An Eastern Mediterranean cruise holiday takes you to a sightseer’s paradise, combining beaches, history and scenic splendours to great effect. Even better, the region is wonderfully accessible from the UK with all cruises to the Mediterranean sailing from and returning to Southampton. Along the coast of Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt, the extraordinary intrigue of this area continues to draw travellers from far and wide.
Cruising to this end of the Mediterranean also leads to where Europe meets Asia: right in the middle of the mosques and minarets of Turkeys bustling capital, Istanbul. Colourful not only in terms of its people, crafts and buildings, the city pulsates to the sounds of children, hawkers and carpet sellers. Mediterranean cruise holidays, which include Venice cruises, Greek cruises and Turkey cruises, offer experiences like no other; places in which you can immerse yourself in the different culture, foods and architecture. For many it’s the best way to experience the Eastern Mediterranean.
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| DubrovnikShow more | Croatia |    |
About Dubrovnik Sailing into the beautiful 12th century Croatian walled city of Dubrovnik is one of the great cruising experiences.
The spectacular Old Town – with its pretty harbour, towering ramparts, creamy stone pavements and red-roofed buildings – is crammed with architectural wonders like Onofrio’s Fountain - constructed in the 1430s – and the 14th century Franciscan Monastery, home to a wonderful statue of the Piéta carved in 1498, and the world’s oldest pharmacy (est. 1391).
Visit, too, the magnificently Gothic Sponza Palace and the 18th century Baroque Church of St Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint.
And, when you have had your fill of sightseeing, you will find pretty restaurants and cafés tucked away on Dubrovnik’s narrow side streets – worth exploring as they also contain offbeat shops and art galleries.
Lacework, oil paintings and ceramics are good buys but take plenty of cash with you, as some shops do not accept credit cards.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| KorculaShow more | Croatia |  |
About Korcula As the reputed birthplace of that great explorer Marco Polo, the Croatian island of Korcula is a must-see for any cruise traveller.
Its medieval Old Town, which juts out into Dalmatian archipelago between Dubrovnik and Split, is surrounded by 14th century stone walls and contains a succession of narrow streets that branch off the spine of the main thoroughfare like a fish bone, designed to cut down on the impact of sun and wind to provide citizens with comfortable and sheltered accommodation. It also helps visitors stay cool in the heat of the summer sun.
A fascinating place to explore, the Old Town also has numerous gothic, renaissance and baroque palaces, monuments and galleries.
Around the island are many small and secluded beaches, one of the best being at Luka Korculanska, a 15-minute walk or short boat trip from the main Old Town harbour.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| SplitShow more | Croatia | |
About Split Nestling on the sparkling Dalmatian coast, the medieval Croatian port of Split, faces the myriad magical islands of the Kornati archipelago which include Brac, Hvar and Vis.
Face the other way across Split’s waterfront and you will see Diocletian’s Palace, one of the best-preserved Roman palaces in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The pedestrianised centre of Split is easy to walk around. Wander around its huddle of alleys and piazzas and then, for a great view, climb the exposed steps to the top of the 200ft-high cathedral bell tower.
Sip a drink at one of the many cafés along the seafront Riva or pop into a Konoba (wine cellar) to sample the excellent locally produced reds and whites. Culinary specialities include smoke and wind dried ham, stewed beef with noodles and delicious lamb dishes.
Just three miles from Split are the ruins of ancient Salona, once capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| LimassolShow more | Cyprus |    |
About Limassol History mixed with a little hedonism is the holiday mixture which makes Cyprus so popular and, sat about halfway along the south coast, Limassol is the ideal base for cruise visitors to enjoy what the country has to offer.
Across the island, there is plenty of rugged coastline and mountain scenery to explore and enjoy along with a variety of archaeological sites. Limassol is a working town as well as a holiday resort but it has been attractively landscaped and its centre is easily walkable. Make sure you visit the 12th century fort where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria and which now houses an excellent medieval museum.
Cyprus became an independent republic in 1960. But, following the 1974 Turkish invasion and the subsequent division of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots had to create a brand new tourist industry in its part of the island. The most popular resorts are Ayia Napa and Paphos, both renowned for safe, sandy beaches.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| La GouletteShow more | France | |
La Goulette Magical Istanbul - 3,000 years old, spanning two continents and a crucible of cultures where east meets west - is a key Turkish homeport for cruise ships, and even those ‘just visiting’ usually spend a night as this wonderful city offers so much to see and do.
If this is your first visit, a tour of the main sights is a good introduction to the city’s treasures, which include the world-famous Blue Mosque and the equally impressive mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, the vibrant old city, the Grand Bazaar (a warren of narrow streets containing more than 4,000 shops, stalls, restaurants and artisans’ workshops) and the Topkapi Palace, famed for its jewels but which also has spectacular gardens.
Also worth seeing is the ancient Hippodrome - now an open-air museum. And a boat trip across the Bosphorus to view the minarets and grand palaces of the city’s skyline is an unforgettable experience.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| AthensShow more | Greece | |
About Athens The Acropolis – ‘High City’ - will always be the top attraction from Athens cruise port Piraeus.
With its 2,500-year-old Parthenon, temple to Poseidon and Athena, Odeon of Herodus Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus, it quite literally stands out as an oasis of calm in the frenetic Greek capital.
As part of the major revamp the city had for the 2004 Olympics, 400 modern buildings were cleared from the ancient meeting place next to the Acropolis, the Agora, which was then restored and linked by walkways to the Acropolis, Hadrians Arch, the Academy of Plato and the Monastery of Daphne.
Other nearby ancient sites include the Roman Tower of the Winds and the Hill of the Muses where Socrates is said to have drunk hemlock. Below the Acropolis is the fun place to shop or barter, eat moussaka or Greek salad, drink wine or ouzo and, of course, to people-watch: the 3,000-year-old Plaka.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| CephaloniaShow more | Greece | |
About Cephalonia As a setting for a love story - remember Captain Corellis Mandolin - the unspoilt, rugged but timeless Greek island of Cephalonia is hard to beat. Although the largest of the Ionian islands, Cephalonia is defiantly untouristy and delights in giving visitors a real opportunity to experience the flavour of an authentic Greek island community.
Just 30,000 live on the island, mainly in the coastal towns and resorts with the rest living much as they have done for centuries in the mountain villages. Pause for a drink in one of the pretty harbourfront tavernas in the cruise port town of Sami before exploring.
There are sandy beaches near the west coast town of Argostoli along with a couple of interesting caves. At Melissani, near Agia Egfymia, the sun shining down through a hole in the caves roof creates a spectacular lighting effect on the water.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| CorfuShow more | Greece |  |
About Corfu That classic holiday combination of endless sun, sea and sand make Corfu one of the most popular, as well as one of the largest Greek islands, but it offers a lot more besides.
Head inland, through heavily-scented pine woods, and you will find tiny villages like Sokraki where only Greek is spoken and time appears to have stood still. And the capital, Corfu Town, is Greeces largest ‘living’ medieval town home to cobblestone streets and alleyways, historic buildings, statues and fountains. The stand-out is the Venetian-built Old Fortress, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
But do find time to pause for a drink or lunch at one of the cafés along the French-style Liston Arcade and Esplanade. For the best beaches, head for Paleokastritsa, Glyfada or, if it is history you want, head for Gastouri to visit the lavish 19th century Achillion Palace.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| HeraklionShow more | Greece | |
About Heraklion The proud city of Heraklion is the modern capital of Crete, largest and most ruggedly beautiful of the Greek Isles.
Just along the coast, you’ll find the scrupulously renovated remains of Knossos, the Palace of King Minos and the island’s capital under the Minoans. Here, the endless maze of salons, staircases and courtyards gave rise to the legend of the Labyrinth, housing the evil Minotaur at its heart. See the legend come vividly to life!View typical shore excursions for this port |
| KatakolonShow more | Greece | |
About Katakolon The small Greek port of Katakolon was developed in the 19th century to serve the thriving local trade in currants. Today it is your starting block for Olympia – birthplace of the Olympic Games.
A pretty town on the banks of the River Alpheios, Olympia lies only a short drive away from the port and its historic stadium – where the first Olympic torch was lit in 776 BC and is a fascinating site to explore.
You can still see the marble starting blocks used by early athletes in the 45,000-seat arena, as well as the ruins of the Temple of Hera and the gigantic Temple of Zeus - its gold and ivory statue of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
If you have already visited Olympia, you could spend your day exploring the lush wine country north of Katakolon and sampling the local vintages.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| MytileneShow more | Greece | |
About Mytilene Cruise port Mytilene is the charming capital of the Greek island Lesbos but, just to confuse visitors, islanders also sometimes refer to the whole island by that name. But, whichever name they choose, it does not change the beautiful island landscape of pine forests and olive groves.
Set in the north Aegean Sea, just off the coast of Turkey, the island is now a major olive oil producer but it also has ancient ruins dating back three millennia BC and, of course, is most famous as the birthplace of the poet-turned-gay icon, Sappho.
Mytilene is definitely worth a wander as it has some outstanding neoclassical architecture and an excellent museum as well as some tempting antique stores. Outside the capital, there are some fascinating rural villages, historic churches and castles as well as some attractively rugged scenery around its coastlineView typical shore excursions for this port |
| ZakinthosShow more | Greece | |
 About Zakinthos Call it Zakinthos or Zante, this most southerly of the Ionian chain is still one of the most ruggedly beautiful of all the Greek islands. Springs run down from the mountains in the north to the lush green valleys below and the flat plains in the south feed an abundance of wildflowers which add even more colour to the landscape.
There are also lovely sandy beaches tucked away in hidden coves, some only reachable by boat. Others are used by the endangered Loggerhead sea turtles as their main nesting areas. The main town and cruise port, Zakinthos, is typically Greek with blindingly white houses and bar after bar along the harbourfront. It was destroyed by an earthquake 50 years ago and, although it has a couple of good museums (including one on Greek literature), you have to travel inland to find historic sites such as the Venetian fortress thought to have been built within the walls of a long-gone acropolis. Argassi and Tsilivi, the most popular beach resorts, are each just three miles away from the port.
View typical shore excursions for this port |
| HaifaShow more | Israel |  |
About Haifa Haifa, Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, is flanked by the Mediterranean Sea and crowned by Mount Carmel. From here you can visit the Holy Land, the Sea of Galilee and the mountain fortress of Masada.
Those who choose to explore Haifa itself can ascend to the top of the mountain by cable car, wander the Carmel Nature Reserve, known for its year-round greenery and intoxicating beauty, or visit Gan ha’Em (‘Mother’s Park’) and walk along the Louis Promenade with its spectacular views. There are also lots of museums including the National Maritime Museum and the Haifa Museum of Art. View typical shore excursions for this port |
| VeniceShow more | Italy |  |
About Venice This World Heritage city is just about the perfect cruise call because everything you want to see is so easily accessible whether the ship docks just down from St Marks Square or further up the Grand Canal at the main Venice cruise terminal complex.
Cars are banned from the maze of narrow cobbled streets and 500 historic bridges within the city centre so there are just the two choices for getting around: the vaporetto (water-bus) network or just plain walking. A gondola ride is really for fun and romance rather than transportation.
Start walking from St Marks Square, with its ancient Basilica, lavish Doges Palace and imposing bell tower, then follow signs for the shop-lined Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. But wherever you walk, there are intriguing arty shops, museums and galleries plus some tasty cafés and restaurants along the way.
View typical shore excursions for this port |
| Malta GCShow more | Malta | |
About Malta The fortifications at Malta’s Grand Harbour speak volumes about her past, indeed her reputation for valour during the Second World war earned her the George Cross and there aren’t too many islands you can say that of!
Mosta and Mdina (the silent city) will vie for your attention if you want to go wandering.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| KotorShow more | Montenegro | |
About Kotor The old Mediterranean port of Kotor, is in the Gulf of Kotor – one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea, and sometimes referred to as the most southern-most fjord in Europe. Ruled by Venice for hundreds of years, this lovely coastal town’s architecture bears heavy Venetian influences.
Surrounded by impressive walls, which have stood since medieval times, a stroll around the Old City will take you past historic buildings, criss-crossed with narrow streets and squares. The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, constructed in 1166, is one of the oldest and most beautiful examples of Roman architecure along this coast.
Head inland and you can discover the compelling Montenegrin landscape. With a backdrop of the rugged Balkan Mountains, Durmitor National Park, is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Gaze in awe at the Tara Canyon, which is surrounded by dense pine forests and is one of the deepest gorges in the world.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| CagliariShow more | Sardinia | |
About Cagliari Visually stunning, Sardinia’s capital and main cruise port Cagliari can trace its history back thousands of years to Roman times and features many museums, historic churches and ancient artefacts.
Most of the city’s impressive attractions can be seen just by walking through the walled Castello area with its winding alleyways and open piazzas. Do not miss the 2nd Century Roman amphitheatre and the colourful botanical gardens featuring 500 different plants.
There is a lively covered market every weekday and Saturdays just north of the Castello and you will be spoilt for choice with restaurants in the marina area, with fish and seafood a speciality. There are numerous bars, pizzerias, and ice cream stalls along the seafront.
While, for pure relaxation, search out the superb sandy beaches in Poetto, just 15 minutes from the city.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| TunisShow more | Tunisia | |
About Tunis (from La Goulette) La Goulette, the cruise port for Tunis, lies about 40 minutes shuttle bus drive away from the city, but is much closer to the ruins of Carthage. The 2nd century Colosseum and Roman Temple are only 20 minutes drive from the port, and most excursions combine Carthage with a restful stop at the pretty seaside village of Sidi Bou Said.
There are more archaeological treasures to be found in Tunis itself; the Musée du Bardo houses a huge collection of Byzantine and Roman mosaics, while you can see sections of the old Roman aqueduct running through the city centre.
But the focal point for most visitors to the city is its bustling medina – the old walled town, with its graceful, tree-lined squares and lively souk. A browse around the carpet and jewellery stalls is a fascinating experience, as you can watch weavers, perfumiers and goldsmiths practice their ancient arts.
View typical shore excursions for this port |
| KusadasiShow more | Turkey | |
About Kusadasi Now a popular Turkish cruise port, Kusadasi was once a sleepy fishing village until the extraordinary ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus were discovered nearby. Rivalling Pompeii, these are a must-see but try to find the time to explore pretty Kusadasi and discover Kaleici, its charming old quarter, which lies close to the cruise port.
Before you go, turn right along the seafront and cross the causeway to pretty Guversin Adasi (Pigeon Island), where you can stroll through lovely woodland to explore the small stone fort on the hilltop, and enjoy coffee or lunch with a view from an al fresco café.
The seafront, too, is worth exploring; lined with traditional restaurants, it is a good place for lunch-with-a-view. And do not miss a good haggle over Turkish rugs, leather goods, copper trays, traditional Turkish tea services and intricate silver and gold jewellery in the Bazaar.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| IstanbulShow more | Turkey | |
About Istanbul Magical Istanbul - 3,000 years old, spanning two continents and a crucible of cultures where east meets west - is a key Turkish homeport for cruise ships, and even those ‘just visiting’ usually spend a night as this wonderful city offers so much to see and do.
If this is your first visit, a tour of the main sights is a good introduction to the city’s treasures, which include the world-famous Blue Mosque and the equally impressive mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, the vibrant old city, the Grand Bazaar (a warren of narrow streets containing more than 4,000 shops, stalls, restaurants and artisans’ workshops) and the Topkapi Palace, famed for its jewels but which also has spectacular gardens.
Also worth seeing is the ancient Hippodrome - now an open-air museum. And a boat trip across the Bosphorus to view the minarets and grand palaces of the city’s skyline is an unforgettable experience.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| IzmirShow more | Turkey | |
About Izmir Turkey’s Aegean shorelines are one of the loveliest in the region with perfect beaches encircled by pinewoods, olive groves, and rocky crags. It’s here you’ll find Izmir, a city surrounded by scenic mountains and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In fact Izmir is home to many wonderful archaeological sites from past Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilisations, all of which are outstanding in terms of the richness of their natural and historical assets – one of which is the excavated remains of the Agora (market). You can see more in the Archaeological Museum or, for the most spectacular panoramic views over the Aegean Sea, head to Kadifekale. View typical shore excursions for this port |
| IstanbulShow more | Turkey | |
About Istanbul Magical Istanbul - 3,000 years old, spanning two continents and a crucible of cultures where east meets west - is a key Turkish homeport for cruise ships, and even those ‘just visiting’ usually spend a night as this wonderful city offers so much to see and do.
If this is your first visit, a tour of the main sights is a good introduction to the city’s treasures, which include the world-famous Blue Mosque and the equally impressive mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, the vibrant old city, the Grand Bazaar (a warren of narrow streets containing more than 4,000 shops, stalls, restaurants and artisans’ workshops) and the Topkapi Palace, famed for its jewels but which also has spectacular gardens.
Also worth seeing is the ancient Hippodrome - now an open-air museum. And a boat trip across the Bosphorus to view the minarets and grand palaces of the city’s skyline is an unforgettable experience.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| OdessaShow more | Ukraine | |
About Odessa Just a 10-minute walk from Odessas cruise dock are the Potemkin Steps, famous forever since that memorably dramatic crowd scene in Eisensteins film ‘Battleship Potemkin’. Just 192 long steps but they remain an impressively evocative image of Odessas colourful past as a major cultural centre on the Black Sea coast.
It has long been a popular seaside resort, too, but it is its heritage that makes Ukraines Odessa so popular with cruise visitors with the 19th century five-domed Russo-Byzantine Uspensky Cathedral a particular feast for the eyes, along with the Italian baroque-style Opera House. This 19th century icon is home to the renowned Odessa Ballet while its ornate interior includes a remarkable ceiling decorated with scenes from Shakespeare plays. You can also visit several lavish palaces and excellent museums and see the monument to poet Alexander Pushkins time spent in exile in the city in the 1820s.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| YaltaShow more | Ukraine | |
About Yalta A mixture of medieval and modern history makes Ukrainian Yalta one of the most stimulating calls on any Black Sea cruise itinerary. Its medieval past literally stares you in the face with the imposing and turreted Swallows Nest castle overlooking the port but you will need to visit the White Palace of Livadia to evoke one of the most important events in modern history.
Built in Italian Renaissance-style for Tsar Nicholas II in 1911, this was where Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill met towards the end of World War II to draw up their controversial map of post-war Europe.
There are also tours from Yalta to Stalins dacha (originally Alexandar IIIs summer house) but, within 12th century Yalta itself you can visit several other palaces and museums, including one dedicated to the writer Chekhov.View typical shore excursions for this port |