Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region, was developed as a port by the Romans and has long been a Mediterranean center of commerce and passenger shipping, its docks packed daily with the cruise lines' largest megaships. The draws? The city's prime location on the Iberian Peninsula; its wealth of historical, cultural, and artistic offerings; and docks within walking distance of the city center. Pretty much every major cruise line visits here today, and many use the port as a port of embarkation/debarkation.

World renowned for its artists (Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tapies, etc.), Barcelona is also an architectural showplace, most famous for its modernist buildings by native son Antonio Gaudí but also boasting contemporary buildings by Santiago Calatrava, Mies van der Rohe, Richard Meier, and Jean Nouvel. All that modernism sits side by side with Roman ruins, buildings from the 13th and 15th centuries, and the narrow streets and medieval architecture of the Gothic Quarter, with its bohemian atmosphere. The city also boasts great museums, friendly people, pleasant cafes and tapas bars, a very active nightlife, and fantastic views from the Montjuïc and Tibidabo mountain parks, both of which are accessible by funicular.

Coming Ashore in Barcelona:

Barcelona's cruise terminal is located on a long peninsula approximately 1.6km (1 mile) from the base of Las Ramblas, Barcelona's liveliest and most famous boulevard. Those in decent shape can walk the distance easily. Taxis will cost you about 8€ ($10.50) to the city center.

Getting Around in Barcelona:

Barcelona is a wonderful walking town, with wide boulevards and narrow medieval streets that are a delight to explore. Some sights, though (including Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell), are a little too far for a casual walk. The Metro subway (www.tmb.cat) is your best bet for speedy transportation, as Barcelona's streets are frequently gridlocked with traffic. You can buy individual tickets for 1.40€ ($1.85) apiece or take advantage of several multi-trip tickets, including the "T-Dia" ticket, which allows unlimited rides by one person for a single day and costs 6€ ($8) for one zone (all the big sights are with Zone 1). If you prefer to stay above ground, you can ride the Bus Turístic (www.barcelonabusturistic.cat), whose three routes link 44 of the city's top sights. One-day tickets cost 22€ ($29). You can purchase a ticket on the bus, online, or at Barcelona Turisme Tourist information points.