Never been to Europe, considering Italy.

[Angelo Farina]

How about in Genoa? I’ll be passing there while driving. Once I’m on the cruise I’ll be doing the classic Italy stops, Rome, Naples, Florence etc.

Portofino is very close to Genoa, you will pass also there (the highway exit is Rapallo, which is the port from which most dive operator start for diving at Portofino).
Close to Genoa there are a couple of nice wrecks, I did dive on Pelagosa:

 

[jale]

and the Haven

 

[Angelo Farina]

Close to Genoa there are many wrecks. here the VAS:
Dive on the wreck of VAS – Libeccio Tek Diving
Here the U-boot U-455 (near portofino): U-Boot 455 - Diving Group Portofino

 

[jaseUK666]

Is diving in Venice any good?

There's always Y40, the world's deepest pool in Padova to dive. It was a laugh.

 

[paddydiver]

If you want the best diving in the Med go to Spain.

 

[David Novo]

If you want the best diving in the Med go to Spain.

The Medes reserve near Barcelona and Cabo de Palos just where the Med starts seem to be pretty popular. Never been there though.

 

[jaseUK666]

The Medes reserve near Barcelona and Cabo de Palos just where the Med starts seem to be pretty popular. Never been there though.

I've done Cabo De Palos. Lots of bigger grouper that you don't see elsewhere. There are also a couple decent wreck dives out of La Manga.

 

[jale]

Right, Medes is really a good spot. Lots of beautiful corals, large school of huge groupers, ...

 

[David Novo]

I've done Cabo De Palos. Lots of bigger grouper that you don't see elsewhere. There are also a couple decent wreck dives out of La Manga.

You do see also huge groupers in other places in Europe, such as some dive spots in the Azores.

 

[Diver below 83]

The Medes reserve near Barcelona and Cabo de Palos just where the Med starts seem to be pretty popular. Never been there though.

Any idea how far from the main port the dive sites are?