Southern Europe

The Delicious Food: With indulgences that include Spain’s tapas and sparkling cava, the cheeses and superb wines of France, and the pastas and gelato of Italy, a cruise in Southern Europe is a foodie’s paradise. Have lunch in port as often as possible to sample the delicious local fare. In Greece, savor mashed eggplant salad, grilled squid, or vibrant red tomatoes and tangy feta cheese. In Turkey, it’s all about grilled fish served whole with fresh bread and yogurt-y sauces. 

The Great Weather: From May to October, the Mediterranean region benefits from warm weather and ample sunshine, perfect for cruising and sightseeing — although July and August can be quite hot. Even the winter months in the Med are relatively mild (generally daytime highs in the 50s and 60s) so some cruise lines offer sailings year-round.

The Superb Water: Swimming, sailing, snorkeling, or kayaking along the coasts of the Greek Isles, Croatia, and Turkey are all great ways to spend your day, especially if you’re on a smaller ship with a marina for water sports.

Incredible Museums: You’ll see some of the world’s most renowned artwork in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery, Barcelona’s Picasso Museum, and Rome’s Vatican museums. In Athens, you can admire the artistry of the ancient Greeks at the Acropolis Museum and in Istanbul visit Hagia Sophia, the astounding 6th-century church-turned-mosque-turned-museum.

Landmark Cathedrals and Mosques: It's hard not to be impressed by these stunning architectural wonders, which include St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, and the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. Exquisite Islamic design is also on display in the mosques of Turkey and Morocco and in the celebrated Alhambra Palace in Granada, which can be visited from Malaga, Spain.

Awesome Antiquities: From the Colosseum in Rome and archeological sites at Pompeii near Naples to Dubrovnik’s turreted medieval walls and ancient city of Ephesus near Kusadasi, Turkey, Southern Europe is full of gorgeous ancient ruins that will blow your mind.

Iconic Islands: Cruising is one of the most convenient ways to experience some of Europe’s most enigmatic islands: romantic Santorini and Capri, history-rich Sicily and Crete, and scenic Sardinia and Corsica. Spain’s Ibiza and Mallorca along with Italy’s Elbe and Greece’s Rhodes are other fascinating ports of call, as are the nations of Malta and Cyprus.   

Barcelona, Spain: With its great museums, architecture, and history as well as amazing restaurants, bars, and shopping — plus gorgeous beaches — this city literally has it all. It’s also easy to get around by bus, bicycle, taxi, or on foot.

Rome, Italy: It’s hard to decide if the Colosseum is more breathtaking than the Pantheon or St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome is a treasure, even if you just wander along the side streets and happen upon piazzas and cafés.

Naples, Italy: When your ships calls on Naples, it’s possible to spend your time in port viewing the historic treasures of Pompeii preserved under volcanic ash for 2,000 years or the stunning beauty of the Amalfi Coast and even the chic island of Capri — it’s a tough choice. And don't forget the pizza!

Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia: Dating back more than 1,700 years, Split’s Old Town started out as Roman Emperor Diocletian’s royal retirement compound by the sea. Today, it’s an ideal vacation spot for tourists to admire the remarkably well-preserved temples, villas, and town squares. Dubrovnik is an even more popular port than Split, with its walled medieval Old Town overlooking the sea (walking the centuries-old walls is a highlight).

Valletta, Malta: If you love history and want to experience a novel destination, book a cruise that calls on the island nation of Malta. You can explore the photogenic capital, Valletta, explore the main island’s dramatic cliffs and the ancient capital of Mdina, or take an excursion to neighboring Gozo to snorkel the sublime Blue Lagoon.

Istanbul, Turkey: Once known as Byzantium and Constantinople, legendary Istanbul is home to century-spanning landmarks that include the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. Sail away from Istanbul, as towering domes and minarets are silhouetted against the setting sun, is magical.

Venice, Italy: This utterly romantic city of crisscrossing canals, bridges, and narrow streets is a magical place overflowing with stunning museums, public squares, and grand villas. Some itineraries begin or end in Venice, although most ships are now required to dock outside of Venice in Fusina, Chioggia, or even further afield in Trieste.

Santorini, Greece: Cruising into the bowl-shaped harbor treats you to picture-perfect views of tiny whitewashed houses dotting Santorini’s volcanic cliffs. Get to the top by donkey, foot, or cable car, and then explore the narrow streets of Fira. And definitely have lunch at a restaurant with views of the sea-filled caldera below.

Expect Summer Crowds: If you’re cruising from June to August, the marquee ports will be packed, especially Venice, Athens, Dubrovnik, and Santorini.

Logistics Require Long Rides in Italy: The country’s major cities aren’t exactly on the coast, so bus transfers are required. It’s an hour into Rome and two hours one-way to Florence from Civitavecchia and Livorno, respectively. Large cruise ships also can no longer call on Venice and need to dock in neighboring ports and transfer guests by bus to sightsee.