Top 10 Lesser-Known Cruise Ports in the Mediterranean
Barcelona, Athens, Rome (Civitavecchia) and others will lily come instantly to mind and that is for good reason as not only are they major cruise ports in the region, but they are major tourist destinations on a global scale.
Then there are places such as Palma, Malaga, Monaco, Naples, Dubrovnik and others that maybe come to mind with a bit more thinking which makes it great for those who are just starting off cruising or who haven’t cruised either the Western or Eastern Med before but many cruisers have been there and done it when it comes to those ports.
If that’s your situation or if you are just looking for some inspiration for cruise port sin the Med to get away from the major tourist hubs, this is the list for you as I bring you some lesser-known cruise ports in the Med but that are still well worth visiting.
Our Top 10 Lesser-Known Cruise Ports in the Mediterranean
Kotor, Montenegro
If you have never heard of Kotor and look at a picture of it, the chances are that you will think it is in Norway and wrongly placed on a list such as this one.
Amazingly, the port is actually in the Eastern Mediterranean country of Montenegro on the Adriatic Coast where it offers a fjord like entry for cruisers who want to experience a Norwegian holiday, but who like to have the sun shine down on them.
There is lots awaiting visitors aside from the incredible views but best of all, ships dock right in the centre of town making this a great port of call that often goes under the radar compared to nearby ports such as Dubrovnik.
Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena may only be a relatively small city on the south coast of Spain but that is just part of the charm of it, especially when you compare it to other Spanish Mediterranean ports such as Barcelona and Valencia.
As well as giving visitors an authentic Spanish experience, cruisers can also step back in time in the city that was a powerhouse of the Roman Empire, with historic sites such as a Roman amphitheater, castles and fortress can also be easily visited.
Sete, France
The south coast of France brings to luxurious yachts, small harbours and seafront cafes and if that is what you are looking for, you can easily joint 1000’s of overs doing the same in popular ports such as Nice, Marseille and even Monte Carlo.
Those in the know however, will head to somewhere such as Sete where you can get all of that, plus more but without the crowds and the over the top tourist prices.
Mahon, Menorca
The Balearics offer lots for visitors to enjoy, from historic capital cities to thriving beach resorts but whilst millions of tourists from across the globe head to Mallorca and Ibiza, far fewer head to Menorca.
That’s a real shame for the island tourist based industries but great for those heading to archipelago on a cruise as if you head to the city of Mahon, you can still get that mix of Catalan and Spanish culture but with far fewer tourists to fight against.
Korcula, Croatia
Dubrovnik is one of the Eastern Mediterranean most popular tourist hotspots, but that is to its detriment as for far too much of the year, it is simply too crowded to really enjoy it.
If you have also wanted to visit there, Korcula is a great alternate where you can still walk around an medieval walled old town, visit an historic cathedral and enjoy the red roofs of Croatian architecture but with far less people getting in the way.
Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is known for its Roman architecture including an impressive forum, its beautiful Old Town and the stunning scenery that surrounds it.
It really has everything you could want from a Mediterranean port, but many ships will head to the nearby city of Split instead meaning it goes under the radar and remains a lot less touristy.
Sibenik, Croatia
Sibenik is one of the oldest Slavic towns on the Adriatic coast that has managed to keep much of its charm despite growing as a tourist destination.
The old town is full of narrow alleyways that open up into town squares where you can sit at a bar or face and simply take in the views.
That is helped by its hillside location that makes for an impressive view from your ship and even better views once you’re on land.
Tarragona, Spain
If you love Barcelona but have been there too many times or if you want a Catalan experience without all of the crowds of Barcelona, Tarragona makes a great alternative.
It has plenty to offer in its own right including beautiful beaches, Roman architecture including UNESCO-listed ruins, historic walls and a beautiful old town all mixed with the charm of Catalonia and plenty of places to try the incredible food of the region.
Norway
If you have visited Italy a few times, you will know that whilst interesting in their own right, many of its port towns and cities are very similar, that is where the northern city of Trieste stands out.
The city has a more central European feel to it but with an Italian twist, which isn’t too surprising due to its location in the northeast of the country.
Home to canals, castles, caves and an historic city centre, there is lots on offer for those who want to enjoy the incredible food on offer in Italy but also enjoy a different type of day ashore.
Koper, Slovenia
Koper is a small coastal city that has everything you could want from an Adriatic port including an historic town centre, a beautiful cathedral and squares full of cafes.
The port is so much more than that though as it gives access to the Slovenia capital of Ljubljana, the beautiful Lake Bled and with the borders of Italy and Croatia nearby, those wanting to explore this part of Europe have plenty of options.
