The Canary Islands are a group of volcanic islands in the Atlantic off the coast of northwestern Africa. Canary Islands cruises often include stops in Casablanca, Morocco. However, the archipelago belongs to Spain. We ended up taking a cruise from Barcelona to visit the Canaries and get a glimpse of what these islands have to offer. We liked what we saw.
During our 10-day cruise our ship called in Casablanca, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Madeira, Malaga and Alicante. Most were charming picturesque cruise ports. Some highlights included taking the cable car to the summit of Mount Teide, an active volcano on Tenerife, and a toboggan ride in Funchal, Madeira.
Overall, we consider ourselves lucky for not missing any ports of call. We had heard that sometimes cruise ship cannot dock in some of these ports due to weather. Also, good to know, many of these ports would be easy to visit on your own. But since we had a $100 discount per port for shore excursions, we took the tours. Some were hit and miss, and we probably would have been better off on our own.
See our post on the topic: Are Ship Shore Excursions Worth It or Are You Better off on Your Own?
Canary Islands Cruise Ports of Call
Casablanca, Morocco
From our cabin’s balcony we could see the Hassan II Mosque minaret rising above Casablanca’s skyline. This is by far the most interesting monument in this port of call. Aside from the mosque there’s the United Nations Square which is good for shopping and the Old Medina, where the city was born.
Casablanca is now the largest and most populated city in Morocco. It has a lot of interesting architecture but its once elegant Art Deco historic buildings are in dire need of love. The cruise port itself is industrial and has no appeal. Taking a shore excursion or a taxi is your best bet to get into the city.
The Hassan II Mosque complex is huge and extends over 9 hectares (that’s almost 100,000 sq. ft). It’s the largest mosque in Africa and the fifth largest in the world and its 210-meter (690 ft) minaret is the tallest in the world. Laser beams point in the direction of Mecca and reach as far as 30 km (18.5 mi). Furthermore, the mosque has a capacity of 105,000 worshippers of which 25,000 fit inside the 2-hectare prayer hall. That’s almost 4 football fields! And the remaining 80,000 fit in the plaza. This grandiose seaside mosque is a must-see!
This time around we didn’t have time to visit the interior because we opted to go on a ship shore excursion to Rabat instead. Being one of the three imperial cities, this seemed like a good idea.
This wasn’t included in our tour, but another popular attraction is Rick’s Café, designed to recreate the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 movie classic: “Casablanca”. Obviously, none of the movie was filmed there since the café only opened in 2004.
Rabat, Morocco
Taking a shore excursion from Casablanca to go visit Rabat, one of the three imperial cities of Morocco, along with Fez and Marrakech, made perfect sense to us. Having had the chance to visit Marrakech in the past, we looked forward to revisiting an ancient medina and wandering through its winding narrow alleyways. Checking out the souks with all the aromas, produce and the kaleidoscope of colors. Of course, spending only a few hours in the Moroccan capital would give us only a taste of what the city has to offer.
Rabat means literally: “Fortified Place”. The medina and part of the modern section are surrounded by 7 km (4.5 mi) of fortified walls. Being on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean and at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River, these 12th century ramparts were built to protect the city from attacks.
Places visited with the Rabat shore excursion:
Our first stop was the Imperial Palace, and this was most disappointing since it’s not possible to go inside or to even get close to it for a picture. We had to look at it from the street! It should be removed from the itinerary to allow for more sightseeing time elsewhere. That being said, the palace’s grounds extend over 42 hectares and include some interesting trees like the Tulip of Gabon tree. When in flower, it’s called the tree of fire due to its fiery red blooms. Even out of bloom, it was an impressive sight.
Then we were off to the archeological site of Chellah, an ancient necropolis with a blend of Roman and Islamic architectures. The ruins were badly damaged during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, but are still impressive.
The in-house cat colony has taken over the ruins. Likewise, the storks have adopted the site and built huge nests atop the vestiges.
Next, we went to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, but we didn’t get the chance to go inside. The free time allotted to this site was too short (perhaps the time wasted at the Imperial Palace should be spent here!). The mausoleum is dedicated to the father of Moroccan independence and was commission by his son Hassan II. At the other end of the plaza there is the Hassan Tower which is the unfinished 12th century minaret of a mosque.
Then we visited the Andalusian Garden inside of the Kasbah of the Udayas. The Moorish style garden reminded us of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The Kasbah is located on the banks of the river and dates back to the 12thcentury. Here too our time was cut short, it’s almost as if the guide was rushing us through all the sites before lunch!
We had a traditional lunch at a restaurant inside the Kasbah of the Udayas. The menu included tagine (of course!), steamed veggies, fruits and almond cookies for dessert, and freshly brewed mint tea.
Unfortunately, our day trip to the Moroccan capital, wasn’t as good as we had imagined. Perhaps this was due to the fact that our guide was unable to give us all the information as he had to deal with an elderly man who has fallen ill. We did miss some attractions because of this unfortunate situation. We missed our stop at a café overlooking the Bou Regreg River and our walk through the old medina and souks. In retrospect, we do not recommend this tour. We should have stayed in Casablanca and taken the time to visit the interior of Hassan II Mosque instead.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
This port of call is really easy to explore on your own. Cruise ships dock near the city and getting to the main road is only a 15-minute walk. Of course, if venturing to other part of the island, a shore excursion could be useful. Although, just as we exited the port area, we saw a tour operator offering similar tours as the ship. Alternatively, there is Hop on Hop off bus to get to key sites around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
There is a seaside walking path that goes from the port all the way to the historical center, but it would be a very long walk. When cruising, time in port is so limited that it’s best to get to the main sights as quickly as possible and to take a bus or a taxi to get there.
In our opinion the Barrio Colonial Vegueta district was the most interesting with its historical buildings. The Cathedral of Santa Ana is a must-see. It’s the oldest church in the Canary Islands and dates back to the 1500s. The façade and the interior are designed in a Gothic style. The rooftop offers spectacular vistas of the city and the sea.
In front of the church there is a large plaza with dog sculptures honoring the animal for which the Canary Islands were named after, “Canaria” being the Latin word for dog.
The Casa de Colón (Columbus House) is a must-visit. Former residence of the island’s Spanish governors, the mansion is now a museum. It houses an exhibition about Columbus and his voyages, cartography and nautical instruments, as well as various exhibits about the Canary Islands.
Another place of interest is the Canarian Museum dedicated to the history of the islands. The museum features a collection of archeological and ethnographical artifacts including mummies.
The Poema del Mar aquarium was well worth a visit and has a unique layout and one of the largest tanks (5.5 million liters of water) we had ever seen complete with sharks, rays, turtles and large schools of fish. Since it’s within walking distance from the ship it makes the perfect place to spend the last few hours in port.
Also, the lovely golden sand beach, Playa the la Canteras, is easily accessible on foot from the ship but the Hop on Hop off stops there too. It’s very picturesque with colorful boats bobbing in the sea with a mountain backdrop.
Finally, conveniently located just by the cruise port, there is a mall for those who prefer to spend their time in port shopping.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canaries and home to Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide. The mountain rises 3,718 meters (12,198 ft) above sea level and from the top we saw a blanket of clouds over the ocean. The clouds were also hiding most of the island. We hear that the conditions up there are perfect for observing the night sky, as there aren’t any city lights to disturb the visibility. Mount Teide is also an active volcano, but it hasn’t erupted since 1909.
This is where we wanted to go. Fortunately, the cruise operator offered two excursions to the Mount Teide National Park. One included a cable car ride up to the summit (well almost!). Of course, this was the one we picked. We simply had to go up there and get a bird’s eye view of the park. It’s really beautiful and getting there is part of the fun. On the way we crossed multiple climate zones and admired the changing scenery as we got higher and higher.
Good to know: Sometimes due to high winds the cable car cannot function for safety reasons.
There is a trail to climb to the Pico del Teide, but a permit is required for it. The trail is short (only 0.7 km/ 1 mi) but on a very steep incline. We were told that it takes 3-4 hours to do it. But with only a few hours in port this was out of the question for us, instead we walked around various trails close to La Rambleta (cable car summit station) and admired the stunning scenery all around!
Inside the national park there are numerous hiking trails and no dangerous wildlife or snakes, making Tenerife a great destination for hikers. 
Our time in port was too short for us to be in a position to tell you more about the rest of the island. However, we did spend an hour or so in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. After our excursion, we asked to be dropped off in the city instead of returning directly to the cruise ship. We found lovely plazas and specialty stores while wandering around the city. And the walk back to the ship was lovely.
Funchal, Madeira
This is the prettiest port of all and definitely our favorite during the Canary Island cruise. This Portuguese island has a flair of its own. The cable car ride is a wonderful way to enjoy great views of the city and harbor. It’s also the easiest way to get to Monte which is located above Funchal.
Near the cable car stop you will find one of Madeira’s most popular attractions (and we highly recommend it) the Monte Toboggan Ride. I know it’s very touristy and the locals don’t partake but it’s really fun! Where else can you ride downhill in a wicker basket?
Many shore excursions include the toboggan ride, but it would be possible to do it on your own. After the ride, it’s about a 40-minute walk down to Funchal’s historical center. This activity was included in our shore excursion, so we took the bus down but skipped on the last part to go explore the city on our own once we were back in Funchal.
We started by strolling around the Santa Catarina Park which is located near the Bay of Funchal. It’s a lovely park with gardens, a pond and an old chapel.
The historical center is well worth seeing and is within walking distance of the cruise port. Some highlights include: the Sé, a 15thcentury cathedral; and the Praça do Municipio, a black and white stone municipal square which reminded us of the one we saw in Lisbon. The ideal way to explore this area is simply to walk around.
Before the basket ride, we drove uphill along a winding scenic road to Eira do Serrado. From there, we could see little villages nestled inside the Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley). There were picturesque vistas in all directions!
Having been to Portugal a few years ago, we remembered how delicious pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) tasted. We indulged ourselves and engulfed a couple of tarts in no time! Ah!
Malaga, Spain
This is a busy commercial port and has been for thousands of years. Located along de Costa del Sol, the city of Malaga is lovely and well worth a visit. All the important sites are located within walking distance of the cruise terminal which is great, but some might prefer to get an overview of the city with the Hop on Hop off bus. Highlights include the Alcazaba, the Castillo de Gibralfaro and the cathedral.
Many opt for a ship shore excursion to Granada to see the Alhambra or choose to go to Gibraltar. Some will simply stay in town and others, like us, will head-out to Nerja. We had heard good things about the Caves of Nerja but during a prior visit to the Costa del Sol we didn’t have time to go. At the time, our home base was Torremolinos. From there we took day trips to Malaga, Granada, Seville and Gibraltar so a trip to Nerja this time was perfect.
Nerja and the Caves
Located about 60 km (35 mi) east of Malaga, the charming town of Nerja is worth a visit. In the historic center we saw and took shelter from the heavy rainfall inside the 17thcentury Church of the Savior. It was raining cats and dogs that day; my husband and I were the only ones from the tour group that didn’t run back to the bus (we were also the only ones prepared with our waterproof jackets). Instead, we used our free time to explore the area. My hubby even had time to buy a pair of shoes at one of the local shops!
When the rain subsided, we admired the splendid scenery from the Balcony of Europe. We saw a lovely beach down below, but taking a dip would have to wait… In the end, the sun came out to brighten up the scene.
Nerja’s main attraction is the famous Caves of Nerja. These are incredible, grandiose, and unlike many caves we’ve been in before they are dry with no bats or guano! We were impressed by them to say the least! The caves are ancient and 20,000-year-old Neanderthal cave paintings were discovered inside. Most noteworthy the caves are home to one of the world’s largest stalagmites, a 32-meter high (105 ft) column measuring up to 13 meters (43 ft) at its base.
The caves can be visited only as part of a guided tour and they are easy to navigate with walking paths and staircases. This wasn’t always the case. They were rediscovered in 1959 by five young men who got in through a narrow hole, “La Mina”. Inside the large cavern, they saw a few skeletons. Other artifacts were also found inside so this is now an important archeological site in the Malaga area.
On the way to the site we drove by a 4-level arched aqueduct which was interesting to see. At the end of our shore excursion we asked to be dropped off in Malaga instead of going back to the ship. We had time to enjoy a good lunch at a local café and to revisit some of the places we had seen on our prior visit.
Alicante, Spain
In this port of call the main attraction is without a doubt the Santa Barbara Castle. This hilltop fortress, built during the 9th century, is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. The castle stands 166 meters (555 ft) above sea level on top of Mount Benacantil. Spectacular vistas from the top are sure to take your breath away!
In Alicante our first instinct was to go and explore on our own but since we had a discount on excursions, we booked one with the ship to go visit the Santa Barbara Castle. But if you go, go on your own! Go by taxi or take the Hop on Hop off bus. Alternatively, and if you have the energy, climb up the staircase. However, for those who prefer or have mobility issues, there is an elevator. The free time allotted in the shore excursion is much too short (30 minutes) to have time to explore this grandiose fortress, look at the exhibits and take in the fantastic views that extend in all directions.
Keep in mind that it can get very windy up there and a bit cold too if visiting during the winter months. When we were there, the top platform was closed. But at least we got to see it before the entire castle area was closed for security measures because of strong wind gusts.
The historical center is quite charming with lovely plazas and interesting architecture. Lined with street vendors the Paseo de la Marina esplanade is a nice place for a stroll. The design was created in such a way that it gives the illusion of walking on waves. Pretty cool!
If visiting during summertime, you can take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea at the beautiful beach located next to the cruise port.
Montserrat, Spain
The Santa Maria de Montserrat is an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict which is located only 55 km (34 mi) away from Barcelona. A visit there makes an excellent add-on to any cruise leaving or ending in Barcelona and shore excursions are generally offered pre or post cruise. It’s a Benedictine monastery perched up on a cliff overlooking the Pyrenees Mountain Range. Spectacular vistas all around!
The basilica is also home to the famed and revered Black Madonna. The statue is nestled inside a niche high up above the altar. When we visited, a service was taking place inside the church and we had the chance to hear the boys’ choir sing Gregorian songs. What a treat and a great way to end our Canary Islands cruise.
After the excursion we were dropped off in Barcelona near the Rambla on Plaça Catalunya. The excursion is also offered as a transfer to the airport for those departing later on. A good way to spend a few hours and to have your luggage stored for you until your flight home.
Conclusion
We spent the rest of day exploring Barcelona before caching our flight home the next morning. And yes, only a few hours in Barcelona is too little. But we had been there before and we’re quite confident that we will revisit this beautiful and exciting city in the future. After all, this wasn’t our first cruise out of Barcelona, and likely won’t be our last.
2 replies on “Canary Islands Cruise: Round Trip from Barcelona”
Thanks Natalie again for a great tour of your fantastic trip !
Thanks Amy!