A purpose-built cruise terminal is set to transform the passenger experience at the Port of Almería. With construction awarded and a clear timeline, the project signals a strategic push to capture the growing cruise market and modernize port infrastructure.
Work has started on a new cruise terminal at the Port of Almería, with completion expected in the first months of 2027. The Autoridad Portuaria de Almería (APA) is moving ahead with this project after seeing a 40% increase in cruise ship visits over the past year, aiming to make Almería a stronger player among Mediterranean ports.
The contract, worth €689,899.89 (VAT included), was awarded to Transformaciones y Embalses Parra. The terminal will cover more than 422 square meters in the southwest part of the Estación Marítima. It is designed specifically for cruise passengers and will include a private entrance, a panoramic accessible elevator, and a large waiting area with charging stations and internet. There will also be a tourist information point to help travelers get from the ship to the city center, and new spaces for state security forces.
The cruise terminal project is directly linked to a previous €2.8 million investment in a fixed walkway and finger bridge, enhancing passenger flow and access.
APA president Rosario Soto highlighted the focus on quality infrastructure, pointing to the recent addition of a fixed walkway and finger bridge that connect ferries and cruise ships to the main terminal. That earlier project cost nearly €2.8 million. Soto plans to present these upgrades to cruise industry operators at the Seatrade Cruise Med event, hoping to draw more cruise traffic and raise Almería’s profile. According to local media citing APA leadership, these changes are part of a larger effort to make the port more competitive and visible to international cruise lines.
The cruise terminal is just one part of a broader modernization plan for the Estación Marítima and nearby buildings. The UTE Ferrer-GMÁSP consortium is preparing the main project, which will address both the look and energy efficiency of four buildings: the main maritime station (8,244 m²), a multi-service building (647 m²), and two annexes (481 m² and 244 m²). These updates are meant to better connect the port with the city and support environmental goals. The main phase of the Puerto-Ciudad project has a budget of €24.3 million. More than 20 companies and over 50 representatives attended the technical inspection before submitting bids, according to procurement documents.
For cruise passengers, the changes will be clear: direct access from ship to a new terminal, better amenities, and an easier route into Almería’s city center. For the port and the city, this is a targeted investment in tourism and a sign that Almería wants a bigger share of the Mediterranean cruise business. The schedule is tight, but the project is moving forward.
APA also plans to showcase these new cruise services and port transformation projects at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026, an event expected to gather over 2,000 industry professionals from more than 90 countries in Las Palmas.
