Barcelona Cruise Port Guide
In Barcelona, you’ll find stunning architecture, delectable cuisine, and vibrant cultural experiences at every turn. Get to know Barcelona’s many distinct neighborhoods, including the Old Town or Ciutat Vella, where you’ll find museums, cafes, and shopping. Venture to the Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gotic, and stroll through its narrow streets, where you’ll see the best of Barcelona’s Gothic architecture, mystical corridors, and old city cafes. Another must-visit stop in Barcelona is Las Ramblas, the famous pedestrian walkway in the heart of the city that will take you past restaurants, bars, stores, and the storied Boqueria food market.
This Spanish coastal gem is not only one of the most popular cities in the world, but is also a departure port for cruises around Europe. Cruises from Barcelona visit some of the most beautiful destinations in Spain, including Seville, Ibiza, and Malaga, as well as gorgeous Mediterranean destinations in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Malta. Spend a few magical days in this spectacular city before embarking on a cruise of a lifetime through Europe.
Itineraries
Barcelona Shore Excursions
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Europe Is Closer Than Ever With Flights by Celebrity
Not only do we offer the best way to explore Europe, but we also make it easy to get there with Flights by Celebrity℠. Relax knowing you’re booking the lowest airfare and have a dedicated team helping you get to your ship—and back.
Introducing: Barcelona City Stays
Embark on an in-depth experience in the city where your cruise starts or ends. Stay in accommodations we’ve carefully selected. Enjoy tours guided by experts to see the must-sees and do the must-dos. Take private transportation between your airport, hotel, and ship.
Guided Tour Highlights: Explore the best of Barcelona, including iconic sites such as Antonio Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell and the Picasso Museum. Experience the culture, savor the cuisine, and marvel at the art and architecture of this dynamic city.
Top Destinations on Cruises from Barcelona
Greek Islands
Sail around Greece’s idyllic islands, where you’ll dive into crystal-clear waters and discover historic landmarks. Walk along the white-washed buildings of Santorini, visit the Temple of Venus in Rhodes, enjoy fresh seafood in Mykonos, and admire the stunning Parthenon in Athens. This spectacular cruise will also take you to the preserved medieval city of Valletta in Malta and Ephesus in Turkey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Spain
Discover the magic of Spain during a cruise around the Mediterranean. Soak up the sun and embrace the boho-chic spirit in the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. Visit Gaudi masterpieces in Barcelona and admire the Moorish architecture in Andalusian cities like Seville and Granada. Savor traditional Spanish cuisine in Valencia, known for its excellent paella; Vigo, home of the world-famous Albariño; and Bilbao, where you can easily spend a day trying out its wide-array of tapas and pintxos.
Italy
Experience la dolce vita during a cruise that stops in Italy’s most beautiful destinations. In Venice, make your way through the floating city’s romantic canals and intimate alleyways. Visit the chic island of Capri, where you’ll find the Blue Grotto, and the ancient city of Pompeii that was buried under ash after a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Swim in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily, or visit the golden beaches of Santa Margherita in the glittering Italian Riviera. Finish off your trip with a day in Rome, where ancient ruins, spectacular art, and delectable food await.
France
Explore the coastal wonders of France. In Florence, start your day on the coast of the Ligurian Sea and end the day looking up in awe at the Gothic-style Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Settle into the French Riviera in Nice, a charming town filled with glitzy beaches and seaside restaurants. Discover the scents of Provence, known for its lavender and perfumes.
Portugal
Wine and dine your way through Portugal, a destination of culinary capitals and seaside escapes. Explore the medieval buildings and cathedrals in Lisbon and finish off a day of sightseeing with a sweet pastel de nata. Visit the lovely vineyards of the Douro Valley in Porto and sip on the city’s most popular export, Port wine. Discover Madeira, a tiny archipelago of four islands off the coast of Portugal.
Our Ships Sailing out of Barcelona
Why Sail from Barcelona with Celebrity Cruises
Travel to Europe’s sophisticated cities and sun-drenched locales in complete luxury on a cruise from Barcelona with Celebrity Cruises. Voted best cruise line in Europe for 14 years in a row, you’ll have your choice of incredible itineraries to choose from.
On our newest vessel, Celebrity Ascent®, experience the thrill of sailing on a cutting-edge, outward-facing ship with remarkable venues like the floating Magic Carpet and Eden, an experiential restaurant and lounge that will tantalize all of your senses. Savor the fresh flavors and ingredients of Greece and Italy, then indulge in world-class cuisine on board. Relax under the sun in the French Riviera or Amalfi Coast, then by the pool on the expansive Resort Deck.
When you’re not busy exploring each port destination, you’ll have endless entertainment options, bars and lounges, and innovative venues to experience on board. Spend your days at sea unwinding at The Spa and your nights dancing under the stars. A cruise with Celebrity around the Mediterranean is an unforgettable experience unlike any other.
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Top Sights & Landmarks to See Before Cruises From Barcelona
La Sagrada Família
Barcelona’s most iconic monument and an absolute must-see for any visitor is the world-renowned La Sagrada Familia, envisioned and created by the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. As a religious man, Gaudi devoted a large part of his life to this majestic, towering cathedral and unfortunately died before its completion. The sheer size of its majestic towers and the immaculate detail displayed on every square inch of the cathedral and basilica—both indoors and outdoors—is unparalleled. La Sagrada Familia was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, and Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the basilica in November of 2010.
Santa Maria del Mar Basilica
The Santa Maria del Mar Basilica might seem simple when compared to La Sagrada Familia, but this Gothic cathedral is equally as stunning. It is the only surviving church in the pure Catalan Gothic style and is notable because of its intricate stained-glass windows and unifying proportions. While most churches took centuries to build, Santa Maria del Mar was completed in only 55 years, from 1329 to 1383. Known as the “People’s Church,” the basilica has suffered through extensive damage twice: First during the 1428 earthquake and later in 1936, when rioters burned parts of its facade for 11 days straight during the Spanish Civil War. After both instances, the cathedral was rebuilt to its former state.
Casa Milà (Pedrera)
In 1905, Pere Mila and his wife, Roser Segimon, purchased a plot of land measuring over 1,800 square meters and commissioned Gaudi to build a new property for them. This gigantic structure—often the ridicule of their peers and contemporaries—became their home with attached apartments that the couple would rent for profit. Casa Mila became known as La Pedrera (“the stone quarry”) because its façade seemed nothing like a mansion, but more of a strange stone monstrosity to locals. Casa Mila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Casa Batlló
In 1904, Josep Batlló commissioned Gaudi to build this stunning, dreamlike structure. The tiny details will astound you, and the surprising dragon-shaped roof makes Casa Batlló impossible to miss during your visit to Barcelona. The imaginative design was inspired by both the ocean waves and dragons, and stands out even among the ornately-decorated homes that line the Passeig de Gracia. Tour the grounds using an interactive video guide that accompanies your audio tour, showing you in virtual reality form what the different spaces looked like long ago.
Learn More About Barcelona Shore Excursions
Top Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain
Shop Along Las Ramblas
The famous pedestrian walkway known as Las Ramblas is nearly a mile long and is one of the city’s major thoroughfares, leading from just across from the Barcelona cruise terminal port to Plaza de Catalunya in the center of old Barcelona. As you stroll, you’ll pass restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, street performers, street food vendors, and a famous food market called Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (or simply “la Boqueria”). If you stroll the entire length of Las Ramblas, you’ll end up in Plaza de Catalunya, an enormous square with fountains, a small park, and plenty of photo-worthy sights.
Visit Barcelona’s Sport Stadiums
Every sports enthusiast will be thrilled to visit the city of Barcelona for its many sports stadiums, whether you’re exploring before or after a cruise from Barcelona. The Olympic Stadium was actually built before the Olympics existed, but it was remodeled for the event held in Barcelona in 1992. Soccer fans can visit Camp Nou Stadium, home of FC Barcelona (or “Barca” as the locals call them). Camp Nou holds nearly 99,000 fans and is Europe’s largest stadium. Go on a tour of the stadium and see everything from the team’s changing rooms to the tunnel, the press area, and more.
Explore Park Güell
Park Güell is yet another stunning representation of Gaudi’s unique design and vision. In 1900, a rich count purchased a massive plot of land and designated it to be a ‘garden city’ for the city’s wealthiest patrons. Gaudi’s design of the park and homes inside the garden city proved to be too elaborate for their time, and the project was unfortunately abandoned in 1914. The two houses and park grounds make up a magical place that will sweep you away as it showcases some of Barcelona’s famous sights and symbols.
Walk Around Barceloneta
Once a quaint fishing village, this highly sought-after area is now an adorable beachfront neighborhood with brightly colored houses and a charming beach that faces the Mediterranean Sea. If you continue to follow the waterfront, you eventually reach Port Olimpic with its bars, cafes, and small shops. Stop in the Casino de Barcelona to try your luck or enjoy a floor show.
Stroll Through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
One of the most well-known districts in all of Europe is Barcelona’s well-defined and fascinatingly unique Barri Gotic, or “Gothic Quarter.” Mystical and strange, yet beautiful and cleverly unique, the architecture of Barcelona’s stunning Gothic Quarter is a must-visit highlight. The 13th-century architecture that defines this area has a mystical old Europe feel, and the streets are winding and narrow, like corridors running through the city. While visiting the Gothic Quarter, be sure to spend some time in El Born, the trendier neighborhood known for its hip galleries, shops, restaurants, bars, and small cafes.
