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View of bright blue Mediterranean waters, small ship cruise
Beautiful Mediterranean harbor in Cinque Terre, Italy

Best Things to Do in Mediterranean Sea

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean stretches east to the shores of the Middle East, defines the coastline of North Africa, and envelopes scores of islands that are destinations in their own right. The cultures, landscapes, and cuisines it has helped to nourish over thousands of years are dizzying in their variety. Stride can help you decide where to sail to.

Top Mediterranean Sea Experiences

Exploring the scenic French Riviera

Disembarking the cruise to take a ride to spectacular city of Florence

Snorkeling in the amazing blue Mediterranean waters

Taking a history tour and encouneting ancient Roman Ruins and fortified medieval towns

Voyaging through the Strait of Gibraltar and discovering the Spanish archipelago of the Canaries.


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Things to do in Mediterranean Sea - Expert’s guide

1. Florence

Overview of Florence Italy

Where art, food, and wine meet. While not directly on the coast, Florence is included in many Mediterranean tours because of its importance to Italian cuisine and culture. The capital of the famous Tuscan region in central Italy, Florence was the epicenter for the Italian Renaissance and features some of the most important pieces created by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. 

Visitors to Florence will fall in love with the city’s romantic and medieval atmosphere, bustling and rich food and wine scene, and all of the amazing sites to see in this famous city. 

2. French Riviera

There is no better place in the Mediterranean to pamper yourself and experience the lifestyle of the rich and famous than the French Riviera. The French Riviera, or the Cote d’Azur,  is the stretch of coastline in southeastern France from the city of Cassis to the Italian border. The most famous cities and regions on the Riviera are Nice, Cannes, and the Principality of Monaco. 

Characterized by expansive beaches, crystal clear water, and sheer cliff sides, Cote d’Azur first rose to prominence in the 1800s as a winter resort area. Today this area still draws in visitors with its landscapes, hotels, and casinos. 

3. Barcelona 

Barcelona Spain architecture

As Spain’s Gothic gem, Barcelona represents the mixture of cultures coming together. Influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, Spanish culture, and Catalan pride, Barcelona is one of the top destinations in all of Europe. Travelers to Barcelona will love the city’s historic central neighborhoods, especially the Gothic Quarter featuring iron balconies, small alleyways, and cozy cafes. 

One of the top things to see in Barcelona are the many works by its most famous son, Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi was a Modernism architect who designed many buildings in the city and his most famous piece is the nature-inspired cathedral La Sagrada Familia. 

4. Rome 

Ruins in Rome Italy

“The Eternal City.” Rome’s history dates back thousands of years and was the birthplace of two of the most powerful empires the world has seen, the Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Steeped in history around every corner, Rome is a history lover’s dream and a classic stop on most Italy tours. Ancient ruins stand next to apartment buildings and former stadiums are now used as running tracks. 

With so many sites to see, where do you even start? Attractions usually included on tours of Rome are the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. 

5. Alexandria

Alexandria Egypt on Mediterranean coastline

Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C., this Egyptian city has been one of the central hubs in both Egypt and the Mediterranean. In ancient times, the city played a key role in trade and the spread of culture throughout the region by both Alexander and the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. The city is a combination of Egyptian, Greek, and Arab cultures with temples and houses resembling each era. 

Today the city acts as a starting point for many exhibitions and tours into Egypt since it sits at the delta of the Nile and is one of the main economic centers for the country. 

6. Marrakech

Mosque in Marrakech Morocco

Lose yourself in the ancient medina of this colorful and lively Moroccan city. Marrakech is the capital of the northwestern African country of Morocco. The city is known for its oasis feel as the city popped up out of the desert in the 11th century.

Palm trees surround this walled city with its medina, or old quarter, that houses the city’s largest marketplace. Make sure to check out the Jema el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, and the Jardin Majorelle before you leave to see the stunning Moorish architecture and medieval lifestyle that gave life to this city.

7. Athens 

Ancient ruins in Athens Greece

The home of democracy, geometry, the Olympics, Astronomy, and so much more. Greece’s capital city has been around for thousands of years and has contributed so much to the modern world. You can walk the hallowed lanes of the Greek Agora where democracy was first whispered, climb the steps of the ancient Acropolis, or visit the stadium of the modern Olympics. 

In addition to the ancient and historical landmarks around the city, Athens is also known for its shopping and nightlife. The neighborhood of Plaka is full of Greek and international cafes and on almost every building around the Acropolis you can find a rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. 

8. Petra

Petra treasury in Jordan

Visit the wonders of man in this terraced city in Jordan. Situated between the Red and Dead Seas, the city was crafted by the Nabateans and became a major trade station on the Silk Road. Traders from the West and the East would travel and meet in this city and left their influence on the region. Petra is most famous for its architecture.

Carved and built into the rockside, the city is one of the most important architectural pieces from the Ancient World. The most visited areas of the site are the Treasury, the Siq, and the Royal Tombs. 

9. Istanbul

Sunset over Istanbul

The city that brought together the East and the West. Istanbul sits on the Bosphorus Strait that connects Asia and Europe in the Sea of Marmara that connects to the Mediterranean. The city has seen a long history of civilizations from Rome to the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the city you can find pieces for every part of its past. 

The city is also a religious center as well. Mosques, temples, and churches are scattered throughout the city. The most famous attraction in the city, the Hagia Sophia, reflects this storied past it was once a church and a mosque before its modern-day version of a museum. 

10. Kotor

Located at the end of the Bay of Kotor just off the Mediterranean, Kotor is one of the hidden gems of the Balkans. Once a major trade and center for the Venetian Empire, Kotor has grown to become one of the top destinations in the Mediterranean. 

You’ll love the old Venetian old town with its small shops and cafes, the adventurous hike up the Kotor Fortress Walls, and the 360 degree views of this fantastical southern “fjord” from both the bay below and the mountains above. 

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Mediterranean Sea Tours Reviews & Ratings

Write a review
Excellent
26
Great
3
Average
3
Disappointing
3
Terrible
6
Monique van Hemert
·
2023-09-18
Written on
Holland America Line Company Reviews by Holland America Line
Geweldig!
Geweldige cruise, schone mooie hut, goed eten, genoeg entertaiment, vriendelijk personeel.
Ik kan eigenlijk niks negatiefs verzinnen. De excursies zijn wel prijzig en niets bijzonders. Tip: neem het 'have it all' pakket erbij. Dan heb je gratis (alcoholische)drank, cocktails etc. , 1 excursie, 1 luxe diner, wifi en je hoeft de verplichte fooien (van €15 pppd) niet te betalen (wel zelf formulier invullen hiervoor bij servicebalie) Dan kost de 'all in' nog maar € 30 pppd. Dat zijn 4 drankjes per dag, dat haal je er echt wel uit.
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Stasa
·
2023-08-31
Written on
Holland America Line Company Reviews by Holland America Line
Cruise Noorwegen IJsland juni 2023
Wij hebben 3 weken een fantastische cruise gehad met de Zuiderdam naar Noorwegen, IJsland, Schotland. Het eten was heerlijk, onze hut prima, 2 keer per dag schoongemaakt, zeer vriendelijk personeel, en goede service aan boord. Alleen 's avonds bij het diner soms in de rij staan, werd erg ingewikkeld via de computer gekeken waar je kon zitten, terwijl er genoeg ruimte was. Dit is een verbeterpunt. En het tenderen liep soms niet vlot. Maar volgende keer weer HAL.
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Katrien Derammelaere
·
2023-08-26
Written on
Holland America Line Company Reviews by Holland America Line
Saga der vikingen
Topcruise tot & met . Verbleven in vista suite . Toni & zijn tweede hand kwamen 2 keer per dag kamer opruimen . Na de uitstappen gingen we heel graag naar het Dutch café , ook allemaal toppers daar . Hamza in het hoofdrestaurant deed alles om het naar onze zin te maken . Hoop zeker nog met jullie te cruisen . Sorry als ik de namen van al die mensen die onze vakantie vergeten ben niemand deed onder . Prachtig ship , lekker eten mooie uitstappen . Mijn quote is 5 sterren waardig .
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JACQUELINE MACINTOSH
·
2023-08-20
Written on
Holland America Line Company Reviews by Holland America Line
A big thankyou to Louise in customer…
A big thankyou to Louise in customer services for helping me sort out the admin on my account. She was patient, polite and efficient. Looking forward to our next cruise in Oct.
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Karin Monincx
·
2023-08-07
Written on
Holland America Line Company Reviews by Holland America Line
Wat een ongelofelijk fijne en…
Wat een ongelofelijk fijne en bijzondere ervaring van onze eerste en zeker niet laatste cruise met de nieuw Statendam naar de Noorse Fjorden.
Iedereen was even vriendelijk en behulpzaam. Ze wisten je naam en namen de tijd voor je. Het eten was ongelofelijk lekker. Alles was schoon. Veel te doen op het schip, voor ieder wat wils. Wat een fantastische tijd. Zeker voor herhaling vatbaar. We werden echt in de watten gelegd en zelfs een verjaardag wordt niet overgeslagen. Top!
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Kirstin
·
2023-07-25
Written on
Holland America Line Company Reviews by Holland America Line
First cruise with Holland America Line
We just came back our cruise with HAL on Rotterdam to Norwegian Fjords and it was fantastic! This was our first time cruising with HAL after our every first cruise a few years ago with Royal Caribbean. We wanted something that wasn't like a theme park and could relax more and this definitely did. If you like to relax with a drink and listen to rock or blues music then this is definitely for you. I really enjoyed the BB Kings Blues Club (main singer was excellent!) and the trivia quizzes. Some of the itineraries of events overlapped so you had to choose what you wanted to do more but I suppose this made people spread out more across the ship so it wasn't too busy, expect for in the Lido Market (buffet). We found it hard to find a seat sometimes but you could take your food elsewhere so we did this or even took some dessert back to our room to enjoy the views as we had a lovely balcony room. We had the 'have it all' package and would recommend this if you want to have alcohol frequently. I'm not sure of the other packages as we booked this through Iglu Cruises which came as a deal. I found all the staff onboard to be very friendly, helpful and well organised. The food was really good too. We didn't eat at the main dining room often expect for the 'dressy nights' (which is a lot less dressy than what we experienced with Royal Caribbean, they are more 'formal nights' with people in tuxedos/suits/long dress). I felt as though the food was very similar, if not the same as the main dining room to the buffet (suppose it's all the same kitchens), but you would go to the main dining room more for the experience. HAL has the stigma that it's for older people but we are both 30 and felt comfortable being here. A definite decrease in the amount of children onboard compared to Royal Caribbean which was nice to relax and we did see some other young couples too. The entertainment director (who was excellent!) did mention to us during a conversation that the next week had about 300 children on board so it will just depend on time of year etc but it will be far less compared to other cruise lines aimed at families.

No complaints at all and would definitely consider HAL again for my next cruise!
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