Portugal Cruise from Lisbon to Dublin — 12 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.

Porto-Leixoes, Portugal

Porto is a city best approached on foot, where steep lanes descend towards the Douro and the Atlantic beyond. Across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia’s historic port-wine lodges offer tastings and views back to the old town. Between them, the Ribeira waterfront, tiled churches and iron bridges tell the story of a trading city shaped by water. Taste tawny port, then linger over market halls, intimate museums and unhurried meals.

Ferrol, Spain

Ferrol rewards travelers who look beyond the cruise terminal. This Galician port grew around Spain’s naval fleet, and its imposing 18th-century arsenal still shapes the waterfront. In the Magdalena quarter, elegant streets meet lively cafés and local shops. The English Way to Santiago de Compostela begins here, a compelling choice for walkers. Beyond town, the Atlantic coast offers windswept headlands and broad beaches.

Aviles, Spain

Avilés offers a quieter face of Asturias, with a handsome historic quarter shaped by centuries of Atlantic trade. Walk from the port into arcaded streets and lively squares. Plaza de España is the historic heart, framed by civic buildings. Across the estuary, the white curves of Centro Niemeyer bring a striking modern counterpoint. Pause for Asturian cider and seafood; this is a port best explored on foot, at an unhurried pace.

Bilbao-Getxo, Spain

Bilbao rewards visitors who look beyond its celebrated Guggenheim Museum. Cruise ships berth at Getxo, roughly 20 kilometres from the city centre. A taxi or arranged transfer brings you into Bilbao, where Frank Gehry’s titanium landmark rises beside the Nervión River. Beyond the museum, explore elegant boulevards and the seven streets of Casco Viejo. Stop at La Ribera Market, then sample pintxos with a glass of crisp txakoli.

San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain

San Sebastián de la Gomera is a small port with a large place in Atlantic history. Columbus called here in 1492 before sailing west, and the town rewards a leisurely walk. See the 15th-century Torre del Conde, then visit the Church of the Assumption, linked to his stay. Beyond the waterfront, La Gomera’s steep green interior leads to Garajonay National Park, where ancient laurel forest fills deep ravines.

Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is best approached through its river: the Garonne leads into a city shaped by trade, wine and ambitious architecture. Along the UNESCO-listed Port of the Moon, eighteenth-century façades frame broad quays and the Place de la Bourse. Beyond the centre, renowned wine estates and the Médoc’s château-lined roads invite a longer excursion. Stay in town for a market, a riverside walk and a glass of local claret. Venture farther for vineyard landscapes that explain Bordeaux’s global reputation.

Belle-Ile-en-Mer, France

Belle-Île-en-Mer lies off southern Brittany, yet feels distinct from the mainland. Arrive in Le Palais, where a working harbor sits beneath the 16th-century Vauban citadel. Quiet lanes lead to Sauzon’s colorful waterfront. At the western tip, Pointe des Poulains faces Atlantic cliffs and open water. Explore on foot or by road, and see the coast Claude Monet painted in 1886.

At Sea (At Sea)

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is a city best explored on foot, where Georgian squares, lively lanes and centuries of history sit close together. From Dublin Port, the centre is a short drive away, making a day ashore easy to shape. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College, then trace the Liffey through the city centre. A pint in a traditional pub is an invitation to linger.