Barcelona pre- and post-cruise: A complete guide to making the most of the city

Coming to Barcelona on a cruise? The Catalan capital is a very common stop on Europe’s cruise routes, which is why many international travellers take advantage of the trip by arriving a few days earlier or staying afterwards to discover the wonders of Barcelona. Could you be one of them?

The Catalan capital deserves to be enjoyed slowly. In this Lugaris article, we’ll share the best tips to help make the most of a cruise trip in Barcelona. Take notes and enjoy the journey to the fullest.

Why it’s worth spending a few extra days in Barcelona

Let’s be honest: coming to Barcelona just to go from the airport to the port is like going to a concert and staying in the parking lot. You’re missing the best part. Here are a few reasons why booking an apartment in Barcelona with us before or after sailing makes all the difference:

• Goodbye to stress: Don’t take chances with your flights. Arriving a couple of days early means that even if the plane is delayed, the cruise won’t leave without you. You’ll sleep much better, that’s for sure.
• Connect with the Mediterranean spirit: Switch to vacation mode from the very first moment. A walk along Bogatell Beach with a coffee in hand before boarding will make the holidays start in a completely different way.
• Discover Gaudí without rushing: Seeing the Sagrada Familia with barely enough time is almost a sin. Stay a few extra days and explore its towers and Park Güell at your own pace, without constantly checking the clock.
• Eat like a true Barcelonian: Yes, the food on board will be excellent, but the pleasure of enjoying a vermouth in a traditional bodega in Poble-sec or a paella with your feet in the sand is priceless.
• Space to stretch out: Ship cabins are cosy, but our apartments are luxury homes. There’s plenty of room to organise shopping from Paseo de Gracia or relax on the sofa with high-speed WiFi.
• Experience the neighbourhood: Staying with us means more than being a visitor. It means becoming a neighbour in Poblenou. Enjoy local life along the Rambla, away from the noise but always with the sea in sight.

The best-connected cruise port in the Mediterranean

The Port of Barcelona is one of the most modern in the world. It’s also very close to the airport, just about 15 to 20 minutes by car, and well connected by bus routes and taxi services.

Luggage storage, transport, and accommodation by the sea

Our apartments on the beach in Barcelona and our apartments in Poblenou are the perfect choice for combining comfort with the Mediterranean lifestyle. Located in the Poblenou neighbourhood, they place you just steps from the sea while staying away from the noise and mass tourism of the city centre.

Here’s a list of the services available in our apartments:

• Private laundry: The apartments are equipped with a washing machine and dryer, helping refresh your clothes before boarding or clean everything before heading home.
• Fully equipped kitchen: All the appliances needed to enjoy breakfast at your own pace. Coffee capsules are also provided to start the day with energy.
• Connectivity: Free high-speed WiFi to check in for flights or download all the photos from the trip.
• Spacious interiors: The apartments can accommodate up to six people.

As you can see, our apartments in Barcelona are designed so that guests can enjoy a comfortable stay and feel right at home.

If you arrive a few days early, dive into Catalan culture

Arriving a few days before the cruise sets sail offers the perfect opportunity to understand why this city captures the hearts of everyone who visits. Here’s a suggested day-by-day plan to help discover Barcelona in more depth.

Day 1: Modernism and the universe of Gaudí

This day is dedicated to the light, colour, and impossible shapes created by the genius Antoni Gaudí. It’s the perfect introduction to Barcelona’s most internationally recognised identity.

• Morning: La Sagrada Familia: Start early at the basilica. Don’t just admire it from the outside. Step inside to discover the “forest” of columns designed by Gaudí and watch how the light from the stained glass windows changes throughout the day.
• Midday: Paseo de Gracia: Head towards the city centre to see Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (Casa Milà). Even without going inside both buildings, their façades feel like open-air museums. It’s also the ideal area for an elegant lunch before continuing the route.
• Afternoon: Park Güell: Make your way to this Gaudí garden to catch the sunset. Walk through Nature Square and greet the famous mosaic dragon (trencadís). From here, the views of the Mediterranean are truly breathtaking.
• Evening: Dinner and drinks in the centre: Areas such as Plaça Reial are perfect for enjoying Barcelona’s nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants with terraces, cocktail bars, and, for those looking to party, some of the city’s most international nightclubs.

Day 2: The historic heart and the rhythm of the markets

On the second day in Barcelona, it’s time to travel back in time to discover the Roman roots of the Catalan capital while also exploring its lively commercial side.

• Morning: Gothic Quarter: Start at Barcelona Cathedral and wander through the surrounding streets. Don’t miss the Pont del Bisbe or Plaça de Sant Jaume, where the City Hall is located.
• Midday: La Boquería Market:  Right on Las Ramblas, this famous fresh produce market awaits. Head to the stalls at the back, such as the well-known El Quim de la Boqueria or Pinotxo Bar, to enjoy fried artichokes or eggs with baby squid.
• Afternoon: Santa Maria del Mar and El Born:  Cross Via Laietana to enter the Born district. Visit the “Cathedral of the Sea”, a stunning Gothic church. End the afternoon with a coffee on Passeig del Born or by enjoying some churros with hot chocolate.
• Evening: Vila Olímpica:  A very international plan and perfect for enjoying the sea is dining at the restaurants in Vila Olímpica. Many of these places turn into clubs at night, where DJs and musicians keep the party going.

Tips to avoid queues and book in advance

Here are a few tips to avoid long lines and make the most of your days in the city:

• Online tickets: Places like the Sagrada Familia sell out weeks in advance. Always buy tickets with a fixed time slot.
• Footwear: Barcelona is a city made for walking. Save elegant shoes for the cruise’s gala dinners and wear comfortable footwear during these two days.
• Schedules: Remember that in Barcelona lunch is eaten late, around 14:00 or 15:00, and dinner usually starts from 21:00 onwards.
• Luggage: If you follow this route on the same day as boarding, remember that at Lugaris, we can help manage your luggage so you don’t have to walk through the Gothic Quarter dragging suitcases across the cobblestones.

If you stay a few days afterwards, relax and nearby escapes

After days filled with organised excursions and the fast pace of cruise life, staying in Barcelona is perfect for slowing things down. It’s the moment to enjoy the city at your own rhythm, without watching the clock, and let the Mediterranean calm surround you.

Enjoy the Mediterranean: Beaches in Poblenou

There’s no better place for the transition from sea to land than our beachside apartments. Located just 200 metres from Bogatell and Mar Bella beaches, the day can start with a walk along the sand or a coffee by the sea at one of the many local beach bars. Unlike the beaches of Barceloneta, the atmosphere here is more relaxed and local.

From luxury shopping on Paseo de Gracia to the Born

If a little shopping sounds tempting before heading home, Barcelona is a paradise.

• Paseo de Gracia: The golden mile, home to the most exclusive luxury brands.
• El Born: Wander through its narrow streets to discover artisan jewellery shops, local leather stores, and independent designer boutiques.

Montserrat or the Penedès wineries

If there’s an extra day available, leaving the city to discover the essence of Catalonia is highly recommended.

• Montserrat: A one-of-a-kind mountain with a monastery built into the rock. A spiritual place with breathtaking views.
• The Penedès: Less than an hour away, the birthplace of cava and Catalan wine. Enjoy a tasting among vineyards and toast to the holiday.

If the plan is to stay longer in the city, Lugaris also offers long-stay apartments in Barcelona, making it possible to enjoy the visit with complete comfort.

Logistics for cruise travellers: Everything under control

Planning transfers and managing luggage is essential to ensure a smooth pre- and post-cruise experience. Barcelona is a very well-connected city, but knowing a few logistical details can save time and avoid unnecessary stress.

How to get from El Prat Airport to the port

There are three main ways to make this journey, depending on your budget and the amount of luggage you’re travelling with:

• Taxi or ride service: The most convenient option if you’re travelling with several suitcases. The journey takes around 15–20 minutes and usually has a fixed fare for the cruise terminals.
• Aerobús + Cruise Bus: Take the Aerobús to Plaça Catalunya, walk down Las Ramblas to the Drassanes station, and from there take the Blue Bus (Cruise Bus), which connects all the cruise terminals.
• Private transfer: The premium option. A transfer service can be booked to meet you at arrivals with a sign and take you directly to the boarding area.

Where to stay

If you’re wondering where to stay in Barcelona, the answer is the Poblenou neighbourhood. This area is well connected to the port, and our apartments provide all the services needed to rest and fully enjoy the trip.

As luxury residential apartments, they also offer much more space than a standard hotel room. Luxury, elegance, and comfort with Lugaris apartments. What more could you ask for?

What to do with your luggage before boarding

One of the biggest dilemmas for cruise travellers is what to do with luggage if the ship’s check-in is late or the return flight departs at night.

If you stay with us, you can check the availability of our luggage storage service, allowing you to enjoy your final hours at the beach or along the Rambla del Poblenou without carrying anything.

If you prefer to spend time in the city centre, luggage lockers are also available in Plaça Catalunya and near the Columbus Monument.

Where to eat like a local near the port

Before boarding the ship or right after disembarking, treat yourself to a great meal or dinner. Skip the tourist traps in the busiest areas and head where Barcelonians actually enjoy their weekends.

The best restaurants by the sea

If you stay at Lugaris Beach or Lugaris Rambla, you’ll be right in the heart of Barcelona’s rice culture. The Poblenou seafront and the Port Vell area are home to true culinary gems:

• Xiringuito Escribà: A classic on Bogatell Beach, famous for its rice dishes prepared on the spot in an open kitchen.
• Can Fisher: If something more sophisticated is appealing, this restaurant offers signature paellas and fresh seafood with one of the best terraces overlooking the Mediterranean.
• L’Escamarlà: A traditional seafood restaurant perfect for enjoying fideuà or a rich seafood rice dish with direct sea views.
• Els Pescadors: Located in Plaça de Prim, it’s the ideal spot for a more intimate dinner featuring refined seafood cuisine in a historic and peaceful setting.

Authentic tapas and vermouth in Poble-sec

If the cruise departs from the terminals closest to the Columbus Monument, the Poble-sec neighbourhood is the place to go. Just steps from the port, it still preserves that lively and authentic neighbourhood spirit:

• Quimet & Quimet: A small family-run bodega that has become an institution. Its gourmet preserved-food montaditos are famous around the world. Arrive early because it fills up quickly.
• La Tasqueta de Blai: Located on Barcelona’s most famous pintxo street, it’s the perfect place for a lively, varied, and fun meal before boarding.
• Gran Bodega Saltó: For a vermouth with personality, this eclectic and artistic venue offers one of the most authentic experiences in the neighbourhood.

Book your apartment today and make sure the Mediterranean experience begins in the best possible way from the very first minute on solid ground.