Each of the Canary Islands has a distinctive character. Having fallen for their seductive charms, travel writer Yolanda Zappaterra is longing to return. In the meantime, she reveals why she loves their different personalities… Which one you will fall for?

Five great reasons to love the Canary Islands

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Things to do in Barcelona

<h2 style="text-align: left;">1. Things to do in Barcelona</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Catalan capital,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/ports/barcelona-spain">Barça</a>, is generous with its delights from top-notch dining to cutting-edge design in everything from fashion to architecture…</p>


Barcelona Culture

<h2>2.&nbsp;Barcelona Culture</h2>
<p>Prepare to be mesmerised by Antoni Gaudí. Rising up above the city, the eight decorative spires of his unfinished church Sagrada Família blend Gothic and Art Nouveau features, while the soft <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/mediterranean">Mediterranean</a> light flowing through the stained-glass windows of the Passion Façade bathes the interior.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For glorious views, try Parque Güell – Gaudí’s extraordinary garden complex in Gràcia, where clusters of columns grow from the earth, and walls and sculptures blaze with multi-coloured ceramics. Then return to the Gothic district to see its vaulted 14th-century cathedral, where 13 white geese reside in a secluded cloister. Nearby, the Picasso Museum spreads through five ancient townhouses and boasts more than 3,800 exhibits from the painter’s formative years.</p>


Shopping in Barcelona

<h2>3.&nbsp;Shopping in Barcelona</h2>
<p>For an all-out assault on the senses, the 860 food stalls of Europe’s largest market, Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, are an absolute treat. The market has occupied its present building since 1853, and here you’ll see top local chefs stocking up on fresh produce.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For hip fashion and fine fabrics, visit the small streets and alleys in El Born and Barri Gòtic. The more mainstream designer boutiques line Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample, where you’ll also find department stores including El Corte Inglés in the surrounding streets.</p>


Barcelona food and drink

<h2>4.&nbsp;Barcelona food and drink</h2>
<p>You can eat well in <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/ports/barcelona-spain">Barcelona</a>, but its restaurants and bars don’t always shout about it. Head to Passadís del Pep on the Plaça del Palau and you won’t even find a sign at the front – just a small brass plate at the end of the building’s hallway. Nor does it have a menu: instead, staff will keep bringing you platters of ham and seafood fresh from the market until you ask them to stop. </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For great fish, visit the waterfront eatery Xiringuito Escriba on Avenida Ronda Litoral Mar for sensational paella and sea crab. And for the best tapas, try TapaÇ 24 on Carrer de la Diputació.</p>


Top shore excursions:

<h2 style="text-align: left;">5. Top shore excursions:</h2>
<h3>Highlights of Barcelona</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">This whistle-stop tour of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations/spain-cruises">Spanish</a>&nbsp;capital takes in many beloved sights, including the Gaudí-designed Sagrada Família and the labyrinth Gothic Quarter.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Evening Sights and Tapas</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Soak up the sights on a panoramic drive through town and stop for photos at Montjuïc Hill, where you can enjoy breathtaking views across <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/ports/barcelona-spain">Barcelona</a> cruise port. On your tour, you will visit a local restaurant&nbsp;and taste some regional tapas dishes along with a glass of wine or beer.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p>
<h3>F.C. Barcelona</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Walk in the footsteps of Fàbregas and Messi at Camp Nou, the largest stadium in Europe and home to Champions League winners FC Barcelona.</p>


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Set your sights on Greece

Dreaming of cobbled streets, ancient treasures and sun-kissed shores? On a P&O Cruises holiday to Greece, you can wake up to a new view of paradise every single day

Historic destinations in the Mediterranean 

Looking for a historic getaway that includes sunshine and sea breezes? Choose a P&O Cruises Mediterranean fly-cruise in 2028, and let the world’s ancient wonders come to you.

Culture, adventure, and discovery are a shore thing in the Med

5 sense-sational holiday experiences 

Caucasian couple shading themselves under palm frond in swimming pool

2026 Travel Hotlist

With a new year on the horizon, we’ve got these holidays firmly in our sights. Where will 2026 take you?

Set your sights on Central and Northern Italy

Lush landscapes, cosmopolitan cities and iconic sights: this is the Italy of romantic films, artistic masterpieces and many a daydream. These four Central and Northern Italian ports of call will turn your reveries into reality.

Set your sights on Southern Italy

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Top things to do in Valletta

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2025 Travel Hotlist

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P&O Cruises 2024 in Numbers

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Paul Ludlow in Lisbon

Our president, Paul Ludlow, looks at why Malta, our beautiful home port for Mediterranean fly-cruises, holds such a special place in our hearts. Watch Paul’s video to learn all about the exciting Maltese projects we’re involved with and how guests can enjoy an unmissable 10% off their shore experiences.

Set your sights on… Morocco and Cape Verde

Did you know we have brand-new cruises to Cape Verde and Morocco included in our Winter 2026/27 collection? As well as an 18-night Cape Verde and Morocco cruise on Arcadia in December, we also have Morocco cruises on Aurora in November and on Ventura in February. 

A perfect day in Dubrovnik

Any day in this captivating Croatian city is a day well spent. From coffee to cable cars, here’s how to get the most out of your time in Dubrovnik

Paul Ludlow shares the latest from Malta

The best places to visit when...you want to relax on a beach

Whether you’re a water baby, sun worshipper or sandcastle-building pro, a day at the beach is always the highlight of a holiday. Soak up some rays, feel the sand between your toes and breathe in the salty tang of the ocean with our guide to some of the best beach escapes for relaxing on shore.

The best shore excursions in Dubrovnik

Nestled along the breath-taking Adriatic coast in Croatia, Dubrovnik is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and has been captivating travellers for many years. 

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Want to hold on to that summer feeling? Here are three easy ways to make it happen on a P&O Cruises holiday.

12 Months of holidays

Where will the year take you? We’ve got 12 months of tempting travel inspiration in our handy guide to some of the world’s dreamiest destinations. So whether you’re after a last-minute escape or are planning ahead, a year’s worth of holidays is at your fingertips.

A foodie's guide to Valletta

Perfectly perched in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta boasts a unique culinary scene cultivated over centuries. Flavours from North Africa and all across Europe coalesce to create flavours found nowhere else in the region.

An arty guide to Barcelona

In what is arguably the hippest of Spanish cities, there’s something to cater to every art-lover’s needs. To make the selection process a little easier when you’ve got limited time in the Catalonian capital, here’s a list of must-see places for the artistically inclined.

These views are better in real life

Have you ever caught yourself looking through holiday snaps and saying, ‘my camera just hasn’t done it justice’? Pretty as pictures can be, there’s nothing quite like seeing those epic, once-in-a-lifetime sights with your own two eyes. These six wonders are even more picture-perfect in person. 

5 of our best cruises for couples

If you and your other half are seeking a dreamy escape that will leave you with cherished memories, look no further. 

Things to do in Mykonos

Glamorous Mykonos has it all: beautiful beaches, dazzling seas, a vibrant town and nearby mythological sites. Discover the things to do in Mykonos to spark inspiration.

Cruise with ease from Southampton

Your holiday begins the moment you step onboard when you choose to cruise from Southampton. On a no-fly cruise, you can say goodbye to luggage restrictions and navigating airports. Even though you don’t take to the skies, your no-fly cruise holiday will start, and finish, on a high.

5 Chocolate Treats to Enjoy Onboard & Ashore

World Chocolate Day falls on 7 July, and what better way to get in the mood than with a sprinkling of chocolate-themed travel inspiration? Which of delicious treats will you add to your must-do list?

Escape to Monte Carlo

Discover Monte Carlo, the city full of mega yachts and five-star resorts that glitter in the shadows of the Alpine Mountains.

Big screen destinations

To celebrate the opening of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival we have taken a delve into our itineraries to see which big screen destinations you can visit on a P&O Cruises holiday.

{"metadata_en_GB":{"alt-text":"Photo Taken In Amsterdam, Netherlands"}}

Six great winter escapes

Our winter itineraries offer great escapes to a fabulous range of destinations. We'll start with some sunny adventures around the globe before highlighting our top suggestions for holidays closer to home.

Discover the secrets of Rome

Travel writer Yolanda Zappaterra explores Rome, off the beaten track. Yolanda is a travel, art and design enthusiast who writes for Time Out and Saga magazine, as well as national newspapers. 

Spain and Portugal: the coast with the most

If you’re looking for a holiday that showcases Europe’s most exhilarating cities, Spain & Portugal offer copious sunshine, cultural clout & fabulous food.

Hidden Gems in the Mediterranean

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Glories of western Italy • Things To Do

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Five top spots for family fun

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Your own Greek odyssey

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Discover hidden Naples: What to see and do

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The pearl of the Adriatic: great things to do in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a highlight of any Mediterranean cruise and makes the perfect summer holiday destination. Local tour guide Maris Marković picks her favourite things to do in this stunning city by the sea.

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There’s plenty of culture to discover on a P&O Cruises holiday

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Captivating Corfu - things to do

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Our magical Greek islands

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Croatia five beauties to steal your heart

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Holiday inspiration: Sunshine hotspots

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Authentic Venice

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Five romantic destinations

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<h4>Explore more on the Mediterranean</h4>

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Barcelona's Grid pattern truly comes to life when viewed from above.

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aerial view of old cathedral in Cadiz at sunset, Andalucia, Spain

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Five great reasons to love the Canary Islands

Plan your Barcelona holiday

Spain and Portugal Holidays

Explore more with evening and overnight calls

Sail from Southampton

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