Barcelona is set to close two of its cruise terminals in a bid to tackle the city’s growing overtourism challenges. This closure, scheduled for next year, will reduce the number of active terminals to five and aligns with an agreement made with the local city council, as disclosed in a statement on Friday.
The agreement includes funding for a comprehensive study on the movement of cruise passengers throughout the city, marking a vital step towards establishing a sustainable mobility plan. Additionally, the initiative aims to modernise port infrastructure, allowing cruise ships to connect to environmentally friendly onshore power sources while docked, thereby reducing emissions by enabling their engines to remain off.
The total investment for this project is expected to reach €185 million (approximately $331.6 million), combining both public and private contributions. This effort is part of broader strategies being implemented to mitigate the impacts of overtourism, particularly in light of rising local frustrations over the influx of tourists, which have fueled overcrowding and limited affordable housing availability as properties are converted into short-term rentals.
In 2024, Barcelona’s port, the largest cruise port in Europe, reported hosting 1.6 million cruise passengers. Typically, these visitors disembark in the morning, explore the city, and return to their ships by late afternoon. This pattern has contributed notably to congestion in popular areas like La Rambla and the historic Gothic quarter, exacerbating discontent among residents.
This latest agreement follows a series of previous measures aimed at curbing the negative effects of cruise tourism. In October 2023, Barcelona’s northern port terminal was closed to cruise traffic to push ship operations further from the city centre. This move was the result of an earlier arrangement with local authorities made in 2018, which sought to relocate cruise activities away from urban zones, encouraging a more sustainable tourist approach. Consequently, the Maremagnum terminal was also shut down, transforming the area into a vibrant locale featuring restaurants, shops, and leisure facilities.
Overall, these initiatives reflect Barcelona’s commitment to balancing the benefits of tourism with the needs and concerns of its local communities, ensuring a sustainable and pleasant environment for both residents and visitors.