Western Mediterranean

The Must-sees of the trip

1. BarcelonaThe coastal city of Barcelona, one of the Mediterranean’s liveliest cruise ports, is famous for its iconic architecture, colourful culture and world-famous restaurants and bars. Discover Antoni Gaudi’s remarkable Sagrada Familia church, the famous Las Ramblas boulevard, the medieval Barri Gotic neighbourhood and the Picasso Museum. But this beautiful Spanish city, which is a common stopover on MSC Mediterranean cruises, has much more to offer: from mysterious tapas bars to fabulous food markets and the largest football stadium in the world. Choose your favourite from a list of unforgettable MSC Cruises excursions, including: Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the Montserrat massif and Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey or the Camp Nou stadium.
2. MarseilleMany millennia of human and natural activity have made Marseille the city it is today. When you arrive at the harbour, you can see the curved, mountainous coastline that forms the gateway to the Mediterranean and makes Marseille a cultural hub. The terracotta roofs, turquoise sea, limestone cliffs and local street art create a unique landscape. Although Marseille is the second largest city in France, its inhabitants describe it as 111 villages. The best way to visit Marseille is with a local guide who can show you the city’s best spots. On excursions to Marseille, you can discover hidden treasures, such as the model ships hanging from the ceiling in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. Marvel at Marseille Cathedral, which towers over the ocean. Stroll through the old port, admire the sea and linger on a café terrace. Explore the Palais Longchamp, which was built to commemorate the arrival of water in Marseille. Observe the limestone cliffs in the Calanques National Park.
3. GenoaGenoa is a wonderfully eclectic and vibrant city, full of a somewhat rough-and-tumble style: perfect for an excursion. The city was nicknamed “La Superba” (the beautiful one) because in its heyday it was a true superpower in the Mediterranean. The city offers more mystery and intrigue than all other coastal towns put together. Use your holiday in Genoa to explore the old town, a dense and fascinating labyrinth of medieval alleyways with grand palaces built in the 16th and 17th centuries by wealthy Genoese merchant families and now converted into museums and art galleries. Look out for the Cathedral of St Lawrence, the Doge’s Palace and the Renaissance palaces in Via Garibaldi, where Genoa’s finest art collections, furniture and decorative pieces from the city’s glory days, when its ships sailed to all corners of the Mediterranean, are on display.