Italy Cruise from Rome Italy to Lisbon — 12 Days

Rome City, Italy

Civitavecchia, Rome’s cruise port, lies about 50 miles northwest of the capital. From the town station, trains reach central Rome in around 70 minutes, depending on service. The Colosseum, Vatican and Baroque piazzas reward a day spent exploring. Choose your priorities before you arrive; traffic and queues can consume precious hours. Then make room for a Roman lunch.

Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy

Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)

Livorno, Italy

Livorno rewards those who look beyond the cruise terminal. Its canals, built in the style of Venice, wind through historic Venezia Nuova. The seafront promenade leads to Terrazza Mascagni, where black-and-white paving frames the sea. At Mercato Centrale, locals shop beneath a vast iron-and-glass roof. Try cacciucco, the city’s rich fish stew. Florence and Pisa are within reach, but Livorno merits time of its own.

Ajaccio, France

Ajaccio brings Corsica’s character within easy reach of the quay. France’s island capital pairs a sheltered gulf with pastel façades, a lively old town and mountain ridges above the harbor. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here in 1769; his birthplace is now a museum. From Place Foch, browse the market before following narrow lanes to the cathedral and waterfront cafés. Allow time for a swim or a scenic drive along the coast, where coves and clear water reward exploration.

At Sea (At Sea)

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma rewards an unhurried first walk. From the waterfront, the Gothic towers of La Seu rise above the old city, a landmark shaped over centuries. Inside, soaring columns and Antoni Gaudí’s modernist contributions add a striking note. Beyond the cathedral, lanes lead to shaded courtyards, shops and cafés serving local ensaimada. For a wider view, take a taxi to Bellver Castle, whose circular form overlooks the bay.

Cartagena Spain, Spain

Cartagena rewards visitors who look beyond its busy harbor. Founded by the Carthaginians in 227 BC, this compact port city carries layers of Roman, military, and maritime history. Follow the waterfront to the Roman Theatre, uncovered in 1988 and now paired with a museum. Explore the old quarter’s elegant Modernista buildings and naval landmarks. Cartagena is easy to navigate, yet rich enough to hold your attention all day.

Malaga, Spain

Málaga is more than a gateway to Andalusia; it is a port city with a confident life of its own. In the old centre, the Roman Theatre sits below the Moorish Alcazaba, while the cathedral rises above nearby streets. Visit the Picasso Museum or his birthplace, then try grilled sardines and local wine at a pavement table. The Mediterranean is close: city beaches, Atarazanas Market and palm-lined promenades make lingering easy.

Tangier, Morocco

Tangier faces Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Walk its medina’s steep lanes past whitewashed houses and shops selling leather, ceramics, and spices. At the Kasbah, find sea views and the former sultan’s palace, now a museum. Beyond the old walls, cafés and boulevards recall the city’s international past. Visit the American Legation, the first U.S. diplomatic property abroad. Or drive to Cap Spartel, where Atlantic and Mediterranean waters meet.

Seville, Spain

Seville’s river port opens onto a city of Moorish courtyards, Gothic grandeur and lively streets. The cathedral and Giralda dominate the old quarter. The Alcázar’s tiled rooms and gardens reveal centuries of Islamic and Christian rule. Along the Guadalquivir, former trading warehouses recall the city’s Atlantic fortunes. Come ashore ready to walk, pause for tapas, and let the details set the pace.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a city best approached with time and comfortable shoes. Its seven hills rise above the Tagus, linking tiled lanes, grand squares and viewpoints with wide river views. In Alfama, narrow streets preserve the feel of old Lisbon. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower recall Portugal’s age of discovery. Pause for coffee and a warm pastel de nata between sights.