A practical guide to the cruise ports of the Western Med
For many cruisers, sailing the Med is their first taste of a holiday at sea, with a choice of flying to a European port to join their ship or sailing from the UK, which involves a two-day route along the Iberian Peninsula before turning into the Mediterranean at Gibraltar.
Voyages into these waters tick off a world-beating line-up of contrasting attractions, whether it’s the ancient wonders of Rome and Renaissance treasures of Florence or the lavender fields of Provence and distinctive Catalan spirit of Barcelona.
At this most westerly point, where Europe reaches out and almost touches Africa, voyages trace a path along the coastlines of Spain, France and Italy, perhaps taking in Malta or Sicily.
This guide offers a snapshot of the most popular ports of the Western Mediterranean, with practical information about getting from the ship to the main town or city and how to get around during your visit. For more detailed information including places to eat, things to do and what to see, our destination pages can help.
In this guide:
Spain
France
Monaco
Italy
Portugal
Malta
Britain
Spain
Barcelona
Cruise port location
There are five cruise ship terminals at the Moll Adossat Pier, south of the city centre, just over a mile from the bottom of La Rambla, Barcelona’s legendary avenue.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It takes at least 30 minutes to walk (not recommended if you have luggage) over the harbour bridge from the terminals to the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla. If you’re walking to the city centre, add another 15 minutes. Cruise Bus Barcelona, a shuttle service costing €3 (single) or €4.50 (return), runs between the terminals and the World Trade Centre at the entrance to the port. Taxis, which are readily available, take less than 10 minutes.
How to get around
Barcelona is extremely walkable, but public transport is also excellent and cheap.
You can pick up easy-to-use bus maps from tourist offices and the metro is convenient with the Drassanes station close to the port entrance. A T-Casual transport ticket (€12.15) allows 10 journeys, with transfers (metro to bus etc) included. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card (from €15.75) offers unlimited travel for anything from two to five days.
Don’t miss…
A stroll along Barceloneta beach to soak up the atmosphere.
Plan your visit to Barcelona with our destination guide.
Malaga
Cruise port location
This popular Spanish port has modern and fairly extensive facilities with two cruise quays packed with shops, bars and restaurants.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
This depends on where your ship is docked as distances vary, with some ships mooring so close that the city centre is just a five-minute walk away, while other docking spots are up to two miles from the city centre. From the eastern dock, where most cruise ships go, it is around a 15 to 20-minute walk to the city centre. Some companies provide a free shuttle service and the port also provides a shuttle for €5.
How to get around
The city can easily be explored on foot, though there is a good public transport network with local buses and regional services offering routes further afield to Mijas, Marbella and Granada. There is a train station, but buses are regarded as a better option. There are also bike rentals and hop-on hop-off bus tours.
Don’t miss…
A visit to the city’s stunning cathedral, with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements.
Plan your visit to Malaga with our destination guide.
La Coruña
Cruise port location
The modern terminal is smack-bang in the centre of this Galician city, which is a key stop for cruise ships sailing to and from the UK to the Mediterranean.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The city centre is just a five-minute walk away, which means most attractions can be explored on foot, notably the Ciudad Vieja (old town), museums or Unesco-listed Tower of Hercules – the world’s oldest lighthouse, which dates back to Roman times and is still in use today. It takes around 40 minutes to walk to this. Further afield is the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela, 46 miles away, which is a 50-minute drive or a 25-minute train journey.
How to get around
Anyone not wanting to walk can catch a bus from just outside the terminal, with journeys costing €1.30. Bus routes 3, 3A and 5 stop at the Tower of Hercules. Alternatively you can take a taxi from the port gates. The railway station is 1.5 miles from the terminal.
Valencia
Cruise port location
The port, which has two cruise ship docks, is situated to the east of the city in an industrial zone about three miles from the city centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It can be a long walk from the ship to the terminal, though complimentary shuttles are provided and from there, cruise lines generally provide shuttles into the city – though there may be a charge. The Centre of Arts and Science is a 45-minute walk away, although the route is not particularly pleasant so the bus may be a better alternative. There are also buses to the Old Town, which is easy to explore on foot.
How to get around
You can catch buses or trams from close to the cruise terminal into the city or to Valencia’s main beach Playa de Cabanyal, or this can be reached in 20 minutes on foot. There is also a taxi stand outside the main terminal and a hop-on hop-off bus stop nearby.
Don’t miss…
The chance to try a freshly squeezed orange juice. The region is famous for its citrus groves. Pick one up outside Art Nouveau Central Market
Plan your visit to Valencia with our destination guide.
France
Cannes
Cruise port location
This is primarily a tender port, but the advantage is that you arrive right at the heart of the city, so no transfers are required.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The tender dock is well located and just a few minutes’ walk from the city, which can easily be explored on foot as it is so compact. There is a welcome desk in the cruise terminal which has complimentary walking tour maps and staff on-hand to offer recommendations and directions, though the main tourist office is a short walk away at the Palais des Festivals – home to the Cannes Film Festival.
How to get around
Those not wanting to walk can take the Le Petit Train road-train that departs from close to the Majestic Hotel on the La Croisette promenade, offering 30-minute or one-hour tours. Taxis are readily available from the rank close to the tender dock, while shuttles and open-top “Palm Buses” stop along Le Croisette.
Don’t miss…
A stroll and a spot of people watching along the ritzy La Croisette promenade
Plan your visit to Cannes with our destination guide.
Marseille
Cruise port location
There are two ports, with larger ships docking at the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, nearly three miles north of the city, and smaller ships docking at the closer Port de la Joliette.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
For ships docked at the cruise terminal it is too far to walk to the city centre, but there is a free shuttle. Some cruise ships also provide their own shuttles, but there may be a charge. There are also taxis and buses that go between the city and the port’s main gate. La Joliette is around the corner from the Old Port, so is just a few minutes’ walk from the centre.
How to get around
Many of Marseille’s main sights are within walking distance, but there is a network of buses and taxis along with a hop-on hop-off tourist bus, the tourist road train and tram services.
Don’t miss…
Catch a bus to the hilltop basilica, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, topped by a golden Madonna and Child.
Plan your visit to Marseille with our destination guide
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Cruise port location
Monte Carlo’s Port Hercule has its own cruise ship dock which can accommodate several ships. However, on busy days some vessels have to moor offshore and tender guests into the main dock.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It is quite straightforward to walk into Monte Carlo, though the streets can be very steep. The centre is about a mile away or you can take an elevator and stairs to the Old Town (Monaco-Ville) which is closer and where the Prince’s Palace and Oceanographic Museum are located.
To reach the centre of the principality, where you’ll find the Belle Epoque grandeur of the famous Monte Carlo Casino, it takes around 20 minutes on foot.
How to get around
While distances are not huge, the high-gradient hills can make walking more challenging. Luckily, the principality has an efficient public transport system with buses costing €2 or €5.50 for a day pass, plus hop-on hop-off buses which stop at the cruise terminal. There is a train station with services to Nice, which take around 25 minutes.
Don’t miss…
Place du Casino with its Rococo architecture, designer shops and manicured gardens. It’s the place to see and be seen.
Plan your visit to Monte Carlo with our Monaco guide.
Italy
Florence (Livorno)
Cruise port location
Livorno is the gateway to Tuscany and its cultural gems such as Florence, Pisa and Siena. It’s port, which lies west of the city centre, comprises different docking areas and quays.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The port is only around half a mile from Livorno’s old town, but the city has little sightseeing and the main attractions lie further afield. The main draw is Florence, which is a 60-90-minute drive away, depending on traffic. Trains are a good alternative, with hourly departures from the city’s main Santa Maria Novella station taking 80 minutes each way. Pisa is closer, with trains taking 20 minutes and departing two or three times an hour.
How to get around
Livorno’s port is extensive and while some docking points are within walking distance of the city centre, others are further away. However, there is a regular shuttle from these points to Livorno’s railway station some two miles away. This takes 30 minutes and there may be a €5 charge. Taxis are also available, costing €10-€15.
Don’t miss…
Buchette del vino or “wine windows” (little hatches serving well-priced glasses of house wines) date back to the 1500s. Most are found in the Santo Spirito neighbourhood and the city centre
Plan your visit to Florence with our destination guide.
Genoa
Cruise port location
Ships dock at Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria, which make up the Genoa Cruise Port, situated in an industrial centre not far from the city centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
As it is located just off a busy highway, a taxi is preferable to get into the city, particularly if you are embarking or disembarking a ship here and have luggage. Taxis take a few minutes and cost €5-10. However, if you are luggage-free, the walk into the city takes around 10 minutes and the city’s historic centre is easily accessible, as are the Maritime Museum and Acquario de Genova aquarium on the waterfront. The main railway station is also within walking distance and buses stop close to the port.
How to get around
As the port is centrally located, it is best explored on foot and the Old Port is the first part passengers will encounter with its charming mix of restaurants and ships. There is an extensive public transport system with buses, an underground line, funiculars and a historic rack railway.
Don’t miss…
A lunch of pasta and freshly made pesto, a Genoan staple.
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Cruise port location
Civitavecchia is 45 miles north of Rome and cruise ships dock on the northwest edge of the town at the Rome Cruise Terminal.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
The journey between Civitavecchia and Rome takes 1.5 to 2 hours by road, depending on traffic. Cruise lines offer their own transfers and taking these means the ship will wait for you if there’s a problem. Alternatively, there are bus and taxi services. Prices vary, though the SIT Shuttle costs €25 return, while taxis are around €140 each way. There are plentiful rail services to Rome’s Termini Station and the hour-long journey costs around €11 one-way, although it will be cheaper if booked in advance.
How to get around
Walking around Rome is an ideal way to beat the traffic jams – though distances between attractions can take up to 40 minutes to cover on foot. Taxis generally operate from ranks – make sure meters are reset and running when you set off. You can take buses on key routes, but these will be busy. Day passes cost €7 and standard tickets are €1.50.
Don’t miss…
Take in the Colosseum then walk though the Forum to Palatine Hill to explore Rome’s top ancient sites in a day.
Plan your visit to Rome with our destination guide.
Naples
Cruise port location
Ships generally dock in front of the city at Stazione Marittima in Naples’ vast port, though sometimes they are further away at Molo Pisacane to the east of the cruise terminal.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It takes only minutes to walk into the Piazza del Plebiscito central square from Stazione Marittima, though if your ship has docked at Molo Pisacane, shuttle buses will bring you here. Most main sights are within walking distance of the port entrance and walking across Via Cristoforo Colombo brings you into Piazza Municipio and some of Naples’ most historic sites. A mile away are attractions such as the Museo Archeologico and Duomo di Napoli, Naples Cathedral.
How to get around
Taxis line up outside the port and hop-on hop-off buses stop here too. For more distant sights around the city the metro system is quick and easy with single tickets costing €1.10 and a daily pass €3.50. There are train services to Rome, which take 75 minutes, plus hydrofoil and ferry trips to the nearby islands of Capri, Ischia and Sorrento.
Don’t miss…
Grab a slice for lunch. Neapolitan pizza is revered, and cheap.
Palermo
Cruise port location
The dated, though functional, Stazione Marittima where ships dock is north of the city and around a mile from the heart of the old city at Quattro Canti.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Palermo is walkable, but it is not a city for the faint-hearted, with its traffic-thronged streets and bustle. From the old city, at the intersection of Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele II, the walk to the cruise terminal takes around 20 minutes. However, it is best to leave plenty of time on your return as the maze of streets can be confusing and it is easy to lose your bearings. Also, beware the omnipresent threat of pickpockets.
How to get around
Aside from walking, there are plenty of taxis outside the terminal and at ranks around the city (cabs are hard to hail on the street), but they are very expensive. Only use official, white licensed taxis and check the meter is reset and running or negotiate a price first. Hop-on hop-off tour buses also offer a good alternative.
Don’t miss…
The city’s bustling Vucciria market, which distils the essence of Mediterranean.
Plan your visit to Palermo with our ultimate guide to Sicily.
Portugal
Lisbon
Cruise port location
It’s a memorable arrival to the Portuguese capital as ships sail up the Tagus River to dock in one of four terminals close to the city.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
Most ships dock at the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which takes up to four ships and incorporates the Santa Apolonia and Jardim do Tabaco cruise terminals. It is a few minutes walk away from the popular Alfama district. There are two other docking areas at the commercial port of Alcantara and Rocha Conde de Obidos further away. To walk into the city from here takes more than an hour, though cruise companies often provide shuttles.
How to get around
The city has a decent transport system. The 15E tram runs from the port along the riverfront to the Belem district or there’s a train from the Cais do Sodre station or the No 28 bus. There is a metro stop close to Santa Apolonia and there are train and tram stops near Alcantara and Rocha Conde, but no metro.
Don’t miss…
A climb up the winding medieval streets of Lisbon’s most ancient neighbourhood, Alfama, to the Moorish pinnacle, Castelo São Jorge.
Plan your visit to Lisbon with our destination guide .
Funchal, Madeira
Cruise port location
The scenic backdrop of Funchal’s natural harbour makes an impressive entrance to Madeira’s capital. Ships dock along the Pontinha pier, giving easy access to the city centre.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
For ships docked directly at the quayside, the city centre is a 20-minute walk, though it is longer from those ships moored further along. The route is mainly uphill and the pavement is uneven, which can make it difficult for less able-bodied travellers or wheelchair-users. There are taxis readily available, which take a few minutes and cost €7.50. Some cruise lines provide a free shuttle bus or there is a return fare charge of €9.
How to get around
The city is flat and easy to navigate with an efficient network of local buses (day tickets €4.50), plus taxis. There is the cable car, costing €12.50, to the hillside neighbourhood of Monte from where you can ride down in a famous wicker toboggan for €35 for two. There are also hop-on hop-off buses.
Don’t miss…
The Botanical Gardens offer amazing views of the city.
Explore more of Funchal with our city guide.
Malta
Valletta
Cruise port location
Sailing into Valletta is an eye-opening experience as thousands of years of history come into view amid the battlements, castles and ancient city walls close to where ships dock on the beautifully-restored waterfront.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
It takes around 20 minutes to walk into the centre of the Maltese capital, which is just under a mile away, though this involves steep slopes and steps. However, an elevator located around 300 metres from the cruise terminal offers an easier ascent into the city, costing €1. This brings you into the Upper Barrakka Gardens at the top of the bastion walls and a short walk from the centre. Nowhere on the island is more than a 45-minute drive away.
How to get around
Horse-drawn carriages offer an atmospheric way to explore Valletta, though they’re not cheap, and taxis are another alternative to reach the city centre if you don’t want to walk. The bus service is very good and reasonably priced with routes across the island. There are also ferries to the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino.
Don’t miss…
A stroll along the city’s fortifications and Upper Barrakka Gardens to get a sense of the place.
Plan your visit to Valletta with our destination guide.
Britain
Gibraltar
Cruise port location
The British territory is a popular stop on Mediterranean voyages with its cruise terminal located on the western side of The Rock.
How long does it take to get back to the ship?
To reach the northern edge of Gibraltar’s old town at Casemates Square is around a 15-minute walk, though there are shuttles from the cruise terminal that cost £2. From here it is another half mile to the more central Cathedral Square from where it is easy to explore the town and area around the upper cable-car station on foot. However, to reach the territory’s other sights and attractions, many of which involve hills and steep approaches, will require transportation.
How to get around
Gibraltar’s bus service covers seven routes with one-way adult tickets costing £1.80 and day passes £2.50. There are taxis at the cruise terminal, but many will be pre-booked so head for the taxi ranks in Casemates Square and Cathedral Square. The most popular option is the cable car from the Old Town, though to avoid queues, book online.
Don’t miss…
Gibraltar’s National Museum. The permanent exhibition gives you an excellent overview of Gibraltar’s complex heritage.
Plan your visit to Gibraltar with our guide.
