Mediterranean shore-day plans

Three realistic choices for every port, designed for a couple travelling without a car. Each option includes a safe return target and a restaurant rated at least 4.7 on Google Maps when checked on 11 July 2026.

19–26 July 2026 7 ports 21 plans No rental car
Important: all return times mean arrival at the terminal or gangway. Always follow the ship's published all-aboard time if it is earlier. Reconfirm restaurant hours, transport alerts and sea conditions 24–48 hours beforehand.

Alicante

Sun 19 Jul · 09:00–17:00

Personal target: back at the terminal by 15:30–15:45.

Plan 1 · Castle, old town and PostiguetBest balanced first visit RecommendedLow risk

Combines Alicante's main landmark with a central beach and an easy old-town walk.

  1. Port shuttle and walk to the Santa Bárbara Castle lift.
  2. Castle ramparts and panoramic views.
  3. Swim at Postiguet Beach.
  4. Lunch.
  5. Santa Cruz, San Nicolás, Town Hall and Explanada de España.
  6. Return to the port shuttle.

Restaurant: La Fábrica · Google Maps 4.7

Castle information · Port information

Plan 2 · Tabarca speedboat and snorkellingThe adventurous beach option Conditional
  1. Check in at the marina.
  2. Pre-booked speedboat tour, island visit and snorkelling.
  3. Reserved lunch.
  4. Pre-booked taxi directly to Muelle 14.

Restaurant: Asador La Estancia · Google Maps 4.7

Go/no-go: only choose this after the operator confirms in writing that you will dock back in Alicante by 14:00. The regular Tabarca ferry returns too late.

Speedboat operator

Plan 3 · Sailing museum and San Juan beachInteractive culture plus a roomier beach Low risk
  1. Ocean Race Museum: simulators, VR and sailing technology.
  2. TRAM L5 to Playa San Juan.
  3. Beach and swim.
  4. Lunch near the beach.
  5. Pre-booked taxi directly to the cruise terminal.

Restaurant: Trópico Restobar · Google Maps 4.8

Museum information

Mahón / Maó

Mon 20 Jul · 09:00–16:00

Personal target: ship access by 14:35–14:45. Pre-book taxis for both beach plans.

Plan 1 · Old Maó and Hauser & WirthAn island outing disguised as a museum visit Recommended
  1. Old Maó, Santa Maria, Town Hall and harbour viewpoints.
  2. Reserved shuttle boat to Illa del Rei.
  3. Contemporary art, outdoor sculptures, garden and restored naval hospital.
  4. First return boat.
  5. Lunch in Maó.

Restaurant: Sa Botiga · Google Maps 4.7

If you are not at the boat by 10:45, abandon the island and spend the day in Maó.

Book the shuttle boat

Plan 2 · Es Grau and Sa Gola trailBest nature and beach balance Taxi required
  1. Pre-booked taxi to Es Grau parking.
  2. Easy 2.2 km lagoon and pine trail.
  3. Swim at Es Grau beach.
  4. Pre-booked return taxi.
  5. Harbour lunch.

Restaurant: Arjau Maó · Google Maps 4.8

Pre-book both taxi legs. The 13:30 L23 bus is the emergency fallback if the return taxi fails.

Plan 3 · Binibèquer village and beachThe postcard-coast option Taxi required
  1. Pre-booked taxi to Binibèquer Vell.
  2. Quiet walk through the whitewashed residential lanes.
  3. Walk 1.3 km to Binibèquer Nou.
  4. Swim at the small white-sand cove.
  5. Pre-booked taxi to Maó.
  6. Lunch overlooking the harbour.

Restaurant: Mirador des Port · Google Maps 4.8

Do not rely on the public bus for the return; its useful service reaches Maó too late.

Olbia

Tue 21 Jul · 10:00–19:00

Personal target: gangway by 17:35–17:45. The free port shuttle only connects the ship with Stazione Marittima.

Plan 1 · Porto IstanaMaximum turquoise-water beach time Beach pick
  1. Port shuttle and collect a pre-ordered picnic.
  2. ASPO Line 5PI to Porto Istana.
  3. Swim, snorkel and relax with Tavolara views.
  4. Line 5PI back to Olbia.
  5. Pre-booked taxi to the maritime terminal and port shuttle.

Food stop: La Dispensa di Iaia · Google Maps 4.9

For a larger safety margin, use the 15:20 return bus. Keep a taxi number ready for delays.

Plan 2 · Sa Testa and Bados beachBronze Age archaeology without losing the beach Moderate risk
  1. Taxi to collect a Sardinian picnic.
  2. Sacred Well of Sa Testa.
  3. ASPO Line 4 to Bados.
  4. Beach and swimming.
  5. Line 4 back, then taxi and port shuttle.

Food stop: Gastronomia Ruiu · Google Maps 4.8

The safer return is the 16:05 bus or a taxi reserved from Bados for 16:30.

Plan 3 · Maritime archaeology and old OlbiaSafest and most varied option City pickLow risk
  1. Basilica of San Simplicio.
  2. Archaeological Museum: ancient ships, Roman masts and burned shipwrecks.
  3. Lunch.
  4. Punic walls, Corso Umberto, San Paolo and Molo Brin.
  5. Taxi, port shuttle and board.

Restaurant: La Puccia Olbia · Google Maps 4.7

Museum information

Genoa / Portofino

Wed 22 Jul · 09:00–18:00

Personal target: aboard by 16:30–16:45.

Plan 1 · Essential Genoa and GalataThe richest first visit with minimal transport risk RecommendedLow risk
  1. Galata Museo del Mare: full-scale galley, ship interiors and optional submarine.
  2. Lunch near the museum.
  3. Caruggi lanes and Palazzi dei Rolli courtyards.
  4. Castelletto elevator and city panorama.
  5. Via Garibaldi, Piazza De Ferrari, San Lorenzo and Old Port.
  6. Walk back to the ship.

Restaurant: Cacio & Pepe Genova · Google Maps 4.7

Galata Museum

Plan 2 · Portofino, Castello Brown and ParaggiThe iconic Riviera day Moderate risk
  1. Train to Santa Margherita Ligure.
  2. Ferry to Portofino.
  3. Piazzetta and Castello Brown viewpoint.
  4. Harbour lunch.
  5. Walk the coastal path toward Paraggi.
  6. Quick swim.
  7. Hard cutoff: bus to Santa Margherita, then 15:14 train to Genoa.

Restaurant: Vincenzo Dascanio Cafe · Google Maps 4.7

If the outbound train is materially late, abandon Portofino. If the ferry is cancelled, use bus 782.

Plan 3 · Nervi and BoccadasseCoast, compact design museum and a swim Moderate risk
  1. Train to Genova Nervi.
  2. Parchi di Nervi and the cliffside promenade.
  3. Wolfsoniana: compact Art Nouveau and Art Deco collection.
  4. Train to Genova Quarto.
  5. Lunch.
  6. Taxi to Boccadasse, village walk and optional swim.
  7. Bus/metro or taxi to the terminal.

Restaurant: Barcelleria Genova · Google Maps 4.8

Marseille / Provence

Thu 23 Jul · 09:00–17:00

Personal target: inside MPCT by 15:30. Large ships berth about 6 km from the centre, so use taxis.

Plan 1 · Notre-Dame, Mucem and Old PortArchitecture, landmarks and manageable museum time RecommendedLow risk
  1. Taxi to Notre-Dame de la Garde.
  2. Basilica mosaics and panorama.
  3. Taxi to Mucem.
  4. Mucem, rooftop footbridges and Fort Saint-Jean.
  5. Reserved lunch.
  6. Old Port, then taxi directly to MPCT.

Restaurant: O'Bidul · Google Maps 4.9

Mucem information

Plan 2 · Frioul islandTurquoise swimming and snorkelling Weather dependent
  1. Taxi to the Vieux-Port ferry terminal.
  2. Ferry to Port Frioul.
  3. Walk to Plage Saint-Estève and swim.
  4. Lunch beside the ferry quay.
  5. Return ferry.
  6. Taxi directly to MPCT.

Restaurant: L'Effet Mer Frioul · Google Maps 4.7

Abort if the morning weather or ferry status is doubtful. Do not intentionally wait for a later return sailing.

Plan 3 · Aix-en-ProvenceA deliberately short taste of Provence Exact trains only
  1. Pre-booked taxi to Marseille Saint-Charles.
  2. Direct TER to Aix Centre.
  3. Cours Mirabeau, fountains, Thursday market and old town.
  4. Early reserved lunch.
  5. TER back to Marseille, then taxi to MPCT.

Restaurant: Café des Négociants · Google Maps 4.7

If you miss the 09:53 TER, abandon Aix. Keep the 13:22 return even if everything is running well.

Friday 24 July · At sea

No shore planning needed. Use the day to reconfirm Málaga and Cádiz berth details, all-aboard times and any booked excursions.

Málaga / Granada

Sat 25 Jul · 08:00–18:00

Personal target: terminal around 16:00–16:20 and aboard by 16:30.

Plan 1 · Alcazaba, Picasso and old townThe best-balanced Málaga day RecommendedLow risk
  1. Alcazaba courtyards, ramparts and views.
  2. Roman Theatre exterior.
  3. Compact, air-conditioned Picasso Museum visit.
  4. Málaga Cathedral.
  5. Lunch.
  6. Calle Larios, Palmeral de las Sorpresas and Muelle Uno.
  7. Shuttle or taxi to the terminal.

Restaurant: Buenavista Gastrobar & Tapas · Google Maps 4.7

Picasso Museum

Plan 2 · Gibralfaro and PedregalejoCoastal cycling and a swim Active
  1. Taxi to Gibralfaro.
  2. Castle and rampart views.
  3. Collect reserved conventional or e-bikes.
  4. Ride about 5 km to Pedregalejo.
  5. Swim at Las Acacias.
  6. Lunch beside the sea.
  7. Cycle back, return bikes and head to the terminal.

Restaurant: Los Marangós Pedregalejo · Google Maps 4.8

The promenade has phased construction in summer 2026. Confirm access with the restaurant and bike shop; use bus 3/11 or taxis if needed.

Plan 3 · Granada and the AlhambraBucket-list option, protected excursion only Ship excursion only
  1. Protected coach to Granada.
  2. Guided Alhambra visit including a timed Nasrid Palaces entry.
  3. Excursion lunch or approved free time.
  4. Depart Granada.
  5. Expected return to the cruise terminal.

If free time is explicitly allowed: La Jefa Granada · Google Maps 4.7

Do not attempt this independently by public transport. Confirm that your excursion includes the Nasrid Palaces, not only the gardens or exterior.

Official Alhambra tickets

Cádiz / Seville

Sun 26 Jul · 07:00–17:00

Personal target: aboard by 15:45–16:00. The historic centre begins about five minutes from the terminal.

Plan 1 · Ancient Cádiz and CathedralThree thousand years in compact, enjoyable stops RecommendedLow risk
  1. El Pópulo, Campo del Sur and a quick La Caleta swim.
  2. Museo de Cádiz: Phoenician sarcophagi and selected masterpieces.
  3. Roman Theatre interpretation area.
  4. Reserved Gadir archaeological-site visit.
  5. Torre Tavira and Camera Obscura.
  6. Lunch.
  7. Cathedral and Clock Tower, then walk to the ship.

Restaurant: Ettu Restaurante · Google Maps 4.8

If Gadir is unavailable, spend longer at Torre Tavira or La Caleta.

Plan 2 · Two beaches by bicycleThe active, sunny Cádiz option Low risk
  1. El Pópulo, Campo del Sur and La Caleta.
  2. Collect reserved bikes from Las Bicis Naranjas.
  3. Ride to Santa María del Mar and Playa Victoria.
  4. Beach and swimming.
  5. Return and hand back the bikes.
  6. Lunch.
  7. Cathedral, optional Clock Tower and return to the ship.

Restaurant: Puerta del Edén · Google Maps 4.7

In strong Levante wind or red-flag conditions, replace the cycling with Parque Genovés, the city walls and Museo de Cádiz.

Plan 3 · Seville highlightsProtected cruise-line transport only Ship excursion only
  1. Protected coach to Seville.
  2. Plaza de España.
  3. Pre-booked Real Alcázar visit.
  4. Santa Cruz and Cathedral/Giralda exterior.
  5. Fast reserved lunch.
  6. Protected coach to Cádiz.

Restaurant: Bendala Brasería · Google Maps 4.8

Only choose a coach scheduled to leave Seville by 14:00, unless later return protection is explicitly confirmed. Independent rail leaves too little recovery time.

Real Alcázar information

Reserve first

The plans with the least flexibility should be booked in this order:

  1. Granada or Seville cruise-line excursions, if choosing them.
  2. Alhambra/Nasrid Palaces or Seville Alcázar admission.
  3. Hauser & Wirth boat and both Menorca taxi legs.
  4. Tabarca speedboat only after receiving a guaranteed return time.
  5. Frioul ferry, Portofino transport and all restaurants.
  6. Cádiz and Málaga bicycles.