Senegal Cruise from Dakar to Lisbon — 15 Days

Dakar, Senegal

Dakar rewards travellers who look beyond the harbour. Senegal’s capital stands at Africa’s westernmost point, where Atlantic surf meets a city shaped by trade, faith and music. Visit the IFAN Museum of African Arts and browse the markets. Take a ferry to Gorée Island, a UNESCO-listed site whose history demands time and reflection. Allow space for thieboudienne, Senegal’s celebrated fish-and-rice dish, and a drive along the Corniche for ocean views.

At Sea (At Sea)

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Santo Antao Island

Santo Antão rises in volcanic peaks above Porto Novo. From the ferry quay, a winding road climbs past ravines, terraced farms and cloud-brushed ridges. The Paul Valley is lush with sugar cane and banana groves on steep terraces. Beyond Ribeira Grande, footpaths lead through some of Cape Verde’s most striking mountain scenery. Allow time for the road itself; its hairpin bends reveal a different face of the island at every turn.

At Sea (At Sea)

Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain

Santa Cruz de la Palma is a small island capital with an outsized sense of history. Founded in 1493, it grew into an important Atlantic port, and its old quarter still bears that maritime confidence. Walk Calle Real for handsome colonial façades, then look for carved wooden balconies along Avenida Marítima. Beyond town, La Palma’s steep green interior leads to the dramatic Caldera de Taburiente National Park.

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.

Funchal, Portugal

Funchal sits in a broad, sunlit amphitheatre above Madeira’s deep Atlantic harbour. Its compact centre rewards exploration, from the Old Town’s painted doors to the cathedral’s carved cedar ceiling. Ride the cable car uphill to Monte for sweeping views, then descend through gardens or by traditional wicker toboggan. Madeira’s wines and market produce offer a taste of the island before your ship sails.

Porto Santo Island Madeira, Portugal

Porto Santo rewards travellers who prefer substance to spectacle. Set in Madeira’s Atlantic archipelago, this small island is known for a remarkable nine-kilometre sweep of golden sand. Vila Baleira, its compact main town, offers cafés, a harbour and the house associated with Christopher Columbus. Beyond the beach, volcanic hills and dry, open landscapes invite unhurried walks and island-wide views. Come for clean horizons, long swims and a gentler pace than Madeira’s livelier resorts.

At Sea (At Sea)

Agadir, Morocco

Agadir faces the Atlantic beneath the foothills of the Anti-Atlas, with a broad crescent beach and year-round sunshine. The 1960 earthquake destroyed much of the old city; today’s Agadir is modern, spacious and easy to explore. At Souk El Had, browse stalls of spices, leather and ceramics. Then visit the Kasbah ruins for wide views across the harbor and coast. For a quieter glimpse of local life, explore the fishing port or settle at a beachfront café.

Safi, Morocco

Safi meets the Atlantic with a working harbour, a lively medina and a craft tradition visible in its distinctive ceramics. Visit Potters’ Hill to see workshops shaping the city’s celebrated pottery, then explore the Portuguese-built Kechla fortress above town. Inside, the National Museum of Ceramics traces Safi’s craft heritage; along the waterfront, boats land the day’s catch. Come ashore for a grounded encounter with Morocco’s Atlantic coast, far removed from Marrakesh’s inland bustle.

At Sea (At Sea)

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.