Five of the best European cities to visit by ship

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 8 years ago

Five of the best European cities to visit by ship

Updated
Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona, Spain.Credit: iStock

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Make your entrance into a city just as unforgettable as the rest of your visit at these cities on the Mediterranean.

Venice, Italy

The floating city of Venice, which grew powerful on sea trade, makes a departure or arrival by cruise ship splendidly scenic and appropriate. Packed with architectural beauty in shades of peach and yellow, chock full of cultural treasures, cobbled together with elegant bridges, Venice is a city of watery palaces and churches. As cafe orchestras tootle and pigeons flutter across the pink facade of the Doge's Palace, it isn't hard to see why this city has been celebrated for centuries. But take time to explore Venice's back streets too: one minute you're in a tourist-crowded piazza, the next stepping into an alley where only cats slink. Locals hang out in the little squares dotted about the city, dangling their babies, slurping ice-creams and kicking footballs.

Cunard has 43 cruises that visit Venice, including a 17-night Venice and the Adriatic itinerary, return from Southampton on Queen Elizabeth, that also visits Cadiz, Messina, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Gibraltar.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is poised dramatically between Europe and Asia. You'll want plenty of time to stroll the streets of this bustling, beautiful city. The Blue Mosque has stunning wall tiles, while neighbouring Aya Sophia is a glorious Byzantine church-turned-mosque. Then head on to Topkapi Palace, pleasure ground of the Ottoman sultans, crammed with treasures and terraces. Most visitors also head to the Archaeological Museum, but the less-visited Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art is also outstanding. Spare some time for the Grand Bazaar, complete with vaulted ceilings and a frenzied commercial atmosphere. Finish your wander by the Galata Bridge on the Bosphorus, as ferries chug and the sun sinks behind a horizon of minarets and pavilions.

Cunard has 10 cruises that visit Istanbul, including a 21-night Venice, Greek Isles and Istanbul itinerary from Civitavecchia to Athens on Queen Victoria, that also visits Corfu, Kotor, Trieste, Venice, Dubrovnik, Heraklion, Kusadasi, Santorini, Athens, Dardanelles, Rhodes and Mykonos.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Advertisement

For many, Dubrovnik is the highlight of the fabulous Croatian coast and its last hurrah, since this is about as far south as you can sail and still be in Croatia. Once a powerful trading city, Dubrovnik remains a marvellous Renaissance town crammed with centuries-old statuary and hidden monastery courtyards, onto which have been grafted fashion stores and restaurants. The two-kilometre stroll around the ramparts is wonderful. Later, relax at the town's open-air bars, which serve inventive cocktails to a young crowd. By evening, the sun has stained the old town's walls pink and the long, lazy light illuminates the faces of old men sitting in cafes, so they look like prophets in churches' frescoes.

Cunard has 25 cruises that visit Dubrovnik, including a 23-night Mediterranean Highlights itinerary from Southampton to Athens on Queen Victoria, that also visits Gibraltar, Valencia, Barcelona, Cannes, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Corfu, Kotor, Trieste, Venice, Heraklion, Kusadasi and Santorini.

Converts Guide Dalmatian Coast - Dubrovnik.

Converts Guide Dalmatian Coast - Dubrovnik.Credit: iStock

Kotor, Montenegro

Montenegro, which achieved independence a decade ago, has a huge sunken valley that rivals a Norwegian fjord, penetrating nearly 30 kilometres inland. Sailing into Kotor is one of cruising's great arrivals: moody mountains rear on either side and the ship anchors almost under the walls of the fortress-topped town. Kotor was a Roman trading port, but its glory days came in the Middle Ages, and it's now a World Heritage site for its medieval architecture and almost intact city walls. Even better, it's car free. Walking the narrow streets is a joy, with little churches and pocket-size palaces seemingly at every corner. Look out for details everywhere: winged lions, stone reliefs, medieval pillories and the pretty pink columns of the cathedral. Shops specialise in wood carving, embroidery, pottery and lace.

Cunard has 29 cruises that visit Kotor, including a seven-night Rome to Venice itinerary from Civitavecchia to Venice on Queen Victoria, that also visits Messina Strait, Corfu and Trieste.

Kotor Bay, Montenegro.

Kotor Bay, Montenegro.

Barcelona, Spain

Progressive, quirky and confident, Barcelona boasts sunlit waterfronts, excellent theatres and a 2000-year history. Gothic architecture vies with Art Nouveau mansions, the Caixaforum presents top-notch art exhibitions, and you can admire sketches in the Picasso Museum. Most of all, the magical, twisted turrets of the Gaudí-designed cathedral are entrancing. Barcelona is very much a city of everyday life too, centred along Las Ramblas, a long avenue that's just the place for a drink as you watch flamboyant street performers. Browse the markets, hop between tapas bars and admire the monuments of the historic Barri Gotic quarter. Style is set in everything from Barcelona's legendary football team to its Michelin-starred restaurants and cutting-edge fashions in the quirky stores of El Born and Eixample districts: urban living at its best.

Cunard has 32 cruises that visit Barcelona, including a 14-night Barcelona, Cannes and Rome itinerary, return from Southampton on Queen Victoria, that also visits Cannes, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Cartagena and Gibraltar.

This article brought to you by Cunard.

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading