Aerial view of Barcelona beach and city during sunrise. Spain.

Planning A Barcelona Vacation From The Sea

Arrive in Barcelona by Sea

By Amanda Mesa | Published on August 1, 2023

A Barcelona vacation is synonymous with culture, natural beauty, history and warm hospitality. As the capital of Spain's Catalonia region, this ancient seaside city is one of the most coveted vacation destinations in the world during spring, summer, fall and even winter, and it's one of the top 10 most-visited cities in Europe. Once you arrive, it's easy to see why — Barcelona's abundance of leafy parks with stately monuments and fountains, romantic Gothic Quarter with its winding cobblestone streets, crave-worthy food and bar scene and gorgeous architecture check all the boxes for an unforgettable European vacation.

Barcelona, Spain Barceloneta Beach — Barceloneta Beach at sunset, with a view of the W Hotel in Barcelona, Spain

There's nothing quite like the view of Barcelona from the sea.

Now, any trip to Barcelona is bound to be top-notch, but visiting this spectacular city by sea is without a doubt one of the most memorable ways to experience it while on holiday. Here are just some of the reasons why, plus some tips on how to maximize a Spain vacation to Barcelona by ship.

Barcelona's Enduring Connection With The Sea

Located along the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean, with long stretches of golden, sun-kissed beaches and multiple bustling harbors, Barcelona is well situated to receive guests from the sea. Traveling to Barcelona by ship gives you a taste of history. The Barcelona port of call has been an important site for over 2,000 years and has an ancient seafaring legacy that traces back to the time of ancient Romans — perhaps even earlier. It remained an active port through the Middle Ages, facilitating trade for centuries. By visiting Barcelona via ship, you're taking part in a millennia-old tradition — watching the coastline expand into view on the horizon, with the laughter of gulls and the salty spray of the ocean welcoming you to the city. Barcelona's historic maritime hub is called Port Vell, which means "Old Port." Today, its tranquil waters are dotted with small pleasure boats and sleek yachts. It's also home to the city's hundred-year-old customs' office building, as well as an 18th-century clock tower called the Torre del Rellotge and plenty of great stores at the Maremagnum shopping complex.

155120276 — top view port vell barcelona docked europe

Take in the view of Port Vell.

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Mittelmeer Kreuzfahrt ab Barcelona — walking thru old barcelona gothic buildings tours spain

Walk beneath the covered bridges in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

Cruising Offers Convenience

If your Barcelona vacation brings you to the city by cruise ship, you won't be sailing into Port Vell. Instead, you'll arrive in the city's much larger cruise port located a few miles away. It's located at the foot of the Barcelona's most iconic boulevard, La Rambla (sometimes referred to as Las Ramblas), which runs right through the center of Barcelona and offers easy access to the city's many attractions.

To give you an idea of how big the Barcelona port is, it's home to nine terminals — seven of which serve as cruise terminals. Because of its size as a cruise port — as well as its prime location in the Mediterranean — Barcelona serves as a starting point or stop on many cruises through the region. Getting into the city from the cruise port is also easy. There's a shuttle bus service that connects the port terminals to La Rambla — just look for blue buses that say "Cruise Bus" on the front-facing display panel of each bus.

Once you're out of the port, it's an easy walk to some of Barcelona's top must-visit areas and sights. The Gothic Quarter is just a 10-minute walk from Portal de la Pau, where the Cruise Buses drop off. Güell Palace, the mansion designed by famed architect Antoni Gaudí, is even closer. And if you're craving some delicious tapas after your seafaring voyage, you can stroll on over to Mercado de La Boqueria, a lively food market just 10 minutes from Portal de la Pau. Truly, arriving to Barcelona by sea places you closer to the action than arriving by plane, as Barcelona's international airport is located nearly nine miles from this vibrant part of the city. Arriving by train to Barcelona Sants station will put you in a good spot to kick off your vacation, but you'll still be about two miles away from the popular El Raval and Gothic Quarter neighborhoods.

If you're looking at Spain cruises that begin or end in Barcelona, you'll definitely want to spend a few days exploring this fabulous city.

Barcelona, Spain Gothic Cathedral — The gothic Barcelona Cathedral at night, in Barcelona Spain

Be sure to visit the Catedral de Barcelona.

How To Spend A Day In The Barcelona Port

If you're looking at Spain cruises that feature Barcelona as a stop rather than a starting or ending point, you'll have less time to explore the city's many marvels. That said, because cruising puts you so close to some of the top attractions in Barcelona, you can easily fill a few hours with wonder. If you're pressed for time, stick to the sights closest to the port. We already mentioned Güell Palace, but it's worth repeating — aside from the Sagrada Família cathedral and Parc Güell, this mansion is one of the dreamiest examples of Gaudí's work and makes for a beautiful backdrop to photos. It offers tours in English, Spanish, French and Catalan included in your admission ticket.

Also close to the port is the Catedral de Barcelona — an impressive cathedral that dates back to 1298. With its graceful buttresses and soaring spires, it's one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the city, and it's less than a mile from Portal de la Pau. Admission into the cathedral costs just nine euros, and you can add access to the Diocesan Museum for six euros extra. Guided visits are also available.

Another great option close to port is the Gran Teatre del Liceu, a stunning theater built in the mid-1800s in a former monastery. Guided tours of the spectacular space are available. What's more, just up La Rambla is Mercado de la Boqueria, a fantastic food hall. You'll find all kinds of delicious food at this bustling market, from savory jamón ibérico and briny grilled sardines to crispy pan con tomate and more. You can also enjoy a wide range of Spanish wines, sherries and vermouth. It's the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the ship during your Barcelona vacation.

Fruit and Vegetable Stand at Spanish Market La Boqueria Barcelona Spain

Meander through the produce stands inside Mercado de la Boqueria.

If you're looking at Spain cruises that begin or end in Barcelona, you'll definitely want to spend a few days exploring this fabulous city. The Gothic Quarter, El Raval and San Antoni are all great neighborhoods to stay in. They are all within walking distance to the many attractions previously mentioned and close to the cruise port. However, if you're craving a few days of fun in the sun, consider staying close to Barceloneta Beach. While this area is a bit removed from the city center, it's close to the cruise port and offers direct access to one of Barcelona's most beautiful — and buzzing — stretches of shoreline.

Enjoy a summer day at Barceloneta Beach.

With more time, you can plan a day trip to nearby Montserrat, a mountain range near Barcelona that's known for its beautiful Benedictine monastery built right into the rocky cliffs. As one of the most important religious retreats in Catalonia, the monastery is home to one of Europe's only black Madonnas — on view to the public. Getting there is easy. Simply take the R5 line from Plaça d'Espanya in Barcelona to Aeri de Monserrat. The journey takes about an hour — then, you can take a cable car all the way to the monastery at the top of the mountain. Beyond the monastery, the mountain offers breathtaking views of the countryside and some of the best hiking trails in the region.

Santa Maria de Montserrat abbey in Monistrol. Spain

Enjoy the view of the monastery at Montserrat.

If you're up for a full day, you can also opt to take a tour to Andorra and the French Pyrenees. Most tours begin early in the morning and return to Barcelona later in the evening, but the views — and the additional passport stamps from Andorra and France — are well worth the weariness you'll feel the next morning. You can also do this trip by car. Andorra is only two-and-a-half hours away, and Ax-Les-Thermes across the French border is only three hours from Barcelona. Both are beautiful regions no matter what time of year you visit, though winter is definitely a top contender. It's when skiers flock to the slopes in Andorra and the Pyrenees transform into the ultimate winter wonderland.

1869328759 — cityscape arinsal la massana andorra spain europe winter

Winter in a village like Andorra is a marvelous sight.

Even if you only have one overnight in Barcelona, make sure you pencil in a dinner at one of the city's world-famous flamenco houses. You'll find several to choose from in the Latin Quarter. Some include dinner with the cost of admission, others only serve drinks and tapas. Whether you visit a historic house or a contemporary one, you're in for an evening of hypnotizing rhythms, haunting voices and plenty of passion onstage.

Seville (Cadiz), Spain Flamenco Dancer — A flamenco dancer in Seville, Spain

Take in a flamenco dancer performance.

Ready to start looking at Spain cruises? Planning your Barcelona vacation is just part of it. That's because when you choose to visit Barcelona by sea on a cruise ship, you have lots of additional ports to look forward to as part of your overall getaway.

Written By
AMANDA MESA

Amanda has written for Royal Caribbean since 2017. She also covers travel, lifestyle, food and beverage for Indulge Magazine, the Miami Herald and PureWow. She's traveled extensively around the world, enjoys building unforgettable itineraries and loves introducing readers to lesser-known destinations.

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