Mediterranean islands have that particular attract. With pristine seashores, wealthy historical past, and loads of seashore bars – what extra may you need from a vacation? You’ve already chosen properly by narrowing your search to an island within the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean area is beautiful and filled with scrumptious meals and sights courting again to the traditional world. Nonetheless, these are the islands that you’ll want to put on the prime of your listing.
High Mediterranean Islands
On this information, we’ve picked our final suggestions for the very best Mediterranean islands to go to. Listed here are this yr’s prime 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 vital in style islands within the Mediterranean for vacationers. Mallorca made its method onto our listing 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 delightful 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 good on a funds, with loads of low-cost airways working common flights from main European cities.
Issues To Do In Mallorca
- Catch the classic practice from Palma to Soller
A ravishing tram journey is a quintessential strategy to journey in Mallorca. This classic practice runs from Palma to Soller, passing orange groves and pine forests. Book your tickets here.
- Hike Ruta de Pedra en Sec
Ruta de Pedra en Sec is a surprising cobbled mountain path that hugs the facet of cliff faces and dramatic gorges. Whereas 170km lengthy, you’ll be able to simply decide a smaller part for a much less formidable hike.
2. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a Greek paradise, and everybody is aware of it. Other than blue-domed church buildings and vibrant white buildings, Santorini has developed a status as among the many Greek islands’ most luxurious. It’s simply one of the vital in style of the Mediterranean islands. Between its luxe ambiance, things to do, and iconic standing, we simply needed to embody Santorini on our listing.
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
Crimson Seashore is a should and (as you could have guessed) is a trademarked burnt crimson coloration. It’s supreme 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 about above the ocean on a scenic clifftop.
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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 provides a extra tranquil expertise. This high quality actually stood out to us, and it needed to go onto our listing.
Menorca might be 50% sandy seashores and 50% pine forests. However the capital Mahon has some cultural components too. We advise renting a automobile 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 supreme for swimming. There’s additionally a mountain climbing 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 big 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 preferred spot amongst all. Busy and unapologetically a channel for passing vacationers, Corfu has a relentless motion of individuals. A straightforward 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 superb sand seashores are throughout. Hire a automobile and decide your supreme part of the shoreline.
Issues To Do In Corfu
This historical fort is traditionally fascinating and likewise excellent for scenic views. Try the displayed artifacts and permit a couple of 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’s also a dwelling and respiration museum, with Roman and Greek ruins all over the place. Plus, there’s the joys of Mount Etna, one of the vital energetic volcanoes in Europe, on the island’s east coast. Sicily is gorgeous and thrilling. It’s a successful mixture if we ever did see one.
Issues To Do in Sicily
This magnificent historic landmark is an enormous archaeological web site coated in historical temples and an attractive museum.
- Take the cable automobile up Mount Etna
Taking a cable automobile as much as Mount Etna is without doubt one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Sicily. You get dropped at a closing part of the mountain climbing path and emerge on the volcano’s crater. There are additionally plenty of jeep tours if you need a extra distinctive route up.
6. Capri, Italy
Capri is an attractive island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, in style amongst luxurious seekers. It’s onerous to not love its unique and glamorous enchantment – whether or not you’re on a luxurious funds or not. The island has beautiful seashores and a world-famous Blue Grotto, which will be visited by boat. Its glamor, things to do, and seashores are what gained us over.
Issues To Do in Capri
The Blue Grotto is an enormous blue lagoon in a group of sea caves. The sunshine displays, making the seawater extremely blue (electrical blue at noon). You enter in a small fishing boat and may swim within the vibrant blue water. Book your tickets here.
- Chairlift up Mount Solaro
The Mount Solaro chairlift is a couple of minutes lengthy however offers you beautiful 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 identified for digital dance music. Ibiza is without doubt one of the greatest islands for a celebration vacation. And if you end up recovering from an evening out, it has loads of lovely 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 most important get together 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 very best get together island in Croatia. The island thrives on all issues party-style. By day, you’ll be able to take pleasure in seashore events, boat journeys, and water sports activities. By evening, the nightclubs whir into full motion. Off the coast of Cut up, it’s simply added to a vacation on the mainland. It wiggled onto our listing due to its infectious sense of nightlife and supreme location.
Issues To Do in Hvar
It goes with out saying that you need to get together 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 could possibly all the time mix the 2 in case you have time.
We love the cultural side of Cyprus and likewise its measurement. There are many reasons to visit. And its crimson scorching climate and get together tradition are simply cherries on prime.
Issues To Do in Cyprus
- Archeological Website of Nea Paphos
These beautiful Roman ruins function tombs, mosaics, and a fortress.
Ayia Napa is get together central in Cyprus. There are tons of big nightclubs with particular entrance offers.
10. Zakynthos, Greece
Zakynthos (aka Zante) is one among Greece’s most popular 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 an excellent Mediterranean island. Its wide selection of actions is what impressed us. Learn extra about Zakynthos here.
Issues To Do in Zakynthos
Shipwreck Seashore is the enduring snapshot of the rusted shipwreck on the backside of a limestone cliff. The superb sand seashore is only 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 truth, its historical past is what caught our eye (and UNESCO’s since its outdated city is a UNESCO World Heritage Website). Rhodes additionally has an enchanting 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 an attractive landmark that speaks to Rhodes’ medieval and historical heritage.
12. Elba, Italy
Elba is a Mediterranean island off of Tuscany. It offers 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 stuffed with fishing villages and peaceable seashores. Some folks advocate spending as little as half a day right here. However you’ll rapidly take pleasure in every week or extra if you need someplace to essentially unplug. We’ve beneficial it as a result of it’s so peaceable and supreme for these needing a break.
Issues To Do in Gozo
Scuba diving in a scenic inland lagoon is likely to be area of interest, however it’s a enjoyable exercise in Gozo. In case you have a PADI, try this dive web site.
This heritage web site 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 hanging geographical options. It has additionally constructed a formidable status as a celebration spot, contemplating it’s one among 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 extensively in comparison with strolling on the moon.
- Boat journey to the ocean caves
Milos’ sea caves are beautiful. 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 research, Folegandros is a Mediterranean island in your bucket listing. It is likely to be small, nevertheless it packs a punch, which galvanized us.
Issues To Do in Folegandros
This church is positioned 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 take a seat with a ebook or paddle.
16. Lefkada, Greece
Lefkada is an attractive Mediterranean island within the Ionian Sea. Technically, it’s linked 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 embody it. It’s accessible from mainland Greece and is without doubt one of the most beautiful 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 without doubt one of the best blue water beaches in Greece and is unquestionably 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 facet of a mountain with ornate furnishings and beautiful 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 lovely 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 probably the greatest 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 novel break from watersports and blue waters.
Guellala Museum is filled with historic pottery shows and artwork exhibitions. Nevertheless it has one other draw, too – its remark tower at sundown. It’s a good 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 do not know why as a result of it’s beautiful. 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 stuffed with iconic white cube-shaped homes. For us, the seashores and laidback vibe are main promoting factors.
Issues To Do in Naxos
Naxos has an attractive Previous City with homes resembling tiny sugar cubes. The white-washed buildings are fairly to stroll between, and there are many al fresco espresso retailers with seating to folks watch.
Kite browsing is a random addition. Nonetheless, kite browsing is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Naxos. Laguna and Mikri Vigla have the very best 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 character. The Mediterranean islands are a full spectrum of various vacation sorts and experiences. Hopefully, you could have now received a pair in thoughts.
Searching for extra inspiration in regards to the Mediterranean islands and area? Try our information on the best Mediterranean dishes to try when you visit. And if Hvar significantly caught your eye, Croatia has loads of other beautiful islands to see close by. In any other case, have a beautiful time in your attractive island of selection.
