From the charming town of Taormina, Italy to the bustling streets of Istanbul, Turkey, Windstar Cruises takes you to some of the most treasured ports in the Mediterranean and beyond. Many itineraries offer guests time to explore areas known for their markets and shopping districts, perfect for picking out locally made products like food items, leather goods, ceramics, jewelry and more.
These are some of the best locations for shopping on Windstar’s Mediterranean cruises:
Antibes, France
This region of France is famous for its herbs and olive oil production, and the Marché Provençal (Provencal Market) in Antibes’ old town district is filled with local vendors selling food products. Enjoy fresh fruit and cheese, or stock up on spices, herb-infused salt, olive oil and other packaged items. The Marché Provençal is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. from spring to fall, and Tuesday to Sunday in the winter. Looking to support local artists? The Artisan Market is a hub where painters, sculptors, ceramicists and other talented artists display and sell their work, and you can also purchase soaps and floral art here.
Cannes, France
Cannes embodies the glitzy lifestyle of the French Riviera, so it should come as no surprise that the city’s beachside boardwalk, La Croisette, is lined with luxury retailers like Chanel, St. Laurent, Dior, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more. Even if you’re not keen to shop high-end brands, it’s worth strolling along La Croisette to take in the views of the Bay of Cannes. Set one street back from La Croisette, the stores along Rue d’Antibes are a mix of popular brands and local boutiques, and one street behind Rue d’Antibes is Rue Hoche. Rue Roche is open to pedestrians only, and this block offers more affordable shopping, plus cafes and home goods stores.
Barcelona, Spain
Whether it’s bookstores, vintage clothing boutiques or chocolatiers, Barcelona appeals to a wide range of shoppers. The Sant Antoni district is home to some of the oldest bookshops in the city, while the areas of El Born and El Raval are perfect for vintage enthusiasts, along with fashionistas searching for local brands. La Boquería Market has a great selection of food products, and chocolate connoisseurs should consider making a trip to Cacao Sampaka, which is regarded as the top chocolatier in Barcelona. La Rambla is one of the most popular streets in the city with a wealth of shops and cafes, and the adjacent Plaza Catalunya is home to dozens of retailers, including the beloved Spanish brand Zara.
Hvar, Croatia
Hvar is famous for its lavender production, so if you’re lucky enough to visit in June, be sure to check out the two-day Lavender Festival in Velo Grablje. If you’re not timing your visit around the festival, stop by the local markets in Hvar town and the farms on the west side of the island to purchase lavender products like soaps, lotions, candles, sachets, perfumes, lavender sugar and dried buds. Hvar is also known for its honey and olive oil production.
Taormina, Italy
Sicily is famous for its ceramics, and two of the most popular shops sit on Corso Umberto I, the main street in Taormina. Di Blasi Ceramiche offers white pottery from Caltagirone, while Carlo Panarello Antichità sells traditional Sicilian ceramics and home furnishings. Majolica is another favorite among pottery shoppers, and ceramics can also be purchased at the local markets. Taormina’s largest market is open on Wednesdays, while nearby Giardini Naxos has a market on Saturdays. Searching for food products and unable to attend a street market? Independent grocers in Taormina, like La Bottega Del Buongustaio, have plenty of high-quality, local products like pasta, olive oil, salt, limoncello, pistachios, almonds and more.
Mykonos, Greece
Matoyianni Street (aka Matogianni Street) is the main shopping hub in Mykonos, and the stores and cafes are open until midnight, so you can literally shop until you drop. The island is known for its beautiful, handcrafted leather sandals, and Mykonos Sandals and Mareggiata Sandals & Accessories are two of the top-rated shops for footwear. On the market for handmade jewelry? From 18k gold bangles to colorful, beaded necklaces, local jewelers like Misento Jewelry and Calypso Jewelry offer unique and original designs you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the world.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops on 61 streets, selling everything from spices to handwoven textiles. While the Grand Bazaar is certainly quite the experience, shoppers looking for art and vintage items (and less haggling with vendors) will enjoy perusing the shops in the Çukurcuma neighborhood, which sits on the other side of the Galata Köprüsü Bridge. Faik Paşa and Turnacıbaşı Streets are known as some of the top spots for antiques and one-of-a-kind items, and the neighborhood has plenty of charming cafes, too.
