The Port of Barcelona covers a large area, so it’s important to know which part of it you are looking for before setting out. With eight separate cruise terminals stretching out into the ocean, Barcelona’s cruise port can be a long walk from anywhere: It’s well worth investing in a shuttle ticket, a transfer service, or a shore excursion.
Port Vell, by contrast, is central and easy to reach on a guided or self-guided walking tour, although short sailing cruises can be a charming way to get a look at the superyachts in season. The ferry terminals are reasonably easy to reach on public transport.
The Port of Barcelona spans around 3 square miles (8 square kilometers) heading south from Port Vell, which is right by the Columbus Monument at the base of Las Ramblas. The best Metro stations for Port Vell are Barceloneta (Line 4) and Drassanes (Line 3), while the best Metro station for the ferry terminals is Drassanes. A shuttle bus runs from the different cruise terminals to La Rambla.
For people-watching and superyacht-spotting in Port Vell, summer is a great time to visit the Port of Barcelona, and that’s also peak season for cruisers to flock to the cruise terminals. Late spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) are good times to explore Barcelona more generally as the crowds are less intense than in summer.
Linked to Las Ramblas by a pedestrian walkway (La Rambla de Mar), Port Vell is a popular Barcelona tourist attraction with more to do than spot superyachts. Besides shops, bars, and restaurants, it’s home to an IMAX cinema, the Maremagnum mall, the enormous Barcelona Aquarium, the History Museum of Catalonia, and the Barcelona Maritime Museum, housed in historic shipyards.
