8 hidden gem cruise ports that you shouldn't skip
Complaints about overtourism and a desire to visit unique destinations are helping cruise passengers fall in love with lesser-known and unexpected ports of call.
The cities and coastal resorts that passengers and cruise ships spend time in have become more important amid backlash from locals and environmental concerns. In some cases, cruise ships have had to change their choice of dock due to restrictions.
Venice has banned large cruise ships, while Amsterdam is limiting ship visits ahead of an outright ban by 2035. The Mayor of Nice has also proposed banning larger vessels.
To ensure passengers can still reach popular places, some ports are used as drop-off points to then travel to major cities where the main excursions take place. Examples include docking in Rotterdam to reach Amsterdam or Cadiz for Seville.
But many cruise passengers are also finding hidden gems in the port where the ship docks rather than travelling further afield. These locations can be more convenient as they are often walking distance from the ship, saving you money on taxis and meaning you avoid queues for shuttle buses.
Cruise brands are also recognising that passengers want unique experiences and may enjoy quieter locations on their itinerary rather than the typical holiday hotspots.
Here are the overlooked cruise ports that could be worth staying in rather than travelling through.
Nafplio
Mykonos and Santorini may capture the attention of passengers on a Greek island cruise, but it could be worth visiting Nafplio if it is on your cruise itinerary.
Sitting on the Greek mainland, the picturesque Venetian fortress town offers a quieter alternative to Athens. It has its own historic townhouses now converted into top boutique hotels and unique Greek dishes such as Gkiosa, an elder ewe or goat meat slow-baked in a stone wood stove.
You can visit Nafplio during a Celebrity Cruises Best of Greece sailing aboard Celebrity Infinity. Prices for a departure from Athens on 17 March start from £489 per person.
Sitting on Spain's often-overlooked northern coast, Asturias offers green landscapes in the Iberian peninsula and plenty of quieter beaches compared with more popular areas of Spain.
Cruises cover the Asturias province on stops in Gijon where excursions include the Baroque Revillagigedo Palace and the statue of King Pelayo, founder of the Kingdom of Asturias – or just drinking the local cider.
Trieste
Sitting on the north east coast of Italy, Trieste has become a popular location for large cruise ships since many vessels have been banned from its neighbour Venice.
Known as 'little Vienna on the sea', the port offers its own canals and is known as the coffee capital of Italy, making it a great place to get your caffeine fix.
MSC Cruises visits Trieste on Mediterranean sailings. Excursions include the Castle of Miramare, residence of Maximilian of Hapsburg and Charlotte of Belgium. A seven-night sailing aboard MSC Fantasia embarks and disembarks in Trieste, prices start from £1,299 for a 16 June 2025 departure.
Disko Island
Disko Island in Greenland ranks among travel company Intrepid's top Not Hot destinations.
Nearby Canada and Iceland get all the attention for snow-capped mountains but Disko Island, or Qeqertarsuaq in Greenlandic, offers its own unique fjords, valleys and basalt mountains to enjoy with fewer crowds. Its icebergs are some of the largest in the northern hemisphere and can be best-witnessed with expedition ships such as Hurtigruten.
Hurtigruten has a 13-day The Icy Giants of Disko Bay voyage. Prices start from £8,652 per person, departing 21 June from Reykjavík.
Cadiz
The south west coastal city of Cadiz has traditionally been seen as a cruise drop-off point for excursions to Seville, but it offers plenty for cruise passengers in port.
History buffs will love its Roman ruins and the narrow streets of its old towns where you can eat tapas and climb the Baroque watchtower Torre Tavira. There is even a quaint puppet museum that you can enjoy en-route to the city's many beaches.
You can visit Cadiz with Princess Cruises. It has an eight-day European Explorer sailing from Barcelona to Southampton, departing on 10 July aboard Majestic Princess. Prices start from £949 per person.
Zadar
The Croatian coastal city of Zadar is a lesser-known cruise destination but is quieter than the the more popular Dubrovnik and Split, making it a great way to spend a day off the ship.
Sailing on smaller ships can be advantageous as they can fit into the city's old port at the centre of the city, giving cruise passengers direct access to its ancient Roman streets and isolated coves.
Alternatively, the city centre is just a 12-minute shuttle bus from Zadar's main cruise terminal. Popular excursions include hiking through the Paklenica National Park where you can witness breathtaking canyons, caves, cliffs and natural works of art known locally as skrape.
Luxury small ship brand Azamara visits Zadar and can get you right to the centre of town. It has a 10-night Croatia Intensive Voyage departing from Athens on 12 July, with prices starting from £2,139 per person.
Bilbao
Barcelona may be the gem of the north of Spain but with locals complaining about overtourism on La Rambla, a potentially more welcoming option along the coast is Bilbao.
While Barcelona has its unique architecture and Catalan culture, Bilbao brings its own unique flavour as a cruise stop as the largest city in the Basque country. It has its own Guggenheim Museum, stunning views from the 251-metre high Mount Artxanda and a Winston Churchill-themed pub. Stadium tours are also available to the Estadio de San Mamés to learn about the city's successful football club Athletic Bilbao.
Royal Caribbean visits Bilbao during its Northern Spain cruise aboard Independence of the Seas. A week-long roundtrip from Southampton departing on 4 October starts from £749 per person.
Rotterdam
Amsterdam is in the process of phasing out cruise ships to reduce overtourism. Many ships now stop in Rotterdam instead and passengers may still be able to take an excursion to the Dutch capital. But it is also worth exploring Rotterdam itself.
Ships dock right in the centre, and this is a walkable city where you can enjoy the Blaak cube houses and the old harbour. Money geeks can even visit the museum of tax.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Hiker falls 2,600ft to death after bear shoves him off ravine in holiday hotspot
Experienced hiker Christos Stavrianidis was venturing into the forest in central Macedonia, Greece with another veteran rambler to chart a path that would allow people to visit a downed warplane that crashed there 70 years ago A hiker plummeted to his death after a brown bear knocked him down a 2,600ft ravine in Greece this week. Veteran rambler Christos Stavrianidis was found at the bottom of the bottom of the ravine and rushed to Kavala hospital in Kavala, Central Macedonia, where he was pronounced dead. He and another experienced hiker Dimitris Kioroglou, were heading in to the forest to see the 70-year-old remains of a downed Greek warplane on Monday. Speaking to NewsIT, Dimitris said: "I suddenly saw a bear which attacked me. My dog delayed it for a few seconds. I used pepper spray, and it headed to where my friend was and knocked him into the ravine." He also told Greece's national broadcaster, TV ERT that Christos had run out of bear spray when he was approached by the "very big bear". "I've never seen such speed and such strength before," he added. A spokesman for Greek wildlife organisation Arcturos said the bear was displaying "defensive behaviour" rather than that of "attack". "The bear is trying to push back what it sees as a threat," he told TV ERT. The pair were heading out to visit a warplane that Christos had discovered last year. They were trying to find an accessible route so more people could see it. Speaking to a journalist last year, he said: "It's a beautiful discovery that deserves to be viewed on location ... the fuselage is nearly intact. It's a treasure of nature and should be left [in the forest]." Under Greek law, brown bears are protected and can be found in western Rhodopes and Northern and Central Pindos. There are thought to be around 450 of the creatures in Greece. In January, a father and son died after a terrifying bear attack in a forest in India. The duo had ventured into the area to gather wood when they were viciously attacked by an enraged sloth bear in the Kanker area of Chhattisgarh. The victims, Suklal Darro, 45, and Ajju Kureti, 22, tragically died as a result of the attack. Despite efforts to save them, Darro succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, while Kureti passed away on the spot. Reports indicate that a forest officer also sustained injuries while attempting to rescue Darro and Kureti from the bear's clutches. The bear, in a fit of rage, held the officer in its arms and tried to crush him. "Don't run away," a man in the background can be heard saying to the guard moments before bear mauled him. The bear was captured on camera charging into the woods to attack three people.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
European wildfire hell - all the holiday heat dome hotspots battling infernos
Wildfires have broken out in several European countries loved by British holidaymakers, with Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey and France all impacted as a powerful heatwaves roasts the Continent Wildfires have broken out across Europe as the Continent battles with ferociously hot temperatures. The mercury could reach a ferocious 47°C in Spain this weekend, while road surfaces are beginning to melt in Italy. Those in France, Portugal, Turkey and Greece are also struggling to deal with stifling, brutally hot days and nights. As well as the heat being a danger to the health of locals and holidaymakers alike, with one tourist already having lost their life to heatstroke in Majorca, the risk of wildfires is sky high in countries across Europe, and have already broken out in several. It's unlikely the heat will relent anytime soon, thanks to the heat dome currently hanging over Europe. The meteorological phenomenon occurs when a high-pressure ridge traps a thick layer of warm air in one region, acting like a lid on a pot. The impact of human-driven climate change has only made the risk of such heatwaves worse. Greece Greece has borne the brunt of the wildfires in Europe so far this summer, with serious blazes breaking out in several areas. A fierce blaze ripped through the area south of Athens on Thursday, leading to evacuation orders and forcing officials to shut off sections of the vital coastal route from the Greek capital to Sounion — home of the historic Temple of Poseidon and a key draw for visitors. As a dozen aircraft and helicopters swooped in to combat the blaze from above, they supported a ground operation of 130 firefighters and their volunteer counterparts near Palaia Fokaia, on the outskirts of Athens. The coast guard announced that two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area, ready for a potential sea evacuation. Fire department spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis revealed that 40 individuals had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for five areas in total. The wider Athens area, along with several Aegean islands, is currently on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for wildfire risk due to weather conditions, with the heatwave predicted to persist until the weekend. Earlier this week, it took hundreds of firefighters four days to control a significant wildfire on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. Over a dozen evacuation orders were issued for Chios, where the flames consumed forests and farmland. Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during its sweltering, arid summers. In 2018, a colossal fire engulfed the coastal town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping residents in their homes and on escape routes. The disaster claimed over 100 lives, including some who tragically drowned while attempting to swim away from the inferno. Spain So far, wildfires have been limited in Spain, but the threat is rising as the country braces for seriously high temperatures over the coming days. The mercury could reach a ferocious 47°C in Spain this weekend. On Thursday, a forest fire broke out in the Talavera de la Reina region, creating a column of smoke visible from the city. A total of 10 vehicles — two of them aerial — and 38 personnel were called in to put it out. The Canary Islands government has issued a warning for Gran Canaria starting this Saturday due to high temperatures across the entire island. There is a risk of forest fires at altitudes above 400 metres. Temperatures in Gran Canaria are expected to exceed 34°C this weekend and will likely approach 37°C, with strong winds increasing the danger. The Canary Islands government is urging the public to avoid lighting fires — even in barbecues or recreational areas — and to avoid using tools or machinery that could produce sparks, such as chainsaws, brush cutters, or welders. A pre-alert for heat has been issued for the rest of the archipelago, with temperatures expected to be around 30–34°C (86–93°F) on El Hierro, La Gomera, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, as well as on the eastern, southern, and western slopes of Tenerife, and 26–32°C (79–90°F) on the northern coast of Gran Canaria. Portugal Wildfires are serious business in Portugal. Last year, there were 6,267 individual wildfires recorded, with 16 people losing their lives as a result. In total, 137,000 hectares were destroyed — an area four times larger than the previous year. So far this year, 22 people have been arrested for arson, according to Público. The total financial loss last year in Portugal — including materials, biomass for energy, fruits, and stored carbon — reached around 67 million euros and affected 2.36 million cubic metres of wood. While last year was, hopefully, an outlier in terms of wildfire severity, with temperatures nudging 40°C in parts of Portugal this weekend, blazes are likely. Italy The boot-shaped country is also facing the risk of wildfires this weekend, with unrelenting sunshine and highs nudging 40°C in the south. Today, two fires broke out near Rome and in Dragoncello. Flames and smoke rose up, threatening to engulf several properties. Turkey Wildfires broke out in eight provinces in Turkey on a single day this week. Most were in western provinces — areas where many Europeans travel on holiday. All fires were brought under control after coordinated air and ground efforts. According to the General Directorate of Forestry, five of the fires began in rural areas and later spread to nearby forests. 'Fifty percent of wildfires start in agricultural zones. Small acts of negligence can lead to major disasters,' the authority warned, urging the public not to "set our future on fire.' One of the most dangerous blazes broke out in the Osmangazi district of the northwestern province of Bursa. Fueled by strong winds, the flames quickly spread from forested areas to nearby residential zones. France France has yet to be hit by major wildfires this year, but firefighters are on high alert this weekend. The Bouches-du-Rhône is on orange alert, and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse are on yellow alert due to the intense heat expected to persist into the weekend. Strong winds may make matters more difficult to control if a blaze does break out. According to La Provence, the 'risk of major fires is high.' Let me know if you'd like this shortened or rewritten for publication (e.g., news website, print, or social media).
STV News
21 hours ago
- STV News
Matt Damon in Scotland to film Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
Hollywood star Matt Damon has been pictured in Scotland where he is filming Christopher Nolan's new film The Odyssey. The Good Will Hunting actor posed for photos with gymgoers at Motion Fitness in Buckie, Moray, and staff at Cullen Antiques Centre. The movie is an adaptation of Homer's epic poem about the heroic king Odysseus – portrayed by Damon. Peter Jolly Hollywood star Matt Damon posed for photos with gymgoers at Motion Fitness in Buckie, Moray. Peter Jolly It's described by Universal Pictures as a 'mythic action epic' and is filming at Findlater Castle overlooking the Moray Firth. The film boasts an ensemble cast jam-packed with stars including Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal. Universal Pictures The Odyssey: A promotional image of star Matt Damon in costume as Odysseus. Universal Pictures The movie follows the Ancient Greek king of Ithaca's journey home after the Trojan War. Nolan and his cast are shooting across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. Earlier this month, the world's largest ocean-going Viking-style longship sailed into Buckie Harbour as part of the shoot in the north of Scotland. It is due to be released on July 17, 2026. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
