Making the most of Port Vendres
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Close to the Spanish border, the Cruise Port of Port Vendres enjoys temperate Mediterranean weather. Its cruise wharf stands in the main harbour, about 1.5 km from the city centre. Most ships anchor and tender passengers into the centre of town.
Take a map along.
Port-Vendres is a typical Mediterranean fishing harbour near the Spanish border on the cote Vermeille in south-west France. It is known for numerous fish and seafood restaurants, and you can watch fishing vessels land their daily catch. The port is also one of the region's principal marinas.
One of the few deep-water harbours on this section of France's Mediterranean coast, Port-Vendres welcomes freighters, cruise vessels, and both large and small fishing boats.
Getting around
If you wish to explore the town with help from a tour guide, Port Vendres tourism provides this type of guided visit throughout the summer.
A small tourist train carries visitors to Collioure and around the hilltop vineyards. Its stop is less than 100 yards from the gangway.
Nearby places
Port-Vendres is a convenient starting point for some of France's prettiest places: Perpignan, Roussillon's historic capital; Collioure, a picturesque harbour filled with brightly coloured fishing boats; Banyuls, known for sweet wine and as sculptor Aristide Maillol's birthplace; and medieval Carcassonne.
Food and shopping
An indoor fish market includes food stalls where you can sample the fresh catch.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
The local emergency number is 112.
Opening Hours and
Most French shops, businesses, information services, museums and banks remain open all day. Smaller shops and enterprises are exceptions and may close for lunch between 12.30pm and 2pm. Typical hours are 8 or 9am to 6.30 or 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday for large shops and Tuesday to Saturday for smaller ones, some of which may open on Monday afternoon. Boulangeries and food shops can always be found open on days when others close, normally until noon on Sunday.