Top 10 Cruise Destinations in Europe

Would you like to take a trip that takes you to several countries and places? If you're not seasick, then a cruise is the ideal solution. There's something for everyone: themed, festive, cultural or luxury cruises, you're bound to find what you're looking for. Whether it's for a week, two weeks or even several months, whether you want to go far away or discover Europe: there are hundreds of possible itineraries.

In this article, we take a look at some of the finest cruise destinations in Europe, where you can discover the cultural, historical and natural riches of our beautiful continent, while letting yourself be carried along by the waves.

Sail the Norwegian Fjords

Norway's fjords offer spectacular scenery, with steep mountains and impressive waterfalls. It's an ideal destination for lovers of nature, wide open spaces and tranquillity.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Discover Bergen, the gateway to the Fjords, by strolling through its streets and fish market, then take in the sights on Mount Fløyen. Then head for Flåm, a charming little village from which you can take its famous train with spectacular views. Continue on to Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and discover the Seven Sisters waterfalls. If kayaking appeals to you, see if you can take an excursion! The last days of the cruise will take you through Ålesund, Olden and Stavanger.

• Possible port of departure: Bergen, Norway
• Access from Switzerland: Direct flight from Zurich or Geneva to Bergen airport.

Stroll through the Greek Islands

The Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes are famous for their white houses, crystal-clear waters and rich history. A cruise in this region is synonymous with relaxation and discovery (including culinary delights!).

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Leave from Athens and visit the capital, its Acropolis and museums, before setting sail for Mykonos and its windmills. Stop off at Santorini, with its spectacular views and white and blue houses, and the villages of Fira and Oia. Rhodes and its medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will undoubtedly charm you, before finishing with a visit to Crete and its capital, Corfu.

• Possible port of departure: Athens (Piraeus), Greece
• Access from Switzerland: Direct flight from Zurich or Geneva to Athens airport

Discover the Western Mediterranean

Sail the Western Mediterranean and discover its cultural and historical treasures. Cities such as Barcelona, Rome and Marseille offer stopovers rich in history and gastronomy.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Discover the beautiful city of Barcelona, its Parc Güell, the Sagrada Familia and stroll along Las Ramblas before taking the boat to Marseille. Don't forget to dine on a delicious bouillabaisse before continuing your cruise to Nice and enjoying the charm of the Côte d'Azur. Head for Italy and Livorno to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the treasures of Florence, then take an excursion to Rome. Head back to the sea in Naples, and don't forget to try the Neapolitan pizza just before discovering the ruins of Pompeii. Finish the itinerary in Spain.

• Possible port of departure: Barcelona, Spain
• Access from Switzerland: Direct flight from Zurich or Geneva to Barcelona-El Prat airport

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Sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean

Sailing in this region takes you to destinations such as Croatia, Malta and Slovenia. You can explore historic cities like Dubrovnik and Ravenna, while enjoying the magnificent scenery of the Adriatic Sea.

• Sample one-week itinerary:

Start off with THE romantic city par excellence, Venice, and visit St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and take a gondola ride. Then on to Split, Croatia, with its Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue with a visit to Dubrovnik, then on to Montenegro, a less touristy but equally interesting destination with Kotor and the fortress of St. John. Continue to Greece with Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, where the cruise ends.

• Possible port of departure: Venice, Italy
• Access from Switzerland: Direct flight from Zurich or Geneva to Venice Marco Polo airport.

The Balearic Islands

Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza are popular destinations for cruises in Europe. These islands offer magnificent beaches, lively nightlife and a rich local culture. A change of scenery not far from Switzerland!

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Leaving from Palma de Majorca, the capital where you can see the cathedral, the Almudaina palace and the old town, take the boat to Ibiza. Far from being a purely festive island, it also offers beautiful natural scenery, and Ibiza's old town is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then head for Formentera and its white sandy beaches, before calling in at Menorca. Visit Valencia on the east coast, then return to Palma.

• Possible port of departure: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Access from Switzerland: Fly direct from Zurich or Geneva to Palma de Mallorca airport.

The Amalfi Coast

Italy's Amalfi Coast is famous for its picturesque clifftop villages, pebble beaches and turquoise waters. Stopovers in Amalfi, Positano and Capri are a must.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Start by discovering Naples, its famous pizzas and historic center, before setting sail for Sorrento, a charming town perched on the cliffs. Continue on to Amalfi, with its Cathedral of St. Andrew, its pebble beaches... Then on to Positano, with its magnificent colorful houses and beautiful beaches. The last few days will take you to Capri and Salerno, before returning to Naples.

• Possible departure port: Naples, Italy
• Access from Switzerland: Fly direct from Zurich or Geneva to Naples airport.

The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa, offer a pleasant year-round climate, volcanic landscapes and black sand beaches. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are popular stopovers.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Start directly in the Canaries from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and sail to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There, visit the historic district of Vegueta, relax on the Las Canteras beach and stroll through the Viera y Clavijo botanical garden. The next day, stop off at Fuerteventura and its white sandy beaches, then head for Lanzarote, famous for its volcanic landscapes, Timanfaya National Park and the Jameos del Agua caves. The cruise ends with a visit to Santa Cruz de La Palma and La Gomera.

• Possible port of departure: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
• Access from Switzerland: Direct flight from Zurich or Geneva to Tenerife South airport.
   

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Freshness on the Baltic Sea

A Baltic Sea cruise will take you to historic cities such as Stockholm, Copenhagen and St. Petersburg. This region is rich in culture and history.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

First discover the capital Copenhagen, visiting its Tivol Gardens and Amalienborg Palace. Sail on to Helsinki and explore the capital while admiring Senate Square and the cathedral. Stop off in Tallinn, Estonia, with its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, then on to Riga and Stockholm before returning to Copenhagen.

• Port of departure: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Access from Switzerland: Fly direct from Zurich or Geneva to Copenhagen airport.

Corsica and Sardinia

These emblematic Mediterranean islands offer wild, unspoilt landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. From Porto-Vecchio to Cagliari, every stop is a discovery.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

Leaving Ajaccio, head south for Bonifacio, a superb town perched on the cliffs, where you can visit the marine cemetery or the Royal Staircase of Aragon. Head for the Maddalena archipelago in Sardinia, a national marine park with the Caprera Islands ideal for snorkeling. Short stopover at Porto Cervo before discovering Olbia and finally Alghero.

• Possible port of departure: Marseille, France
• Access from Switzerland: Direct flight from Zurich or Geneva to Marseille-Provence airport.

The British Islands

A cruise around the British Isles will take you to cities such as Dublin, Edinburgh and London. Admire historic castles and lush green landscapes.

• Sample itinerary for a week:

From Southampton, set sail for the magnificent city of Edinburgh in Scotland: its castle, Holyrood Church and the Royal Mile are sure to charm you. Head for the Scottish Highlands and its famous Loch Ness, before heading for Belfast in Northern Ireland. For the last few days, finish off with Dublin, Liverpool and return to Southampton.

• Possible port of departure: Southampton, England
• Access from Switzerland: Fly direct from Zurich or Geneva to London Heathrow Airport, then take the train to Southampton.

Make sure you're covered before you cruise

Before leaving on a cruise, it's essential to take out cruise travel insurance. The cost of a cruise can be high, and in the event of cancellation, not all your expenses will necessarily be reimbursed by the company. Taking out travel insurance will cover you in this case, as well as offering you other guarantees: luggage coverage, 24-hour assistance, medical care abroad and repatriation.

Find out more about our temporary and annual travel insurance by clicking here.