MUHBA Porta de Mar – Roman Sea Gate & Thermal Baths

About MUHBA Porta de Mar – Roman Sea Gate & Thermal Baths

The MUHBA Porta de Mar is one of the most hidden Roman ruins in Barcelona, tucked inside the Gothic Quarter. This site preserves a section of the Barcino Roman wall and the remains of a Roman sea gate that once opened onto the ancient port and beach of Roman Barcelona.

Just outside the city walls stood two Roman thermal bathhouses — one for men and one for women — built between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. These public baths were part of a larger complex that included a horreum, a large underground Roman warehouse used for storing goods arriving via the port.

The monumental Roman gatehouse known as the Porta de Mar was the most important entrance into Barcino. It was flanked by a grand portico and served as the eastern Decumana Gate, where merchants and travelers entered the city. A guard stationed here collected the Portoria — taxes on goods and people transported by land or sea — making this a key point in the city’s Roman trade network.

In the 4th century AD, a new defensive wall was built around Barcino, featuring 76 towers. This wall was constructed outside the original enclosure, reinforcing the city’s defenses and integrating the Roman watchtower now visible in Plaza dels Traginers.

MUHBA Porta de Mar homepage

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Visiting MUHBA Porta de Mar

This is a free Roman museum in Barcelona, though it has limited opening hours. Visitors can explore a 17-meter stretch of the Roman wall and the remains of the Roman thermal baths inside a restored 19th-century building. The site also includes the Chapel of Sant Cristòfol, located between the museum and the Pati Llimona Civic Centre.

Opening Hours

Wednesday: 10:00h to 13:00h
Saturday: 10:00h to 13:30h
Closed: Public holidays and the month of August

Behind the museum, follow Carrer del Correu Vell to reach Plaza dels Traginers, where you’ll find a preserved Roman corner guard tower — another highlight of Roman archaeology in Barcelona.

The Roman Ruins in Barcelona Gothic Quarter

Roman Barcelona City Walls — 1: North East city gate survives and is now part of the **Casa de Ardiaca** city archives building.

2: Northern corner Watchtower is now integrated into the **Barcelona Dioceses Museum**.

3: Roman wall remains at **Plaza de Ramon Berenguer**. on top of which the 14th century Gothic Chapel of Santa Agueda now stands and at the bottom the remains of the original moat.

4: The remains of the merchants houses are preserved in the basement of the **Barcelona City History Museum**.

5: Four remaining columns of the **Temple of Augustus**.

6: The south east corner watch tower and Sea Gate can be found in **Plaza dels Traginers and MUHBA porta de Mar sites**.

Unlike today, Barcino was not the Roman Capital of Catalonia but a provincial city where retired soldiers of the Roman army lived. The principal Roman city in Catalonia was Tarraco (Tarragona), which was much larger in size and importance and was the first Roman settlement in Spain. Read more about Roman Tarragona.

Accessibility & What to Bring

The Roman walls are viewable from street level, with an elevator available to access the second level. A bicycle parking rack is located in the small square behind Porta de Mar, though it’s best not to leave bikes unattended.

Bring a camera — this site offers unique views of ancient Roman gates, thermal bath ruins, and Roman trade infrastructure in the heart of the city.

MUHBA Porta de Mar Summary of Prices

Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Adult Zone 1 T-casual FREE Child € 1.25 FREE Free Entry? Free Entry Wednesday 10:00h to 13:00h and Saturday 10:00h to 13:30h (except August)

Getting to MUHBA Porta de Mar

Address: Carrer del Regomir 4, 08002 Barcelona

Located in the Barcelona Gothic Centre, the site is easily reached from Jaume I metro station on the yellow (L4) line. Use a T-Casual or Hola Barcelona Travel Card for convenient access.

Public Transport Guide