Arriving in Barcelona

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 19th September 2023

Unbelievably we have had another dream run on our cruise to Barcelona. There has been little wind, flat seas and no rain. 

Our entry into the the harbour at around 12 noon is uneventful, but highlights the size of the harbour and the number of cruise ships in port. At last count, including us, there are 5 cruise ships in port at the moment, one of which is a fellow Viking Ship, the Viking Neptune.


Approaching Barcelona


All lined up on our dock, Viking Neptune, us, and the MSC Grandiosa (aptly named)

All together there are 5 cruise ships here. Some are leaving this evening and no doubt others will arrive to take their place. Up to 7 ships is normal in peak season.

Once secured we are shuffled onshore for our shore excursion which is a combination of a bus tour and walking tour taking in some of the highlights of Barcelona.

Our first stop is the must see highlight of any trip to Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the World. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, construction started in 1882 and is hoped to be completed by 2032. Funded purely by donations, the Church is owned by the Foundation that is managing its construction. There is no guarantee that the completion date will be met.


The enormity and complexity of this building is indescribable. The photo above is the front of the church with the darker coloured portion completed by Gaudi before his death in 1926. The lighter coloured section has been completed since then.


Views along one side








The Rear of the Church


And on the other side is what will be the main entrance (below). Construction of this has slowed because to complete the entrance in keeping with Gaudi's design, and apartment block on the other side of the street (where this photo was taken from), will need to be demolished. This is still to be resolved and is currently in the courts.


Gaudi's architectural style is evident all of the city in various works.


The lamp posts, in the Gothic Quarter above, and apartment building below are examples of his work


It is hard to believe the Church will be completed by 2032, but who knows ?

Back on the bus, our guide is taking us to the Old Town of Barcelona where there is a very strong Gothic influence in the architecture. Occasionally you see remains of the original Roman City. The Gothic Quarter dates back over 2000 years.

A few photos below capture the history captured here. The streets are very narrow and massive buildings relatively close together make capturing it in photos quite challenging.









Buildings were built on top of the old Roman City, utilising some of the original city walls as founbations



Picasso lived in Barcelona as a young man, and this was one of his works


Basilica Santa Maria del Mar built in the early 1300's




 Not everything in the Old City is original. This "bridge" across the walkway was added in the 1900's


Barcelona's City Hall in the centre of the Old Quarter


The Catalan President's Palace

The square in which the two buildings above are located in the area that was the Forum of the Roman City.

We are given a bit of free time after the tour to have a quick look around before a long trek back to the bus.


The tour went for 4 hours and was very informative. We were back on board by 6 pm for our last dinner on board at Manfredi's Italian restaurant before our disembarkation tomorrow morning.

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