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Barcelona, the busiest cruise port in Europe, is moving to reduce cruising's impact on the city's over-stretched infrastructure.
The Spanish city is to reduce its cruise terminal capacity by the end of the decade as part of a broader push to rein in surging tourist arrivals.
News hub Travel Mole reports a new agreement between Barcelona City Hall and the Port Authority will see the number of cruise terminals cut from seven to five by 2030.
This move will lower the port’s maximum capacity for simultaneous cruise passengers from 37,000 to 31,000.
“This is the first time in history that limits are being placed on the growth of cruise ships in the city,” said Mayor Jaume Collboni.
The mayor, who has been vocal about addressing over-tourism, previously said he aimed to reduce the number of one-day cruise visits, which often lead to overcrowding at popular sites such as the Sagrada Familia.
The decision comes amid a surge in cruise activity.
Between January and May 2025, cruise ship calls to Barcelona increased by 21%, while passenger arrivals rose by 20% to 1.2 million, compared to the same period in 2024.
These figures marked an acceleration from the 20% overall growth in cruise passengers recorded between 2018 and 2024.
Barcelona has faced increasing push-back from residents over the impacts of mass tourism, including housing pressure, environmental degradation, and congestion at cultural landmarks.
Protests have become more frequent in recent years, highlighting growing frustration with the volume of short-term visitors.
Barcelona began pushing cruise operations away from the city center in 2018, culminating in the closure of the North Terminal at the base of Las Ramblas by 2023.
The port redevelopment plan - already underway - includes the demolition of older terminals and the construction of a new, more sustainable Terminal C, with shore power and expanded capacity for 7,000 passengers.
The overhaul also includes improved shuttle transport, digital crowd-monitoring systems, and a €90 million expansion of the Porta d’Europa bridge to better connect the port to the city. Completion is due in 2027.
Once complete, four of the five terminals will be privately operated by major cruise lines : Terminals D and E by Carnival Corp., Terminal H by MSC Cruises, and the under-construction Terminal G by Royal Caribbean Group. Terminal C will remain publicly owned.
Demolition of the current Terminal C is expected by the end of 2026, with the new terminal slated to open in 2028 and reach full operational capacity by 2030.
The decision comes amid a surge in cruise activity.
Between January and May 2025, cruise ship calls to Barcelona increased by 21%, while passenger arrivals rose by 20% to 1.2 million, compared to the same period in 2024.
These figures marked an acceleration from the 20% overall growth in cruise passengers recorded between 2018 and 2024.
Barcelona has faced increasing push-back from residents over the impacts of mass tourism, including housing pressure, environmental degradation, and congestion at cultural landmarks.
Protests have become more frequent in recent years, highlighting growing frustration with the volume of short-term visitors.
Barcelona began pushing cruise operations away from the city center in 2018, culminating in the closure of the North Terminal at the base of Las Ramblas by 2023.
The port redevelopment plan - already underway - includes the demolition of older terminals and the construction of a new, more sustainable Terminal C, with shore power and expanded capacity for 7,000 passengers.
The overhaul also includes improved shuttle transport, digital crowd-monitoring systems, and a €90 million expansion of the Porta d’Europa bridge to better connect the port to the city. Completion is due in 2027.
Once complete, four of the five terminals will be privately operated by major cruise lines : Terminals D and E by Carnival Corp., Terminal H by MSC Cruises, and the under-construction Terminal G by Royal Caribbean Group. Terminal C will remain publicly owned.
Demolition of the current Terminal C is expected by the end of 2026, with the new terminal slated to open in 2028 and reach full operational capacity by 2030.
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