Port guides
Filter 2,777 cruise ports by region or search by name — each links to its guide and the cruises calling there.
Ports in Mediterranean
405 ports
Itea
Greece · Mediterranean
A grandiose impressive work of art linking the Ionian and Aegean Seas, the Corinth Canal is the fruit of a dream dating back to ancient times. The Emperor Nero had at one time envisaged its creation. From Itea (Greece) we enter the immaculately preserved sacred site of the Delphi Valley. Clinging to the side of the mountain, the white ruins of Apollo’s famous sanctuary rise up out of the pines.
184 cruises
Pecs
Mediterranean
Pécs is an ancient city in southern Hungary, close to the Croatian border. Founded by the Romans, it's known for its architectural landmarks such as the Early Christian Mausoleum, which features frescoed tombs. Vast Pécs Cathedral towers over central Szent István Square. The domed Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kasim was built in the 16th century during the Ottoman occupation of the city and is now a Catholic church.
180 cruises
Taranto
Italy · Mediterranean
Taranto is a coastal city in southern Italy. It lies between the Mar Grande (Big Sea) and Mar Piccolo (Little Sea) bodies of water. Bridges link the mainland to the old town, on a small island. This is home to the 15th-century Aragonese Castle, the Spartan Museum of Taranto, and San Cataldo Basilica, with a baroque facade. The MArTA Archaeological Museum has a collection of artifacts from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
176 cruises
Batina, Croatia
Mediterranean
Batina is a port village on the right bank of the Danube in Baranja, Croatia. Its elevation is 105 m. Administratively, it is located in the Draž municipality within the Osijek-Baranja County.
175 cruises
Bourg-en-Bresse
Mediterranean
A burgus or turris is a small, tower-like fort of the Late Antiquity, which was sometimes protected by an outwork and surrounding ditches. Darvill defines it as "a small fortified position or watch-tower usually controlling a main routeway."
175 cruises
Lipari
Italy · Mediterranean
In modern times, the arrival of hydrofoil service established convenient and speedy transportation between the islands and Sicily. Today, the Eolians experience an ever-increasing amount of tourism due to their unusual scenery and mild climate. The variety and beauty of rock formations, the volcanic phenomenon of Stromboli and Vulcano, as well as the crystalline waters never fail to impress visitors. Local-style architecture adds charm to the picturesque villages.
169 cruises
Calvi
Corsica · Mediterranean
The enigmatic beginnings of Christopher Columbus's past has prompted rumors of his true birthplace. Calvi is the site of one of these rumors. This is not fully provable, but it reveals the local transmission of Mediterranean folklore. Spanish and Roman influences have long contributed to the fortification of this French port city. Calvi is located on the coast of L'ille Rousse on the island of Corsica. Corsica is positioned between Spain and Italy in very close proximity to Sardinia. Romans resided on the island during the neolithic period. The Citadelle of Calvi is the central point of town. This 15th century fortress served as military outpost, tower and protected the city from intercontinental attacks. It created a picturesque and sturdy lot for the restoration of the governor's palace. Watch for brick walls, tunnels, and windy stairs throughout the city. The citadel is conveniently entered from rue Christopher Colomb, the main paved street in Calvi. Rue de Fil is a smaller side street off the quai Landry. It leads to the alleged birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Since Corsica was once a part of the Genoese empire, local authorities have rationalized Calvi as the potential, historical home of Columbus. In the course of visiting these historical attractions, you may incidentally become attracted to quai Landry. Quai Landry is the beachside main line of restaurants, shops, bars, and hotels. It connects the marina to the port along a beach walkway.
160 cruises
Sarande
Albania · Mediterranean
While travelers have been visiting the Albanian Riviera since antiquity, the region is, with reason, often described as up-and-coming. Long overlooked because of Albania's political isolation from the rest of Europe, this 80-kilometer (50-mile) stretch of the northern Ionian Sea has seaside towns and stunning blue waters that visitors are now rediscovering. Strange concrete pillboxes are still visible, but other vestiges of the Communist era are thankfully fading away. The southern anchor of this coast is Sarandë, whose ancient inhabitants were said to be the descendants of the ancient Greek hero Achilles. Today, the city has become a proverbial boomtown, with the population tripling in summer. Less than 10 miles from the popular Greek tourist island of Corfu, Sarandë now sees plenty of day-trippers coming over on the short ferry ride. With a smooth horseshoe curve to its waterfront, and with fine palm-lined promenades upon which young honeymooners stroll, one wonders: What took so long? Like a mini San Francisco, the city is built around a series of stairs that lead from the top of the hill, dominated by a castle, down to the seafront. Its easy access to the sea helps explain the city’s reputation for serving excellent, fresh seafood. Sarandë is also a convenient base from which to visit a plethora of ancient ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
160 cruises
Taormina
Italy · Mediterranean
On the heights above the Strait of Messina between Sicily and the Italian mainland, the Greeks built a magnificent city, later expanded by the Romans. Its strategic location ensured its continued importance throughout history, and today makes it one of the most attractive and important archaeological sites in Europe. The dominant feature is the large Greco-Roman theater, which boasts striking views of the still-active volcano Mt. Etna. Ruins and remnants are strewn across the hillside setting, inviting visitors to stroll and explore, either on their own or with guides. The town, likewise, is loaded with charm and appeal that invites walking and wonder. Snow-capped Mt. Etna is accessible for visitors when it is not too active.
159 cruises
Thessaloniki
Greece · Mediterranean
Breeze into a beguiling mix of vintage and modern, awash with a thriving art, culture and history scene. Crowded with museums dedicated to the past plus an extraordinary 15 UNESCO sites – there’s much to learn. Admire ramparts built to last; the impressive Galerius Palace, the beautiful domed multi-serving Rotunda, a bevy of Byzantine churches and the curious 15th century White Tower. Dig deeper into the past to trace pre-historic times at the Archaeological Museum. Rove around Ladadika narrow streets and charming squares that emit a Parisian air, absorb Greek produce in the Market’s holy halls and soak up modern art on the lively waterfront. Raise hairs at Heptapyrgion, take coffee in Aristotelous Square or head out of town to peer at Alexander the Great’s birthplace in Pella and Vergina’s royal tombs. Perfectly poised on the placid Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki brings past and present together in remarkable harmony.
150 cruises
Opatija
Croatia · Mediterranean
Opatija is a town in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka on the Adriatic coast. The city's most prestigious sight is the Villa Angiolina, which was built in 1844 by Iginio Scarpa, a rich merchant from Rijeka. This villa, transformed into a hotel, gave a boost to tourism to this town. It became a fashionable destination for the Austrian imperial family and Austrian nobility. Soon more luxury hotels and villas were built, such as the Hotel Kvarner, built in 1884. A new railway line was extended to Rijeka, from where one could go by tram to Opatija. The Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I used to spend here several months during winter. Many of these late 19th-century luxury hotels and villas have survived to present times.
149 cruises
Ephesus
Mediterranean
Sure, we could chat about the resort town of Kusadasi and its beaches and restaurants, or nearby places like Dilek Peninsula National Park, but let’s talk Turkey: The star attraction in this neck of the woods is Ephesus. Once the second largest city in the Roman Empire, eclipsed only by Rome, here are just a few of the incredible sights just waiting to be gobbled up! (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.) There’s the Library of Celsus, still magnificent almost 2,000 years later; the Odeon, home of our “Ephesus: Back to Ancient Times” AzAmazing Evenings eventSM; and the 24,000-capacity Great Theatre, where St. Paul used to preach. Stretching from this jaw-dropping amphitheatre to the harbor is the marble-made Arcadian Street. Stroll past the marketplaces, colonnades, and fields of wild fennel, and into bath complexes that once offered piped-in hot water and a sauna.
148 cruises
Ancona
Italy · Mediterranean
Discover the Renaissance spirit in Urbino, with its towering city walls built according to designs by Leonardo daVinci. Visit the Ducal Palace, the architectural masterpiece, which has stood for over 500 years in the Piazza Duca Frederico. Browse through the bookstore then stroll to Raphael’s House, birthplace of the great painter. Galleries and shops invite exploration: look for simple glazed white ware ceramics unique to Urbino, fine leather goods, wines, locally made cheese and smoked meats. View the incredible frescoes of Saint John the Baptist in the Oratorio di San Giovanni. Take lunch in an outdoor café, enjoying dishes made with locally harvested truffles, fresh cheese, prosciutto and homemade pasta. Enjoy an after lunch espresso and gelato in this vibrant cultural center set high amid the Appenines.
145 cruises
Toulon
France · Mediterranean
Built around a sheltered bay, with 1,700-foot Mount Faron as an impressive backdrop, Toulon is an important naval port and a city of industry and manufacturing. Its large harbor serves as the base for the French navy's Mediterranean fleet and as the home to a sizeable marina, with yachts and pleasure boats adding bright splashes of color. Toulon was the site where Napoleon Bonaparte first made a name for himself in 1793 during a siege in which the English, who had taken over Toulon, were expelled. During World War II, the bulk of the French fleet anchored off Toulon was scuttled by French crews to prevent its acquisition by occupying German forces. The city was liberated in 1944 by French troops. A maze of pedestrian streets constitutes the heart of old Toulon. Shops and colorful stalls make it an attractive area to explore. Avenue de la République runs parallel to the waterfront. At the western edge of the quay is the Naval Museum featuring an excellent collection of old and new ship models, figureheads, paintings and other items related to Toulon's maritime history. The town's attractions can be seen in a fairly short time. Most visitors come here to explore the hinterland and other parts of the Riviera.
145 cruises
Porto Santo Stefano, Italy
Mediterranean
A summer escape for Rome’s historic elite, the stacked waterfront of Porto Santo Stefano is a secluded taste of idyllic southern Tuscany. Physically closer to Rome than Florence, the city is strung to Italy’s western coast by two sandy harnesses, and sits on the unqiue peninsula of Monte Argentario - which was once an island. Flamboyant pink flamingos and herons stroll through the encased lagoon, while Porto Santo Stefano’s waterfront hums with clinking cafes and strolling visitors. View less The luxury yachts in the harbour show that Porto Santo Stefano has lost none of its luxury appeals, and with beaches, wild hikes and waterfront beauty, it continues to lure visitors to this secluded escape. Known for its fishing and cuisine - which is based around heavy use of the Tyrrhenian Sea’s juicy bounty. Stroll to Piazza dei Rioni for a dripping lemon gelato, or wander the streets noticing the lingering World War II damage – the city was heavily bombed during the conflict. Fortunately, the historic, star-shaped, Spanish fort was spared, and it still watches out resolutely over the waters. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, it fortified the exposed town against pirate raids, and offers beautiful views over the old town's terracotta roofs. Rugged coastline falls to secluded beaches, with a wilder, unkempt charm. Sail the coves - seeing cascading olive groves - or island-hop to Giglio and Giannuti, which lie 12 miles from shore, and can be seen from the monastery topped Argentario mountain. On the other side of the promontory, you’ll find Porto Ercole - where the lifeless body of the Old Master, Caravaggio, was discovered.
144 cruises
Motril, Granada
Mediterranean
Seeing the Alhambra palace sprawling majestically beneath the snow-sprinkled backdrop of the Sierra Nevada's range's peaks is one of Spain’s most enchanting vistas. White sandy beaches welcome you ashore at Motril, and it’s a short jaunt to the legendarily beautiful, sun-soaked setting of Granada - where the famous and lush Moorish palace stands. Fountains sprinkle, archways soar, and intricate mosaics sparkle at the Alhambra - a fairy-tale palace, fortress and treasure of Spain’s Moorish architecture. View less The best view can be found opposite, at the magical Mirador de San Nicolas viewpoint - but you’ll need your wits about you to find it. The square sits perched amid the steep, historic labyrinth of the Moorish Albaicín district - a fiendishly labyrinthine - and gorgeously authentic quarter. You’ll also find Sacromonte mountain rising opposite, punctuated with cave dwellings. It's here, within these atmospheric caves, where rhythmic claps echo, guitars are stabbed and strummed, and sultry flamenco performances play out by candle-light. They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but that’s not entirely the case in Granada - one of the last cities in Spain where you will usually receive a free plate of tapas when ordering. Everything from sandwiches to healthy helpings of carne con salsa – meat in tomato sauce – is dished out accompanying drinks. Enjoy a culinary tour of the city’s many tapas bars before heading back to Motril – no one leaves Granada hungry.
142 cruises
Ardèche Gorge
Mediterranean
The Gorges de l'Ardèche is made up of a series of gorges in the river and locally known as the "European Grand Canyon", Located in the Ardèche, in the French department Ardèche, forming a thirty-kilometre long canyon running from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
139 cruises
Burano
Mediterranean
Picturesque Burano is known for its brightly colored fishermen's houses and its casual eateries serving seafood from the lagoon. The Museo del Merletto has exhibits on the development of lace-making in the area, and shops sell lace products like linens and clothes, as well as the local butter cookies called "bussolai buranei." The ancient Chiesa di San Martino has a leaning 17th-century bell tower.
139 cruises
Gijon
Spain · Mediterranean
Gijón began as a fishing village nearly 3,000 years ago, according to the records of the Campa Torres Archaeological and Nature Reserve in Gijón. Today the city is an important port on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The historic fishing village, known as Cimadevilla, is located on a penninsula that divides the port in half. The village is the main tourist attraction of the city. Most of the streets are cobble stone and barely two cars wide. Many of the buildings have been renovated to display the colorful life of the village. Those that have not are evidence of centuries of construction designed to withstand the powerful forces of the Atlantic. A hike up the hill and through Cimadevilla leads to Cerro de Santa Catalina. It is a park on the tip of the pennisula that provides a view of the outstretched coastline forming the port. On the very edge of the penisula is a sculpture the size of a house, Eligio del Horizonte, or Praise of the Horizon. It is one of 16 large sculptures placed in public spaces throughout the city over the last decade. A brief look out to sea and the numerous cargo ships bring back the present. The busy commercial port is to the left. The port authority building not only houses plenty of information about the port, but also one of the cleanest public restrooms in Europe, at least at this time of the year. To the right is Playa del San Lorenzo, the main beach of the city, which in summer becomes very busy, too. During spring, the Atlantic brings cold nights, rainy mornings for the city and snow for the mountains nearby. By afternoon though, the clouds break off from the sea and the sun shines, urging everything on toward summer.
139 cruises
Piran
Slovenia · Mediterranean
Piran is a resort city on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, known for its long pier and Venetian architecture. Tartini Square is flanked by the Gothic red Venetian House and the frescoed Tartini House. The latter is the birthplace of violinist Giuseppe Tartini. The 19th-century town hall has a stone lion, a symbol of the former Republic of Venice. St. George’s Cathedral, nearby, has 17th-century paintings and marble altars.
139 cruises
Veliko Tarnovo
Mediterranean
Veliko Tarnovo is a town in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province.
131 cruises
Alghero
Sardinia · Mediterranean
Encircled by dramatic medieval walls, which rise abruptly from deep-blue waters, Alghero’s defences shelter one of Sardinia’s largest and most spectacular old towns. Uneven cobbled streets, rich history and a fiery Catalan flare provide a real depth of character, and the Coral Riviera’s pristine beaches, which stretch out nearby, help to make Alghero a real highlight of Sardinia. Alghero has changed hands numerous times over its tempestuous history, but it’s the Catalan influence that you’ll feel most acutely, as you explore. It was the Catalans who upgraded the defensive ramparts of the ‘Sardinian Barcelonetta’ into the spectacular, imposing fortress we see today, enclosing the old town’s evocative knot of narrow streets and rose-gold-coloured masonry. Wander the streets at your leisure, enjoying the cooling shade of the tight, cobblestone streets with lemon-gelato in hand, or enjoying fresh tuna steak at the bustling La Boqueria market. Alghero Cathedral is hidden amid the labyrinth of narrow streets, but it’s the distinctive Baroque-dome of Chiesa di San Michele that you’ll immediately notice peeking ostentatiously over the terracotta roofs of the old town, flaunting its rainbow-coloured patterning. Plush restaurants revel in Alghero’s historical collision of cultures and produce delicious fare like plump clams tangled in tagliatelle, and succulent porcetto pork – slowly roasted to perfection in smoky wood ovens. Wash it down with mirto, a crushed berry liqueur, or sample the fruits of local vineyards, with a platter of Sardinia’s renowned pecorino sheep’s cheese. The city dominates Sardinia’s Coral Riviera – so named because of the red coral found here that’s been used for jewellery since Roman times. Lie back and listen to the waves washing ashore at Spiaggia di Maria Pia beach, breathing in the smell of pine-needles on the breeze.
130 cruises
Aghios Nikolaos,Crete
Mediterranean
Agios Nikolaos, Hagios Nikolaos or Aghios Nikolaos is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the island's capital Heraklion, north of the town of Ierapetra and west of the town of Sitia.
125 cruises
Rijeka
Croatia · Mediterranean
Tucked into Kvarner Bay off the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic, Rijeka is Croatia’s premier seaport and third largest city. It is a mix of modern structures and grand old buildings from the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city skyline is dominated by the 13th century Trsat Castle, believed to be the oldest fortification on Croatia’s coast, and now a tourist visitor center. The traditional entry to the medieval city is the round, yellow City Tower with its 18th century clock. The Our Lady of Trsat Sanctuary has been a pilgrimage site since the 14th century, when a pope gifted the church with an icon of the Virgin, which still graces the altar. It can be reached by the 16th century Petar Kruzic Stairway, and also contains an extensive collection of sacral art and artifacts. The Habsburg-era Governor’s Palace hosts a Maritime and Historic Museum, and the unique, round St. Vitus Cathedral is from the same period. Stroll the main city market, the Placa, to get a feel of the city and its people. Although the city itself does not have much to offer in the way of beaches, it is the gateway to the fabulous Dalmatian islands playgrounds just offshore.
124 cruises
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Regions are derived from each port’s coordinates. Sailing counts reflect active upcoming departures, refreshed through our scheduled feed.
