Explore the best islands on the mediterranean, from stunning beaches and ancient ruins to unforgettable food, culture, and adventures.
I still remember the time I got ruined by the Mediterranean. I was sitting on a ferry deck, somewhere en route to Naxos from Santorini, salt stiffening in my hair as I ate a tomato that tasted more like a tomato than any tomato could possibly be allowed to taste, and I thought: okay, I‘m forever ruined I won‘t be content with any other type of holiday beach experience.
That‘s been six years and, to be honest, probably too many credit card statements ago. In the meantime I‘ve island-hopped my way through Greece, made a complete ass of myself wandering around a Sicilian hill town in search of a bakery that was closed for a three hour lunch (naturally) and once missed a ferry in Croatia so badly that I made a new Slovenian best friend over a few forced beers in the afternoon. That‘s the Mediterranean for you. It’ll throw you a curve ball and somehow, somehow, it will be the highlight of your trip.
So, if you‘re here because you searched for “islands on the Mediterranean” into Google at 11pm on a whim while fantasizing about tendering your resignation, welcome. I have done the research (and obtained sunburn and dubious booking confirmation in the process) so you don‘t have to. Let‘s begin.
If you‘re trying to decide on which islands to visit in the mediterranean then this guide will help you make your decision quickly. And if Sardinia is on your list, Sardinia Sailing Holidays: 7 unbelievably Good Tips can help you plan your trip with confidence.
Quick Answer: The Mediterranean at a Glance
Before we get into all the details of the following, here‘s the fast version for those of you who are just skimming through during your lunch hours – a rapid overview of the top-islands on the mediterranean, in summary:
| Island | Country | Known For |
| Santorini | Greece | The sunset, Caldera views, Romances. |
| Mykonos | Greece | Nightlife, beach clubs. In terms of nightclubs, New York City and New Orleans are also comparable. However, while New York offers an abundance of dance clubs, New Orleans is renowned for its Jazz clubs. |
| Crete | Greece | History; As each time period passes by the sheet food described becomes more and more refined, also the food aspect becomes wider and varying. Product size; the size of the products in the sheet foods varies a lot and size can range from tiny to normal. |
| Sicily | Italy | Food, volcanoes, Father John Moreno>, |
| Sardinia | Italy | Blue green waters, angry coast line. |
| Capri | Italy | Glamour, Blue Grotto |
| Mallorca | Spain | Family beach, walking. |
| Ibiza | Spain | Parties and also, surprisingly, yoga retreats |
| Hvar | Croatia | Lavender fields, high-end nightlife |
| Corsica | France | Mountains with a sea front |
| Malta | Malta | History built upon history. |
| Cyprus | Cyprus | Beaches and ancient ruins. |
Let‘s actually talk about why these things get under your skin.
Why are the Mediterranean Islands different
It‘s everyone-else‘s assumption too, that it‘s the sunshine. Even I can still admit I rescheduled an entire holiday duration by 2 weeks just because of a forecast for rain. The true enchantment though, is that no two islands in the Med seem to be close neighbours, even if they are just an hour by boat away. It’s that feeling of a box of chocolates where they are all still delicious, yet differ completely, in unique ways. One island might treat you to breathtaking sunset views from dramatic cliffs and sky-high prices, while another offers homemade honey from a local’s garage for just two euros.
How else to explain why I keep returning to this place? It is the diversity; you could stay for ten years and never cover all the different personas, dialects, ingredients and delicacies of the Mediterranean islands. To be honest, it is very addictive.
Greek Islands: Where I Wandered Lost… my heart and my navigational skills…
This is a good place to begin, for this is really where mine began also.
Santorini
Is it touristy? Yes. Has everyone taken the photos of that blue-domed church? Yes, eleven thousand times. I know the eye-rolling factor. ButI promise–standing on the caldera rim in Oia at golden hour, watching the whole crowd fall silent at the exact moment the sun hits the horizon still does me in. Best for: couples, honeymooners, anyone looking for a sunset camera-ready in advance. (For official travel information, Visit Greece, the country‘s national tourism board, is a good place to start.)
Mykonos
Mykonos is that friend that makes you stay out until 4am, and makes you happy about it. The beach clubs are amazing, the white, narrow streets are perfect for aimless wandering (and getting lost in, which -believe me- is half the fun), and the fact that it‘s all so unapologetically loud is part of the appeal. Most suitable for: clubbers, group trips, people who want to get on a table and dance on it at least once
Crete
Crete is the place I would really settle down in. It’s so much bigger than the others that you can find mountain villages, gaps you could spend all day rambling around and beaches that still seem to be relatively untouched (if you drive far enough). I have spent four hours having lunch here that started as just ‘popping to the café for a coffee’ – that‘s the way Crete is. Perfect for: foodies, ramblers, those who require more than a picture postcard.
Rhodes
Rhodes tosses you into an Old Town sealed off by walls built in medieval times then a mere ten minutes later drops you on a beach where it seems as if the Caribbean had been misplaced. Truly one of the lesser known combos in the Aegean.
Naxos
Mykonos is the loud friend; Naxos is the mature one-, less tourists, more tomatoes (just ask any Greek islander what the best ones are; they know) and windsurfing beaches attract a very different type of tourist.
If you wish to learn more about the ancient history of Greek islands check Delos. The small island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The mythological birthplace of Apollo, Delos has its own unique Greek mythology.
Italian Islands: Where the Food Alone Is Worth the Flight
Sicily
Sicily doesn‘t do subtle things. Your new life schedule will be volcanoes, Baroque, Greek temples, food, and all sorts of things that completely blow your old priorities out of the water. I haven‘t had a handful of this good sorbet since, well, breakfast in Catania and I will think of it randomly. Ideal for: food nuts, history connoisseurs, and everyone who wakes up wishing they were in a movie (check out Italy‘s official tourism website for a full regional guide).
Sardinia
Sardinia still has the most outrageously gorgeous coast line; the sea takes on a rather unnatural shade of turquoise that honestly looks even better when you see it in real life. Besides that though, it is home to a large percentage of the world‘s oldest living people. Basically, after a week of pasta and Vermentino that made me go all smiley, it all makes sense.
Capri
Intimate, glitzy, and, to be honest, a little bit too pricey — but the Blue Grotto and the amazing vistas from Anacapri justify the splurge at least once.
Spanish Islands: The Balearics Have Range
Mallorca
People tend to assume that Mallorca is just an all-singing all-dancing package holiday island, but the mountains and walking tracks inland up the Serra de Tramuntana range are truly breathtaking, and it‘s an island that you really need to get away from the coast to appreciate. (Spain.info, the official tourism site for the country, gives a much more comprehensive coverage of the entire Balearic archipelago.)
Ibiza
Ibiza has an image, and yes, it lives up to the stories of the clubs. But there is a more chilled out part of it, too: lunch-time yoga session on the northside, hippie markets, beach bars where there‘s no guest list. Both are true. What tends to take first timers back, however, is the fact Ibiza is a UNESCO World Heritage , not just places for partying. It‘s pubs and Posidonia seagrass meadows, it is pueblos and Phoenician archaeological sites.
Menorca
Menorca is the Ibiza you might have stumbled across years ago. Less crowded bays, more laid-back, less influencers with drones.
Croatian Islands: The New Kid Everyone‘s Talking About
Hvar
Hvar has that weird paradox of being simultaneously a lavender-scented sleepy island and a no-holds-barred party destination; you just have to be in the right part. For my Slovenian girlfriends and me, it was the surprise of the century: from bucolic fields to watching a yacht party in what seemed like 30 seconds.
Korula
Quieter, greener and, so the story goes, the home of Marco Polo. Whether or not that‘s factually accurate, I wasn‘t too concerned about verifying while I was in the town.
The Ones People Forget
Corsica, France
This is what the Alps get up to when they go on holiday to the beach. Its mountains drop directly into the blue sea and even the inland areas are so rugged that walking here is a spiritual experience.
Malta
Malta basically has seven civilizations worth of history on an island smaller than London that you could just about get from end to end in an hour. Soancienttemples, some predating Stonehenge are a stone‘s throw from sun-on-sand bars; it‘s an amazing experience, and a guaranteed culture shock.
Cyprus
Divided between Greek and Turkish spheres of influence, the country has wonders of ancient civilizations as well as vineyard-lined mountains and far less crowded beaches. The office of the official Visit Cyprus is great to find out current holiday restrictions and to see what events are taking place season by season before booking.
How to.
Here‘s the thing nobody warns you about: you don‘t have to see all of them. I made this mistake myself on my first trip, trying to squeeze in 4 islands in 10 days and all I remember is sprinting for the ferries, I regret rushing so much now. With so many islands to explore in the Mediterranean, it‘s good to simplify before you plan:
Craving love stories and endless sunsets? Choose between Hvar or Santorini.
Craving a party all night long? Then, go toMykonosorIbiza.
Looking to Change Your Life with a New Diet? Want food that will completely change your life? Then visit Sicily or Crete.
Calling for a desertion to nature? Corsice or Sardinhas.
Want history on top of history? Choose Malta or Cyprus.
Imagine it‘s like choosing dishes in a restaurant with just too much to choose from. You‘re not going to sample all of the choices in one sitting and that is perfectly fine. Leave some for your next visit (there‘s always another visit and The Med has got your back on that one).
Getting Between the Islands
Ferries are the essential ‘glue’ of island-hopping, particularly in Greece and Croatia, so pre-book them (during the busy summer months) rather than going in blind, as I can tell you it‘s easy to end up having to ad-hoc kill an extra night in a port town if you leave it to the last minute. Budget airlines link quite a few of the larger islands which might be more efficient for time constraints.
Best Time to Visit
May (late)/ June and September (early)/ October. These can be swelteringly warm enough for swimming, but not teetering on the edge of tourist-y madness by the high-July peak-crowds and prick-snatchingly high prices. July and August can be stunning, but are infamously crowded and cost-hoardingly busy, particularly in Greece and Italy. If your schedule allows you to travel in shoulder season, take the opportunity your purse (and your temper) will smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean?
There is obviously no single answer to this question but on the Santorini side — for its breathtaking views, then the beauty of Sardinia‘s coast and the natural drama of Corsica — its mountain meets the sea, are obvious contenders. It all comes down, of course, to your definition of beautiful.
So, which Mediterranean island is perfect for a family holiday?
Both coasts of – are great choices offering a solid balance of tranquil beaches, family friendly facilities and enough diversity to satisfy parents and children.
Which Mediterranean island is best for value?
In general, Croatia, Cyprusand some areas ofGreeceshit outside Santorini andMykonos(egNaxos, Crete) are cheaper.
Is it possible to island hop in the Mediterranean on the cheap?
Ferries are pretty cheap, and booking a smaller guest house than those far-flung resorts allowed to exist by mass tourism will save your budget considerably, particularly outside the busy season.
Final Thoughts
To be honest, if you told me a few years ago I‘d sit on one ferry for a nearly borderline obsession with the Mediterranean I‘d have laughed in your face. But this is the Mediterranean we‘re talking about, it either leaves you with a nice holiday or a benchmark. After that every beach looks compared, whether it deserves to be or not.
Wherever it is you finally begin on Santorini looking out from the cliffs, in some remote Croatian bay, over a Sicilian lunch that will take up your entire afternoon you‘re not going to want to stop at just one. Travel light, book your ferry early, and accept that four-hour-long lunch. I promise you won‘t regret it.
Whatever way you choose to go about it, travelling around islands in the mediterranean is one of those trips which, it turns out, can completely redefine what you think a holiday can be.
