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February 28, 2021

Barcelona: what to see and do while on a cruise port of call. Barcelona in a day? Excursions? Cruising Journal advises you on how to get around and what not to miss during your one-day visit to the Catalan capital.

If you’re cruising the Mediterranean on a cruise ship, there’s a good chance you’ll be stopping over in the wonderful city of Barcelona and have 5 to 10 hours to explore it. To maximise this time, here is some useful information with a detailed itinerary and tips on how to get to the centre from the port. This is an organised itinerary for those who want to see Barcelona on their own, without the on-board excursion.

The visit can be completed in about 5-6 hours, but it can certainly be extended by adding stops at will, spending more time in one place or simply having a sangria lunch! The itinerary is based on you buying the Barcelona Day Pass, a city card that was created just for cruise passengers and includes the Portbus, HOHO bus and timed entry to the Sagrada Familia, as well as 20% discount on many attractions.

How to reach the city centre from the cruise port

There are several ways to get to the city centre from the cruise terminal: from a private transfer to a bus. Which one is more convenient for you will depend on which terminal you arrive at. Larger ships usually dock at terminals A-D, which are about 2 miles from Plaça Colom. It is also possible to walk there but you will spend about 40 minutes of your precious time there. Therefore, the best option remains the Portbus, a special shuttle service between the cruise terminal and Plaça Colom.

It is an on-demand service that the port provides and which becomes more active especially in connection with embarkations and disembarkations. It stops at all cruise terminals and finally at Plaça Colom: it costs €3 one way or €4 round trip. You can also book a private transportation from the port or take a taxi. Obviously it will be more expensive but you will avoid queues, especially if you arrive on large ships.

Getting around the city

There are a lot of options to get around Barcelona. Although the city is quite accessible on foot, there are attractions, such as Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell, that take a long time to reach. For this reason, we would recommend considering public transport or using the Hop on Hop off bus service. The latter, in particular, takes you directly to the various attractions, offering an audio guide and an open roof for a great view of the city. It’s a stress-free way to get around Barcelona and is also included in the Barcelona Day Pass.

How to save money

Discounted entrance passes are the best way to save money in the city. However, passes are not always suitable for short visits, for people getting off a cruise ship. In fact, it is unlikely that the Barcelona Card or Barcelona City Pass will save you money unless you visit the city for more than one day. For cruise passengers the best suggestion is to buy the Barcelona Day Pass, specifically designed for visitors docking with the ship and including Portbus transfer, timed entry ticket to the Sagrada Familia and Hop on Hop off bus.

Among other things, it includes a 20% discount on some monument entrance fees, including Park Güell, Casa Batllo, Barcelona Aquarium, La Pedrera (Casa Mila), Gaudí Experience, Picasso Museum and Barcelona Zoo. It will also save you the hassle of having to buy all the individual tickets or missing out on seeing the Sagrada Familia due to the timed entry system. The Barcelona Day Pass can only be purchased online and therefore prior to your visit. When purchasing the pass, you must specify the time of entry to the Sagrada Familia: to be on the safe side, buy it a few days in advance so that you don’t find the visits to the cathedral crowded (especially in the summer months). We would recommend that you reserve between 45 minutes to an hour for your visit. Tickets will then be sent to you electronically.

Columbus Statue – Mirador de Colom

The shuttle bus from the port will drop you off at the Mirador de Colom, located south of the famous promenade street called Rambla. It is commonly known as the Plaça Colom or Plaça Colon (translated as Columbus), although its official name is Portal de la Pau. This giant 60-metre-high pedestal, crowned by a statue of the famous explorer Christopher Columbus, has become an icon that gave the Plaça its name. You can also climb to the top, for a ticket, to get an excellent view of the city. The Barcelona Day pass offers a 20% discount on entry. From this square you can take the Barcelona Hop on Hop off bus, which is highly recommended for visiting the sights.

However, don’t forget to visit the nearby Maritime Museum and Barcelona Aquarium first. The Maritime Museum is located in the city’s former royal arsenal, which dates back partly to the 13th century and is extraordinary in its own right. The museum has a rich maritime and naval heritage, with models of real ships on display. The Aquarium is a 12-minute walk from Plaça Colon and is home to over 11,000 animals in freshwater and seawater tanks.

Gothic Quarter

The next stop is in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic). This is the heart of the old city, stretching from Rambla west to Laietana street west and from the promenade to Plaça de Catalunya. The district was built before the advent of cars (although it has undergone major renovations and refurbishments in recent times) and is therefore a large pedestrian zone.

The narrow maze-like streets, surrounded by 4-5 storey buildings, make it a fun area to explore. Take a map with you, though, as it’s easy to get lost. Among the district’s attractions is Barcelona‘s spectacular cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site Palau de la Musica Catalana. You can walk to it from Plaça Colom in about 15-30 minutes or get off at the Cathedral stop on the hop on hop off bus.

Casa Batlló

Depending on how long you’re in town, Casa Batlló and the nearby La Pedrera are an optional stop for those who love Gaudi’s work. At least take a close look at the exterior, as along with the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló is one of Gaudi’s most popular works in Barcelona. The house was bought for renovation by Josep Batllò in 1900, because he wanted a property that didn’t look like any other owned by his family.

Batllò gave Gaudi full powers to create something bold and creative, a challenge that Gaudi himself no doubt took up and relished. As it stands, the house is quite stunning, from the Venetian mask balconies to the dragon chimney and a host of unique and innovative features. Note that the House is very crowded with tourists, so it is advisable to book your ticket in advance, considering that with the Barcelona Day Pass you get a 20% discount.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s most famous creation. It is a monumental cathedral containing many of his design ideas. Construction has been ongoing for more than 100 years and although not finished, it was inaugurated in 2010. You can’t visit Barcelona without stopping here. The incredible exteriors and interiors are unique worldwide. Stopping inside this creation to admire the mighty tree-like concrete forest interior is an awe-inspiring experience.

We would recommend visiting with an audio guide to experience the different shades of symbolism and significance spread throughout the church. It’s important to book your visit well in advance because the Sagrada Familia is such a popular attraction that entry is based on scheduled and booked times, and we wouldn’t want you to miss the boat! That’s why it’s best to buy your ticket online at Sagrada Familia website or find it inside the Barcelona Day Pass, which gives you, among other benefits, the option of specifying your entry time at the time of purchase. The pass also offers an audio guide that you can download onto your mobile phone.

Park Güell

After the Sagrada Familia you must visit another Gaudi site: Park Güell. It is the next stop on the hop on hop off bus and being in the north, it takes 15 minutes to get there. It’s a slightly different place to the other Gaudi sites because instead of being a palace, it’s a large park-like area with a number of interesting features. Originally the park was conceived as a luxury residential complex, consisting of 60 properties with a park and outdoor facilities. The location was and is its beauty, from the point of view of the landscape, the distance from the centre and the clean air. This complex was never completed and only two houses were actually built (none designed by Gaudi).

However, the artist lived for 20 years in one of the two houses (which can be visited today) and was responsible for part of the park, especially the main terrace, the columned lower courtyard, the terraced walls, the tiled mosaics and much more. Park Güell is also very famous and access to the central area (known as the Monumental Core or Monumental Zone) is time-limited and ticketed. It is necessary to book well in advance. On the official website you can buy tickets three months in advance. The ticket is also included in the Barcelona Day Pass, which offers a 20% discount on bookings made in advance.

The Ramblas

Last but not least on your day trip is a walk along the Rambla, Barcelona‘s famous street that runs from Placa Catalunya to the Mirador de Colón and Plaça Colom, from where you will catch the port bus back to the ship. The Rambla stretches through three neighbourhoods and it will take between 15 and 30 minutes to walk the entire length, depending on your speed and how many stops you make. Originally it was a stream that separated the old city of Barcelona (Gothic Quarter) from the suburbs known as La Raval. Since then the city has developed and the stream has been tarred, creating a real tree-lined avenue with a large pedestrian path in the middle. Here you will find restaurants serving sangria and tapas, souvenir shops, bars and pubs. There is also La Boqueria market, which is worth a visit including a mosaic by the famous artist Joan Miro.

Excursions in Barcelona and how to get around safely

Why bother planning itineraries and schedules: it’s nice to leave all the logistics to someone else. Your cruise ship has certainly organised excursions. However, we would like to remind you that you can also purchase private or small group services, all of which depart from and arrive at the port. In any case, we would recommend caution, as the city has a terrible reputation for petty crime such as pickpocketing or stealing cameras, mobile phones and other valuables left on tables. Being aware and taking all precautions, such as avoiding carrying large sums of money, helps to avoid unpleasant incidents.

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Lucia Angeli

 

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