PORT OF BARCELONA

Description

Essentials about the Port of Barcelona in brief

Barcelona is a city by the sea. Since the end of the 14th century, the city has a port. Therefore, a walk through the harbor or a harbor tour is a natural part of a visit to Barcelona. Especially worth seeing is the old port Port Vell with its impressive marina and the worth seeing Aquarium of Barcelona. The best view of the Port of Barcelona can be enjoyed from the Port Vell Aerial Tramway, which transports passengers directly from the port to the local mountain Montjuïc.

Port Vell

Barcelona’s port area begins right in the heart of the city. If you walk along the main promenade La Rambla to its end, you will arrive directly at the imposing building of the Port Authority, which is located at the edge of the old port Port Vell. Directly behind the harbor administration are the docks of the boats for the harbor tours. By the way, hobby captains will get a slightly increased heartbeat at Port Vell. There is hardly any other port in Europe with such a high concentration of luxury yachts. Port Vell is also home to the huge Maremagnum leisure and shopping center and the Barcelona Aquarium, which is well worth seeing.

Port Olímpic

In the north of the La Barceloneta district the small Port Olímpic (Olympic Harbor) is situated, which is used exclusively for recreational boating and tourist purposes.

Port Franc

Towards the south, the huge port area of Port Franc adjoins Port Vell. Here are the terminals for the ferries and cruise ships. Barcelona is one of the most important ferry ports of the Mediterranean and, due to its great popularity with tourists, also one of the most important ports of call for cruise ships.

In addition, Port Franc serves as Barcelona’s industrial port. The Catalan capital is the third largest port in Spain and the ninth largest container port in Europe. The port has more than 20 kilometers of quays and berths. There are over 35 specialized terminals, three for ferries, seven for international cruises, four container terminals, two for car ferries, one each specifically for tropical fruit, for cocoa and for coffee handling, and one for non-ferrous metals. There are also special terminals for refrigerated goods, bulk goods and liquefied gas.

The view of the harbor from Montjuïc and the Port Vell Aerial Tramway

By the way, you’ll get the best view of the port from Barcelona’s local mountain, Montjuïc. How convenient that there is a direct connection from the port to Montjuïc – and that with an extraordinary means of transport, namely a cable car. Called the Transbordador Aeri del Port or Teleférico de Montjuïc, the Aerial Tramway takes passengers on an approximately 7-minute ride to the Miramar Tower on Montjuïc. Not for the faint-hearted! But the magnificent view of the harbor and downtown Barcelona definitely compensates for trembling knees.