The Mediterranean countries are those that surround the Mediterranean Sea or located within the Mediterranean Basin.^[1] Twenty sovereign countries in Southern Europe, the Levant and North Africa regions border the sea itself, in addition to two island nations completely located in it (Malta and Cyprus).

Barcelona Spain

Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes. City history museum MUHBA, includes several Roman archaeological sites.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1.5 miles (2.5km)
• Accessibility of main town paving: Some cobblestones, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at Muelle Adosado Terminal B and some hotels located on Las Ramblas
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Cobblestone streets/areas/unsuitable terrain – The Gothic Quarter has mainly cobblestoned streets
• Public transport: Generally wheelchair accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 3 miles (5km)
• Accessible places of interest: Most museums and public buildings. Regarded as one of Europe’s most accessible cities, Barcelona is overflowing with attractions that can be enjoyed by all. These include the iconic La Sagrada Familia cathedral, the colourful Park Güell, the Picasso Museum, beaches with beach wheelchairs, and many more. The city is reached via a wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus running from the docks to the foot of the Las Ramblas shopping street. The city also has a very accessible public transport system.

La Coruna

A Coruña is a port city on a promontory in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. It’s known for its Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules, which has sweeping coastal views. In the medieval old town is the arcaded Plaza de María Pita, surrounded by narrow pedestrianized lanes. In this square is the Estatua de María Pita, a statue of a 16th-century woman who warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake.

• Tidal variance: High tidal variance will restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation. Please see the onboard staff to confirm the accessible gangway times
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 300 metres
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is mostly flat and most of the pavements have dropped curbs
• Accessible toilets: Located in some cafes
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Those areas/streets where road/construction works are being carried out. – The San Anton Archaeological Museum (many steps inside.) and the City’s Old Quarter (mostly hilly area and some uneven ground)
• Public transport: Although not many buses are accessible, a few buses have low-platforms which are wheelchair accessible.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 2km
• Accessible places of interest: Shopping:- El Corte Inglés Dept. Store
• Museums (Closed on Mondays):- 1. DOMUS (Museum of Mankind) – (Website: http://www.casaciencias.org/domus) 2. Science Museum – (Website: http://www.casaciencias.org) 3. Art Museum – (Website:www.museobelasartescoruna.xunta.es) 4. Museum of Contemporary Galician Art – (Website: http://www.cgac.org)
• Beach:- Beaches of Riazor and Orzan. There is a walkway/promenade along both beaches.
• Attractions:- – The Aquarium – (Website:ww.casaciencias.org/Aquarium)

Cartagena

Cartagena is a port city and naval base in the Murcia region of southeast Spain. Founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., the city boomed during the Roman period. Among its many Roman ruins are a 1st-century B.C. theater and Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics. The Muralla Púnica (Punic Wall) interpretation center houses the remains of a 3rd-century B.C. defensive wall.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: within half a mile (350 metres)
• Accessibility of main town paving: Flat, some pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at El Corte Ingles (department store)
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: None.
• Public transport: Not accessible
• Shopping areas: Within half a mile (350 metres) City of Cartagena is walking distance from the cruise terminal – approx. 500 metres.
• Accessible places of interest: The Panoramic lift and Interpretation centre of the History of Cartagena

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and headland, on Spain’s south coast. It’s dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge. First settled by the Moors in the Middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, the outpost was ceded to the British in 1713. Layers of fortifications include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels, which were expanded in WWII.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1 mile (1.6km)
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly a flat town, most pavements do have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Majority of public toilets have an accessible cubicle
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: None
• Public transport: Some are accessible. (In Gibraltar you can make arrangements for private minibus tours providing you, or your fellow traveller, are able to transfer into a standard minibus. The wheelchair must be a suitable size in order to store in the boot of the vehicle.)
• Shopping areas: Approximately 1 mile (1.6km)
• Accessible places of interest: Most museums, hotels and public buildings

Malaga

Málaga is a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, known for its high-rise hotels and resorts jutting up from yellow-sand beaches. Looming over that modern skyline are the city’s 2 massive hilltop citadels, the Alcazaba and ruined Gibralfaro, remnants of Moorish rule. The city’s soaring Renaissance cathedral is nicknamed LaManquita (“one-armed lady”) because one of its towers was curiously left unbuilt.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1.8km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat and most of the pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: None
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Monuments as the Alcazaba or Gibralfaro Castle
• Public transport: Some can be accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 3 km
• Accessible places of interest: Picasso Museum

Valencia

The port city of Valencia lies on Spain’s southeastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum. Valencia also has several beaches, including some within nearby Albufera Park, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: The quayside is flat and accessible for wheelchair users, the cruise terminal has 2 floors and there is a lift.
• Distance to main town: Approximately 3km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is mainly flat and some of the pavements have dropped curbs
• Accessible toilets: Located in El Corte Inglés
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Port area.
• Public transport: Not accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 3km
• Accessible places of interest: Surrounding CAC

Italy

Italy, a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins. Other major cities include Florence, with Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “David” and Brunelleschi’s Duomo; Venice, the city of canals; and Milan, Italy’s fashion capital.

Civitavecchia for Rome Italy

Civitavecchia is a coastal town northwest of Rome, in Italy. Built in the 2nd century, the Port of Civitavecchia still retains some of its original features, like the Roman Dock. The port area also includes the 16th-century Michelangelo Fort. Nearby, the National Archaeological Museum displays bronze and ceramic artifacts. Northeast of town are the Terme Taurine, the ruins of a Roman thermal bath complex.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Between approximately 500 – 1000 metres
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly a flat town; however, most pavements do not have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located in bars, cafes and hotels
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: None.
• Public transport: Generally not accessible
• Shopping areas: Between approximately 500 and 3500 metres depending on the berth
• Accessible places of interest: All bars/cafes along the seafront in Civitavecchia and Vatican and Colosseum in Rome however it is cobblestones in a lot of that area. For Rome, cruise ships dock at the port of Civitavecchia, approximately 90 minutes away via train or wheelchair-accessible taxi vans. Trains are accessible, but you will need to let the operator know your exact departure and arrival times. Rome is home to a wealth of accessible attractions, including the Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. Civitavecchia also has its own accessible shopping areas.

Livorno for Florence & Pisa

Livorno is an Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany. It’s known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbor with a cruise ship port. Its central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checkerboard paving, is the city’s main gathering place. The bastions of the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia face the harbor and open onto Livorno’s canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Between approximately 500 – 4500 metres depending on berth
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat and most of the pavements do have dropped curbs in town centre
• Accessible toilets: Located in some bars, cafès and hotels
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: None.
• Public transport: Not accessible
• Shopping areas: Between approximately 500 – 4500 metres depending on berth
• Accessible places of interest: All bars/cafes along the seafront. Trips to Florence & Pisa are taken from this port. Livorno is a very popular port as it’s the gateway to the tourist meccas of Florence and Pisa. The port itself can present some accessibility problems on account of shuttle buses not always being wheelchair-accessible. For this reason we would recommend booking one of several accessible excursions that will meet you at the port in accessible transport. These tours go to Florence and/or Pisa, as well as through the gorgeous Tuscan countryside to visit authentic rustic wineries. Trains are also accessible to take you from Livorno to Pisa (although you may need to contact the service provider in advance to arrange assistance).

Naples for Pompeii

Naples, a city in southern Italy, sits on the Bay of Naples. Nearby is Mount Vesuvius, the still-active volcano that destroyed nearby Roman town Pompeii. Dating to the 2nd millennium B.C., Naples has centuries of important art and architecture. The city’s cathedral, the Duomo di San Gennaro, is filled with frescoes. Other major landmarks include the lavish Royal Palace and Castel Nuovo, a 13th-century castle.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1.5 km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is mostly flat and some of the pavements have dropped kerbs however please note that occasionally the dropped kerbs are obstructed by parked cars.
• Accessible toilets: Not available
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Pompeii and Herculaneum. Some areas in Naples town can also be inaccessible
• Public transport: Not accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 1.5 km
• Accessible places of interest: Sorrento, Pompeii. Naples is a very accessible port with a short dock just 500 metres from the city, providing easy access to some tourist attractions. Accessible ferries are available to take visitors to nearby Sorrento and Capri (where it’s best to hire a private driver), or you can book an accessible private excursion to visit major sights like Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast.

Venice

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 2 km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is difficult to negotiate due to many step bridges
• Accessible toilets: Located in St. Mark’s Area, Rialto
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Venice is difficult to negotiate due to many step bridges. Some bridges are adapted for wheelchair users
• Public transport: Vaporetto Service (water bus) is accessible (subject to the Vaporetto captain’s approval)
• Shopping areas: Approximately 2km
• Accessible places of interest: Guests have several options to transfer from the cruise dock in Venice, including the vaporetto (water bus) and water taxi. Once in the city, wheelchair users can make use of barrier-free itineraries to avoid the inaccessible stepped bridges and use the vaporetti or water taxis to travel between neighbourhoods. Popular accessible sights include the famous Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. There are also wheelchair-accessible gondola rides.