Want to drop anchor in a different bay every night, snorkel in the beautiful blue waters and enjoy a delicious dinner on board in the evening?
The Mediterranean offers plenty of fantastic places to set sail to. There are thousands of islands, with Greece alone boasting 6,000. The climate has hot dry summers and moderate winters with rainy periods.
Read on quickly to discover the most beautiful mediterranean sea islands with our travel guide!
1. Ionian Islands, Greece
The Ionian Islands, a beautiful setting to explore the Greek coast on your sailing holiday. The islands are located on the west coast of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. This archipelago consists of seven major islands:
- Kefalonia
- Lefkas
- Corfu
- Zakynthos
- Ithaca
- Paxos
- Kythira
Despite the relatively small distance between the islands, they differ in atmosphere.
Kefalonia
For instance, the largest island of Kefalonia is characterised by its high expansive mountainous landscape and long coastline with many sandy beaches. For a beautiful sunset, go to Myrtos Beach. This is one of Kefalonia's most famous beaches.
The nearby village of Assos with its many flowers, pastel-coloured houses and cosy bay is also worth a visit.
Lefkas
Lefkas is the most contrasting island, due to the steep cliffs in the west versus the rolling landscape with fishing villages in the east. Sail along the beautiful green coasts and bays surrounded by verdant landscapes and moor in the luxurious and modern port of Lefkas town.
Although mostly monohulls are offered here, some catamarans are also available.
Corfu
For a perfect mix of rich history and nature, Corfu is the island of choice. Pazuzu is definitely one of the many hotspots on Corfu. This cute beach tent on Glyfada beach offers sun beds, loveseats and delicious cuisine. The landscape on Corfu is very varied, from a mountainous landscape in the north, to rolling hills in the middle and a lowland plain with beautiful nature and olive trees in the south.
Depart from Gouvia and start your sailing holiday!
Zakynthos
The southernmost island, Zakynthos, is characterised by its wide range of flora and fauna. On this island, you will find all the ingredients for a real Greek holiday feeling.
Clear blue water, sunshine, beautiful beaches and plenty of sights, who wouldn't want that? You can even fly directly to Zakynthos from Amsterdam, how nice is that!
2. The Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
The Dalmatian Coast is located in south-west Croatia and runs from the island of Rab in the north to the Bay of Kotor in the south. Off this relatively narrow coastal strip are 600 islands, including the Kornati Islands. These 89 uninhabited islands lie within Kornati National Park.
To protect this nature reserve, rules have been established and you will have to buy a ticket to enter the park. However, there are no restrictions for admiring the natural beauty from a boat as well as a fantastic underwater world during a snorkelling trip.
The amount of hidden and secluded coves makes this a popular Mediterranean destination for the sailors among us.
Pag
Visit one of the most popular islands on the Dalmatian coast. Discover the unusual lunar landscape and delicious goat cheese of the island of Pag. Or party until the late hours at the famous party destination Zrće beach where international DJs come to spin during the summer months.
Brač
Anchor the boat at one of the many beautiful bays the island of Brač has to offer. Zlatni Rat, also known as Golden Horn, is the most popular beach on this island. Try the honest street food from BioMania here.
Hvar
Located south of Brač lies the island of Hvar. Hvar town is a historic port town with a modern touch.
Besides these popular islands, the following towns are also popular to visit:
- Split
- Dubrovnik
- Zadar
- Šibenik
3. Sardinia, Italy
Did you know that Sardinia is almost as big as the Netherlands? The island is the second largest in the Mediterranean, located west of Italy. Sailing yachts are plentiful! The beautiful north of Sardinia is characterised by its many beautiful bays.
Here you will also find the La Maddalena nature reserve with many beaches, which are known for their ‘pink sand’, and a large number of anchorages. This is also where the range of yachts is most diverse and where you can sail to Corsica within half a day.
The (north) east coast is very rocky, which contrasts with the south coast. Here you will find kilometres of sandy beaches and bays with shell and pebble beaches. At the end of a day's sailing, there are therefore plenty of opportunities to spend the night at anchor.
Tip! In autumn you can have a good time from Cagliari.
Sardinia has been a battleground for a long time, so its inhabitants always remain focused on their own culture. Sailors will therefore be introduced to ancient folklore. So not only is there sailing, but you will also find some kind of folklore festival in almost every port.
4. The Sporades Islands, Greece
Yes, you read it right, we ended up in Greece again. Apart from the Ionian islands, the Sporades is also a very popular sailing destination in the Mediterranean. Located on the eastern side of the mainland, this archipelago is the ideal place to go island-hopping!
Skiathos
We start with the most touristic island, Skiathos. With the presence of an international airport and numerous beautiful beaches, the island is packed with tourists in summer.
The capital of this island is Skiathos town. The town has a beautiful harbour and narrow picturesque streets. For the film connoisseurs among us, it is a fun trip to visit some of the locations of the famous film ‘Mamma Mia’.
Skopelos
Skopelos is the second largest island of the Sporades. This greenest island in Greece is very popular with tourists. The capital Skopelos Town is located to the north of the island and is also called Chora.
The Venetian Kastro is built on the highest point of the town. Remnants can be found here, but you also have a great view over Chora. Hire a yacht from Skiathos or Volos and sail to Skopelos and/or the following islands.
Alonissos
The next island is Alonissos. The capital of this island is Alonissos town and is located on a rock in the south of the island. Therefore, when you walk through the old town, you will have breathtaking views with a magnificent sunset. In addition, Alonissos has a dense pine forest and is one of Greece's best diving destinations.
Skyros
Skyros is one of the lesser-known islands of the Sporades, perfect for the peace-seekers among us! The capital of Skyros is Skyros town. This town is also located on the slopes of a hill, giving you great views over the Aegean Sea.
Visit the Medieval Castle at the very top of the hill and wander through the narrow streets. Don't forget the beautiful secluded and hidden beaches, such as Molos.
5. The Balearic Islands, Spain
The Balearic Islands are six Spanish islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. The four largest islands are:
- Mallorca
- Menorca
- Ibiza
- Formentera
The two smaller islands are Dragonera and Cabrera. You can enjoy the islands any way you like: relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, or party until the late hours. The islands have a total of 40 ports, from small fishing ports to large luxury ones.
Ibiza
Ibiza is known as a popular holiday destination with the most famous DJs in every discotheque. In addition, the island is also known for its beautiful, elevated old town. Ibiza town, also known as Eivissa in Catalan, has even been on the World Heritage List since 1999.
The island is also home to countless beautiful beaches and coves to anchor your boat.
Formentera
Sail half an hour from Ibiza to the smallest island of the four, namely Formentera! This island has beautiful sky-blue seawater. It is a flat island, except for two hills namely the Cap de Barbaria and the La Mola Plateau.
In addition, Formentera has a fairly rugged landscape, with many forests and different vegetation, such as fig trees. You can also find salt mines and for art and culture you can also visit this island.
Menorca
Menorca takes its name from the larger nearby island of Mallorca. The island has not yet really been discovered by tourists and is unique in its own way. Therefore, the island also has a peaceful character. The wild flowers, colourful birds and clean beaches also contribute to this. The island is also clean and non-commercialised.
In Menorca, you will find beautiful mountains, rock formations, beaches, hills with pine trees and geysers that spout water upwards.
Mallorca
Mallorca is the largest island of the archipelago. This island is incredibly popular among holidaymakers, and its economy therefore runs mainly on the tourist industry. In Palma, the island's capital, you can shop well and the market full of fresh produce awaits you every week.
Mallorca has a beautiful landscape with high mountains, of which the Serra de Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cap de Formentor is the northernmost tip of the island. Here you will find a lighthouse and stunning views from the cliffs that slope steeply downwards. Platja de Formentor is a beautiful long beach where you can anchor. Besides this bay, there are countless other beautiful bays and beaches, enough for an unforgettable Mallorca cruising itinerary!
6. Corsica, France
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean that belongs to France and consists of two departments, namely Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud. The Italian island of Sardinia is only 12 kilometres away from Corsica.
The capital Ajaccio lies to the west of the island. Here you will find soft pastel-coloured houses, many sights and a lovely climate. For example, visit Palais Fesch-Musée des Beaux-Arts, Maison Bonaparte, Place d'Austerlitz and more. Other major cities include Porto-Vecchio, Calvi and Bastia.
Like Mallorca, its economy runs mainly on tourism. Consequently, the island is eagerly visited by campers.
Incidentally, the island is best known for its nature. Corsica has a rocky coastline, impressive mountains and several nature reserves. It also has beautiful sandy beaches! So be sure to pack snorkelling and diving gear. Monte Cinto and Monte Rotondo are the highest mountains on the island. In winter, you can even ski on the highest peaks! Don't forget the delicious sheep and goat cheeses they make here.
7. Elba, Italy
Elba is a very green and hilly island in the Mediterranean Sea within the Tuscan archipelago. White beaches and crystal clear waters are not lacking here. For a beautiful white pebble beach, head to Capo Bianco beach.
On Elba, you will also encounter stunning sunsets, craggy cliffs with granite rocks, many hills and Mediterranean vegetation. Start your sailing holiday from Portoferraio, the island's capital and main port.
Discover quaint villages with terraces where you can enjoy stunning sea views. Highly recommended is Porto Azzurro. Its historical richness is still evident in this little town. It looks a bit medieval with old squares and small, narrow streets. You will also see this in other villages.
Besides sailing, there is much more to do on Elba. You can play golf, dive, kayak, hike, mountain bike, but you can also experience plenty of culture and taste delicious wines. What more could you want?
8. The Cyclades Islands, Greece
This time, not the Ionian Islands or the Sporades, but the Cyclades! Once again, we ended up in Greece.
The Cyclades are located southeast of Greece, in the Aegean Sea. The archipelago consists of more than 200 islands forming a circle around the main island of Delos, offering endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Santorini
The southernmost island is Santorini. The island's shape resembles a crescent moon, due to several volcanic eruptions. It is a fairly arid and mountainous island with a flat east coast and a rugged west coast.
On the east coast, you can enjoy the most beautiful beaches and vineyards. When sailing along the west coast, you will mostly encounter steep cliffs and rocks. On Santorini, you will see the most stunning sunsets with the beautiful whitewashed houses with blue roofs in the background.
Visit this island for a romantic and relaxing holiday! Don't forget to visit ‘Shipwreck Beach’ too.
Paros
Compared to Mykonos, Paros is a quiet island. It can still get pleasantly crowded. Paros is the third largest island, comparable to the size of Texel.
The island stands out for its high-quality white and red wine and its marble. Furthermore, the beautiful white villages, sandy beaches and mountains can also be found here.
Naxos
And so you suddenly find yourself on Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades. With fertile soil, a varied landscape, many beautiful bays and beaches, this is an ideal holiday destination. This island is also famous for its marble.
The capital Naxos Town is one of the most beautiful towns. Here you will find the 6th-century ancient temple Portara. This is a gate that stands on an islet and is connected to Naxos town by a narrow dam.
Mykonos
Mykonos is known for its beautiful white houses and vibrant nightlife. The island is also liked by many tourists, including celebrities. From Mykonos, you can also easily reach the other islands.
Mykonos Town is a picturesque coastal town. Walking through the cosy narrow streets, you will come across all kinds of restaurants, churches and shops. Around this island, there are plenty of nice places to anchor your boat, for instance at Aghia Anna bay.
9. The French Riviera, France
The French Riviera is also known as Côte d'Azur. This is a region in south-eastern France. It is best known for the glamorous cities of Monaco, St. Tropez or the Cannes Film Festival.
But the coast is also home to beautiful islands! Iles d'Hyères is the collective name for the 4 small islands located here. These are Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Île de Bagaud and Île du Levant. Sail from Port Pin-Rolland, Saint Tropez or Grimaud to these islands.
Ile du Levant
Ile du Levant is a small island, being 8 by 2 kilometres long. Located in the Gulf of Lion, the island is very green. There is a lot of variety in flora and fauna. For instance, you will come across many palm trees and cacti. A beautiful beach, which also allows nudism, is Grottes Beach.
In terms of sights, you can visit Arbousier Fort. This fort was built by Napoleon to reinforce the island's defences. The Titan Tower was also built to defend the island against English fleets and pirates.
Porquerolles
With a 10-minute boat ride from the coast, you reach the islet of Porquerolles. A good way to explore the island is by bike. Through the National Park there are several routes you can take. The south side of the island has many steep cliffs and secluded streams. The area is therefore difficult to reach.
The north of the island consists mainly of beautiful sandy beaches and clear blue waters. In the centre of the island are many fertile plains. Here, ancient and unique species of flora grow in a botanical conservatory.
10. Sicily, Italy
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is located near the southernmost tip of Italy.
In Sicily, you can rent a boat from 9 ports, of which Palermo has the largest selection! Sail along the coast and discover the island's versatility. Enjoy the sun, sea and the many beautiful beaches. Learn about the different civilisations that have lived on the island.
For more action: take a hike through the Alcantara Gorge or climb the volcano, Etna. To the north of the island are the Aeolian Islands. These are several volcanic islands, including the active volcano Stromboli. Sail past this at night and see the beautiful red glow over the horizon while enjoying a glass of wine. Don't forget to consult the rental company.
Either way, there are countless islands in the Mediterranean, each with its own character and atmosphere. From island hopping to exploring the whole island. From relaxing holidays to active holidays, there is something for everyone!
The Mediterranean islands are guaranteed to give you an unforgettable sailing holiday!