No man is an island, but on islands men pursue the possibility of getting away from the certainties of the mainland to find shelter in the embrace of the sea. Always synonymous with escape, freedom, adventure and nature, islands offer emotions and landscapes unlike any other.
Nearly 200 islands of rare beauty float in the Mediterranean Sea, each with its own special charm and an ancient story to tell those who visit it.
Tiny and uninhabited, huge and overcrowded, unknown and touristy, volcanic or flat, the Mediterranean islands boast the perfect blend of stunning landscapes, dreamy beaches, crystal-clear waters, natural harbours, rocky bays, colourful harbours, white fishermen's houses, lush hillsides, exquisite food and millenary culture.
The 10 most beautiful Mediterranean islands
Corsica
Santorini
Hvar
Sicily
Majorca
Malta
Cyprus
Capri
Sardinia
Ibiza
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Mediterranean Islands
For centuries, the islands of the Mediterranean have been on the routes of traders and civilisations from Asia, North Africa and continental Europe, with flows that have left a deep mark on their culture, architecture, art and cuisine. Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, Venetians and Ottomans have sailed the sea, bringing to life these enchanting places suspended out of the bustle of the world.
The Mediterranean is blessed with an amazing variety of islands and hidden treasures to discover off its waters. Italy, Greece, Spain, Croatia and France boast a long list of magnificent islands to visit at any time of the year, capable of providing strong emotions and boundless horizons even far from the summer season.
But which are the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean? Where do you find the most spectacular landscapes, the whitest beaches, the highest cliffs and the most picturesque centres?
Trying to draw up a classification would be reductive and partial, such is the beauty of every single Mediterranean island, from the Greeks Patmos, Corfu, Mykonos, Chios, Somos, Rhodes, Zante, Folegandros and Crete, to Spain's Menorca and Formentera, Croatia's Mljet and Krk, to our own Ischia, Elba, Tremiti and Pontine Islands.
Although each of the many Mediterranean islands deserves an in-depth visit, we have tried to select a few of the most beautiful ones to explore as soon as possible.
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Corsica
The beautiful island of Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and one of its most fascinating, wild and rugged. Rebellious nature, which covers a third of its mountainous territory, makes up a national park full of forests and challenging long-distance hiking trails such as the 170-km-long Grande Randonneé 20 or GR20, which cuts across the island from north-west to south-east following the main mountain range through pine forests, spectacular mountain scenery, rocky ridges and wildlife.
Then of course there are its beautiful beaches scattered along the coastline and lapped by crystal-clear waters such as Plage de Palombaggia, the highest beach in Corsica and one of the most beautiful in Europe, an ideal place for diving, swimming and relaxing under the sun while waiting for the spectacular sunset. Also not to be missed are the picturesque fishing villages with their relaxed atmosphere, the hilltop villages and the towns with beautiful historic centres such as Ajaccio.
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Santorini
The beautiful Greek islands are some of the most popular in the Mediterranean and among them is a crescent-shaped gem that attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its beaches, cliff-top houses and lunar landscapes, its name is Santorini. This magnificent island of volcanic origin is formed by the remains of a volcanic crater, giving it a unique atmosphere. From the top of the hills of Oia there is a breathtaking view of the sea at sunset time, while the whitewashed cubiform houses on the cliffs of Fira offer a vivid colour contrast to the dark rock on which they are carved. On Santorini, one can relax on its incredible beaches such as the black beach of Perissa or the red beach Vlychadao, walk one of the most beautiful trekking trails in the Mediterranean such as the nine-kilometre trek from Oia to Fira, visit picturesque towns such as Firostefani , Imerovigli and Akrotiri, or taste quality wines produced in the local vineyards.
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Hvar
Hvar is perhaps the most beautiful of Croatia's many islands and consequently one of the most attractive in Europe. Lush, green and sunny, with several beautiful towns and perfectly preserved medieval villages, Hvar boasts picture-postcard landscapes.
Inland, there are scenic lavender fields, olive groves and unspoilt nature, while the coast abounds with golden beaches lapped by blue waters such as those of Dubovica and Milna. The island has both fascinating historical attractions such as the scenic Fortica fortress perched on a hill, the Cathedral of St. Stephen and the Franciscan monastery, and a fashionable harbour and a lively nightlife with excellent clubs and restaurants.
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Sicily
Unspoilt beaches, picturesque villages, the cradle of ancient civilisations, Baroque masterpiece cities, dreamy gastronomy and a smouldering volcano towering over it - all this and much more characterises the astonishing territory of the largest of the Mediterranean islands, Sicily.
Visiting all its infinite attractions requires time and dedication. Sicily is a kaleidoscopic world of art, nature and traditions of dazzling beauty and eternal charm.
From the east to the west, from Catania and Syracuse to Palermo and Cefalù, the Val di Noto, Mount Etna, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the Greek Theatre in Taormina, Scylla and Charybdis on the Strait of Messina, fishing villages like Marzamemi, to beaches like the Scala dei Turchi, there is no end to the wonders this island has to offer those willing to explore.
As if that were not enough, from its shores one can embark on numerous archipelagos made up of a number of small, enchanting islands such as the Aeolian, Egadi and Pelagie Islands, or those of Ustica and Pantelleria.
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Majorca
The Spanish island of Majorca has many fascinating attractions: natural landscapes, heavenly beaches, historic towns, nightlife, incredible panoramas, limestone cliffs, verdant valleys and orange groves. Majorca is the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands known largely for its coastline rich in beaches, coves, vast stretches of sand and small, protected bays.
The interior of the island is relatively untouched with striking landscapes such as the rugged mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana in the north protected by UNESCO, where there are numerous hiking and biking trails, or the underground caves of the Drach in Porto Cristo and the monastery of Valldemossa. Palma de Mallorca is a cosmopolitan and characteristic city with historical buildings such as the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the Cathedral of Santa María, a labyrinthine old town and a marina crowded with luxury yachts. Also not to be missed is the romantic and scenic vintage train ride from Palma to the hill town of Sóller.
Malta
Located in the centre of the Mediterranean, rich in history, nature and culture, the tiny island nation of Malta offers a stunning landscape already as you approach the harbour of its capital Valletta dominated by majestic honey-coloured ramparts built by the Knights of St. John. Valletta immediately presents itself to its visitors in all its Baroque beauty, with the Grand Master's Palace, St John's Co-Cathedral, museums, churches, public gardens and fortresses. Outside the city there are also historical points of interest such as the megalithic temple of Hagar Qim or the beautiful former capital of Mdina, a fortified city rich in medieval and baroque buildings. Malta's natural landscapes are equally interesting with rocky lagoons, bays and breathtaking inlets. Not to be missed is the magnificent Blue Grotto, a complex of seven sea caves where the sea water takes on incredible cobalt blue tones. The port of Marsaxlokk is an ideal place to admire the brightly coloured fishing boats known as luzzu and perhaps embark on a voyage to the other small islands that make up the Maltese archipelago such as Gozo famous for its good wine and Comino where you can see the natural wonder of the Blue Lagoon.
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Cyprus
One of the oldest and most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, Cyprus combines at its best a millennial history, beautiful golden beaches on a sandy coastline, bays washed by turquoise sea, rocky headlands, archaeological sites, castles and exquisite hospitality.
The island is divided into two areas belonging to different countries. The southern territory belongs to the Greek Cypriots and the northern to the Turkish Cypriots.
The resorts on the southern coast of the island are the most popular and are home to the best beaches and many of the main attractions. Here, Unesco has listed several sites such as the Neolithic village of Khirokitia and the coastal town of Paphos, which, along with the ancient ruins and mosaics of The Tombs of the Kings, has numerous beaches perfect for beach lovers. Off the coast of Larnaca is one of the ten best dive sites in the world, the Zenobia shipwreck, while the beach of Nissi near the bay of Ayia Napa offers a spectacular view thanks to the contrast between white sand and turquoise sea water.
Inland, you can try your hand at nature trekking to the Caledonia Falls waterfall, or partake in a Meze, the typical Cypriot meal served in traditional food taverns that can take up an entire afternoon on a terrace shaded by vines.
Capri
Tiny and beautiful Capri cannot be missing from the list of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Off the Gulf of Naples, this rocky little gem stands out in the middle of a blue sea with its breathtaking views and sophisticated, exclusive atmosphere.
It is home to some of the most fascinating natural marine sites in the world, such as the Grotta dei Faraglioni, the Natural Arch and the astonishing Grotta Azzurra, which can only be reached by rowing boat to witness the incredible spectacle of the clear blue water lapping and reflecting on the cave walls, offering unparalleled fascination.
Imposing stacks sheer above sea waters on which the sun's rays glisten offer striking views, while its cobbled streets, crowded squares, craft shops, flowers and lemons that colour it give it an elegant and luxurious air.
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Sardinia
Sardinia is not only the second largest island in the Mediterranean and one of the best locations for white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, but represents a wild and fascinating land, archaic and unspoilt as if it were a nation unto itself.
The Sardinian island fuses together an enchanting coastline, a rugged hinterland and a mysterious and ancient culture like few other territories in the world. An endless list of breathtaking white beaches, hidden turquoise bays, dramatic cliffs lapped by an emerald sea that leaves you speechless.
Ideal for long relaxing swims, diving in its depths and practising water sports thanks to the constant presence of wind.
The Gulf of Orosei, the islands of La Maddalena, Caprera, the Costa Smeralda, the western side, are only a small part of the marine highlights.
Its mountainous interior is shrouded in holm-oak forests and dotted with tiny villages perched amidst natural landscapes, promontories, natural canyons such as the Su Gorropu gorges, sites of ancient and mysterious nuraghi such as the Tomb of the Giants, Roman temples and aqueducts such as in the archaeological park of Nora, cities rich in history overlooking the sea like the beautiful Cagliari and wild animals such as the albino donkeys on the island of Asinara, the endangered Sardinian deer on Monte Arcosu, or the pink flamingos that congregate in the natural ponds in the south of the island.
Visiting this island means diving into the clearest waters of the Mediterranean, touching a millenary culture and enjoying a gastronomy with unique flavours.
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Ibiza
The Mediterranean island that enjoys boundless fame is the beautiful Spanish island of Ibiza, known mainly for its roaring nightlife but which actually has much more to offer. In addition to the discos and party atmosphere that have written the history of nightlife in recent decades, Ibiza boasts fascinating natural landscapes, limestone islands, hilly villages, forest areas, whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, cave systems such as Can Marca, bays bathed by crystal-clear sea and salt pans such as those of Ses Salines, near the fashionable seaside resort of the same name.
Among the many beaches to choose from, there are true natural oases such as Santa Gertrudis with its casas de campo, immersed in nature, Cala Comte and Punta Galera lapped by incredible aquamarine waters and the beach of Cala Conta with wonderful coves surrounded by green pines, golden dunes and a turquoise sea, while the old hillside area of Ibiza, Dalt Vila, preserves local history with a castle, cathedral and old fortifications.
On the Isla bonita there is a spiritual air that stems from the 1960s when it was home to numerous hippy communities whose atmosphere can still be found today in the Las Dalias market in San Carles de Peralta, among local artists and craftsmen, and Cala Benirràs, where hippies celebrate the sunset during the summer months with singing and dancing to the rhythm of drums.
There are also numerous yoga and meditation retreats in its forests.
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