CRUISES FROM BARCELONA, SPAIN

Go further with our Barcelona cruises

On a Barcelona cruise, you’ll see why the Catalan capital is Spain’s most-visited city. Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, Barcelona offers experiences and sights for all, from classical and modern art to daring architecture, from innovative design to ancient history, plus world-class gastronomy (covering local cuisine and fine dining) and an enviable coastline.

Marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família or his surreal Park Güell, both part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing seven of the architect’s works across the city.

Learn about local history on a Barcelona cruise by walking down famed La Rambla, lined with emblematic buildings like La Boqueria market, dating back to the 1800s, and the opulent Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house.

Get lost among the alleyways of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) and visit the Barcelona Cathedral, before heading to the coast for swimming and sunbathing at Barceloneta Beach.

But why stop there? Our cruises to Barcelona whisk you out of the city to nearby coastal escapes and bohemian hideaways.

BEST BARCELONA CRUISES

With MSC Cruises, there’s a whole array of Barcelona cruises to choose from. Circle the Mediterranean and visit Barcelona on a cruise via Marseille, Genoa, Naples and Sicily. Or sail down to Morocco and the Canary Islands. For those who want a bigger adventure, journey to the Caribbean and Miami with MSC Grand Voyages.
MSC World Europa

Mediterranean
7 Nights

MSC Seaview

Mediterranean
7 Nights

MSC Musica

Mediterranean
7 Nights

CRUISES FROM BARCELONA IN 2024

Located within easy reach of southern Europe and North Africa, Barcelona cruise port offers numerous different adventures, spread between three continents.

Cruises from Barcelona enable you to explore grand and historic Mediterranean cities such as Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Palermo and Valletta. Or perhaps you’d prefer to expand your horizons by sailing the southern Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar to visit La Goulette in Tunisia and Casablanca in Morocco, then heading back to Spain (over 1,600 kilometres from the mainland) through the Canary Islands.

Cruises from Barcelona 2024-2025 even include MSC Grand Voyages down to South America via the Costa del Sol capital of Málaga, Funchal in Madeira and then on to the coasts of Brazil.

CRUISES TO BARCELONA IN 2024

Do it all on a Barcelona cruise as you become acquainted with Spain’s most-visited city. Navigate the alleyways of the Gothic Quarter and learn about Barcelona’s history, from its founding by the Romans to construction during medieval times.

Head into the emblematic Modernista era of the 19th century in the Eixample district with visits to Gaudi’s Casa Batlló and Casa Milà or learn more about its artistic side at the Picasso Museum. Or stay firmly in the 21st century and get to know Barcelona’s celebrated football team at the Camp Nou museum.

Explore further on your Barcelona cruise by escaping the city and heading to the craggy peaks of Montserrat and its Benedictine abbey. A cruise to Barcelona also lets you visit other Spanish coastal cities, such as Valencia and Málaga, or Balearic Islands like Mallorca and Menorca. But why stop there? Continue the odyssey by adding on a visit to other Mediterranean cities such as Marseille, Genoa and Naples.

BARCELONA EXCURSIONS: DELVE DEEPER TO DISCOVER MORE

Discover the history, architecture and culture of the Catalan capital with MSC Cruises’ Barcelona shore excursions. Our meticulously designed Barcelona tours take you far beneath the surface to see the best of the city and around.

Stroll through the atmospheric Gothic Quarter with its tangle of alleyways and marvel at the imposing Barcelona Cathedral. Place yourself in Gaudí’s Barcelona at the ever-evolving Sagrada Família basilica and find out the surprising origins of fanciful Park Güell.

Passionate guides will be on-hand to make sure that your Barcelona excursions supply crucial information and historical stories at every step.

PANORAMIC TOUR & SHOPPING

PANORAMIC TOUR & SHOPPING

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Shopping
  • Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour
  • Duration: 4.5 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category: SCENIC ROUTE
Duration: 4.5 hour(s)
Code: BCN02

The fabulous city of Barcelona is well worth a visit and this whistle-stop tour will take you to see the key sights during an enjoyable half day off the ship. Upon leaving the port, your tour begins with a drive through Barcelona’s main streets and squares. A short stop will be made at Montjuich Hill to take in the superb view over the city before moving on for a brief external viewing of the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s striking yet unfinished neo-Gothic masterpiece.

Then, there will be time for you to enjoy some shopping visiting one of the biggest Shopping Mall of the city: Maremagnum. Conceived as an all-family entertainment facility rather than just a shopping center, its location already makes it special: almost completely surrounded by water and accessible through a sophisticated wooden lifting bridge called Rambla de Mar. After spending some free time strolling around the Mall, meet your guide again for the return to the ship. Alternatively, you can stay around the area longer and eventually have a glimpse of the nearby Las Ramblas too.

GAUDI’S MASTERPIECES:
PARC GÜELL AND LA PEDRERA

GAUDI’S MASTERPIECES:
PARC GÜELL AND LA PEDRERA

  • Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Limited seats
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Duration: 4 h

*to be confirmed on board*

Category: CULTURE AND HISTORY
Duration: 4 hour(s)
Code: BCN28

Don’t miss the chance to discover the fascinating world and works of Barcelona’s most important architect: Antoni Gaudí. After leaving the port, your tour will take you to Parc Güell, a garden complex and one of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions, with its remarkable curving buildings, stunning mosaics, and ceramic-covered benches. A visit to this park will give you the feeling of entering a beautiful, fairy-tale world and will allow you to admire the view over the city thanks to its position on the side of a hill. After the visit, get back on the bus to continue the itinerary to discover the world of Gaudí.

You will admire from the coach, the Basilica of the Sagrada Família, a neo-Gothic masterpiece whose works are not yet finished, and the famous Casa Batlló, a flamboyant building covered in thousands of multicolourful ceramic tiles, located along the charming boulevard Passeig de Gràcia. Finally, your second internal visit will be to Casa Milà, better known as “La Pedrera” (The Quarry), which is undoubtedly Gaudí’s most mature work. It has one of the most symbolic terraces in the city, thanks to the sculptural chimneys and vents designed by Gaudí, offering enchanting views of the Sagrada Família in the distance. It is one of the most representative buildings of Modernism. After the visit, board the coach for the return journey to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BARCELONA,
MONTSERRAT & WINE TASTING

HIGHLIGHTS OF BARCELONA,
MONTSERRAT & WINE TASTING

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Limited seats
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Tour language: English Only
  • Shooting videos and/or taking pictures is not allowed or subject to fee
  • Tasting included
  • Duration: 7 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category: CULTURE AND HISTORY
Duration: 7 hour(s)
Code: BCN37

Celebrated the world over for its fabulous architecture, Barcelona is yours to enjoy as your coach first takes you around the city’s main sights on this all-day Catalan experience. The route will take you down Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s main boulevards, passing by Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the incredible Sagrada Família. Leaving the breathtaking basilica behind, a location of equally awe-inspiring proportions is next:

the jagged sandstone columns of the Montserrat Mountains and the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat, an impressive complex of buildings that affords glorious views of the countryside below.

A key Catholic pilgrimage site and popular as a religious retreat, the abbey not only hosts a statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, aka the Black Madonna, but also a basilica with an ornately decorated interior. Some time to soak up the beguiling surroundings and have lunch on your own then follows, after which your travels continue by coach to the village of Sant Sadurni and the Cavas Vilarnau wine cellars. Apart from a chance to see how wine, sparkling wine and the bottle-fermented Spanish cava are made, you will also be able to please your palate during the tasting session that concludes your visit. The relaxing return drive to your ship brings your Catalonian outing to a close.

PROTECTOURS:
A WALK IN BARCELONA, GASTRONOMIC SPECIALTIES AND SHOPPING

,PROTECTOURS: A WALK IN BARCELONA,
GASTRONOMIC SPECIALTIES AND SHOPPING

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Limited seats
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Tasting included
  • Duration: 4 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category: CITY TOUR
Duration: 4 hour(s)
Code: BCN40

Combine a pleasant walk in the fresh air with an exploration of some of Barcelona’s most notable sights in the city centre with some opportunities to buy some local products. Begin with a short coach ride from the port to the first landmark being the Columbus Monument at the lower end of La Rambla avenue. Follow your guide on a pleasant walk down La Rambla en route to Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic and the Neoclassical town hall at Plaça Sant Jaume.

Next up are outside views of the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia – Barcelona Cathedral – and information on this key site. Last on your walking itinerary is Plaça de Catalunya in the middle of town. And after admiring some of Barcelona’s landmarks, you will have the opportunity to shop with your guide and discover some classic local products including the famous turrón and the Spanish jamón. A first stop will be at El Taller de Virginia, a local turrones and chocolate shop, founded almost 100 years ago and still producing some of the best sweet delicacies. Your guide will help you choosing the perfect gift for yourself or for friends and family. Then, stop at Enrique Tomas’ shop, a company with 40 years of experience offering only the best Spanish jamones. The products are sold vacuum-packed, can be purchased, and taken on the ship. And to tempt you even more, there will be tastings in both shops. Afterwards, you will have free time to shop on your own; your guide will give you some tips on where to have a good memory of Barcelona. The tour ends at Plaza Cataluña and you can choose to remain in the city and make your way back to the port later or reach the place where the shuttle bus will transfer you to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BARCELONA
& PUEBLO ESPAÑOL

HIGHLIGHTS OF BARCELONA & PUEBLO ESPAÑOL

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Limited seats
  • Best seller
  • Difficulty Level: Strenuous
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Shooting videos and/or taking pictures is not allowed or subject to fee
  • Duration: 5 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category: CITY TOUR
Duration: 5 hour(s)
Code: BCN57

Let yourself be captivated by the charms of Barcelona with an excursion that will make you appreciate the main sights of the Catalan city. Set off from the port for a coach drive to the Born district, now one of Barcelona’s trendiest neighbourhoods, for a guided walk. One of the architectural gems hidden among the maze of squares and streets of this old quarter, also known as the Ribera, is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, which you can photograph from the outside during a short stop.

From here, continue on foot through the Barri Gòtic, Barcelona’s medieval centre, which has been preserved largely intact, where you will visit the spectacular Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulalia, built between the 13th and 15th centuries. After the visit, you will reach Paseo de Colón to rejoin the coach and continue with a sightseeing tour passing some of architect Gaudí’s masterpieces including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà before reaching the Basilica of the Sagrada Família. An approximately 15-minute walk will take you to this unfinished Gaudí wonder where you will have some time to admire it from the outside and take some photos for your Instagram gallery or your memory book. After rejoining the coach, the tour continues to Montjuïc, the hill that will give you a wonderful panorama of the city, and back to the centre to enjoy a stroll through the tranquil Poble Espanyol, a village created to showcase the various Spanish architectural styles. The excursion ends with your return to the port and the ship.

SAGRADA FAMILIA
& GAUDI’S BEST BUILDINGS

SAGRADA FAMILIA & GAUDI’S BEST BUILDINGS

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Limited seats
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Duration: 3.5 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category: CULTURE AND HISTORY
Duration: 3.5 hour(s)
Code: BCN58

A taste of the world of Antoni Gaudí, Spanish architect and leading exponent of Catalan modernism, awaits you on this half-day excursion. During the tour, you will discover how this artist shaped modernism according to his personal visions. Leaving the port, a scenic coach ride along the streets of Barcelona will take you to its main monument, the Sagrada Família. Afterwards, a 15-minute walk will take you to the Basilica, now a symbol of Barcelona and world-famous.

You cannot remain indifferent to the beauty of this masterpiece by Gaudí. Its tall towers, the different facades of the building, the colourful stained-glass windows inside, the architectural lines that merged from the initial neo-Gothic style with modernism when the artist took over the construction work are just some of the elements that will allow you to understand why this monument is so famous. After visiting the interior and walking back to the coach, the tour will continue by discovering some of Gaudí’s other masterpieces. Walking down the beautiful avenue Passeig de Gràcia, you will admire Casa Batlló, a flamboyant building that is covered in thousands of multi-coloured tiles. From there you will move on to Casa Milà, the last of Gaudí’s civil works and perhaps the most visionary of all. Built of rough stone, the six-storey building has no less than three façades facing three different streets but the undulating shape of them makes them compact and creates a sense of architectural continuity that is hard to miss. Your tour ends with a scenic return drive to the port.

DISCOVER THE CHRISTMAS TRADITION
IN BARCELONA

DISCOVER THE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN BARCELONA

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Limited seats
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Duration: 4 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category: SOMETHING SPECIAL
Duration: 4 hour(s)
Code: BCN64

If the spirit of Christmas is in your heart, there is no better way than to experience the most wonderful festivity of the year by strolling the decorated streets of Barcelona. After a short bus ride and waving hello at the Columbus Monument at the lower end of the Rambla, follow your guide up the Rambla towards the Gothic Quarter and hear some anecdotes about how Catalans prepare for the Christmas festivities. Besides visiting the city’s most important Christmas market, you will also learn about local Christmas traditions.

Discover how the people of Catalonia live the Christmas traditions and some stops at key points along the way will help you understand them better. Admire, for example, the somewhat bizarrely posed figurines that adorn Catalan nativity scenes in the Caganer shop and scrounge up a world of sweets with a stop at the Virginia chocolates and nougat shop, founded in 1932. You will discover that Turrón, the most popular sweet of the Christmas season, has a deep-rooted tradition in Spain. When you arrive at the Cathedral Square, admire the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulàlia and the Fira de Santa Llúcia, which dates back to the 18th century and is the city’s most popular and oldest Christmas market. Learn about the history of the Fira, which owes its success to local craftsmen. And before you have some free time on the Rambla to look for a present for your loved ones, don’t leave the market without having a look at El caga tió, a small wooden trunk that is decorated with eyes, a nose and a beautiful smile, which has a deep-rooted history in the Catalan children’s tradition. At the end of the tour, you can choose whether to stay in town by returning to the ship on your own or follow your guide back to the port.

CYCLING TOUR OF BARCELONA

CYCLING TOUR OF BARCELONA

Minimum required participants is: 25
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Tour language: Multilingual*
  • Shopping
  • Wheelchair and disabled-friendly tour
  • Duration: 4.5 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category:MSC BIKE ADVENTOURS
Duration:5 hour(s)
Code:BCNBK1

Get up close and personal with the streets and iconic sights of Barcelona, from the saddle of a bike. As you follow your bike leader around the city’s network of cycle paths, you’ll find it’s a really relaxed way of exploring. Enjoy great views of the harbour and have a glimpse of Montjuic castle from below, marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the immense Sagrada Familia, and trundle past quirky boutiques, antique shops, and tiny tapas bars in the city’s Gothic Quarter.

Cycle to the Museum of Art, and past the Olympic Harbour, and see the Statue of Columbus, the Arc de Triumph and Gaudí’s wave-shaped Casa Mila townhouse. You’ll also visit Las Ramblas, the famous boulevard buzzing with flower sellers, street artists and buskers, and there’ll be time for a refuelling stop at a tapas or seafood bar along the way too.

BEST OF BARCELONA ON AN E-BIKE

BEST OF BARCELONA ON AN E-BIKE

Minimum required participants is: 1
  • Limited seats
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Tour language: English Only
  • Duration: 6 h

*to be confirmed on board

Category:MSC BIKE ADVENTOURS
Duration:6 hour(s)
Code:BCNBK2

Tour the iconic sights of Barcelona on a pedelec, a bicycle with a small electric motor that assists you up to 25 km/h while pedalling. As you follow your guide around the city’s network of cycle paths, you’ll find it’s a really relaxed way of exploring. Cycle up Mount Montjuic to check out the Olympic Stadium, enjoy great views of the harbour and Montjuic Castle, marvel at the immense Sagrada Familia, and trundle past quirky boutiques, antique shops, and tiny tapas bars in the 

city’s Gothic Quarter. Cycle to the Museum of Art, and past the Olympic Harbour, and see the Statue of Columbus, the Arc de Triumph and Gaudi’s wave-shaped Casa Mila townhouse. You’ll also visit Las Ramblas, the famous boulevard buzzing with flower sellers, street artists and buskers, and there’ll be time for a refuelling stop at a tapas or seafood bar along the way too. Please note: Guests will cycle for a total of 25 km. Children who are at least 155 cm tall are welcome to take part in this tour with the parent’s/guardian’s written consent.

HOW TO REACH BARCELONA CRUISE PORT

MSC Cruises’ ships dock at the main cruise terminal, called the Muelle de Adosado (Moll Adossat in Catalan), in Barcelona. The cruise terminal is located just a few kilometres south of the city centre, ideal for those itching to hop off the ship and explore the vibrant Catalan capital.

The Muelle de Adosado is an artificial strip of land designed specifically for cruise ships and other large boats and is connected to the mainland via the Pont de la Porta d’Europa. For those not wanting to walk the half an hour or so into the city centre, there is a shuttle bus service that will take you near to the famous La Rambla street.

The long-stay car park at Barcelona cruise terminal is located at the WTC World Trade Center, which is at Moll de Barcelona s/n, East building, 1st Floor, 08039, Barcelona.

The car park can be found just off the roundabout at Plaça de les Drassanes, which is just south of the famous Columbus Monument at the bottom of La Rambla. If travelling from the airport, drive along the B-10 motorway northwards and turn off at exit 21, following signs to ‘Ferris’ and ‘Creuers’. Similarly, if travelling from the north of the city, travel along the B10 southbound until exit 21, which is located in the tunnel and will take you directly to Plaça de les Drassanes.

Leave plenty of time when parking in Barcelona port, as the car park is located in a different area to the MSC Cruise Terminal. However, a shuttle bus can take you from the World Trade Center to the correct cruise terminal.

Parking at Barcelona Port can be booked at a discounted rate for MSC Cruises passengers up to 48 hours before cruise departure when booking online.

VEHICLE DAYS RATES
Car/Suv 4/5/6/8 € 87
Car/Suv 11 € 121.50
Car/Suv 12 € 133
Car/Suv 15 € 156

Barcelona Airport is located around 16 kilometres (just under 10 miles) from the cruise terminal. If you are travelling by car or taxi from Barcelona Airport to the port, it should take around 20 minutes in good traffic conditions.

To get from Barcelona Airport to the port by car, follow signs to the C-31 highway and join it going north towards Barcelona city. Stay on the C-31 for around 3.5 kilometres before turning off at exit 195 to join the B-10 motorway eastwards towards Barcelona. Then continue along the B-10 for around 6.5 kilometres before turning off at exit 21. Continue straight until you reach the roundabout at Plaça de les Drassanes, then take the second exit to enter Barcelona Port where you will find the car park at the World Trade Center.

You can also reach the port from Barcelona Airport via public transport. To do this, take the Aerobus from Terminal C towards the city and get off at Plaza de España. From there, head to the metro station and take the L3 eastbound for three stops, getting off at Drassanes. This is the closest station to the cruise terminal, but it is still around one kilometre away, so allow approximately 20 minutes to walk the final section.

Barcelona Sants Railway Station – the main train station in the city – is located around four kilometres from the cruise port. The train station is well-served by taxis, buses and the metro.

A taxi ride should take around 10 minutes and costs roughly €20, although you may have to pay more if travelling with a large amount of luggage.

Taking a metro from Barcelona Sants to the cruise port is also straightforward. Simply take the L3 line eastbound for five stops, before getting off at Drassanes (the nearest metro station to the cruise terminal). From there, it is around a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the cruise port, although it’s a little further to reach the MSC Cruises embarkation point.

There is a shuttle bus at the Barcelona cruise port that takes passengers around the various cruise terminals. These vehicles are named the Cruise Buses (or Blue Bus) and can easily be spotted, as they’re painted blue. The buses don’t have a set timetable, but you should have no trouble getting one when disembarking or embarking, as their frequency is based on when cruise ships depart and arrive at the terminals.

While the Barcelona cruise port shuttle bus doesn’t take you directly to the city centre, it will take you nearby. From the MSC Cruises terminal, it will take you to the World Trade Center, which is located near Plaça de les Drassanes. From there, it takes between five and ten minutes to walk to the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla, the famous thoroughfare in the heart of Barcelona.

You can purchase tickets for the Cruise Buses while onboard. However, tickets can only be purchased with cash, so make sure you have some local currency.

Barcelona cruise port is just a couple of kilometres away from the city centre. From the MSC Cruises terminal, you can take a shuttle bus to the World Trade Center. From there, it is less than a 10-minute walk to the Columbus Monument at the foot La Rambla. If taking a taxi from Barcelona Port to the city centre, it should take around 15 minutes to arrive at Placa de Catalunya.

As the city occupies an ideal coastal location sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Montserrat mountain range, Barcelona weather is typified by a pleasant Mediterranean climate that makes it great to visit any time of the year.

Summers are typically very hot and great for those seeking a sun-soaked getaway, thanks to average maximum temperatures in August reaching around 29°C. Winters are cooler with average maximum highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C in January. The driest months typically occur during late winter and early spring.