Europe’s Atlantic Highlights—From Lisbon to Hamburg

Set out from this enchanting city

The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture. Take a stroll through the classical districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama, the old Islamic quarter, where there are remains of a Roman theater and a Moorish fortress. A bit outside the city center, you can visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery before you set sail.  

MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you in the harbor. After being welcomed aboard, settle into your cabin and begin your adventure at sea.  

Explore the UNESCO-listed historic center of Porto

Settle into life on board as we approach our first stop: Leixões, Portugal. From here, you can see the lighthouse of Leça, the Boa Nova Chapel, and the beautiful beach of Praia Azul.    

You can take a shuttle bus to Porto, which is famed for its port wine and UNESCO-listed historic center. It’s an undulating city made for walking where you'll fall in love with the pastel houses, colorful tiled façades, street art, ornate churches, and panoramic views across the Douro River.   

Here you can stroll along the bustling promenade by the Ribeira docks, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, snack on delicious petiscos and enjoy wine tastings at the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

See Galicia's heritage in Ferrol

Enjoy a relaxing morning on board. Attend an engaging lecture with the Expedition Team in the Science Center or soak up the steam in the sauna or a hot tub before we enter the Ría de Ferrol. Admire the imposing forts of La Palma and San Felipe that sit on either side of the headland, protecting the city within. 

Ferrol is one of Spain’s best-preserved 18th century port cities. While you’re here, criss-cross Barrio de la Magdalena's grid of streets and explore the city’s maritime museums. 

El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, starts in Ferrol.  You may also be able to join an excursion to Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Christian sites in the world.

Savor a different cultural flavor in Asturias

Gijón has a prime position on the Bay of Biscay; it is the cultural heart of Asturias and has grown from a small fishing village settled by the Romans into a prominent port city. 

Experience its old-town charm on a stroll through Cimadevilla Park and the Barrio del Carmen district, exploring beautiful Baroque churches and the Plaza del Marqués. You can also hike up to Mirador de la Providencia, an unusual viewpoint shaped like the hull of a ship that offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape. 

Then you can relax on the golden sands of the beach at Playa de San Lorenzo, enjoy a coastal walk, or savor fresh fish and other Asturian delicacies accompanied by a glass of refreshing local cider.

Discover the jewel of the Basque Country

Our voyage continues to the Basque region. You'll love the energy of San Sebastián, which offers something for everyone, including food lovers, culture buffs, and surfers.

Pay a visit to the historical district of Parte Vieja, where you’ll find a Gothic church, Baroque façades, and beautiful squares. You can relax on the beach of La Concha or take a cable car to Monte Igueldo. The steep ascent up Monte Urgull will reward you with fantastic bay views from its fortifications. 

Make sure you find time to sample some traditional Basque cuisine. The delicious pintxos are perfect small bites to snack on as you tour the city.

Pasajes is located at the head of a picturesque sea inlet and surrounded by verdant hills. Explore the historic streets and admire the 17th century residences at your leisure, all while soaking Pasajes’ 1,000-year-old maritime history.

Raise a glass in Bordeaux

Bordeaux’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is bursting with culture and art at every turn. If you love art and architecture, you’re spoiled for choice, from the famous water mirror at Place de la Bourse to the Gothic St. André Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. 

But it's wine that's the true soul of Bordeaux. With over 8,500 châteaux and producers in the region, and vineyards just a short tram ride from town, you can taste and compare some of the 60 appellations, from the stellar red Bordeaux Supérieur to sweet Sauternes.

Explore the many charms of Île-d’Yeu

What Île-d’Yeu lacks in size, it more than makes up for in diversity of landscapes. This pretty little island is home to rocky shores, dunes, pine forest, and lush meadows.  

First inhabited over 5,000 years ago by farmers of the Neolithic period, the island has many historical sites, ranging from superbly preserved dolmens and menhirs to medieval castles and tiny villages. You can rent a bike, or just discover the island’s treasures on foot. 

Ports in Île-d’Yeu are too small for our ship, so if the conditions are favorable, we’ll anchor off the island and use our small boats to take you ashore.

Inspiring coastal scenery and maritime history

We’ll use our small expedition boats to go ashore at the picturesque seaside town of Douarnenez, where you'll find the colorful quaysides, sandy beaches, and steep cliffs that inspired famous painters like Renoir and Boudin. In addition to fishermen’s huts and seamen’s chapels, Douarnenez hosts a wonderful maritime museum with boats from around the world.  

While you’re here, you can choose to discover the wild beauty of Pointe Du Raz, a promontory facing the elements of the Atlantic Ocean, where Finistère really does feel like the “End of the Earth.”  Or explore the charming Breton town of Quimper, whose skyline is dominated by the twin spires of Saint Corentin Cathedral.

A beautiful Breton town steeped in history

Viewed from the sea, Saint-Malo is an impressive sight, fringed by fortified bastions and gently sloping beaches. We’ll anchor off the town and use our small boats to go ashore. 

A circular walk along the ramparts offers the best views of the town and surrounding islands. Follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets, and visit Demeure De Corsaire to learn about the feared corsairs and the town’s pirate heritage.  

You can walk to Île de Grand Bé at low tide or join an excursion to visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. The island has the remains of an ancient fort, and this is where the renowned local writer Chateaubriand is buried.

Reflect and relax on a calming day at sea

Enjoy the day relaxing while we navigate the waters of the channel that separates continental Europe from the British Isles.  

While the British call it the “English Channel,” it’s more commonly known in continental Europe as “La Manche,” or derivations of that. The Dutch may have the most diplomatic name for it: they simply call it “Het Kanaal,” or “the Channel.”  

Whatever the name, a quarter of the world’s maritime trade navigates through this passage. Our expert Expedition Team will be happy to share their knowledge about these historic waters with you.

Discover the peaceful charm of this historic island

Just off the German mainland, tiny Heligoland was once a base for pirates and the strategic prize for a string of warring nations. Now this peaceful, traffic-free island is better known for its stunning nature, and at certain times of the year, its birdlife.

If conditions allow, local boats will take us ashore to explore both of Heligoland’s distinctive islands. On one island, you can walk the scenic trails along the red cliffs to look out for nesting birdlife such as Northern Gannets and Common Guillemots. On the other, you can stroll along the fine white sands lined by dunes in search for seals lounging around the shores.

End your cruise in Germany’s second city

Your expedition cruise comes to an end in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany, which has one of the greenest urban areas in Europe. 

There’s much to see and do in Hamburg. If you have time, you'll find many attractions in the old-town district of Altstadt, including the St. Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße.   

Hamburg is also home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Chilehaus and the world's largest historic warehouse complex in Speicherstadt. Art lovers should head to Kunsthalle, the nation’s foremost art museum.