Spain Cruise from Barcelona to Tokyo

Cruise line	Viking Cruises
Ship	Viking Neptune
Duration	62 nights
Port calls	24
Departures	1 sailings
Year built	2022
Guests	928
Cabins	464
Crew	465
Length	228 m
Beam	29 m
Cruising speed	20.0 kn

Day 1

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city built on Roman foundations, with Gothic lanes and striking modernist architecture. La Rambla runs from Plaça de Catalunya towards the waterfront and the old town. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell show the city at its most distinctive. Set aside time for a market lunch and a walk through El Born, where medieval streets meet lively cafés. Barcelona’s beaches offer a welcome pause between visits.

Day 2

Valencia, Spain

Valencia rewards travellers who look beyond its waterfront. Spain’s third-largest city pairs a handsome old centre with the bold architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences. Visit the Central Market for local produce, then follow the Turia Gardens towards the coast. Paella has deep roots here; seek it in its birthplace, not merely on the menu. With efficient transport and a compact historic core, Valencia is easy to explore at your own pace.

Day 4

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.

Day 5

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.

Day 6

Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca is Morocco’s commercial capital, where Atlantic breezes meet broad boulevards and a lively medina. Begin at the Hassan II Mosque, whose vast prayer hall and soaring minaret stand beside the ocean. Then explore the French-era Art Deco centre, or browse the lanes of the Habous quarter for pastries, crafts and bookshops. Casablanca rewards curiosity with a modern Morocco shaped by trade, architecture and daily life.

Day 8

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.

Day 10

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is more than an island gateway. This Atlantic capital rewards a closer look. Browse the stalls at Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, then follow the old streets towards Plaza de España. Its broad avenues, shaded plazas and market cafés make wandering pleasantly straightforward. Modern landmarks include the sculptural Auditorio de Tenerife, while palm-lined parks offer a welcome pause. Mount Teide rises inland; the golden sands of Las Teresitas lie within reach.

Day 13

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.

Day 17

Takoradi, Ghana

Takoradi brings you to Ghana’s western coast, where a busy harbour and everyday city life share the shoreline. Together with neighbouring Sekondi, it forms one of Ghana’s twin-city centres. At Market Circle, browse colourful cloth, fresh produce and household goods amid the pace of local trade. Beyond town, find palm-fringed beaches along the coast. With a full day, visit Nzulezu, a stilt village on Lake Tadane.

Day 21

Luanda, Angola

Luanda faces the Atlantic as Angola’s capital, where Portuguese-era architecture and a busy waterfront reveal a city shaped by trade. Stroll the palm-lined Marginal for broad bay views and restored colonial façades. At São Miguel Fortress, displays trace Angola’s history, and the ramparts overlook the harbor. Across the causeway, Ilha do Cabo pairs seafood restaurants with an easier coastal pace. Luanda rewards curious visitors with a layered past, contemporary culture, and memorable Atlantic light.

Day 24

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Walvis Bay is Namibia’s working harbour, where the Atlantic meets a stark sweep of desert. Its sheltered lagoon, a Ramsar-listed wetland, draws flamingos and other birdlife close to shore. Beyond town, guided 4x4 trips cross dunes to Sandwich Harbour, where sand meets the sea. Swakopmund, with its German colonial-era streets and cafés, makes an easy excursion north. Come for the rare meeting of wildlife, ocean and desert; expect wind and changing conditions.

Day 25

Luderitz, Namibia

Lüderitz stands between the Atlantic and the Namib Desert, its windswept streets lined with pastel German colonial buildings. Visit the Felsenkirche and Goerke House, then follow the coast to Diaz Point, where waves break against rugged granite. Beyond town, Kolmanskop preserves the remains of a diamond-mining settlement, slowly reclaimed by desert sand. Allow time for the harbor and its fishing boats; Lüderitz rewards travelers who look beyond the shoreline.

Day 27

Cape Town

Few ports make a first impression like Cape Town, where Table Mountain rises above a working harbor and the Atlantic. From the waterfront, you can reach the city’s museums, gardens and historic quarters within minutes. Ride the cableway to the summit, or follow the coast toward the Cape Peninsula’s beaches and vineyards. Look beyond the views: Cape Town’s layered history and lively food scene reward a slower visit.

Day 31

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, now officially Gqeberha, faces Algoa Bay in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. See the city’s maritime past at Donkin Reserve, then follow Route 67’s public art and heritage landmarks. Long beaches invite a coastal walk, while Addo Elephant National Park is within easy driving distance. Choose a wildlife excursion or time beside the water; both offer a rewarding introduction to this coastal city.

Day 33

Durban

Durban meets the Indian Ocean on South Africa’s east coast, with long beaches and cosmopolitan energy. Along the Golden Mile, the beachfront promenade offers a bracing walk and views of Moses Mabhida Stadium. Try bunny chow, the city’s celebrated curry-filled bread, then browse spices and crafts at Victoria Street Market. Durban’s Zulu heritage and Indian influence give the city a character—and a cuisine—well worth exploring.

Day 38

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar is more than a beach stop. It is an Indian Ocean crossroads, and its history remains visible in Stone Town. In the old quarter, carved doors, coral-stone buildings and narrow lanes recall centuries of African, Arab and Indian exchange. Visit landmarks of the former sultanate, then browse the market or pause over tea scented with local cloves. Beyond town, spice farms reveal crops that shaped the island’s trade, while beaches remain within easy reach.

Day 39

Mombasa, Kenya

Mombasa rewards a little time beyond the ship. In Old Town, carved wooden doors, narrow lanes and Swahili architecture reveal centuries of trade along the Indian Ocean. Fort Jesus, the 16th-century Portuguese stronghold, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city’s essential first stop. Cross to the mainland for white-sand beaches, or stay on the island for seafood, markets and the call to prayer.

Day 42

Mahe Island Seychelles, Seychelles

Mahé is the Seychelles’ largest island, where granite peaks rise above beaches and a capital built beside the sea. In Victoria, browse the lively market, see the miniature Big Ben clock tower, and visit the National Museum of History. Beyond town, winding roads lead to botanical gardens, quiet coves and viewpoints over the Indian Ocean. Choose a beach day or a drive across the island; Mahé makes both easy.

Day 47

Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, set between the Indian Ocean and the Kelani River. Its streets move from colonial facades and Buddhist temples to modern cafés, markets, and leafy residential avenues. Visit Gangaramaya Temple, browse the Pettah bazaar, or follow the Galle Face promenade at sunset. Colombo rewards curiosity, but traffic matters; choose a few neighborhoods for your day.

Day 51

Langkawi Island Malaysia, Malaysia

Langkawi makes a rewarding port of call, with beaches, rainforest and striking geology nearby. Its UNESCO Global Geopark is known for ancient rock formations, limestone karsts and mangrove forests. Ride the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang for views across the archipelago and the Andaman Sea. By boat, explore Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, where tidal waterways thread between cliffs and mangrove roots. Pantai Cenang offers a broad beach and cafés, while duty-free shops provide a convenient final stop.

Day 53

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.

Day 56

Manila, Philippines

Manila asks you to look beyond its traffic and modern skyline. Inside Intramuros, Spanish-era walls enclose stone churches, leafy courtyards and Fort Santiago, where Philippine history feels close at hand. Nearby, the National Museum complex displays Filipino art and heritage. Make time for a meal of adobo or fresh seafood, then watch sunset over Manila Bay. This is a port best explored with a clear plan—and room for discovery.

Day 59

Naha, Japan

Naha is the gateway to Okinawa, where Japan’s subtropical south feels distinct from the mainland. Begin at Shuri Castle, former seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, now being rebuilt after the 2019 fire. Along Kokusai Street, browse local crafts and taste Okinawan specialties, including bitter melon and sweet-potato treats. For a quieter glimpse of island life, explore Shikinaen, a royal garden with ponds and traditional architecture. Naha rewards curiosity beyond the waterfront.

Day 62

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a city of contrasts best explored one neighborhood at a time. In Asakusa, Senso-ji’s lantern gates lead to a centuries-old Buddhist temple; nearby, the Sumida River frames the skyline. Ride the efficient rail network to sleek Ginza, quiet Meiji Shrine, or the high-rise streets of Shinjuku. Come hungry: sushi counters, ramen shops, and department-store food halls make eating well remarkably easy. Tokyo’s scale is immense, but its details reward curiosity.

Spain Cruise from Barcelona to Tokyo — 62 Days