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Europe Port Cities

Europe

Agadir, Morocco

With beautiful beaches and a backdrop of the snowy Atlas Mountains, Agadir is a lively, modern resort where Moroccan traditions live on in the old streets of the Kasbah. For an in-depth look at Berber culture, head inland to the oasis citadel of Taroudant, where five kilometres of walls protect ancient houses, mosques and great markets selling traditional handicrafts.

Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria on the shores of the Med is all about history – the city was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. It’s also the perfect port for an unforgettable excursion to Cairo, where you can get up close to the staggering Pyramids of Giza, contemplate the enigmatic smile of the Sphinx and just gaze in wonder at the golden treasures of Tutankhamun, now housed in the Cairo Museum.

Alesund, Norway

Old Ålesund was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1904, then rebuilt in a kind of eccentric art nouveau style with spires and turrets atop lavish facades decorated with dragons, flowers and scenes from Norwegian legends. Enjoy a stroll around, visit the art nouveau museum and take in the panorama of the town and offshore islands from the park beneath Mount Aksla.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

It’s as picturesque as you could wish for with countless tree-lined canals, flower markets, bridges and picture-perfect gabled houses dating from the Golden Age of trade. Then there are the art galleries – some of the finest in the world, the poignant rooms of Anne Frank’s house and a cosy ‘brown café’ on every street corner.

Barcelona, Spain

Life in the Catalan capital is as fast and fun as anywhere in Europe. Take a stroll down Las Ramblas, where the street theatre is just as crazy as the fantastical Art Nouveau architecture of the city’s most famous son, Gaudi. The Gothic Quarter with its narrow streets and vast cathedral is big on atmosphere and the neighbourhood tapas bars are just the place to refill.

Bergen, Norway

Everyone seems to love Bergen for its magnificent natural harbour, neatly tucked into steep hills and backed by mountains, and its enchanting Bryggen quarter. Here, beside the harbour and the busy fish market are narrow lanes of brightly painted, tall wooden houses, dating from the time when Bergen was an important Hanseatic trading port.

Cadiz (Seville), Spain

Founded over 3,000 years ago, Cadiz grew rich on treasures brought back from Spain’s New World and the atmospheric streets of the old town have changed little since this golden era. It’s also the port for Seville, a romantic city with gorgeous Moorish architecture, and for Jerez de la Frontera at the heart of Spain’s sherry region, where wine tasting is a must.

Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy (Nice & Monte Carlo)

Cagliari has been Sicily’s capital since Roman times, so there’s no shortage of history here. Check out the impressive Roman amphitheatre cut from the solid rock, the archaeological museum and the city walls with watchtowers built by the Pisans, who once ruled these parts. Relaxation more your thing? Head for nearby Poetto with its miles of fine sandy beaches, bars and restaurants.

Casablanca, Morocco

Just the name conjures up romantic images – think Bogart and Bergman and a beguiling blend of French chic and Arabian culture, where wide boulevards contrast with narrow lanes and the crowded stalls of the souks. Take a tour to the royal city of Rabat, or for an exotic taste of the real Morocco, an overnight excursion to Marrakech, rejoining Norwegian Jade in Agadir.

Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome)

Civitavecchia has been the port for Rome since the 13th-century and the Eternal City is still the big draw. It wasn’t built in a day, but you’ll see a lot in yours, from the massive Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City to the sun-filled piazzas, fabulous fountains, ultra-chic designer stores and oh-so-tempting pavement cafés, where you can do as the Romans do.

Constanta, Romania

Welcome to the Riviera – Romanian style. With its promenade along the Black Sea, Edwardian casino and sunny beaches, Constanta has all the makings of a great resort. But with a history dating back over 2,500 years, there’s lots to discover from the Genoese lighthouse to the Archaeological Museum with its outstanding Roman mosaics.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Cue for a song – but wonderful, wonderful it is and so choc-a-bloc with fairytale sights like the famous Little Mermaid, story book soldiers outside the Royal Palace and fun-filled Tivoli Gardens. The old harbour with its colourful gabled houses is a must and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even explore the city by bike or kayak.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Whatever you do, don’t miss the fantastic views of the Adriatic Sea and the city from Dubrovnik’s huge ramparts. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the glistening marble streets, the Gothic and Renaissance palaces, splashing fountains and colourful parasols shading pavement cafés packed into narrow alleys and cloistered squares.

Funchal, Madeira

Funchal has been an Atlantic stop-off since the days of the Portuguese navigators, who called here for water before the long voyage west. Today, you’re more likely to be topping up with a glass of Madeira wine before setting off to explore the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the sheer sea cliffs and the mountainous interior with its lush valleys and terraced hillsides.

Gibraltar

There’s no getting away with it, you’ve got to take the cable car to the top of the Rock for an incredible view over two continents – Europe and Africa. And while you’re up there, say Hola to the locals, the Barbary apes that make the Rock their home. Take a look at the Moorish Castle, the Trafalgar Cemetery and make time for duty-free shopping on Main Street.

Hellesylt & Geiranger, Norway

You came to the fjords for scenery, right? Well, here you have it. Hellesylt – incredibly an important port in Viking days – is now a tiny village tucked beneath a cliff at the head of Geirangerfjord with a thundering waterfall at its centre. While Geiranger must be one of Norway’s most photogenic settlements with colourful houses on the waterfront and a backdrop of rolling hills. And as for the fjord itself, think sheer cliffs, waterfalls, unspoilt valleys and beautiful views at every turn.

Helsinki, Finland

They love their statues in Helsinki and in this compact city of wide avenues, eye-catching architecture and more than 200 parks, you’ll find sculptures everywhere. There’s a distinctly Russian look to the onion-domed Uspenski Cathedral, while a 20-minute boat ride takes you to Suomenlinna, said to be the world’s largest island fortress.

Honningsvåg, Norway

Honningsvåg stands on the island of Mageroy, which translates as Meagre Island and when you see its bleak, lunar-like landscape you’ll understand why. But forget the landscape, because north of the town is the incredible North Cape Plateau, the ‘top’ of Europe with 300 metre high cliffs looking out over the Arctic Ocean, bathed in the Midnight Sun.

Invergordon, Scotland (Inverness)

They call this city ‘Capital of the Scottish Highlands’ and the chances are you will want to get out of town for a look at some of Britain’s most spectacular scenery. Close by is Loch Ness – handy for a little monster spotting – and if history’s more your thing, there’s Cawdor Castle and Culloden Moor battlefield. And who could resist the ‘Scottish Whisky Trail’?

Iraklion, Crete

Crete can trace its history back to 2,000 BC, when the Minoans ruled the waves in these parts. Get a glimpse of how they lived in the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos, where the legendary Minotaur was imprisoned, before exploring Iraklion with its massive Venetian walls. Feeling lazy? The beaches are everything you’d expect of a Greek island, so relax.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia and switches on sensory overload with frenetic streets, teeming souks, mosques, minarets and, flowing through it all, the equally busy Bosphorus. Must-sees are the huge Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar – unlike any market you’ve ever seen, so be prepared for a serious bout of bargaining.

Izmir, Turkey (Ephesus)

Although Turkey’s third largest city can trace its story back to 3,000 BC, today it’s a busy, modern metropolis. But history isn’t far away, so head south to Ephesus, one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, to see grand buildings, like the amphitheatre, the stunning Library of Celsus and more prosaic establishments, including the public latrines and brothel.

Katakolon, Greece

Katakolon is a sleepy, likeable little port with a cluster of bars and shops along the harbour front. It’s also starting point for a visit to Olympia, site of the original Olympic Games, held every four years and dedicated to Zeus. As you wander past the evocative ruined temples, courts and courses, it all seems a far cry from the big business of today’s Olympics.

Kristiansund, Norway

A delightful coastal town, Kristiansund’s claim to fame is that clip-fish – salted and dried cod – was first salted and dried here in the 1690’s and the town grew rich exporting the product as far away as Spain. The well-preserved 18th-century merchants’ houses on the quay give the place real character and close by are the starkly beautiful, windswept Averoy Islands.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria offers a continent of contrasts. There’s the elegant capital, Làs Palmas, where Columbus once called en route to the New World; lovely beaches and the Sahara-like sand dunes of Maspalomas; and, inland, a volcanic landscape of valleys, gorges and mountains rising to 6,000 feet.

Lisbon, Portugal

Hop on a rattling yellow tram for a ride around the seven hills of Lisbon, checking out the ancient Moorish Alfama district and hill top St. George’s Castle, the narrow lanes of the Bairro Alto and riverfront Belem with its Monument to the Discoverers. Stop for delicious pastries and maybe a seafood lunch down by the water.

Livorno, Italy (Florence & Pisa)

The treasures of Tuscany are on Livorno’s doorstep, so will it be Florence with its red-roofed Duomo, Renaissance palaces and galleries? Or Pisa, where that Tower still leans over the ‘Field of Miracles’? Or, how about the Cinque Terre on the nearby Ligurian coast: five tiny, photogenic fishing villages linked by age-old cliff-side footpaths, mule tracks and ferry boats?

Malaga (Granada), Spain

Sol and the beautiful white villages of Andalusia, Malaga is a great city in its own right. Sights to see include the Moorish Alcazaba, the hilltop Gibralfaro Castle and the birthplace of Picasso now a gallery devoted to his work. Then why not stop for lunch? The restaurants around the old cathedral are great for fish and seafood.

Messina, Sicily

The Sicilian port of Messina marks time with one of the world’s largest astronomical clocks, while nearby Taormina with its opera-set streets and squares and fantastic Greco-Roman theatre, sways to the rhythms of la dolce vita. Feeling adventurous? How about a cable car and 4x4 ascent up to the most recent lava flows of active Mount Etna?

Mykonos, Greece

Picture a perfect Greek island… whitewashed houses on winding cobbled streets, sky blue shutters and lovely beaches… OK, that’s Mykonos. Head down to Little Venice, overlooked by the island’s signature windmills, where boutiques, art galleries and waterfront bars make it so easy to idle away a sunny afternoon.

Nafplion, Greece

This is the kind of Greek seaside town you always hope you would discover with historic sights alongside tempting shops and tavernas. Must-sees are the huge Venetian fortress built high on a rocky acropolis and the carefully preserved Venetian buildings around Syntagma Square in the old town, which for a brief period was Greece’s capital.

Naples, Italy (Pompeii)

you must try the real thing before you explore the historic centre with its grand palace, cathedral and opera house. Feeling romantic? Take the hydrofoil to the isle of Capri or the Amalfi Coast drive to Sorrento and don’t forget your camera. History buffs make for Pompeii, to see how the Romans lived back in the 1st century AD.

Odessa, Ukraine

Odessa is an elegant city with some superb 18th and 19th-century architecture, including buildings inspired by French Art Nouveau. Check out the lavish opera house and the glass-walled shopping arcades and then head for the infamous Potemkin Steps, where mutinous Russian sailors fought the Tsar’s troops in 1905. Today, it’s a great spot to take in beautiful views of the bay and harbour.

Olbia, Sardinia

From Olbia on Sicily’s north-eastern coast, it’s just a short hop to the Costa Smeralda, where you can join the jet-set for a day. This beautiful stretch of coastline was ‘discovered’ by the Aga Khan in 1958 and developed into one of Europe’s A-list celebrity resorts. At its heart is rustic Porto Cervo with a mega-yacht marina, luxury hotels and designer stores – still a magnet for the rich and famous.

Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian capital is on a refreshingly human scale. It’s very pedestrian-friendly, so you can stroll everywhere from the harbour-side Akerhus fortress, practically to the front door of the grand Royal Palace. There are museums to explore – don’t miss the Viking ships – and fantastic views of the city and fjord from the Holmenkollen Ski Jump.

Palma, Majorca

Think of Majorca and the chances are sunshine holidays come to mind, so if it’s beachside relaxation you want, just take your pick. But there are other sides to this beautiful island, from the elegant capital, Palma, with its medieval cathedral, shops and tapas bars to the valleys, vineyards and pretty little villages of the interior.

Piraeus, Greece (Athens)

The port of Piraeus is just six miles from the heart of Athens and that wonderful symbol of the ancient world, the 2,500-years-old Parthenon, high atop the Acropolis. Take in the view, visit the old Roman marketplace – the Agora, and stop for an ouzo in one of the traditional tavernas in the Plaka district, where you might be tempted to a little shopping, too.

Rhodes, Greece

At the heart of Rhodes Town is one of the finest walled, medieval cities in the Med, built by the Knights of St. John and used as their base from 1309 to 1522. Fine buildings include the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Street of the Knights lined with medieval ‘inns’. Beaches more your thing? Head for the east coast and soak up some sun.

Santorini, Greece

In 1550 BC, the volcanic island of Santorini erupted and its huge crater sank beneath the Aegean Sea, creating the bay you see today and spinning legends of the lost city of Atlantis. You can ascend the sheer multi-coloured sea cliffs by cable car – or donkey – to the postcard village of Thira for one of the most amazing views in the Mediterranean.

Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger was once known as the sardine capital of the world and it grew rich on the harvests from the sea as, indeed, it does today being at the centre of Norway’s oil industry. But you’re not here to work, so enjoy the sights – the 12th-century cathedral, excavated Stone Age farm and old Stavanger with its pretty streets and more than 150 well-preserved wooden houses.

St. Petersburg, Russia

Capital of Russia for over 200 years, the original city of St. Petersburg is a treasure house of magnificent palaces, museums and onion-domed cathedrals built on a network of canals, criss-crossed by bridges. It’s so amazing that the entire city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. And the great thing is, you’ve got two days to see it all.

Stockholm, Sweden

Built on 14 islands between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is a surprising city with lovely parks, grand squares and a maze of shop-lined medieval streets in Gamla Stan, the old town. Don’t miss the State Apartments in the Baroque Royal Palace, or the Vasa Museum, housing a massive 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage.

Tallinn, Estonia

It’s time to write your own fairytale – Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe with a distinctive skyline of steeples and turrets, ornate gables and onion domes. Wander the cobbled streets, shop in the craft workshops and galleries, or visit Rocca al Mare, an open-air museum with authentic 18th and 19th-century buildings from across Estonia.

Trondheim, Norway

It’s hard to escape history at Trondheim for this charming and atmospheric city was Norway’s first capital 1,000 years ago. There are great sights to see including the impressive Nidaros Cathedral – Scandinavia’s largest medieval building, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Museum of Decorative Arts.

Valletta, Malta

Valletta’s harbour comes complete with ‘wow factor’, its huge honey-coloured stone ramparts a legacy of the Knights of the Order of St. John who made the city their Mediterranean stronghold. There’s a lot to see from the Grand Master’s Palace to the art-filled St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Pavement cafés, seafront restaurants and beaches add that essential Mediterranean touch.

Varna, Bulgaria

Located on a vast bay, Varna can trace its history way back to 585 BC and the baths of a Roman thermae remain from this time. It’s one of Bulgaria’s most picturesque cities with wide avenues and great sightseeing including the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Folk Museum. Close by there are some great beaches and hot springs, long favoured for their health-giving properties.

Venice, Italy

Built across 100 islands with some 450 bridges, you can never have too much of Venice and that’s why Norwegian Jade overnights in port. From the famous sights – Piazza San Marco, the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica – to the incredible art galleries and quiet backwaters, there’s always some new quarter to discover and fall in love with.

Vigo, Spain

The largest town in Galicia is also Spain’s biggest fishing port, so head for the atmospheric Barrio del Berbes, where the narrow cobbled streets are lined with tapas bars and restaurants serving up the freshest fish and seafood imaginable. Or follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, to see the grand cathedral housing the tomb of St. James.

Warnemunde, Germany (Berlin)

Just a hop from Warnemünde, you can visit medieval Rostock or tour the beautiful Mecklenburg countryside by train. But the big ticket here is an excursion to Berlin, where history comes alive in fantastic museums, Prussian palaces, grand monuments like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building, famed for its controversial architecture.

Yalta, Ukraine

Yalta just has to be the grande dame of Black Sea resorts with golden sand beaches and the old wooden dachas of the Russian elite tucked into the mountains that form a semi-circle around it. Take a stroll along the seafront promenade and be sure to see Swallow’s Nest Castle – standing on a bluff above the sea, it’s straight out of the pages of a fairytale.