Barcelona's city council has approved a plan to triple the levy on cruise passengers making day trips to the city, raising the fee from €8 to €24 per passenger. Combined with a regional tourist tax of €6 for visits under 12 hours, the total cost for a cruise passenger to step ashore will be €30 (approximately £26).
Mayor's Plan to Slash Cruise Tourism
The increase is part of Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni's strategy to drastically reduce cruise tourism, according to cruise news outlet Deep Arrival. The goal is to discourage short-stay cruise visits entirely, rather than simply lowering numbers. In July 2025, the council approved a gradual increase over four years, but industry reports suggest the timeline may be accelerated, with higher charges potentially implemented as early as 2027.
Impact on Cruise Passengers and City
Barcelona welcomed around 16 million visitors in 2025, including 3.99 million cruise passengers. Campaigners argue that the influx strains public services and causes overcrowding in peak summer months. However, cruises that begin or end in Barcelona will not face the increased fee, as these sailings are considered to have a positive economic impact compared to day trips. A sustainability report found that day trippers from cruises spent an average of 5.7 hours in the city, primarily visiting attractions like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
Additional Measures and General Tourist Tax Hike
Last year, Barcelona reduced the number of cruise terminals from seven to five and began rerouting larger ships away from central ports, prioritizing smaller vessels and local marine traffic. As of April 1, general accommodation tourist taxes have also increased, making them among the highest in Europe. Visitors now pay both a regional and municipal surcharge, totaling €7 to €12 per person per night (approximately £6 to £10.38).
Overtourism Protests Continue
Barcelona has been at the center of overtourism protests across Spain. In June 2025, protesters marched through the streets with signs reading "Your Airbnb used to be my home" and squirted water pistols at diners on outdoor terraces. Further demonstrations are expected this summer from groups like Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life), including a protest in Palma, Majorca, scheduled for July 26 to coincide with the start of school holidays.
