Overview Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and is located along the Mediterranean coast. This amazing (and historic) city is a major cultural center and a definite hot spot among tourists. Barcelona is especially famous for being the location of the 1992 Summer Olympics, and for having unique architecture.
One word of warning - Barcelona is well known for having a decent number of pickpockets around, so be careful where you put your wallet and valuables.
The city of Barcelona has mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. The coldest months of the year are January and February, with average temperatures around 50°F. July and August are the hottest months of the year with average temperatures around 86°F.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Barcelona, Spain:
Mediterranean
Transatlantic Cruises
Currency The official currency is the Euro. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using.
Language The official languages are Spanish and Catalan (the native language of the community Barcelona is a part of). Not all locals are fluent in Catalan, but most understand it. English is spoken by many as well.
Tourist Attractions Barcelona has seven beaches, the largest and most visited of them are Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta. All in all, there are about 2.8 miles of beaches along the Barcelona coastline.
Las Ramblas is a busy street in central Barcelona, popular among both tourists and locals. This famous area is usually filled with street performers and vendors, along with various cafés. Mercat de la Boqueria, located in this area, is the city's most well known street market.
The Barri Gòtic is the center of the old city of Barcelona, with many buildings originating from medieval times, and others being even older! The current city centre is Plaça Catalunya. Many of the city's most important cities meet in this area, and there are many fountains and statues there as well.
There are many music and theatre venues in Barcelona. Gran Teatre del Liceu is a world renowned opera theatre (that has been open since 1847), located on La Rambla.
There are quite a few museums in Barcelona. Among them are the National Museum of Art of Catalonia (featuring a lot of Romaneque art) and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (focusing on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art).
The Segrada Familia is a massive Roman Catholic church that has been under construction since 1882. Originally designed by Antoni Gaudi, the project is now scheduled to be completed by 2026. It's one of the most popular attractions in Spain.
There are quite a few parks in Barcelona. Park Güell (also designed by Antoni Gaudi) is one of the most popular parks to visit in Spain. It is a garden complex with interesting architectural features. Montjuïc is the largest park in Barcelona, located on a mountain of the same name.
Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, also simply called, Glòries, is a large square in Barcelona that was created to be the original centre of the city. Today you can find one of the most well known traditional open-air markets in Barcelona there, the Els Encants Vells.
Port Location Barcelona International Airport (BCN) is located about 25 to 30 minutes from the Port of Barcelona. All driving times are estimates, subject to road and traffic conditions.
Taxis are available at the airport to take you to the pier. Another option is to purchase ground transfers through the cruise line.
The Port of Barcelona is a decent, but doable (if you're up for it), walk to Las Ramblas. Many cruise lines will offer a shuttle service between the port and this popular area.
