8 hidden gem cruise ports that you shouldn’t skip
8 hidden gem cruise ports that you shouldn’t skip
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Cruise ships often visit lesser-known destinations such are Zadar, Asturias, Disko Island and Bilbao. Complaints about overtourism and a desire to visit unique destinations are helping cruise passengers fall in love with lesser-known and unexpected ports of call.
![[Nafplio’s old town and historic fortress are worth a visit on a Greece cruise]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/10/iStock-2162286181.jpg)
The cities and coastal resorts that passengers and cruise ships spend time in have become more important amid backlash from locals and environmental concerns. In some cases, cruise ships have had to change their choice of dock due to restrictions. Venice has banned large cruise ships, while Amsterdam is limiting ship visits ahead of an outright ban by 2035. The Mayor of Nice has also proposed banning larger vessels.
![[The green landscapes and fishing villages of Asturias are worth a visit]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/11/newFile.jpg)
To ensure passengers can still reach popular places, some ports are used as drop-off points to then travel to major cities where the main excursions take place. Examples include docking in Rotterdam to reach Amsterdam or Cadiz for Seville. But many cruise passengers are also finding hidden gems in the port where the ship docks rather than travelling further afield. These locations can be more convenient as they are often walking distance from the ship, saving you money on taxis and meaning you avoid queues for shuttle buses.
![[Trieste has become an alternative port to access Venice but is worth exploring itself]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/11/iStock-1162003645.jpg)
Cruise brands are also recognising that passengers want unique experiences and may enjoy quieter locations on their itinerary rather than the typical holiday hotspots. Here are the overlooked cruise ports that could be worth staying in rather than travelling through.
![[A Hurtigruten cruise can get you to the overlooked Disko Island in Greenland]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/11/iStock-1857699327.jpg)
