What to do in port: Cruises 2024 edition

Even if your cruise ship looks like this, there's plenty more fun to be had on shore with Daytrip. Image courtesy of Peter Hansen (@petross) via Unsplash.

Whether you're a seasoned seafarer or you're taking your very first cruise in 2024, you probably know that as comfortable as your ship's amenities are, it's the experiences on shore that make the best memories. The thing is, though, that you'll probably only have a few hours—at most a few days—in port before moving on. That means you need to choose the most convenient way to get around if you want to get the most out of each item on your to-do list. Daytrip ticks all of these boxes: as your private door-to-door car service, Daytrip is the ideal way to craft your ideal sightseeing trip on your schedule. Best of all, at the helm you'll have a local driver, whose knowledge of the area will ensure you get back to your ship on time while giving you a chance to truly bond with locals. Here are just a few stops that Daytrip can connect you with around the biggest cruise ports in Europe.

Barcelona, Spain

If you’re taking a Mediterranean cruise this summer, there’s a very good chance that you’ll start out, stop, or ultimately end up in Barcleona—of the ten most popular cruise lines we surveyed, all of them count Barcelona as a port of call. And while there’s plenty to see from La Rambla to the works of Antoni Gaudí to sipping absinthe with the ghosts of Hemingway and Picasso, Barcelona is also a frequent stop on other Europe trip itineraries. So if you’ve already been to Barcelona or the tourist-heavy big city isn’t for you, you can use your time on shore to make a quick dash down the coast.

Barcelona to Tarragona in 1 hour, 30 minutes

Tarragona is a mid-sized Catalan town less than two hours from Barcelona. Not only was Tarragonia purportedly established in the 7th century BC by an Egyptian pharaoh, it was also once the capital of various Roman provinces in Hispania—the city still has the amphitheatre, aqueduct, and assorted ruins to prove it. During your quick drive there or on the way back, your driver can make sure you stop at the slightly younger (12th century AD) Poblet monastery, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List or the Gaudí Center Reus, a museum dedicated to the architect within one of his unfinished and less-appreciated buildings.

Civitavecchia, Italy

Civitavecchia is another high-traffic Mediterranean port thanks to its proximity to Rome, Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily, to name a few. Here too you’ll find a thicket of Latin artifacts, including baths and city walls, and additional fortifications designed by Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. These features make good sense, as Civitavecchia is understandably known as the “port of Rome”. The Eternal City is so close, in fact, that you’re perfectly able to make it there and back in a day—especially if your cruise season is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, you certainly can’t skip a flying trip to the Colosseum or the Vatican.

Civitavecchia to Rome in 1 hour, 10 minutes

Your trip to Rome and back, however, shouldn’t limit your sightseeing options: at Daytrip, we believe getting from one city to another should also be an essential part of the travel experience. That’s why even on the short Civitavecchia to Rome route you have the option to add stops along the way, including the Necropolis de la Banditaccia for those fascinated by the Etruscan era or Ostia for exceptionally well-preserved Roman ruins without the crowds of the capital.

Lisbon, Portugal

What’s not to love about Lisbon? It’s colorful, musical, full of outstanding food, and it seldom has anything but ideal weather. Just taking in the unique—and steep—valley topography of the city is an enlivening experience all its own, though a trip to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum can enhance that feeling even before you step in the door; a taste of pastel de nata is an ever-present treat of a more gastronomic variety. However, Lisbon too is a frequent Eurotrip destination, so frequent travelers may want to get out of town when they have the chance.

Lisbon to Fatima in 1 hour, 20 minutes

Fatima, is a tidy town slight more than an hour’s drive north of Lisbon. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children there, and it has since grown into a popular pilgrim destination. It’s not hard to see why: the clean white stonework of Fatima’s sprawling sanctuary and related statuary is awe-inspiring whether you’re religiously inclined or not. As you wind your way up the Portuguese coast, you’ll also be able to take in Obidos, a luxurious pet project of many Queens of Portugal, or get in some surf time at Nazare (if your cruise liner doesn’t have its own wave pool, of course).

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam’s unique position makes it an essential hub for cruise traffic: as a major Atlantic port and part of the Rhine delta, it’s a prime stopping point for both oceangoing and riverbound vessels. Whether the capital of the Netherlands is your destination or just a waypoint, there’s plenty to appreciate in the Venice of the North, from canal strolls to stretching your legs on a bike to the full Van Gogh experience. It’s also one of the most multicultural cities in Europe, so those seeking a more specifically Dutch experience may find additional fun farther afield.

Amsterdam to Rotterdam in 1 hour, 10 minutes

Taking an hour’s drive down to Rotterdam is the perfect opportunity to peer into the Dutch heart. With stops at the Clara Maria Cheese and Clog Farm for milky treats and characteristic souvenirs or Leiden to experience the Netherlands proud (and still lively) academic tradition, you’ll be able to greet the busy, modern Rotterdam with a new appreciation for how it got that way.

Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg, historically known as “Ratisbon” in English, is the northernmost point of the Danube—making it a common port for Danube river cruises as well as cruises that wind across the Rhine, Danube, and/or Elbe. As a central player in ancient Rome, the Holy Roman Empire, and now the high-tech scene, Regensburg is also a grand introduction to the Bavaria and southern Germany.

Regensburg to Munich in 1 hour, 30 minutes

If you want to explore the most classic version of Bavaria, though, you can use your time away from your ship to make a quick jaunt south to Munich. An one-day trip is just enough time to visit the Frauenkirche and stroll through BMW Welt, and having your own private driver will ensure you make it to your reservation at the Hofbrauhaus. Of course, meaningful experiences are not in Bavaria’s major cities alone: Ingolstadt, the setting of Frankenstein, and the Dachau concentration camp memorial are also within reach between Regensburg and Munich.

If your summer 2024 cruise isn’t taking you to Europe, not to worry—Daytrip operates in nearly 120 countries and so can help you make the most of Caribbean cruises, transatlantic crossings, or explorations of the Pacific as well. Happy sailing!