Barcelona to Lisbon cruises will take you to the very best of the Iberian peninsula and beyond. You’ll visit exciting cities including Valencia, famed for its paella and avant-garde architecture; and ancient Cadiz, close to elegant Seville, where you could spend days exploring the glorious baroque buildings and Moorish architecture, the strains of flamenco music in the air.
Spend two days in hilly Lisbon, where you can explore the Castelo de São Jorge, wander the ancient Alfama neighborhood, and taste the famous pastel de nata custard tarts. You’ll also stop in Porto, home of the world’s port wine industry and gateway to the beautiful Douro Valley. Some cruises visit Tangier, too, guarding the Moroccan side of the Straits of Gibraltar. Shop for local crafts in the walled medina, or old town, explore the cobbled alleys of the Kasbah, and admire the intricate minaret of the Grand Mosquée.
Draped over seven hills, Portugal’s captivating capital is dotted with ornate palaces and elegant squares, its houses adorned with colorful azulejos tiles. Ride the vintage trams and browse the eclectic Time Out Market, where you can learn how to make the rich, flaky pastel de nata custard tarts. Listen to mournful fado singing in the old Alfama neighborhood, visit the impressive museums in Belem, or head out of town to see Sintra’s fairytale castles.
Ancient Cadiz has guarded its sheltered harbor since 1100 BC when it was founded by the Phonecians. Explore the old city, stopping in its excellent bars for tapas and a glass of chilled sherry. Cadiz is also the gateway to Seville, Andalucia’s elegant capital. Here, explore the 12th-century cathedral containing the tomb of Columbus and the exquisite Real Alcazar palace before wandering the tangle of alleys and orange tree-shaded squares in Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter.
Valencia is a wonderfully friendly city. Visit the elaborate gothic cathedral, where the Holy Grail is housed. Stroll the lush green of the Turia Gardens, looping through the city in a former river bed. Marvel at the dazzling City of Arts and Sciences, a complex of avant-garde architecture including the city’s opera house, aquarium, and planetarium. Shop for local hams, cheeses, and fresh fruit in the vast Central Market, and stop to sample colorful paella, which originated here.
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