Top 10 Unheard of Gems of the Mediterranean
The region is not just a hotspot of cruising however, as so many of its top tourist spots welcome people from across the globe by road, rail, ferry and air, which leads to destinations such as Santorini, Barcelona, Rome and Athens becoming incredibly crowded.
Thankfully, the Med is also home to many out of the way ports and hidden gem destinations just waiting to be explored by those in the know and those are the places that I look at in this list.
Our Top 10 Unheard of Gems of the Mediterranean
Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj is a beautiful port to visit on any cruise of the Eastern Mediterranean, which is dominated by its hilltop cathedral.
The tightly packed houses of its old town are full of alleyways just waiting to be explored and allow you to easy explore the maze-like area that just continue to deliver photo worthy sights.
Croatia is home to many cruise ports and whilst many will be able to name the likes of Dubrovnik and Zadar, few will know the name of Rovinj but after seeing your holiday snaps, your friends and family will surely want to visit there themselves.
Monemvasia, Greece
There are few places in the world like Monemvasia but few will have heard of this idyllic bit of Greece.
Only smaller ships head there but if you are lucky enough to be on an itinerary heading there, it is somewhere you will always remember.
The historic walled town that sits at top a rocky cliff is a living museum of Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian history that has to be seen in person to be believed.
Patmos, Greece
Practising Christians may know the name Patmos due to it been the location of where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation, but few will likely know it for been a tourist destination and even fewer as a cruise port.
In the current era, the island retains its spiritual feeling and offers the chance to visit several historic sites including churches, chapels and monasteries.
Those with no interest in religious history will love the island for its natural beauty and the charm of its small villages made up of bright white houses perched on top of hills and cliffs.
Melilla, Spain
Melilla gives cruisers the chance to take in the unique culture of Melilla which is a Spanish autonomous city located on the north coast of Africa.
That see’s a mixture of different cultures all come together to create a culture that is unique to the city and that can be only experienced by visiting there.
Few people know that there are Spanish enclaves on the north African coast whilst fewer yet will be able to name Melilla, but it is somewhere well worth visiting.
Volos, Greece
Volos is a busy port city in central Greece that offers a lively seafront full of bars, cafes and restaurants, several historic sites of interest including ancient archaeological sites and lots of natural beauty as it is surrounded by the beautiful Pelion mountain range.
It is far less touristy than many other ports across Greece and the Greek Islands which allows you to have a much more authentic experience but with it sitting between Athens to the south and Thessaloniki to the north, it’s perhaps not too surprising that it goes under the radar.
Bonifacio, Corsica, France
The island of Corsica has a few places you can visit when going there on a cruise, with the port city of Ajaccio attracting most ships but those wanting a more authentic day of exploration should really look at Bonifacio.
The picturesque medieval town is home to a beautiful 9th century citadel, a large natural harbour and is surrounded by cliffs, which are topped by many of the city’s most historic buildings.
Kavala, Greece
Kavala is a hidden gem of northern Greece that offers everything you could want when cruising in the region including history, culture and lots of natural beauty.
Its old town is steeped in history and is a great place to explore on foot in the morning before heading to one of the cities beautiful beaches in the afternoon when things heat up.
Palamos, Spain
The Costa Brava is home to many popular tourist destinations including the city of Girona and the seaside holiday resort of Lloret de Mar but there is so much more to this coastal part of Catalonia, including the beautiful Palamos.
The port is a great place for those who want a more authentic day of exploring and who want to avoid the crowds and tourist traps that take over much of the coastline in the Costa Brava.
Built up from a small fishing village, it still retains much of its charm and is just one of those places to simply walk around and relax surrounded by the natural beauty of the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Roses, Spain
Roses has everything you could want from a small coastal town on the Mediterranean coast of Spain including a fascinating history, beautiful beaches and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Only smaller ships will head to Roses, so that probably explains why it is so unknown but once you visit, you will probably want to go again.
Surrounded by a stunning coastline full of rocky cliffs and rolling hills, Roses has a long history going back to its ancient Roman past, with a number of historic sights still able to be explored when you visit there.
Mgarr, Gozo
Have you heard of Mgarr- unlikely. Have you heard of Gozo, more likely. Have you heard of Malta, probably and that is many ways the issue for Mgarr as it very much lives in the shadow of Malta and its capital of Valletta.
Even those who have heard of Gozo will likely only know its capital city of Ir-Rabat (Victoria) but if you are wanting to visit a beautiful small fishing village, complete with a hilltop cathedral that offers nothing but an authentic experience away from tourist traps.
