In short
Barcelona suits a week-long round trip in almost any month: about two hours’ flight, with the most sailings in spring and autumn. Lisbon suits a one-way journey: sailings are few, usually 10–14 nights — north in spring, into the Mediterranean in summer, across the Atlantic in November. The upside: the terminal sits right below Alfama.
Sailings by month
- Busiest months
- Jun, Aug, Sep
- Where ships go
- Western Mediterranean · British Isles and Western Europe · Canary Islands and Madeira
- Usual length
- 6–9 / 10–14 nights
- Round trips
- fewer than half
Which port suits you
You want a week-long round trip
About two hours’ flight from Amsterdam, Eindhoven or Brussels, and half an hour from the airport to the terminal. Sailings almost all year, most of them in spring and autumn, usually 7 nights there and back: Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palma. Bear in mind that the Adossat terminals are 2–3 km from La Rambla.
Barcelona port guide →You want a one-way journey
About three hours’ flight, and around 20 minutes by taxi from the airport to the terminal by Alfama. Sailings are few, and most are one-way voyages of 10–14 nights: north in spring, through Gibraltar into the Mediterranean in summer, across the Atlantic in November. Book your flight home once you know the end port.
Lisbon port guide →Point by point
| What we compare | Lisbon | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| Flying from the Netherlands and Belgium | Direct flights from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels, about 3 hours. | Direct flights from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels, about 2 hours. |
| By train from the Netherlands and Belgium | Via Paris and Spain, about two days with a night on the way — only if you want the journey to be part of the holiday. | Changing in Paris, most of a day — around 11–12 hours from Amsterdam. Works well with a night in Paris. |
| Airport to ship | The airport is almost in town, about 8 km from the terminal: around 20 minutes by taxi, or 35–40 minutes by metro — the red line to São Sebastião, then the blue line to Santa Apolónia. | About half an hour by taxi from El Prat. Cheaper: the Aerobus into town, metro L3 to Drassanes and the Cruise Bus. |
| Terminal to city centre | Lisbon Cruise Terminal on the Jardim do Tabaco quay: Alfama is a 5–10 minute walk, Praça do Comércio about 20. Ships sometimes berth at Alcântara, about 3 km west of the centre — take a taxi. | Terminals A–E and H on the Moll Adossat, 2–3 km from La Rambla: the Cruise Bus runs about every 20 minutes, or 10–15 minutes by taxi from the centre. Smaller ships sometimes use the World Trade Center, close to La Rambla. |
| Season | All year, but sailings are few; the most choice is from April to September. January to March is the quietest time, around 15°C by day. | All year, with the most sailings in spring and autumn — especially May, September and October. Week-long cruises carry on in winter, around 15°C by day. |
| Typical itineraries | 10–14 nights: through Gibraltar to Spain, France and Italy in summer; north to Britain and Northern Europe in spring; the Canary Islands and Madeira in autumn and winter; across the Atlantic in November. | 7 nights in the Western Mediterranean: Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palma. 10–14 nights to Greece, the Adriatic and Turkey from April to October; short 2–5 night cruises in spring; Atlantic crossings in October and November. |
| Round trip or one-way | Mostly one-way: the voyage ends in another port, such as Barcelona. Few round trips — some sailings to the Canaries and Madeira, and the occasional summer Mediterranean cruise. | Most sailings are round trips: a week later the ship is back in Barcelona, and you fly home from the same airport. |
| City before or after | Alfama and São Jorge Castle, the Sé cathedral and Praça do Comércio, tram 28, the tile museum, and in Belém the Jerónimos Monastery and pastéis de nata. | La Rambla and the Boqueria market, the Gothic Quarter, the cable car over the port to Montjuïc, Barceloneta beach, the Sagrada Família. |
| Where to stay | Alfama is closest, but the streets are steep; Baixa and Chiado or Avenida da Liberdade are 10–15 minutes by taxi; Parque das Nações near the airport if you land late. | Port Vell and Barceloneta, 10 minutes by taxi to the terminal; the Gothic Quarter and El Born for atmosphere; Eixample or around Sants station, about 15 minutes. |
A loop from Barcelona, a journey from Lisbon
Barcelona mostly sends out week-long round trips in the Western Mediterranean: you board, and seven nights later you are back where you started. Lisbon works differently. Many ships only begin or end a repositioning voyage between seasons here, so most sailings are one-way. In summer such a voyage often heads through Gibraltar and ends in Barcelona — a cruise between two cities: you fly into Lisbon and fly home from the end port.
- One airport or two. If you want simple logistics, choose Barcelona: in and out through El Prat. If you want the route itself to be the journey, choose Lisbon and a one-way cruise. Book your flight home only once you know the end port and arrival time.
- Season. Barcelona has sailings all year, even in January and February, with the most in spring and autumn. Lisbon has few: the most choice is from April to September, and January to March is the quietest time.
- Across the Atlantic in autumn. From Barcelona, Atlantic crossings leave in October and especially November — to the Caribbean, South America or Florida. From Lisbon, mostly in November, to the Americas. These are voyages of 15 nights or more, with a flight home.
- North in spring. Only Lisbon offers this: from April to June, ships head north for the summer season in Northern Europe. If such a sailing ends in Rotterdam or Amsterdam, you come home without flying — more in cruises without flying.
- In winter. Week-long Mediterranean cruises carry on from Barcelona, around 15°C by day. Lisbon has just a few sailings — to the Canaries, Madeira and the Mediterranean. Looking for winter sun? See our comparison of Tenerife and Barcelona in winter.
- Short cruises. Sailings of 2–5 nights leave Barcelona in spring and late autumn, most often in April — a good option for a first short cruise.
Choosing a port for a week in the Mediterranean? See our comparison of Barcelona and Civitavecchia.
From Lisbon to Barcelona by sea
Fly into Lisbon the day before: stay in Baixa or Chiado, and in the morning it is 10 minutes by taxi to the terminal. Don’t walk through Alfama with a suitcase — steep streets and slippery cobbles. Book your flight home from the end port, and not before midday: disembarkation runs until about 9–10 am, and from the Barcelona terminals it is another half hour to the airport. With an evening flight, you can leave your bags at a luggage storage and still fit in the Gothic Quarter.
Common questions
Which port has more sailings, Lisbon or Barcelona?
Barcelona. Cruises leave there all year, most of them in spring and autumn, usually for 7 nights and back to Barcelona. Lisbon has few sailings, most of them one-way voyages of 10–14 nights, with the most choice from April to September.
Can I board in Lisbon and leave the ship in Barcelona?
Yes, such sailings exist: in summer, many cruises from Lisbon head through Gibraltar into the Western Mediterranean and end in another port, such as Barcelona. Check the end port and arrival time in the itinerary before you book your flight home.
Where can I cross the Atlantic from?
From both ports, but in autumn. From Barcelona in October and especially November, to the Caribbean, South America or Florida; from Lisbon mostly in November. These are one-way voyages of 15 nights or more, so you fly home.
Which port has the terminal closer to the city centre?
Lisbon: Lisbon Cruise Terminal sits by Alfama, a 5–10 minute walk from the old quarter, although with luggage on those hills a taxi is easier. In Barcelona, large ships berth at the Moll Adossat, 2–3 km from La Rambla, reached by taxi or the Cruise Bus.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Lisbon and Barcelona that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Lisbon and Barcelona dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.