Fridtjof Nansen, 11 Night From Lisbon to Hamburg - Europe's Atlantic Highlights ex Lisbon, Portugal to Hamburg, Germany

Day 1
Legendary Lisbon
Set out from this enchanting cityThe Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture. Take a stroll through the classical districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama, the old Islamic quarter, where there are remains of a Roman theatre and Moorish fortress. A bit outside the city centre, you can visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery before you set sail.  MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you in the harbour. After being welcomed aboard, settle into your cabin and begin your adventure at sea.  With so much to see in and around Lisbon, why not arrive early and join one of our optional Pre-Programmes. 

Day 2
Charming Porto (Leixões)
Explore the UNESCO-listed historic centre of PortoSettle into life on board as we approach our first stop: Leixões, Portugal. From here, you can see the lighthouse of Leça, the Boa Nova Chapel, and the beautiful beach of Praia Azul.    You can take a shuttle bus to Porto – famed for its port wine and UNESCO-listed historic centre. An undulating city made for walking, you'll fall in love with the pastel houses, colourful tiled façades, street art, ornate churches and panoramic views across the Douro River.   Here, you can stroll along the bustling promenade by the Ribeira docks, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, snack on delicious petiscos, and enjoy wine tastings at the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. 

Day 3
Galician highlights
See Galicia's heritage in FerrolEnjoy a relaxing morning on board. Attend an engaging lecture with the Expedition Team in the Science Centre or soak up the steam in the sauna or a hot tub before we enter the Ría de Ferrol. Admire the imposing forts of La Palma and San Felipe that sit on either side of the headland, protecting the city within.  Ferrol is one of Spain’s best preserved 18th century port cities. While you’re here, criss-cross Barrio de la Magdalena's grid of streets and explore the city’s maritime museums. El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, starts in Ferrol.  You may also be able to join an excursion to Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Christian sites in the world.   

Day 4
Gijón’s golden sands
Savour a different cultural flavour in AsturiasEnjoying a prime position on the Bay of Biscay, Gijón, the cultural heart of Asturias, has grown from a small fishing village settled by the Romans into a prominent port city. You can experience its old town charm on a stroll through Cimadevilla park and Barrio del Carmen district, exploring beautiful Baroque churches and the Plaza del Marqués. Or take a hike up to Mirador de la Providencia, an unusual viewpoint shaped like the hull of a ship, which offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape. Then you can relax on the golden sands of the beach at Playa de San Lorenzo, enjoy a coastal walk, or savour freshly caught fish and other Asturian delicacies, accompanied by a glass of refreshing local cider.  

Day 5
Explore San Sebastián
Discover the jewel of the Basque CountryOur voyage continues to the Basque region. You'll love the energy of San Sebastián – which offers something for everyone – including food lovers, culture buffs and surfers.Pay a visit to the historical district of Parte Vieja, where you’ll find a Gothic church, Baroque façades and beautiful squares. You can relax on the beach of La Concha or take a cable car to Monte Igueldo. The steep ascent up Monte Urgull will reward you with fantastic bay views from its fortifications. Make sure you find time to sample some traditional Basque cuisine. The delicious pintxos are perfect small bites to snack on as you tour the city. Pasajes is located at the head of a picturesque sea inlet and surrounded by verdant hills. Explore the historic streets and admire the 17th century residences at your leisure, all while soaking Pasajes’ 1,000-year-old maritime history.

Day 6
Bordeaux, ‘City of Wine’
Raise a glass in BordeauxBordeaux's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bursting with culture and art at every turn. From the famous water mirror at Place de la Bourse, to the Gothic St André Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts Bourdeax, if you love art and architecture, you're spoilt for choice. But it's wine that's the true soul of Bordeaux. With over 8,500 châteaux and producers in the region, and vineyards just a short tram ride from town, you can taste and compare some of the 60 appellations, from the stellar red Bordeaux Supérieur to sweet Sauternes.  

Day 7
Laid-back in Île-d’Yeu
Explore the many charms of Île-d’YeuWhat Île-d’Yeu lacks in size, it more than makes up for in diversity of landscapes. This pretty little island is home to rocky shores, dunes, pine forest and lush meadows.  Inhabited over 5,000 years ago by farmers of the Neolithic period, the island has many historical sites, ranging from superbly preserved dolmens and menhirs to medieval castles and tiny villages. You can rent a bike, or just discover the island’s treasures on foot. Ports in Île-d’Yeu are too small for our ship, so if the conditions are favourable, we’ll anchor off the island and use our small boats to take you ashore.   

Day 8
Fascinating Finistère
Inspiring coastal scenery and maritime historyWe’ll use our small expedition boats to go ashore at the picturesque seaside town of Douarnenez, where you'll find the colourful quaysides, sandy beaches, and steep cliffs that inspired famous painters like Renoir and Boudin. As well as fishermen’s huts and seamen’s chapels, Douarnenez hosts a wonderful maritime museum with boats from around the world.  While here, you can choose to discover the wild beauty of Pointe Du Raz, a promontory facing the elements of the Atlantic Ocean, where Finistère really does feel like the ‘End of the Earth’.  Or explore the charming Breton town of Quimper, whose skyline is dominated by the twin spires of Saint Corentin Cathedral. 

Day 9
The citadel of Saint-Malo
A beautiful Breton town steeped in historyViewed from the sea, Saint-Malo is an impressive sight, fringed by fortified bastions and gently sloping beaches. We’ll anchor off the town and use our small boats to go ashore. A circular walk along the ramparts offers the best views of the town and surrounding islands. Follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets and visit Demeure De Corsaire to learn about the feared corsairs and the town’s pirate heritage.  You can walk to Île de Grand Bé at low tide or join an excursion to visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. The island has the remains of an ancient fort, and this is where the renowned local writer Chateaubriand is buried. 

Day 10
Cruising the Channel
Reflect and relax on a calming day at seaEnjoy the day relaxing, while we navigate the waters of the channel that separates continental Europe from the British Isles.  While the British call it the ‘English Channel’, it’s more commonly known in continental Europe as ‘La Manche’, or derivations of that. The Dutch may have the most diplomatic name for it, they simply call it ‘Het Kanaal’, or ‘the Channel’.  Whatever the name, a quarter of the world's maritime trade navigates through this passage. Our expert Expedition Team will be happy to share their knowledge about these historic waters with you.  

Day 11
Explore Heligoland
Discover the peaceful charm of this historic island Just off the German mainland, tiny Heligoland was once a base for pirates and the strategic prize for a string of warring nations. Now this peaceful, traffic-free island is better known for its stunning nature, and at certain times of the year, its birdlife.If conditions allow, local boats will take us ashore to explore both of Heligoland’s distinctive islands. On one island, you can walk the scenic trails along the red cliffs to look out for nesting birdlife such as Northern Gannets and Common Guillemots. On the other, you can stroll along the fine white sands lined by dunes in search for seals lounging around the shores.

Day 12
Germany’s Hanseatic treasure
End your cruise in Germany’s second cityYour expedition cruise comes to an end as we arrive in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany and one of the greenest urban areas in Europe. There’s much to see and do in Hamburg. If you have time, you'll find many attractions in the old town district of Altstadt, including the St Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße.   Hamburg is also home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Chilehaus, and the world's largest historic warehouse complex in Speicherstadt. Art lovers should head to Kunsthalle, the nation’s foremost art museum.   

MS Fridtjof Nansen is the latest addition to Hurtigruten’s fleet of custom built ships – and the next generation expedition ship. She will explore some of the most spectacular corners of the globe.

Featuring Hurtigruten's revolutionary battery hybrid powered propulsion system, MS Fridtjof Nansen will be a near identical twin to her sister ship MS Roald Amundsen.

Combining state of the art technology and premium on board experience with Hurtigruten’s 125 years of experience and unparalleled destinations, the two Norwegian built ships introduces the next generation of adventure travel.

The stunning scenery will be reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool will be used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas. All cabins are outside, 50 % will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor hot tubs with spectacular views.

The core of the onboard experience is the Nansen Science Center, an edutainment venue to guests and crew meet to create a deeper understanding of the areas we explore. Nansen Science Center will also be the on board HQ for the Expedition Team.
MS Fridtjof Nansen's three restaurants will host a variety of dining options, with menus drawn from our rich Norwegian and Nordic tradition, as well as international cuisine and local inspiration.

Whether enjoying your meal at Aune Main Dining, Fredheim – the informal international meeting place, or the specialty restaurant Lindstrøm, you will indulge in low key yet refined, modern Norwegian Nordic cooking – where our honest and delicious cuisine reflects our destinations.

After a day of exploring new destinations, guests can relax and rejuvenate in the elegant Explorer Lounge, a large gym and Wellness center, or enjoy the scenery and sunsets on the massive in- and outdoor Observation Decks with the aft infinity pool and hot tubs as one of the highlights.

Each expedition voyage is accompanied by a hand-picked team of specialists and modern-day explorers. Highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable, the Expedition Team will be your guides and guardians on your voyage of exploration, instructing you on safety, sustainability and science.

MS Fridtjof Nansen will feature a variety of custom built expedition equipment, including kayaks, a fleet of Blueye underwater drones and Expedition Boats for safe landings in remote areas.

HX Expeditions is a leading global expedition cruise line offering immersive journeys to the planet's most remote and extraordinary destinations. From the icy wilderness of Antarctica and the Arctic to the unique ecosystems of the Galápagos and Alaska, HX delivers authentic small-ship experiences designed for curious travelers seeking adventure, discovery, and meaningful connections with nature.

Operating a modern fleet of purpose-built, sustainable vessels, HX puts environmental responsibility at the heart of every expedition. Guests explore fragile ecosystems with expert-led guidance from naturalists, scientists, and local specialists, ensuring journeys are both educational and transformative.

With an emphasis on small groups and personalized service, HX provides access to hidden places unreachable by larger ships, delivering comfort, authenticity, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Whether witnessing the Northern Lights or exploring pristine shores, HX Expeditions invites travelers to experience the world’s wildest corners in a responsible and impactful way.