The temperate climate of the Mediterranean makes it a delightful destination to visit on a luxury cruise. Coupled with explorations of historic cities and archaeological sites and plenty of active day excursions, from swimming and snorkeling in turquoise waters to hiking and biking around the ancient ruins and rolling valleys, you don’t have to travel beyond the ports to find a world of adventure. Each Mediterranean country has its own charms and unique culture, so if you know which countries you’d like to visit, we’ve put together this list of the best cruise ports in each one.
Spain Wander through Gaudi's masterpiece, Parc Güell
Barcelona: This artistic and modern city is the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region. The unfinished masterpiece of the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí is a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona. Art aficionados can also visit the Picasso Museum, spend an afternoon exploring Gaudí's Park Güell, or simply take in the vibrant style that seemingly adorns every corner of this cultural center.
Valencia: Between the UNESCO World Heritage Site silk market, the largest aquarium in Europe, expansive public parks, and the white sand beaches, Valencia makes for the perfect port of departure for many Mediterranean cruises of the Iberian Peninsula.
France Enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean
Cannes: Considered a great getaway for nobles escaping the cold British winters, Cannes maintains its reputation as a fantastic warm-weather vacation spot.
Monaco: Right on the French Riviera, the hip town of Monaco is notable as host of the Grand Prix. Celebrities and royalty have vacationed here for years, and the style reflects this elegance, especially in the magnificent Palais du Prince and the opulent casinos.
Corsica: The island of Corsica sits just between Italy and France in the Mediterranean, making it a melting pot of Italian and French culture. Christopher Columbus was born here in the town of Calvi. It’s also a great destination for the active Mediterranean itineraries, with many opportunities for biking, hiking, and 4x4 exploration.
Italy Enjoy a gondola ride through beautiful Venice
Rome (Civitavecchia): As the seat of the Catholic church and the capital of Italy, this city is brimming with exciting activities and sites to see. Travelers of all denominations will appreciate the beauty of the Vatican City. For those interested in history, the ruins of the ancient Roman empire await, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Forum.
Venice: On the eastern coast of Italy, the “city of bridges” is set on the romantic Adriatic Sea. Without the traffic and noise of cars, Venice is a city influenced by Gothic and Renaissance architecture and dominated by canals, perfect for a relaxing gondola ride.
Sicily: While not technically a port city, the island of Sicily is the largest in the Mediterranean and fantastic destination to explore. It hosts ruins like those of Agrigento and Syracuse, the active Mt. Etna Volcano, and a Norman cathedral built in the 12th century.
Greece White church on Oia, Santorini
Athens: For centuries, Athens was the heart of the mighty Greek Empire and is still an important city as the capital of Greece. In addition to being the political center of Greece, it is home to fantastic ruins, like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and other ancient temples.
Santorini: This island in the Cyclades is home to some of the most iconic pictures of Greece - the white cubiform houses with blue roofs that are built along the cliffs. Travelers can enjoy the peaceful town and turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.
Croatia St.Blaise Church, Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik: Often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this Croatian coastal city is home to a well-preserved old town that has earned itself a spot on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. A towering wall surrounds the Old Town, where travelers can see exemplary Baroque and Renaissance architecture.
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The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.