Princess Cruises Mediterranean: 7 nights from Athens with Sun Princess
Apr 19, 2025

Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital of Cray. It is the largest port and economic center of the island and the third largest city in Greece. This city hosts the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church and has religious buildings of great interest.

Heraklion is located in the center of the northern coast of the Greek Islands. With more than 100,00 inhabitants, the city is the capital of Crete, a Venetian fortress during the Middle Ages. The ancient city, with its squares and wide cobbled streets, balconies with wonderful view on the sea, mantains numerous fortifications. In particular there are important and magnificent monuments such as the Church of Agia Ekaterini, dated back to 1555, where the Museum of Sacred Art is hosted. The Archaeological Museum, home to ceramic sculptures, jewellery and frescoes on the Minoan culture. The Historical Museum, home to the only exhibited work of the painter Domenico Theotokopoulos (The Greek), and where you can have a view of Mount Sinai. The Cathedral of St Mena, the patron saint of the city, built between 1862 and 1895 is one of the largest buildings in the area.

Heraklion has an important port and a considerable center for the coastal trade of oil, soap, wine and hides. It has ferry boats and ships with regular itineraries to the islands of Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Karpathos and Syros. There are also several daily ferry bgoats to Piraeus, south-west of Athens. The Venetian fortress, still in perfect condition, protects the entrance to the port.

The large combination of reality and mythology, tradition and modernity, make Herklion a cosmopolitan center and one of the most important tourist destination in the Mediterranean. Great beaches, lively nightlife, sunny people, excellent cuisine and the strange "interplay" between the old and the new, guarantees to tourists an unforgettable holiday.

Bar

Korfu

Corfù is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, located off the northwestern coast of Greece and south of Albania. The Greek island is a natural paradise. It is the second largest island of Greece, with 220 km of coastline. Its geography is dominated by mountain ranges and reaching 1000 meters above sea level, you will find Mont Pantokrator.

This mountain divides the island into three different areas. The northern area, abundant in olive groves, features green valleys and coastlines that form both small and large bays. The central part, the most populous and important, is covered by dense vegetation and lush hills.

The southern area consists of a large plain with less vegetation than the other regions but is decidedly more fertile. The most lively part of the city is found at Liston, similar to Paris’ Rue de Rivoli- a grand avenue lined with beautiful cafes and excellent restaurants. On the other hand, the island also has beautiful beaches washed by the Ionian Sea.

One of the most beautiful walks in the capital is along the harbor promenade, next to the city walls, where you can contemplate the view of the city. Corfù was the first Greek Island to open its doors to tourism, becoming an important international tourist centre that attracts many visitors every year. Even if tourism is evident in the coastal areas, the island has managed to preserve its authenticity.

Messina

Messina has a very lively passengers port, discover all the cruises that set sail from Messina on Taoticket. Thanks to a cruise from Messina, you can visit lots of localities in Italy, France, Spain and Malta. Departures from Messina often has very convenient prices. Compare the itineraries and the prices and depart for your cruise. Messina is located in the north east Sicily, about 90km from Catania and 230 km from Palermo. A lively
and chaotic city, Messina is a real highway of maritime traffic.

In ancient time, the Greeks mythologised the conflicting currents of the Strait of Messina as the twin monsters of Charybdis and Scylla (the six-headed monster). The history of this place is filled with many myths and legends, transforming Messina into a town with a fairy-tale and enigmatic atmosphere. The climate in Messina is Mediterranean: very hot and dry environment but mild in summer and with heavy rainfall in winter.

Messina can be a starting point for excursions to discover Sicily: do not miss Taormina and Giardini-Naxos, two ancient small towns founded by the Greeks rich in charm, history and typical gastronomic and handicrafts products. Here you can do shopping and buy souvenirs for your friends and family. If you are nature and trekking lovers, do not miss the excursions to Mount Etna, one of the largest still active volcanoes in Europe. You will pass through cool forests until you reach the barren peak covered with lava stones from the latest eruptions: a fascinating landscape all year round! In winter, Mount Etna opens its ski facilities while in summer it is a refuge from the heat of the city.

Have a snack with the typical Arancini di Riso (rice balls) or the Pidoni (calzones pizza stuffed with escarole, anchovies and scamorza cheese), and if you love dessert, do not miss the cassata Siciliana or the chocolate cannoli accompanied by a coffee granita with cream! Enjoy your meal and have a goodcruise from Messina.

Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a jewel enclosed between sea and mountains, an en plein air museum to be discovered. Catalonia is an autonomous region whose indipendence has long been a subject of debate and is still a topic that divides opinion in the country. The region has its own language, culture and history, most visible in its Roman ruins, Gothic cathedral and modernist buildings. The city of Barcelona is the emblem of this unique culture. Barcelona is the most cosmopolitan city in Spain and one of the most busiest port in the Mediterranean. In summer, the beautiful beaches of this city are a magnet for beach lovers. Beautiful beaches are not the only the reason why Barcelon is one of the most loved destionations for tourists. 

The city is a symbol of the the artistic, culinary and cultural avant-garde: visit the Sagrada Familia and the other visionary architectural works of Antoni Gaudi, La Pedrera, Casa Batlllò or Park Guell. For sports lovers, a visit to Camp Nou is not to be missed, while for art lovers here is the Picasso Museum, the Caixa Forum, the MNAC or the Miró Museum. If you want to taste the local cuisine, restaurants and bars are the right choice. They are always crowded as the sea in summer. An holiday aboard a cruise offers the opportunity to visit this beautiful city and immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere.