"Walkable" Mediterranean Cruise Ports?

[js10]

Greetings--As always, thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.  Taking my first Mediterranean cruise on Princess next year.  Our ports of call include Marseille, Genoa, La Spezia, Rome, Naples, Santorini, Istanbul and Mykonos.  Will definitely take an excursion in Rome and Istanbul but interested in knowing if any of the remaining ports are walkable from the ship to anything of interest.  

Thanks,

js10

[euro cruiser]

Naples certainly is, the cruise port is located in the historic center of town.

[cruisemom42]

Istanbul is actually very walkable/ easy to get around if you invest a few minutes in learning how to use the local tram. Traffic is so terrible that bus tours aren’t always the most efficient use of time.

 

Mykonos is quite easy to do on your own. Santorini WOULD be easy if it were not for the overcrowding and the cable car issues.

 

[Senga]

Genoa was wonderful and easy to do on your own.  The Tourist Information booth right outside the lovely Stazione Marittima was an excellent source of information and maps.  The metro station opposite the port is named 'Principe'. Exit the cruise terminal building and walk under the autostrada flyover, cross the road and walk northwards up the road opposite in the direction of the bus stops/bus station. The metro station is directly behind the bus station (hopefully you will see the 'M' sign). This is about a 2 or 3 minutes walk from the cruise terminal building.  Take the escalator or steps down to the metro station and the line heading towards 'De Farrari', which is 4 stops. De Ferrari station is right in the centre of the city from where you can walk round at leisure.  The metro in Genova is free between the hours of 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM.  According to the official website, this is an "experiment", so don't assume it will still be in effect when you are there, check to be sure.

 

On our return to Principe we stopped at San Giorgio Metro station and had a walk around this lovely area.  When we were there in September the escalators at this Metro station were out of order.

[Over from NZ]

Mykonos & Santorini very walkable. Mykonos for example, the old harbour, little Venice, the windmills.. the old town.. all very compact and walkable. La Spezia is walkable.. but.. it's the gateway to the CT if you're wanting to go there. It's handy to Porto Venere which is amazing. It would be a shame to waste such a port. Marseille.. you can wander round.. but you're then likely to end up like many cruisers that go.. "meh.. that was a bit average". It serves them right - it doesn't have to be average. It can be a great port if they put the effort in. Last time there, we went to Avignon, The Palace of the Popes, the Pont du Gard and others from Marseille and it was excellent. Naples is walkable.. but it's also got so many options from Pompeii.. to the Amalfi Coast. 

[alserrod]

Santorini, you will disembark by render. The port is really small.

The city is more than 300m over and you can choose either walking or a cable car.

 

[edinburgher]

On 10/8/2023 at 5:35 PM, js10 said:

knowing if any of the remaining ports are walkable from the ship to anything of interest.  

Marseille is definitely not near anything in the city itself as the port at Fos is some way out. Most cruiselines will run shuttle buses from the terminal to a location either alongside or very close to the Vieux Port which is very central and a good base from which to beigin sightseeing.  Note that the shuttle bus option may not be announced until the day or evening before arrival as they want you to book a shorex.  You could ask on the forum for your cruiseline if shuttles ran, also the dropping off/pick up point and the cost. Once you are in the city, some suggestions.

 

It is easy to spend time around the Vieux Port, itself worth a visit in its own right .And if already in the area next to the Vieux Port, you could wander into the historic  Fort St Jean, part of which is free entry.From here you can cross a footbridge to the ultra modern MUCEM complex.on the waterside which is worth visiting.  (as an aside, your shuttle bus may drop off and pick up from here or  close to it) It is mostly outdoors with walkways and terraces, and some lovely views of the Vieux Port, Notre Dame de la Garde and the Med.  it is a public space and can be enjoyed free of charge by anyone whether local or visitor unless you choose to enter any of the paying exhibitions.  There are seating areas, and cafes and restaurants  and it is a lovely place to stroll whilst admiring the views.  And from there you will be able to see the huge Cathedral de la Major a 5 minute walk away across the road.  It merits a short visit and has free entry.  There is more than enough to see and do which is also easy due to their locations being in close proximity to each other.

 

There are also short  boat trips on offer from the Vieux Port going to the Chateau d'If (think Count of Monte Cristo) and a couple of other tiny islands, and longer ones to the Calanques of Cassis.  And one of those little tourist trains which tootles around and  goes up to Notre dame de la Garde for the wonderful views, also a couple of HOHOS. The little train and the HOHOs leave from close to the "Hotel de Ville", the historic and rather grand building with the flags out front around half way along the Vieux Port.  And a few museums close by too. . And the nearby shopping is excellent.

 

There is more than enough to see and do which is also easy due to their locations being in close proximity to each other, you only need the shuttle bus to get you there.