Top Mediterranean Cruises: 15 Destinations

If you're craving crystalline waters, remarkable scenery, impressive architecture and mouthwatering dishes, then the Mediterranean is calling your name. From Mykonos to Malta, you’re guaranteed a luxurious experience on these top Mediterranean cruises.

Key Takeaways: The Best Mediterranean Cruises

● Ibiza, Spain: Dance the night away and sip cocktails at one of the glamorous nightclubs, then pamper yourself with a true VIP spa day.

● Corsica, France: Gaze in awe at the striking Calanques de Piana cliffs and explore small towns like Corte to get really local.

● Sardinia, Italy: Sardinia’s coastline is dramatic, and tasting wine at a family-run cellar gives an authentic experience of the island’s culture.

● Sicily, Italy: Mount Etna dominates the Sicilian landscape and coastal towns showcase a mix of seafood cuisine and centuries of history.

● Malta: Valletta’s streets are compact and doused in history. Staying within Mdina’s palace walls offers a sense of exclusivity.

● Hvar, Croatia: While the island is popular for its beach clubs, the lavender fields and isolated coves show a quieter side.

● Korčula, Croatia: Marco Polo’s birthplace is charming on foot, but the surrounding sea is worth exploring by private yacht, too.

● Mykonos, Greece: The island has a lively and crowded feel. Traditional tavernas and local cheeses are a good way to slow down.

● Santorini, Greece: Whitewashed villages are the obvious draw, yet the volcanic landscape and hidden corners reward curiosity.

● Cyprus, Greece: Beyond designer shopping, small towns and sunny beaches offer a mix of history, cuisine and relaxation.

● Amalfi Coast, Italy: Villages seem to hang from the cliffs in ways that seem impossible from the road — but it makes sense when you’re looking at it from the sea.

● Crete, Greece: Get deep into local culture by touring the olive groves or hiking through the island’s dramatic gorges.

● Ephesus, Turkey: Explore the ruins of a city once alive with trade, philosophy and community life.

● Marseille, France: Head to the Old Port, buzzing with fishing and culinary activity.

● Dubrovnik, Croatia: Kayaking along the coast provides quiet perspectives on a city known for its walls and history, away from the crowds.

● Explore cruises and discover the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets. 

1. VIP Spa Day in Ibiza, Spain

In the western part of the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria, you'll find Ibiza, which is legendary for its electronic music. Dance the night away and sip cocktails at one of the glamorous nightclubs, but don't forget to explore the island by day, too. Highlights include the old town of Dalt Vila and the medieval fortress, the Castell de Eivissa and the whitewashed villages of Santa Agnes and Santa Gertrudis.

After all that, you'll need some serious relaxation, so why not pamper yourself with a VIP spa day? There are plenty of opulent spas to choose from on the island, many of which are located inside five-star hotels. At the luxurious countryside Atzaró Spa, you can enjoy the sauna and hammam, book various massages and beauty treatments, use the gym and attend yoga classes. On the other hand, if you prefer to keep port days for exploring, the best European cruise lines — like Royal Caribbean — offer complete spa and rejuvenation facilities. You could always save pampering for days at sea. 

2. Plan a Guided Tour of Corsica, France

If you're traveling to the east during a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, you'll arrive at the intriguing, mountainous and sparsely populated French island of Corsica. Corsica has its own character, cuisine and language — there's a lot to discover here. As the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, Corsica is also rich in history.

You can learn a lot about Corsica with a private walking tour. There's plenty of wild nature to explore, dazzling green valleys and dense forests. I highly recommend making a stop at the extraordinary orange Calanques de Piana cliffs on the west coast of Corsica, where there are several well-marked walking trails.

Be sure to visit the charming inland town of Corte with its impressive fortress and cobbled alleys. This town offers views straight out of a painting. Take the steps to the top of the Belvedere for a bird's-eye view of the historical churches, colorful architecture and surrounding nature.

3. Book a Private Wine Tour in Sardinia, Italy

South of Corsica, you'll arrive at the Italian island of Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily. It's one of the five so-called global Blue Zones, places where people live longer and healthier than anywhere else. You'll want to stay as long as possible when you see the island's beautiful white sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, mountain scenery and historic towns and villages. Fair warning: You might want to cancel your return trip home when you taste the rich food and sip first-class wines.

An exclusive tour to selected wine cellars — taking a day or even an entire week — is a great way to discover the different types of wines produced in Sardinia. These include the Cannonau (the local name for Grenache), Vermentino and Carignano (also known as Carignan). You can also taste other exciting grape varieties and wine styles and, of course, enjoy the unique Sardinian cuisine, while going sightseeing in between.

4. Take a Helicopter Tour to Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy

The beautiful island of Sicily is in the middle of the Mediterranean, located in the southernmost part of Italy. This island offers breathtaking beaches and raw nature. You can also visit picturesque towns and villages, where you’ll find traces of many different cultures. Experience Sicily’s intriguing history through its cuisine, featuring fresh ingredients like couscous, shellfish, tuna, pistachios, ricotta and citrus fruits.

The 11,165-foot (3,357 meters) Mount Etna on the island's east coast, the largest active volcano in Europe, is one of the highlights here. There's no better way to see its impressive beauty than from above. Several companies offer helicopter tours that give you spectacular views of the summit craters — smoke plumes and lava fountains surrounded by a black and yellow landscape with orange groves and pine forests.

5. Stay in a 17th-century Palace in Malta

A bit farther south, in the direction of North Africa, the wonderful sunny island state of Malta has all the ingredients for a memorable holiday. Explore the capital, Valletta, built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, and hike around the fortress-like hilltop towns of Mdina and Victoria. Don’t miss the village of Gozo with its many impressive churches. Malta, of course, has superb beaches to relax on and brilliant waters perfect for snorkeling. At night, you can immerse yourself in the bustling nightlife.

If you're looking for an exclusive experience, Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux, located in a restored 17th-century palace inside the medieval city walls of Mdina, offers that and more. The hotel has only 17 suites and guestrooms and each private terrace boasts the most amazing views of the Maltese countryside.

6. Go Beach Clubbing at Hvar, Croatia

It's time to join the jet-set to Hvar, one of the most popular islands in the south of Croatia, known for its luxurious setting, fancy restaurants and legendary beach club scene. This is also the country's sunniest island, so it makes for a perfect destination on your Mediterranean cruise.

Head to the exclusive Beach Club Hvar to spend a day at the beach, relaxing on a waterfront bed. Then, indulge in a spa or massage treatment before you enjoy exquisite dining. Another great choice is the Laganini Restaurant & Lounge Bar, where you can sunbathe while sipping some heavenly cocktails after a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea. Or, pick some fresh-caught seafood or other gourmet dishes paired with aromatic wines, then head for the beach bars where you can dance until the sun comes up.

You can easily spend your entire vacation at these lavish beach clubs, but don't forget to explore Hvar town and see the interior with its lilac lavender fields, vineyards, old villages and pretty isolated coves. If you have the time, you won't regret a trip to the pristine Pakleni Islands either.

7. Charter a Private Yacht Excursion From Korčula, Croatia

South of Hvar, you'll arrive at another stunning island on the Dalmatian Coast, Korčula, Croatia. Said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, this small fortified town is also known as "Little Dubrovnik."

Step onboard a private yacht excursion to discover the island with its pine forests, secluded coves and pebbly beaches. Or, sail a little farther across the azure blue sea to the gorgeous Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park, where you can also visit the ex-Yugoslav military submarine tunnel.

To the east is the quiet, densely forested Mljet National Park. During your trip, enjoy a swim, go snorkeling and try your hand at paddleboarding. Many excursions also offer a three-course Mediterranean lunch served onboard.

8. Have a Gastronomic Experience in Mykonos, Greece

When you think of a luxury Mediterranean cruise, you often think of Mykonos, Greece. This glamorous Greek island in the middle of the Aegean Sea is known for its pretty whitewashed churches, monasteries, flour mills, fantastic golden sand beaches and especially its many wild parties.

Before you join the fashionable crowds at one of the epic all-night beach parties, discover the mouthwatering Mykonian gastronomy. Make sure to try some of the dishes that are unique to the island, like the spicy kopanisti cheese, made with fresh cow and goat milk. It goes well with ouzo, the Greek anise-flavored aperitif, or a bottle of local white wine. For a tremendous culinary Greek experience, you won't regret going to the legendary restaurants Sea Satin Market, Remezzo, Koursaros or La Maison de Katrin.

9. Walking Tour With a Private Photographer in Santorini, Greece

Santorini, known as Thera in Greek, is of captivating beauty. The whitewashed villages surrounded by the dark volcanic rocks, multi-colored cliffs and turquoise sea make it a photographer's paradise.

Why not take advantage of these idyllic surroundings on this mythical Greek island and get some good shots of yourself and your travel companions? You can book an excursion with a professional photographer who knows all the best spots for incredible photo ops.

Stroll from the capital, Fira, to the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli. Or, travel farther to charming Oia to watch the sunset. No less picturesque is the landscape on the Nea Kameni island with its caves and churches, and the island of Palia Kameni with its sulfurous hot springs.

10. Fashion Shopping in Cyprus, Greece

If your Mediterranean cruise ship brings you to the half-Turkish, half-Greek island of Cyprus, rejoice immediately. Cyprus is known for its sun-soaked sandy beaches, fascinating history, old harbor towns and jaw-dropping nature. It's also a great destination for luxury shopping.

Spend some days relaxing at the seaside, exploring the rural interior or trying the local cuisine, and then head to the country's main towns, like Nicosia, Limassol, Ayia Napa and Paphos. There, you'll find both high street and high-end fashion, so look out for the designer boutiques and the modern malls with plenty of favorite European or British clothing brands and famous fashion houses. Looking for something more unique? Head to shops that offer clothing by local, independent and cutting-edge designers, including Anna Koumoushi, Fani Xenophontos and Joanna Louca.

11.  Cruise Along the Amalfi Coast, Italy

When cruising past the Amalfi Coast with Royal Caribbean, you can perch on your stateroom balcony and watch a stream of cliffs, pastel villages and terraced vineyards. Salerno is the port gateway, leading you to Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. The area has plenty of lemon groves, meaning there are a lot of local Italian eats and drinks to try while you’re there — make sure you grab a limoncello and candied lemon peel to take home with you. 

Even with all the photos you’ve seen, the way the villages cling to the cliffs makes more sense from the water. You can spot tiny terraces and hidden stairways you’d never see from the road — so keep an eye out.

12. Olive Oil Tasting in Crete, Greece

Crete is a Mediterranean island that’s as much about the landscapes as the olives. Take a short drive inland from the port and you’ll find family-run estates where you can walk through rows of olive trees, watch how olives are pressed into extra-virgin oil and sample varieties paired with local bread, cheese and honey. 

If you’re looking for even more nature, hike to the Venetian lighthouse or drive to the Samaria Gorge before ending the day with fresh seafood and raki at a seaside taverna.

13. Explore the Ancient Ruins of Ephesus, Turkey

From the dock, it’s a 30-minute drive to one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean. Ephesus is a fascinating site of cobbled streets, marble temples and grand theatres, once home to ancient merchants and philosophers. 

Guided tours layer the experience with historical context, and wandering past the Library of Celsus or the Great Theatre enables you to take in the sheer magnitude of this historic city.

14. Gourmet Seafood Dining in Marseille, France

Marseille’s Old Port is picture-perfect, and the area homes a thriving culinary culture to boot. Sit at a waterside bistro and sample fresh bouillabaisse or grilled sardines, paired with crisp local rosé. Here, you can see independent fishermen bring in their catch, smell the salty air and soak up the sound of the waves. 

A short walk from the main port, the streets lead to markets where you can buy fresh bread, pastries and produce — and visit the cafes where locals hang out. It’s less polished, but it offers a more authentic view of daily life than the tourist side of the harbor.

15. Kayaking the Hidden Coves of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is relatively affordable, making it a great destination for a cheap Mediterranean cruise; however, this also means it can get crowded. If you seek a less crowded experience, cruising on the fringe of peak season in April or November is ideal. That said, the Adriatic offers quiet places beyond the city walls even during peak season. Hire a kayak from the main port and paddle along cliffside beaches, into hidden coves and past medieval fortifications. Local guides can show the way, but the magic is in the solitude. 

Stroll along the Old Town walls for views of terracotta roofs and the Adriatic or try fresh seafood at a waterfront konoba. Hidden alleys are packed with local bakeries and cafes worth popping into — especially if you need a break from the crowds.

Cruise the Mediterranean, With History, Food and Culture on Tap