The world’s 10 most exhilarating port towns you must visit

No matter what cruise lines may care to believe, the best reason to go cruising for most of us isn’t necessarily the ships, no matter how luxurious, themselves but instead the ports into which they sail.

Mega-ship, luxe liner or modest expedition vessel: it suddenly makes no difference as you lean on the rail, seagulls circling overhead and sun winking off the sea, and glide into your next port.

That exhilaration that travellers feel when a new destination is on the horizon is what cruising is really about.

Istanbul with its worn splendour, minaret exclamations and green ferries chugging. Modest Molde in Norway, from which it’s said you can see 222 snow peaks as you slide past pine-topped islands and red farmhouses. Hong Kong, where your ship squeezes between apartment blocks and skyscrapers allowing passengers to feel the city’s pulse.

You’ll never tire of cruise ports. Big cities, small towns, fortified medieval harbours and ultra-modern ones, tourist-cliche destinations you’ve longed to see, and unknown places turn up day after day, and you don’t even have to make the effort to get there.

Every port offers something different – outstanding art, great shopping, chic contemporary life, quiet retro charm, fabulous food – and there really is a port for everyone.

Some manage all at once, giving you an excuse to return. The only downside to cruising is you’re usually allocated just a day before you sail away to the next port. Of course, you can always return and for many ports, once is simply not enough.

Here are some of Traveller’s all-time favourites.

For the lover of luxury: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Splurge-worthy Monte Carlo.Credit: iStock

The lowdown If you’re looking to be separated from your money in stylish ways – or simply want to indulge in what’s called window-licking in French – then splurge-worthy Monte Carlo obliges. Spin the roulette wheel in the Belle Epoque casino, where the rich arrive in astonishing sports cars. Goggle at the stilettos and handbags in shop windows. Have a glass of champagne in a cafe, then admire mega-yachts in the harbour. The Thermes Marins wellness centre and Monte-Carlo Beach Club are hangouts of minor royalty and tennis stars.

Who goes there Only cruise ships with fewer than 1250 passengers can dock in Monaco. Azamara, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking are among companies that visit.

The shore excursion Silversea’s Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona cruise departing May 16, 2024, spends two days in Monte Carlo during the Monaco Grand Prix, when jetsetters are in town for the Formula One action. See silversea.com

Go it alone No problem: Monaco is compact and safe. A stroll takes you most places, while the train station might tempt you to visit the French Riviera. See visitmonaco.com

For the alternative traveller: San Francisco, US

Shop in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.Credit: iStock

The lowdown This diverse and rebellious city constantly reinvents itself, and its protest movements have often challenged accepted norms. Explore its alternative neighbourhoods. North Beach is associated with early opium dens, Prohibition-era speakeasies and Beat Generation bohemianism. Early gay enclave Castro remains at the forefront of LGBTQI+ activism and Haight-Ashbury was the epicentre of the 1960s hippy and counterculture movement that offered an escape from consumerism and society’s expectations. It retains an off-beat, groovy vibe and many venues associated with the free-love era.

Who goes there Most cruise lines call at San Francisco. The terminal is close to mainstream downtown attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39; you’ll need to get further afield for alternative neighbourhoods.

The shore excursion Viking’s “Golden Gate Bridge & Haight-Ashbury” tour gives you insight into the 1960s counterculture movement, and takes in sights such as the Grateful Dead House, Amoeba Records and Janis Joplin Mural. See vikingcruises.com

Go it alone Downtown San Francisco is relatively compact, so the hearty can walk or cycle, but outlying neighbourhoods such as Haight-Ashbury or Castro require a bus ride. See sftravel.com

For the design devotee: Helsinki, Finland

The city’s minimalist Nordic design flair on show at the Helsinki Central Library.

The lowdown As you sail into Helsinki its minimalist Nordic appeal is already apparent in white buildings against a pale blue sky. You won’t find major monuments but green space, neoclassical boulevards and Art Nouveau lines make for pleasant walking. The Design Museum addresses Finnish design and its influences on everything from furniture to cartoon characters and vodka bottles. Then hit the 200-odd boutiques of the Design District for fashions, textiles, jewellery and leather from both established and aspiring designers. Renowned Finnish companies include Iittala (glassware), Marimekko (textiles) and Artek and Aalto (furniture and homewares).

Who goes there Helsinki is a Baltic cruise staple, so whatever cruise line suits is likely to visit. From South Harbour, you can walk into town, but if your ship docks at West Terminal you’ll have to ride the tram.

The shore excursion Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Highlights & Architecture” excursion visits Hvittrask, former home of several notable Finnish architects and now an arts-and-crafts centre. See ncl.com

Go it alone A day ticket for the excellent bus, tram and ferry network gets you around; so will a public rental bike. See myhelsinki.fi

For the history buff: Zanzibar, Tanzania

Stone town, Zanzibar.Credit: Moiz Husein/iStock

The lowdown The Indian Ocean connects Africa, Arabia and Asia, making intersections of culture and commerce inevitable. Traders, slavers, missionaries, colonial adventurers and conniving sultans have all influenced Zanzibar, and its population is a kaleidoscope of veiled Muslims, parrot-bright Indian ladies in saris and traders of mixed Africa and Persian ancestry whose romantic beauty belies a dark history of slavery. Stone Town, World Heritage-listed but crowded with everyday life, is dense with old bathhouses, forts, mosques and ornate houses from past eras. Islamic and Portuguese ruins litter the clove-scented coast beyond. You should also take the chance to taste Zanzibar’s history: its Arab- and Indian-influenced cuisine is a spicy taste explosion.

Who goes there Small expedition and luxury ships from lines such as Coral Expeditions, Ponant or Silversea visit Zanzibar. Larger-ship companies Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC occasionally call in.

The shore excursion Holland America’s “Stone Town Highlights” excursion features on its Grand Africa Voyage in October 2023 and tackles the island’s slave and colonial history and multicultural influences before finishing at the Old Arab Fort. See hollandamerica.com

Go it alone The port is a hot 15-minute walk into the centre of Stone Town. Taxis are abundant and cheap, but without metres you should settle on a fare beforehand. See zanzibartourism.go.tz

For the architecture admirer: Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg - the coolest city in Germany.Credit: iStock

The lowdown The Germans consider Hamburg their coolest city, and its modern architecture – a result of World War II bombing – provides a wonderful contrast to Europe’s endless old towns. Speicherstadt district is World Heritage-listed for its late-19th-century brick warehouse and office architecture, glowing in beautiful neo-Gothic brick. Nearby, a recently completed, two-decade waterfront redevelopment at HafenCity, audacious in scale, pops with interesting architecture by the likes of Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Rem Koohaas and Herzog & de Meuron. Its defining landmark is the Elbphilharmonie cultural centre, which resembles a melting iceberg.

Who goes there A wide range of cruise lines visits Hamburg, but only one of its three terminals (HafenCity) is close to the city centre and waterfront redevelopments. It’s accessible by smaller ships. Efficient shuttles will however take you into town from the other terminals.

The shore excursion Oceania’s “Hamburg and Town Hall” tour takes you around architectural landmarks including St Michael’s Church, the ornate Town Hall and Speicherstadt warehouse district. See oceaniacruises.com

Go it alone The vigorous walker can see most of central Hamburg on foot, with public transport readily available if you flag. HafenCity InfoCentre provides free, two-hour guided tours. See hamburg.com

For the serial shopper: Dubai, UAE

Spices in an Arab street market stall, Dubai Spice Souk.Credit: iStock

The lowdown You can buy anything in a marble-floored, air-conditioned Dubai shopping mall, from a Lamborghini to the latest electronics. Retail prices are competitive thanks to low import duties and a satisfying absence of tax. Best, though, to concentrate on Middle Eastern products you won’t find at home: incense and perfume, carpets, stuffed dates, fashion from local designers. Meanwhile, traditional markets survive. The Gold Souk is an Aladdin’s cave of trinkets and fine jewellery, the Spice Souk sniff-worthy, and you can have a personalised perfume made up in the Perfume Souk.

Who goes there Dubai aims to become the Middle East’s Miami as a cruise hub. Three swish cruise terminals dock ships of every shape and size; many cruise lines pass through as they relocate between Europe and Asia.

The shore excursion Celebrity Cruises’ Dubai shore excursion visits Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, followed by a shopping experience at adjacent Dubai Mall. See celebritycruises.com

Go it alone Complimentary shuttles will take you from the cruise terminal to various malls. Otherwise the hop-on hop-off bus is the best option in a city of mediocre public transport. See visitdubai.com

For the fresh-air fiend: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Fewer cities offer such splendid landscapes for the active than Rio.Credit: iStock

The lowdown Rio has its history and cultural attractions, but few cities offer such splendid landscapes for the active. The obvious? Magnificent beaches for surfing (Arpoador and Prainha) or otherwise strutting your stuff, rollerblading, swimming or playing beach volleyball (Ipanema, Copacabana). Pedro Bonita is a launching spot for hang-gliders, and the city’s distinctive rocky outcrops – including Sugarloaf Mountain – attract rock climbers. Otherwise, hike into Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban forest, where you might spot toucans and sloths.

Who goes there All mainstream and luxury cruise companies sail South America, with Rio a key port. The cruise terminal, on a waterfront redeveloped for the 2016 Rio Olympics, is within an easy walk of the city centre, and 20 minutes by taxi from famous beaches.

The shore excursion Seabourn offers a “Kayak Expedition” that sees you paddling Rio’s shoreline in a double kayak for great scenery and a workout. See seabourn.com

Go it alone A good share-bike system allows you to pedal coastal routes. Lagos district has easy riding. The very fit can pedal to the state of Christ the Redeemer. See visitbrasil.com

For the foodie: Osaka, Japan

Shinsekai District, wth the Tsutenkaku Tower in the background, Osaka, Japan.Credit: iStock

The lowdown With few conventional sights, you can happily devote all your time in freewheeling Osaka to absorbing its mind-boggling city life and exploring the food scene, which is the best in Japan. A Michelin-starred meal or elaborate, multi-course kaiseki dinner provides both taste sensations and performance art. Alternatively, plunge into the ubiquitous yakitori joints, noodle shops, and cupboard-sized kappo restaurants where you sit at the counter to watch chefs at work. Osaka might also have the world’s best takeaway food: dumplings, bento boxes, okonomiyaki (stuffed omelette-like pancakes). The food halls of department stores are marvellous.

Who goes there Many cruise lines visit Osaka on Asia or Japan cruises, or as they transit the North Pacific. Ships dock at Tempozan on Osaka’s redeveloped waterfront. Cruise lines also visit Osaka from nearby Kobe.

The shore excursion Silversea takes you to scenic viewpoint Mount Rokko before continuing to a sake brewery and museum to learn about sake’s history and production – and to sample quality sake. See silversea.com

Go it alone A station close to Tempozan on Osaka’s extensive metro network makes visiting the city easy. See osaka-info.jp

For the wine lover: Bordeaux, France

The lowdown Bordeaux is one of France’s most handsome cities, and its surrounding vineyards produce some of the world’s most famous wines, with St-Emilion especially noted for blended reds, Medoc for full-bodied reds, Margaux for Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauternes for sweet Muscadelle. Shore excursions take you to cellar doors, chateaux lunches and cycle trips through the vineyards. But you don’t have to leave the city: Bordeaux is crammed with wine bars, and the marvellous Cite du Vin museum gives an absorbing, interactive overview of the world of wine.

Who goes there Large ships dock far outside Bordeaux, so sail on a small luxury ship for the full experience. River-cruise companies also dock in the city centre and offer itineraries with a big wine focus.

The shore excursion Ponant makes an excursion to Saint-Emilion with a wine tasting at Chateau Southard. The World Heritage limestone town is surrounded by prestigious vineyards such as Petrus, Pomerol and Cheval Blanc. See ponant.com

Go it alone You’ll have to book an excursion unless you dock on the Bordeaux waterfront, which is within walking distance of the city centre. See bordeaux-tourism.co.uk

For the art aficionado: Hong Kong

The M+ gallery, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong.

The lowdown It may be associated more with shopping and dining but Hong Kong has a significant art scene, especially since the recent development of West Kowloon as a cultural hub with an Art Park, live-performance spaces, futuristic architecture and cutting-edge museums. The centrepiece is one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Chinese art at M+. In contrast, the Palace Museum displays objects from the Forbidden City and the Xiqu Centre celebrates traditional Chinese opera. Meanwhile, along the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, the renovated Museum of Art combines Chinese antiquities and art with Western painting.

Who goes there Smaller ships dock at Ocean Terminal, larger ships at Kai Tak, site of the old airport. Take your pick of ships: Hong Kong is a key port and often the start or finish of Asian cruises.

The shore excursion Regent Seven Seas offers a “Hong Kong Heritage” excursion that visits a nineteenth-century temple and sixteenth-century ancestral clan hall lavishly decorated with Chinese art and wood carvings. See rssc.com

Go it alone Trams, buses and ferries are cheap and abundant and the metro very efficient, making getting around easy. See discoverhongkong.com

Five evergreen cruise ports around the world

New York, US

The Statue of Liberty with One World Trade Centre in the background.Credit: iStock

Sailing under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn or Manhattan cruise terminals – the latter is part-way up the Hudson River – is a thrill thanks to brilliant views of the Statue of Liberty and skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan. You also pass Ellis Island, where generations of shipborne immigrants were processed. Be aware that you’ll miss out, though, if your ship docks at the inconvenient Cape Liberty Cruise Port. See nycgo.com

Yokohama, Japan

Ships dock at a striking, modern cruise terminal at Osanbashi right in the centre of Japan’s biggest port city, which has a breezy nautical appeal and attractive waterfront of parks, shopping malls, museums, a giant Ferris wheel and the decommissioned Hikawa Maru, a luxe 1930s cruise liner now open to visitors. Chinatown and the once-European district of Yamate are reminders of Yokohama’s bustling past as a 19th-century open port. See yokohamajapan.com

Singapore

It seems appropriate to arrive by sea into a city built on maritime trade. Singapore Cruise Centre has you well-placed for the family fun of Sentosa Island, while dramatic, light-flooded Marina Bay Cruise Centre gets you close to Gardens by the Bay and the colonial-era city centre. The abundant variety of shore excursions is great but, given Singapore’s excellent public transport, you’ll save by going it alone. See visitsingapore.com

Cape Town, South Africa

The often majestically misty Table Mountain looms splendidly on the approach to Cape Town, and you can spot Robben Island to the north. Even better, you dock right beside the buzzy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where seals lounge on the boardwalks and locals chatter in restaurants. A half-hour walk takes you into city-centre attractions such as Greenmarket Square and Bo-Kaap district, notable for its colourful buildings. See capetown.travel

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon grew rich from its maritime empire, and it still impresses from the sea. A long sail up the wide Tagus River takes you past fortresses, the tourist-brochure Belem Tower and Monument to the Discoveries, and under an enormous bridge to the cruise terminal beneath the hill-tumbling houses of the city’s Alfama district. Grand, dishevelled old Lisbon spreads across hillsides in a crush of baroque churches and pastel-coloured houses. See visitlisboa.com