world trade center cruise terminal barcelona

Terminales WTCB

The South terminal of the WTCB (Word Trade Center Barcelona) of the Port of Barcelona is the only one located on the Barcelona quay, just 5 minutes from the city centre. It can accommodate up to 2 medium-sised cruise ships and is surrounded by all kinds of passenger services.

Barcelona, starting point

The Port of Barcelona is the largest cruise port in the Mediterranean thanks to the safety of our facilities, highly qualified staff, unbeatable connectivity and a range of services that meet your best expectations.

The WTCB terminal, ready for you

The South terminals is integrated into the modern WTCB business centre and allow passengers to walk to the city centre and access all kinds of services. It accommodates medium-sized cruise ships with all the security measures to comply with the ISPS (International Ship and Port Security Code) regulations.

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Arrivals and departures, interesting links, cruise ships calling today, ferries calling today, ships call today, current weather status.

The main logistics hub in the Mediterranean.

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The Cruise Terminals in Barcelona (Spain) Port: Review (2023)

Where ships dock in Barcelona cruise port and what's at the cruise terminals: home port or port of call; Moll Adossat terminals and World Trade Center terminal.

By: Editor-in-Chief Update: June 3, 2023

Barcelona is a major port in the west Mediterranean cruise itineraries both as a Home Port and a Port of Call.

This means that as a Home Port cruise ships will start and/or end a cruise in Barcelona, where embarkation and disembarkation will take place.

But many cruise ships visit the port of Barcelona for one day as any other port within a regular itinerary. Depending on the size of the cruise ship, there are two distinct docking spots in Barcelona: the Moll Adossat cruise terminal and the WTC terminal.

Home Port and Port of Call

However, there are very few cruises that dock in Barcelona as a port of call as it really is a European major embarkation port. Passengers on a cruise calling at Barcelona for a day will have the opportunity to explore this charming city either on tours booked onboard or on their own.

Barcelona is one of the easiest European cruise ports to get around - both cruise ports are minutes away from all major attractions - and there are quite a few affordable ways to enjoy the city.

Port of Barcelona

Photo © IQCruising.com

Although Barcelona is a major embarkation-disembarkation port in Europe, most cruise travelers are not well advised when booking a cruise. Travelers flying from the USA or Canada, in particular, do not realize that a long red-eye flight (over 8 hours) coupled with jet lag (5 to 8 hours earlier) is the worst possible way to start a cruise.

Hence, the Editor's strong recommendation: any traveler embarking in Barcelona should fly at least one day ahead of the start of the cruise. If possible, fly two or more days ahead of the cruise , so that you can adapt to a new time zone (if flying from North America) and enjoy one of Europe's most interesting cruise ports. Naturally, if your cruise ends in Barcelona, you should plan to stay in Barcelona for at least a couple of days.

Docking in Barcelona

Barcelona's two cruise ports (WTC Port and Moll Adossat) are ideally located to explore the city. The WTC Port has 3 piers around the World Trade Center building, it is located just under 1/2 a mile (700 meters) from the Plaça Colon and the start of La Rambla, but only small cruise ships can dock here.

WTC Port in Barcelona

World Trade Center Port & Terminal

This port has obviously the best location as it is within walking distance to La Rambla and it is a delight for travelers on cruise lines like Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Azamara, or the small ships of Oceania. Because no more than 3 ships can dock at the WTC Port do not have it for granted that these high-end cruise ships will always dock within walking distance to a good number of Barcelona's attractions. It happens quite frequently that small cruise ships will have to dock at the Moll Adossat.

Docking at the Moll Adossat

The major port of Barcelona is, in fact, the Moll Adossat and where the overwhelming majority of cruise ships dock. Although this port is only 2 miles (3km) from Plaça Colon , walking with (or without) luggage is quite a stretch, particularly in the heat of the summer as pedestrians will have to go over a bridge.

Moll Adossat, Barcelona

Considering that the already mentioned T3 Port Bus provides such a good service it doesn't make any sense to walk to or from the Moll Adossat. The port has four Terminals (A, B, C, and D) all very large, modern, well kept, and efficient for both embarkation and disembarkation.

Terminal B, Moll Adossat

Amenities and Services

All sorts of amenities will be found at the Terminals including large sitting areas with AC, shopping, cafeterias, money exchange , and, of course, plenty of taxis available if disembarking. Because Barcelona is not used frequently as a port of call, you will not find Tourist Information Kiosks at the Terminals although you may find a desk with maps and touristic brochures.

Terminal B, Interior, Moll Adossat

The good news is that there is one of many Tourist Information points in Barcelona at Plaça Colon (aka Plaça Portal de la Pau), inside the Columbus Monument and also along the Rambla. Click here to find all Tourist information points in Barcelona.

How to get around in Barcelona

Unless your ship is docking at the World Trade Center as a port of call, it is useful to know that the Port has excellent transportation services both public and private to move around to the city or to the airport.

Taxis and Luggage Services between Port and Airport

If you have already booked your cruise and flights, there are a few insider tips to keep in mind. To start with, the cruise traveler should know that the distance between Barcelona's two cruise ports and the Airport is around 23 km (15 miles) away.

Taxi in Barcelona

Regardless of whether you are embarking or disembarking, a taxi is one of the best ways to travel from or to the Airport. A taxi between the Airport and the Port (Moll Adossat) will cost approximately €40.00 and a little bit less if the WTC Port is the final destination - Check the Official Taxi Fares in Barcelona.

There are also a number of private services that offer transfers to and from the port to either the Airport or/and Hotels that can be very convenient. One of the best services to look into is Bags & Go - this company handles your luggage (transfer and lockers) whilst you can enjoy a few hours exploring Barcelona.

Bags & Go Van in Barcelona

Fares are both reasonably affordable (around $12.00 per person/piece of luggage) and you can book it online or right at the terminals as you pick up your luggage. To learn more about Bags & Go click here .

Terminal B, Moll Adossat, in Barcelona

If staying in Barcelona, it is very easy to calculate a taxi fare to or from a hotel and compare it with the transfers offered by all major cruise lines. The official Barcelona Taxi website has a great Route Calculator in English - check the Taxi fares calculator .

Port of Call - Taxis and Shuttle

However, if Barcelona is a Port of Call on your cruise, travelers should avoid taxis if docked at the Moll Adossat and having La Rambla as a final destination.

There is an official extra charge (€3.10) for taxis to enter-exit the port and an unscrupulous taxi driver may take you for a long ride when, in fact, La Rambla is just around the corner.

T3 portbus in Barcelona

Instead of a taxi, it is advisable to use the circular route bus Cruisebus (aka T3 port-bus) between all Port Terminals and Plaça Colon close by the famous Ramblas, on the latge square by the World Trade Center.

Photo copyright IQCruising

These buses are suitable for wheelchair users. The fare is €3.00 one-way ticket and €4.00 return ticket, paid onboard in cash either in coins or bills under €10.00.

Cruise tip: because the Cruisebus (aka T3 port-bus) has become so popular thanks to its good service, most cruise lines do not offer shuttle buses to Plaça Colon anymore and the ones that do charge ridiculous amounts.

Cruise passengers may like to know that the Cruisebus can be booked online: click here to book the Cruisebus .

Barcelona Cruise Port - News

Carnival Corporation Cruise Terminal in Barcelona

Photo courtesy of Barcelona Cruise terminal

There is good news for those planning to cruise the Mediterranean on any of the Carnival Corporation Cruise Lines. In 2018, a new Cruise Terminal was built on the Moll Adossat for the fleets of Carnival Corporation. It is named Helix Cruise Center but may also be referred to as terminal E. This cruise terminal is at the end of the breakwater after Terminal D.

► Explore: Overview & Highlights Top Things To Do and See, Beyond the Highlights, Sightseeing and Tours... Learn More ►

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The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice. It is advisable to confirm details with local tourist information before planning your cruise, tour or excursions of Barcelona Cruise Port. If any inaccuracies are found or if there are any suggestions to improve the content of this page please let us know.

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Barcelona Cruise Port

One of europe's leading cruise ports.

If you're planning a cruise to the Mediterranean and your voyage includes a stop in Barcelona , you're in for a treat. Barcelona Cruise Port is your doorway to one of Europe's most vibrant and culturally rich cities. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to make your visit to the Barcelona Cruise Port as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Discover the Terminals of Barcelona Cruise Port

The Barcelona Cruise Port boasts a total of nine terminals, each with its unique charm and offerings. These terminals are divided into three main clusters: Adossat Quay Terminals Terminals A, B, C, D, and E are located at the Adossat Quay, slightly further from the city center. Terminal D , also known as Palacruceros, is one of the highlights. World Trade Centre Terminals For those looking for convenience, the World Trade Centre (WTC) features two terminals – North and South. The nearby Sant Bertrand Terminal caters to ferries to the Balearic Islands. Maremagnum & Port Vell Port Vell  is Barcelona's old port for small and large ships, it offers a unique experience for sailors. It's also the port for the 2024 America's Cup! 

Barcelona Port Cruise Map

Smooth Transport Options from and to Barcelona Cruise Port

Getting from the port to Barcelona's city center and its attractions is a breeze. You have several options to choose from: Shuttle Transfer Service A hassle-free way to reach your destination, this service ensures you bypass the queues and reach your hotel swiftly. It's ideal for travelers short on time or those looking for a stress-free arrival. Walking The nearest cruise terminal to the bustling La Rambla is just a 15-minute walk away. However, if you're docked at one of the Adossat Quay terminals (A, B, C, D, or E), it's best to catch the Cruise Bus to the World Trade Centre and then walk to La Rambla. Cruise Bus Shuttle Service The "Blue Bus" offers convenient transportation from all cruise port terminals to the World Trade Centre and back. It's wheelchair-accessible for travelers with disabilities. Taxi A quick and cost-effective way to reach the city center in less than 10 minutes. Hop on Hop Off Tourist Bus Hop on Hop Off Barcelona  Perfect for tourists with limited time, this bus provides a quick overview of Barcelona's main attractions. Stops are conveniently located near the cruise terminals.

From Airport to Port

If you're arriving at the airport and need to reach the cruise port, options include bus transfers and taxis. Taxis are quick and will take you to the port in about 25 minutes.

Park and Cruise

For those arriving by car, the Barcelona Cruise Port offers short-term car park facilities. For longer stays, there are car parks a short drive from the port to meet your parking needs.

Convenient Baggage Storage

While there are no locker storage facilities at the port, you'll find nearby options for luggage storage to keep your hands free for exploration.

Accommodation Close By

The Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel , situated at the World Trade Centre, offers splendid views of the port area and makes for a great base during your stay. Additionally, there are hotels within walking distance of the cruise port, providing various accommodation options.

Plan Your Visit with Ease

The Barcelona Cruise Port is well-equipped for travelers with disabilities, featuring lifts and accessible transportation. If you plan to explore the Balearic Islands, you'll find ferry operators like Acciona Trasmediterranea and Balearia offering trips to Mallorca, Minorca, or Ibiza.

Cruise with Confidence

When it comes to planning your trip, we've got you covered. You can access the cruise port's timetable and arrival information to ensure a seamless experience. For more specific information and inquiries, you can contact the Cruise Port's customer service department or visit their official website for the latest updates.

>> Prepare for an unforgettable Mediterranean adventure, anchored by your visit to the Barcelona Cruise Port.

Nearby best places

Discover the Barcelona Cruise Port , a gateway to your Mediterranean adventure. Get the lowdown on terminals, transport, and nearby amenities in our comprehensive guide.

Monument of Christopher Columbus

The monument to Christopher Columbus is a 60-metre high column that was erected for the 1888 World's Fair in honour of the famous explorer. The view of the city from the top is obviously remarkable.

" data-type="cafe" data-latitude="41.3771232" data-longitude="2.1770202" > Bar Bosc de les Fades

Bar Bosc de les Fades means "the fairies forest", a very magic and unique bar in Barcelona to have a cocktel...

Torre d’Alta Mar

This old cable station, overlooking the Barcelona port, houses a restaurant....

Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum of Barcelona

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Barcelona Hotels

The ideal hotel for your stay.

Whether you are looking for a family or a business stay or just for a weekend, we have selected for you the best hotels in the city to choose from. All categories at all prices. But also the bargains according to your travel dates. Have a good stay!

Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Best city tour: one single ticket, 3 routes and 45 stops.

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Barcelona (Spain)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-04-22 02:47

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.

Barcelona tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Barcelona's new cruise restrictions mean ships will dock even farther from the city center

• Barcelona has  banned cruise ships from docking at one of the terminals nearest its downtown.
• Starting in October, many cruise ships will dock farther from the city's center. 
• The new restrictions are part of the city's efforts to curb overcrowding and pollution. 

Barcelona has banned cruise ships from docking at one of the two terminals located in the city center, part of a growing push to limit overcrowding and pollution .

Starting in October, about 340 annual cruise ship and ferry calls will be redirected from the North Terminal at the World Trade Center to the Adossat Wharf, the furthest cruise pier from Barcelona's city center . The South Terminal, also located at the World Trade Center, will be closed by the end of 2026.

The Adossat Wharf is about a 30-minute drive from Las Ramblas, a popular tourist destination at the heart of Barcelona. Cruise passengers disembarking at Port of Barcelona terminals A, B, C, D, or E can either take a shuttle bus to the World Trade Center and walk 15 minutes to Las Ramblas, or arrange a private car service for a more direct route.

Related stories

On October 2, the Port of Barcelona hosted a "farewell ceremony" for the last cruise ship to visit the North Terminal, a Mystic Cruises ship called the World Navigator.

Port of Barcelona President Lluís Salvadó, said the terminal's closure will help "eliminate the negative externalities" of cruise tourism, as outlined in a 2018 agreement with the city council. The move will create more than 13,600 square meters of public spaces for urban residents, according to a press release.

As Barcelona grapples with ways to encourage more sustainable tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise ships have emerged as a prime target for restrictions.

"There are thousands of people who arrive at once" Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona, told the newspaper El Pais in 2022. "Most of them stay for just a few hours and are highly concentrated in the downtown area. They generate a feeling of collapse."

Barcelona isn't the only city placing new restrictions on cruise ships. From European destinations like Venice and Amsterdam to American ports like Key West and Bar Harbor, coastal communities around the globe are rethinking their relationships with cruise tourism.

This has led to some tensions between protestors and cruise passengers. Earlier in October, environmental activists dressed as polar bears and walruses confronted guests disembarking the World Traveller cruise ship in Douarnenez, a small town in Brittany, France.

Do you live or work in a popular cruise ship destination? Email this reporter at [email protected] to share your perspective.

Watch: The rise and fall of the cruise industry

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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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The second closest (as best I could tell) was at Gran Via - a city location to the N.E. of Plaza Catalunya. I don't know the most economical way to get to that area (bus? taxi? If taxi, how much for 2 people w/2 good sized suitcases?) It's tough to determine where the various offices are when no map is shown, so I have to run the addresses on Mapquest. (Time consuming when several are given!)

Any help appreciated!

The taxi drive from the port to a place near Pl: Catalunya with 2 big suitcases shoudn't cost you more than 8-10 euros I guess.

I was hoping one of the more reasonably priced agencies had an office at the Trade Center since Avis and Hertz are usually 2 of the pricier companies. I guess not having to use a taxi would offset SOME of their prices, but they usually never incl. the CDW, etc., and some of the other agencies do.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Barcelona pushes cruise ships out of its city center

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As overtourism continues to throttle European cities, one destination has taken a step against cruise ships, restricting access to the port.

Barcelona has closed its northern port terminal to cruise traffic, after an agreement with the local authorities to move ships further out of town.

Cruise ships must now dock at the Moll d’Adossat pier, which is the furthest from the city center. Before that, ships also used the World Trade Center pier, which is plum in the city center, a block from La Rambla, Barcelona’s famous promenade.

Instead of disembarking and being able to walk up La Rambla in a matter of minutes, passengers will now face a hike of at least 30 minutes to leave the port area.

The move affects around 340 cruise dockings a year, according to data released by the port authorities.

A new public space

The area will now be reclaimed by the city, with an area of nearly 150,000 square feet, including over 2,000 feet of quay area, now designated to be “new public spaces.” The wharf’s new life will start next fall, and will be open to everyone, according to a statement by Lluís Salvadó, Port of Barcelona president.

The move follows a 2018 agreement between the port authorities and Barcelona city council, to “move cruise activity away from urban areas… making them more sustainable,” the port authorities said in a statement.

The rule officially takes effect on October 22, but the last ship to dock there has already been and gone. Mystic Cruises’ World Navigator stopped by on October 2.

Bidding farewell to the pier with the ship, Salvadó said that the 2018 agreement promised to “eliminate the negative externalities that [cruises] can produce for residents.”

The port previously closed another cruise terminal, the Maremagnum, in agreement with the council. The pier, which is directly linked to the Ciutat Vella, Barcelona’s Old Town, is now home to restaurants, bars, a sailing club and marina, Barcelona Aquarium, and the Maremagnum mall.

It also reduced the number of operative terminals from eight to seven, barred cruise lines from docking at other terminals, and introduced a one ship per terminal rule, limiting numbers to seven ships docked in the city at one time at one time.

By 2026, all cruise operations will operate from the Adossat wharf. For that to happen, the Barcelona South terminal, also on the World Trade Center pier, will be closed. The port then plans to electrify the Adossat wharf, meaning that moored ships can be powered from the pier itself, rather than pumping out noxious emissions.

Ever-growing numbers

Barcelona is Europe’s biggest cruise port. Over 2.3 million passengers passed through in 2022 – a nearly 350% increase on 2021 figures, according to port data. Add in ferry passengers, and the number becomes almost four million. In contrast, the city’s population is just over 1.6 million, according to 2023 data by the local authorities.

Meanwhile the city is struggling with the weight of overtourism. There were over nine million overnight visitors in 2022, according to the council.

“This isn’t something we can stop, but Barcelona is looking for a different kind of tourism – more quality but at the same time sustainable,” Albert Dalmau Miranda, former manager for the economy, resources and economic promotion at Barcelona council, told CNN in January 2020 .

New mayor Jaume Collboni is not letting up the pressure on the tourism industry, or cruises specifically, with increased taxes announced in his first proposed budget.

Cruises companies will have to pay 6.25 euros ($6.60) per passenger in taxes when they dock for fewer than 12 hours, he announced on October 10.

“Tourism is very important, it generates economic and social value, but also collateral damage, inconvenience to citizens. We are not going against tourism – it is a contribution so that they contribute to financing public services,” he said, as reported by Spanish newspaper El Pais .

Collboni also plans to up the tourist tax for those staying in Airbnbs and apartments to seven euros ($7.40) per person per night.

His proposed budget is due to be voted on next week.

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