Destinations

Known for delicious cuisine, ancient sites and history spanning thousands of years, the Mediterranean is an exciting destination to cruise.

Read on to discover our top five reasons why you should start planning your Mediterranean cruise with Saga.

Ancient history

From medieval towns like Split, Trieste, Zadar and Calvi, to ancient sites such as Athens’ Acropolis, Pompeii and Katakolon, our Mediterranean itineraries are packed with fascinating discoveries.

You can enjoy a range included and optional excursions ashore. In Greece you can head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Olympia, one of the world’s most significant archaeological finds. Discover the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium of Olympia and the Archaeological Museum.

In Sicily, visit former Greek colony Syracuse, which was home to Archimedes and is renowned for its spectacularly preserved ancient Greek ruins. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Syracuse boasts the remains of the Temple of Apollo, a beautiful piazza and views over the Ionian Sea. Explore the town on an included panoramic excursion.

If you’re in search of cultural history, Valetta, capital of Malta, has no shortage. Colonised by over seven different civilisations, Valetta radiates history through its UNESCO-listed streets, overlooked by 16th-century forts built by the Knights of St John. Enjoy an included panoramic excursion or opt to explore the underground Byzantine Catacombs of St Paul.

Exquisite cuisine

The Mediterranean’s deliciously healthy cuisine isn’t made up of boring salads or bland plates of boiled potatoes. Instead, you can dine on a colourful array of fresh vegetables, rich olive oil and perfectly cooked meats.

Seafood fans will enjoy the many busy harbours of the Med. Palamos, for example, is known for its ‘famous prawns’ and you can sample the renowned oysters of Sete, sourced from the local saltwater lagoon, Étang de Thau.

We can’t talk about Mediterranean cuisine without mentioning Spanish tapas. Taste a variety of flavours in one sitting with tapas’ sociable small-plate style. Spanish meats, fresh olives, patatas bravas and aioli are some notable dishes.

While you can experience Mediterranean cuisine (and, of course, regional wines) while exploring ashore, you can also enjoy destination-orientated menus and buffets on board, cooked using locally-sourced ingredients from ports of call.

Visit unique destinations

Many of our ports aren’t your classic holiday destinations. On a boutique cruise to the Mediterranean, you can explore a range of unique towns and cities on one trip. This means you can enjoy even more scenery and culture for your money.

In 2024 you can also visit ports that are new to Saga Cruises, such as Hydra, Elba, Savona, Palamos, Port Vendres and Ceuta.

Cruise all year round

We cruise to the Mediterranean all year round and each season offers different experiences. Witness Easter in the Adriatic, summer on the Catalan coastline and autumn on the Italian coast. With glorious sun in summer and mild temperatures later in the year, the Mediterranean is always a pleasant destination to cruise.

Enjoy a no-fly, all-inclusive boutique cruise

Not only can you expect exciting destinations and expertly planned excursions ashore, your time at sea is equally as enjoyable when you cruise with us.

Our sister ships, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, were built exclusively with our guests in mind. With less than a thousand guests on board, you can experience small-ship luxury and a ratio of one crew member for every two guests.

This means more space, fewer queues and personalised service. Our first-class waiting team will even remember your morning tea or coffee order.

There’s so much to enjoy on board too. Wake up in your spacious balcony cabin and get ready for a day full of surprises. Perhaps you’d like to spend your day relaxing in the Spa or getting pampered in the Salon. Or maybe you’d prefer a more action-packed day, enjoying one of the many classes, games or exercise sessions offered on board.

Even joining your cruise is a boutique experience – there’s no need to worry about flying and the consequential airport queues or baggage limits. A chauffeur will pick you up from your front door and drive you straight to the port. Alternatively, you can opt for a complimentary car parking ticket at the port, if you’d prefer to travel in your own vehicle.

When on board, you don’t need to worry about those annoying little costs. Your travel insurance, gratuities, Wi-Fi, dining and drink are all included in the price of your cruise. And with a number of speciality restaurants on board, you can enjoy a different cuisine every night with no extra cost – just be sure to book your table ahead of time, our speciality restaurants are highly popular with guests!

So if you’re tempted by the stunning Mediterranean and the Saga cruise experience, find out more now!