
Spanish city introduces strict new limits on tourists and it affects thousands a day
New plans to demolish two terminals at the Port of
Advertisement
3
Barcelona is reducing the number of cruise terminals in its port
Credit: Reuters
Two terminals will be completely demolished - A and B - with terminal C also being demolished to make way for a new terminal on the site.
In total, the number of terminals will be reduced from seven to five.
As part of the €185million (£160.95million) scheme, the new terminal will serve around 7,000 passengers "at any given time".
However, the changes will mean that Barcelona's maximum cruise capacity will reduce from 37,000 passengers to 31,000 per day.
Advertisement
Read more on travel tips
The reduction in cruise terminals follows increasing local backlash against
The cruise hub is one of the key hubs in the
According to
history
, a limit is being placed on the growth of cruises in the city."
Cruise passengers increased by 20 per cent between 2018 and 2024, without any capacity limits.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
The Mayor added: "The current management of tourism involves setting limits and managing better."
In a statement, the
The ultimate cruising experience - From Universal Studios to Florida's Everglades onboard the Icon of the Seas
"This agreement consolidates the joint commitment of both the Port and the City Council to move towards a more orderly and efficient maritime tourism model that respects the urban and environmental setting of Barcelona."
The plans also include a regular shuttle service for passengers.
Advertisement
Information screens will be installed in the terminals too, providing real-time information to help better spread out visitors and reduce crowds in the
Work on getting rid of terminals A and B will start by the end of 2026 and the entire project is set to be completed in 2030.
Additionally, there is a €50million (£43million) plan to overhaul the area where terminals A and B currently are - eventually offer
travellers
improved services.
And there will be a €90million (£77.9million) expansion to the Porta d'Europa bridge which links the wharf with the city.
Advertisement
Once complete, the bridge will have bike and walking routes.
3
Overall, the port will reduce from seven terminals to five
Credit: Getty
In 2024, Spanish ports received 12.8million cruise passengers - 3.7million of whom were to Barcelona port.
Barcelona first started to scale back cruise operations to the city in 2018, when it moved most operations from the city centre to Adossat Wharf.
Advertisement
By 2023, the city had closed the North Terminal - which is located at the end of the famous
And in the past years, Barcelona has more widely battled against issues of overtourism with many locals taking to protesting about the number of holidaymakers in the city.
Last year, the city also announced that by 2029 it would ban all short-term rentals in an attempt to ease the current housing crisis.
Exploring Las Ramblas in Barcelona
TRAVEL reporter Cyann Fielding shares her thoughts on one of the biggest tourist traps in the world, that happens to be in Barcelona.
According to Nomad - an international eSim company, Las Ramblas is the second worst tourist trap in the world and the top in Europe - based on 826 reviews.
But the spot actually holds so much history and is one of the most fascinating destinations to explore - and it has come a long way from it's origins.
As you wander down the street, make sure to stop off at Casa Beethoven - essentially Harry Potter's Ollivanders but for sheet music not wands.
Just down from Casa Beethoven is La Boqueria market - one of Europe's largest and most famous food markets.
Heading on from the market, make sure to look out on the floor for a mosaic by artist Joan Miró, who lived in Barcelona.
Carrying on, make sure to take a detour down Carrer Nou de La Rambla to see Palau Güell - which people often miss not knowing it is there.
I think part of the reason why so many people walk away from Las Ramblas either overwhelmed or disappointed, is because they don't know its history or the top places to explore.
And there are pickpockets, so you just need to be wary.
But by taking your time and exploring the routes different sections and side streets, it makes a great day out immersing yourself in Spanish - and more specifically - Barcelonan culture.
More widely,
Advertisement
Plus, the
3
This comes as the city tries to mitigate the negative impacts of overtourism
Credit: Getty

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘It's proper old-school fun' – The Irish fun park with water slide, canoeing and rope swing – and it's close to Dublin
IRISH parents are raving about this Irish fun park that's the "best fun day out and very affordable". Escape to the wilderness this 6 Clara Lara makes the perfect day out for all the family Credit: 6 Clara Lara in located in Rathdrum, Wicklow Credit: 6 There's plenty of picnic areas in the park Credit: With over 60 acres of exciting activities for all the The adventure park boasts fun water slides, rowing boats, canoes and even go-karts. It's placed in the middle of the beautiful Avonmore River Valley with the most magnificent views. Little ones and big ones will have lots to keep busy with numerous outdoor activities. READ MORE IN TRAVEL Swing across the river on a rope, take a boat ride to a pirate island or shuttle down a mountainside on the Aquashuttle. The Aquashuttle slide is located on a mountain and is surrounded by beautiful greenery. Organisers said its a 'thrilling challenge, only for the bold and the brave'. The lakes at Clara Lara are all man-made with a flat gravel bottom and the water is around two metres deep. Most read in News Travel The Amphicat canoe, which is very stable in the water, will make Water lovers can also enjoy rowing around the peaceful boat lake and stop off at the islands. But be careful, there may be pirates around! Adventures will love the tree house featuring a climb frame and a fun tube slide. Or take on the obstacle course with climbing areas, slides, tarzan ropes, tyre tunnels and more. Feel like a Formula 1 driver on the junior go-karts that's suitable for children between 1.2m and 1.5m tall. Or get your hearts racing on the zipline or rope swing over the water. Other fun activities in the park include rafts, mini golf and radio controlled boats - the kids will never want to leave this land of fun. Clara Lara Fun Park sits right beside Glendalough tower which was built 1000 years ago by the monks of St Kevin's Monastery as a lookout tower. The proximity of the tower and the surrounding nature make it the perfect spot to escape from screens. Visitors can host their own barbeque or visit their open picnic style restaurant. The park is open from 10.30am to 6pm, seven days a week during the summer months. 'KIDS HAD A BALL' Parents and families took to One family said: 'This is the best fun day out and very affordable. "Once you pay at the gate you aren't charged for any of the rides etc. "Plenty of picnic tables, huts and BBQ areas and the option of buying some hot food, ice creams, drinks etc too. It's proper old-school fun! "Staff are all fab and really great with kids. Highly recommend it.' Another said: 'Great family day out. Kids had a ball. Load's to do. Plenty of water fun. "Kid's loved all the activities especially the boats and the staff working on them were very helpful. Nice area's for picnic's and BBQs. "Ten out of ten!! Well done Clara Lara. We will be back.' While another added: 'We had a great family day out here. Four adults and si kids aged 8 to 14. Site is very clean and well maintained. "Staff very nice. We brought our own food and availed of the picnic benches. Would highly recommend for family day out.' 6 The junior go-karts will entertain little ones for hours Credit: 6 There's plenty to all ages to enjoy Credit: 6 There's a selection of water activities at Clara Lara Credit:


The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I visited the UK's new immersive Titanic attraction – I gasped as the iceberg hit but there was another ‘wow' moment
AS I stepped 'on board' the SS Titanic, a shiver rippled down my spine. I wasn't on the actual ill-fated liner - of course - but instead had stepped into the UK's latest immersive experience called The Legend of the Titanic: The Exhibition. Advertisement 8 The Sun's Cyann Fielding headed to the new Titanic immersive experience in London Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding 8 The exhibition takes visitors on a journey of the story of the Titanic from when it was built to when it sank Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding 8 Throughout there are many breathtaking VR experiences Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding The exhibition immediately transported me back in time, unveiling the gripping story of the iconic ocean liner before its tragic demise. I began by exploring a room full of fascinating artefacts before venturing into one of the exhibition's cutting-edge VR experiences. In front of me stood a grand hall, full of projections on each wall and across the floor; I had been dropped straight into the scene of the Titanic's final hours. For 30 minutes, I witnessed the tragic story of the Titanic unfold. Advertisement Read more on travel inspo Personally, I found the story of the experience - which follows a daughter and father on the ship - a little gimmicky and it took away from the overall impact the projections had. However, when the ship collided with the iceberg, I found it gut-wrenching. The entire room 'shattered' as the ice tore through the ship's metal hull and waves lapped onboard. The room plunged into darkness and the ship's decks quickly disappeared beneath the ice water. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Even the iconic Grand Staircase turned from a once vibrant focal point to a grave at the bottom of the ocean. As the ship sank to the ocean floor, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, knowing I remained on dry land. First-of-its-kind Titanic exhibition coming to England And I was then hit with a second 'wow' moment when I headed into another In reality, I was navigating around a large empty room. Advertisement But for me with my headset on, I was in a virtual world exploring the Titanic's various decks and cabins. Glowing red squares marked real-life walls to avoid, and other participants appeared as green figures. But for 10 to 15 minutes I got a real taste of what every corner of the Titanic was like, including the wreck that sits today. Crossing a number of virtual gantries hovering above the ship's engines felt as if a single misstep could lead me to falling into the machinery below. Advertisement Finally standing beside the Titanic's captain, I removed my headset to reveal a slightly comical room of people wandering around like ghosts . Other parts of the exhibition include information boards detailing the background of the Titanic and how it was built. And there is also a room full of fascinating artefacts and personal stories for the ship. 8 Each VR experience offers an insight into what life was like onboard the ship Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding Advertisement 8 There is also the terrifying moment when the ship hits the iceberg Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding The multitude of perspectives from first, second and third-class passengers was striking - highlighting how each passenger had a different experience onboard the ill-fated ocean liner. While all the items on display are from the Olympic - the Titanic's sister ship - the collection showcases how everyday life operated onboard. There are items from the 1997 film too, sharing how impactful the story of the Titanic has been throughout history . Advertisement One of the shorter VR experiences in the exhibition involves chairs that pivot 360-degrees. Donning a The music throughout the VR experience and exhibition as a whole has been meticulously crafted by 50 musicians and offers an eerie reminder of the Following the VR experience, even more information is shared about the behind-the-scenes of the Titanic and the cold waters that claimed so many lives. Advertisement I was surprised to learn that if it wasn't for the efforts of men battling a fire in the belly of the ship, the Titanic would have sunk an hour earlier. 8 Projections show what it looked like as the ocean liner disappeared under the waves Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding 8 The exhibition also has extensive information about the ship and passengers throughout Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding There were a couple of let-downs for me, though. Advertisement Notably, there are few elements of the exhibition that cater to children, but instead, it felt like they were a tad insensitive. Think: a pool-like table with a screen, where you play a game to break up an iceberg before a ship hits it. However, looking at the exhibition as a whole - many elements are a testament to how technology can bridge the gap between us and historical events. It was as if I was mere centimetres away from the reality experienced by the 2,224 passengers onboard the Titanic's maiden voyage - and not many people can say today they have experienced something like that. Advertisement The Legend of the Titanic: The Exhibition opens July 25 at Dock X in Canada Water Tickets cost from £24 for adults and £16 for children. 8 Tickets cost from £24 per adult and £16 per child Credit: The SUN - Cyann Fielding


The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The two UK towns getting new train stations for the first time in over 60 years for £45million
YOU'LL soon be able to visit two idyllic Westcountry towns by rail thanks to a £45million plan to bring back their train stations. Both Cullompton in Devon and Wellington in Somerset lost their stations in the 1960s, but they are set to reopen as early as next year. Advertisement 5 Cullompton is a town in Devon that is set to be connected to Exeter via train once again Credit: Alamy 5 Wellington in Somerset is another town that will be connected by rail Credit: Alamy The two countryside towns in south west England did once have train stations that were built in the 1880s. But as a result of the Beeching cuts, which saw huge changes to train services as a result of the nationalisation of the railway, they were both closed in 1964. However, there are now fresh plans to revive both stations with services expected to start running as early as 2026. Both will reopen at an estimated cost of £45million. Advertisement Read More on UK Breaks The stations will connect to Exeter, a major transport hub with direct services to London Paddington, Plymouth, Bristol and the Cornish mainline too. Details are yet to be confirmed, but it's likely that when the railway stations reopen, they will join the Great Western Main Line that runs from London Paddington to Cullompton sits on the doorstep of the For any families heading south, the town is right next to Advertisement Most read in News Travel You'll also find local farm shops and many pubs like The Weary Traveller, Merry Harriers, The Ashill Inn and Half Moon Inn. Over the border in Somerset is the town of Wellington. Visit Diggerland UK to enjoy an exciting staycation in the beautiful Devonshire countryside 5 Cullompton is very close to Devon's Diggerland Credit: Alamy 5 Both are en route to the coast where you'll find towns like Sidmouth Credit: Alamy Advertisement Wellington has become known as a "food town" thanks to its reputation for quality food and drink. Top restaurants and pubs on Tripadvisor include The Martlet Inn which specialises in game and fish dishes. Another popular food spot is Valla Verde Italian Restaurant where you can sample delightful pasta dishes and antipasti. For keen explorers, it's a route to the Quantock Hills and Advertisement From there, it's a short trip up to the larger town of Taunton known for cider production and having its own Cullompton and Wellington are just a 24 minute drive away from one another. But using public transport, the neighbouring towns can only reach each other by bus. Here's another Advertisement And the 5 Two countryside towns will get new railway stations next year