Iberian Explorer

No Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Balcony
$3,757
Suite
$5,935
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Barcelona
 Cruise Finishes
London
8 Day Iberian Explorer Itinerary (Viking)
Countries Explored: Spain, England
Cruise Line
Viking
Ship
Departures
Passengers
930
Crew
465
Launched
2022
Cruise Code
VKIE

Overview

Circumnavigate the Iberian Peninsula and uncover the historic treasures of Spain. Explore the Roman past and tranquil beauty of Cartagena and its Murcia province. Visit Málaga, the city of Picasso’s birth, and Granada’s Alhambra palace. Cruise through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the scenic bay of Vigo, gateway to Santiago de Compostela. This enlightening itinerary is complemented by a call on England’s maritime city of Portsmouth.

Itinerary

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city's Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi.

In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square's perimeter.

The charms of Murcia lie in its embrace of its rural pleasures. Surrounded by farmland and fertile huertas, Murcianos are never at a loss for produce freshly plucked from 'Europe's orchard.' They, in turn, live by the patient cycle of the harvest, going about their days at a leisurely pace. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243. Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982.

Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.

Sail the gateway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its defining landmark, the soaring Rock of Gibraltar, was one of the Pillars of Hercules of ancient myth. As you sail, explore our well-curated Library, tucked in a private alcove of the Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.

Vigo is steeped in a history that dates back to the Romans. Vikings once saw trade opportunities here and landed briefly on its shores. Soon, Vigo's strategic importance was recognized throughout Europe, resulting in raids by English privateer Francis Drake. Today, Vigo is one of the largest cities in Galicia, Spain's autonomous northwestern region that boasts a rich farming and fishing heritage. The city's markets still overflow with seafood and all the ingredients locals need to prepare traditional caldo galego, a hearty potato soup made with grelo, or broccoli rabe.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Portsmouth has been a naval port for centuries and is home to such historic vessels as Henry VIII's Mary Rose and Lord Nelson's HMS Victory. The only island-city in the United Kingdom, Portsmouth has been settled since before the days of the Roman Empire. It grew into a medieval port town; more recently, this was an embarkation port for the D-Day landings and served as headquarters for Dwight D. Eisenhower. The stunning citadel walls of Napoleonic forts greet ships as they approach through the Solent Strait.

Situated on the north bank of the Thames, Tilbury is steeped in history. The town is most famous as the site of a fortress built by Henry VIII to defend London from invasion by ships coming up the Thames. Upriver, the city is home to iconic power centers—Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey—from which the fate of the British Empire rose and wavered. Today, the city thrives amid a long tradition of arts and architectural innovation—from Shakespeare's Globe Theater to West End musicals, from Tower Bridge to the London Eye. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.

Life Onboard Viking Neptune

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Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details

Exclusive Savings
Friday 03 Jan 2025
Friday 10 Jan 2025
Ship Viking Vela
Balcony
Save $1,050
$4,945
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,070
$6,925
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Exclusive Savings
Saturday 10 Jan 2026
Saturday 17 Jan 2026
Ship Viking Vela
Balcony
Save $1,039
$3,906
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,060
$5,935
View Cabins
Exclusive Savings
Tuesday 20 Jan 2026
Tuesday 27 Jan 2026
Ship Viking Neptune
Balcony
Save $1,038
$3,757
View Cabins
Suite
Save $1,060
$5,935
View Cabins
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Viking. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Viking. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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