Eastern Mediterranean: 8 days from Piraeus, Athens to Barcelona

Day 5

At sea

Day 6

valletta, malta

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

Day 7

At sea

Day 8

barcelona, spain

Arrival: 05:00

Day 1

athens (piraeus), greece

Departure: 17:00

Piraeus is a port city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens urban area, 8 kilometres southwest from its city centre (municipality of Athens), and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf. According to the 2011 census, Piraeus had a population of 163,688 people within its administrative limits, making it the fifth largest municipality in Greece and the second largest within the urban area of the Greek capital, following the municipality of Athens. The municipality of Piraeus and four other suburban municipalities form the regional unit of Piraeus which sometimes called Greater Piraeus area, with a total population of 448,997, and is part οf Athens urban area. Piraeus has a long recorded history, dating to ancient Greece. The city was founded in the early 5th century BC, when this area was selected to become the new port of classical Athens and was built as a prototype harbour, concentrating all the import and transit trade of Athens. During the Golden Age of Athens the Long Walls were constructed to fortify Athens and its port (Piraeus). Consequently, it became the chief harbour of ancient Greece, but declined gradually after the 3rd century B.C., growing once more in the 19th century, after Athens' declaration as the capital of Greece. In the modern era, Piraeus is a large city, bustling with activity and an integral part of Athens, acting as home to the country's biggest harbour and bearing all the characteristics of a huge marine and commercial-industrial center. The port of Piraeus is the chief port in Greece, the largest passenger port in Europe and the second largest in the world, servicing about 20 million passengers annually. With a throughput of 1.4 million TEUs, Piraeus is placed among the top ten ports in container traffic in Europe and the top container port in the Eastern Mediterranean. The municipality hosted events in both the 1896 and 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens. The University of Piraeus is one of the largest Greek universities and has the country's second-oldest business school, as well as the oldest academic department in the area of finance.

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Day 2

mykonos, greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 18:00

Mykonos is one of the most popular destinations in the Greek Cyclades, located in the heart of the Aegean Sea. Since the 1960s, when artists and bohemians first discovered the island, it has grown into one of Greece’s most stylish holiday spots, known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.

The island’s main town, Mykonos Town (Chora), is famous for its maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses with blue details, boutique shops and excellent restaurants. During the day, visitors relax on the island’s beaches, while at night the town comes alive with beach clubs, cocktail bars and lively nightlife that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Mykonos is also a great base for island hopping. From the harbour, you can easily visit nearby islands such as Santorini or the historic island of Delos, making it easy to explore more of the Cyclades during the same trip.

Travelling from Spain is simple, with some direct flights from Madrid. If there are no direct options available, the island is also easily reached with a short connection via Athens.

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Day 3

santorini, greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 22:00

Santorini – a romantic Greek escape

Santorini, a stunning Greek island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, was shaped by a massive volcanic eruption in 1450 BC, leaving a dramatic caldera that rises above the waves — a breathtaking sight from the island’s clifftops. With Greece’s long, warm summers, it’s perfect for a holiday from May to October.

The island is pure Greek charm, with whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, endless vineyards and charming towns. Thira, the capital, sits atop the caldera rim, while Oia is famous for its unforgettable sunsets — ideal for couples seeking romance.

On the east coast, Kamari and Perissa offer silky black-sand beaches, watersports and easy access to Thira, combining a more affordable stay with spectacular views.

With TUI, you can also create an island-hopping holiday, combining Santorini with Mykonos for even more beaches, nightlife and iconic Cycladic scenery, making it a perfect romantic escape.

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Day 4

ephesus (kusadasi), turkey

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

Kusadasi is a coastal resort town in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey. It is a popular tourist destination, for its many beaches and for being Turkey's busiest cruise port, with many cruise ship passengers heading to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the major and best preserved Greco-Roman sites in Turkey. There are some good beaches both south and north of Kusadasi. All beaches are commercialized with hotels surrounding them. South of Kusadasi is the ladies beach, lost paradise beach and the long beach. Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, a fascinating ancient city with baths, gyms, acoustic theatre and temples, arches and much more. The Roman Ruins at Ephesus are spectacular. In town visit the City Walls, Kaleiçi Camii, the Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai and Guvercin Adası peninsula. Kusadasi is one of Turkey's more cosmopolitan and lively resorts.

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Day 6

valletta, malta

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

The tiny capital of Malta, the city measures less than 1 sq km, has a lot to offer visitors. Valletta has been described as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world, thanks to its 7,000 years of history. No wonder, the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knight of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for its military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later embellished into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and glorious palazzi sit alongside bars and shop. Lately, the city has undergone some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Proof of this are the 19 historical warehouses still stand dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their wares. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, bars and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when illuminated. There are tons of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.

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Day 8

barcelona, spain

Arrival: 05:00

Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, is a mesmerizing blend of rich history, cutting-edge architecture, and boundless energy. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Serra de Collserola mountains, this cosmopolitan city boasts an eclectic mix of cultural influences, from its ancient Roman roots to the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí. Visitors are drawn to its bustling streets, iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, world-class museums, and lively food scene offering everything from traditional tapas to avant-garde cuisine. With its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and lively nightlife, Barcelona exudes an irresistible charm that captivates all who wander its enchanting streets.

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What you should know:

Itinerary

The order of the ports may vary depending on the date of departure.
Check your itinerary for exact departure and arrival times. The hours correspond to the local time of the port.
Itineraries can change at any time without prior notice.

Boarding and landing

For safety reasons, all passengers must board 2 hours before departure on day 1 of the cruise.
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on the last day of the cruise.

TUI Portugal

Eastern Mediterranean: 8 days from Piraeus, Athens to Barcelona

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