Merveilles du littoral atlantique européen – De Portsmouth à Lisbonne

Sail from Portsmouth’s dramatic harbour

Your expedition cruise begins in Portsmouth. For centuries, this historic harbour has been one of Britain's most important naval ports, making it a fitting place to start our journey.

The Historic Dockyard is home to the renowned Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose, giving great insight into life at sea in the 16th century. The iconic Spinnaker Tower stands gracefully over the historic harbour and the Solent. Sample fish and chips in a traditional pub overlooking the harbour entrance in Old Portsmouth, where fishermen, port workers, and naval seamen once mingled.

MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you in the harbour. After being welcomed aboard, settle into your cabin and get ready for the adventure.

A beautiful Breton town steeped in history

Viewed from the sea, Saint-Malo is an impressive sight, fringed by fortified bastions and gently sloping beaches. We’ll anchor off the town and use our Zodiacs to go ashore.

A circular walk along the ramparts offers the best views of the town and surrounding islands. Follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets and visit Demeure De Corsaire to learn about the feared corsairs and the town’s pirate heritage.     You can walk to Île de Grand Bé at low tide or join an excursion to visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. The island has the remains of an ancient fort, and this is where the renowned local writer Chateaubriand is buried.

Inspiring coastal scenery and maritime history

Enjoy a relaxing morning on board, perhaps enjoy the wellness facilities, or attend a lecture with the Expedition Team.

We’ll use our Zodiacs to go ashore at the picturesque seaside town of Douarnenez, where you'll find the colourful quaysides, sandy beaches, and steep cliffs that inspired famous painters like Renoir and Boudin. As well as fishermen’s huts and seamen’s chapels, Douarnenez hosts a wonderful maritime museum with boats from around the world.

While here, you can choose to discover the wild beauty of Pointe Du Raz, a promontory facing the elements of the Atlantic Ocean, where Finistère really does feel like the ‘End of the Earth’. Or explore the charming Breton town of Quimper, whose skyline is dominated by the twin spires of Saint Corentin Cathedral.

Relax and recharge as at sea

Today the ocean is yours. We sail south towards Spain, and the rhythm of the sea sets the pace.

Share stories with fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, or find a quiet spot on deck to watch for marine life and seabirds from the comfort of the hot tub.

In the Science Centre, the Expedition Team brings the Iberian Peninsula to life, preparing you for the discoveries ahead.

Discover the jewel of the Basque Country

Our voyage continues to the Basque region.

We berth at Pasajes, a port tucked into a narrow sea inlet with over 1,000 years of maritime history, and from here San Sebastián is a short journey away. Wander the Parte Vieja quarter with its Gothic church, Baroque façades, and lively squares, then head to La Concha beach or take the cable car up Monte Igueldo for sweeping coastal views.

Make sure you find time to sample some traditional Basque cuisine. The delicious pintxos are perfect small bites to snack on as you tour the city.

Before returning on board, take time to explore Pasajes itself, where 17th century residences line quiet streets above the water.

A unique cultural flavour in Asturias

Enjoying a prime position on the Bay of Biscay, Gijón is the cultural heart of Asturias, a city that grew from a Roman-era fishing village into a prominent port. Explore old town charm in the Cimadevilla quarter and Barrio del Carmen, with their Baroque churches and the Plaza del Marqués, or hike up to Mirador de la Providencia, an unusual viewpoint shaped like the hull of a ship with panoramic coastal views.

Afterwards, relax on the golden sands of Playa de San Lorenzo, take a coastal walk, or settle in for freshly caught fish and Asturian delicacies with a glass of local cider.

Witness Galicia's heritage in Ferrol

As we enter the Ría de Ferrol early in the morning, head to the observation deck and take in the imposing forts of La Palma and San Felipe, standing guard on either side of the headland.

Ferrol is one of Spain's best-preserved 18th-century port cities. Criss-cross the grid of streets in Barrio de la Magdalena and visit the city's maritime museums. Ferrol is also the starting point of El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, and you may be able to join an excursion to Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations.

After lunch, we continue south toward Portugal.

Explore the UNESCO-listed centre of Porto

Our final stop is Leixões, gateway to Portugal's northern coast. Before heading ashore, there's time to explore locally: the lighthouse of Leça, the Boa Nova Chapel, and the beautiful Praia Azul beach are all within reach.

A shuttle bus takes you into Porto, famed for its port wine and UNESCO-listed historic centre. This is a city made for walking: pastel houses, colourful tiled façades, ornate churches, and panoramic views across the Douro River unfold at every turn. Stroll the bustling Ribeira docks, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, snack on petiscos, and finish with a port wine tasting at the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Disembark in the city of discovery

The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture, shaped by centuries of exploration and a restless curiosity for discovering the world. After disembarkation, take a stroll through the classical streets of Baixa, the bohemian energy of Bairro Alto and Chiado, or the winding lanes of Alfama, the old Islamic quarter, where a Roman theatre and Moorish fortress still stand.

A short trip from the centre brings you to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery before you head home.