MSC Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to extend their holiday season with a variety of Mediterranean sailings through October, November, and December, capitalizing on the region’s mild climate and abundant sunshine even as winter approaches.
While the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Caribbean remain popular choices for winter sun, the Mediterranean offers a wealth of destinations closer to home that promise warm weather late into the year. From the picturesque landscapes of Southern France to the historically rich sites of Greece, MSC highlights the most sun-drenched Mediterranean destinations where guests can continue to enjoy summer-like conditions well into the late season.
Meteorological data for the Mediterranean ports visited by MSC during October, November, and December indicates that temperatures can reach up to 28°C, with an average of 295 hours of sunshine per month and minimal rainfall. This makes it an ideal time to explore key attractions without the usual crowds, in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Among the season’s highlights is a new itinerary aboard MSC Sinfonia, which includes Greek destinations for the first time, featuring stops in Bari (Italy), Piraeus-Athens, Corfu (Greece), as well as Izmir and Istanbul (Turkiye).
Notable Mediterranean destinations for extending the summer season include:
Izmir (Turkiye) – 295 Hours of Sunshine. Izmir offers a sunny retreat with 295 hours of sunshine in October and an average of 25 sunny days per month during winter. With temperatures in the mid-twenties, guests can explore the city’s cobbled streets, bustling bazaars, and UNESCO-listed sites while enjoying the warmth of the sun. MSC Sinfonia will be calling at Izmir throughout the winter, offering 7-night itineraries.
Valencia (Spain) – 275 Hours of Sunshine. Valencia provides a sunny escape with up to 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, including 272 hours in October alone. The city maintains an average temperature of 25°C in October and around 20°C in November and December. Guests can explore the historic old town and savor Valencian paella on a sunlit terrace. MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, and MSC Seaside will call at Valencia between October and December.
La Goulette/Tunis (Tunisia) – 272 Hours of Sunshine. Tunisia offers an escape to warmer climes with 272 hours of sun in October and temperatures reaching up to 28°C. Even in November, temperatures remain mild, averaging 21°C with 218 hours of sunshine. Guests can explore UNESCO-listed sites and ancient ruins or simply relax in the warm sun. MSC Grandiosa and MSC Fantasia will call at La Goulette, Tunis, between October and December, with convenient embarkation ports across Europe.
Honorable Mentions include:
Athens (Greece) with 265 hours of sun in October and around 220 hours in November and December, offers a mild climate and quieter historic sites such as the Acropolis. MSC Sinfonia will provide 7-night itineraries calling at Athens' port, Piraeus, throughout winter, while MSC Splendida will offer 9-night itineraries from October to November.
Valletta (Malta) one of Europe’s sunniest winter spots, enjoys up to 263 hours of sunshine in October and over 209 hours in November, closely followed by Marseille (France), with 262 hours in October. MSC World Europa, MSC Fantasia, and MSC Lirica will all include stops in these sun-drenched destinations this winter.