tarragona and alicante

We visited Tarragona in 2017 and really enjoyed our day there. Tarragona is a great place just "to be" and walk around. The Roman ruins and the cathedral are particularly interesting. The cathedral is built on top of a Roman temple that has been partially excavated. Also, renovations of the cathedral uncovered some beautiful frescoes that had been covered up over the centuries.

I guess if you're on a Mediterranean cruise, Sitges wouldn't be all that special, but it is a pretty beach town.

The Priorat Wine Country is close to Tarragona. If you can find a shore excursion to take you there, I would definitely consider that - assuming you're into wine!

Can't help with Alicante.

Alicante (aka Alacant) main sight must be the castle. It's pretty impressive & extensive. It's at the top of the mountain you will see from your boat. There is a lift up/down, but I think you can also walk down through the old town which is well-worth seeing. Lots of narrow, higgledy-piggledy streets decorated by plants (though that may depend on time of year). There is the esplanade to walk with a marina and beach, some of it is quite touristy with British style pubs and American fast food places. Go back a few streets and it becomes more "Spanish", or "Valencian" perhaps. Depending when you are there, the city could be busy as it's a popular destination.

If you want something different, its an easy trip to Elche to visit the town's palm groves and old buildings. You could go there and back in a day as it is only 30 minutes by commuter railway each way and Alicante station is only a short taxi ride from the cruise port.

I suspect you definitely don't want to visit Benidorm, though it's pretty impressive in it's way and easy to get to on the tram. But probably not what you're looking for.

thank you for your replies - great ideas