One of the world’s oldest cities, Athens’ listed historic sites, mythical gods and laid-back lifestyle have kept travellers returning to the Greek capital for hundreds of years. It’s a kind of appeal that won’t be changing anytime soon.

Today, the sprawling city is a perfect blend of old and new: ruins sit next to chic new restaurants, centuries-old artefacts hang side-by-side with modern masterpieces and boutique hotels provide a fresh take on city-dwelling.

No Athens stop on a Mediterranean cruise would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis and the Parthenon, while those looking to indulge in some retail therapy should make for the Plaka – the city’s oldest neighbourhood, lined with pretty boutiques and jewellery stores – for a wardrobe refresh with a twist.

Romance, mystery, and intrigue combine in one of the world’s most-visited cities. The floating maze of streets and winding canals that cover Venice’s 100 islands are easy to lose yourself among, but a short gondola ride will soon see you back at Venezia’s main attractions.

Unmissable sights include the hidden rooms and passages of the Dodge’s Palace in St. Mark’s Square, the beautiful Bridge of Sighs, and the incredible artwork of the Basilica. Bucket lists at the ready…

Venice is also one of the finest cities in the world for food and drink. Avoid the tourist-traps and sky-high prices around the most famous sights and instead dive down a side street, where bars and restaurants are filled with local alfresco diners, sipping elegantly on Aperol Spritzes canal-side.

Once the capital of the Eastern Christian Empire, Istanbul has been home to several fascinating cultures – including the Romans, Greeks, and Ottomans. This diverse heritage has had a huge impact on the city, and Istanbul continues to be a cultural capital for art, religion, and traditional Islamic architecture.

With more galleries, museums, and minarets than you can point a camera at, Istanbul’s picturesque array of art and architecture makes for plenty of photo-ready opportunities for the snap-happy. Once you’re finished creating your very own postcard shots, be sure to sample its food, from huge mezes to incredible kebabs, made in ways you won’t have tried before.

And what makes Istanbul even better? It’s the ideal starting point to begin your cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean – within close traveling distance to a number of beautiful destinations including Ephesus and Halicarnassus.

Whether it’s a deep dive into its past or a lounge on the beach, Rhodes offers the best of both worlds. Begin at Rhodes Old Town, where you’ll uncover a twisting labyrinth of cobbled alleys, awe-inspiring architecture, and ruins from Classical, Ottoman, and Italian eras waiting to be discovered.

The New Town, meanwhile, is anything but ancient. A sprawling modern resort, tourists are well catered for here. Festooned with beaches, high-end shops, a bustling nightlife, and plenty of bars to pull up a chair at, it’s a completely different world from the Old Town.

But Rhodes’ true highlight is perhaps its cuisine. Foodies are in for a real treat here; the local cuisine is about so much more than powering you through the day. It’s a way of life. Expect succulent lamb dishes, fresh Greek yoghurt flavoured with herb-infused honey, succulent souvlaki, and locally caught fish that came ashore just hours earlier.

Bari might not have the big-name reputation of other Eastern Mediterranean ports, but its hidden-gem status surely won’t last much longer. Once a gritty urban sprawl, Bari’s easy access has given it a new-found energy, a place that welcomes all who step foot on its shores.

Lined with ancient narrow streets, Bari’s Old Town is home to spectacular architecture that dates back a thousand years. Here, you’ll find the relics of St. Nicholas himself inside Basilica di San Nicola, while Bari Cathedral promises unforgettable sightseeing within a peerless Christian Basilica.

Elsewhere, the city has undergone significant renewal, with an array of highlights and tourist attractions introduced in recent years. These more recent sights sit alongside Bari’s bohemian enclaves, with a plethora of exhibitions, film screenings and art workshops bringing a unique cultural flair to this underrated Italian port city.

Once overshadowed by nearby Dubrovnik, Split’s personality has made it a go-to for tourists in recent times. And with no shortage of things to see and do and delicious food to eat, it’s easy to see why.

A wander through Split’s Old Town offers up plenty of sights, chief among them being Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO-listed highlight that offers up arched gateways, marbled columns and the chance to scale the bell tower of the Cathedral of St Domnius, where incredible views of city and coast await.

Elsewhere, the year-round sun warms the palm-lined Riva, a seafront promenade where locals take their coffee very seriously. Grab a cup before heading to Bačvice Beach’s warming waters for some rest and relaxation.

For culture lovers, Meštrović Gallery and the Gallery of Fine Art are sure to satisfy, but be sure to leave room for Split’s food scene too – especially if fish is your thing.

It may be Greece’s answer to Ibiza, but there’s more to Mykonos than its pulsating party scene. And though the main town, Hora, certainly gets busy, there’s still plenty of quiet spots to check out amongst its bevy of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Take the town’s windmills for instance. A short hike up the small hill away from the main town, it’s well worth making the trip here – especially at sunset.

At Hora’s Edge, meanwhile, the Rarity Gallery boasts frequently changing exhibitions featuring the best in contemporary painting, photography, and design. Elsewhere, to the south of Hora, the Aegean Maritime Museum, quiet and peaceful, lets visitors dive into Greece’s storied seafaring heritage, with an array of nautical artifacts from different centuries.

Delos is another highlight. The mythic birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, this uninhabited island plays host to several temple ruins and treasures. And when you’re done, the nearby beaches let the intrepid take up everything from windsurfing and kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding. With so much to see and do in Mykonos by day, it may be hard to muster up the energy to take in its fabled nightlife.