Nothing says freedom quite like a bright yacht cruising atop a crisp blue ocean. And for the sailors among us, Europe offers some of the world’s premier marinas. As one of the leading vendors of sailing equipment in Malta, our team at Camilleri Marine – gives a run down of some of Europe’s most unique and beautiful ports.
1. Venice, Italy
Sailing into Venice is truly one of the most scenic sail-ins of any port, offering the sheer loveliness of a city that seems miraculously built on water. Unique in colours, smell, and architecture, that consists of colourful houses, canals, bridges and no vehicle traffic, there’s nowhere in the world that’s quite like this city.
2. Nice, France
Stretching along 80 miles of France’s Mediterranean coast, the luxurious French Riviera is home to one of the most widely-recognised ports in Europe, Nice. It stands out as one of the main harbours for boats and yachts which sail across the Mediterranean and is dotted with sightseeing opportunities, fabulous shops, stylish inhabitants and an intriguing old town.
3. Porto, Portugal
The coastal city of Porto is known for its hilly back streets, bridges and port wine production. The charming Ribeira district is a medieval place filled with narrow, winding, cobbled streets and family-owned restaurants and cafes. The city’s extensive history and vibrancy can be appreciated on board and on ground alike.
4. Dubrovnik, Croatia
On Croatia’s Dalmatian coast lies the impressive ancient walled city of Dubrovnik. Today, the port is a well-preserved, safe haven for many private boats, and is bursting with charm with its narrow marble-paved passageways.
5. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is nicknamed ‘The Venice of the North’ as it is surrounded by ocean and intersected with waterways. This Scandinavian hotspot is spread over fourteen islands at the edge of the Baltic Sea, so boat owners can sail through the scenic archipelagos and dock at different piers, depending on the boat / ship size. Other than its layout, what makes the port particularly beautiful are the primary-coloured buildings that inhabit it.
6. Portofino, Italy
We were hard-pressed to narrow all the gorgeous bays and beautiful ports worth docking in in Italy, which is why we had to include a second Italian hotspot. Sailing into Portofino’s port will reward you with a breath-taking view of forested hillsides towering over a ring of pastel houses. This sets the tone for the beautiful, sophisticated town of Portofino – one of the most popular tourist towns in Italy, whose streets are lined with boutiques, art galleries, gelaterias and restaurants.
Of course, there are plenty others we couldn’t fit into one blog – but this a good starting point! Keeping checking our website for Part 2 of the most beautiful ports in Europe!
Looking for high end boating products in Malta?
For all your sailing accessories and equipment, come over to Camilleri Marine. We supply a range of marine supplies and provide services related to boating and yachting.
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I could not refrain from commenting. Well written!