Top 10 Best Summer Cruise Destinations from the UK
There are also lots of other great benefits to sailing at this time of the year including the warmer weather, the calmer seas and if you have school age children, the summer holiday is often the best time to getaway and it is the time when cruise lines often have much more on offer for families.
One down side to all of the benefit and choices is that it can often be tricky choosing when and where to head away on holiday but hopefully this list to come to your aid and give you a great head start on choosing your next summer cruise from the UK.
As is always the case with our top 10 lists here at CruiseHols, we take lots into account to decide on the ranking of these lists. For this one, we have taken into account aspects such as the choice of lines and ships heading to the destination, the number of cruises heading there, the value of cruising to each destination as well as our personnel preferences.
Our Top 10 Best Summer Cruise Destinations from the UK
Barcelona, Spain
The city of Barcelona is well known as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations no matter what the date is, thanks to a wealth of attractions, great year around weather and easy action from most parts of the world but it is during the summer when the capital of Catalonia really comes to life.
Barcelona is perhaps better thought of as a city break, where visitors can enjoy its unique culture, spend time eating and drinking at some of the world’s best restaurants and stroll around Las Ramblas and other streets enjoying a spot of shopping and people watching but what often gets overlooked is the beautiful beaches and seafront it offers.
It is that mix that makes visiting the city in summer the perfect time to visit on a cruise as you can walk around the city taking in the sights in the morning before heading to beaches and enjoying soaking up the sun.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is another city that is popular all year around but it is in the summer months when it really comes alive.
Many of the attractions of the city are based upon its history and that means walking around its centre and visiting a number of monuments and sites of history and these all look better with a blue sky above you.
Although the heat in northern Portugal can get very warm in the summer months, most of the main attractions of the city can be found near to the large river front, which often offers a cooling breeze.
The long boulevards and large pedestrian areas are lined with bars and cafes, all of which offer outdoor seating to allow local and visitors alike to simply sit, relax and enjoy spending time together.
Olden, Norway
Cruising any part of the Norwegian fjords at any time of the year is a special occasion but there is something extra about cruising in the middle of summer when the picturesque towns and villages you visit are heightened by the blue backing background and the brightness of the sun.
The fjords themselves are also at their best in summer with the sun reflecting off of the water and highlighting the beauty of the mountains and from a cruising point of view, it is also the best time of the year to relax on the top decks and take it all in.
One destination that really allows you to take it in is the small village of Olden where you sail the full length of the Nordfjorden before finding yourself amidst the mountains of the Oldedalen Valley.
Malaga, Spain
The Andalusian city of Malaga is often simply seen as the gateway to the Costa del Sol and just the place to start and end your holiday in the region but that is doing it quite a disservice.
Malaga has a long history and lots to offer visitors and it is another city that allows you to explore the many attractions before heading to its beautiful beaches to soak up the sun.
Palma, Mallorca (Majorca)
Palma welcomes visitors with views of its stunning Cathedral and whilst its centre is relatively small and limited, it is still a great destination to simply stroll around and take in the history found throughout but in the summer months, many head to the nearby resort of Palma Nova for a day of sun, sand and drinks.
Bergen, Norway
As one of the largest towns in Norway, Bergen allows those who enjoy city breaks as part of their cruise to take in the majesty of the fjords.
In summer, the mountains that surround the city makes for a picture perfect backdrop and highlights the natural beauty of Bergen and with the weather so much warmer and drier than other times of the year, it is the perfect time to walk around, explore all that is on offer and take the funicular to the top of the Floyen mountain to enjoy the views.
Rome, Italy
Rome is one of the great tourist cities, not just in Europe but in the world, so it is no surprise that it makes for a popular destination all year around.
In the summer month, the city maybe more crowded than at other times but that is more than made up for with the fact that you simply have so many great choices when it comes to cruise ships, cruise lines and itineraries on offer to make for a perfect getaway.
The many historic sites on offer all make for great photograph opportunities which are highlighted by the brightness of the summer sun.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is great to visit all year around but it can be cold and wet for much of the year so it is arguably the summer when it is the best time of year to visit and that is something that can easily be done on a cruise from the UK.
No matter if you are heading to the Baltics, cruising around Scandinavia or on a holiday of Northern Europe, Copenhagen features on many cruise itineraries and for good reason.
The city offers lots of attractions for visitors to enjoy and with many of those outside, including the likes of river cruises and Tivoli Gardens, the warmer and dry months really is the best time to take it all in.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
If you were to ask most people to name a top European city for visiting on holiday, Amsterdam would likely rank highly on most people’s lists.
If you are yet to visit the city, it offers lots for visitors to enjoy as well a having a unique feel and atmosphere to it that makes for a memorable getaway no matter when you visit.
As with so many city destinations, most of the sites of interest are outside or involve lots of walking to sea them but in Amsterdam you can simply sit back and relax onboard one of the numerous canal boat rides and there is no better time to enjoy that experience than in the summer months when you can enjoy the sun and see the sights at their best under the blue skies and summer sun.
The entrance into Amsterdam is also one of the great entrances of a European cruise, so in the summer why not head to an outdoor bar or café on your chosen ship, grab a drink and take in the city centre views as you dock on the Grand Canal?
Arrecife, Lanzarote
For many a summer getaway is all about heading to a beach and soaking up the sun and there are few better places to do that on a cruise from the UK than the Canary Islands, including the popular port of Arrecife.
Whilst there is much more on offer on the island, it is the beach resorts found close to the port that most head for.
