Spain port ideas and recommendations?

[babyclaytonmom]

Hello- this summer we will be doing a cruise from Dover to Rome. It stops in Portugal (which we have spent quite a bit of time in) and Spain. We've planned so much for London and Rome and know Lisbon and Porto really well; but havent done any planning for the 4 Spain ports. Please send any ideas for the ports below. Each has 9 or 10 hours there. Which do we 100% need a tour for (we prefer private/small groups tours vs. ship tours, so please recommend some) and which ports can we take a cab/Uber to do something close to port. Open to doing tours when needed but prefer to explore on our own. Thank you in advance!

 

Malaga

La Coruna

Seville (Cadiz)

Cartagena (Murcia)

[edinburgher]

48 minutes ago, babyclaytonmom said:

Please send any ideas for the ports below.

Ideally you want to spend your sightseeing time doing and seeing only the sights which are of interest to you personally, not those of interest to others as everyone has different interests, although this means you doing some pre-trip homework.

 

Suggesting that if you have not already done so, you read past threads for ideas and information.   And try googling eg "(name of city/town) Tourist Information" as these local Tourist Information websites are usually a good starting point.  And eg Tripadvisor, YouTube, Frommer's, Fodors, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and any others which appear when you google as suggested above and maybe borrow guide books from a local library?

 

Cadiz has much to offer without trailing for hours  to and from Seville, but that will be your decision. Cadiz is super easy to DIY should you stay there.  Unless you are comfortable using public transport in Spain, and happy with the travel distances for independent travel, this is where you would consider an excursion.Making this kind of decision is why you need to plan your days to your own interests.

 

A Coruna is the port call for Santiago de Compostela and should you have little interest in religion, you might want different ideas.

 

Cartagena is compact and easily explored independently.

 

Malaga you might want to spend some time looking at as there are many many options but easy to DIY.

 

Past threads to get you started. Choose which you want to read from these

 

 

Malaga

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=malaga&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

 

la (aLso A )Coruna

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=a coruna&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

 

 

 

Cadiz

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=cadiz&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

 

 

Seville

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=seville&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

 

Cartagena.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=cartagena&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

 

 

And do look at shorex even should you not want to book one as they will usually describe the highlights and what could be possible within your port timings.

 

 

Edited April 13 by edinburgher

[alserrod]

20 hours ago, babyclaytonmom said:

Hello- this summer we will be doing a cruise from Dover to Rome. It stops in Portugal (which we have spent quite a bit of time in) and Spain. We've planned so much for London and Rome and know Lisbon and Porto really well; but havent done any planning for the 4 Spain ports. Please send any ideas for the ports below. Each has 9 or 10 hours there. Which do we 100% need a tour for (we prefer private/small groups tours vs. ship tours, so please recommend some) and which ports can we take a cab/Uber to do something close to port. Open to doing tours when needed but prefer to explore on our own. Thank you in advance!

 

Malaga

La Coruna

Seville (Cadiz)

Cartagena (Murcia)

 

 

 

Stay in Cadiz. Do not go to Sevilla.

 

Cadiz port is absolutely besides old town. You have enough for a day visit