19 nights · Portugal · Departs Lisbon (Portugal) · Visiting Portimao, Cadiz, Tangier, Malaga, Cartagena Spain, Ibiza, Port Mahon, Alghero, Bonifacio, Civitavecchia-Rome, Porto Ercole, Gaeta, Sorrento, Capri Island, Amalfi, Lipari Island, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Valletta · Aboard Emerald Cruises on the Emerald Azzurra
Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Emerald Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Emerald Azzurra |
| Duration | 19 nights |
| Port calls | 19 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $20,290 per person |
| Year built | 2022 |
| Guests | 100 |
| Cabins | 50 |
| Crew | 76 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
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.
Portimão sits where the Arade River meets the Atlantic, in Portugal’s sunlit Algarve. From the quay, Praia da Rocha’s ochre cliffs and broad sands are close at hand. In the old town, tiled façades and cafés frame the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Choose fresh sardines at the waterfront, or cross the river to Ferragudo for a quieter village view. Portimão makes an easy base for exploring the Algarve’s coast without sacrificing a genuine working-town feel.
Cádiz is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, set on a narrow peninsula where Atlantic light reaches every street. Its compact old quarter is made for unhurried exploration, with watchtowers, shaded plazas and the cathedral’s golden dome. At the Mercado Central, fishmongers display the day’s catch; nearby taverns serve fino sherry and local seafood. Beyond the walls, La Caleta beach and the seafront promenade offer a bracing taste of Cádiz’s maritime life.
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.
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.
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.
Ibiza Town rewards a day ashore with more than its famous nightlife. Above the working harbor, Dalt Vila climbs within Renaissance walls, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow steep lanes to the cathedral and castle, where views sweep across the port and Mediterranean. Below, cafés, galleries and boutiques bring quieter pleasures to the waterfront and old quarter. Come early for history and cooler streets; linger into evening as harbor lights begin to glow.
Mahón sits at the head of one of the world’s largest natural harbours, a deep-water inlet that shaped Menorca’s history. From the waterfront, climb to the old town for Georgian façades, lively markets and views across the port. Menorca’s British-era influence appears in its architecture and in gin, still distilled locally and served with lemonade. Allow time to explore beyond Mahón: the island’s quiet coves, prehistoric stone monuments and clear waters reward an unhurried visit.
Alghero gives northwestern Sardinia a distinctly Catalan accent, heard in its dialect and seen in its old town. Walk the sea walls, then follow narrow lanes past Gothic churches, coral shops and cafés opening onto Piazza Civica. Beyond the ramparts, the coast leads to beaches and Capo Caccia, where boats reach the dramatic Neptune’s Grotto. Come ashore for history, seafood and a waterfront made for an unhurried stroll.
Bonifacio clings to limestone cliffs at Corsica’s southern tip, its old town rising above a narrow, sheltered strait. From the harbor, climb through the medieval citadel’s steep lanes for sea views reaching Sardinia on clear days. Below, boats thread the fjord-like inlet, while the famed King Aragon’s Staircase descends 187 steps toward the water. Come ashore ready for slopes, stone, and a striking sense of history.
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.
Porto Ercole sits on Monte Argentario, where southern Tuscany meets the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its old harbour curves beneath pastel houses, while sixteenth-century Spanish forts keep watch above the town. Walk uphill to the Rocca for views across the rooftops and water, then linger over lunch beside the boats. Nearby, the Feniglia nature reserve offers pine shade, dunes and a long sweep of sand. Caravaggio died here in 1610, adding a striking historical note to this coastal stop.
Gaeta sits on a rocky headland between Rome and Naples, where the Tyrrhenian coast shifts from harbour to beach. Explore its medieval quarter, then climb Monte Orlando to the Roman mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus. At the Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata, a dramatic cleft in the rock draws pilgrims and visitors alike. Leave time for tiella, Gaeta’s savoury stuffed pie, and a swim in the clear coastal waters.
Sorrento rises above the Bay of Naples, facing Mount Vesuvius across water busy with ferries. From here, ferries connect with Capri, while the town rewards a slower day among old lanes, churches, and sea-view terraces. Follow the scent of citrus to shops selling Sorrento lemons, locally made limoncello, and finely crafted marquetry. Then pause over lunch: the region’s seafood and Campanian produce are best enjoyed without hurry.
Capri rises from the Bay of Naples in cliffs, pale houses and terraces of lemon trees. Come ashore for the Piazzetta, then follow lanes to the Gardens of Augustus and views over the Faraglioni. Boats reach the Blue Grotto when sea conditions permit; Anacapri offers quieter streets and Villa San Michele. Allow time for steep paths, crowded summer ferries and a long lunch featuring the island’s local dishes.
Amalfi brings the coast’s drama within easy reach: cliffs, lemon terraces and a harbor backed by steep streets. Start in the old center, where the striped façade of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew rises above Piazza Duomo. Then choose your pace: browse lanes and cafés, visit the Paper Museum, or take the winding road to Ravello. Sea views come with history here, and the pleasure of seeing one of Italy’s celebrated shorelines at close range.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain off Sicily’s northern coast. The town rises around a citadel, home to the Aeolian Archaeological Museum and its collection of island finds. Walk the old lanes to Marina Corta, then choose a waterfront table for fresh seafood. Beyond town, pumice quarries and coastal viewpoints reveal a landscape shaped by fire and sea.
Giardini Naxos sits on Sicily’s Ionian coast, beneath Mount Etna and a short drive from Taormina. Its waterfront pairs pebble beaches with cafés, gelaterie and views across the bay. Sicily’s first Greek colony was founded here in 734 BC. A nearby archaeological park preserves traces of its ancient streets and walls. Come for a seaside day, or use the port as a gateway to Taormina. There, the Greek Theatre commands sweeping views of Etna and the coast.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Published September 3, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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