With over 1,200 miles of scenic coastline dotted with historic port cities, Spain is a country that begs to be explored by sea. Traveling Spain’s coastal routes and riverways aboard a ferry allows you to fully take in the sights and access charming locales that can only be reached by boat.
Unlike speedier modes of transport, meandering by ferry invites unhurried days spent sampling the country’s impressive breadth of landscapes at a relaxed pace. Whether it’s watching the ochre-hued cliffs of the Costa Brava drift slowly past or feeling the breeze as your ferry glides down the Guadalquivir River through historic Seville, journeying Spain by ferry turns getting around into a sightseeing adventure.
Here, we look why hopping aboard a ferry is the perfect way to see the best of Spain
The benefits of visiting Spain by ferry
Traveling Spain‘s waterways by ferry opens up unique perspectives and advantages you won’t find on other forms of transport. Unlike frantic flights or highway train journeys passed in a blur, moving from port to port allows you to soak up diverse tableaus at an unrushed, relaxed tempo. Whether it’s vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains slipping by or glimpses of Cathedral spires as you sail into historic Harborside cities, the ever-changing views only add to the experience and create those one-in-a-lifetime moments.
Ferry hopping also provides easy access to Spain’s many islands like Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca, as well as hard-to-reach coastal villages and secluded beaches which can feel worlds apart from the bustling cities onshore.
There is no more authentic way to encounter the country’s stunning geography and fishing hamlets than aboard a ferry, watching the scenery unfold. Along your journey, vessels dock within walking distance to lively seaside promenades where you can be right in the heart of the action within minutes.
With ferry routes linked for hundreds of years, tracing these watery byways immerses you conveniently in the ebb and flow of Spanish history as well, all while eliminating the stress of driving or struggling to find your own transport.
Which ferry companies operate in Spain?
Spain has an extensive network of ferry services connecting the mainland to various islands and coastal destinations. These services are operated by several companies:
- Baleària runs frequent ferry routes from mainland Spain to Valencia, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and offers high-speed ferries to reduce travel times on the popular route. Baleària also connects mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca using multiple vessels and classes of service.
- Fred Olsen Express, and Naviera Armas primarily handle the ferry connections from mainland ports like Cádiz and Huelva to the Canary Islands, including Tenerife. These crossings take around one to two days but align with the islands’ relaxed atmospheres.
Ferry operators collectively facilitate both quick, direct trips between Spanish cities and more leisurely island journeys. The range of options connects Spain while accommodating different priorities. For additional details on ferry routes and travel times, as well as to book your tickets, check out Ferryscanner’s extensive networks of ferries operating in Spain.
Best cities to visit in Spain via ferry
So, where should your Spanish adventure take you via ferry? There are plenty of great cities and islands to visit after hopping on a boat, from Menorca to Barcelona and everywhere in between.
Menorca
With no high-rise resorts in sight, Menorca moves at a relaxed pace, its rolling countryside and Western Mediterranean beaches the very definition of tranquil escape. Must-see landmarks like the historic Fortress of La Mola offer spectacular panoramas of the harbor dotted with sailboats, while secluded inlet beaches like Pregonda and Cala Macarella promise powdery white sand and crystalline turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling.
The 13th century Church of Santa Maria boasts the largest rose window in the Balearics, and impressive ancient monuments like Naveta des Tudons and the Taula primitiva menhir provide a window into the island’s rich prehistoric past.
With direct ferries arriving from the mainland into the capital Mahón multiple times per day, Menorca’s rugged coastline, walking trails, and family-run restaurants specializing in fresh seafood are just a pleasant ferry ride away—they promise an off the beaten path Mediterranean getaway.
Lanzarote
Arriving by overnight ferry to Lanzarote feels fittingly like a tranquil passage to the island’s otherworldly landscapes. When your ship docks after the relaxed sailing from the Spanish mainland, you find yourself ready to explore the Canaries’ intriguing volcanic island known for beaches, wine, and architecture that blends engineering with nature.
Ferries operated by Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas land near Arrecife’s lively harborside promenade lined with swaying palms and restaurants to suit any taste. It’s a convenient jumping off point for top attractions like the stunning salt lakes of Janubio and the Río viewpoint with vistas of Lanzarote’s rugged northern cliffs. Even the black sands of Papagayo beach originated from past eruptions that left the island blessed with uniquely captivating terrain.
While landscapes forged by volcano fire draw many visitors, native son César Manrique’s creative architectural works like his former home-turned-museum Taro de Tahíche put another twist on Lanzarote’s scenic side. His eye for blending designs harmoniously with nature help make the island feel infused with both human artistry and otherworldly drama.
After waking from a restful night during the easy sailing from mainland Spain, Lanzarote’s vineyards, golden beaches and string of relaxed fishing villages will have you quickly easing into the county’s uncomplicated, peaceful island lifestyle.
Barcelona
Arriving in Barcelona by ferry allows you to sail right up to the city’s bustling harborfront, steps from iconic sites like the Christopher Columbus Monument and Maremagnum shopping complex. Trasmediterránea and Balearia operate multiple daily crossings from the Balearic Islands, Italy, and other destinations along Spain’s eastern coastline bringing overnight passengers dockside to wake up in one of Europe’s most colorful cities.
Barcelona practically overflows with artistic and architectural treasures, from Antoni Gaudí masterpieces like the sprawling Sagrada Família basilica and Park Güell’s whimsical mosaics to colorful Ribera district plazas lined with festive tapas bars and restaurants. Food is another major draw in this coastal metropolis famed for revolutionary Spanish cuisine.
Of course, FC Barcelona dominates local sporting passion, with matches at the massive Camp Nou stadium offering electric evening entertainment. Getting around via Barcelona’s user-friendly metro lines, streetcars, and pedestrian boulevards proves seamless as well after sailing in by sea to this dynamic port city.
Formentera
Reaching the smallest of the Balearic Islands via ferry delivers you to the beaches and boho spirit that have made Formentera a favorite escape for so many travelers. With no airports or high rises in sight, this car-restricted island preserves a laid back vibe perfect for enjoying its more than 30 pristine stretches of sand lapped by azure waters, like epic sunsets at Ses Illetes and the tranquil, undeveloped beach at Levante.
The whitewashed Far de la Mola lighthouse crowning the island’s eastern cliffs rewards hikers with spectacular three-sixty views of Formentera’s windswept terrain and the Mediterranean Sea. When the sun goes down, Sant Francesc Xavier’s flat stone plazas come alive with hip cafés and low-key lounge bars favored by locals, serving up artisanal gin cocktails and Ibiza-style beach parties into the early hours.
Thanks to quick daily ferry connections from Ibiza, Formentera’s unspoiled beaches, phenomenal sunsets and carefree spirit offer the ultimate antithesis to its lively neighboring island, perfect for relaxed days in the sand before dancing all night.
Ceuta
The autonomous Spanish region of Ceuta on Morocco‘s northern coast has been drawing explorers and conquerors to its strategic position across from Gibraltar for centuries. Today, frequent ferry crossings conveniently transport passengers across the Strait of Gibraltar to explore this crossroads of culture fusing European and North African influences.
Shadows of Ceuta’s storied past as a prized Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, and Arab port emerge everywhere from the fortified walls of Royal City of the Portuguese to the marble columns of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa dominating the hillside. Bustling markets sell everything from handcrafted pottery to Spanish delicacies and Moroccan spices, while scenic miradors offer vistas clear to the Rif Mountains across the border.
Walking the historic ramparts tracing Ceuta’s rugged peninsula coast rewards ramblers with glimpses of whitewashed Andalusian architecture, fishing wharfs and beach clubs dotting the sparkling Mediterranean shoreline at every turn.
Discovering the best of Spain by ferry
Whether sailing into bustling Barcelona, tracing Menorca’s rugged coastline, or crossing to Ceuta’s fusion of cultures, Spain’s ferry connections make exploring this scenic country as rewarding as the destinations themselves. Hopping aboard turns transit into part of the rich adventure that is España.