BARCELONA
Port Location: The Port of Barcelona is found on Spain’s Mediterranean coast in the North East of the country. Indeed, there are actually 7 cruise terminals available for cruises from Barcelona however they are all fairly close together and transport to each port and from each port to the city centre is readily available and frequent.
Transport: Walking from the port to the centre of the city isn’t really recommended as you have about a 2.5km journey; however transport services in the form of buses and taxies are easily accessible. The cruise shuttle bus can get you straight to the Columbus Monument – a couple of minutes walk from La Rambla or you can jump in a taxi. A cab will normally take about 10 minutes to get to the city centre at a cost of 8.00 Euro’s.
Description: Giving you a gateway into Catalonian culture and heritage, the port of Barcelona is situated just outside of the city centre. Indeed, the port itself houses the Maremagnum, a large shopping mall with nightlife as well as a multiplex cinema and Europe’s largest aquarium – so you can still enjoy the city without venturing into the centre.
Sightseeing and Excursions: One of the most attractive things about cruises from Barcelona is the vast array of culture and history that can be soaked up from sightseeing and excursions. Witnessing the architecture of Antoni Gaudí is a must for any visitor to the city – la Sagrada Família especially – as is the old Gothic Quarter of the city. A trip to the Camp Nou– home of FC Barcelona – is also highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in football.
Beyond the city and an excursion to Sitges will give you an experience of the wealthy inhabitants of Catalonia with its combination of affluent elegance and the white quaintness of the old town. Indeed, an tour to Montserrat – which houses the Black Madonna (a statue of the Virgin Mary reportedly brought to Spain around 50 AD) – is always recommended for its cultural and religious significance.
Beaches: The nearest beach to the port of Barcelona is the Nova Icaria which is located just east of the port.
Shopping: Cruises from Barcelona give you the chance to experience some excellent shopping facilities. The La Rambla offers one of the most extensive and fashionable shopping districts in Europe with all the top designer brands as well as a few local ones present. Beyond this, the districts of Passeig de Gracia and the Bulevard Rosa also offer a broad and widespread range of shops and malls with a variety of outlets.