Exploring Lisbon: Wandering, Snacking, and Finding the City’s Hidden Charms
Roaming Lisbon without a plan, we stumbled upon the essence of the city, mixing architecture, history, and some memorable bites.
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.
-
1
-
2
One Day in Madeira (Cruise Port): Cable Car, Toboggan Ride & What We’d Do Differently
Explore Madeira on a cruise port day with our real experience in Funchal, including the cable car, toboggan ride, market stop, and what we’d do differently to save time.
-
3
Touring Tenerife with a Local Guide: Volcano Views, Movie Landscapes, and a Barraquito Break
A Tenerife tour from Mount Teide to Puerto de la Cruz with volcano views, black sand beaches, and a must-try barraquito.
-
4
Gran Canaria Cruise Stop: Sand Dunes, Puerto de Mogán, and a Surprisingly Good Pizza
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.
-
5
Driving a Buggy Through Lanzarote: The Part They Don’t Show You in the Photos
A real look at a Lanzarote buggy tour from a cruise port day. Volcanic views, clouds at eye level, a surprisingly great photo package, and what to know before you go.
-
6
One Day in Gibraltar: Monkeys, Tunnels, and a Pretty Weird Place
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.
-
7
Málaga in a Day: Wandering Through History, Food, and Hidden Corners
A relaxed one-day itinerary through Málaga’s Roman ruins, Alcazaba views, tapas spots, and hidden city gems.
-
8
A Quiet Saturday in Cádiz: Wandering Spain’s Walkable Cruise Port
Cádiz was the perfect low-pressure cruise port day. We wandered the old town, tried Chicharrones de Cádiz at the market, found a beautiful waterfront surprise, and ended the day with tapas, drinks, and one very memorable burger mishap.
-
9
Sintra in a Day: Exploring Pena Palace and Portugal’s Fairytale Town
A day trip from Lisbon to Sintra filled with colorful palaces, cobblestone streets, incredible views, and Portuguese pastries.