Barcelona Ferry Guide

SD › Barcelona › Ferries
Updated: May 9, 2022
By Santorini Dave

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An overhead view of a ferry being loaded with cars at the Barcelona ferry port on a sunny day

The Port of Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital city of Spain’s Catalonia region. Its busy Port of Barcelona dates back over 2000 years and is now one of the most important commercial and passenger ports in Europe, serving regular ferry routes to the Balearic Islands, Italy, and Morocco.

In many cases, flying from Barcelona is both quicker and cheaper than taking the ferry. If you’ve got a bit of extra time to spare, however, it’s far more interesting and atmospheric to travel by sea. Most ferries have amenities like shops, restaurants and bars, children’s play areas, and even a swimming pool on board, and traveling overnight can save you the cost of a hotel room at your destination. (Be sure to book a cabin to get the best possible rest.)

Barcelona Ferries: My Advice

  • Most Barcelona ferries do not sell out. But for peace of mind, we recommend booking tickets 2 to 3 months in advance, especially for summer travel.
  • Booking Barcelona Ferries: FerryHopper.com is the best website for booking ferries in advance. It’s also good for researching ferry timetables, costs, and schedules.
  • The Port of Barcelona is easily reached by metro; the nearest station is Drassanes on the L3 line, located a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal.

Ferries from Barcelona to the Balearic Islands

Palma de Mallorca port marina in Majorca with Cathedral church in the background

Palma de Mallorca port marina, with La Seu cathedral in the background

Ferries from Barcelona to Mallorca

Ferries from Barcelona travel to two ports on the island of Mallorca: Palma in the south, and Alcúdia in the north.

  • Barcelona to Palma: Daily service, year-round. Average time crossing time: 7.5 hours. Starting ticket price: €45.
  • Barcelona to Alcúdia: Daily summer service. Average crossing time: 6 hours. Starting ticket price: €45.
  • Check ferry schedules & prices on Ferryhopper.com
  • Search and book Mallorca hotels
  • Read about our favorite hotels in Mallorca

Ferries from Barcelona to Ibiza

Ferries from Barcelona travel to the Port of Ibiza, on the island’s east coast.

Ferries from Barcelona to Menorca

Ferries from Barcelona travel to two ports on the island of Menorca: Ciutadella in the west, and Mahón in the east.

  • Barcelona to Ciutadella: Daily summer service, 4-5 days per week off-season. Average crossing time: 9 hours. Starting ticket price: €55.
  • Barcelona to Mahón: Daily summer service, 4-5 days per week off-season. Average crossing time: 7.5 hours. Starting ticket price: €56.
  • Check ferry schedules & prices on Ferryhopper.com
  • Search and book Menorca hotels

Ferries from Barcelona to Formentera

There is only one port on the small island of Formentera, the Port of La Savina.

  • Summer service 5-4 days per week. Average crossing time: 12 hours. Starting ticket price: €64.
  • Check ferry schedules & prices on Ferryhopper.com
  • Search and book Formentera hotels

Ferries from Barcelona to Italy

A view of Civitavecchia, also known as "Port of Rome", showing the Pirgo beach and the coastal street Thaon De Revel with its residential buildings, Church of the Holy Japanese Martyrs and the small harbor of Lega Navale.

Thaon De Revel promenade in Civitavecchia, Italy.

Ferries from Barcelona to Rome

The ferry port serving Rome is Civitavecchia, located an hour northwest of the city and easily reachable by train. Regional and express trains depart Civitavecchia for Roma Ostiense and Roma Termini stations many times a day, and cost only €5-15 per ticket. Use the ItaliaRail website to search timetables and buy tickets in advance. Or, book private transfer through Welcome Pickups; they’ll monitor your ferry and be waiting for you at the port upon your arrival.

Ferries from Barcelona to Morocco

View of the coast in Nador in sunny day.

View of the coast of Nador.

Ferries from Barcelona travel to two locations on the Mediterranean Coast of Morocco: Nador in eastern Morocco and Tangier-Med, on the Strait of Gibraltar.

Ferries from Barcelona to Nador

Ferries to Nador use the Beni Ansar Port, located about 10 km north of the town of Nador.

  • Year-round service with twice-weekly crossings. Average crossing time: 27 hours. Starting ticket price: €56.
  • Check ferry schedules & prices on Ferryhopper.com
  • Search and book Nador hotels

Ferries from Barcelona to Tangier-Med

The port of Tangier-Med is located about 40 km east of the town of Tangier.

  • Once-weekly service, year-round. Average crossing time: 28.5 hours. Ticket price range: €15-65.
  • Check ferry schedules & prices on Ferryhopper.com
  • Search and book Tangier hotels

Map showing the ferry ports that are served by Barcelona ferries

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I’m Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a quick guide on visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my small team and I provide guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece - as well as favorite places to stay in some of my favorite cities - like London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Florence. Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.