MSC Yacht Club Canary Islands: 12 nights from Southampton with MSC Virtuosa
Aug 8, 2026

Vigo

Funchal

The famous Portuguese poet, Júlio Dinis described Funchal as: ‘The sea on one side, the mountains on the other and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a sleeping child, safe and warm, between its parents’. Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the soul of Portugal. Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered place, which is structured like a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant greenery and flowers, rise above the pretty harbour for almost 1,200 metres. The port is located 15-minute walk from the city center, in Funchal's magnificent bay with its sparkling blue waters. Due to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been a stopover point for ocean-going ships for many years.

Las Palmas

Located in the Atlantic Ocean 200 km from the African Coast, Gran Canaria has one of the most beautiful tropical landscapes. The island has wide and beautiful golden sand beaches, endless dunes, large indentations with vegetation and charming villages. In this majestic area, you can visit towns that has all kinds of services and amenities, such as in Las Palmas, with large shopping areas and a lively nightlife. You will have the opportunity to practice any water sport: diving, surfing and windsurfing.

Conversely, those who prefer other sports will have the opportunity to go hiking, climbing, or cycling. The island is also an ideal destination for golf lovers, as it has a wide range of excellent courses. Gran Canaria has excellent cuisine and the variety of fun traditional festivals, and theme parks. In short, it is an ideal place for a great island vacation.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, is located in the north-east of the island. Its pleasent climate and commercial areas make the city the perfect place for walking and enjoying long hours of relaxation. There are lots of things to visit in the city such as its avenues, parks and Henry Moore's most famous sculptures, hidden treasures and historic buildings such as the Church of the Conception or the Carta Palace.

Do not miss the opportunity to taste local cuisine. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a beautiful port located in Tenerife, the largest of the western islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. In the area around the port, there are wide avenues, squares, exotic green areas and some examples of modern architecture. At the heart of the city, near the sea, there is Plaza de España, built in the mid-20th century and once the site of the San Cristobal Castle (16th century).

The oldest part of the city is rich in religious monuments. The construction of the Church of San Francisco, one of the best examples of the Baroque style, began in the 17th century. The Church of Pilar, dated back to the 18th century, stands on the remains of an ancient temple. The city has also some green areas filled with exotic tree species. The Garcia Sanabria Park houses an important outdoor Sculpture Museum.

Another not to be missed place is the Maritime Park, a recreational area designed by architect César Manrique and located in the old Canary Islands commercial basin. Also known as the Black Castle, this circular defensive bastion was built in the first half of the 17th century with volcanic stones. From a naturalistic point of view, Tenerife is an island of contrasting landscapes. The wide beaches of fine sand in the south of the island give way to lush vegetation in the north.

Every year, the outfits of the island's capital prepare to host Carnival, declared International Tourist Interest and one of the most spectacular in Spain. Its privileged location makes it possible to enjoy beautiful beaches such as Las Teresitas, get to know the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit Teide National Park, the symbol of the island.

Arrecife

The capital of Lanzarote Island, in Canary Island, Arrecife was originally a small fishing village that now primarily relies on tourism. Lanzarote is one of the most wild and natural islands of the Canary and is of volcanic origin. Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, since the second half of the 19th century, is now the administrative and commercial center of the island.

Arrecife is a lively and cosmopolitan city full of culture and history, located on the eastern-central coast of the island. Initially known as a small fishing village in the 15th century, the area continued to grow until it became the capital of the island in 1852. Today, it is known as a wonderful holiday and shopping paradise. The city presents itself to travelers as a peaceful, cheerful and clean town. In its harbor, which is an area of intense commercial activity, two large fortresses, San Gabriel and San Jose, stand as reminders of the constant pirate attacks.

Other interesting monuments include the Castle of San Gabriel, built offshore and connected to the city by drawbridge, the San Juan Castle, and the Castillo del Hambre. Inside the Castello del Hambre, there is the international Museum of Contemporary Art, which exhibits works by the great artist Cesar Manrique.

The center of Arrecife is surrounded by some of the city’s best tourist attractions, such as the Parish of San Ginés Obispo and the shopping district of Calle Real. Heading north along the Coast, you will find the city’s ports: Puerto Naos, a fishing port, and the main port called Puerto de los Marmoles, the third most important port in the Canary Islands.

Cadiz

Cadiz is a port city with wide boulevards, squares and gardens with an atmosphere rich in history

Cadiz is an elegant city offering buildings dated back to XVIII and XIX Centuries. The City has a long and charming history: discover its monuments, the museums and all the amazing places where you can taste good food and have a drink. What makes Cadiz special it’s the people that are open, have a great culture and are independent. The majority of them enjoy life and the company of their friends in the many bars and squares of the city.

Southampton

Southampton is a city positioned in the South of Great Britain and its port is one of the main ports in Europe. From the port of Southamptos it is possible to set sail for a Cunard transatlantic cruise and reach New York, or visit Amsterdam and Belgium with an MSC cruise. The city offers, further to the New Forest National Park, a wide natural park with its suggestive woods, also many museums and art galleries and remarkable architectural works. Noteworthy is King John’s Palace, of Norman origins as well as the old walls with 7 entrances to the city. An evidence of the Victorian Age is Tudor House, collecting objects dated back to that period. For the art lovers, Southampton City Art Gallery offers exhibitions of any kind of art, from drawing to photography with shows that attract many visitors.