Port of Barcelona: Everything you need to know
Catalonia dreamin’
Barcelona Port has a 2000-year history, and it is one of the most important ports worldwide. Beautifully integrated into the Catalan capital, the port of Barcelona is an important destination not only for its ferry routes and cruise sailings, but also for its surrounding areas, amenities, and cultural significance.
Find out everything you need to know about the port, access to the terminals, transport, services, and ferry crossings.
The sandy beach of Sant Sebastià right by the port of Barcelona.
General info about the port of Barcelona
The port of Barcelona is active year-round and welcomes approximately 16 million visitors per year. It is a popular departure port, where you can find plenty of visitor and traveler services, information stands, ticket offices, and interesting sights.
What is the name of the port in Barcelona?
The official name of the port of Barcelona in the Catalan language is Port de Barcelona. The port encompasses the passengers terminals, as well as the cargo docks. Ferries and cruise ships to the Mediterranean and the coast of North Africa depart from Port Vell, or the old port, which is located in the center of the port area.
How many terminals are there at the port of Barcelona?
There are 3 ferry passenger terminals at the port of Barcelona: Terminal Drassanes, Terminal Ferry Barcelona, and Grimaldi Terminal Barcelona.
Which ferry companies operate in Barcelona?
The following companies normally operate in the port of Barcelona, serving ferry routes to the Balearic Islands, Algeria, Morocco, and Italy:
- Baleària
- Trasmediterránea
- Algérie Ferries
- Grimaldi Lines
- Grandi Navi Veloci
The quaint old port of Barcelona at sunset.
What services are available at Barcelona Port?
There are many services and facilities at the port of Barcelona, as it is so much more than a transport hub! The port area is really close to the city center, which means you can take advantage of the numerous cafes, shops, and restaurants in the nearby neighborhoods.
The Moll de Barcelona in the Port Vell area is also home to hotels, parking lots, bars, cafes, and shopping malls. There’s also an electric vehicle charging station. When it comes to culture, you can visit several museums in the port area such as the Museum of Catalan History.
Tip: There’s plenty of space to walk around and take photos or simply grab a snack, find a bench in of the large squares and promenades, and watch as ferries sail away.
What to see around Barcelona Port?
The port of Barcelona is perfectly situated close to some of the best attractions in the city. The port area is fully integrated in the city center, and it is easily accessible. You can walk around the port area, visit the old port marina, walk on the boardwalk, head to the beach, or visit some of the area’s museums and cultural sites. Here are 10 suggestions for sightseeing around the port of Barcelona:
- The beach of Sant Sebastià
- The neighborhood of Barceloneta
- The coastal square of Rosa dels Vents
- The Mossèn Costa i Llobera cacti garden
- The Olas de Acero sculpture
- The Columbus Monument
- The Maritime Museum of Barcelona
- The Museum of Catalan History
- The market of La Boqueria
- The aquarium of Barcelona
Tip: If you have some time before your ferry trip, you can also ride the hop-on hop-off bus, to explore the city in no time. You can catch the bus at the Columbus Monument departure point.
The aquarium of Barcelona, close to the port, is great to visit before you hop on the ferry.
Port of Barcelona: location and access
The port of Barcelona is one of the most important transport hubs in the world, and one of the busiest in Europe. There are many passenger ferries departing daily from the port terminals, and it is one of the largest passenger ports in Spain. Due to its excellent urban location, there are many ways to get to Barcelona Port from the city center, the airport, as well as from other parts of Spain and abroad.
Where is the port in Barcelona?
The port of Barcelona is located on the northwest coast of Spain in the community of Catalonia. It is in the city center of Barcelona, right below the old town. The port is surrounded by the neighborhoods of Raval, Gothic Quarter, Poble-Sec, Montjuic, Barceloneta, and Ribera.
How to get to the port of Barcelona?
You can walk to the port from the city center of Barcelona, walking on La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya up to the city coast. The closest metro station is Drassanes on line L3. There are quite a few bus stops around the port. You can catch the following bus services to Barcelona Port: 88, 88B, 21, N0, N6, and 59. The port of Barcelona is also close to the Estació de França train station, just a 20-minute walk away.
If you’re arriving at Barcelona Airport, you can catch buses A1 and A2 to the city center, and hop on metro line L3 to Drassanes. Alternatively, you can drive to the port following road C-31 starting from El Prat and merging into B-10 that reaches the port area. There are, also, many taxis at designated ranks.
The lively La Rambla street, stretching from Plaça de Catalunya to the port.
What is the Barcelona Low Emissions Zone?
The Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emissions Zone (ZBE) is a green initiative by the Municipality of Barcelona, regulating the movement of vehicles in specific areas of the city. The aim is to reduce car emissions, contributing to better air quality.
In order to be able to drive within the low emissions zone, you either need to drive a low-emission vehicle or you need to have a specific permit, which you can get from the Spanish Traffic Authority. Getting a permit is mandatory for all vehicles registered outside of Spain, regardless of eco features.
If you don’t have the necessary ZBE permit, you can approach the port of Barcelona via the following motorways that are free of restrictions: Ronda de Dalt (B-20) and Ronda Litoral (B-10).
How long does it take to get from Barcelona Airport to the port?
It takes 30 minutes on average to reach the port of Barcelona from El Prat Airport in Barcelona, depending on your transport method. The fastest way to get to the port is to hop on a taxi at the official airport taxi ranks.
The sculpture Las Olas de Acero at the Moll de Barcelona on the coastal road.
How do I get from Barcelona Port to the train station?
You can easily get from the port of Barcelona to the 2 main train stations of the Catalan capital. The 2 main train stations of the city are: Barcelona Sants and Estació de França.
The train station Estació de França is closer to the port of Barcelona. You can get there on foot in under 20 minutes, ride a taxi, or hop on bus line H14 at Drassanes and get off at the train station.
The main train station of Barcelona, Sants, is 3.5km north of the port. It’s a 40-minute walk or 12-minute drive from the port to the train station. The best way to reach the train station is by metro. Catch metro line L3 from Drassanes to Barcelona Sants. The metro trip is just 15 minutes.
Where can I park at the port of Barcelona?
For short-term parking and drop-off, you can access the ferry terminal areas. If you’re looking for long-term parking, the safest and closest parking lot is at the World Trade Center in the Moll de Barcelona by the port. You can find more short-term and long-term parking options around the port area.
From the World Trade Center parking lot, you can easily access most of the terminals (T, N, S, E, and M) on foot. There’s also a shuttle bus for terminals A, B, C, and D.
Useful numbers for the port of Barcelona
The port of Barcelona is managed by the Barcelona Port Authority. For queries related to ferry companies, ferry travel, and tickets, you can have a look at the Ferryhopper FAQ pages, contact Ferryhopper Customer Support, or speak with the ferry company. Here are some useful phone numbers for Barcelona Port:
- Barcelona Port Authority: +34933068800
- Port Authority Emergency Centre: +34900100852
- Police: +34932903000
- Tourist Police: +34932240600
- Tourist information: +34932384000
- European Emergency Number: 112
- Weather information: +34906365365
Parking lot at the port of Barcelona near the cruise terminal.
Ferry routes from Barcelona Port
From the port of Barcelona you can catch a ferry to many important destinations in the Mediterranean. There are frequent ferry routes to Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera in the Balearics. You can also travel to Rome (Civitavecchia port), Savona, Sardinia, and Genoa in Italy, as well as to North Africa, connecting with the ports of Nador, Tangier, Algiers, and Oran.
Check all available ferry routes on Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries. You can find more details about popular ferry routes from the port of Barcelona below:
- Ferry from Barcelona to Formentera: The Barcelona - Formentera route is in operation 5 days per week. The crossing duration is 12 hours on average, and tickets start at 64€.
- Ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza: You can travel daily by ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza. There are approximately 10 weekly crossings, with an average duration of 9 hours. Standard tickets cost around 45€.
- Ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca: The Barcelona - Mallorca ferry route duration ranges from 5 to 8 hours depending on the destination port. Tickets start at 45€ and there are 20 weekly crossings.
- Ferry from Barcelona to Genoa: You can catch the ferry from Barcelona to Genoa twice weekly. Ferry tickets to the Italian port city start at 50€, and the duration of the trip is around 20 hours.
- Ferry from Barcelona to Nador: You can catch the ferry from the port of Barcelona to Nador in Morocco twice a week. Tickets start at 56€, and the sailing duration is around 27 hours.
The long sandy beach of Alcúdia in Mallorca.
Should I book ferry tickets from Barcelona in advance?
We recommend that you book your ferry tickets in advance to find the best prices and discounts. Ferry routes from the port of Barcelona are very popular throughout the year.
As the port of Barcelona is busy, you may have to wait in line for quite a long time to purchase your tickets from the port ticket office. Booking your ferry tickets in advance, you are guaranteed a smooth boarding experience, and you make sure there is enough space for your vehicle on board.
The port of Barcelona at night with mesmerizing city lights.
Where to book ferry tickets for the port of Barcelona?
On Ferryhopper, you can book cheap ferry tickets from Barcelona Port. Find the best fares for your trip, access discounts and special offers, and plan your trip from Barcelona in just 4 clicks!
