Canary Islands Cruise Port Accessibility and Excursions

Wheelchair accessibility cruising information for shore excursions and ports of call in the Canary Islands. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please ask us to check the information provided below is correct for your specific cruise holiday. Cruise liners may choose not to dock at port for various reasons such as tides, adverse weather conditions and the availability of port berths and docking services.

Accessible Excursions

Some cruise lines offer accessible shore excursions at select ports for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. These excursions provide guests with accessible transport and tours from cruise ships to the destination’s top sights, negating any potential access problems guests may encounter. Accessible excursion ports in the Canary Islands include Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

The excursions must be booked directly with the cruise line; however, if the cruise line excursions sell out, we can check availability with a different excursion supplier. Our agents can also advise on the accessibility of ports when booking, including which ones require a tender, to make sure you get the best information and advice regarding your requirements.

Port Accessibility Information

Cadiz

• Tidal variance: Moderate tidal variance may restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Within half a mile (200 metres)
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly a flat town; however, most pavements do not have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at Museum De Cádiz, Plaza De Mina & Estación Marítima
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Many streets in the old town are cobblestone, but the town is mainly flat and even
• Public transport: Few buses are wheelchair accessible. Standard taxis are generally available at the terminal
• Shopping areas: Approximately 1 mile (2 km)
• Accessible places of interest: Museum De Cádiz, Plaza De Mina

Gran Canaria

• Tidal variance: High tidal variance will restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approx ¾ mile (1 km)
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly a flat town. Most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at Santa Catalina Port Terminal and Santa Catalina Hotel
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Vegueta, around the Cathedral, the Central Market and Casa Colon have cobblestone streets. Santa Catalina Square is not considered wheelchair accessible
• Public transport: The bus service is accessible via a ramp. The bus stop is situated at the entrance to the port with buses running approximately every 25 minutes
• Shopping areas: Within half a mile
• Accessible locations: Beach Las Canteras, Meloneras (beachfront), Casa Romantica Agaete, Mogan, Museum of Science and Technology

La Gomera

• Tidal variance: Moderate
• Distance to town: Approximately 200 metres
• General accessibility: Flat, even and wheelchair friendly
• Accessible places of interest: Historic town centre of San Sebastian de La Gomera
• Accessible public transport: Local buses are not accessible. Standard taxis are very limited and can be booked on request, subject to availability

La Palma

• Tidal variance: Moderate tidal variance may restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Nearly 1 mile
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly a flat town. Most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: None advised
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: None advised
• Public transport: Some buses with disabled access. Standard taxis are generally available at the cruise terminal. Shuttle service from port
• Shopping areas: Nearly 1 mile
• Accessible locations: O’Daly Street, the highstreet of Santa Cruz de La Palma

Lanzarote

• Tidal variance: Slight. Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat, even and accessible; however, there is some uneven ground to negotiate to leave the port gates
• Distance to main town: Approximately 5 miles (9 km)
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat and has pavements with dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located approx. 300 metres away from the pier, inside the Tourist Information building
• Cobblestone streets or areas of unsuitable terrain: None advised
• Public transport: Some buses are accessible. Standard taxis are generally available on the quayside. Large adapted vehicles available upon request – limited. Accessible shuttle service available upon request
• Accessible shopping areas: Approximately 5 miles (9 km)
• Accessible places of interest: Cactus Garden, Mirador del Rio (lookout point), Timanfya Natural Park (not all areas are accessible). A lot of places of interest have steps

Lisbon

• Tidal variance: High tidal variance will restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Between 800 metres and approximately 3 miles, depending on pier
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly a flat town, some pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: McDonald’s at Rossio Square and some of the more modern hotels and cafes
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Alfama, the old district is unsuitable. Almost all pavements in Lisbon are cobbled
• Public transport: Some Metro and bus routes are wheelchair accessible. Standard taxis available upon request on board
• Shopping areas: Between 800 metres and approximately 3 miles, depending on pier
• Accessible locations: Oceanarium at “Parque das Nacoes”, the Maritime Museum & Coach Museum at Belem district and the Colombo shopping centre

Madeira

• Tidal variance: Moderate tidal variance may restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and uneven areas
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 km)
• Accessibility of main town paving: Fairly hilly, some pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: The Old Blandy wine lodge, the Madeira Story Centre Museum and some local hotels
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Most pavements are cobblestoned in Funchal Town
• Public transport: Wheelchair-friendly mini buses in Funchal (Linha Eco) provide a handy way for visitors to discover different part of the town. Standard taxis are generally available at the cruise terminal
• Shopping areas: Approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 km)
• Accessible places of interest: Parts of the Old Blandy Wine Lodge, the Madeira Story Centre Museum, and the Cable Car

Tenerife

• Tidal variance: High tidal variance will restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1 mile
• Accessibility of main town paving: Flat, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at Plaza De España or the terminal
• Public transport: Some local buses are accessible. Standard taxis are generally available on the quayside
• Shopping areas: Approximately 1 mile (1.5 km)
• Accessible places of interest: Plaza de España, local cafes and shops

Vigo

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Within half a mile (700 metres)
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is very hilly. Most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Most cafes have ground floor toilets, but not all are wheelchair accessible
• Public transport: Buses are not accessible. Standard taxis are generally available outside the terminal
• Shopping areas: Within half a mile. There is also a shopping mall near to the exit of the Transatlantic Pier Terminal Building
• Accessible locations: El Corte Inglés (department store), El Principe Street, Quiñones de Leon Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Casa de las Palabras, and Samil Beach

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