Iberian Penninsula Cruise

Posted by mading57 on 12/02/18 02:23 PM

6 family members will be traveling on a 12 day cruise through the Iberian Peninsula in September 2019 beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Barcelona. We have some decisions made but are deciding whether to book remaining sightseeing tours through the cruise line, private tour companies or on our own for a few other ports. We are pretty seasoned travelers and are comfortable with public transportation and lots of walking. I'm looking for any thoughts my fellow travelers might have on the following ports. All are one day stops wit the exception of Bilboa. Listed in parentheses are the docking ports. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Used this forum several times in the past for advice and have never been steered wrong.
Donna

Bruges (Zeebrugge)
Bilboa - overnight. We've already booked a private full day tour to the Rioja Wine Region but have a second day open.
Lisbon
Seville (Cadiz)
Cartagena

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

12/02/18 03:59 PM

29786 posts

There is a lot to see in Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum, Fine Arts Museum, very nice historic district (Casco Viejo) that is not particularly touristy, and an attractive city center with some early-20th century architecture. A bit over an hour away bus (train is scenic but much slower) is San Sebastian, a pretty city, considerably smaller, which has a magnificent beach and an historic district which is now mostly tapas bars. And tourists. Many tourists. SS is very popular with foodies.

Although I much preferred Bilbao, with your obvious interest in wine, San Sebastian might be your sort of place.

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

12/02/18 04:06 PM

8111 posts

Not knowing what is included in the ship or private tours, It’s hard to say which you should do. What I can say is, if a ship sponsored tour is going to be late returning to the ship, the ship will wait. It you’re on a private tour or doing it on your own, the ship will leave without you.

Bruges is very much worth visiting. It’s good for a couple days visit. I’m not a fan of either Lisbon or Bilbao. Sevilla is worth a few days. As Nick said, Cartagena is the least known of the places you mentioned. I enjoyed it for the short time I was there, years ago. Nick mentioned Murcia city and Lorca. Visited them in 2014. I was underwhelmed with Murcia city. Lorca has a large castle that is ok. it has been made fairly touristy during certain times of the year. During those periods, it’s probably fine. When we went in September, none of the extra events, re-enactments, etc. we’re going on, so we felt the entrance price was too expensive for simply walking around a castle.

Posted by Jennifer

Tunbridge Wells

12/02/18 04:26 PM

6113 posts

Lisbon is a compact city, easy to see yourselves.

If travelling from Cadiz to Seville by train, you need to allow 2 hours in each direction, which won’t give you much time for sightseeing. Seville deserves three full days, as there is plenty to see. Closer is Jerez, where you could visit a sherry bodega if time permits or you could explore Cadiz itself and take the regular ferry to El Puerto de Santa Maria and visit a bodega and explore the old town.

Cartagena to Granada is over 3 hours by road in each direction and over 4 hours by train and is therefore not practical for a day trip.