Nice, France Riviera Cruise from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Lisbon — 21 Days

20 nights · Nice, France Riviera · Departs Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) · Visiting La Spezia, Portoferraio, Bonifacio, Ajaccio, Saint-Tropez, Port Mahon, Ibiza, Motril, Malaga, Puerto Banus-Marbella, Gibraltar, Tangier, Cadiz, Portimao, Lisbon · Aboard Star Clippers on the Royal Clipper

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Villefranche-sur-Mer Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide La Spezia Cruise Port: Cinque Terre Guide & Expert Tips Portoferraio Cruise Port Bonifacio Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide
16 Photos

Image courtesy of Star Clippers ©

Cruise lineStar Clippers
ShipRoyal Clipper
Duration20 nights
Port calls16
From fare$7,270 per person
Year built2000
Guests227
Cabins112
Crew106
Length133 m
Beam16 m
Cruising speed14.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

    Villefranche-sur-Mer makes an unusually graceful first impression: pastel houses rise above one of the Riviera’s deepest natural harbors. Wander the old town’s narrow lanes, then visit the 16th-century citadel and its museums. Jean Cocteau’s painted Chapel of Saint-Pierre adds a distinctive local detail. Nearby trains connect you with Nice; roads lead to Èze and the wider Côte d’Azur.

  2. Day 2

    La Spezia, Italy

    La Spezia sits at the head of the Gulf of Poets. Here, Liguria’s steep hills meet a sheltered stretch of Mediterranean coast. Its working harbor gives the city a lively maritime character, while cafés and broad streets reward an easy stroll. Trains connect La Spezia with the villages of the Cinque Terre; ferries sail to Portovenere. Allow time for the city itself, not just its celebrated neighbors.

  3. Day 3

    Portoferraio, Italy

    Portoferraio rises above Elba’s deep-blue harbor, its honey-colored walls reflecting the ambition of Cosimo I de’ Medici. Walk the steep lanes between the Medici fortresses, then visit Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s residence during his 1814–15 exile. Beyond the old town, clear coves and pale beaches invite a swim. Vineyards and coastal roads reward a longer stay. This is Tuscany with salt air and a storied past.

  4. Day 4

    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.

  5. Day 5

    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.

  6. Day 6

    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.

  7. Day 8

    Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

    Villefranche-sur-Mer makes an unusually graceful first impression: pastel houses rise above one of the Riviera’s deepest natural harbors. Wander the old town’s narrow lanes, then visit the 16th-century citadel and its museums. Jean Cocteau’s painted Chapel of Saint-Pierre adds a distinctive local detail. Nearby trains connect you with Nice; roads lead to Èze and the wider Côte d’Azur.

  8. Day 9

    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.

  9. Day 10

    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.

  10. Day 11

    Ibiza, Spain

    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.

  11. Day 13

    Motril, Spain

    Motril is a working port on Granada’s Mediterranean coast, backed by the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It puts the Alhambra and historic centre of Granada within reach, as well as the white villages of the Alpujarras. In town, explore Motril’s sugar-cane legacy, browse local produce, and sample seafood from the Costa Tropical. For a slower day, beaches and palm-lined promenades keep the coast close.

  12. Day 14

    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.

  13. Day 15

    Puerto Banus-Marbella, Spain

    Puerto Banús is Marbella’s purpose-built marina, where superyachts sit beside designer boutiques and waterfront cafés. Beyond the polished quay, Andalusian streets, whitewashed villages and the Sierra Blanca give the Costa del Sol its character. Spend time in Marbella’s old town, with its orange-tree squares and the 16th-century Plaza de los Naranjos. Or follow the coast for a round of golf, a long lunch or a visit to Ronda.

  14. Day 16

    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.

  15. Day 17

    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.

  16. Day 18

    Cadiz, Spain

    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.

  17. Day 19

    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.

  18. Day 21

    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.

Royal Clipper Cruises

Published August 22, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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