Cruise From Barcelona, Spain
Introducing Barcelona
The capital city of Spain's Catalonia region is one of Europe's most impressive and awe-inspiring travel destinations. A city of contrasts, it is distinct in Spain, most evident in its signature architecture, a marriage of Gothic and modern, with one name featured more than any other, the famous architect Antonio Gaudi. If you are a visiting tourist it's good to know the city is basically divided into two, the old city, with the most famous buildings and museums, and Port Vell, featuring bars, restaurants, aquarium and theaters.
Take a Tour of Barcelona
It takes even an energetic tourist a week to do Barcelona, so with only a single day, you'll be very busy. Don't miss famous destinations such as La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's astounding church, the medieval, characterful Barrio Gothic area, and the Picasso museum. Finally head up to Montjuic for a wonderful view over the whole of the city and the surrounding hills and ocean.
La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona's funkiest church was designed by Barcelona's most famous son Gaudi. Work began in 1883, and the imaginative building is only now nearing completion. Don't miss features like the nativity-themed facade, the mosaic bell towers, and ornate doorways showing faith, hope and charity.
Las Ramblas
A fabulous boulevard leading from Port Vell to Placa de Catalunya, the heart of old Barcelona. The street is packed with cafes, shops, florists, street entertainers, and Boqueria, a colorful market. Half way along Las Ramblas lies the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona's gorgeous opera house. La Rambla ends at the Placa de Catalunya, a large plaza filled by cafes and shops.
Barri Gotic
The Gothic Quarter is steeped with a wonderful olde-world atmosphere. The streets are winding and narrow and packed with busy life. Art lovers will enjoy the Museu Picasso, showcasing the artwork of Picasso. Also worth visiting is the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, a splendid example of early-European architecture.
Gaudí planned an amazing house with undulating, living curves for the developer Pere Milà Camps. La Pedrera was Gaudi's last work before spending all his time to the construction of the Sagrada Família.
Parc Guell
Another Gaudi design, Parc Guell is a fascinating town park. The planting is imaginative and colorful, but the real star is Gaudi's hard landscaping, likefaux temples and mosaic seats.
Montjuic
The area of Montjuic is 700 ft above Barcelona's port and is chock-a-block with boutiques, galleries,cafes and museums. Don't miss the Museu Arqueologic which showcases items from early civilizations from Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Another superb museum is the Museu Nacional d'art de Catalunya, which has a large collection of Romanesque art.
Available Cruises
Barcelona offers a big choice of itineraries. A favorite is the trip around the Western Mediterranean. Other options include the Canary Islands, Morocco, or longer trips to the Eastern Mediterranean and Greece. For more details see Barcelona Cruises.
Cruise Ship Terminals
Cruise ships berth at Port Vell. The area has become a tourist attraction by itself with a large Maremàgnum shopping center with a fun IMAX theater, and Europe's biggest aquarium. Port Vell links directly to Las Ramblas, the main Barcelona avenue packed with eateries and street entertainment that leads right into the center of the city. Las Ramblas is alternately called the singular form, La Rambla.
There are eight terminals at the Barcelona port, split into 3 locations.
Adossat Quay
Cruise Terminals A, B, C and D are located at the Adossat Quay and are the greatest distance from the city. Terminal D also has the name Palacruceros. Buses run from these terminals to the foot of Las Ramblas.
Port Vell Terminal M
Across from the WTC terminal. This ferry terminal is sometimes used for cruiseliners.
All the terminals have a taxi rank. For a map of the port see Barcelona Port Map.
Getting to the Port
From the City to the Port
Walking
For the Adossat quay cruise ship terminals, (A, B, C and D) you need to catch a shuttle bus called the Blue Bus which picks ups at the Christopher Columbus memorial and drops off at Adossat dock.
Metro
The Drassanes stop (Green Line, L3) is no more than 5 minutes by foot from the Columbus statue.
Taxi
It's easy to take a cab from the city center to the port. This is inexpensive, fare about eight euros, and quick, normally less than a quarter of an hour. .
Travelling from the Aiport to the Port
By public transport
Take the Aerobusline A1 from terminal 1, line A2 from terminal 2 to Placa Catalunya in Barcelona, service approximately every 10 minutes, then catch the metro from Catalunya to Drassanes. From Drassanes walk to the Columbus monument. Wait for the Blue bus which takes you to your cruise terminal.
Taxi
The quickest option for travelling from the airport to the port is a taxi. The trip will take you about 25 minutes and will cost you around thirty Euros in total. The cost will include per-bag extras plus additional airport and cruise port charges.
Resources
Port of Barcelona Site www.apb.es
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