As the beating heart of the city’s cruise tourism industry, the Port of Barcelona is the first point of call for many visitors. As well as welcoming cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean Sea, the port services regular ferry travellers headed to Mallorca, Genoa, Ibiza and Morocco.
Every year, the port welcomes more than 16 million visitors. Thanks to its ultra-central location at the foot of La Rambla, it’s recognised as a paradigm of port-city integration. For those in search of affordable accommodation that’s just a stone’s throw from the cobblestone streets of the Gothic Quarter, hotels near the Port of Barcelona are a savvy option. As well as welcoming oceanic passengers, the Port of Barcelona is also a lively tourism hub. It encompasses the waterfront harbour of Port Vell, which houses major attractions like the Maremàgnum mall, IMAX cinema and Europe's largest aquarium.
The Port of Barcelona is made up of nine terminals, so it’s important for passengers to know which one they’re departing from. For those embarking off ships or staying in the Port of Barcelona area, reaching the city centre is easy. The ports are located at the foot of La Rambla, which cuts through the crux of Barcelona’s key tourism district. From the closer ports, the famous boulevard is just a 15-minute walk. However for passengers arriving from cruise terminals A, B, C or D, catching a ride on the T3 PORTBUS shuttle is advised.
While today the Port of Barcelona hosts ultra-modern cruise ships, it’s been a maritime hub since the 4th century, when the city was occupied by ancient Iberian tribes. They inhabited the coastline and used it as a key point for trading with Greek colonies on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.