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Barcelona Ports

Barcelona Port: Everything You Need to Know Before You Board

by Christian Petzold - updated December 31, 2021

Barcelona is a destination that can give you the city of your dreams! Wander through the narrow streets, taste delicious tapas, and enjoy wine. Get some sea air on your coastal walk while admiring the local architecture.

Barcelona is a bustling metropolis that has existed for about 4,000 years. The Barcelona port is the busiest in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. This is one reason people from all over the world flock here to enjoy a relaxing vacation at Mediterranean Sea beaches and eat at some of Spain’s best restaurants.

When you come to Barcelona, you have many choices for transportation through their port. You can travel by air or cruise with a traditional ocean liner or take a ferry down from France.

In this article, we will concentrate on the port of Barcelona. You’ll find more about the port, access to the terminals, transport, services, and ferry crossings, and so much more.

Barcelona Port

Barcelona Port Ariel View

The Barcelona port is one of the major sea links in Europe. They cater to over 16 million people each year. You can also export goods anywhere in the world through this port.

It contains nine terminals that are separated into cargo and passenger ports. These ports are along the coast of Barcelona. Here you can find several tourist and travel facilities, information booths, ticket offices, and fascinating attractions.

What Is the Name of Barcelona’s Port?

Barcelona Port 1

Port de Barcelona is the official name of Barcelona port. The passenger terminals, as well as the cargo docks, are all part of the port complex. Port Vell, also known as the old port, is in the heart of the port region and serves as a departure point for ferries and cruise ships bound for the Mediterranean and the coast of North Africa.

How Many Passenger Terminals Does Barcelona Port Have?

The port has three passenger terminals in total. These terminals are the following:

  • Terminal Drassanes
  • Terminal Ferry Barcelona
  • Grimaldi Terminal Barcelona

Which Companies Run Ferries in Barcelona?

Typically, the following companies operate in Barcelona’s port, offering ferry routes to the Balearic Islands, Algeria, Morocco, and Italy:

  • Baleària
  • Trasmediterránea
  • Algérie Ferries
  • Grimaldi Lines
  • Grandi Navi Veloci

What Services Are Accessible in the Port of Barcelona?

The port of Barcelona offers a wide range of services and amenities, demonstrating that it is much more than a transportation center! Being so close to the city center, you can take advantage of the various cafes, shops, and restaurants in the surrounding neighborhoods, all within walking distance of the port. 

The Moll de Barcelona is also home to hotels, parking spaces, pubs, cafés, and shopping complexes in the Port Vell neighborhood. There is an electric car charging station. The port area is home to various institutions, including the Museum of Catalan History when it comes to culture.

Tip: There are plenty of areas to roam around, take photographs or get a snack, sit on one of the vast squares or promenades, and watch the ships go.

What to Do Around Barcelona Ports?

Barcelona’s port is well located among some of the city’s most popular attractions. The port area is completely incorporated with the city’s central business district, making it conveniently accessible. You may stroll around the port area, explore the historic port marina, stroll along the promenade, visit the beach, or visit some of the region’s museums and cultural attractions.

Marina Port

Here are some options for touring around Barcelona’s port:

1. Have a dip at the beach of Sant Sebastià

2. Stroll to the neighborhood of Barceloneta

3. Visit the coastal square of Rosa dels Vents

4. Get mesmerized at the Mossèn Costa I Llobera cacti garden

5. Take your Instagram worthy shot at The Olas de Acero sculpture

6. Witness The Columbus Monument

7. Be amazed in the Maritime Museum of Barcelona

8. Get your history straight at the Museum of Catalan History

9. Buy something at the market of La Boqueria

10. Be with the sea animals at the aquarium of Barcelona

Tip: If you have time before your boat voyage, you may also jump on and off the hop-on-hop-off bus to quickly see the city. The bus departs from the Columbus Monument.

Location and Access of Port Barcelona

Barcelona’s port is a major transportation node and one of Europe’s busiest ports. Several passenger boats depart from the port terminals daily, and it is one of the busiest passenger ports in Spain overall.

You can easily reach the Port of Barcelona by a wide range of modes of transportation because of its convenient urban location.

Where Is the Port of Barcelona Located?

Barcelona is a port city on Spain’s northwest coast, in the autonomous community of Catalonia, and it is the country’s largest port. It is in the heart of Barcelona’s city center, just beneath the old town.

The port is surrounded by the neighborhoods of Raval, Gothic Quarter, Poble-Sec, Montjuic, Barceloneta, and Ribera.

How to Get to Port de Barcelona

You may walk to the port from Barcelona’s city center by following La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya to the city’s shore. Drassanes is the nearest metro station on line L3. There are several bus stations throughout the port. You can reach Barcelona Port using the following bus lines: 88, 88B, 21, N0, N6, and 59. Barcelona’s harbor is also conveniently near the Estació de França railway station and only a 20-minute walk away.

If you arrive at Barcelona Airport, you may take buses A1 and A2 to the city center and then take the metro line L3 to Drassanes to get to your destination. Alternatively, you may drive to the port by using route C-31, which starts at El Prat and merges into B-10, which takes you to the port. There are also many cabs waiting at designated taxi ranks.

Where’s the Parking Spot in the Port of Barcelona?

You can access the ferry terminal parking and drop-off sites for short-term parking and drop-off. If you’re seeking long-term parking, the World Trade Center at the Moll de Barcelona, near the port, is the safest and most convenient option. There are also short- and long-term parking alternatives available in and around the port area.

Most terminals (T, N, S, E, and M) are within walking distance of the World Trade Center parking slot. You can also ride the shuttle bus directly to terminals A, B, C, and D. 

Contact Numbers for Port de Barcelona

Barcelona Port Authority manages the port of Barcelona. In case of emergencies or if you have questions, you can call the following numbers:

+34933068800 (Barcelona Port Authority)

+34900100852 (Port Authority Emergency Centre)

+34932903000 (Police)

+34932240600 (Tourist Police)

+34932384000 (Tourist information)

112 (European Emergency Number)

+34906365365 (Weather information)

In case of theft or other crimes, contact the Police Station at Port Vell. 

Fun Facts

Barcelona Ports, one of Europe’s busiest maritime hubs, holds fascinating fun facts. Did you know it’s one of the largest cruise ports in the Mediterranean, welcoming millions of passengers annually? Its history stretches back to Roman times, making it one of the oldest ports in the region. Modern marvels like the Maremagnum, a shopping and entertainment complex built on floating platforms, showcase Barcelona’s innovative approach to waterfront development.

Additionally, the port played a pivotal role in the 1992 Summer Olympics, transforming the city’s waterfront and skyline. Barcelona Ports is not just a place of trade and transport but also a vibrant part of the city’s dynamic character.

Author’s Note

The Barcelona Port Authority has provided a variety of ways for people to access the port. Some boats go from the port, bus stops that take you directly to the port, and a shuttle bus takes you straight to the terminals. The Barcelona Port Authority also manages parking lots, providing a safe and convenient place for travelers staying longer at the port or coming from other cities.

With these types of alternatives available, it is easy for people to find affordable ways of traveling from one side of Spain’s coast to another without having any difficulties with transportation.

Let us share more Barcelona travel guides with you that will surely help you on your future trips.

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