10 Sweets You Must Try on Your Mediterranean Cruise

by Yolanda Crous

10 Sweets You Must Try on Your Mediterranean Cruise

by Yolanda Crous

Mediterranean ports of call are renowned for their amazing patisseries. If you’re planning to eat your way through a cruise, don’t even think about skipping dessert. These 10 delicious — and local — dessert pastries are required eating along the way.

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Churros con chocolate / iStock.com / Joanna Wnuk
Caprilu al Limone cookies
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Caprilu al Limone cookies

Port: Capri

Just try leaving Capri without becoming addicted to these sugar-dusted cookies made with almonds, honey, and lemon.

Where to Find It: The smell of freshly made waffle cones may be what draws visitors to Gelateria Buonocore Capri (there’s always a line for gelato), but it’s the pastries that will keep you coming back. Pro tip: This is also a great place to stop for lunch.

Address: Via Roma, 36, Capri NA, Italy

Port: Capri

Just try leaving Capri without becoming addicted to these sugar-dusted cookies made with almonds, honey, and lemon.

Where to Find It: The smell of freshly made waffle cones may be what draws visitors to Gelateria Buonocore Capri (there’s always a line for gelato), but it’s the pastries that will keep you coming back. Pro tip: This is also a great place to stop for lunch.

Address: Via Roma, 36, Capri NA, Italy

La Tarte Tropézienne
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La Tarte Tropézienne

Port: Saint-Tropéz

Brigitte Bardot is rumored to have named this brioche cake filled with two different types of cream on the St. Tropéz set of "And God Created Woman."

Where to Find It: This tarte is sold all over St. Tropéz, but the original bakery — called La Tarte Tropézienne — sits on the Place des Lices. It's now a chain with outlets as far away as Marseille and Paris.

Address: Traverse des Lices 83990 Saint-Tropéz, France

Port: Saint-Tropéz

Brigitte Bardot is rumored to have named this brioche cake filled with two different types of cream on the St. Tropéz set of "And God Created Woman."

Where to Find It: This tarte is sold all over St. Tropéz, but the original bakery — called La Tarte Tropézienne — sits on the Place des Lices. It's now a chain with outlets as far away as Marseille and Paris.

Address: Traverse des Lices 83990 Saint-Tropéz, France

Calissons
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Calissons

Port: Aix-en-Provence

Legend has it these almond-shaped pastries — made from almond paste, candied melon, and orange peel — were invented in 1454 to honor King René’s marriage to Princess Jeanne de Laval. There’s even a "blessing of the calissons" in Aix on the first Sunday of September involving free samples of the pastries.

Where to Find It: If you have time for an excursion to Aix, don’t miss the Musée du Calisson at Confiserie du Roy René, where you can watch these pastries being made. If not, there are branches of the Confiserie du Roy René chain in Marseille.

Address: 5380 Route d'Avignon, 13089 Aix-en-Provence, France

Port: Aix-en-Provence

Legend has it these almond-shaped pastries — made from almond paste, candied melon, and orange peel — were invented in 1454 to honor King René’s marriage to Princess Jeanne de Laval. There’s even a "blessing of the calissons" in Aix on the first Sunday of September involving free samples of the pastries.

Where to Find It: If you have time for an excursion to Aix, don’t miss the Musée du Calisson at Confiserie du Roy René, where you can watch these pastries being made. If not, there are branches of the Confiserie du Roy René chain in Marseille.

Address: 5380 Route d'Avignon, 13089 Aix-en-Provence, France

Churros
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Churros

Port: Barcelona

Though popular in the southwestern United States and Mexico, these strips of fried dough (also called “xurros” in Barcelona) actually hail from Spain. Look for churro stands throughout the city selling plain, cinnamon, and chocolate-covered varieties.

Where to Find It: If you’re looking for a place to sit down and eat churros for breakfast, it’s all about Granja Dulcinea. Bonus: This place is also famous for its hot chocolate.

Address: Carrer de Petritxol, 2, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Port: Barcelona

Though popular in the southwestern United States and Mexico, these strips of fried dough (also called “xurros” in Barcelona) actually hail from Spain. Look for churro stands throughout the city selling plain, cinnamon, and chocolate-covered varieties.

Where to Find It: If you’re looking for a place to sit down and eat churros for breakfast, it’s all about Granja Dulcinea. Bonus: This place is also famous for its hot chocolate.

Address: Carrer de Petritxol, 2, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Ladurée Macarons
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Macarons

Port: Cannes

They may have origins in Syria and Italy, but nothing is as French as macarons. Made with egg whites, sugar, and almonds, they're sweet, delicate, and available in a wide range of colors and flavors including rose and pistachio.

Where to Find It: Ladurée in Paris was the first place to sandwich ganache between two macarons. The brand now has outposts in several French ports of call, including Cannes, which also sells terrific ice cream. (Try the orange flower.)

Address: 79 Rue d’Antibes, 06400 Cannes, France

Port: Cannes

They may have origins in Syria and Italy, but nothing is as French as macarons. Made with egg whites, sugar, and almonds, they're sweet, delicate, and available in a wide range of colors and flavors including rose and pistachio.

Where to Find It: Ladurée in Paris was the first place to sandwich ganache between two macarons. The brand now has outposts in several French ports of call, including Cannes, which also sells terrific ice cream. (Try the orange flower.)

Address: 79 Rue d’Antibes, 06400 Cannes, France

Galaktoboureko
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Galaktoboureko

Port: Athens

This semolina custard pie wrapped in layers of phyllo and covered in syrup is truly obsession-worthy. Buy galaktoboureko by the pan or the piece.

Where to Find It: Kosmikon has several branches and is said to serve the best galaktoboureko in Athens. While there, try some kataifi, which looks like a syrup-drenched piece of shredded wheat.

Address: Ionias Avenue 104, Agios Nikolaos, Athens, Greece

Port: Athens

This semolina custard pie wrapped in layers of phyllo and covered in syrup is truly obsession-worthy. Buy galaktoboureko by the pan or the piece.

Where to Find It: Kosmikon has several branches and is said to serve the best galaktoboureko in Athens. While there, try some kataifi, which looks like a syrup-drenched piece of shredded wheat.

Address: Ionias Avenue 104, Agios Nikolaos, Athens, Greece

Baklava
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Baklava

Port: Istanbul

Chances are you’ve already tried this Mediterranean favorite, which can be found in Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East. But there’s nothing quite like biting into honey-drenched layers of phyllo, spices, and chopped nuts while in the heart of the former Ottoman Empire.

Where to Find It: At Karaköy Güllüoğlu, not only is the baklava legendary, but it's also served with Turkish coffee or tea.

Address: Karaköy, Mumhane Cad. No: 171 34425 İstanbul, Turkey

Port: Istanbul

Chances are you’ve already tried this Mediterranean favorite, which can be found in Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East. But there’s nothing quite like biting into honey-drenched layers of phyllo, spices, and chopped nuts while in the heart of the former Ottoman Empire.

Where to Find It: At Karaköy Güllüoğlu, not only is the baklava legendary, but it's also served with Turkish coffee or tea.

Address: Karaköy, Mumhane Cad. No: 171 34425 İstanbul, Turkey

Cassata Siciliana
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Cassata Siciliana

Port: Trapani, Sicily

This sponge cake filled with candied fruit and ricotta, soaked in liqueur, and covered in marzipan is traditionally served around Easter, but is available year-round.

Where to Find It: Sip a cappuccino and enjoy an excellent cassata in the outdoor seating area at Chocolate Ferlito Trapani.

Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 13, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy

Port: Trapani, Sicily

This sponge cake filled with candied fruit and ricotta, soaked in liqueur, and covered in marzipan is traditionally served around Easter, but is available year-round.

Where to Find It: Sip a cappuccino and enjoy an excellent cassata in the outdoor seating area at Chocolate Ferlito Trapani.

Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 13, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy

Pardulas
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Pardulas

Port: Cagliari, Sardinia

Shaped like the sun and stuffed with saffron- and citrus-infused ricotta, these Sardinian mini pies are traditionally served at Easter.

Where to Find It: Made from recipes passed down through generations, the desserts at Durke (Sardinian for “sweet") in Cagliari are excellent. Along with the pardulas, the “amaretti” (cookies) are a must.

Address: Via Napoli 66, 09124 Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Port: Cagliari, Sardinia

Shaped like the sun and stuffed with saffron- and citrus-infused ricotta, these Sardinian mini pies are traditionally served at Easter.

Where to Find It: Made from recipes passed down through generations, the desserts at Durke (Sardinian for “sweet") in Cagliari are excellent. Along with the pardulas, the “amaretti” (cookies) are a must.

Address: Via Napoli 66, 09124 Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Frittelle di riso
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Frittelle

Port: Venice

These doughnut-like fritters are most often sold during Carnival, when they appear in every Venetian café and bakery. Buy them filled with raisins or “zabaglione” (sugar, egg yolks, and sweet wine).

Where to Find It: As one of the best patisseries in Venice, Tonolo offers a variety of frittelle, including frittelle di mele (apple).

Address: Calle S. Pantalon, 3764, Venice, Italy

Port: Venice

These doughnut-like fritters are most often sold during Carnival, when they appear in every Venetian café and bakery. Buy them filled with raisins or “zabaglione” (sugar, egg yolks, and sweet wine).

Where to Find It: As one of the best patisseries in Venice, Tonolo offers a variety of frittelle, including frittelle di mele (apple).

Address: Calle S. Pantalon, 3764, Venice, Italy

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