Cruise stopover in Barcelona: 9 things to do in the city

During your cruise, you plan to stopover in Barcelona?

There are many places of interest to visit in the Catalan city.

Today, let's take a look at all the things to do on site during your stopover.

Cruise stopover in Barcelona: article summary

Barcelona cruise stopover: Port-Vell

The first stop on your Barcelona day trip is Port Vell, the city's old port, just a short distance from the cruise terminal. This marina, lined with palm trees and public art, is one of the city's most picturesque districts.

Nearby is the famous monument to Christopher Columbus. Rising 60 metres above the southern end of the Las RamblasThis monument was built in 1888 to commemorate Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas.

Barcelona's Gothic Quarter

Walking in the Gothic district (Barri Gòtic) is one of the best things to do in Barcelona in a day. With its charming squares and maze of narrow medieval streets, it's one of Barcelona's oldest districts.

The Plaça del Rei is lined with bars and palm trees and features lampposts designed by Gaudi.

The smaller Plaça del Rei is the place where the Catholic Monarchs are said to have received Christopher Columbus on his return from his first trip to the New World.

Barcelona cruise stopover: Barcelona Cathedral

Your next stop is the Holy Cross Cathedral.

Barcelona Cathedral was built between the XIIIᵉ and XVᵉ centuries and boasts a XIVᵉ century cloister with orange trees, magnolias and resident swans.

Barcelona Cathedral is open to tourists:

• from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

To visit this place, you must count :

• 9 € per person

Lunch at the Boqueria Market

Feeling peckish? The famous Boqueria market of Barcelona, officially known as Mercat de San Josep, is located on the other side of the Las Ramblas. This labyrinth of over 300 stalls sells delicious products typical of Barcelona cuisine. The perfect place to stop for lunch!

Cruise stopover in Barcelona: Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is one of the places that best represents Barcelona. Stretching over 1.2 km in the heart of the city center, this pedestrian boulevard links Port Vell to the Plaça de Catalunya.

On site, you'll find numerous restaurants as well as countless stores for shopping in Barcelona. If you'd like to find out more about the place, I suggest you read the article I wrote on the subject.

Place de Catalogne

You've now reached Plaça de Catalunya, at the northern end of Las Ramblas.

Separating the old town and the Eixample districtis the beating heart of Barcelona and a privileged meeting place for residents and visitors alike.

No stopover in Barcelona would be complete without a glimpse of the extraordinary properties of Gaudí.

Two of them, the Casa Batlló and the Casa Milàcan be found on the Passeig de Gràcianear Plaça de Catalunya. Our last stop is the famous Sagrada Família15-20 minutes' walk from Casa Milà.

Gaudí's UNESCO World Heritage properties included in this itinerary are extremely popular. To avoid disappointment, I strongly recommend buying your tickets in advance.

Barcelona cruise stopover: Casa Batllo

Antoni Gaudi's unique architectural creations partly define Barcelona and are a must-see.

Casa Batlló is the first of his two large buildings on Passeig de Gràcia. Inspired by the shapes and colors of marine life, Gaudi created this whimsical building between 1904 and 1906.

Even if you don't have time to take a look inside, it's worth stopping to admire its facade covered with mosaics evoking fish scales.

The undulating, sinuous design continues inside with exceptional details, including beautiful stained glass and coloured tiles.

La Pedrera (Casa Milà)

La Pedreraor Casa Milà, is Gaudi's second building on Passeig de Gràcia.

This is an atypical building by Gaudi. It appears to have been carved from solid rock, softened by undulating lines and iron ornamentation.

From its roof, you have a bird's-eye view of Barcelona and the chimneys and ventilation towers of Casa Milà, which are works of art in themselves.

Barcelona cruise stopover: La Sagrada Familia

End your stopover in Barcelona at the city's most emblematic monument, La Sagrada Família.

The Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882. Gaudí was still working on it before his death in 1926 at the age of 73.

The exterior of this masterpiece of modernist architecture features symbolic sculptures and is crowned by Gothic honeycomb towers.

The Sagrada Família Basilica opens :

• Every day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..

On December 25 and 26, and January 1ᵉʳ and 6, opening times are from 9 am to 2 pm.

You need 33 € per person to visit the Sagrada Família. As this is a very popular site, I advise you to book your tickets in advance.

Now you know the main sights to see when your cruise stops in Barcelona. While you're in town, I recommend that you and visit as many places as possible..