The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

The name of Coruna’s cruise dock – Transatlantic Quay – reflects its location on the northwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsular making it – you might be surprised to learn – the closest European port to New York. It is a charming mixture of old town and new town also with a couple of beaches along the two-mile stretch of coastline it overlooks. The colonnaded Maria Pita Square is at the heart of the old town, with many shops, bars and restaurants all around. There are various fascinating museums including the interactive House of Mankind plus an aquarium and planetarium. La Coruña is also the main Atlantic gateway to one of the most ruggedly scenic regions in Spain – Galicia. Among its attractions is one of the worlds great pilgrimage destinations: Santiago de Compostela, with its Romanesque cathedral.

Palma de Mallorca is located on the southern end of the beautiful island of Mallorca, a large island located off the coast of Spain. Palma de Mallorca is the capital city of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. Bordered by the Bay of Palma, cruises to Palma de Mallorca provide a picturesque setting to explore historic sites and natural wonders. A Mediterranean cruise itinerary that has a Palma de Mallorca cruise port of call will drop you off in a gorgeous city with a long history. That history plus Palma de Mallorca’s island location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea means cruisers to Palma de Mallorca can find a variety of things to do while in port.

Tucked into the Ligurian coastline between Genoa and Pisa, is the pretty town of La Spezia – one of Italy’s most important military and commercial harbours. But it’s not this that attracts so many. La Spezia is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Cinque Terre – a collection of five coastal villages perched on the coastline. Monterosso al Marc is famous for its beaches. Vernazza is a charming fishing port decorated with colourful buildings. Cornigilia is perched high above sea level with painted houses clinging to the cliff face. Peaceful Manarolais is modern in comparison and boasts a rocky cove. While Riomaggiore is a pretty town with attractive tall houses marching up the hillside.

Marseille is the home of bouillabaisse and boules, a great warm hearted city of immense charm with a picturesque old fishing port.

Explore Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, and you’ll discover the ornately wrought works of Antonio Gaudi. A local architect, whose works culminate in the surrealistic spires of the yet to be finished Sagrada Familia. Take a stroll down the colourful Ramblas. Explore the Gothic Quarter. Ride a cable car to the summit of Montjuic. Or sample local wines and authentic tapas as you watch the hustle and bustle of daily life pass you by.

You cruise right into the heart of historic Cadiz as immediately across the busy Avenida del Puerto from the Spanish port is the main square and shopping area. From there, it is easy to find your own way around this compact city. Behind is the 18th century cathedral (El Nueva) and the view from the top is worth the long climb up its internal stairs. The narrow streets of the old town below are lined by tall Moorish-style houses with flower-decked balconies mixed in amongst some small shops and tapas bars. Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC so is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western world but sultry Seville has long since outgrown its neighbour. La Giralda (the bell-tower next to its Gothic cathedral), is in Sevilles historic Jewish quarter which also has the whitewashed houses and exquisitely coloured bougainvillea that everyone associates with this lovely city.

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.