Experience the Traditions of Spain & Portugal

Situated on Andalusia's beautiful Mediterranean coast, Málaga offers everything you would expect from a city on the Costa del Sol: seemingly endless stretches of golden sand beaches, fantastic restaurants serving traditional tapas and friendly bars attract locals and holidaymakers alike.

There's much more to the region's captivating capital than busy beach resorts though. Dig a little deeper and a wealth of cultural, historical, artistic and architectural treasures reveal themselves, such as Catedral de Málaga, the statuesque and striking Alcazaba Fortress and Castillo de Gibralfaro. Not-to-be-missed is the Picasso Museum, which exhibits a fantastic collection of masterpieces from arguably Malaga's most famous 'son', Pablo Picasso.

What's more, Málaga is also your gateway to Granada and the glorious Alhambra, where proud 14th century palaces and exotic gardens are Spain's finest expression of Moorish art; as well as the Ronda Valley, where on tour you can explore a charming old town and the picturesque El Tajo gorge.

One of Spain’s most important port cities for over 2000 years, Cartagena is bursting with history and culture. Originally built over five hills by the Romans, Cartagena is strategically placed on the Mediterranean coast and boasts some wonderful architecture and historic monuments. They include Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics, and the medieval Castillo de la Conception, which served as a fortress for the Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Castilians, and overlooks the city's stunning natural harbour.

Many of the buildings from Roman Cartagena have disappeared, but some important sites remain, including the amphitheatre which dates from around 100BC. Cartagena is also home to a number of Modernist buildings that were designed and built by the pupils of Antoni Gaudi, the world famous architect renowned for designing the stunning La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The city’s tapas bars and vibrant bars on the marina offer some fabulous local wining and dining.

Packed with plenty to see, do and explore, there is a never a dull day in this charming Spanish city. Wander through the beautiful city centre admiring the array of beautiful historic monuments; visit the myriad of museums and art galleries such as the Institute of Modern Art and Museum of Fine Arts or simply head to one of the city’s beaches to enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine and sample local cuisine in the many restaurants that line the promenades. 

The Old Town district - like similar districts in other major European cities - is where you will find some of the oldest, most beautiful and most interesting sites in the city, including the UNESCO-Listed Lonja de la Seda, 13^th century Santo Domingo Convent and Torres de Serranos - a 14^th century gothic gateway that’s considered the oldest in Europe. 

Mahon is the capital of the Spanish island of Menorca. The city, situated on the east coast of the island, has a population of 31,000 and is most famous for its natural deep-water harbour, which stretches five kilometres inland and is one of the largest in the world. Mahon is easy to explore by foot. As you wander the streets, you’ll discover traces of the various civilisations that have passed through the town.

Santa María Church, with its ornate 19th century organ, is worth discovery on central Plaça de la Constitució, and City Hall has a Renaissance facade and a clock donated by the island’s first British governor. The Menorca Museum displays art and exhibits on the island's history.

From Mahón the true beauty of Menorca – its sleepy fishing villages, stunning beaches and Monte Toro, the island’s highest peak – is all waiting to be uncovered.

Cádiz, one of Europe's most ancient cities, hugs Andalusia’s sunlit Atlantic coast and is characterised by palm trees, lookout towers and weathered old buildings. Now into its fourth millennium, Cádiz's fascinating Old Town district features huge stone walls from the 1500s and is home to a wealth of historic highlights, including the beautifully crafted 18th century Cádiz Cathedral. 

Boasting over 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira, traditionally used for spotting ships; traditional tapas bars serving delicious traditional cuisine and local seafood; and fascinating maritime history; Cádiz offers a plethora of authentic sights and experiences. The winding streets assume the feel of a carnival, packed-out with friendly locals and humming to the sounds of upbeat alegrías (flamenco songs). 

Cádiz is also the gateway to the stunning city of Seville, with its maze of courtyards, atmosphere old quarters and ornate churches and cathedrals.

Sailing into, and departing from, the beautiful Portuguese capital of Lisbon is always a memorable experience on a Fred. Olsen cruise, as the journey sees your smaller ship glide along the waters of the mouth of the beautiful River Tagus.

Where the Tagus – the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula – meets the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is spread along the shores of both river banks, and connected by the magnificent and iconic Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, which is a sight to behold as you sail underneath. Spotting a number of famous sites from your ship, such as Torre de Belém and Jerónimos Monastery, during a sail into Lisbon is always an exciting experience too, offering a glimpse of the types of treasures that await you during exploration ashore.

Stretched across its seven trademark hills overlooking the River Tagus estuary, Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city of Lisbon, is a cinematic collection of cobbled alleyways, pastel-coloured buildings, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals. The city was decimated by an earthquake in 1755, and modern Lisbon has been shaped by that eventful day. The Pombaline architecture that now defines the city represents some of the first seismically-protected buildings in Europe.

The city’s bridges include the Ponte 25 de Abril – similar to the Golden Gate in San Francisco – and the Ponte Vasco da Gama, which includes over 11km of viaducts. Lisbon’s many fascinating museums, include the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Coach Museum and the Carmo Archaeological Museum. 

Lisbon is also a shopper’s paradise, with the Centro Commercial Colombo – the biggest shopping mall on the Iberian peninsula – and the elegant Avenidas Novas, full of upmarket shops. Alternatively, there bargains to be had in the local flea market, Campo de Santa Clara. Don't miss the chance to sample iconic egg tarts at Pasteis de Belém too.

Situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and with one of the world’s finest natural ports, the Galician gem of Vigo has been an important part of Spain’s maritime industry for centuries. Boasting a wonderful historic quarter, modern marina and pretty centre, this city is alive with attractions.

The historic old quarter – like many of Vigo’s other attractions – is a great example of the influence the sea has had on the city. Located around the port, the Cidade Vella has narrow streets lined with old fishing houses and large markets selling locally caught seafood. The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria is a neoclassical cathedral built on the site of a grand gothic church that was burnt down by Francis Drake.

In the newer part of town, La Colegiata de la Santa Maria la Mayor is a fine 16th century church with an authentic Renaissance façade. The Pazo de Castrelos, dating from the 17th century, is home to the Quiñones de León Municipal Museum and contains a vast collection of paintings and artefacts that demand discovery. Elsewhere, the Castro de Vigo archaeological site has reconstructed ancient dwellings.

Vigo is a firm favourite with many visitors. Its mild climate, renowned estuary and golden beaches of the Rías Baixas, fine mariscada (seafood platter) cuisine and expansive culture all add up to something very special.