
Motril Cruise Port
Motril, Spain · Mediterranean
Cruise ships dock at Dique de Levante — Main Cruise Berth, Motril.
Working commercial port used as the sea gateway to Granada; the town and beaches are a short taxi ride away.
At a glance
Port summary
Motril is a functional cargo and ferry port rather than a resort quay. Almost every cruise passenger heads inland to Granada and the Alhambra, roughly 70 km and 75 minutes away, so arrange transport and Alhambra tickets before you sail. Those staying local can reach Motril's old town, the Costa Tropical beaches and hilltop Salobrena by a short taxi ride.
Cruise docks
Dique de Levante — Main Cruise Berth
The deep sheltered berth on the eastern breakwater (Darsena de Levante) used by larger cruise ships. Coordinates are approximate (no OSM berth tag) and should be verified. About 4 km from Motril town centre.
Latitude: 36.71595, Longitude: -3.51934
See dock on port map →Muelle de Costa / Levante — Ro-Pax and Cruise Quay
Commercial quay in the Darsena de Levante also used for cruise and Ro-Pax calls. Coordinates are approximate and should be verified against the berthing plan.
Latitude: 36.721801, Longitude: -3.523452
See dock on port map →Getting to Motril
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work for almost everything; carry 30-40 euros in cash for taxis, small cafes and market stalls.
Build your perfect day in Motril
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the Mediterranean collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Motril cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
3 comparedGranada and the Alhambra guided day
≈ 9 h · sold by 8 cruise lines
Cruise line
€160$180
Do it yourself
€62$70
Save ≈ €98Save ≈ $110 (61% off)
Motril docks about 4 km from the town; take a taxi (~€10) to Motril bus station, then the ALSA coach to Granada (about 75 min, €7-9 each way). From Granada's bus station the Alhambra is reached by minibus C30/C32 (€1.40) or a taxi. Alhambra Nasrid Palaces entry is €18 and MUST be pre-booked for a timed slot; the Generalife and Cathedral quarter are steps away.
See the DIY plan →
Granada on your own: Cathedral, Royal Chapel and Albaicin
≈ 8 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€85$96
Do it yourself
€52$59
Save ≈ €33Save ≈ $37 (39% off)
Same run as the Alhambra day but without the timed-entry stress. Taxi (~€10) from the port to Motril bus station, ALSA coach to Granada (about 75 min, €7-9 each way), then everything is on foot: the Cathedral and Royal Chapel (€5-6 each) sit in the centre, and it is a 20-minute uphill walk into the Albaicin for the Mirador de San Nicolas view of the Alhambra.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
8 plansThe Alhambra & Generalife Day
The reason ships call at Motril — Nasrid palaces, Generalife gardens and a tapas lunch in Granada.
Granada: Albaicín, Tapas & Mirador Views
The relaxed Granada day — hilltop viewpoints, Moorish alleys and free tapas, no Alhambra ticket stress.
Nerja Caves & Balcón de Europa
Prehistoric caverns, a clifftop promenade and a seafood lunch on the Costa del Sol.
Nerja & Frigiliana: Caves, Coast & White Village
The full coastal day — prehistoric caves, a clifftop promenade and Andalucía's prettiest white village.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Motril?
- Your ship docks directly at the Motril cruise terminal in Spain.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Motril?
- Yes. Motril is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Motril centre?
- Typical options include Taxi, Shuttle bus, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Motril?
- Plan for at least 7 hours ashore to see Motril independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Motril and are cards accepted?
- Motril uses the Euro. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Motril cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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