Rome to Lisbon

Rome's ancient maritime gateway since the Emperor Trajan commissioned its harbour in 106 AD, Civitavecchia is the natural prologue to the Eternal City — just seventy minutes southeast by express rail. The port's Renaissance fortress, designed in part by Michelangelo, anchors a working waterfront that has welcomed travellers for millennia. Beyond Rome's unmissable monuments, consider an afternoon in the Civitavecchia thermal baths, drawing on mineral waters prized since antiquity. Spring and autumn offer the ideal balance of mild weather and manageable crowds for exploring the capital's layered history.

Salerno is a historic Campanian port city nestled between the Amalfi Coast and Cilento National Park, home to Europe's first medieval medical school and a magnificent Romanesque cathedral with Byzantine bronze doors. Visitors should not miss the Lungomare Trieste promenade at sunset and a plate of hand-rolled scialatielli ai frutti di mare in the atmospheric old town. The mild Mediterranean climate makes Salerno enchanting year-round, though late spring through early autumn offers the most luminous light and the fullest expression of its coastal character.

Taormina is a cliffside Sicilian jewel 200 meters above the Ionian Sea, featuring an ancient Greek theater with Mount Etna as its backdrop, the exquisite Isola Bella bay, and some of Sicily's finest cuisine. Must-dos include a performance at the Teatro Antico, the cable car to Isola Bella, and tasting Etna volcanic wines. April through June and September through October offer ideal temperatures.

Golfo Aranci is a charming Sardinian fishing town at the gateway to the Costa Smeralda, blessed with crystalline waters, dolphin-frequented bays, and authentic Mediterranean character. Must-dos include tasting fregola with clams and Vermentino di Gallura wine at waterfront restaurants, boat trips to the Maddalena Archipelago, and swimming in the protected coves of Capo Figari. June through September offers the warmest seas, with May and September providing quieter conditions.

Purpose-built as a Medici utopia in the late sixteenth century, Livorno was conceived from the outset as a city without discrimination — its founding Leggi Livornine granted equal rights to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and merchants of every nation, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Renaissance Europe. Today, the Venetian-style canals of the Venezia Nuova quarter reflect colourful palazzi with a distinctly faded glamour, while the Mercato Centrale's fish counters display the cacciucco ingredients — a robust Livornese brodetto of five sea creatures — that make this port city a pilgrimage for serious eaters. Day trips to Pisa and Lucca are effortless from here. The season runs April through October.

Ajaccio, the vibrant capital of Corsica, enchants visitors with its rich history as Napoleon's birthplace and its stunning coastal views. Don't miss trying local delicacies like figatellu and brocciu, and explore the nearby picturesque villages. The best season to visit is during the mild spring or fall months, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are fewer.

Saint-Tropez is the legendary Côte d'Azur fishing port turned global glamour destination, where Provençal authenticity endures beneath the mythology of yachts and celebrities. Must-dos include browsing the Musée de l'Annonciade's Fauvist masterpieces, tasting tarte tropézienne and fresh-caught rouget, and strolling the Sentier du Littoral coastal path to hidden coves. May through June and September through October offer the best weather with fewer crowds.

Sète is a canal-laced fishing port on France's Languedoc coast, built around the terminus of the Canal du Midi and crowned by the panoramic heights of Mont Saint-Clair. Visitors should not miss the iconic *tielle sétoise* pastry paired with Bouzigues oysters at the covered market, and the contemplative walk through the Cimetière Marin above the Mediterranean. Late spring through early autumn offers the finest conditions, with September bringing warm seas, golden light, and the spirited jousting tournaments on the canal that have defined Sète's character for over three hundred years.

Palma de Mallorca announces itself with one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in the world — La Seu, its honey-coloured sandstone buttresses rising directly from the bay, its interior modified by Antoni Gaudí and illuminated by the world's largest Gothic rose window. The old town behind it is a quarter of Arab baths, Renaissance palaces converted into boutique hotels, and the Passeig del Born — a plane-tree-shaded promenade where Balearic life conducts itself with unhurried grace. The local ensaïmada pastry and fresh sobrasada sausage from the island's black pigs are essential breakfast rituals. Visit May, June, or September: warm, brilliant, and measurably calmer than the July–August peak.

Barcelona is the city where Roman history, Gothic grandeur, and Gaudí's delirious Modernisme collide in a Mediterranean coastal capital of astonishing energy and beauty. The Sagrada Família — still under construction after 140 years — continues its audacious ascent toward completion, while the Gothic Quarter's Roman-era foundations and the Passeig de Gràcia's extraordinary concentration of Modernisme masterpieces reward days of exploration. For a complete sensory experience, lose an afternoon in the covered labyrinth of La Boqueria market before descending to the waterfront for Catalan seafood at its finest. May through June and September through October offer the most pleasant weather; the city connects directly to Paris by overnight train.

Palma de Mallorca announces itself with one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in the world — La Seu, its honey-coloured sandstone buttresses rising directly from the bay, its interior modified by Antoni Gaudí and illuminated by the world's largest Gothic rose window. The old town behind it is a quarter of Arab baths, Renaissance palaces converted into boutique hotels, and the Passeig del Born — a plane-tree-shaded promenade where Balearic life conducts itself with unhurried grace. The local ensaïmada pastry and fresh sobrasada sausage from the island's black pigs are essential breakfast rituals. Visit May, June, or September: warm, brilliant, and measurably calmer than the July–August peak.

Alicante, a historic port city on Spain's Costa Blanca, captivates visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional paella by the seaside and exploring the bustling Mercado Central. The best time to visit is during the spring or early fall when the weather is pleasantly warm and the city is alive with festivities.

Cartagena, Spain, is a storied Mediterranean port city founded by the Carthaginians in 227 BC, where a spectacularly preserved Roman Theatre and Modernista architecture reveal layers of civilisation along a sheltered natural harbour. Visitors should not miss the caldero rice at a harbourside restaurant and a morning exploring the archaeological quarter from the Roman Forum to the Punic Wall. The mild Murcian climate makes autumn through late spring ideal, when temperatures invite leisurely wandering without the intensity of high summer.

Almeria, Spain is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Azamara. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is May through September, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Málaga distils three thousand years of Mediterranean civilisation into one of Andalusia's most compelling port cities, where the Moorish Alcazaba fortress surveys a modern waterfront of elegant promenades and sun-drenched café terraces. Do not leave without visiting the Museo Picasso — the artist was born here in 1881 — and ascending to the ruined Castillo de Gibralfaro for panoramic views stretching to the Rif Mountains of Morocco on clear days. Malagueta anchovies fried in olive oil and the sweet Pedro Ximénez-laced dessert wine are the city's defining pleasures. The shoulder seasons of April, May, and October offer perfect Mediterranean warmth.

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory perched at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic beneath an iconic limestone monolith steeped in over a millennium of contested history. No visit is complete without ascending the Rock to encounter the Barbary macaques and the panoramic views stretching to North Africa, followed by a plate of calentita — the territory's beloved Genoese-heritage chickpea bake — at a Main Street bakery. The mild Mediterranean climate makes Gibraltar a rewarding port call year-round, though spring and early autumn offer the clearest skies for spotting whales and dolphins in the Strait.

Tangier is Morocco's storied gateway between Africa and Europe, a city of Phoenician origins where a whitewashed medina, vibrant souks, and a cosmopolitan waterfront converge at the Strait of Gibraltar. Visitors should not miss savouring traditional pastilla in a rooftop riad and exploring the Kasbah's amber-lit ramparts at sunset. The ideal season to arrive is April through June or September through October, when mild Mediterranean temperatures and fewer crowds allow the city's layered beauty to reveal itself at an unhurried, luxurious pace.

Seville’s port is a vibrant gateway to Andalusia, steeped in history and cultural richness. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in local tapas and experience a traditional flamenco performance. The best time to visit is during the spring, when the city bursts into life with festivals and pleasant weather.

Portimão is the Algarve's most storied port city, where Phoenician trading heritage meets golden-cliff beaches and Portugal's finest grilled sardine tradition along the Arade River. Visitors should not miss the charcoal-grilled sardines at the riverside churrasqueiras and the dramatic sandstone formations of Praia da Rocha. The port is at its luminous best from May through October, when long Atlantic days bathe the coastline in honeyed light and the August Sardine Festival electrifies the waterfront.

Lisbon, Portugal's enchanting capital, stands out for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. Must-try experiences include savoring local dishes like bacalhau à brás and pastéis de nata at Mercado da Ribeira. The best time to visit is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the city is alive with festivals and events.