Are you looking for things to do in one day in Barcelona on a cruise ship in the summer? Then you are in the right spot.
Barcelona is a big city with a lot of cool things to do. And when coming with a cruise ship, you’ll sadly only have limited time.
Luckily for you, my husband and I have just returned from our cruise to Barcelona on the MSC Divina. I have previously studied a summer in Barcelona, so I already knew all the spots we would hit up on our cruise day.
To make the day in Barcelona easy breezy for you, I have created this ultimate itinerary of Barcelona for you. Of course, I’ll also supply you with a couple of options in case walking is not your thing.
Let’s get to it!
What To Do in Barcelona in One Day From Cruise Ship: Overview
When Barcelona is a port of call on your cruise, there are a couple of cool options on how to spend your day in this beautiful city. It kinda depends on your preferences, the weather/season, and how much you want to walk or spend.
My favorite option is to do a self-guided tour. I will describe the route with some tips in detail in this blog post. However, if you don’t enjoy walking or it is too hot for a long walk, I suggest picking an excursion with transportation included.
About The Barcelona Cruise Port
The Barcelona Cruise Port is a popular point of call for Mediterranean cruises.
It’s conveniently located near the city center, and it has multiple terminals. The terminals are modern and have a cafe, shops, and restrooms.
To get to the city, you can take a shuttle bus, taxi, or the metro. The Blue Bus (T3 PortBus) connects the port to the Columbus Monument, near La Rambla.
You can also take a cab; they will wait right at the cruise port. The taxi fare from the terminal to Las Ramblas is EUR 10,00.
1 Day in Barcelona Cruise Ship Walking Tour (Itinerary)
If you have decided to take my suggested walking tour route, keep on reading for more details. Here is a short overview of the itinerary and all the stops you’ll make on this tour.
Keep in mind that it gets pretty hot in Barcelona during the day, so you might want to consider that when planning your walk.
Walking Time: About 2 hours (without stops)
Distance: About 8 km (5 miles)
Start/End Point: Monument a Colom (where cruise shuttle will drop you off)
- Start Your Walking Tour at the Monument a Colom and head up Las Ramblas
- Stop at the Mercat de Boqueria
- Check out the Barrio Gótico
- Follow Las Ramblas until Plaça Catalunya
- Keep on walking to Casa Battló
- Check out Casa MilÃ
- Make your way to Sagrada Familia
- Tapas Lunch at Jamon y Vino
- Walk on toward Arc de Triomf
- Head through the Parc de la Ciutadella toward Barceloneta Beach
- Best Paella in Barcelona at Paco Alcalde
- Take a cab to the cruise port or walk back to Monument a Colom
Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is an iconic street in the heart of Barcelona. It is the best place to start our one-day in Barcelona walking tour since it will be quieter in the morning.
Las Ramblas is a fun, tree-lined boulevard that stretches for about 1.2 kilometers. It connects Plaça de Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell (where most cruise shuttles will drop you off).
Las Ramblas has a lot of street performers, artists, outdoor cafés, shops, and kiosks. Along the way, you’ll find attractions like the Liceu Opera House, the Boqueria Market, and Plaça Reial.
Tip: While I love Las Ramblas, it can get pretty busy. You can also walk in the same direction on a side street. Las Ramblas is also where most pickpocketing happens, so keep that in mind.
Barrio Gótico
The Barrio Gótico, or Gothic Quarter, is a charming and historic area in the heart of Barcelona. You can dive into it right from Las Ramblas since it is directly east of the boulevard.
It’s famous for its narrow streets and stunning Gothic architecture. As you wander through, you’ll come across amazing medieval buildings, cute little squares, and hidden courtyards. I totally loved it.
One of the highlights is the stunning Barcelona Cathedral, a stunning Gothic cathedral. So if you get tired of the busyness of Las Ramblas, walk through the Barrio Gótico toward the Plaça Catalunya.
Mercat de Boqueria
The Mercat de la Boqueria (La Boqueria Market) is a famous food market in Barcelona, which is also a super cool photo spot.
The Market has a long history, dating back to the 13th century. It used to be a spot for meat vendors but turned into a permanent food market later.
There are hundreds of food stalls on about 2,500 square meters (about 26,910 square feet), making it one of the largest markets in Spain
You can buy fresh produce, seafood, meats, cheese, and even sweet treats. There are also several tapas bars where you can try some local dishes. This is a must-visit place in Barcelona for sure.
Plaça Catalunya
Plaça Catalunya is a large square in the center of Barcelona, known as the city’s main meeting point. It’s surrounded by shops, cafés, and iconic buildings.
You can do some shopping there or simply have a look around. From here, you can venture into the Passeig de Gracia. The Passeig de Grà cia is Barcelona’s most famous luxury shopping street.
Insider tip: head to the shopping center El Corte Inglés. Go all the way up to a secret café. You’ll have one of the best views in Barcelona – for free!
Casa Battló
Casa Batlló is one of the architectural masterpieces designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni GaudÃ. It is one of the most famous buildings in Barcelona, so it definitely needs to be on your itinerary.
The house has some colorful, organic shapes and intricate details. On the outside, you can see mosaic tiles and crazy shapes. Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Of course, you can also go inside (I haven’t been yet, but it is supposed to be beautiful as well).
Casa Battló is a great, Instagram-worthy spot in Barcelona. But it can get pretty busy.
Casa MilÃ
Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, is another iconic building designed by Antoni Gaudà that you need to visit on your day in Barcelona from the cruise ship.
It is located in Barcelona’s Eixample district. It was finished in 1912. What makes it so special, in my opinion, is the delicate stone façade and the beautiful iron balconies that resemble waves and sea creatures.
The building’s rooftop is famous for its unique chimneys and ventilation towers. Casa Milà is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well, so make sure to hop by.
La Sagrada Familia
Next up on our one-day in Barcelona walking itinerary is the most famous spot in Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia.
La Sagrada Familia is a world-famous basilica in Barcelona, designed by the architect Antoni GaudÃ. It’s known for its special Gothic and Art Nouveau architectural style. I loved the crazy façades showing famous scenes from the Bible.
Construction began in 1882, and it is still not finished. The interior of the basilica is just as stunning, with stained glass windows and a richly decorated ceiling.
Lunch at Jamon Y Vino
People have probably told you not to have lunch in a restaurant close to an attraction, since it is mostly a tourist trap.
However, we decided to try our luck with Jamon Y Vino right down the street from La Sagrada Familia.
And we can recommend this place 10/10. The food was great, the service was friendly, and it was not expensive at all. We tried tapas, homemade sangria, and delicious Spanish wine.
The inside of the restaurant was pretty cute and authentic Spanish. And of course, trying some local food needs to be on every cruiser’s itinerary.
Arc de Triomf
On our way back toward the coast, we’ll pass by the Arc de Triomf.
The Arc de Triomf is another beautiful landmark in Barcelona. You can find it at the top of the Passeig de LluÃs Companys promenade.
It was built in 1888 for the Barcelona World Fair.
It’s a popular photo spot for tourists. And since it’s on the way to the Parc de Ciutadella, I had to put it on my one day in Barcelona itinerary.
Parc de Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutadella is a beautiful park in Barcelona that needs to be on your cruise itinerary for one day in the city. It’s a lovely green oasis in the middle of the city.
My favorite spot is the Cascada Fountain, which is a must-see in the park. The magic fountains here are so Instagrammable. You can hang out there for a while or just pass through toward Barceloneta Beach, our last stop.
You’ll also find the Barcelona Zoo inside the park, along with the Museu de Ciències Naturals (Natural Science Museum). If you have some extra time, you can check those out.
Barceloneta Beach
The last stop on our one day in Barcelona from the cruise ship is Barceloneta Beach. If you don’t have the time anymore, you can head right back to the cruise port.
Barceloneta Beach is one of my favorite spots in the city. There are amazing restaurants, cute shops, and of course the beautiful beach.
In summer, you can swim or simply relax on the shore with an ice-cold Sangria in hand. If it is too cold for swimming, you can walk down the promenade by the sea and enjoy the view before heading back to the cruise ship.
If you have time for dinner, you MUST hit up Paco Alcalde restaurant.
They make the best Paella in Barcelona (no kidding, the restaurant has been there for 100 years and lots of famous footballers go there). The owner is super nice and recognized us immediately after coming back.
Alternative Activities in Barcelona
Obviously, Barcelona has a lot more to offer than I could fit into this itinerary.
For that reason, I’ll give you some of my other beloved recommendations for the city, so you can interchange some of the stops on my itinerary for a day in Barcelona.
Alternatively, start your day exploring Park Güell. Park Güell is where GaudÃ’s whimsical designs come to life in a fairytale garden.
Head up to Montjuïc for some stunning city views, lush gardens, and a dose of Catalan history.
Don’t miss Casa Amatller, which is a bit of a modernist gem that feels like stepping into a storybook.
Wrap up with a visit to the Picasso Museum. They have over 4,000 of his works there on display!
Since some of these activities are a bit spread out, you’ll need to use public transport to reach them all. Of course, a guided tour is always an option too!
Conclusion: One Day in Barcelona in Summer
To sum it up, your cruise day in Barcelona can go in one of many ways. You either choose a shore excursion to places like Montserrat, or you spend the day in the city. I would choose the city for sure.
If you choose to do my Barcelona walking tour, there are a couple of things you’ll check out. See the Casa Batlló, the famous Las Ramblas, and of course the Sagrada Familia.
But I have also snuck in a couple of secret restaurant recommendations that will blow your socks of (including the best Paella in Barcelona).
I hope you’ll enjoy your cruise day in Barcelona as much as I did and enjoy the beautiful sights the city has to offer. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe, so I can absolutely recommend visiting.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
