From the pebble beach with azure waters on the Amalfi Coast, to the world-famous Greek Isles, and the medieval towns along the Adriatic Sea, there is so much to experience in the ancient Mediterranean paradise. As such, we have had to be extremely picky about which locations to discuss here, as you could easily write a whole book on the subject. Therefore, we will stear clear of the mainland and explore Mediterranean Island destinations only.
Mediterranean Islands
Greek Islands
Arguably one of the most famous regions of the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands are a hugely popular summer destination for not only Greece, but all of Europe, and travelers from all over the world. There are hundreds of islands to choose from so it’s best to island hop between at least a few. While all the islands have distinct whitewashed homes and streets, each island offers its own unique appeal.
For example, the island of Mykonos offers up a more decadent lifestyle, famous for its thriving nightlife and gay-friendly scene catering for the LGBT community. Mykonos is where you might spot a celebrity’s superyacht anchored off a beach with a day club pumping on the sand. Ios island offers a similar experience.
According to Zoe Grace, the cruise traveler and owner of Cruiseshipmania, “The new Mykonos port in Tourlos is the most worthwhile place, which is only 2 kilometers away from the main Mykonos town. Here you can do shopping, enjoy the delicious continental food, and have much more fun.”
Conversely, you can head to Santorini for a more chilled out vibe, yet perhaps just as touristy as it’s one of the top summer destinations in the world. With its volcanic landscape, whitewashed homes built on rugged cliff edges, rich history and famous beaches, Santorini is a must-see on the Greek Island itinerary.
Vis
Not too far away from Greece across the Adriatic Sea is the little known Croatian Island of Vis. This secret little gem is a remote and rocky island which offers a more authentic experience to its more touristy neighbors of the Dalmatian Coast. A must-see attraction is Modra špilja, or The Blue Cave. You can do tours to Modra špilja about an hour south west of Komiža. The tour guides will know to take you between the hours of 11am and noon because timing is everything; at a certain moment the cave becomes flooded with blue light. If you are keen for a swim then now is the time for an unreal and surreal experience like no other.
Speaking of swimming, one thing you will notice about Vis is the sparkling crystal clear waters. As such, it has excellent dive sites, and with the jagged rocks along the coastline, it’s no surprise that more than a few ships have met their demise here. As a result, there are many fascinating shipwreck dives around the island. The water is so clear that one of the most famous wrecks, a huge Flying Fortress plane, sunk at a depth of 70m, can still be visible from the surface! Only pro-divers are advised to dive on this site. For the less experienced divers, and even snorkelers, there are plenty of other wrecks closer to the surface.
Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is a part of Spain and the Balearic Islands, which include Ibiza, another worthy mention. Besides being a beautiful textbook western Mediterranean island with picturesque beaches with mountain backdrops and classic Spanish mission architecture, Palma de Mallorca is a foodies paradise. The culinary scene is seriously off the charts with everything on offer from Micheline-starred haute cuisine to numerous Italian, Indian, Asian, Vegetarian and Vegan restaurants. Then, of course, there are the local authentic Mallorcan dishes, including fresh fish. If you like your food, then Palma de Mallorca truly is your island paradise.
The main cruise terminal is the Estació Maritima ferry and cruise pier, about a 40 minute walk from the city center. It’s a nice walk along the river but you can opt for one of the taxi’s lined up instead. Explore the area within the old city walls, especially the dominating Gothic Cathedral. Enjoy the food and the nightlife and live music, which is also second to none. Be sure to visit the Grand Hotel, originally Palm’s first luxury hotel but since converted into the Fundació La Caixa, a museum of modern art. Besides that, just laze by the beaches and enjoy people watching. The Playa Ca’n Pere Antoni has two great beach clubs where you can have a beer or Pina colada delivered to your sunbed.
Malta
The Mediterranean island nation of Malta is steeped in ancient history, which is evident from the lavish architecture and archaeological sites including Roman ruins. Cruise ships dock at Port Valletta, the city’s historical Quay. While you are there explore St. Elmo’s Fort, dating back to the Ottoman Empire, is built in a star formation overlooking the Valletta harbor in order to protect it. Valletta is Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there’s much to discover in this charming old town. It’s also worth visiting Malta’s old capital, Mdina, situated in the center of the island.
Malta is in fact an archipelago (not only one island), therefore a day trip to the idyllic island of Gozo is also highly recommended. Here, you can visit the Ggantija Temples, ancient sites used for human sacrifices and offerings. Incredibly, these structures pre-date the Pyramids of Egypt. To put that into perspective, they were built before the wheel was invented. There’s so much more to love about this island, you have to go see for yourself. Oh, and Malta’s also considered very progressive with a strong cryptocurrency economy and if you’re partial to smoking a reefer, Malta recently just made marijuana for personal use legal.
Antipaxos
We have to throw in a few lesser known islands here and one little gem is Antipaxos, an island of Greece. Unlike Greece’s more famous islands, Antipaxos is located off the west coast in the Ionian Sea. The islands of the Ionian sea are more plush in foliage than their eastern counterparts. Antipaxos is no exception, yet still boasts of that crystal clear azure blue waters that are so distinctively Mediterranean. In fact, the beach’s waters diversify here from blue and green to turquoise colors and are probably the most comparable to the best of Caribbean beaches you will find in the Mediterranean.
Antipaxos is a tiny island with only small ports so as a cruiser you will need to get a ferry from Paxos. A benefit of this is there are no major resorts and the population rarely exceeds over 100 guests, even in the high season. Therefore, it’s really all about the natural beauty of this unspoilt island, so the only thing you need to do is swim in the aquamarine waters and just chill out. Best beaches are Vrika Beach, Voutoumi Beach and Mesovikra Beach.
Corsica
Corsica is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, jutting out of the Ligurian Sea off the French Riviera. A part of France, Corsica’s culture is more in line with Italy, and home to famous artists. The spectacular geographical diversity of this island ranges from dramatic mountain scenery to hidden little coves, gorgeous beaches, deep valleys, thick forests, and even desert! The coastal and hilltop villages are like something out of a fairy-tale book. It’s easy to see why there are so many French vacations here.
For first timers, Ajaccio Cruise Port is located on the west coast of the island. Ajaccio is the largest city on the island and famous for being the birthplace of Napoleon. Therefore, visit the National Museum of Bonaparte Residence. If you have more time, you can explore Ajaccio easily on foot, with the city center only 0.3 miles from the port. During the walk you will view one of the finest harbors in the world.
Outside Ajaccio, be sure to take excursions to the Calanques de Piana, some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of France; a series of red cliffs and rocks that drop up to 300m into the Mediterranean Sea below. Also an excellent hiking area, there are several trails through Calanques de Piana, the most popular being the Chateau Fort trail. Must-experience beaches include Palombaggia Beach and Santa Giulia Beach, both great for a paddle board.
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second largest island of the Mediterranean (behind Sicily) and a part of Italy. Located just south from Corsica, it is the go-to summer destination for many Italians, and Europeans alike. Famous for its clear, azure waters and pebble beaches surrounded by rocky outcrops, Sardinia is an island paradise. For those of you who love swimming, sunbathing, and authentic Italian cuisine, Sardinia is your place.
Besides the amazing beaches and local delicacies, Sardinia is known for its archaeological sites throughout the island called the Nuraghi. The Nuraghi are megalithic monuments spread out across the island dating back thousands of years, the most important one being the Barumini, Su Nuraxi.
Best beaches are Spiaggia del Principe, Isola Maddelena and for keen hikers head out to Cala Goloritzè for some amazing scenery and a picture-perfect beach.
About Storylines
Storylines is creating a floating community of global citizens on a residential ship, MV Narrative, which will be exploring the Mediterranean Seas. As the remote work life dynamic is changing right before our eyes, more people are choosing travel as a lifestyle, not a vacation. For more info on the remaining residences available, please view their luxury homes for sale.
