Top 10 Eastern European Cities to Visit on a Cruise Ship
From a cruising point of view, it is the south-east of the region that is the most popular but parts of the nor the of the region can be explored by cruising along the Baltic Sea.
With much of the region sitting on the far eastern edge of the Mediterranean, parts of the region have long been popular with cruisers and cruise lines alike with the Greek Isles on the must visit list for many cruises.
Nowadays, there are so many more options for those wanting to visit Eastern Europe and whilst Greece remains one of the most popular destinations, ports along the Adriatic and the city of Istanbul are rivalling them and allow for incredible getaways in a part of the world known for its year around warm weather.
With so many options on where you can visit and with so many relatively overlooked by cruisers, just which are the best cities to visit on a cruise in Eastern Europe? That is exactly what I look at in this list.
Our Top 10 Eastern European Cities to Visit on a Cruise Ship
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is an incredible city that even if you haven’t heard of it, the chances are that you will recognise it as it is a popular filming location for films and tv, including the Lord of the Rings.
The reasons why it is popular for location scouts are the same reasons why it is popular with cruisers as it has so much to offer visitors.
The walled old town is a must visit for anybody heading to the city as you can get lost walking around the small and crowded streets that have changed little in 100’s of years.
Away from their, a cable car journey takes you up into the hills surrounded the city and offer not only the chance to have great views of the whole of city, but you can get some cooler air.
If you want to take advantage of the weather, there are some great beaches close by and easily accessible via a water taxi and for the purposes for this list it is also one of the leading turnaround ports in Eastern Europe that is also a popular port of call for most lines operating in the region.
Athens/Piraeus
Athens, the capital city of Greece, is one of the most historic cities in the world and it is seeing its numerous ancient monuments that attracts millions of visitors each year. A highlight of any visit is to see the incredible Acropolis but once you have been there, there is still lots to enjoy in this bustling city.
Athens is home to many museums and galleries and offer good shopping and eating opportunities but for me, it is just one of those places that is just great for walking around and taking it all in.
Its nearby port of Piraeus is one of the leading cruise port sin the Eastern Mediterranean with plenty of lines offering the chance to start or end your journey in the city whilst most lines cruising the region will also call in there.
The port features heavily on itineraries sailing around the Med, cruising the Adriatic Sea and it is the start port for many Greek Island cruises.
Istanbul
The Turkish city of Istanbul uniquely straddles the European/Asian border, and the city takes part of both cultures to create its own feel.
The entrance into the city is an incredible one as you sail from the Eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, into the Sea of Marmara and into the Bosporus- a narrow straight that acts as the continental border.
Istanbul has invested heavily in its cruise facilities which has now attracted a growing number of ships to turnaround there and also ships calling in their offering overnights stays to really allow you plenty of time to explore all that is on offer.
That’s good news as this bustling city has lots to offer including river boat cruisers, the iconic Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque, the fascinating Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazar.
Kotor
Kotor, or the Bay of Kotor to be more precise, is often known as the only fjord in the Mediterranean and whilst it is not technically a fjord that awaits your arrival, it is incredibly similar.
When you leave the Adriatic Sea, you are met by a narrow channel, that is backed by steeply sided mountains before you sail into your docking berth at the ‘head of the fjord’ right in the heart of Kotor and surrounded by its mountains.
It is not just the natural beauty of Kotor that makes it a great place to visit but you also have lots to enjoy whilst on shore and most of it is just a short stroll from your ship.
You dock right next to the city’s historic walls that give access into the old town where many historic buildings can be found including a beautiful cathedral but for those who are feeling energetic, you can climb the cities walls that extend up into the hills and offer incredible views.
For far too long Kotor was a bit of a hidden gem but with more and more ships calling in then, it is now an easy place to visit and somewhere you should really go to.
Split
The Croatian city of Split is an incredible place to visit but so many who go there, never get to see too much of it as many head to the majestic waterfalls and lagoons of the Plitvice Lakes National Park but those who day stay in Split, are in for a great day of exploration.
Split is another city that has been used heavily by the film and tv industry thanks to its historic streets been the perfect place to take you back in time and for many it is simply walking around them that makes for a great day.
Its old town is just a short stroll from the cruise terminal and that includes a few museums and attractions including the Diocletian’s Palace, the Old Town Hall and the Green Market.
Zadar
Zadar is a city on the beautiful Dalmatian coast of Croatia and is perhaps one of the places on this list that you may not have heard of, but if you do get the chance to go there, you should.
Although the cities cruise port is a modern one on the outskirts of town, some ships will still dock close to the centre but even for those arriving at the new port, the trip into the Old Town of Zadar is well worth it as it is like stepping back in time.
The narrow streets of Zadar are almost like walking around a living maze, where you are never sure what you will come across around the next corner.
Sometimes you will arrive is a stunning square, sometimes you will arrive at a beautiful church and sometimes you may just get lucky and arrive at a bars or café to enjoy a drink and get out of the sun at.
All of that is fronted by a beautiful coastal park that is a great place to simply sit, relax and take in the views of the Dalmatian coast.
Limassol
The Limassol cruise port sees you arrive at the southern edge of the city from where it is easy to head of an explore or on your own and that is often the best option for those visiting the south coast of Cyprus.
The ancient city is a great place for those wanting to take in the history of the region with Limassol been home to many attractions based on the cities past including the Limassol Castle, the Cyprus Medieval Museum and a few archaeological sites.
More modern attractions include a seafront Sculpture Park and a beautiful marina whilst there is also a good range of independent bars, cafes and shops.
Antalya
Antayla is a Turkish resort city that has developed around the tourist trade so you can expect to see lots of huge hotel complexes, water parks and more but there is so much more to this bustling city than that.
Antalya has been an important port for 1000’s of years, going all of the way back to Roman times, and some of its popular attractions date back to that period as well including the Hidirlik Tower.
Its Bazar and Hadrian’s gate are must visits in the old town of the city whilst there are a couple of waterfall parks that make a great pace to have a relaxing walk but if you are travelling a s a family, a day at one of the huge modern water parks found in Atalya are always a firm favourite.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and has been a hugely important place for numerous empires down the years with evidence of the Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman history in the city.
There are plenty of places around the city where that history can be explored included at the 4th century Palace of the Roman Emperor Galerius which the cities famous Rotunda and the Museum of Byzantine Civilisation.
The beautiful Aristotelous Square is a great place to sit, and people watch but what makes the city such a fascinating place to visit is down to a large fire in 1917, that destroyed large parts of the city and that saw it rebuilt with a modern European style layout that makes it different to other cities in Greece.
Those two contradictions of the new and old, make it such an interesting place to explore and a popular stopping off port for ships sailing around Greece and the Eastern Med.
Tallinn
Tallinn is a bit of an outlier for this list as it is located in the very north of Eastern Europe, on the Baltic Sea but is still offers lots of the characteristics of many places of this list.
Visitors can walk from the edge of town cruise terminal and set off exploring the historic walled Old Town of Tallinn.
The city has had a long history and that can be explored by simply strolling around its streets that are almost like taking a trip back in time- well if it wasn’t for all of the tourist’s shops and walking tours you come across.
The cities maniple buildings are great examples of the region’s architecture whilst local food and drink can be enjoyed in the many small independent cafes found around town.
