Table Of Content
If you tire of the tranquility you find amid tulip fields and beneath towering windmills, make your way to the hipster capital of Rotterdam. Portugal is where many of the first expeditions to the New World start, but most people on European cruises bound for Lisbon wonder why anyone would leave. Explore the mysterious Quinta de Regaleira castle in Sintra, pour port wine in Porto or practise your surfing skills in the Algarve.
Best European Cruises
France has got something for every traveller, which is why so many cruises to Europe dock here. Learn more about Baltic ports like Klaipeda, Lithuania and Tallinn, Estonia, or read up on Bergen, the gateway to Norway's stunning fjords. The Mediterranean provides many options but start by exploring Malaga on Spain's Costa del Sol or the exciting Monte Carlo, Monaco.
SPAIN, PORTUGAL& THE CANARY ISLANDS
Endless possibilities are what the coasts of France, Spain and Portugal have always been about. Generations of iconic painters from Van Gogh to Picasso have found inspiration from the crystalline coasts of the French Riviera to the craggy mountaintops of the Canary Islands. Of course, the best European cruises also dock in timeless cities like Barcelona, Cherbourg, Lisbon and beyond. The hit TV show might be finished, but 'Game of Thrones' fans will recognise dozens of locations in the walled city of Dubrovnik, the jewel of Croatia's Adriatic coast. Further afield, explore the countless waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park or pair European cruises with tastings at underrated wineries. From the storied streets of Rome to the charming canals of Venice, Italy is a country that needs no introduction.
OLD-WORLD WARMTH ALONG A BREEZY COAST
You can feel warmth in your heart no matter the temperature outside, and the northwestern reaches of Europe illustrate this beautifully. Join the best European cruises through the British Isles and along the coast of the Netherlands, where enchanted country charm and royal, old-world cities offer endless possibilities for memories that will last a lifetime. It's no coincidence that many of the best European cruises call in the most beautiful ports in the world. Eat your way through the cobbled streets of Italy, contrast the timeless beauty of Greece's ruins with the modern chic that's come to define its islands or hike through forlorn caverns and up lush waterfalls in captivating Croatia. It's easy to be intrigued by Iceland, whether you walk through Reykjavik's riveting Hallgrimskirkja church, or watch the northern lights dance over Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls. Plus, there are few better ways to cap off cruises to Europe than a dip in the aptly named Blue Lagoon.
Many cruises to Europe also stop in Northern Ireland's Belfast, a city that's a testament to rebirth and reconciliation. Dive into Croatia's waterfalls and France's famous rivers and let the eclecticism of Europe delight you again and again. Culinary excellence also awaits, from familiar favourites like Italian pasta and Spanish tapas, to lesser-known cuisines from Amsterdam to Zagreb. Europe is beautiful in every season, but the peak of comfortable weather (especially in the north) is between May and September. The Dutch have managed to keep the sea at bay for hundreds of years, but many of the best European cruises still make their way into Amsterdam.
WINTER AURORA, SUMMER SUN
Whether you pose with Michelangelo's David in Florence or indulge in to-die-for Pizza in Naples, it's no wonder why so many cruises to Europe visit la bella Italia. From colourful Nyhavn harbour in Copenhagen to storied castles like Amalienborg and Frederiksborg, Denmark more than makes up for the fact that its more famous neighbours often eclipse it. Find endless possibilities and the best European cruises along the Baltic, from the savoury seafood eateries of Oslo, to the cold cityscape of Reykjavik. Sitting down for a meal of freshly caught seafood as the sun sets over the harbour of aptly named Nice.
The most popular ports in the British Isles are Edinburgh in Scotland and the cities of Belfast and Dublin in Ireland. Head west to beautiful Bergen, where finger-shaped fjords jut into and out of thousands of miles of coastline. Or contrast a fresh fish dinner at sea level with a view from the towering Trolltunga cliff. Life is but a dream in Ireland, whether you down a pint of Guinness and trace tales told by James Joyce in Dublin, or careen along the Cliffs of Moher along the west coast.
Sitting down for Spanish tapas is one of the most satisfying food experiences in the world, especially when you wash it down with fruity sangria. Plus, the Jurassic topography of the Canary Islands and the storied streets of Barcelona are just a few of the best places to visit in Europe you'll find here. Greece is remarkable, from the ancient Acropolis of Athens to the blue-roofed houses of Santorini. Whether you trek through the limestone hills in the north or swim through the cobalt waters around the Cyclades, it's easy to see why this is one of the best places to visit in Europe.
