Spain & Portugal Cruise – 10 Things You Need to Know
A Coruña PortPortugal CountrySpain CountryUnited Kingdom CountryPrincess Cruises Cruise LineRoyal Caribbean Cruise LineBarcelona PortBilbao PortCádiz PortLisbon PortPalma de Mallorca PortVigo Port
Planning a Spain and Portugal cruise? This guide covers 10 things you need to know before you sail, including the Bay of Biscay, cruise ports, shore excursions, DIY port days, weather, beaches, food and getting around. Spain and Portugal cruises can include very different ports, from easy walk-off destinations like Vigo, La Coruna and Cadiz to ports such as Barcelona, Palma and Bilbao where you may need a shuttle or other transport before you start exploring. In this video, I cover how rough the Bay of Biscay can be, which ports are easy to explore independently, when a shore excursion is worth booking, what attractions you should book in advance, how much walking to expect, what weather to prepare for and how to balance busy sightseeing days with easier beach days. I’ll also share some of the local food worth trying ashore, including pintxos in Bilbao, tapas in Spain, seafood in Galicia and pastel de nata in Lisbon. SHORE EXCURSIONS If you’re looking for organised shore excursions, I’ve linked a few GetYourGuide options below for popular Spain and Portugal cruise ports. Bilbao shore excursions: Guggenheim Museum Ticket & Audio Tour https://gyg.me/pQfWCpmT Bilbao Hop on Hop Off Bus https://bilbaocityview.es/en/servicios Lisbon shore excursions: Lisbon tuk-tuk tours: https://gyg.me/e3bcjpX4 Jerónimos Monastery tickets: https://gyg.me/MdkPlCmv Cadiz and Seville shore excursions: Cádiz Tour: Walking Tour with Local Guide https://gyg.me/FvCKJ5qO Full-Day Private Tour to Seville from Cádiz https://gyg.me/b6eIkIA0 Vigo and Santiago de Compostela shore excursions: Vigo Walking Tour https://gyg.me/MqN41p1i Santiago de Compostela excursion from Vigo: https://gyg.me/g4GCzk6p MORE CRUISE PORT GUIDES For more practical cruise tips and detailed cruise port guides, visit my website: https://solotravel1974.com WATCH NEXT Spain & Portugal Cruise Ports Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPqD-CJ38V7I Barcelona Cruise Port – 10 Things You Need to Know: https://youtu.be/lKdtB7y3NJU Lisbon Cruise Port – 10 Things You Need to Know: https://youtu.be/OC78YF2G6Bs Bilbao Cruise Port – 10 Things You Need to Know: https://youtu.be/j-2O1_CDFtE I’ve travelled to more than 70 countries and cruise regularly with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines, sharing practical cruise advice to help you plan your cruise independently and make the most of every port. 📍 New videos every week – Subscribe & join the adventure! https://www.youtube.com/@solotravel1974?sub_confirmation=1 #SpainAndPortugalCruise #CruiseTips #CruisePorts 📱 Cruise eSIM from Saily If you don’t want to buy the ship’s WiFi package, a cruise eSIM could be another option to consider. Saily has recently launched a cruise eSIM designed to provide mobile data at sea and in selected ports. You can find out more here: https://go.saily.site/SH11q Use code solotravel15 for 15% off. This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. 🧳 Cruise Essentials I Use (Amazon) 👉 Magnetic hooks (perfect for extra storage in your cabin): https://amzn.to/4d0ndOW 👉 Packing cubes (keep your suitcase organised): https://amzn.to/3Pyh5DA 👉 Cruise luggage tags (protect your tags at the port): https://amzn.to/47XWA9H 👉 Travel Extension Lead UK https://amzn.to/41iaqA4 EU https://amzn.to/4d5SCQ1 👉 Toiletry organiser (great for small bathrooms): https://amzn.to/4uGmQiN (Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Chapters 00:00 - Spain & Portugal Cruise 10 Things You Need to Know 00:27 - How Rough Is the Bay of Biscay on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 01:28 - Does Your Cruise Ship Dock Close to the City Centre on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 02:11 - Are Spain & Portugal Cruise Ports Easy to Explore Independently? 02:51 - When Is a Shore Excursion Actually Worth Booking on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 03:36 - Which Spain & Portugal Cruise Attractions Should You Book in Advance? 04:15 - How Much Walking Is Involved on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 05:22 - What Weather Should You Expect on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 05:59 - Which Port Should You Use as Your Beach Day on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 06:43 - What Food Should You Try on a Spain & Portugal Cruise? 07:18 - How to Balance Your Spain & Portugal Cruise Port Days 07:55 - Final Thoughts & Watch Next