This article explains the different transfer services which are available and includes valuable information to help you make the most of your stay in this fantastic city.
Before deciding which is the best way to get from the cruise terminal to Barcelona city centre, you should check which pier your ship will dock at and how much time you will have before you need to return to your ship.
This information should have been provided by your travel agent when you booked your cruise. If not you can check the Barcelona cruise port schedule which is linked to on the right hand side of this web page under Monthly Forecast.
Location of Barcelona’s Cruise Ship Terminals
Barcelona’s cruise port comprises of 6 terminals located at the end of Barcelona’s famous Ramblas boulevard.
Two of the cruise-ship piers are located next to the World Trade Centre on the Moll de Barcelona Wharf and can be easily reached by walking from La Rambla and the nearby Drassanes metro stop (metro line L3).
The World Trade Centre terminals are called the North and South terminal and are used by smaller cruise liners.
Larger ships dock at the Moll Adossat quay terminals (Terminals A, B, C and D). Terminal D is the farthest away of the four quays and is approximately four and a half km from La Rambla and the Columbus monument.
Finally, the Moll de Sant Bertran is a ferry terminal with routes to Spain, Morocco, Italy and the Balearic Islands. (See map below)
How to Get From the Cruise Ship Terminals to Barcelona City Centre
A black and yellow Barcelona Taxi
From the Cruise Ship Terminals by Taxi
There are taxi ranks next to each of the cruise terminals, and you can be sure that there will be a long line of taxis ready and waiting when your cruise ship docks.
A taxi from your cruise ship to the city centre will cost around €15 depending on which terminal your ship arrives at and whereabouts in the city centre you want to go to.
All taxis in Barcelona are metered; there is a €3.10 supplement for a cruise pier pick-up which will be added to the price which is displayed on the meter at the end of the journey. If you have a lot of luggage, there may also be an additional charge.
You can check the official tariffs here.
The distinctive yellow and black cabs also have a sticker displaying the prices on one of the rear windows.
From the Cruise Ship Terminals by Bus
The Cruise Bus (also known as the T3 Portbus) is a shuttle bus which runs between the Moll Adossat cruise ship terminals and the Wold Trade Center, a five-minute walk from Las Ramblas.
The fare is €3 one way or €4.50 return and can be paid in cash on the bus (coins or small value notes only) or online at the Cruise Bus website.
The buses don’t have a set timetable. Instead, they are coordinated with the arrival and departure of the cruise liners.
In the mornings, when passengers disembark from the ships, buses depart every few minutes.
Later in the day, the buses run less frequently, so you should check the schedule with the driver and plan your return trip accordingly.
The Cruise Bus is NOT covered by TMB tickets or travel cards such as the T-casual or Hola Barcelona Travel Card.
The journey from the cruise terminals takes about 10 minutes. From here, you can start visiting Barcelona on foot since many of Barcelona’s most famous sights, such as the Ramblas, the Maritime Museum, the Gothic quarter and the historic Port Vell are close by.
Open-top city tour buses stop near the World Trade Centre terminals.
It’s a short walk from the Cruise Bus stop to the Drassanes metro station, which is on line L3.
The Cruise Bus
From Barcelona Cruise Port by Private transfer
Although there will be plenty of taxis and buses waiting at the cruise terminal, when a large cruise ship docks and thousands of tourists disembark at the same time, long queues do form.
You can avoid the queues by booking your transfer in advance.
A private transfer is more expensive than catching a taxi at the taxi rank but has the advantage that your driver will be there waiting for you as soon as you disembark from the ship.
Book your private transfer in advance online.
From the Cruise Port to Barcelona City Centre on Foot
Before you decide to walk from your cruise ship, you should check which terminal your ship docks at.
From the World Trade Center Terminals
The World Trade Center terminals are located on the Moll de Barcelona, which is a short walk from the Columbus monument.
Walk straight ahead along the quay until you reach the large steel hoops of the Onades monument. Turn right and walk along the Moll de Drassanes until you arrive at the Christopher Columbus monument and the start of Las Ramblas.
From the Moll Adossat Terminals
If you decide to walk into Barcelona from the Moll Adossat quay, you should bear in mind that it takes between 25 (Terminal A) and 45 minutes (Terminal D), and there’s no shade from the sun.
Follow the road along the pier from the ships (there’s a paved footpath that runs alongside the road). After crossing the Porta d’Europa bridge, continue straight ahead along the pier until you reach a small roundabout. Turn right and continue past the Moll de Sant Bertran, the Onades monument and the Moll de Drassanes to the Columbus monument (see map below).
From here you can take the metro or bus to other parts of the city.
World Trade Center South Pier, Barcelona
The Hop on Hop off Sightseeing bus from Barcelona Cruise Port
Barcelona’s open-topped sightseeing buses have two stops near the cruise port.
The first is located right in front of the World Trade Centre cruise terminals. The other is located next to the Columbus monument at the end of the Ramblas.
The buses follow three circular routes, each of which covers a different area of the city. Both of the stops near the cruise port are on the red route, which takes 2 hours to complete and is the most interesting of the three since it passes the most emblematic buildings.
Tour buses depart every 5 to 25 minutes, depending on the time of year.
By purchasing your ticket in advance online you can benefit from a €2 discount and board the bus at whichever stop you choose.
Important: You cannot take luggage on the hop on hop off tour buses.
Shore Excursions
A popular way to maximize your time in Barcelona is to book a shore excursion.
In addition to saving you the hassle of organising your transfer from the port, being on an organised tour allows you to skip the lines when visiting popular sites such as Park Güell.
When you book your shore excursion, you will be asked to provide the name of your ship and arrival and re-boarding times.
Find out more and book a shore excursion>>
Left Luggage and Baggage Transfer in Barcelona
If you will arrive in Barcelona at the end of your cruise and want to spend a few hours sightseeing before your flight home, you can have your luggage collected from the cruise port and transported directly to the airport for you.
Find out more.
There are also left luggage storage facilities near to Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça d’Espanya and at Barcelona Sants train station.
Moll de Barcelona and the World Trade Center North Terminal
Hotels at Barcelona Cruise Port
The only hotel at the Barcelona Cruise ship port is the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel which is an very good 5-star hotel.
Hotels located on Las Ramblas or Av. Paral.lel are a short taxi ride from the cruise port. For more information about where to stay in Barcelona check out my Barcelona neighbourhood guide.
Barcelona Cruise Port Map
Check the locations of all six cruise ship terminals and the Cruise Bus, Bus Turistic, and metro stops on the zoomable map below.
How to get to Barcelona Cruise Port
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Mikhail Schwartz
The Port of Barcelona is the fifth largest port in the world and the first largest cruise port in the Mediterranean.
Port de Barcelona sends and receives ferries daily to the Balearic Islands and has direct connections to the ports of Rome, Genoa and Algiers.
Map of the port of Barcelona
The seaport consists of 10 passenger terminals, 7 of which are cruise terminals. The entrance to the port is located at the monument to Christopher Columbus (Mirador de Colom).
The most distant from the city are the cruise terminals of the Moll Adossat zone – A, B, C and D. From the monument to Columbus they are removed by another 2 km.
The WTC has three terminals named after the cardinal points:
- E – East,
- N – North (North)
- S – South.
Passengers arriving here will be able to walk to Christopher Columbus Square in just 5 minutes.
Terminals T and Z are located near Piazza Drassanes. Terminal T is called Sant Bertrand and is used by ferries between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands. Terminal Z – Drassanas, is currently rarely used by cruise ships.
Near the Maremagnum shopping center, which belongs to the territory of Port Vell, there is another small terminal – M. It is used mainly for large cargo ships.
So, how do you get to the seaport of Barcelona?
From the city center by public transport
Bus number 20 from Pl. Congrés (photo: TMB Flickr)
The nearest metro station to the port is Drassanes, line L3. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from it to terminals Z, T, N, S, E or M.
As close as possible to terminals N, S, E bus number 20 arrives, stop – Pl. Congress. At the very entrance to the port, near the monument to Columbus, buses of routes 20, 21, 64, 120, D20, h24, N0, N6 stop – Drassanes. Here, those who are interested in remote terminals A, B, C or D can transfer to the T3 PortBus port shuttle.
T3 PortBus shuttle bus
T3 PortBus at Barcelona Port (photo: autobuses de catalunya)
The T3 PortBus runs between all Barcelona seaport terminals and the Christopher Columbus monument.
The one-way fare is €2, if you take a return ticket – €3.50 (valid for one day). Take care of small bills, you can only pay for the bus driver in cash. The Barcelona public transport ticket is not valid on the T3 PortBus.
The shuttle does not have a specific schedule, it is adjusted to the arrival and departure of cruise ships. On average, the bus leaves every 20-30 minutes from the Columbus monument.
From El Prat airport to Barcelona port
By public transport
Cruise ships in Barcelona port (photo: carolGB) minutes run between the airport and the city center – Placa de Catalunya. Then, at Plaça Catalunya, you need to change to the metro line L3 and go 2 stops to the Drassanes station. Then you need to go to the Columbus monument, where the entrance to the port is located, and if you need terminals A, B, C or D, take the T3 PortBus port shuttle here.
The cost of such a move will be €10.05:
- €5.90 – Aerobus
- €2.15 – Metro
- €2.
00 – PortBus
00 – PortBus Travel time will take from 1.5 to 2 hours.
Taxi
Since there is no direct connection between the airport and the port, taxis are the fastest and easiest way to travel. For 2015, a single fee of €39 is set for moving from the port to the airport, or vice versa. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes.
You can order a transfer on the kiwitaxi website. In this case, you do not have to stand in line for a taxi. The driver will personally meet you with a sign in the arrivals hall, and immediately lead you to the car. There are often discounts on the kiwitaxi website, and the trip can become even more profitable.
From Montjuic to the port of Barcelona
Three cable car stations
From Montjuic directly to the port of Barcelona you can take the Teleférico de Barcelona cable car. Its upper Miramar station is located next to the Gardens of Mossen Costa y Llobera. The other two are in the port of Barcelona: Torre Jaume I – next to the World Trade Center (WTC) and Torre San Sebastián – in the old part of the port (Port Vell).
A one-way trip costs €11, a return ticket costs €16.5.
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How to get to the Barcelona cruise port
Barcelona Port is the 5th largest port in the world and the first cruise port in the Mediterranean. Port de Barcelona each sees off and meets the ferries towards the Balearic Islands and has direct connections to the ports of Rome, Genoa, Algeria. The post below will tell you how to get to the Barcelona cruise port.
The seaport of Barcelona has ten passenger terminals, seven of which are cruise terminals.
The entrance to the port is located at the memorial to Christopher Columbus.
Christopher Columbus Monument
Moll Adossat segments A, B, C and D cruise terminals are the most distant from the city. From the Columbus memorial they are at a distance of another 2 km.
The WTC has three terminals named after the cardinal points:
- E – East
- N – North (North)
- S – South
Passengers who have sailed there, who will be interested, will be able to walk to Christopher Columbus Square in only five minutes.
Terminals T and Z are located near Piazza Drassanes:
- Terminal T is called Sant Bertrand and is operated by ferries between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands.
- Terminal Z – Drassanas, today cruise ships are used quite infrequently.
Near the shopping center Maremagnum, which is related to the territory of Port Vell, there is another small terminal – M. It is operated mainly by large cargo ships.
So how do you get to the seaport of Barcelona?
1From the city center by public transport
Drassanes Square
There are several options:
- How do I get to the Barcelona cruise port by metro? The closest metro station to the port is Drassanes, line L3. From there, terminals Z, T, N, S, E or M can be reached on foot in about ten minutes.
- How to get to the Barcelona cruise port by bus? As close as possible to terminals N, S, E, bus number 20 approaches, the stop is Pl. Congress.
From there, terminals Z, T, N, S, E or M can be reached on foot in about ten minutes. Directly at the entrance to the port, near the Columbus memorial, there are bus stops of routes 20, 21, 64, 120, D20, h24, N0, N6, the stop is Drassanes. Immediately, those who need remote terminals A, B, C or D can transfer to the T3 PortBus port shuttle.
2T3 PortBus Shuttle
T3 PortBus shuttle bus
How do I get to the Barcelona cruise port with the port shuttle? The T3 PortBus runs between all Barcelona seaport terminals and the Christopher Columbus Memorial.
Useful information:
- One-way fare – 3 euros, if you take a ticket in both directions and in the opposite direction – 4 euros (valid for one day).
- You should first think about small bills, you can pay the fare only with the bus driver for cash.
- Barcelona public transport ticket on the T3 PortBus is not valid.
- The shuttle does not have a clear schedule, it will be adapted to the arrival and departure of cruise ships. On average, the bus leaves every 20-30 minutes from the Columbus Memorial.
3How to get to Barcelona cruise port from El Prat airport
By public transport
How do I get to the Barcelona cruise port from the airport? Near terminals T1 and T2, it is possible to board the blue express bus Aerobus A1 or A2 (tickets can be bought here), which runs between the airport and the city center – Placa de Catalunya – for any 5–15 minutes. After in Plaza Catalunya, you will need to change to the L3 metro line and travel two stops to the Drassanes station. Next, you need to walk to the Columbus Memorial, where the entrance to the port is located, and if terminals A, B, C or D are required, you can immediately use the T3 PortBus port shuttle.
Aerobus A1
Prices for such a move will be a multiple of approximately 13 euros:
- 7. 90 euros – Aerobus
- 2.40 euros – metro
- 3 Euro – PortBus
90 euros – Aerobus Travel time – 1.5 – 2 hours.
Taxi
Since there is no direct connection between the airport and the port, taxis are the quickest and easiest way to get to the Barcelona cruise port. For a trip from the port to the airport, or back, a single payment is assigned – 39 euros (the price may be different, check). The journey will take approximately half an hour.
How else can I get to the Barcelona cruise port? You can book a transfer on the Kiwitaxi website.
Barcelona Cruise Port
In this case, there is no need to queue for a taxi. The driver will personally meet you with a sign in the arrivals hall, and immediately take you to the car. The Kiwitaxi website often offers discounts, and the trip can be even cheaper. Transfer can be ordered here .
4How to get to Barcelona cruise port from Montjuic
Teleférico de Barcelona
From Montjuic, you can take the Teleférico de Barcelona cable car directly to the port of Barcelona.
Its upper Miramar station is located near the Gardens of Mossen Costa y Llobera. Other 2nd in the Port of Barcelona:
- Torre Jaume I – near the World Trade Center (WTC)
- Torre San Sebastián – in the old part of the port
A one-way trip will cost 11 euros, a round-trip ticket will cost 16.5 euros.
- How to avoid queues at Barcelona attractions. Tickets for Sagrada Familia and Park Güell skip the line.
- How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Order a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi is KiwiTaxi .
- Excursions in Barcelona with locals will help you get to know this city for real. The best way to get comfortable in an unfamiliar city is to walk around it with a person who has lived here for many years.
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We advise you to take out travel insurance so that there are no unpleasant surprises while traveling to Barcelona.
