Port of Barcelona's takes step to reduce cruise tourism

The Port of Barcelona’s Terminal C bid farewell to its final cruise ship Sunday and will now undergo a process of clearing and demolition to make way for new infrastructure. 

The initiative marks the first step in the reorganization of cruise facilities at the Adossat Pier, following the approval of a revised concession agreement for the construction of a new Terminal C. 

With an investment of €104.5 million, the project will replace the existing building with a new facility spanning 11,253 square meters. Once the new terminal is operational, Terminals A and B will also be demolished. 

The undertaking is part of a July 2025 agreement with the Barcelona City Council to reduce the number of terminals from seven to five, in a bid to limit cruise tourism.

The new terminal will be Barcelona's only public cruise terminal, and will be able to serve up to 7,000 passengers at once. It will prioritize homeport cruises, cruises that start and/or end in Barcelona – and smaller ships.

When it was announced, Barcelona Mayor, Jaume Collboni, said the initiative marked a historic first: "Today, for the first time in history, a limit is being placed on the growth of cruise ships in Barcelona."

The change will reduce Barcelona's maximum cruise capacity by 16%, from 37,000 to 31,000 passengers per day.

Ultimately, the construction will facilitate renovation of the nearly 660 meter long section of the Adossat Pier, which was built over 70 years ago. The work could begin in late 2029, with an execution period of 24 months.