Introduction
Exploring European cruise ports is one of the most efficient ways to see the continent’s iconic cities in a single trip. However, with only one day in each destination, planning your time is crucial. While cruise line excursions are an option, they can be expensive and often limit what you can actually see. I prefer the freedom of exploring on my own, and after navigating several first-time visits, I’ve learned exactly how to maximize your day. Here is my guide to making the most of five incredible ports: Le Havre, Zeebrugge, Copenhagen, Warnemünde, and Amsterdam.
Le Havre, France
When cruise ships dock in northern France, Le Havre is one of the two ports they dock in. Guests usually make plans to visit Paris when docked in northern France, if they wish. However, the downside to this is that Paris is a 2-hour and 30-minute drive (without traffic) from Le Havre and is about a 2-hour and 45 train ride from Le Havre.
Booking an excursion to see Paris through the cruise line is an option that cruise lines offer, but this is often very expensive because they take you on a long drive or train ride to get to and from Paris. For example, when my brother and I went on an excursion through a cruise line to see Berlin, it was a 3-hour train ride from the cruise port and back, and cost over $300 for each of us.
This, with the fact that you are limited in the amount of time you have to explore the city because your excursion group has to get back to the bus or train with enough time to spare to get back to the cruise port, can make your plans to see Paris more stressful than fun. Don’t forget this also applies if you decide to take the train or be driven to Paris on your own and not through the cruise line.
If you do not want to be on a bus or train for almost 6 hours round-trip to visit Paris, I recommend seeing Giverny and/or Rouen instead. I actually recommend both of these cities as day trips from Paris. These two cities are much closer to Le Havre, both in the Normandy region of France, of which Rouen is the capital. Giverny is a 1-hour and 35-minute drive from Le Havre, and Rouen is a 1-hour drive from Le Havre. There is about an hour’s drive between the two cities. When the last cruise I went on stopped at Le Havre for the day in July 2024, these are the places I went to instead of going to Paris.
In Giverny, a major attraction is seeing French Impressionist artist Claude Monet’s gardens, lily pads, and house. Whether or not you are a fan of Monet, I highly recommend seeing his property because everything was beautiful! I did not go inside his house (the line was at least 45 minutes long), but seeing his gardens and lily pads was amazing.
You can buy tickets to see Monet’s gardens and house online or when you arrive there. If you are going on a cruise that stops in Le Havre in the summer, as I did, and want to visit Monet’s house and gardens, you should get your tickets online or get to the house and gardens early when it opens, so you do not have to wait in a long line. I already had tickets, so I did not have to wait in line. Visit the official website to learn more about visiting Monet’s home and gardens.
If you are a history lover, seeing Rouen will be a highlight. Rouen is known to be where Saint Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, and in her honor, there is a tall cross placed over where there is archeological evidence of her death. Right next to the cross is the Church of St. Joan of Arc, where you can see beautiful stained glass windows.
Rouen also has several restaurants and is less crowded and “touristy” compared to Paris. There is also the historic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, which started construction in 1030, and an art museum that holds several Monet paintings (some of which are paintings of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen). If you are looking for a nice but quieter place to see France and spend time more like a local, definitely check out Rouen!
Bruges, Belgium (via Zeebrugge)
Zeebrugge is the gateway to northern Belgium, and while Brussels is an option (about 1 hour and 20 minutes away), most cruisers find that Bruges offers much more “fairytale” charm for the limited time you have in port.
When my family docked here, we took the cruise shuttle bus from the pier directly into Bruges for 25€ per person. It was very straightforward, and the driver was clear about the return times. However, if you prefer to save money and see more of the scenery, you can also take a quick train from Zeebrugge. Pro Tip: If you arrive by train, the 15-minute walk from the station through Minnewater Park (the Lake of Love) is far more beautiful than the bus drop-off point and puts you right into the heart of the city’s atmosphere.
In Bruges, you’ll have plenty of time for a canal tour—they are relatively short—leaving you hours to explore the chocolate shops and historic sites. To help you stay ahead of the crowds at the Belfry of Bruges and the Market Square, I’ve put together a 1-day Bruges itinerary specifically designed for travelers with limited time. It covers the best walking routes and exactly how to time the popular attractions so you aren’t stuck in lines when you should be getting back to the ship!
Food Tip: When in Bruges, eat at Manhattn’s Burgers!
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, is a modern yet historic city. The Copenhagen cruise port is only a 20-minute drive from the city, so you will have plenty of time to explore as much of the city as you like when you are there. It is very easy to navigate their (electric) subway system as well. My attraction/landmark suggestions are: Rosenborg Castle, walking through the Østre Anlæg park, visiting Nyhavn, and a canal tour through the city. This sounds like a lot, but it is doable in the one day you will have in the city.
Rosenborg Castle is a beautiful, well-preserved Renaissance castle where several members of the Danish Royal Family lived. Most of the rooms in the castle are almost the same way they were when the castle was built in the 1600s. You can buy tickets to visit the castle on the official website. The Østre Anlæg park features lakes and sculptures where you will see plenty of locals hanging out and relaxing.
Nyhavn is a famous harbor in Copenhagen, which you might already recognize from photos, as it’s one of Copenhagen’s most photographed areas. Here, you will see tons of locals and tourists shopping and eating. The canal tour I went on when in Copenhagen was an hour long, and there were amazing views of the city and landmarks, especially of the Opera House and the Royal Library.
Food Tip: When in Nyhavn, I recommend you try gelato at Elis.
Warnemünde, Germany
Warnemünde is a town on the Baltic Sea in Germany. Feel free to go to the beach after you leave your ship; it is very close to where your ship will be docked. When I was in Warnemünde, there were a bunch of food trucks along the walkway near the beach. If you want to see Berlin, the train or car ride will be long (as I mentioned earlier), but look on Viator or GetYourGuide to find numerous tours that take you from Warnemunde cruise port to Berlin for a lot less than what your cruise line is probably charging.
Conveniently, there is a Warnemünde train station, so you will not have to walk far to get to the station to go to Berlin, whether you are going on your own or through the cruise line. Your cruise might dock at the Rostock cruise port instead of Warnemünde (this originally happened with my cruise). If your cruise docks at the Rostock cruise port instead of Warnemünde, you can easily get to the Rostock train station from the ship to travel to Berlin as well! I mention this in more detail in my 1-day in Berlin itinerary for cruisers.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
When your cruise ship docks in Amsterdam, it will (likely) dock at Amsterdam Cruise Port, not far from the Amsterdam Centraal train station. When you get off the ship, you will probably see taxis waiting outside the port offering to drive you into the city. They are quite expensive, so I recommend you take the 15 to 20-minute walk to the city instead.
Luckily, Amsterdam has a nice subway system, which is what my family used to get around the city. I highly recommend taking the subway to get to your attractions, unless an attraction is not close to a station (take an Uber instead). The attractions I recommend seeing in Amsterdam include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, and a canal tour.
I mention all of these attractions in more detail in my 3-day itinerary for visiting Amsterdam. Of course, if you are visiting Amsterdam on a cruise, you can’t see all of these attractions in one day. Therefore, I would recommend either the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum, and going on a canal tour so you can see a lot of the city.
If you are very interested in seeing the Anne Frank House, you have to research when to purchase tickets online so you get them in time before they sell out for the day you will be in Amsterdam. You might have to get up very early (depending on the time zone you live in) to purchase tickets before they sell out. Purchase tickets on the official website; tickets are only available through the official website. Read more about how to ensure you get tickets to the Anne Frank House in my Amsterdam itinerary!
Even though you might decide to do a canal tour if you visit Bruges, I think you’ll also enjoy a canal tour in Amsterdam, seeing how all of the canals run through the city. I remember walking through the city and seeing a canal at every turn!
Amsterdam and Copenhagen: The Ultimate Bikeable Ports
One of the best ways to experience Amsterdam and Copenhagen is on two wheels. Both cities are famously flat and designed with world-class cycling lanes, making them the most “bikeable” ports in Europe.
- Amsterdam: The cruise terminal (called Cruise Port Amsterdam, formerly Passenger Terminal Amsterdam) is just a short walk or tram ride from the city center. You’ll find bike rental shops right outside the station. Cycling allows you to breeze through the canal belt and reach the Jordaan district or Vondelpark in minutes—areas that are often too slow to reach on foot in a single day.
- Copenhagen: Most ships dock at Langelinie or Oceankaj. From Langelinie, it’s a beautiful, scenic ride past the Little Mermaid and directly into Nyhavn. Copenhagen’s bike lanes are wide and very safe; just remember to follow the local hand signals and stay to the right!
Pro-Tip: If you’re nervous about navigating, look for “Donkey Republic” orange bikes in both cities. They are easy to rent via an app and can be dropped off at various hubs throughout the city
Conclusions
Planning your time in each cruise port can feel overwhelming, but with these curated lists, you’re ready to explore with confidence. Use this guide to make the most of your time in Le Havre, Zeebrugge, Copenhagen, Warnemünde, and Amsterdam to prepare for an unforgettable European adventure!