Top 10 Must-Visit Islands in the Mediterranean

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The Mediterranean islands are fantastic travel destinations. They are full of beautiful sandy beaches, great food, ancient history, picturesque villages, and many outdoor activities. 

Add to that the relaxed pace of life and sunny weather, and you will have the perfect setting for a memorable vacation. This is why millions of tourists visit the Mediterranean islands every year.

Capri

Capri, close to the Italian city of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, is picture-postcard perfect. The sheer cliffs and blue sea provide a lyrical landscape. There are stunning natural sites like the Blue Grotto, Arco Naturale, and the Faraglioni Cave. 

Stay close to the coast or go up to the town of Anacapri if you have more time. There are attractive piazzas and posh shops everywhere. Capri is a favorite with luxury travelers. 

You will see many mega-yachts here. You can visit Capri from Naples or Rome on a day-trip. There are places to stay, but most tourists are day-trippers.

Menorca

Close to Barcelona, Menorca offers many archeological treasures, hidden beaches and coves, and a laid-back vibe. Relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures here. Go for a swim in the shallow turquoise water at Cala Turqueta. 

Try the local flavors at Subaida. Hike up for stunning panoramic views. Or take a guided tour of a dairy farm or the Georgian-style estate. The evening provides its magical ambiance.

Sicily

Sicily at the southern tip of Italy is another stunning Mediterranean island. It is also the largest of all the islands in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Sicily offers everything – pristine beaches, quaint villages, bustling cities, and rich heritage. In Palermo, the capital, you can see impressive architecture like the Cappella Palatina. 

Take a train ride to the Southeast’s coastal area of Cefalù. Mount Etna, in eastern Sicily, is Europe’s highest active volcano.

Ibiza

Ibiza is just a hop away from Valencia in Spain. It is the nightlife and party capital of the Mediterranean. 

The harbor town has many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The strip of San Antonio is a favorite. But Ibiza is also a UNESCO World Heritage site for its rich history. Discover the island’s quiet side. There are many pine forests, hilly hamlets, and secluded coves.

Cyprus

Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love, passion, and procreation, is from Cyprus’s east Mediterranean island. 

It’s a fascinating island to visit. There are ancient historical and archeological sites, the iconic Aphrodite’s Rock, medieval villages with squares and chapels that are UNESCO World Heritage enlisted, and modern towns existing side by side. 

The island has hills, forests, and even ice slopes. Popular activities include seeing ancient sites, horse riding, hiking, water sports, village trips, golfing, and trying traditional foods. 

You can stay in a luxury villa in Cyprus and explore the island. Paphos, Aya Napa, and Protaras are the best places to stay in Cyprus.

Santorini

A vacation at the Greek island of Santorini is an experience of a lifetime. You will see bright colors everywhere as you approach the island, mostly blue and white hues. 

The cubiform houses are carved into the cliffs. The atmosphere is very romantic and sophisticated. 

There are superb wineries, stylish hotels, and polished eateries. 

Santorini is fantastic both during the day and in the evening. The sunsets you catch from here are truly mesmerizing.

Mykonos

Plan a Greek vacation with a trip to Athens and the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, the party capital in the eastern Mediterranean. Head to the Super Paradise or Paradise beach. 

You will find thumping music at the many bars here. Many famous D.J.s perform at the dance clubs here. The party goes deep into the night. But it’s not just about the party. Mykonos has many sun-drenched beaches as well. 

Visit the Aegean Maritime Museum, the port of Hora, the Paleokastro 18th century monastery, and see the 16th-century iconic windmills.

Sardinia

Make sure you visit Sardinia at least once. The Mediterranean Sea’s second-biggest island has some of the most picturesque beaches you will find anywhere. Here, you will find 124 miles of stunning coastline with aquamarine water and powder-soft sand. All over, you will find sheer cliffs, forests, and lush inlands. 

The rich and famous Italians love to holiday at Costa Smeralda. For history buffs, there are Roman ruins and the ancient Nuragic village of Tiscali, where the houses go back to the first millennium B.C. 

You will also find Catalan Gothic architecture. The island also has a unique culture that goes back a long time.

Malta

Malta is almost halfway between the coast of North Africa and Sicily. It is a fascinating island full of ancient Megalithic temples, fortresses, and underwater caves. You will find some of the fascinating ancient sites and the most transparent water in all of Europe here. 

Malta has a rich history as the British, French, the Moors, Romans, and Knights of Saint John have all ruled here. 

Visit Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and see the subterranean burial chambers and halls going back to 4000 B.C. You will love your beach time, too, as Malta gets 300 days of sunshine a year.

Majorca

Located between Menorca and Ibiza, this Spanish island is famous for its serene sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, verdant valleys, coves, architectural ruins, and orange groves. 

Many painters have been inspired by the landscapes you get at Majorca. Palma, on the western side of the island, is the capital. Catch a vintage train from Palma to visit other parts of the island. 

The hillside town of SĂłller, MarĂ­a Cathedral, and the Royal Palace of La Almudaina are must-visits. Majorca is also a favorite destination among cyclists and hikers. There are many good resorts to stay on the island.

Apart from the above, there are other beautiful and exciting Mediterranean islands to visit, like Elba of Italy, the French island of Corsica, Corfu, Formentera, Crete, and Hvar in Croatia’s Dalmatian.