Portugal Cruise from Lisbon to Dublin — 13 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.

At Sea (At Sea)

Tresco Island England

Tresco is the Isles of Scilly at their most composed: white-sand coves, granite headlands and Atlantic light. Visit Tresco Abbey Garden, where subtropical plants thrive beside the ruins of a Benedictine priory. Inside, the Valhalla Museum displays ship figureheads recovered from the islands’ shores. Beyond the garden, walk quiet lanes to sheltered beaches, or watch seabirds over the rugged coast. Boat transfers connect Tresco with neighbouring islands; check local tides and schedules before you go.

St Mary's Island England

St Mary’s Island lies just off England’s northeast coast, reached from the mainland by a causeway exposed at low tide. The red-and-white lighthouse, completed in 1898 and decommissioned in 1984, remains the island’s defining landmark. Climb its tower for wide North Sea views, then explore rocky pools and the surrounding nature reserve. Check tide times before crossing, and save time for nearby Whitley Bay’s promenade, beaches and cafés.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Belfast

Belfast pairs a proud maritime past with a lively, walkable centre. At Titanic Belfast, the story of the famous liner unfolds beside the shipyard where she was built. Nearby, grand City Hall and the Cathedral Quarter reveal different sides of the city, from civic confidence to café-lined lanes. Across west Belfast, political murals offer a vivid perspective on its recent history. With the Giant’s Causeway within reach, Belfast also makes a compelling starting point for Northern Ireland’s dramatic coast.

Isle of Iona

Iona is reached by ferry from Fionnphort, on the Isle of Mull, and rewards the crossing with rare stillness. Here, St Columba founded a monastery in 563, making the island one of Christianity’s most enduring destinations. The restored medieval abbey remains its centrepiece, while white-sand shores and open machair invite unhurried walks. Come for history, stay for the clear light, sea air and sense of distance from the mainland.

Lunga Island Scotland

Lunga is the largest of Scotland’s Treshnish Isles, a wild, uninhabited outpost reached by boat from Mull or Iona. In summer, Atlantic puffins nest in burrows above the shore, while guillemots, razorbills and fulmars crowd the cliffs. A landing rewards patient wildlife watchers with close views, but the terrain is uneven and exposed. There are no visitor facilities, so bring suitable footwear and weatherproof clothing.

Shiant Islands Scotland (Scenic Stop)

Loch Ewe (Scenic Area)

St Kilda Islands Scotland

St Kilda lies far out in the Atlantic, west of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Its main island, Hirta, holds stone cleits and the remains of a community evacuated in 1930. Today, its cliffs shelter vast seabird colonies, including gannets and puffins. UNESCO recognises St Kilda for its natural and cultural heritage. Boat trips reach Hirta when conditions allow, but weather is part of the journey.

Isle of Mull

Arrive on Mull for Atlantic light, white-sand bays and rugged green hills. At Craignure, Duart Castle rises above the Sound of Mull, guarding this strategic channel for centuries. Tobermory’s brightly painted harbour rewards a stroll among independent shops, cafés and waterfront views. Beyond the villages, watch for white-tailed eagles, otters and red deer across moorland and coast. Allow time for narrow roads and changeable weather; the island’s quieter pleasures rarely come at speed.

Fort William

Fort William lies at the head of Loch Linnhe, beneath Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Its setting brings Highland scenery within easy reach, while the town offers cafés, shops and a compact waterfront. The Jacobite steam train departs from the station for Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Nearby, Neptune’s Staircase lifts boats through eight locks on the Caledonian Canal.

Isle of Man

Douglas, the Isle of Man’s capital, welcomes visitors with a broad seafront. Its Victorian promenade and Manx Museum offer a concise introduction to the island’s history. Ride the electric railway north to Ramsey, or visit Tynwald Hill, where the island’s parliament holds its annual open-air sitting. Beyond town, rugged cliffs, sandy bays and quiet roads reward exploration on foot or by car.

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.