Tarragona Cruise Ship Port Guide

How to get to the port, by air, train, road

Getting to Tarragona’s cruise port is quite simple, with plenty of good transport choices.

You can fly to either Barcelona-El Prat Airport (75 km away) or Reus Airport (just 15 km from Tarragona). From Barcelona Airport, hop on the RENFE train or catch a direct bus to Tarragona. If you land at Reus, regular buses run to the city centre.

The train is another good option, with Tarragona Central station linking to major Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid via high-speed AVE services.

If you’re coming by car, follow the AP-7 motorway or the N-340 coastal road. You’ll see signs to the port from both routes. Need a lift from the city centre to the cruise terminal? Just grab a taxi or book a ride-share – there are plenty about.

Port Parking Options

You’ve got plenty of parking choices at Tarragona’s port. There’s a handy car park right at the cruise terminal with spots for short and long stays – it’ll set you back £12 a day. You’ll find it just 200 metres from the terminal, and they keep an eye on things round the clock with security cameras.

Want to save a bit of money? The Port Authority car park is a decent option – it’s about a 10-minute walk to the terminal and costs £8 daily. No need to book ahead for this one. If you’d rather keep your car under cover, try the Marina Port Tarraco garage at £15 per day, though you’ll need to reserve during busy periods. All the car parks take cash and cards, so you’re sorted either way.

Local Transport & Transfers

Getting around from Tarragona’s cruise port to the city centre is straightforward. Regular shuttle buses run between the cruise terminal and downtown Tarragona, taking about 15 minutes. You’ll pay €3 for a single ticket or €5 for a return journey.

If you want more freedom to move about, you can grab a taxi right at the port entrance. A ride to the city centre costs roughly €12-15, and you can sort out an hourly rate with drivers if you fancy some sightseeing. Fancy a trip to Barcelona? Just hop in a taxi to Tarragona’s main station, then catch a train. The railway journey takes about an hour and tickets are €8-12 each way. There are also car rental places near the port if you’d rather drive yourself around.

Port Terminal Facilities

The modern cruise terminal has everything you need for a smooth start or finish to your trip. The building is kept at a nice temperature, with plenty of comfortable seats, clean loos and a small café where you can grab drinks and snacks. You’ll find ATMs, places to exchange money, and free Wi-Fi in all areas.

Getting around is easy for wheelchair users and anyone who needs extra help moving about. There’s an information desk with friendly staff who can sort you out with maps, suggest local spots, and help book tours. For safety, everyone goes through X-ray machines and metal detectors. If you’ve got bags to store before or after your cruise, you can keep them safe in the luggage area for a small charge.

Things to Do Before Your Cruise in a Day

Tarragona’s got loads to see right near the cruise port, and you can easily walk to most spots. As you wander about, you’ll bump into amazing Roman sites like the old amphitheatre with its sea views and the Roman circus up in the town centre. The Gothic Cathedral sits at the city’s highest spot, giving you brilliant views of the coast.

Must-dos before your cruise sets off:

• Take a walk along La Rambla Nova, the main street, and grab some proper Catalan food at the outdoor cafes
• Go for an evening stroll on the Roman walls – they look fantastic in the sunset light
• Pop into the Central Market where you can try fresh local food and seafood while chatting with the friendly locals

Walks near the port

The port area has lovely walking routes where you can see the best of Tarragona’s seaside. The Passeig Marítim runs alongside the Mediterranean – it’s a palm tree-lined promenade with brilliant views of the port and beaches. As you walk the 1.5-kilometre stretch, you’ll spot plenty of cafes and benches where you can take a break.

Want a bit of history? Walk up from the port to the Roman amphitheatre. You can walk next to the old city walls along the Passeig Arqueològic, which links the port to Tarragona’s Old Town. For a bit of nature, pop over to Punta del Miracle with its rocky paths and quiet coves. The Camí de Ronda coastal path gives you great views of the busy port and its fishing boats.

Dining and Shopping

Food fans will find loads of brilliant places to eat near Tarragona’s cruise port. The local spots cook up fresh seafood straight from the day’s catch, whilst traditional Catalan restaurants serve proper paella and fideuà. You’ll spot lovely tapas bars dotted through the old town’s narrow streets, about a 15-minute stroll from the port.

If you fancy a bit of shopping, the Central Market is buzzing with activity where you can find:

• Fresh local produce, properly made cheeses, and regional wines that’ll make your mouth water
• Handmade souvenirs and traditional ceramics that show off Mediterranean style
• Local treats like hazelnuts, olive oil, and vermouth to pack in your suitcase

The Rambla Nova, Tarragona’s main shopping street, is packed with boutiques, fashion shops, and specialist stores. You can browse through unique bits and bobs while soaking up the lively street atmosphere.

Accommodation near the port

There are plenty of places to stay within easy walking distance of Tarragona’s cruise port. You’ll find several 3- and 4-star hotels along Rambla Nova and near Placa de la Font, with nice city views and all the modern bits and bobs you’d expect. The Hotel SB Ciutat de Tarragona and Hotel Imperial Tarraco are solid choices, both with rooftop pools and their own restaurants.

If you want to save some money, try the family-run guesthouses and small hotels in the historic centre. These spots are often in old medieval buildings and give you a proper taste of local life. There are also quite a few flats available through Airbnb and Booking.com, which work well if you’re coming with family or staying longer before or after your cruise.

Tips for First-Time Cruisers from The Port

Getting ready for your first cruise from Tarragona port? Head there 3-4 hours before your ship leaves. Things can get quite busy in peak season, so you’ll want plenty of time for security, dropping off your bags and sorting out your paperwork.

Get all your documents sorted beforehand and keep them where you can grab them easily. You’ll want your passport, boarding pass and any visas you need. Don’t forget to put the cruise line’s luggage labels on your bags before you get to the terminal.

A few handy tips:

• Pack medicines and valuable items in your carry-on – your main bags will go straight to your cabin and you won’t see them for a while
• Get the cruise line’s app on your phone before you leave – it’s brilliant for updates and useful info
• Take photos of your travel documents on your mobile as a backup plan

These simple steps should help make your first cruise a smooth sailing!

Customs & Immigration at The Port

You’ll need to go through customs and immigration at Tarragona’s cruise terminal – this applies whether you’re starting your trip or getting off here. It usually takes between 15-30 minutes when it’s busy, so give yourself enough time. Bring your passport, cruise papers and filled-in customs form.

There are different queues for EU and non-EU travellers. If you’re boarding here, turn up at least three hours before your ship leaves to avoid any hassle. If you’re getting off, you’ll need to show your passport before collecting your bags.

You’ll find customs on the ground floor. The officers might want to look in your bags at random, so keep them easy to open. Just remember Spanish customs rules: non-EU visitors can only bring in 1 litre of alcohol and 200 cigarettes per person.

Local Currency & Payment Options

The local currency in Tarragona is the Euro (€), and you’ll need it for most small purchases around the port area. While bigger shops and restaurants take credit cards, it’s a good idea to have some cash handy for taxis, small shops, and local markets. You can find ATMs near the cruise terminal and all over the city centre, with decent exchange rates.

To make paying easier in Tarragona:

• Keep around €50-100 in cash for your day out, as some traditional tapas bars and souvenir shops only take cash
• Let your bank know before you travel to prevent card blocks, and watch for Visa/Mastercard signs at shops
• Try to get smaller notes (€5, €10, €20) since some sellers might have trouble with bigger ones

Shop and restaurant prices usually include VAT, so what you see is what you pay.

Emergency Contacts

Staying safe in Tarragona is straightforward when you know the right numbers to ring. For any emergency in Spain, just dial 112 – it works like 999 in the UK and puts you through to police, medical teams, and firefighters. Don’t worry if your Spanish isn’t great – the people answering calls usually speak English.

Keep these important numbers handy:

• National Police: 091
• Local Police: 092
• Tourist Police: +34 977 249 731
• Port Authority Emergency: +34 977 259 400
• Nearest Hospital (Joan XXIII): +34 977 295 800
• U.S. Consulate in Barcelona: +34 932 802 227
• British Consulate in Barcelona: +34 933 666 200

It’s a good idea to pop these numbers in your phone before you travel. You’ll spot emergency contact details all over the cruise terminal and on signs throughout the port area.

History of The Port

Dating back to Roman times, Tarragona’s port has been a bustling Mediterranean trading spot for more than 2,000 years. You can still see bits of the old Roman walls around the port area. In medieval times, the port was buzzing with ships trading goods between Spain and other Mediterranean ports.

You can:

• Stroll along the same docks where Roman ships once loaded their cargo for Rome
• Visit the spots where medieval traders bargained over exotic spices and silks
• Take in the same harbour views that sailors and merchants have gazed at for centuries

The port’s newest addition, a cruise terminal built in 2013, carries on Tarragona’s long-standing maritime story, bringing visitors from all corners of the world.

Environmental Initiatives at The Port

The cruise port in Tarragona has really stepped up its environmental game since 2018. When you’re there, you’ll spot the shore-to-ship power hookups that help ships turn off their engines whilst docked – brilliant for cutting down on air pollution and noise. They’ve sorted out proper waste handling too, with recycling points and special facilities to deal with rubbish from the ships.

They’ve gone all out with LED lights across the terminal and docking areas, which has slashed their power use by 60%. You’ll find charging points for electric cars dotted about, and they’ve put solar panels on the terminal buildings. The port team keeps tabs on water quality every day and uses floating barriers to keep the sea clean. They’ve even got this ‘Green Port’ scheme going, which gets cruise ships to be more environmentally friendly when they pop in.

Accessibility Information for Disabled Passengers

The Tarragona cruise terminal has three main accessibility features for disabled passengers. You’ll spot wheelchair ramps at every main entrance, lifts between both terminal floors, and special accessible toilets built for travellers with mobility needs. Port workers have had proper training to help passengers with different disabilities.

The terminal gives you:

• Free wheelchair help from ship to terminal (book 48 hours ahead)
• Fast-track counters with lower desks and better lighting
• Special shuttle buses with hydraulic lifts and secure spaces

If you need extra help, ring the port’s accessibility team at least 72 hours before you arrive. They can sort out personal support, including sign language interpreters and special transport to local sights.

Cruise Insurance and Medical Facilities at The Port

The cruise terminal in Tarragona has a proper medical centre with qualified doctors and nurses on hand whenever ships are in port. They can handle basic medical problems and first aid, and they work closely with the city hospitals if anything serious comes up.

You’ll want solid travel insurance that’s meant for cruises before you get on board. Your policy should cover medical evacuation, cancelled trips and COVID-19. Keep your insurance paperwork and medical records with you at all times.

If you need to top up prescriptions, the port works with nearby chemists to help sort this out. Emergency help is available round-the-clock in English and Spanish. While you can borrow wheelchairs and get basic medical bits from the centre, it’s better to pack all your own medicines.

Families: Child-Friendly Services and Activities

The Tarragona cruise terminal thinks about families as much as safety. You’ll spot handy family loos with baby changing stations, places to hire pushchairs, and a watched-over play space where little ones can let loose before getting on board.

Family-friendly bits and bobs at the terminal include:

• A bright indoor play area with soft surfaces and different sections for all ages, from tiny tots to teenagers
• A family sitting room with comfy chairs, tellies showing kids’ programmes, and free juice cartons
• A small bookshelf full of children’s stories in different languages

There’s free Wi-Fi all over the terminal so bigger kids can keep busy on their tablets and phones. The staff includes proper childcare experts who can help sort out any family matters while you wait.

Local Cultural Highlights and Events

During your cruise stop in Tarragona, you’ll find plenty of brilliant cultural events that show off the region’s Catalan heritage. The city’s biggest celebration is the Santa Tecla Festival in September, with its amazing human towers (castells), fire-breathing dragons, and traditional folk dances. In summer, you can watch Roman re-enactments at the amphitheatre, where gladiator fights and historical shows bring ancient Tarraco back to life.

Pop along to the weekly traditional market in Plaça del Fòrum, where local craftspeople sell their handmade goods and regional treats. If you’re about in June, the Tarraco Viva festival turns the city into a living museum of Roman culture, with proper old-style cooking demonstrations, theatre shows, and historical workshops. On Sunday mornings, you can also catch the lovely Catalan sardana dancing in Plaça de la Font.

Best Times of Year to Cruise from The Port

The perfect time for a Mediterranean sail from Tarragona runs between April and October. Summer’s peak (June to August) brings lovely warm weather up to 29°C, though you won’t see much rain. Just remember – it gets quite busy and prices go up during these months.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are brilliant times to cruise, with:

• Pleasant 21°C weather that’s spot-on for wandering about the ship and port
• Smaller crowds, meaning you can take your time at local sites
• Better value cruise packages and day trips

Winter cruises (November-March) are less frequent because it’s cooler and rainier, but you’ll find the best bargains then. Keep in mind that Mediterranean weather can be a bit rough during winter months, which might affect sailing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Average Passenger Capacity of Cruise Ships Docking at Tarragona Port?

Cruise ships that come into Tarragona port usually carry between 2,000 and 3,000 passengers. Some of the bigger ships can take as many as 4,000 people when they’re completely full.

Are There Any Local Fishing Boats Offering Short Harbor Tours?

You can spot quite a few local fishing boats that run 1-2 hour trips around Tarragona’s harbour. Just pop down to Marina Tarraco or Port Tarraco – that’s where the local fishermen usually set up their boat tours.

Which Cruise Lines Regularly Operate From Tarragona Port?

Costa Cruises runs regular routes from Tarragona port. Though it’s quieter than Barcelona, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean pop in now and then during the Mediterranean sailing season.

What’s the Typical Water Temperature at Tarragona Port Throughout the Year?

The water’s pretty cool in winter at about 14°C (57°F), warming up nicely to 25°C (77°F) come summer. If you fancy a swim, the best time is from June through September when the sea’s at its warmest.

Does the Port Have Dedicated Facilities for Private Yacht Owners?

Port Tarraco Marina has all you need for private yachts, with modern berths and top-notch facilities. You can moor boats up to 160 metres, and they’ll look after you with round-the-clock concierge service and maintenance all year.