Mediterranean excursions

Note: The three destinations on the map and described on this page lie either in the Atlantic or Black Sea. Some Mediterranean cruise itineraries include them. Click Black Sea + And more to see other near-the-Mediterranean shore excursions.

key
IN THE PORT: In or near the port of call.
BEYOND THE PORT: Requires half- or full-day tour.

Canary Islands shore excursions
I list island names rather than port names for the Canary Islands because travelers are more familiar with the island names.

Fuerteventura
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Day trip to Lanzarote Island.

Gran Canaria
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Tajeda and Teror.

Lanzarote
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Timanfaya National Park's lunar-like volcanic landscape.

Lanzarote
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Scenic trip to Teide volcano with a cable car ride to the summit.

La Palma
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Caldera del Taburiente. Tazacorte Port.

Tenerife
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Scenic trip to Teide volcano with a cable car ride to the summit.

NOTE: I listed no "in or near the port" shore excursions for the Canary Islands and Madeira Islands because none of their major cruise ports has a truly exceptional one. It's the half- and full-day tours that make the islands special for a sophisticated traveler.

Madeira Island shore excursions
Funchal
BEST BEYOND THE PORTS: Scenic hiking. Beach sunbathing.

Note: Click Canary Islands + Madeira Island for the other near-the Mediterranean shore excursions.

key
IN THE PORT: In or near the port of call.
BEYOND THE PORT: Requires half- or full-day tour.

Black Sea shore excursions
Constanta  Romania
BEST IN THE PORT: Old town.

Nessebur  Bulgaria
BEST IN THE PORT: Old Nessebur village.
BEYOND THE PORT: Aladja Monastery.

Odessa  Ukraine
BEST IN THE PORT: Old town. Odessa catacombs.
BEST BEYOND THE PORT: Belgorod-Dnestrovski Fort.

Yalta  Ukraine
BEST IN THE PORT: Livadia Palace. Massandra Palace. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
BEST BEYOND THE PORT: Swallow Nest's Castle.

Other near-the-Mediterranean shore excursion ports
Casablanca  Morocco
BEST IN THE PORT: Casablanca's Medina.
BEST BEYOND THE PORT: Marrakech (your cruise ship must overnight).

Lisbon  Portugal
BEST IN THE PORT: Alfama district.
BEST BEYOND THE PORT: Sintra. Fatima.

Tangier  Morocco
BEST IN THE PORT: Medina. Kasbah.