A practical guide to the cruise ports of Northern Europe

Telegraph

4 days ago

Northern Europe has been blessed with a world-beating mix of scenic and cultural wonders, which happily for British travellers sit right on our doorstep.
Visitors can opt for an enriching array of historic cities that trace their heritage back thousands of years, and the natural mastery of the Norwegian fjords with dramatic vistas of soaring peaks and tumbling waterfalls.
There's no disguising the Viking roots of elegant Scandinavian capitals such as Stockholm and Oslo, while Baltic cities Tallinn and Riga inject a medieval flavour of storybook castles and winding cobbled streets.
Along the Channel coasts lie picturesque towns overflowing with chocolate-box appeal, while the UK's own spectacular landscapes are crowned by illustrious maritime cities.
This potted guide to some of the region's most popular port stops contains practical information about going ashore and exploring each stop. For more detailed information, including the best dining spots, things to do and what to see, our destination pages can help.
Bruges
Cruise port location
The nearest port to Bruges is Zeebrugge, which is seven miles away and where most ships call, though the city can be visited from other ports, including Ostend and Antwerp.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Cruise companies offer tours/transfers to Bruges, and there are trains from Zeebrugge's stations, Zeebrugge-Dorp and Zeebrugge-Strand, though neither is that close to the cruise terminal.
The best option is to catch a tram to the station at nearby Blankenberge – some cruise lines offer a complimentary shuttle. The train takes 15 minutes from around €3 one-way. There are also coach shuttles to Bruges, costing around €25 return, and taxis, costing approximately €50 each way. The drive takes around 30 minutes.
How to get around
Bruges is easy to explore on foot as its historic heart is so compact. For those arriving by train, the station is half a mile, a 12-minute walk, from the centre. There is also a bus service that links that station with the city centre, which runs every five minutes, and numerous taxis.
Don't miss . . .
Bruges' Groeninge Museum may be small, but it is packed with artistic riches of early Flemish and Renaissance art.
Plan your visit to Bruges with our destination guide.
Amsterdam
Cruise port location
There are two ports, the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal, which is close to the city centre, and the small town of Ijmuiden on the North Sea coast.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The Amsterdam Passenger Terminal has long been the most popular option of the two because of its central location, just a 10 to 15-minute walk from the main Central Station and a 20-minute walk from the city centre. There are also trams, buses and taxis.
However, overtourism concerns and environmental protests mean more ships are docking at the seaport of Ijmuiden, which is around 20 miles from Amsterdam. Cruise companies offer shuttles and excursions, though there is a bus service, as well as taxis.
How to get around
Amsterdam is a very walkable city, and it's easy to get your bearings. Exploring on foot is considered the best way to get around, though there's an extensive tram service (which is cashless). Another option is to join the locals on two wheels and hire a bike from one of the many rental locations.
Don't miss . . .
Anne Frank House, where the Frank family hid during World War II, and where Anne wrote her famous diaries. It gets so busy, you need to book several weeks in advance.
Plan your visit to Amsterdam with our destination guide.
Rotterdam
Cruise port location
The Rotterdam Cruise Terminal is at Wilhelminakade where ships dock near the Erasmus Bridge, around 1.5 miles from the city centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It's a pleasant 25-minute walk into the city, across the Erasmus Bridge with stunning views. Metro and tram stops are a five-minute walk from the terminal, where you can catch trams 20, 23 and 25. Taxis are available from outside the terminal, taking just a few minutes and costing around €18. There is usually a shuttle bus that runs from the terminal into the city, either provided by the cruise line or the port.
How to get around
There's an efficient and comprehensive public transport network with good value tourist tickets. Waterbuses and water taxis provide a waterborne way to explore, or visitors can hire bikes or use rideshare services through Donkey Republic and Lime. There are also hop-on hop-off bus tours, but for going further afield, there are trains to Amsterdam, Delft and Gouda.
Don't miss . . .
Delfshaven is one of Rotterdam's most attractive historic quarters that avoided World War II bombings with an atmospheric harbour, an old windmill and gabled buildings.
Plan your visit to Amsterdam with our destination guide.
Hamburg
Cruise port location
There are several docking areas, with the main three being HafenCity, closest to the city centre; Altona, along the waterfront promenade; and the modern terminal at Steinwerder, nearly two miles away.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
HafenCity in the redeveloped old warehouse area of Hamburg is a 20-minute walk from the city centre.
Altona is in the redeveloped former fish dock and is where larger cruise ships dock. It isn't within walking distance of the centre, but there's a water bus every 15 minutes that goes to the Landungsbrücken Wharf – from where hop-on hop-off buses and harbour tours depart.
From Steinwerder, most cruise lines operate shuttles or there are bus, train and taxi services.
How to get around
Hamburg has an extensive and efficient public transport network of underground trains (U-Bahn), a light rail network (S-Bahn), buses and ferries that serve the harbour and the River Elbe. This is also a bike-friendly city with a network of cycle paths, a public bike system called StadtRAD Hamburg plus e-bike and e-scooter rentals.
Don't miss . . .
A Beatles walking tour that takes visitors to the favourite haunts of the Fab Four's early days.
Le Havre
Cruise port location
Ships dock at the cruise terminal in the main port, which is about 1.5 miles from the centre of the city.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Admittedly, it's not the most interesting of walks, but it takes around 20 minutes to reach Le Havre's Quai de Southampton waterfront. From here, continuing into the centre of town takes just a few minutes more. Some cruise companies provide shuttles, and these take three or four minutes.
However, there is a local shuttle service and a taxi rank at the cruise welcome centre where you can also pick up tourist guides and maps.
How to get around
The city itself is walkable, though there are also trams. The train station is a 30-minute walk from the cruise terminal if you want to go further afield. One of the main draws, particularly for Americans, is the chance to visit Paris – though it takes over two hours by coach or train.
Don't miss . . .
Taking a tour or taxi to the pretty 13th-century fishing village of Honfleur, famed for its picturesque harbour lined with cafes and oozing maritime charm.
Edinburgh
Cruise port location
The Scottish capital has four ports, with Leith, which is the main port, followed by South Queensferry, Rosyth and Newhaven.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Leith is closest to Edinburgh and where the Royal Yacht Britannia is moored. The mile-long Water of Leith Walkway leads to Princes Street in the centre, though there are bus services too.
Newhaven is about two miles away and 10 minutes by bus or taxi. This is a tender port, as is South Queensferry, where ships anchor by the Forth Bridge and guests are then taken to Hawes Pier to catch a bus or train into the city. Rosyth is furthest at 14 miles distant and there are shuttle buses, trains (taking around 30 minutes) and taxis.
How to get around
Once you reach the city centre, most of the main attractions are within walking distance as the historic centre is fairly compact. There is a good bus network and efficient tram service, plus hop-on, hop-off bus tours that visit all the main sights.
Don't miss . . .
Hike to the top of Arthur's Seat, the craggy peak with spectacular views over the city.
Plan your visit to Edinburgh with our destination guide.
Belfast
Cruise port location
The new Belfast Cruise Ship Terminal, which opened in 2019, is situated to the north-east of the city in Stormont Wharf on the Lagan River, where there are two docks.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Central Belfast is two miles away, though it is not walkable through the docks area. Taxis are readily available for the 10-minute drive. Some cruise lines provide a free shuttle into the city, and there is an independent shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes from the terminal to Titanic Belfast and the city centre.
The journey takes around 17 minutes, and cruise passengers are dropped at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre opposite Belfast City Hall.
How to get around
Many of Belfast's main attractions can be reached on foot or by the inexpensive Metro Bus Service, while the hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour offers a good overall taste of the city's main attractions.
Take a Black Cab tour for an insider's view of the Catholic and Protestant areas or join a walking tour of the Falls Road. Further afield are tours to Giant's Causeway and Game of Thrones locations.
Don't miss . . .
The Titanic Quarter with its award-winning Titanic Belfast museum, located on the spot where the legendary ship was designed, built and launched.
Plan your visit to Belfast with our destination guide.
Liverpool
Cruise port location
The Liverpool Cruise Terminal enjoys a stunning backdrop at the Pier Head in front of the iconic Three Graces buildings in the heart of the city.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The closest attractions are the Three Graces: the Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building. All are just a few minutes away.
Walk past these and the historic Albert Dock with the Liverpool Tate gallery and Merseyside Maritime Museum, are a further 10 minutes away.
Happily, many of Liverpool's main sights are within walking distance, including the area around Mathew Street where the Cavern Club is located, which takes about 20 minutes.
How to get around
As the city is so compact and its attractions are close together, walking is the easiest way to see them. However, there are plenty of taxis and hop-on, hop-off tours of the city.
Beatles tours that visit their former homes in the suburbs are best done by coach, and there's also the ferry across the Mersey to the Wirral.
Don't miss . . .
A walking tour that not only showcases Liverpool's music heritage but also delves into the financial district and uncovers the city's fascinating history as a global port.
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Cruise port location
Ships call at the capital Kirkwall, which has two docking points, Hatston Pier and Kirkwall Pier, though some ships moor in Kirkwall Bay and tender passengers ashore.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Kirkwall Pier, which can be used by smaller ships, is centrally located and less than a 10-minute walk from the city, while Hatston Pier is around 2.5 miles away.
A complimentary shuttle bus runs on a continuous rotation between the pier and the city, taking around seven minutes. To walk takes approximately 40 minutes. Tender passengers from larger ships moored in the bay arrive in the heart of Kirkwall, a short walk from the shopping areas.
How to get around
Kirkwall's attractions are easily reached on foot through its attractive cobbled streets, though its most famous draw is the 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral.
Yet it's beyond the city that some of Orkney's most notable attractions lie. These are most easily reached on tours as public transport is limited, though there are bus and taxi services.
Don't miss . . .
The Neolithic remains of Skara Brae, one of the oldest and best preserved prehistoric villages in Europe.
Plan your visit to Orkney with our destination guide.
Dublin
Cruise port location
Ships dock at Alexandra Quay at Dublin Port, a mile from the city centre, or at Dun Laoghaire, eight miles south. Small ships can sail up the River Liffey and dock in the centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
As Alexandra Quay is in an industrial area, passengers must take the port's complimentary shuttle to/from the entrance. Some lines also provide a shuttle into the city.
Alternatively, taxis take just a few minutes and cost around €12. From Dun Laoghaire, where larger ships moor offshore and tender guests in, there is a station a few minutes' walk away with DART electric rail services every 15 minutes and taking 20 minutes. Taxis and buses are also available.
How to get around
Dublin's main historic sights are within walking distance of each other, but there's a network of buses that are good value and easy to navigate, and two lines of the Luas tram system. The hop-on hop-off bus tour offers a good way to get your bearings, and there are bikes for hire too.
Don't miss . . .
You can't visit Dublin without a taste of the black stuff, either at the Guinness Storehouse or one of the many atmospheric music bars such as O'Donoghue's.
Plan your visit to Dublin with our destination guide.
Oslo
Cruise port location
Ships dock at one of four piers in the city, and all are within walking distance of the centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It takes 15 minutes to walk to Oslo City Hall, while the area around the main Karl Johans Gate area and the Royal Palace are also within walking distance.
Alternatively, passengers can follow the Harbour Promenade, which sweeps along the waterfront for more than five miles. Also within easy walking distance are the Nobel Peace Centre and the National Gallery. If you want to take a tram, the closest stop to the port is less than 10 minutes away.
How to get around
While Oslo is ideal for exploring on foot, it also has an efficient public transport system. Attractions further afield, such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, can be reached by tram 12, which also stops near other attractions. Take the ferry from the central pier to Bygdøy Peninsula, where several museums are located.
Don't miss . . .
The Fram Museum, which tells the story of polar exploration and is built around the ship used by explorer Roald Amundsen.
Stockholm
Cruise port location
Stadsgarden and Frihamnen are the two main cruise terminals, though some ships anchor at Nynäshamn and small vessels tie up at the centrally located Skeppsbron pier.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
From Skeppsbron, you can step straight into the cobbled streets of Stockholm's medieval old town Gamla Stan. Stadsgarden is about a 20-minute walk from here. Frihamnen is further away, but passengers can take the 76 or 1 bus, which runs every 10 minutes. Cruise companies often provide shuttles that drop off at the Opera House. Nynäshamn is furthest at 36 miles away, but there are trains to Stockholm running every 30 minutes.
How to get around
Stockholm has an excellent public transport system, but be sure to buy your ticket in advance as it is impossible to do so onboard, and fines for non-payment can be high. Trams are a good way to get around, and there are taxis, but these are expensive. There are also hop-on, hop-off bus and boat tours.
Don't miss . . .
A must for all fans of the Swedish Fab Four is the Abba Museum, where dancing queens abound.
Copenhagen
Cruise port location
Large ships dock at Ocean Quay, two miles north of the city, and smaller vessels moor at Langelinie or Nordre Toldbod quays, closer to the centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Some lines offer shuttles from Ocean Quay. Otherwise, it takes 20-30 minutes to the city centre, which involves taking buses 25 or 164 from the port to the Orientkaj metro station, where you continue to the centre.
From Langelinie, it's a nice 30-minute walk into the city centre with the route taking you past the famous Little Mermaid statue and the Amalienborg Palace. There are also metro and train links. It's a similar situation for Nordre Toldbod.
How to get around
The city centre is very walkable, with its historic centre close to the newer areas around the harbour. There's an excellent transport system in addition to hop-on, hop-off bus tours, which stop at Ocean Quay. Visitors can hire bikes or electric boats to explore the harbour and canals, or jump on a water bus.
Don't miss . . .
The charming and whimsical attractions of the Tivoli Gardens amusement park date from 1843.
Plan your visit to Copenhagen with our destination guide.
Helsinki
Cruise port location
Cruise ships dock in six of the eight harbours of the Finnish capital, with larger ships docking at Hernesaari or West Harbour. Smaller ships dock at South Harbour or Katajanokka.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
South Harbour and Katajanokka are closest to the city, only 0.5 miles distant, so just a short walk from the central Market Square. Hernesaari (also known as Munkkisaari Quay) is 2.5 miles away, which translates as a 45-minute walk or 10-minute drive. Some cruise lines provide shuttles, but there are port shuttles too.
The quays are also served by tramlines with services every 10 minutes or so. The waterfront area is an attraction in itself with al fresco cafes and stalls.
How to get around
The city centre is compact and easy to explore. The main area is around Market Square, while Senate Square and the Lutheran and Russian cathedrals are within close reach. There's a good public transport network that includes local ferries, buses, taxis (though these can be pricey) and hop-on hop-off buses which stop at the cruise terminals.
Don't miss . . .
The Unesco World Heritage island of Suomenlinna and its fortress, built to guard against Russian invaders. It's a 20-minute hop by ferry.
Plan your visit to Helsinki with our destination guide.
Tallinn
Cruise port location
The main cruise dock, which takes at least four ships, is half a mile from the Estonian capital's medieval walls and a little further to the main entrance, Viru Gate.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It's just a 15-minute walk into Tallinn's beautiful Old Town, and cruise passengers can simply follow the cobblestone streets from the dock towards the medieval spires and clock towers.
For those not wanting to walk, cruise ships often provide a shuttle bus to the city centre, costing around €10 return. There are also taxis readily available, which are good value, and buses stop outside the terminals.
How to get around
Tallinn's medieval Old Town is compact, and much of it is pedestrianised. If you don't want to do too much walking, take a taxi to the Russian Cathedral, at the highest and furthest point of the city centre and walk back towards the ship from there. It's all downhill, and the route takes you past the city's main sights. Public transport is good, and there is a tourist tram and hop-on hop-off buses which stop at the cruise terminal.
Don't miss . . .
Climb up to the 60-metre-high viewing platform at St Olav's Church for mesmerising views of the Old Town.
Riga
Cruise port location
There are two docking points in the Latvian capital. Smaller ships tie up at the passenger terminal, just north of Riga's Old Town, while larger ships dock further out.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
If you're docked at the Riga Passenger Terminal, it's a pleasant 10-minute walk along the waterfront to reach the picturesque Old Town, where most of the main sights are located.
The city's celebrated Art Nouveau district is further out, and takes 20 minutes on foot, or you can grab a cab. Riga's second docking spot is at the more industrial KS Terminal, eight miles away, so you need to take a shuttle for the 20-minute journey.
How to get around
While the narrow cobblestone streets and medieval glories of Riga's old town can be largely explored on foot, the city boasts an extensive network of trams, trains, trolleybuses and bus routes that not only cover the city centre, but open up its suburbs. Go to saraksti.lv for more details. There are also ferries and sightseeing boats that explore the canals and the main Daugava River.
Don't miss . . .
Riga's Jugendstil district is filled with gloriously ornate examples of German Art Nouveau.
Alesund
Cruise port location
Ships dock smack bang in the centre of Alesund, a stone's throw from the harbour where many of its famed Art Nouveau buildings are clustered.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The town is just a few minutes away from the port entrance, where there is a tourist information centre, and its attractions are easily accessible on foot, with most within a 20-minute walk.
Within reach is the park that marks the start of the staircase to the Fjellstua viewpoint on Mount Aksla with its spectacular views across the surrounding fjords and mountains. If the 400 or so steps are too much, you can take a taxi to the top instead.
How to get around
While it's easiest to walk, there is a tourist road train that departs every half hour and follows a loop that includes the Fjellstua viewpoint. It takes 70 minutes and costs around £25 per person. A hop-on, hop-off bus departs from the cruise dock and costs approximately £35 per person. There's an efficient bus service which serves the aquarium further away.
Don't miss . . .
Take a trip to Trollveggen, or the Troll Wall, where you follow the Trollstigen that winds up through 11 hairpin bends, making it one of Europe's most dramatic roads.
Plan your visit to Alesund with our destination guide.
Bergen
Cruise port location
The main cruise ship docks are at Skolten and Bontelabo, half a mile from the city centre, while larger ships may dock at Dokken quay, further away.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It's an enchanting 10-minute walk along the waterfront from Skolten and Bontelabo to the historic Bryggen wharf, where the waterfront is lined with colourful Unesco-listed wooden merchants' buildings.
It takes only a few minutes more to reach the fish market, Bergen city centre and the Bergenhus medieval fortress. As the Dokken quay is more industrial, passengers cannot walk here and have to take the port-run shuttle buses to the city centre.
How to get around
While Bergen is very walkable, there is also a good public transport network. All buses that stop at the port also serve the city centre. The hop-on hop-off bus service also stops here, and trolley train tours. Taxis are also available, but are expensive. For going further afield, there's a bus and light-rail network.
Don't miss . . .
Take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Floyen and soak up the spectacular views – while the more energetic can walk, which takes around 60 minutes.
Plan your visit to Bergen with our destination guide.
Kristiansand
Cruise port location
The main dock is just over half a mile from the city, which is where most ships tie up, though there is a second dock nearby if more than one ship is visiting.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It takes only a few minutes to reach Kristiansand's fish market and 20 minutes or so into the heart of the Old Town, known as Posebyen. En route, you pass a number of the town's attractions, such as Kunstsilo Nordic Art Museum and the Kilden Performing Arts Centre, which are both on the waterfront. If you don't want to walk, there's a tourist train that also acts as a shuttle service and runs between the port and the city centre.
How to get around
The city is compact and easy to explore on foot, with everything within walking distance, as is the pretty Old Town. There are local buses that serve Kristiansand Zoo, the Cannon Museum and the Open-air Museum, plus taxis (though these are expensive) and a hop-on, hop-off bus service.
Don't miss . . .
The delightful five-mile ride on the Setesdalsbanen Railway, a vintage narrow-gauge railroad, aboard a steam train that is more than a century old.
Plan your visit to Kristiansand with our destination guide.