The Mediterranean is a journey for your senses. You can relive your favorite scenes from Roman Holiday and follow Audrey Hepburn’s path up the Spanish Steps with a refreshing gelato in hand. You can lose an afternoon wandering the colorful buildings that dot the Mediterranean Sea, stopping for pizza that overlooks endless ocean. You can find your rhythm on a Greek island that started the myth of Atlantis, then dine amid soaring white and blue buildings. 

Everywhere you go here, you’ll uncover picture-perfect beaches and bustling cities steeped in stories. So, what are you waiting for? Step inside some of our favorite Mediterranean destinations and explore what you can do while you’re there. 

Tour a place loved by artists and architects in Rome

There’s a reason so many great minds have come to this city seeking inspiration. As the ancient capital of the Western World, Rome provides a feast of things to do. Visit the place that hosted gatherings during the Roman Republic at the impressive Forum. Tour the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Climb the Spanish Steps for a classic photo of Rome, then end your walk with a coin toss into the Trevi Fountain.

Excursion highlights: Travel back in time 2,000 years and enter catacombs that take you beneath Rome’s streets, get inside the mind of Leonardo da Vinci or tour the medieval city of Orvieto in the Italian countryside and visit a 13th-century cathedral lined with dazzling mosaic work.

Mark Italy’s third-largest city off your must-see list in Naples

Naples is a bustling metropolis with culture and customs that date back centuries. It’s also your gateway to some of the Mediterranean’s most memorable sights. From here, it’s easy to access the sparkling blue waters and dramatic coastline of Capri, tour the charming cities along the Amalfi Coast or check out a feat of preservation dating back to 79 A.D. at the ruins of Pompeii. Any day in Naples is made better by tasting your way through the pizza restaurants and choosing your favorite rendition.

Excursion highlights: Discover the beautiful Bay of Naples with a scenic drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii. While you’re there, you can take a two-hour guided tour of the archaeological excavations buried beneath ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. You’ll continue to lunch, stroll Sorrento’s flower-lined boulevard and spend time in Positano, a picturesque town built into a sheer cliff lined with pastel houses. It's all ahead on our Ultimate Bay of Naples: Pompeii, Positano & Amalfi Coast tour.

Soak up the Greek island life in Santorini

In 1600 B.C., a catastrophic volcanic eruption created a caldera that resulted in some of the most breathtaking seascapes in the Mediterranean. On this beloved Greek island, whitewashed buildings cling to cliffs that plunge toward a turquoise sea. Get lost in the cobblestone streets, eat seafood with ocean views, visit volcanos or just sit back and admire some of the best sunsets of your life.

Excursion highlights: Experience the Ultimate Santorini with a seven-hour tour, which takes you to the ancient ruins of Akrotiri — a site unearthed 3,500 years after a volcanic eruption. Stroll through scenic Oia, visit a vineyard specializing in world-renowned wines produced on volcanic soil and check out the views atop Pyrgos Village (where you might spot a Venetian castle). 

Behold ancient wonders in Ephesus

Walk through what once was at the port of Kusadai on Turkey’s Anatolian Coast, which paves the way to the ruins of Ephesus, a major site of archeological excavation. This Roman provincial capital from long ago hosts some of Christendom’s holiest sites and stories. The palm-lined esplanade marks the heart of the town here, with thousands of merchants offering wares that rival the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Excursion highlights: Explore the Best of Ephesus with a full-day excursion. Visit The House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John, pass through the arched Magnesian Gate and walk the ruins of the Roman provincial capital. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Temple of Hadrian, the Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, the Celsus Library and the Great Theater. You’ll also have a chance to marvel the Terrace Houses where wealthy citizens once lived, then head back to Kusadasi for the chance to shop local bazaars.

Go for the gold in Katakolon 

Many of the sites near Katakolon play a big role in history, but they start from a small fishing village. This town of 300 people is your gateway to Olympia, where the original Olympic Games were held between 776 B.C. and 393 A.D. While Emperor Theodosius eventually banned the games—and an earthquake in the 6th century compounded the destruction—you can still tour the ruins here, which were declared a national park in 1976.

Excursion highlights: Behold the Best of Olympia with a visit to the Temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Temple of Hera is also yours to explore, as is the stadium where the Olympics began nearly 1,500 years ago. You’ll also visit the Ancient Olympic Games Museum and conclude with an authentic Greek lunch in the modern village of Olympia.

The Mediterranean is even more inspiring with Princess

Unpack once to see the best of this beautiful region. Make the most of every travel day with Princess. Getting from place to place is relaxing with world-class dining, dazzling entertainment and sweeping views of rugged and romantic coast. You’ll feel right at home as you head into the past with modern accommodations.