Cruise ports in Spain, Portugal and France
After sharing what life was like on board our recent P&O cruise, I wanted to shine a light on the ports that made the journey so special. From sweeping beaches in northern Spain to pastel-bright riverfronts in Portugal and quaint French streets, each stop had its own character and highlights that turned our cruise into a string of mini city breaks, whatever the weather.
Santander, Spain
Our first stop was Santander in northern Spain.
From the port, we hopped straight onto the hop-on, hop-off bus so we could see as much as possible in the time we had. Our first stop was the beautiful Santander Cathedral, which feels wonderfully peaceful despite being right in the heart of the city.
We stayed on the bus to Cabo Mayor, a pretty little peninsula with a tourist train that takes you around the area and a lovely park that is perfect for a gentle stroll when the weather behaves. The beaches around Santander really surprised us: soft white sand, wide bays and plenty of space to wander or just sit and take in the views, even on a slightly grey day.
It is a charming, easy-going place and one we all really enjoyed.
Lisbon, Portugal
Next, we sailed on to Portugal and arrived into Lisbon, a wonderfully vibrant and very hilly city with so much to see, whatever the forecast.
We started right by the port at a military museum, which turned out to be a real hidden gem. It is full of history and fascinating artefacts, and definitely worth a visit if you enjoy museums or want to understand more about Portugal’s past.
From there we walked through the city, taking in the sights as we made our way to Praça do Comércio, the main square down by the water. We stopped there for coffees and milkshakes, watching the trams and people passing by, before heading off for our tuk tuk tour.
The tuk tuk ride was one of the highlights of the entire trip. Our driver was so knowledgeable and entertaining, weaving us through the narrow streets, up the hills and to viewpoints we would never have found on our own. Even with clouds overhead, the views and commentary made it really special. I do have his details if anyone is planning a trip to Lisbon and would like a recommendation.
Porto (Leixões), Portugal
For Porto, our ship docked in Leixões, just outside the city. From the port we ordered an Uber into central Porto, which took around 15 minutes.
We explored mostly on foot, starting with an indoor market in the centre and then wandering through the historic streets, admiring the tiled buildings and browsing the little shops. We could not resist stopping for some pastel de nata, the famous Portuguese custard tarts, which are a must-try whatever the weather is doing.
From there we headed down to the riverfront and took a boat trip to see the six bridges that span the Douro. Even under moody skies, it was a fantastic way to appreciate the city, with its colourful houses stacked up the hillsides and the wine lodges on the opposite bank. Porto has a wonderfully old-world feel and a slightly magical atmosphere that is hard to describe but easy to fall in love with.
The riverfront was buzzing, with lots of cafés and restaurants and people out enjoying their day. We walked along the promenade, where the children insisted on visiting what they called the “very red McDonald’s” just to see inside, before taking an Uber back to the port.
Vigo, Spain
Our next stop took us back to Spain and into Vigo. The grandparents and children decided to stay on board here, which gave me and my husband some rare child-free exploring time.
We began with a walk uphill to Parque Monte do Castro, a hilltop park with a historic fortress and pretty botanical gardens. The climb is rewarded with incredible panoramic views over the bay, the city and back towards the ship. Even with a breeze and a few clouds, it was one of those moments where you just stop and soak it all in.
After spending some time up there, we wandered back down into the city, exploring the streets and discovering a few lovely little squares. We picked one to sit in for tapas and a drink, which felt like such a treat, before heading back to the ship feeling very content.
Cherbourg, France
Our final stop was Cherbourg in France, a charming little city that rounded off the cruise really nicely.
We docked right next to Cité de la Mer, a maritime museum and aquarium complex that looked fantastic for families and a great option if the weather turns. In the end we decided to head into the city instead, as we wanted to stretch our legs and get a feel for the place.
It is an easy 10-minute walk from the port into the centre. Once there, we simply wandered, turning down quaint little streets and taking everything in at a relaxed pace. We found an old-fashioned merry-go-round which the children loved, and even spotted a horse and cart clip-clopping through the streets, which added to the nostalgic feel.
Of course, we had to try a proper French baguette, and we stopped for a coffee at a pavement café before slowly making our way back to the ship. It was a gentle, low-key end to a lovely, port-filled itinerary, proof that you do not need wall-to-wall sunshine to make special memories.
Looking back, what really made this cruise unforgettable was the variety: historic hilltop parks, riverside views, tuk tuk tours, castles, cathedrals and simple moments like coffee in a tucked-away square or the children laughing on a carousel, even under grey skies. It reminded us how easy it is to see so many different places in one trip when you travel by sea. If you are thinking about a cruise that mixes family fun with a taste of Spain, Portugal and France, this itinerary is one I would happily repeat.
