Atlantic Escape Series: Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, and the Canary Islands

Atlantic Escape Series: Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, and the Canary Islands

3 posts in this series More coming soon

A 10-night Atlantic sailing from Lisbon through Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, and the Canary Islands, with two nights in Lisbon before departure. From volcanic coastlines and island views to historic port cities and unexpected stops, this series captures what the route actually feels like beyond the itinerary.

Each post focuses on the experience at each destination, with practical tips and honest takeaways to help you decide what’s worth your time.

We did this sailing on the Norwegian Sun, which is one of the older, smaller ships in the fleet. That ended up working in our favor since the focus stayed on the destinations rather than the ship itself.

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    Rocky coastline with turquoise waves crashing against dark volcanic rocks, a crowded boardwalk with people, and a seaside town with palm trees and white buildings in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    Touring Tenerife with a Local Guide: Volcano Views, Movie Landscapes, and a Barraquito Break

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Tenerife) March 19, 2026 by Lori 5 min read

    A Tenerife tour from Mount Teide to Puerto de la Cruz with volcano views, black sand beaches, and a must-try barraquito.
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    Crowds heading toward the Maspalomas dunes through a palm-lined entrance, with golden sand dunes stretching out ahead in Gran Canaria

    Gran Canaria Cruise Stop: Sand Dunes, Puerto de Mogán, and a Surprisingly Good Pizza

    Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) March 31, 2026 by Drew 4 min read

    From sand dunes that feel straight out of the Sahara to a colorful marina and a surprisingly good sweet-and-salty pizza, this Gran Canaria cruise stop packed in more variety than expected. Here’s how the day actually played out, what we’d change, and what’s worth your time.
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    View along the ridge of the Rock of Gibraltar with the city, harbor, and coastline on one side and the Mediterranean Sea stretching out on the other.

    One Day in Gibraltar: Monkeys, Tunnels, and a Pretty Weird Place

    Gibraltar March 23, 2026 by Jeff 6 min read

    We thought Gibraltar would be a quick stop… then a monkey tried to steal snacks, we ended up inside WWII tunnels, and suddenly the day filled up fast. Here’s what one day here actually looks like.