Portugal Cruise from Lisbon to Palma — 14 Days

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.

Portimao, Portugal

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.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar stands at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, looking across the Strait towards Morocco. The Rock rises above a compact town shaped by British, Spanish and Mediterranean influences. A taxi tour of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve brings far-reaching views and close encounters with Barbary macaques. Below, explore the Great Siege Tunnels and Moorish Castle, then browse Main Street’s shops and cafés.

Almeria, Spain

Almería rewards travelers who look beyond its sunlit waterfront. The city’s Alcazaba, among Spain’s largest Moorish fortresses, rises above whitewashed lanes and the port. From its ramparts, gardens and stone walls frame broad views across the city and Mediterranean. The cathedral’s fortress-like exterior recalls centuries when coastal raids threatened the shore. Allow time for the Central Market. Beyond the city, Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park offers volcanic cliffs, quiet coves, and clear water.

At Sea (At Sea)

Tarragona, Spain

Step ashore in Tarragona, where Roman Tarraco meets the blue sweep of the Mediterranean. An amphitheatre still faces the sea, while ancient walls trace the edge of the old city. UNESCO-listed monuments, a Gothic cathedral and lively Rambla Nova make the historic centre rewarding to explore on foot. At the Balcó del Mediterrani, take in the coast before settling at a terrace for Catalan seafood and local wine.

At Sea (At Sea)

Sete, France

Sète is France’s working Mediterranean port, set between the sea and the vast Étang de Thau. Canals cross the centre, alongside fishing boats, cafés and a covered market. Ride or walk up Mont Saint-Clair for broad views across the harbour, lagoons and coast. Sample oysters from nearby Bouzigues or choose the day’s catch at a port-side restaurant. Museums honour poet Paul Valéry and singer Georges Brassens, both born here, adding cultural depth to this lively port.

Sanary-sur-Mer, France

Sanary-sur-Mer pairs a working Provençal harbor with an easygoing seaside rhythm, just west of Toulon. Colorful pointus—traditional fishing boats—line the quay, where the daily fish market brings the morning catch ashore. On Wednesdays, stalls spread through the town with produce, olives, textiles, and regional specialties. Climb to Notre-Dame-de-Pitié chapel for views over the bay and rooftops. The town also sheltered German-speaking writers in exile during the 1930s, including Thomas Mann and Bertolt Brecht.

Saint-Tropez, France

Saint-Tropez is more than a name on a yacht’s bow. Its Vieux Port remains active with fishing boats and pleasure craft. Ochre façades and narrow lanes lead into the old town. Climb to the 17th-century citadel for sea views and the Maritime History Museum. At Place des Lices, cafés and plane trees frame local life. Pampelonne’s celebrated beaches lie a short drive away.

Calvi, France

Calvi rewards a day ashore with a rare pairing: a fortified Genoese citadel and a broad, pale-sand beach. Climb its steep lanes to the ramparts, where the harbor and crescent-shaped bay open beneath the Corsican hills. Below, cafés and shops line the old town, while the waterfront leads towards several kilometres of sand. Come for the views, then linger over local seafood or explore Balagne’s villages and vineyards beyond town.

Bonifacio, France

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.

Port Mahon, Spain

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.

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.