5th February 2022

You've arrived in port and not sure how to spend your day, not to worry, our 12 hours guides can point you in the right direction.

This week...Barcelona

Currency: Euro ~ Time Difference: +1 hour ~ Distance from Port to City: 3 miles 

The cruise port in Barcelona is very close to all the main attractions this wonderful city has to offer. There is a shuttle that will take you to the Columbus Monument, which makes a great starting point.Most people will want to head to Barcelona’s most visited tourist attraction, Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia. It is certainly impressive, (although there is quite a bit of debate at how much it has deviated from Gaudi’s original vision) and the way the colours dance across the interior in the light is simply breathtaking. The queues however can be long unless you have pre-booked a tour, so you may decide not to squander the time you have in a queue. There are plenty of other Gaudi works nearby for you to enjoy, such as Parc Guell - its bright buildings are often seen when advertising the city.

 

After a stroll up to Parc Guell, you can jump on the Metro to the Placa de Catalunya, which really is the beating heart of the city. At the top of this is Las Ramblas, a pleasant, green-leafed street with a fantastic market, La Boqueria, which makes a great spot for lunch. You can buy lots of the produce to eat as you wander around the stalls, before washing it down with a glass of sangria at one of the many bars on the route. A word of caution though - it’s well documented that Las Ramblas is the most pickpocketed destination in the world, but as long as you are sensible and keep your belongings well attached to you or hidden, you will be fine.

After lunch, if you head across the way, you will find the ‘Barrio Gotic’ (gothic quarter). At the heart of this stands the beautiful 13th-century Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, its neo-gothic façade every bit as impressive as its modern Gaudi counterpart. Make sure you see the fountain in the atrium and 13 geese wandering the cloister, as Saint Eulalia was 13 when she was martyred.  

Nearby there are stalls selling trinkets and antiques and you can easily lose lots of time here, but walk through the narrow streets over to the Picasso Museum and see the treasures inside, before making your way over to Barceloneta and the beachfront. Barcelona is blessed with a fantastic beach and here you will find music and bars along the front - it’s a great place to unwind after a busy day. You can then round your day off with some fantastic seafood up at Port Vell at one of the marina’s many restaurants, before making your way back to your ship.

Want to discover Barcelona? Check out these cruises that offer it as a port of call.