Top 10 Cruise Ports In Mainland Spain
No matter if you prefer a day in a beach resort, in an historic city or in a cultural centre- you can do all of that and more.
From our point of view, one of the great aspects about Spain is that so many of the top destinations to visit in the country are easily reachable on a cruise holiday of the Western Mediterranean, which just so happens to be one of the world’s top cruising regions.
If you are at the research stage of your next cruise and would like to visit Spain, this top 10 list gives you a great starting point on which ports to visit and you can follow the links for our full guide to each port.
For this list, we have taken many aspects into account, including the number of lines and ships visiting the port, what is on offer on shore and our own personal views.
Our Top 10 Cruise Ports In Mainland Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Not only is Barcelona a highlight of a visit to Spain but it arguably the leading cruise port in the Med and one of the world’s most popular tourist cities.
There is lots to see and do whilst on shore including visiting the iconic Camp Nou, the beautiful Sagrada Familia and you can visit the fountains and Palau Nacional of Montjuic.
That is just the briefest hint of what awaits cruisers in the city but what makes it our number 1 choice is the great options available to those wanting visit on a cruise.
Not only is the port of Barcelona one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, with a wide range of lines and ships offering itineraries across Europe, Africa and across the Atlantic, but there are also lots of options for setting sail from the UK.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia mixes its long history with modern architecture to make for a fantastic port of call on the Med coast of Spain that may get overlooked by some.
As one of the biggest cities in Spain, there is lots on offer for visitors and it is one of the most photo friendly ports on a cruise of the region.
Best of all, there is a wide range of cruise lines and ships that call into the port all year around including No Fly options from the UK.
Bilbao (Getxo), Spain
Bilbao is big enough to have plenty for visitors to enjoy but small enough to explore easily on your own, especially as it has one of the better public transportation networks in Spain.
Located on the northern coast of Spain, close to the French border and in the Basque region, Bilbao offers a blended mix of different cultures where the highlight for many is the chance to visit the Guggenheim museum.
Cadiz, Spain
The famous port of Cadiz offers the chance to step back in time and experience the history of the south of Spain.
The city is known for its Roman sites of interest including a Roman Theatre but for many visitors on a cruise, the port acts as the gateway to the nearby city of Seville.
No matter where you want to visit once on shire, the good news is that there are lots of options when it comes to lines, ships, and itineraries.
Cartagena, Spain
The sheltered waters of the port of Cartagena has acted as the perfect base for Spanish navy for many years but now it is developing into a popular port of call for cruisers sailing the Western Mediterranean.
Cruisers can simply stroll off of their ship and explore the cities long history on their own, with Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish remains all on offer.
Malaga, Spain
The Andalusian city of Malaga is perhaps better known as the gateway to the Costa Del Sol, and it is easy to visit the numerous seaside resort nearby on your own, but there is so much more to the city.
The Gibralfaro Castle overlooks the city and offers views across the Mediterranean to Africa whilst those wanting to do a spot of shopping will enjoy the centre of Malaga that also features a number of interesting sights including a beautiful Cathedral.
La Coruna, Spain
The Galician city of La Coruna is full of history but unlike many places in Spain, it is its strong Celtic history that remains the most interesting, with the Castro de Elvina and Compass Rose popular attractions.
Other attractions include the Roman Tower of Hercules, the Galerias and its old city walls.
Due to the ports location in the far north-east of Spain, it is a popular stopping off port on cruises of the Iberian Peninsula and for ships heading further south to the Canaries.
Alicante, Spain
Alicante is perhaps better known as a seaside resort to spend time soaking up the sun and whilst that is something that can be easily done on a cruise, there is plenty more on offer in the city.
The seafront in the resort is a great place to enjoy a stroll and the beautiful Med views before heading for the Castle of Santa Barbara to take in the history of the area.
Gijon, Spain
Gijon is a northern Spanish city that is full of history and culture where a walk around its old town is the place to take it in.
Although there is a beautiful beach that attracts holidaymakers and it is also a cruise port of call growing in popularity, it has managed to retain its authentic feel which makes it the ideal stop for those wanting to truly experience Spain.
Santander, Spain
Santander suffered from a great fire in 1941 which has left it much changed from the other northern Spanish cruise ports of call.
Nowadays, the relaxed city is a great place to simply stroll around its centre and enjoy the ornate buildings, parks, and beaches on offer.
