Shoulder Season: the Best Time to Cruise the Mediterranean?

Windstar

You may be hesitant to try the Mediterranean in winter, but exploring somewhere like Italy grants you a totally new perspective on the country's famously tourist-filled cities. Windstar's winter Mediterranean cruises, departing between November and March, offer a huge variety of voyages on routes between Rome, Barcelona, Venice and Athens and we've received fantastic feedback on these sailings so far.

Our favourites include the January sailings between Venice and Rome that also visit the fascinating walled city of Dubrovnik, one of our favourite ports in the Med. Or, for a little more heat, opt for a Spain voyage in March, where you can try paella in Valencia, stroll historic sites in Cartagena and enjoy overnights in Barcelona and Málaga for a fantastic Spanish getaway without the crowds.

Silversea

Silversea also offer multiple sailings throughout the shoulder season through October and November, ending at the start of December and restarting in mid-March.

Guests have the chance to explore unique islands such as historic Malta and rugged Sicily on board their intimate ships, with overnights in cities such as Seville for rich history and culinary gems, as well as several Athens round trips that take in such delights as the iconic domes of Santorini without the swarms of tourists, ancient ruins in Rhodes and Turkey's incredible Ephesus

Seabourn

Seabourn, too, keep their ships in the Med until the end of November, restarting at the end of February, on a huge variation of one-, two-, three- and even fourweek sailings taking in the delights of Spain, France, Italy, Malta and Turkey.

We particularly like the Riviera sailings that call in at icons such as St Tropez and Portofino as well as lesser-known gems like the 'sixth town' of the Cinque Terre, Portovenere; the bustling fishing village of Spain's Palamós; and the beautiful Italian island of Elba.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys' stunning ships also sail the region on Athens and Barcelona round trips until the end of November allowing you to see Spain and Portugal's most famous cities in a whole new light, with overnights in Lisbon and its colourful cityscape of Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums.

They also offer Greece and Turkey itineraries that call in at glamorous Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini without summer's crowds, as well as the stunning volcanic island of Milos, ringed by pretty beaches and scattered with charming villages.

Crystal

Crystal's autumn voyages run until the end of November between Rome, Venice, Lisbon, Athens and Barcelona on a variety of routes with overnights in colourful Barcelona and charming Livorno allowing you time to venture inland to the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent has some wonderful cruises in October and November 2024 and 2025, some of which are part of their new 'Immersive Overnights' collection of itineraries featuring overnights in every port of call, and evening shore excursions to explore iconic cities from a different perspective in ports such as Kotor, Rome, Venice and Athens.

Yacht cruises

Sleek, luxury yacht-style cruising also lends itself perfectly to the hidden coves and harbours of the Med, and Emerald Yacht Cruises have autumn sailings until mid-November on board their intimate 100-guest Emerald Azzurra, including cruises between Athens and Dubrovnik for a transit of the narrow Corinth Canal before exploring ancient sites in Greece and Albania and the atmospheric walled cities of Kotor and Dubrovnik.

SeaDream Yacht Club and their 112-guest al fresco-style yachts also offer a variety of Med sailings in October, an excellent time to take advantage of their wine voyages that include exclusive tastings at renowned wineries and special complementary menus.