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Gateway to the Mediterranean, a cruise from Turkey's vibrant capital unlocks a journey through the Dardanelles Strait to Greek islands, Croatian beaches, and much, much more.

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Cruises from Istanbul

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Istanbul's Galataport terminal opened in June 2022 and is a unique underground terminal.
Facilities at the cruise terminal include WiFi, toilets, a left luggage service, a taxi rank, and parking. The terminal is surrounded by a large-scale retail and dining complex.
<a title="Istanbul cruise terminal" href="https://galataport.com/en/cruise-port/about-the-port">Find out more about the cruise terminal</a>.

If you are flying to join your cruise, you'll be coming in to <a title="Istanbul International Airport" href="https://istanbul-international-airport.com/">Istanbul International Airport</a>, or <a title="Sabiha Gökçen International Airport" href="https://www.sabihagokcen.aero/homepage">Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport</a>. Also nearby is Atatürk Airport, a smaller airport servicing private aircraft.&nbsp;
<h3>Istanbul International Airport</h3>
Istanbul International Aiport (IST) is the larger of the two commercial airports in the city and you can reach over 200 countries from here. It is a 40km drive north-west of the cruise terminal, which would take around 40 minutes, however traffic can increase journey times, particularly during rush hour and in the airport direction, so plan in plenty of time for delays. Istanbul International Airport has decent transport lines, with bus routes, a Metro station, and taxis and shuttles available.
<h3>Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport</h3>
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport lies around 40km to the south-east of the cruise terminal. Driving between the two can take as little as 40 minutes, but this route includes tolls and bridges which often see traffic, so your journey is likely to be closer to an hour. The airport has shuttle services, a Metro connection and public bus routes.&nbsp;

From Galataport, you can travel around the harbour and upriver via the sea shuttle, which runs regularly. Galataport also boasts tram and bus links into the city.

The Galataport complex includes parking for over 2,400 cars, however this includes the shopping centre and other neighbouring attractions.

The first places most people think of are Rome and Athens, due to their unique historical and cultural sights. Cunard also visits Spain - Barcelona features amazing Gaudi architecture that's well worth a look - Southern France - famous for its vineyards - and Croatia, where lesser-known but just as impressive historic sites await.

What are the best places to visit in the Mediterranean?

The best weather in this region is from April until November, and Cunard visits the Mediterranean within this window. If you're looking for a tan and don't mind the heat, travel in June or July, but if you prefer milder temperatures book your cruise in the autumn months.

What is the best time of year to cruise the Mediterranean?

Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Croatia, and Greece all use the Euro. Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound, (although Pound Sterling and Euros are unofficially accepted in parts).

What is the currency in the Mediterranean?

The Mediterranean has a changeable climate, depending on the season, but dry, hot and sunny days are to be expected in the peak summer months and often during spring and into autumn. It's not out of the question for temperatures to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in July or August while even September and October can herald warm and pleasant weather. If you're hoping to spend time relaxing on some of the Mediterranean's sandy beaches, it's best to avoid travel during November to March when temperatures are cooler and days can be fresh and rainy.

What is the weather like in the Mediterranean?

A variety of languages are spoken in the Mediterranean. In Spain, where Spanish is the official language, you'll also find regional languages including Catalan, Galician, Basque and Occitan. Spanish is also spoken in Gibraltar, even though the official language of Gibraltar is English. Similarly, in Malta both Maltese and English are spoken.
In France the native language is French, in Italy it's Italian, in Greece it's Greek and in Croatia it's Croatian. French is also the official language of Monaco but you'll encounter Italian spoken by much of the population here too.

What languages are spoken in the Mediterranean?

Depending on the time of year, you'll need cool clothes and comfortable shoes for exploring the exciting ports along your journey. A sunhat and sunscreen are a must in the summer months, and would be wise in the autumn too, as the sun can still be strong in September and October. For evenings on deck bring light jackets for when the temperatures cool.
For more details and suggested packing lists, see our special guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-destinations/mediterranean/mediterranean-cruise-packing-guide">what to pack for Mediterranean cruises</a>.

What should I pack for a Mediterranean cruise?

There are twenty sovereign countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea: Spain, Gibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
Cunard typically sails to countries on the Southern European Coast; Spain, Gibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Croatia and Greece. Be sure to check our exciting itineraries for more details.

Which countries are in the Mediterranean?

UK and EU citizens, residents of Schengen countries, plus residents of the US, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan and New Zealand don't currently require a visa to travel to the Mediterranean, provided the duration of stay is less than 90 days.
Some countries within the Mediterranean require a minimum 6-month validity on your passport, so it's advisable to check the local requirements of the countries included in your Mediterranean cruise itinerary.

Will I need a visa for a Mediterranean cruise?

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Cruises from Istanbul

Featured cruises from Istanbul

Istanbul cruise terminals and transport