Mediterranean UNESCO World Heritage Sites with MSC Cruises
Cruise Circle
Let's take a look at some key, culturally significant UNESCO sites in the Mediterranean that you can visit with MSC Cruises...
Venice, Italy
"Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world's greatest artists such as Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and others." - UNESCO.
We love Venice for its individuality - apart from the cheesy (but sometimes quite fun) copies around the world (Las Vegas, Qatar, China amongst others), it's a completely unique city with a romantic atmosphere that, like many destinations, is hard to put into words - grab your partner, take a trip and experience it for yourself.
Browse all MSC cruises visiting Venice
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona technically features two UNESCO 'properties', however these comprise nine sites in total, by two different architects.
For the most well-known of the two architects, Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), UNESCO note his works "represent an eclectic, as well as a very personal, style which was given free rein in the design of gardens, sculpture and all decorative arts, as well as architecture."
The lesser-known, but no less talented, art nouveau architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner designed the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall, described as "an exuberant steel-framed structure full of light and space", and the Hospital de Sant Pau "equally bold in its design and decoration."
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
Currently the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO after damage in the 1990s during armed conflict (though we've recently visited and it's so beautiful you wouldn't know it), the walled Old City of Dubrovnik features cobbled streets, with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains.
If you were a fan of TV's Game of Thrones you can even walk 'the steps of shame', as Queen Cersei's notorious 'Walk of Atonement' was filmed here.
Browse all MSC cruises visiting Dubrovnik
Valletta, Malta
Often referred to as a 'living museum', the entire city of Valletta, Malta, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, primarily due to its density of historic monuments. Ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John, they were obviously queuing up to be commemorated in stone for the ages, with 320 monuments in the city, making it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.
In addition to this rich history Valletta boasts a picturesque natural harbour, with superb views out onto it from the comfortable shade of the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
