Searching for the Best Mediterranean Cruise Ports for your next cruising adventure? You have come to the right place, here is a detailed list of the best Mediterranean Cruise Stops with the best things to do in each.
The Mediterranean is a popular cruise destination. With hip party ports like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Dubrovnik, and classic historical ports like Rome, Valletta, and Ephesus, a typical cruise hits all the highlights for everyone. Cruises can be as short as four to seven days, or as long as fourteen to twenty days. A longer cruise might stay longer in port or visit more ports. Shorter cruises often stay in one region, like Barcelona and the Spanish islands, rather than trying to also visit Rome or Naples. Here are some of the best Mediterranean cruise stops with some of my favorite things to do in each.
The Best Mediterranean Cruise Stops
Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is a perennial favorite. Most cruise ships will stop for just one day, but even with one day in Mykonos you can really explore. While the island is known for its beaches, and you can easily rent a scooter to go off and find some hidden gems, the town of Mykonos is a popular destination too. Alefkantra, aka Little Venice, is an 18th-century neighborhood in the main town.
It was originally home to the 18th and 19th-century sea captains, who built mansions on the hillside under the famous windmills. Alefkantra transports one back to Italy, with Italianate mansions and balconies overlooking the sea, and is still a quiet residential area today. If your cruise ship stays overnight in Mykonos, don’t miss the island’s well-known party scene. Beach clubs turn into celeb hot spots, with world-famous DJs taking over and some famous faces making appearances.
Santorini, Greece
Another popular cruise ship stop is Santorini. This iconic island is known for its whitewashed buildings and cerulean roofs overlooking the sea. Even if you have just one day in Santorini, you can really get a feel for its history and culture with a visit to Akrotiri, a Bronze Age Minoan settlement which is often considered the source of the Atlantis myth.
Akrotiri was first excavated in 1867 although modern excavations in the late 1960s revealed the true extent of the site. The site revealed evidence of habitation back into the 5th millennium BCE, but Akrotiri was destroyed in the 16th century BCE eruption that wiped out the Minoans.
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Cruise ships that have “Rome” on the itinerary actually port at Civitavecchia, a deep-water port about 50 miles west of Rome. Visitors then have to travel into the city by bus or car, making this one of the shorter ports of call on a Mediterranean cruise. One day or even Three days in Rome is nowhere near enough to see everything, however, it will give first-time visitors a great glimpse at the city.
Some things to do include visiting the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica; touring the Colosseum and Roman Forum; walking the narrow streets of Rome between the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain; or taking a food tour to taste the delights of the Italian capital.
Naples, Italy
Naples is another fantastic Italian cruise port, but once again a day here will give first-timers a nice overview. Some of the best sites here include Pompeii and/or Herculaneum, where you can walk along the excavated streets of the buried cities and view the nearly untouched mosaics, the Isle of Capri and the famous Blue Grotto, the Amalfi Coast, or Naples itself, where you can try authentic Napoleon pizza.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is another favorite cruise ship stop. This modernist city buzzes from dawn to just before dawn the next day. If your ship stops overnight, Barcelona is an excellent place to get a feel for European nightlife. During the day, visitors to Gaudi’s city can tour the still-unfinished Sagrada Familia or explore the grounds of the rival architect’s Hospital Sant Pau.
Visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum, or the FC Barcelona Museum (soccer). If you are in town for a game, you can try to get tickets for this beloved team. Wander La Rambla, taste your way through the Boqueria Market, or shop along the Passeig de Gracia. And don’t miss the city beaches, where bronzed bodies soak up the sun. Active travellers can go for a run or bike along the beach boardwalks or run at the former Olympic Stadium.
Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
For ships that port at Kusadasi, the main attraction is Ephesus, one of the ancient classical Greek cities. Ephesus served as the principal Greek city at the crossroads of the East and West for centuries and was also a hotbed of early Christian evangelicalism. It is still a pilgrimage site for Christians.
Classical Ephesus is known for its theatre, Celsius Library, and Temple of Artemis (now in ruins). In the summer Ephesus is popular and hot; it is in visitors’ best interests to arrive as early as possible — so purchase the morning excursion unless your cruise line offers a pre-opening or post-closing private excursion.
Valletta, Malta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, a small island nation between Italy and Tunisia. It is the smallest capital city in the EU, and was recognised in 1980 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was built by the Knights Hospitaller, or the Knights of St John, in the 1500s. Many of their soldier fortifications remain. These – and the surrounding private palaces, gardens, and churches – are a great example of Baroque architecture.
Other important buildings and tourist attractions include Fort St Elmo, St John’s Co-Cathedral (which houses the only signed Caravaggio painting in the world), Triton Square, the Lower Barrakka Gardens, and the city walls. Today, Valletta is most well-known today for being one of the early filming sites for Game of Thrones and keen fans will spot early King’s Landing in some of the forts and fortifications.
Marseilles, France
The port of Marseilles is just 8 kilometres from the historic city centre, making Marseilles a great Mediterranean cruise port for a day. The city is the second largest in France, after Paris, and has a number of historic attractions. It’s also the oldest city in France, having been settled in 600 BCE as Massalia, by the Greeks.
Some of the best sites to see in Marseilles are the Le Vieux Port, the old port and historic city centre; The Mucem, a modern historical and cultural museum dedicated to the civilisations of the Mediterranean; and Fort St Jean, an impressive and imposing fortress built by Louis XIV in 17th century.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro that has seen an influx of cruise ship visitors over the last decade. It is a charming medieval town most known for its Venetian fortifications and narrow old town streets. Old Town Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 12th century, and still feels like a small town despite the number of visitors.
The nearby San Giovanni Fortress pretty much begs you to climb to the top. The views from the top are epic. St Tryphon’s Cathedral (Roman Catholic) is also worth a visit, as is St. Nicholas’ Church (Serbian Orthodox). And animal lovers will enjoy visiting the cat museum, which boasts a huge collection of postcards, posters, and medals donated by the Italian Countess Francesca di Montereale Mantica. There are also a ton of local cats who enjoy attention.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik has gained a lot of lovers over the last few decades, mainly thanks to the spectacular seafront location and the evocative old town. Dubrovnik is ultra-artsy and home to galleries and artists as well as a filming location for numerous shows and movies, including Game of Thrones.
As a Mediterranean cruise port, it is an ideal stop for those seeking a blend of adventure and culture. Visitors can walk the city walls (two hours) or explore the narrow streets of the old town, take the cable car for a birds-eye view, or visit Lokrum Island. Game of Thrones and Star Wars fans can take entire tours that highlight the filming locations. And foodies will rejoice, as Croatian food and wine are an absolute treat. A food or wine tour is a must for anyone keen to experience Balkan cuisine.
Read this: A Perfect 2-week cruise itinerary for Croatia
Wrapping up
There are many other Mediterranean cruise stops but these are the very best. A Mediterranean cruise allows you to unpack once while still exploring the wonders of the lands around this ancient sea. Each offers a unique experience and plenty of fun for everyone in the family.
This is a post by guest contributor Chrysoula
AUTHOR’S BIO: Chrysoula is a travel blogger born and raised in Athens, Greece with a professional background in Tourism and Marketing. Through the pages of Greece Travel Ideas, she wants to help visitors make the most of their trip to Greece and introduce them to the Greek culture and traditions.
