Spanish Riviera Revealed

Malaga, together with adjacent towns and municipalities such as Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Alhaurin de la Torre, Mijas, and Marbella, forms the Malaga Metropolitan area. The important cultural infrastructure and the rich artistic heritage have culminated in the nomination of Malaga as a candidate for the 2016 European Capital of Culture. The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas were both born in Malaga. SeaDream calls to Malaga both as an embarkation point as well as a typical port of call. Kindly check on the land adventures tab to see all of the activities and options. Should you need embarkation information, it’s also available there.

At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tangier opens the door to Morocco. This port on the Strait of Gibraltar is truly a feast for the senses. Take in the influences of peoples and cultures, the heavy fragrances of the spice markets, the murmurs of the sea and city swirling together. The Old Town, or medina, is an architecturally rich labyrinth, boasting Byzantine-era cobblestone streets, Grecian whitewashed homes, and ancient mosques and temples. Separated from the medina by ramparts, the Kasbah, ancient palace district, is built on the highest point in the city, overlooking the harbor.

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the entrance of the Mediterranean on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. Most visitors arriving by sea are impressed by the rock’s enormous visual impact. Only covering an area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 sq. km.) several sites are a must-see! Some of the “can’t miss” options include the Great Siege Tunnels, St. Michael’s Cave, The Moorish Castle, The Lighthouse at Europa Point and shopping – yes shopping. SeaDream docks at the passenger terminal and has the coaches for the land adventures just outside. It is an easy walk downtown to the duty-free area. Bikes are available should you want to bike up the rock.

Puerto Banus is a very upscale marina to the west of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. It was built in 1970 by Jose Banus, a local property developer, as a luxury marina and shopping complex for the jet-set. The focal point of Puerto Banus is the marina. It is also a scene for many exotic cars that are owned by international celebrities and wealthy owners that also own large mega yachts. Our local agent tells us that SeaDream is the only commercial yacht that has docked in Banus.

In the Andalusia region of Spain sits Almeria, hugging the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, undoubtedly one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. It’s here you can enjoy the best that Andalusia has to offer, most notably its sea, sunshine, and golden-sand beaches. In the Old Town, Almeria’s Moorish heritage can be spotted on every corner. Take in its vibrant food culture in the open markets, fine restaurants, and tapas bars. Hike to the impressive Alcazaba Fortress, one of the best-preserved citadels in Andalusia, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Seaside Alicante sits along Spain’s Costa Blanca, the Mediterranean coastline that runs along the Alicante province on the southeastern coast of Spain. A holiday resort town known mostly to travel insiders, Alicante’s picturesque harbor and stunning golden-sand beaches complement its signature Explanada de España, a marble promenade lined with more than six million mosaic tiles. Alicante’s Old Town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, is your pathway to the medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, one of Spain’s largest medieval fortresses, set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Mediterranean.

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. It has more than 2.5 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. The city is recognized globally partly due to its Unesco Heritage Status as well as the City of Arts and Sciences. The Port of Valencia is a very busy commercial port. It is the 5th busiest container port in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean. SeaDream docks as close to the city center as possible – just along the Grand Prix Raceway. SeaDream offers both day trips as well as a very popular evening adventure called “Valencia Buzzes at Night”.

Overlooking the Mediterranean city, Barcelona is a destination that welcomes exploration. Vibrant and metropolitan, this UNESCO-Awarded city is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. It is especially notable for its Art Nouveau architecture and the work of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, which can be seen throughout the city. His best-known work is the immense, unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction since 1882 and is still financed by private donations. Completion is planned for 2026. SeaDream overnights in this bustling Mediterranean city and typically docks downtown at the World Trade Center, just steps away from the iconic tree-lined pedestrian La Rambla boulevard