These are the world’s 20 most beautiful cruise ports, study finds

From ports decorated with centuries-old architecture to sunlit turquoise bays, a new eye-tracking study revealed the world's most beautiful cruise ports, with three Caribbean spots making the top 20.

The research, conducted by travel insurance experts at AllClear, used eye-tracking technology to measure which of the world's travel hotspots are the most impressive to arrive at by sea. They measured which cruise ports caught people's attention first, and held it the longest, revealing the world's most captivating coastal arrivals.

1. Valletta Cruise Port, Malta

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, our study's most beautiful cruise port is a masterpiece in harbour aesthetics. Its combination of golden limestone reflecting off the glistening water provides the ultimate, jaw-dropping arrival into this exciting Mediterranean city, and with the longest fixation time of any port in the study, Malta certainly earned its place as our number one. What cruisers will love: Walk into the historic town in just 15 minutes and explore St. John's Co-Cathedral with its Baroque artwork, or head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views of the harbour itself.

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2. Port of Ushuaia, Argentina

The starting point for any adventurous cruiser who wants to sail through the nerve-wracking Drake's Passage to reach Antarctica, the port of Ushuaia is nestled among the snow-capped Andes and is nothing short of gorgeous to sail in and out of. What cruisers will love: If you have some time in Ushuaia before you leave for Antarctica, you can ride the "End of the World Train", a heritage railway which shows off the scenic Tierra del Fuego National Park.

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3. Port of Palermo, Italy

Interestingly, Italy's Port of Palermo is said to have been in operation for more than 2,000 years. Today's port has shifted a little in location since then, but the harbour has been connecting Sicily with other Mediterranean civilisations for centuries. "Golden hour" at this port is truly breathtaking due to its western-facing orientation amplified by the surrounding sandstone buildings. What cruisers will love: Explore the Ballar˜ or Vucciria markets and sample Sicilian delights like arancine (fried rice balls) or stigghiola (a local favourite of grilled lamb intestines). Once you've satiated your stomach, head to the Massimo Theatre or the Piazza Pretoria, a rival for Rome's Trevi Fountain.

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4. Stadsgården Cruise Terminal, Sweden

Arriving at the Stadsgården Cruise Terminal means sailing past the Stockholm Archipelago's 30,000 islands. These calming waterways, complete with a background dotted with colorful buildings and medieval architecture, offer the perfect city-based arrival. It seems travellers are bewitched by it too, with one of the shortest times to fixation in our study. What cruisers will love: The cruise terminal sits in the heart of the very walkable Stockholm, so once you dock, you can walk the cobblestone streets and be sipping on a coffee or visiting the royal palaces within 15 minutes. Those visiting in winter might spot the northern lights, while those visiting in summer will be treated to 19 hours of daylight, meaning time spent exploring ashore is in good supply.

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5. Nassau Cruise Port, Bahamas

Nassau, which was once home to the infamous pirate Blackbeard, offers tourists arriving by boat a picture-perfect arrival, complete with turquoise water and pastel-colored buildings, all framed with tropical palm trees. What cruisers will love: Visit Parliament Square and marvel at the pretty pink colonial-style buildings, before moving onto the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Try traditional Bahamian food at the Fish Fry area, soak up the tropical vibes at Junkanoo Beach, or go on an excursion to Exuma Cays where you can swim with pigs!

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6. Aruba Cruise Terminal, Aruba

Aruba Cruise Terminal is another beautiful port where you don't disembark miles away from excursions, with passengers just a short walk away from the city center. The cruise port itself showcases the capital's Dutch colonial architecture, which is incredibly colorful and, when set against the bright blue waters, looks breathtaking. What cruisers will love: Palm and Eagle beaches in Aruba are some of the most famous in the world. They're home to some of the softest sand and seawater so salty you can float with ease. If you're feeling more energetic, you can venture to Arikok National Park to hike, snorkel at the Antilla shipwreck, or take a boat to Renaissance Island, where you'll find free-roaming flamingos.

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7. Lisbon Cruise Port, Portugal

Entering Lisbon via cruise ship, you'll sail under the 25 de Abril Bridge, which is impressive to behold and is often mistaken for San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, despite Lisbon's being even longer. As you come into port, you'll be greeted by terracotta roofs and bright yellow buildings, with a Moorish fortress sitting atop the São Jorge hill and looming over the city. What cruisers will love: Disembark at the cruise port and hop straight into the city to sample pastel de nata (a Portuguese custard tart), before riding the famous tram through the hilly streets of Lisbon. Many head straight up to the castle to see the panoramic views, then wander around the old Alfama district, but you can also take a day trip to the town of Sintra if you have enough time.

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8. Overseas Passenger Terminal, Australia

Sydney cruise terminal, known as the Overseas Passenger Terminal, is possibly one of the world's most iconic, with views of the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge on both sides as you enter the port. The second you step off the boat, you're in the heart of the city, ready to explore all it has to offer. What cruisers will love: If you can't get enough of the views over the harbour, you can climb the Harbour Bridge itself. If you want to explore more of the coastline, you can walk from Manly to Coogee, or you can head further into the city to visit the Royal Botanic Garden, Taronga Zoo, or the Museum of Contemporary Art.

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9. Port Sultan Qaboos, Oman

This impressive cruise port is the only Middle Eastern port to make the top 20, and interestingly, sits right next to the Sultan's Al Alam Palace. Framed by dramatic mountains, with whitewashed buildings and tones of blue reminiscent of Greece, arrivals here feel dreamy. What cruisers will love: The port is very near the Mutrah Souq, so passengers should consider wandering around the markets before visiting the Sultan's Palace and gardens, the Grand Mosque, or even taking a sunset cruise along the Omani coast if they're still there in the evening.

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10. Ege Port, Turkey

Any visitor to Kuşadası is likely hoping to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, which is just 30 minutes from Ege Port. The port itself is astonishing, with the dramatic Aydın Mountain range in the background, and Kuşadası’s own Hollywood-style hillside sign nestled in the middle. This port had one of the quickest fixation times in the entire study, with participants’ eyes flocking to it almost as quickly as number one, Valletta’s cruise port. What cruisers will love: Visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Ephesus, which is one of the most well preserved examples of a Greco-Roman city, take a look at the Temple of Artemis where you can see the ruins of what was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or even experience a Turkish bath (hammam).

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