fast ferry Visborg Balearia
fast ferry Visborg
âš“ The Visborg is one of the largest and fastest ferries in the Baleària fleet, with room for 1,500 passengers and 500 vehicles. At 195 metres long and with a speed of 28.5 knots, she is one of the fastest ferries operating in the western Spanish Mediterranean. She works mainly on the routes from Barcelona to the Balearic Islands, covering the operator's busiest links.
The Visborg was built in 2003 at the Guangzhou shipyards (China) and sails under the Maltese flag, operating on a long-term charter for Baleària. She was previously named Visby. She is an exceptional vessel: her four Wärtsilä 12V46C engines, with a combined output of 50,400 kW, allow her to maintain cruising speeds well above those of most conventional ferries, which makes her particularly valuable in high season for adding capacity on the busiest routes. She offers two- and four-berth cabins, both inside and outside, each with a full private bathroom.
History and background of the ship
The Visborg was launched on 3 July 2001 at the COMEC shipyard in Guangzhou (China) under the name Visby and delivered on 20 January 2003 to the Swedish owner Rederi AB Gotland, which still owns her today. After a technical call at the Blohm + Voss yard in Hamburg, she entered service on 28 March 2003 on the routes between Visby, Oskarshamn and Nynäshamn under the Destination Gotland brand, where she ran for almost two decades as the benchmark ferry between mainland Sweden and the island of Gotland.
In January 2021 she was chartered to the Danish operator DFDS for the Dunkirk–Rosslare route and, in January 2022, she swapped names with her sister ship and became permanently Visborg — a reference to the old fortress of Visby. After her DFDS contract ended in late 2023, she was chartered to Baleària in December that year, joining the Valencia–Ibiza–Palma de Mallorca routes in January 2024 and later the Almería–Nador route. The ship is owned by Rederi AB Gotland and operates under a charter agreement with Baleària.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | High-speed Ro-Pax ferry |
| Length overall | 195.8 m |
| Beam | 25 m |
| Draught | 6.40 m |
| Gross tonnage | 29,746 GT |
| Service speed | 28.5 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 1,500 people |
| Vehicle capacity | 500 cars |
| Propulsion | 4 × Wärtsilä 12V46C · 50,400 kW · 2 shafts |
| Shipyard | Guangzhou (China) |
| Year built | 2003 |
| Former name | Visby |
| Flag | Malta |
| Operating company | Baleària (long-term charter) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Approx. duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona → Mallorca | ~7 h | Check timetable |
| Mallorca → Barcelona | ~7 h | Check timetable |
| Barcelona → Alcúdia | ~6 h | Check timetable |
* Routes and timetables are subject to season and fleet allocation. Confirm availability in our search engine.
The ports of Palma and Alcúdia: what you need to know before boarding
The Visborg operates mainly from the Baleària terminal at the port of Barcelona, sailing to the port of Palma de Mallorca or the port of Alcúdia, depending on the season and fleet allocation. Her sheer capacity makes her the ideal reinforcement during the busiest months, when other ferries cannot keep up with the flow of passengers and vehicles.
Thanks to her speed of 28.5 knots — significantly above the average for conventional ferries — the Visborg cuts crossing times and allows Baleària to offer more daily sailings during peak season. If you are travelling with a vehicle, arrive at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand. Foot passengers: 60 minutes.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Prices on the Visborg vary according to the season, the type of accommodation and whether the passenger is a resident of the Balearic Islands. Standard seat fares start at roughly €40–60 in mid season on the Barcelona–Mallorca route, and can go above €90–130 in July and August.
Available discounts:
- Balearic resident: 75% off the base fare. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
- Large family: reduced fare depending on the category — general (20%) or special (50%).
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points and redeem them on future bookings.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Reclining seat |
| Looking for privacy and a proper rest | Inside cabin (2 berths) |
| With family or a group of friends | 4-berth inside cabin |
| Looking for sea views | Outside cabin with window |
| With reduced mobility | Adapted accessible cabin (on request) |
fast ferry Visborg · Accommodations
Reclining seat · Standard
The cheapest option on the Visborg. Reclining seats in a shared lounge, with access to all the ship's public areas.
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Access to all public areas
✓ The most affordable option
Inside cabin · 2 berths
A private cabin without a window, with two berths, a private bathroom with shower and air conditioning. Ideal for resting during the crossing.
✓ Private cabin for 2 people
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Air conditioning
Outside cabin · With window
A cabin with a window or porthole and sea views. A more enjoyable experience for anyone who likes to watch the crossing go by.
✓ Window with sea views
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Air conditioning
4-berth cabin · Family
A cabin with four berths, ideal for families with children or groups of friends. Private bathroom included.
✓ 4 berths in a private cabin
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Ideal for families and groups
fast ferry Visborg · On-board services
Restaurant and café
The Visborg has a restaurant serving hot meals and a café open throughout the crossing, with a wide selection of sandwiches, drinks and snacks. There is also an onboard shop.
Public areas and entertainment
The Visborg has generous public areas in which to enjoy the crossing: lounges, an outside deck and quiet spaces to relax. Her size — nearly 200 metres long — allows for a very comfortable layout of passenger space.
Travelling with a dog on board
The Visborg accepts pets on board. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket. Check the specific conditions on weight, health documentation and type of carrier with Baleària before you travel, as these can change from season to season.
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Visborg has facilities adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, including accessible entrances and adapted cabins. We recommend that you tell Baleària when you book so that the assistance you need can be arranged both in port and on board.
The Visborg: power and capacity at the service of the Balearics
With 28.5 knots of speed and 500 vehicle spaces, the Visborg is Baleària's strategic reinforcement for periods of peak demand. In July and August, when demand for tickets to Mallorca soars, the Visborg allows the operator to keep up its frequency of service and absorb the extra volume of passengers and cars without lengthening crossing times.
She is also one of the few ferries on these routes able to offer high speed, large freight capacity and cabin accommodation all at once — a combination that makes her a very versatile asset in Baleària's western Mediterranean operations.
Frequently asked questions about the Visborg
Which routes does the Visborg ferry operate?
The Visborg operates mainly on the Barcelona–Mallorca and Barcelona–Alcúdia routes for Baleària, above all as extra capacity in high season.
How long does the Visborg take from Barcelona to Mallorca?
Roughly 7 hours on the Barcelona–Palma de Mallorca route. Thanks to her speed of 28.5 knots, she is one of the fastest ferries on this crossing.
Does the Visborg carry cars?
Yes. The Visborg has room for 500 vehicles, making her one of the highest-capacity ro-ro ferries on the routes to the Balearics. If you are travelling by car, arrive at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand.
What accommodation does the Visborg offer?
Reclining seats, inside cabins (2 and 4 berths) and outside cabins with a window. Every cabin has a private bathroom with shower and air conditioning.
Is there a discount for Balearic residents?
Yes. Residents of the Balearic Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Are dogs allowed on board the Visborg?
Yes. The Visborg accepts pets on board. You must book a place when you buy your ticket and carry valid health documentation.
Why is the Visborg so fast?
The Visborg is powered by four Wärtsilä 12V46C engines with a combined output of 50,400 kW, which lets her reach a service speed of 28.5 knots — far above the average for conventional ferries in the Mediterranean.
When was the Visborg built?
The Visborg was built in 2003 at the Guangzhou shipyards (China). She was previously named Visby and operates on a long-term charter for Baleària.
How much does it cost to travel on the Visborg?
A standard seat starts at around €40–60 in mid season. In July and August it can exceed €90–130. Balearic residents pay 75% less. Check real-time prices here.
