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Quiet Season Mediterranean

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The Mediterranean Shines Brighter from Fall to Spring

The Mediterranean Shines Brighter from Fall to Spring

While we offer Mediterranean sailings year-round, the “quiet season” — which spans from fall to spring — has a special charm that is not to be missed. Enjoy a unique opportunity to explore France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and beyond in a different light. As the cobblestone streets of these iconic destinations clear out from the peak travel months, you will find a calmer atmosphere. Plus, with fewer crowds, you can discover historic landmarks, uncover hidden gems and engage with locals at a more leisurely pace.

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Iconic Western Mediterranean

Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

8 days
5 tours
4 countries
$2,599 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Ancient Mediterranean Treasures

Istanbul to Athens (Piraeus)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

8 days
6 tours
2 countries
$2,599 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Journey to Antiquities

Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens (Piraeus)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

8 days
5 tours
3 countries
$2,599 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Greek Odyssey

Roundtrip Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

11 days
8 tours
2 countries
$4,499 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Mediterranean Antiquities

Athens (Piraeus) to Barcelona
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
11 tours
6 countries
$4,998 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities

Istanbul to Rome (Civitavecchia)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
9 tours
3 countries
$5,198 from
  • Learn More
  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Mediterranean & Adriatic Odyssey

Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens (Piraeus)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
12 tours
3 countries
$5,799 from
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  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Gems of the Mediterranean

Roundtrip Barcelona, Spain
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
11 tours
5 countries
$5,598 from
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  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Jewels of the Mediterranean

Roundtrip Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
10 tours
5 countries
$5,598 from
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  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Mediterranean Discoveries

Rome (Civitavecchia) to London (Tilbury)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
9 tours
5 countries
$5,298 from
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  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Spain, Portugal & the Mediterranean

Lisbon to Rome (Civitavecchia)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

15 days
11 tours
6 countries
$5,498 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Malta, Morocco & the Mediterranean

Roundtrip Barcelona, Spain
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

16 days
9 tours
7 countries
$6,799 from
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  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Adriatic & Mediterranean Discovery

Venice (Chioggia) to Lisbon
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

22 days
18 tours
7 countries
$10,897 from
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  • Request a Quote
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NEW! Iberia & Mediterranean Antiquities

Lisbon to Athens (Piraeus)
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

22 days
17 tours
8 countries
$8,597 from
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  • Request a Quote
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Iconic Mediterranean Treasures

Istanbul to Barcelona
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

22 days
16 tours
6 countries
$7,997 from
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  • Request a Quote
Explore More
  • Top 10 Quiet Season Mediterranean Highlights View Our Top Ten
  • Did You Know?
    Discover the many benefits of exploring the Mediterranean with us during the “quiet season.”
    Learn More

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

Discover Extensions

Enjoy additional days before or after your Mediterranean itinerary to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of intriguing land extensions.

  • Spain: Best of Barcelona

    3 Nights

    Fully Guided
  • Ultimate Italy—Tuscany

    3 Nights

    Fully Guided
  • Greece: Athens

    2 Nights

  • Turkey: Best of Istanbul

    3 Nights

    Fully Guided
Explore More

Viking Ocean Ship 360° Tour

Discover our award-winning sister ships that showcase innovative engineering, streamlined Scandinavian design and understated elegance. Our all-veranda small ships are designed to bring you closer to destinations across the Mediterranean.

Take a Tour

Recipes

Find inspiration to recreate the flavors of the Mediterranean at home.

  • Smoked Tomato Vellutata

    This twist on cream of tomato soup is a sophisticated version that elevates an old favorite to an elegant indulgence. Indeed, it is velvety smooth, as its namesake “vellutata” indicates. Start with high-quality tomatoes (both canned and fresh) in their own juice, add sautéed onions and blend in cream for richness. It tastes delicious served with basil-goat cheese crostini.

    View Recipe
  • Porcini Dry-Rubbed Rib Eye

    Using porcini in this rub adds an earthy quality that is both rustic and satisfying. Be sure to bring the steaks to room temperature before grilling for best results. If you are going to follow the Italian tradition to the letter, serve these rare. The peppery arugula is an excellent complement to the flavorful meat.

    View Recipe
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Panna Cotta

    Our take on this Italian classic is light and creamy. Historically, panna cotta (“cooked cream”) was thickened with egg whites and baked, but this no-bake version uses gelatin. When whisking together the cream, chocolate and hazelnut mixture, we drizzle in a whisper of Amaretto to add a delightfully nutty flavor.

    View Recipe
View All Viking Recipes

Videos

Learn about the exciting cities that await your exploration by watching selections from our Destination Insights library and Viking.TV, our award-winning enrichment channel.

  • Immerse yourself in the iconic Catalonian capital of Barcelona (19:02)

    Join our host, Ambassador-at-Large Jean Newman Glock, as she visits the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain. Follow along as she peruses an array of colorful fruits, aromatic spices and mouthwatering delicacies in a traditional local market. Then, travel back in time to an era of knights and castles during a tour of the city's charming Gothic Quarter, followed by a visit to the breathtaking La Sagrada Família, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the creative genius of architect Antoni Gaudí.

  • Learn about our Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary with Viking’s Karine Hagen (44:46)

    We invite you to revisit a episode with Karine Hagen to explore the many artistic and architectural gems you will find on our 8-day Iconic Western Mediterranean ocean journey. Highlights include the colorful works of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, Pisa’s famous leaning tower and the 17th-century fortress in the port city of Marseille. For art lovers, there is the opportunity to follow in van Gogh’s footsteps in southern France and discover some of the treasures of the Renaissance in Florence.

  • Fresh Pasta: Fast, Fun and Easy! (5:06)

    Venture into the Tuscan countryside to learn the art of making fresh pasta. Under the watchful eye of a delightful Italian mama, Karine learns the secrets of this Italian favorite.

  • Love and Drama at the Acropolis (4:19)

    Every culture has its tale of fated lovers. In Greece, it is Mimikos and Mary, whose romance took an unexpected turn in the shadow of the Acropolis, a story that shook Greek society.

View More Videos

FAQs about the Mediterranean's Quiet Season

The Quiet Season runs from fall to spring, or roughly late October through mid-March.

Fewer crowds in most Mediterranean destinations allow for a calmer atmosphere, shorter waiting times at historic landmarks and even more exploration. Additionally, the cooler weather compared to summer may be more comfortable for some guests.

Viking offers an array of Quiet Season Mediterranean itineraries that call on intriguing destinations in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Malta, Turkey, Monaco, Portugal, Croatia and Montenegro.

The Quiet Season is known for milder weather and cooler temperatures. In most countries, daytime temperatures range from the low 50s to the mid-60s Fahrenheit (10°C to 18°C).

To visit religious sites—including St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City—please ensure you have modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be denied entry. When entering mosques in Turkey and beyond, women must cover their hair, arms and legs. Mosques often loan or sell scarves and long, slip-on skirts to women who are not sufficiently covered.

Viking is pleased to offer a selection of local extensions before and after your departure, allowing you to maximize your time in the destinations that matter most to you. Pre & post extensions can be found on each itinerary page, or if you have already booked travel with us, you may visit the Extensions tab in your My Viking Journey account for additional details.

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Footnote

*FREE airfare on select departures of Grand European Tour, Capitals of Eastern Europe, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland,  London, Paris & D-Day, Pharaohs & Pyramids and European Sojourn, Christmastime in Paris & Normandy, Magnificent Mekong, Rhine Main Danube Odyssey, plus select Asia, Australia, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, Canada, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, South America and Antarctica itineraries.
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© Viking Cruises, 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Footnote

*FREE airfare on select departures of Grand European Tour, Capitals of Eastern Europe, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland,  London, Paris & D-Day, Pharaohs & Pyramids and European Sojourn, Christmastime in Paris & Normandy, Magnificent Mekong, Rhine Main Danube Odyssey, plus select Asia, Australia, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, Canada, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, South America and Antarctica itineraries.

Company Information

  • Contact Us
  • Speak with a Viking Agent
  • Order a Brochure
  • Special Offers
  • Sweepstakes
  • Travel Advisors
  • FAQ
  • Media Center
  • About Us
  • Investor Relations
  • Careers
  • Site Map
  • Health & Safety Program
  • Legal
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Viking River Cruises

  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Egypt
  • Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

  • Scandinavia
  • British Isles & Ireland
  • North America
  • Caribbean & Central America
  • South America
  • Mediterranean
  • Quiet Season Mediterranean
  • Asia
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • World Cruises
  • Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

  • Antarctica
  • The Arctic
  • Great Lakes
  • North America
  • South America
  • Grand Journeys
  • Longitudinal World Cruises

Contact The Cruise Studio at Contact The Cruise Studio (979)599-5380 (979)599-5380 Viking Cruises Viking
© Viking Cruises, 2025. All Rights Reserved.

2025-2028 OCEAN CRUISE AND AIR FARES: Offer applies to bookings made from September 1-30, 2025. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all itineraries except World Cruise products. Special fares plus FREE airfare valid on select departures of Grand Australia Circumnavigation; North Pacific Crossing; Panama Canal & Central America; Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast. Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply.

2025: Pay in full by September 30, 2025 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure.
2026: Pay in full by October 31, 2025 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure.
2027: Pay in full by April 30, 2026.
2028: Pay in full by January 15, 2027. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offers Expires September 30, 2025.

*$25 DEPOSIT: For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to February 2026 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to March 2026 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.

AIR UPGRADE: Upgrade to Premium Economy or Business at additional cost based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit Airline Luggage Restrictions. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS: Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Passenger Ticket Contract.

NOTE: International flights depart the U.S. one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights.