Best Things to Do in Mediterranean Sea

1. Florence

Where art, food, and wine meet. While not directly on the coast, Florence is included in many Mediterranean tours because of its importance to Italian cuisine and culture. The capital of the famous Tuscan region in central Italy, Florence was the epicenter for the Italian Renaissance and features some of the most important pieces created by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. 

Visitors to Florence will fall in love with the city’s romantic and medieval atmosphere, bustling and rich food and wine scene, and all of the amazing sites to see in this famous city. 

2. French Riviera

There is no better place in the Mediterranean to pamper yourself and experience the lifestyle of the rich and famous than the French Riviera. The French Riviera, or the Cote d’Azur,  is the stretch of coastline in southeastern France from the city of Cassis to the Italian border. The most famous cities and regions on the Riviera are Nice, Cannes, and the Principality of Monaco. 

Characterized by expansive beaches, crystal clear water, and sheer cliff sides, Cote d’Azur first rose to prominence in the 1800s as a winter resort area. Today this area still draws in visitors with its landscapes, hotels, and casinos. 

3. Barcelona 

As Spain’s Gothic gem, Barcelona represents the mixture of cultures coming together. Influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, Spanish culture, and Catalan pride, Barcelona is one of the top destinations in all of Europe. Travelers to Barcelona will love the city’s historic central neighborhoods, especially the Gothic Quarter featuring iron balconies, small alleyways, and cozy cafes. 

One of the top things to see in Barcelona are the many works by its most famous son, Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi was a Modernism architect who designed many buildings in the city and his most famous piece is the nature-inspired cathedral La Sagrada Familia. 

4. Rome 

“The Eternal City.” Rome’s history dates back thousands of years and was the birthplace of two of the most powerful empires the world has seen, the Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Steeped in history around every corner, Rome is a history lover’s dream and a classic stop on most Italy tours. Ancient ruins stand next to apartment buildings and former stadiums are now used as running tracks. 

With so many sites to see, where do you even start? Attractions usually included on tours of Rome are the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. 

5. Alexandria

Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C., this Egyptian city has been one of the central hubs in both Egypt and the Mediterranean. In ancient times, the city played a key role in trade and the spread of culture throughout the region by both Alexander and the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. The city is a combination of Egyptian, Greek, and Arab cultures with temples and houses resembling each era. 

Today the city acts as a starting point for many exhibitions and tours into Egypt since it sits at the delta of the Nile and is one of the main economic centers for the country. 

6. Marrakech

Lose yourself in the ancient medina of this colorful and lively Moroccan city. Marrakech is the capital of the northwestern African country of Morocco. The city is known for its oasis feel as the city popped up out of the desert in the 11th century.

Palm trees surround this walled city with its medina, or old quarter, that houses the city’s largest marketplace. Make sure to check out the Jema el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, and the Jardin Majorelle before you leave to see the stunning Moorish architecture and medieval lifestyle that gave life to this city.

7. Athens 

The home of democracy, geometry, the Olympics, Astronomy, and so much more. Greece’s capital city has been around for thousands of years and has contributed so much to the modern world. You can walk the hallowed lanes of the Greek Agora where democracy was first whispered, climb the steps of the ancient Acropolis, or visit the stadium of the modern Olympics. 

In addition to the ancient and historical landmarks around the city, Athens is also known for its shopping and nightlife. The neighborhood of Plaka is full of Greek and international cafes and on almost every building around the Acropolis you can find a rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. 

8. Petra

Visit the wonders of man in this terraced city in Jordan. Situated between the Red and Dead Seas, the city was crafted by the Nabateans and became a major trade station on the Silk Road. Traders from the West and the East would travel and meet in this city and left their influence on the region. Petra is most famous for its architecture.

Carved and built into the rockside, the city is one of the most important architectural pieces from the Ancient World. The most visited areas of the site are the Treasury, the Siq, and the Royal Tombs. 

9. Istanbul

The city that brought together the East and the West. Istanbul sits on the Bosphorus Strait that connects Asia and Europe in the Sea of Marmara that connects to the Mediterranean. The city has seen a long history of civilizations from Rome to the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the city you can find pieces for every part of its past. 

The city is also a religious center as well. Mosques, temples, and churches are scattered throughout the city. The most famous attraction in the city, the Hagia Sophia, reflects this storied past it was once a church and a mosque before its modern-day version of a museum. 

10. Kotor

Located at the end of the Bay of Kotor just off the Mediterranean, Kotor is one of the hidden gems of the Balkans. Once a major trade and center for the Venetian Empire, Kotor has grown to become one of the top destinations in the Mediterranean. 

You’ll love the old Venetian old town with its small shops and cafes, the adventurous hike up the Kotor Fortress Walls, and the 360 degree views of this fantastical southern “fjord” from both the bay below and the mountains above.