Huge cruise ship by JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA

With this in mind then we need to examine why Spain has become so popular as a cruise destination? Essentially the country acts as a very useful and strategic gateway to the rest of Europe and Africa as well. A cruise starting from Spain can easily navigate its way through the rest of Europe from other Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Greece to the likes of Germany and France and everything in between. Indeed, many cruises that start off from one of the many ports in the country will often take in the top of North Africa too while Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt very popular destinations for Spanish cruises.

Normally your Spanish cruise will begin to stop off at one of the 3 main ports in the country such as Malaga, Barcelona or Valencia however most itinerary’s will take in at least one of the islands as well with Ibiza or Mallorca very close by or, if you are heading to North Africa, then Tenerife with its volcano’s and scarred landscape is another popular destination.

Enjoying pool on the cruise ship with Tenerife in the background by David Lisbona

Gibraltar is a stopping destination that does not usually feature on many cruise routes but is worth a visit all the same. The ‘rock’ has been a point of contention between Spain and the UK for a while now but it is a recommended stop off point for cruises in the area. A cable car ride to the top of the rock can produce amazing views of the surrounding area and the Strait of Gibraltar and Mediterranean in particular. St. Michael’s Cave, 2 caves in actual fact, is also an attraction. The limestone caves have some fantastic natural beauty and a rich history as ‘cave art’ was recently discovered there dating back some 15,000 years.

A cruise from Spain can last anywhere from 1 week to over a month. A week long or 10 day cruise might see you start from Barcelona, take in one of the islands such as Mallorca before taking off to the tip of North Africa and perhaps at least one other Mediterranean country such as Italy as well. A month long cruise could see you go as far as Brazil or South America while also enjoying everything that Spain has to offer from culture in Barcelona to sunny beaches in the Costa Del Sol. A cruise that takes in Spain is as interesting as it is diverse and because the country features so many different climates, activities, cultural heritages and customs then it is one country that it is very difficult to get bored of.

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There are multiple buildings that are part of the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences. Each one of these are identified with a different type of aquatic environment. These environments include the Mediterranean, temperate, wetlands, tropical seas, Antarctica, Arctic, oceans, Islands as well as the Red Sea.

Dolphinarium L’Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

However, perhaps the biggest and most popular attraction in the L’ Oceanogràfic is that of the Dolphinarium. There are more than 24 million liters of water in the Dolphinarium which boasts gaps of more than 10 1/2 meters. There is also an underwater restaurant where one can sit down and eat while watching tens of thousands of fish swim all around. The Dolphinarium truly is a very unique eating experience the matter how you choose to look at.

Today, there are more than 500 different species of dolphins, walruses, belugas, sea lions, penguins, seals, sharks, turtles, rays, jellyfish, sawfish, starfish, crustaceans as well as sea urchins of all different kinds. All in all, there are more than 45,000 individual animals that call the L’ Oceanogràfic their home. Furthermore the aquarium is not just home to marine life, it is also home to a number of bird species who are crucial to ensuring that the ecosystem stay as strong as it can possibly be.

Aquarium, L’Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

It was back in 2003 when the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences first opened its doors to the public. Since that grand opening, more than 12 million people from all over the world have made their way to the aquarium in order to see the flora and fauna as well as to attend the numerous lectures and other activities that are continuously held on the campus by numerous scientific bodies from all over the world.

A lot of time and effort was put into the design and development of the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences to ensure that its architecture was of the latest, and most popular styles; and to ensure that any barriers within the aquarium were virtually invisible. There are countless faults, underground tunnels and tanks of all sizes that can be found throughout the park. It truly is an extraordinary destination which is home to one of the largest and most exotic biodiversed ecosystems on the planet.

Bird in L’Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

L’ Oceanogràfic is open all year round, opening hours depend on the season, and the basic admission is 27.90 €. For more information visit Official site of L’ Oceanogràfic

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Photo by admin

In 1987, the rock was declared a nature reserve and the smallest protected area in Europe, because it covers an area of ​​4,5 square kilometers. There is a number of endemic species of plant and animals such as sea gulls and falcons.

Peñón de Ifach is a distinct visual attraction on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a height of 332 metres.

View Penyal D’ifac in Spain in a larger map

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