They are sun resistant, have beautiful beaches, beautiful nature and delicious Mediterranean dishes. We guide you to the most popular islands of the Mediterranean – and two slightly lesser-known islands that are worth a visit.
The summer favorite Mallorca is still hot. The charming city of Palma is home to many sights, shops, eateries and beaches, and the Cathedral of Sa Seu is Spain's most famous. The island is also popular for golfing, hiking and visiting vineyards, so there's plenty to do here. You can also visit the neighboring island of Menorca in just 45 minutes by ferry. Alcudia is a favorite destination for families with children, and you can have fun with 15 km of white coastline. Nearby you will find a charming old town and the harbor of Puerto de Alcudia with fishing boats and pleasure boats, as well as the night market and the Hydropark water park at the harbor, and the Salbufera nature reserve at Playa de Muro. Es Trenc beach is a sheltered and favorite beach, also known as Mallorca Caribbean because of the exotic white dunes and the turquoise sea on the coastline.
Many people associate Ibiza with partying and fun, and the offer is great for those who want an unforgettable holiday. Yet it is also quite possible to enjoy a relaxing and peaceful holiday on the beautiful island off the coast of Spain. Visit the old town of d'Alt Vila where the atmosphere and pace are considerably calmer and more idyllic with romantic cafes, cathedral and beautiful views over Ibiza Town. Ibiza is also known for its hippie atmosphere which makes it easy to fall in love with the island – don't miss the Punta Arabi hippy market held every Wednesday. Also rent a car and explore the island. 22 minutes from Ibiza Town, La Paloma in San Lorenzo is an idyllic old farmhouse where all the herbs and vegetables on the menu are grown outside the restaurant. By car you can also find more secluded beaches or take a trip to the many yoga retreats on the island. Beaches that you can visit include Cala Jondal in San Jose, Cala D'Hort and La Salinas. Also take a day trip to the sister island of Formentera while you are here, which you can read about further down the road.
If you've seen a photo of Brac, it's probably the iconic Zlatni Rat Beach, one of Europe's most photographed beaches. The white pebble beach extends into the clear blue water as a long white point surrounded by a light turquoise hue. Other highlights on the island are the green olive groves, the pine forest, the vineyards and the small fishing village of Milna which also offers sandy beaches. Rent a car or moped and explore the highlights of the island, including the cozy harbor town and Brac's capital Supetar, the town of Bol with Zlatni Rat beach and the town of Postira with its cultural offerings, wine tastings and a sandy beach full of ruins and ancient finds. Fun fact is that the white marble of the island contributed to the construction of the White House in the United States. From Braĉ you can easily hire a skippered boat for the day and visit everything from the magical Blue Cave, diving in the Green Cave, take a trip to the cozy island of Palmizana or see the lavender fields on the neighboring island of Hvar. .
If you're looking for a more luxurious holiday, Elounda is a good choice, while the town of Hersonissos is popular for partying. Platanias or Agia Marina are also very popular seaside resorts, as is the hippie town of Paleochora on the south coast. Elafonissi Beach with its pink sand beach is known as the Maldives of Crete, but be prepared for a longer and bumpy bus ride to get here, depending on where you stay. There is a great choice of child-friendly beaches in Crete, especially Almirida in western Crete and Makrigialos in eastern Crete. Vai Beach on the east coast of the island is also a great tip. In the west of Crete you can take an excursion to the Samaria Gorge, a day trip of about 6 hours, or by boat to the island of Spinalonga, which was a leper colony until 1957. The island is also interesting for those who appreciate quality products such as olive oil, wine and leather products, as the island produces these itself. Boutari, the island's most famous winery, is located just outside the “capital” Heraklion.
“Island of the Sun” Sicily is Italy's largest island, and one of the highlights is getting a closer look at Mount Etna. You can climb this on foot in 4 hours there and back. Also sign up for a Sicilian cooking class, because there are many good recipes and ingredients on this island. Feel free to rent a car and take in the towns of Ragusa which are located in the mountains of the southern parts of the island and are one of the most beautiful in all of Sicily, as well as romantic Taormina perched high on a cliff above the sea, where a funicular goes to the sea. In the capital Palermo and Taormina you will find nice shops, and you will find colorful pottery all over the island. Visit the Taormina Arte Festival which lasts from June to August, as well as a boat trip to the island of Stromboli on Sicily's northern coast, where you can watch lava erupt from the active volcano every 15 minutes. For sunbathing you can go to Giardini-Naxos, Cefalú and Castellammare del Golfo – these places are also child-friendly. Taormina for romance, and Palermo if you want big city life near the sun and the beach.
In Malta you combine a beautiful big city with cozy fishing villages, world famous diving and beautiful islands. Start by experiencing Valletta, the capital of Malta, where you will find a lot of culture, history and beautiful buildings. Stroll and drink coffee in narrow, rustic streets, go shopping or visit a nearby beach. On the southeast side of the island there are excellent surfing and windsurfing conditions due to the wind, while Golden Bay or Ghajn Tuffieha are good options if you want to be sheltered from the wind and enjoy the sun and a book – the former is more luxury. Also take a trip to the leafy village island of Gozo, as well as the smaller island of Comino, with its blue langune and white sand. Malta is also a favorite place for divers from all over the world, especially in Gozo. Look out for caves and wreck diving. The traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its colorful boats and good seafood restaurants is also a must in Malta. The island has 300 days of sunshine a year, so it should be quite sunny to travel here.
2 lesser known islands to visit
Do you want to travel to a place where you can completely relax with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful nature? Then you should consider the scenic islands of Formentera and Thassos. The latter is becoming increasingly popular in Greece's travel offerings, but is still much less touristy than the country's most popular islands. Formentera gives you wonderful peace and beautiful nature. We guide you through the two white island pearls of the Mediterranean.
Just 30 minutes by ferry from Ibiza you will find the smaller sister island of the famous island – Formentera. Although Ibiza is known for partying as well as being a laid-back hippie capital of Europe, you can look forward to an even more laid-back lifestyle in Formentera. The island also has even finer beaches and is often referred to as the Caribbean of Spain. So if you're dreaming of Caribbean charm, it might be closer than you think. The beautiful beach of Playa Illetes has been voted Europe's most beautiful with its chalky white sand and crystal clear azure sea - so Formentera should be on the beach lovers' list! On Formentera you can enjoy good fish restaurants, charming villages and white beaches with turquoise sea. Alternatively, Ibiza can be combined with a few days in Formentera to experience both islands. To get here, fly to Ibiza and take the ferry to Formentera. Formentera is perfect for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of home.
The small island of Thassos in Greece has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is particularly suitable for the quiet beach life and the beautiful Greek nature. The villages of Limenaria and Potos are the villages with the most life in the summer, the latter being the best for children, and both villages have shops, restaurants, bars and beaches in the immediate vicinity. Eat at Mouragio in Limenaria for good food. The charming town of Thassos should also be visited on holiday. The beaches are what make Thassos unique, and Saliara beach, or Marble beach as it is also called, is perhaps the most beautiful on the island. Also spend long sunny days on the beaches of Paradise Beach, Aliki, Psili Ammos and the natural swimming pool Giola. Take walks among olive groves or hike up the island's highest mountain, Ipsarion. Visit the weekly market in Prinos and stop at the cozy village of Panagia. Thassos is perfect for those who want to recharge their batteries with sun, nature and good food in an authentic Greece.
