Barcelona’s city council has given the green light to a proposal to triple the fee paid by cruise passengers during their visits to the popular city destination. The levy for cruise ship travelers will be raised from €8 to €24 per person, in addition to the existing €6 regional tourist tax for visitors spending less than 12 hours in Barcelona. This brings the total cost for cruise passengers setting foot in the city to €30 each, nearly £26.
The decision is part of Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni’s strategy to reduce cruise tourism to the city, aiming to alleviate the strain on public services and overcrowding during peak summer months. The move is not just about reducing numbers but discouraging cruise visits altogether.
Around 16 million visitors came to Barcelona in 2025, with almost 4 million being cruise passengers. Advocates argue that the high number of visitors burdens public services and causes crowding issues. The city council had previously approved a plan in July 2025 to gradually increase the passenger levy over four years, but reports suggest this timeline might be accelerated, with higher fees potentially in place by 2027.
Cruise trips originating or concluding in Barcelona will be exempt from the increased charges, as these voyages are viewed as having a positive impact on the city compared to day visits. A study on the sustainability of cruises in the city revealed that day-trippers from cruises typically spent an average of 5.7 hours exploring popular attractions like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
Last year, Barcelona reduced its number of cruise terminals from seven to five and redirected larger cruise ships away from central ports, prioritizing smaller vessels and local marine traffic.
In addition to cruise passengers, visitors to Barcelona will face higher fees starting April 1, with general accommodation tourist taxes also being raised, making them among the highest in Europe. Tourists will be subject to both regional and municipal surcharges, resulting in a total tourist tax ranging from €7 to €12 per person per night (around £6 to £10.38).
Barcelona has been a focal point of protests against overtourism in Spain. In June 2025, demonstrators took to the streets with signs protesting the impact of tourism on housing. More protests are anticipated this summer from groups like Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life), including upcoming demonstrations in Palma, Majorca, slated for July 26 coinciding with the start of the school holiday season.