Mediterranean islands have that particular attract. With pristine seashores, wealthy historical past, and loads of seashore bars – what extra might you need from a vacation? You’ve already chosen properly by narrowing your search to an island within the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean area is gorgeous and filled with scrumptious meals and sights relationship again to the traditional world. Nonetheless, these are the islands that you’ll want to put on the high of your record.
Prime Mediterranean Islands
On this information, we’ve picked our final suggestions for the most effective Mediterranean islands to go to. Listed below are this 12 months’s high island journey locations, with islands that includes white sand seashores, Roman ruins, and even an energetic volcano or two.
1. Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca is the most important Balearic island. And in addition to this measurement title, it’s simply one of the crucial standard islands within the Mediterranean for vacationers. Mallorca made its means onto our record for its golden seashores and pleasant vibe. You could possibly drive across the island’s circumference in 5 to six hours.
The island has pine forests and exquisite structure like Santa Maria Cathedral. Regardless of having a nightlife hotspot within the island’s capital, Palma, the island is family-friendly. Mallorca can also be sensible on a finances, with loads of low-cost airways operating common flights from main European cities.
Issues To Do In Mallorca
Catch the classic prepare from Palma to Soller
A wonderful tram journey is a quintessential solution to journey in Mallorca. This classic prepare runs from Palma to Soller, passing orange groves and pine forests. Guide your tickets right here.
Hike Ruta de Pedra en Sec
Ruta de Pedra en Sec is a surprising cobbled mountain path that hugs the aspect of cliff faces and dramatic gorges. Whereas 170km lengthy, you may simply choose a smaller part for a much less formidable hike.
2. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a Greek paradise, and everybody is aware of it. Apart from blue-domed church buildings and vibrant white buildings, Santorini has developed a repute as among the many Greek islands’ most luxurious. It’s simply one of the crucial standard of the Mediterranean islands. Between its luxe environment, issues to do, and iconic standing, we simply needed to embrace Santorini on our record.
Santorini itself was fashioned by a volcanic eruption. The eruption occurred hundreds of years in the past but set out Santorini’s distinctive geographical format for hundreds of years. The craggy stays of the volcanic rock reduce a stark distinction to Santorini’s shiny white buildings.
Issues To Do In Santorini
Purple Seashore is a should and (as you’ll have guessed) is a trademarked burnt purple colour. It’s ideally suited for a seashore day with a distinction.
Three Bells of Fira is a best choice amongst the blue-domed church buildings of Santorini. The Catholic Church is ready above the ocean on a scenic clifftop.
Learn Extra About Planning a visit to Santorini:
3. Menorca, Spain
Menorca is the second largest Balearic island. The Spanish island is extra lowkey than Mallorca or Ibiza. It lacks the hardcore partying and resorts – as a substitute well-known for sandy seashores and a little bit of peace and quiet. Whereas nonetheless on all the most important flight routes, it presents a extra tranquil expertise. This high quality actually stood out to us, and it needed to go onto our record.
Menorca might be 50% sandy seashores and 50% pine forests. However the capital Mahon has some cultural components too. We recommend renting a automotive and seashore hopping, then venturing into Mahon for meals and tradition.
Issues To Do In Menorca
Cala Algaiarens is an enormous sandy seashore sheltered by cliffs and with calm waters ideally suited for swimming. There’s additionally a mountaineering path close by for the adventurous.
Parc Pure de s’Albufera des Grau
This nature reserve is superbly explored by kayak or by snorkeling. The marshlands are a conservation space and peaceable for wildlife watching.
4. Corfu, Greece
Corfu is a major island within the Mediterranean. The Greek island is off the west coast of the gorgeous mainland. Each cruise traces and airways flock to Corfu – it’s a well-liked spot amongst all. Busy and unapologetically a channel for passing vacationers, Corfu has a continuing motion of individuals. A simple repair to that, although, is visiting in shoulder seasons. In shoulder seasons, markets and sights are a lot quieter, and the spring or autumn salty breeze retains you cooler anyway.
Corfu City is the central hub of the island. Nonetheless, resorts stud the whole circumference of the island, and wonderful sand seashores are throughout. Lease a automotive and choose your ideally suited part of the shoreline.
Issues To Do In Corfu
This historical fort is traditionally fascinating and likewise good for scenic views. Take a look at the displayed artifacts and permit just a few hours to discover the grounds.
A distant seashore in a rocky area surrounded by lush greenery and forests – Porto Timoni Seashore speaks for itself. It’s an adventurous seashore day vacation spot.
5. Sicily, Italy
Sicily is the most important of all islands within the Mediterranean. The Italian island sits off the west coast of the mainland and screams pure magnificence. It is usually a dwelling and respiratory museum, with Roman and Greek ruins in all places. Plus, there’s the joys of Mount Etna, one of the crucial energetic volcanoes in Europe, on the island’s east coast. Sicily is gorgeous and thrilling. It’s a profitable mixture if we ever did see one.
Issues To Do in Sicily
This magnificent historic landmark is an enormous archaeological website coated in historical temples and a fascinating museum.
Take the cable automotive up Mount Etna
Taking a cable automotive as much as Mount Etna is among the most fun issues to do in Sicily. You get dropped at a last part of the mountaineering path and emerge on the volcano’s crater. There are additionally a lot of jeep excursions if you would like a extra distinctive route up.
6. Capri, Italy
Capri is a fantastic island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, standard amongst luxurious seekers. It’s exhausting to not love its unique and glamorous attraction – whether or not you’re on a luxurious finances or not. The island has gorgeous seashores and a world-famous Blue Grotto, which will be visited by boat. Its glamor, issues to do, and seashores are what gained us over.
Issues To Do in Capri
The Blue Grotto is a large blue lagoon in a set of sea caves. The sunshine displays, making the seawater extremely blue (electrical blue at noon). You enter in a small fishing boat and might swim within the vibrant blue water. Guide your tickets right here.
Chairlift up Mount Solaro
The Mount Solaro chairlift is a couple of minutes lengthy however provides you gorgeous views of the ocean and rock formations. There’s additionally a restaurant – the right espresso level.
7. Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza is a Mediterranean island with a celebration scene. It’s a historic addition to the Balearic islands with Sixteenth-century partitions, but it’s higher recognized for digital dance music. Ibiza is among the finest islands for a celebration vacation. And if you end up recovering from an evening out, it has loads of stunning seashores and picturesque agricultural areas to discover with wild herbs and citrus groves.
Issues To Do in Ibiza
The golf equipment in Ibiza are unequalled. Some, like Pacha, have been open since 1973 and are iconic in their very own proper.
Even the largest occasion vacation has room for a little bit of historical past. This hilltop landmark is a medieval fortification and is effectively price a go to.
8. Hvar, Croatia
Hvar is the most effective occasion island in Croatia. The island thrives on all issues party-style. By day, you may take pleasure in seashore events, boat journeys, and water sports activities. By evening, the nightclubs whir into full motion. Off the coast of Break up, it’s simply added to a vacation on the mainland. It wiggled onto our record due to its infectious sense of nightlife and ideally suited location.
Issues To Do in Hvar
It goes with out saying that it is best to occasion in Hvar. There are many choices, from seashore bars to boat journeys and nightclubs.
Candlelight dinner in Humac
Humac is a abandoned stone hamlet. It runs a deliciously atmospheric candlelit dinner expertise within the night in a standard setting.
9. Cyprus
Cyprus is the third largest island within the Mediterranean. Formally a republic in its personal proper, the picturesque island is filled with attractive seashores and vibrant nightlife. Whether or not you keep on the north coast or the south, you’ll expertise Greek or Turkish tradition. Most guests select one of many different as a tough border is in the midst of the island. However you may at all times mix the 2 in case you have time.
We love the cultural side of Cyprus and likewise its measurement. There are a lot of causes to go to. And its purple scorching climate and occasion tradition are simply cherries on high.
Issues To Do in Cyprus
Archeological Website of Nea Paphos
These gorgeous Roman ruins function tombs, mosaics, and a fortress.
Ayia Napa is occasion central in Cyprus. There are tons of giant nightclubs with particular entrance offers.
10. Zakynthos, Greece
Zakynthos (aka Zante) is one in every of Greece’s hottest islands. The island is revered by partiers and people wanting a basic Greek island escape. Whenever you aren’t partying, there may be the dramatic Shipwreck Seashore to find, plus white sand seashores and child turtles. It encapsulates all the advantages of a superb Mediterranean island. Its wide selection of actions is what impressed us. Learn extra about Zakynthos right here.
Issues To Do in Zakynthos
Shipwreck Seashore is the enduring snapshot of the rusted shipwreck on the backside of a limestone cliff. The wonderful sand seashore is barely accessible by cruise and has characteristically vibrant blue waters contrasting the white cliffs.
Who doesn’t need to come face-to-face with a sea turtle? Zante is the right spot to snorkel with sea turtles or volunteer with child turtles in case you have time.
11. Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes is the most important of the Dodecanese – the Greek islands off the coast of Turkey. This Mediterranean island is filled with historical past and is heaven for anybody wanting to leap between historical ruins in between seashore days. In reality, its historical past is what caught our eye (and UNESCO’s since its previous city is a UNESCO World Heritage Website). Rhodes additionally has a captivating historical past of occupation, and the Ottomans and Italians have put their stamp on its cultural make-up.
Issues To Do in Rhodes
The towering columns of Lindos Acropolis rival that of even Athens’ Acropolis. Reaching the traditional scene is an extended stroll up a steep cliff.
Palace of the Grand Grasp of the Knights of Rhodes
This palace was reconstructed in 1940 and is a fantastic landmark that speaks to Rhodes’ medieval and historical heritage.
12. Elba, Italy
Elba is a Mediterranean island off of Tuscany. It gives an azure window into dwelling on the Tuscan coast. Elba was Napoleon’s place of exile between 1814-15. Regardless of being a historic vacation spot, Elba is a quiet place to embrace pure magnificence. Its pristine seashores are dreamy and set within the Tuscan Archipelago Nationwide Park – which gained us over.
Issues To Do in Elba
This historic landmark dates again to the thirteenth century and is a surprising place for views over the Mediterranean island.
This villa was owned by Napoleon Bonaparte, a particular declare to fame. Cease by to expertise the rest of dwelling historical past.
13. Gozo, Malta
Gozo is a Maltese island and one of many least visited islands within the Mediterranean. This Mediterranean island is laidback and filled with fishing villages and peaceable seashores. Some individuals advocate spending as little as half a day right here. However you’ll shortly take pleasure in per week or extra if you would like someplace to essentially unplug. We’ve beneficial it as a result of it’s so peaceable and ideally suited for these needing a break.
Issues To Do in Gozo
Scuba diving in a scenic inland lagoon could be area of interest, however it’s a enjoyable exercise in Gozo. You probably have a PADI, try this dive website.
This heritage website incorporates two of the oldest free-standing buildings on the earth. The limestone temples date again to the Neolithic period and are extremely well-preserved.
14. Milos, Greece
Milos is one other Mediterranean island with sheer white cliffs. Besides it additionally has moonlike landscapes- which is why we’ve added it to this information. The volcanic island is located off the east coast of Greece and has putting geographical options. It has additionally constructed a formidable repute as a celebration spot, contemplating it’s one in every of Greece’s lesser-known islands.
Issues To Do in Milos
Sarakiniko is Milos’ lunar seashore. The seashore is roofed in limestone rock, and it’s broadly in comparison with strolling on the moon.
Boat journey to the ocean caves
Milos’ sea caves are gorgeous. The white limestone caves are solely accessible by boat and distinction superbly with the blue waters.
15. Folegandros, Greece
Folegandros is a tiny Greek island. Neglect the crowds and main vacationer sights. This Mediterranean island is someplace to unwind. The miniature ‘capital’ (image a small city) is filled with white-washed buildings. It clings superbly to the blue waters of the shoreline. With some medieval historical past to analyze, Folegandros is a Mediterranean island to your bucket record. It could be small, however it packs a punch, which inspired us.
Issues To Do in Folegandros
This church is situated on a dry mountaintop with an iconic zigzagging white stairway to the highest. It’s a scenic pilgrimage to make, particularly at dawn or sundown.
Livadi Seashore is a tiny pebbled cove that fits Folegandros’ miniature aesthetic. It has a small-world feeling and a very good spot to sit down with a e book or paddle.
16. Lefkada, Greece
Lefkada is a fantastic Mediterranean island within the Ionian Sea. Technically, it’s related to the Greek mainland, however solely by a artifical causeway. So for the sake of this information (and Lefkada’s dramatic cliffs and blue waters), we needed to embrace it. It’s accessible from mainland Greece and is among the most lovely Greek islands. The limestone cliffs are like Zante’s Shipwreck Seashore – simply minus the crowds.
Issues To Do in Lefkada
This seashore is backed by towering limestone cliffs and vibrant blue waters. It is among the finest blue water seashores in Greece and is certainly photo-worthy.
Lefkada is filled with tradition and quiet villages. The Faneromeni Monastery is only one instance of this. It’s located scenically on the aspect of a mountain with ornate furnishings and gorgeous views.
17. Djerba, Tunisia
Djerba is booming with pure magnificence and a dramatic desert panorama. The island is off the north coast of Tunisia and has loads of influences from North Africa. Djerba has stunning seashores and is the southernmost island in our information. We have been impressed by its lesser-visited location and the mix of Berber, Arab, African, and Jewish cultures. Djerba is an actual cultural hotspot with sights like fishing ports and handicraft markets.
Issues To Do in Djerba
Horseback driving throughout sand dunes
Horseback driving is an exhilarating exercise in Djerba. Must you possess nerves of metal, it’s top-of-the-line methods to understand this Mediterranean island. The lengthy stretch of desert and sand dunes is dream worthy for galloping. And the desert panorama is a singular break from watersports and blue waters.
Guellala Museum is filled with historic pottery shows and artwork exhibitions. But it surely has one other draw, too – its statement tower at sundown. It’s a sensible place for tradition and a very good viewpoint to complete.
18. Naxos, Greece
Naxos stands out as the largest of the Cyclades islands within the Mediterranean. Nonetheless, measurement doesn’t correlate with recognition right here; Naxos isn’t the preferred of the Greek islands. We don’t know why as a result of it’s gorgeous. It’s turquoise bays and golden sand do make it a sought-after seashore vacation spot for these within the know. And its capital, Chora, is a picturesque historic base filled with iconic white cube-shaped homes. For us, the seashores and laidback vibe are main promoting factors.
Issues To Do in Naxos
Naxos has a fantastic Previous City with homes resembling tiny sugar cubes. The white-washed buildings are fairly to stroll between, and there are many al fresco espresso outlets with seating to individuals watch.
Kite browsing is a random addition. Nonetheless, kite browsing is among the finest issues to do in Naxos. Laguna and Mikri Vigla have the most effective kite browsing seashores.
Why Ought to You Go to The Islands of the Mediterranean?
Whether or not you select a Spanish island or a Greek island, the most important island or smallest island, the Mediterranean might be a wonderful vacation vacation spot. Every island has its personal distinct persona. The Mediterranean islands are a full spectrum of various vacation sorts and experiences. Hopefully, you may have now bought a pair in thoughts.
Searching for extra inspiration concerning the Mediterranean islands and area? Take a look at our information on the finest Mediterranean dishes to strive while you go to. And if Hvar notably caught your eye, Croatia has loads of different stunning islands to see close by. In any other case, have an exquisite time in your attractive island of alternative.