10 Best Islands in the Mediterranean

The Greek island of Santorini is part of an active volcano which created its rugged mountains and distinct red, grey and black sand beaches. This stunning backdrop, combined with romantic sunset views, has made Santorini a popular location for destination weddings.

The island is also rich in culture and history. Akrotiri of Thira is a town that was buried under volcanic ash over 3,600 years ago, preserving buildings, frescos and furniture which have now been rediscovered and put on display. More recently, Santorini has served as a filming location for movies such as Beijing Love Story and The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, confirming its A-list status.

Sardinia is a large island with towns both modern and ancient, surrounded by emerald seas. Indulge in fresh seafood and experience authentic culinary traditions such as culurgiones, a uniquely Sardinian style of stuffed pasta. In addition to the locally grown wines, try some Mirto, a popular liqueur made from myrtle berries.

The island is also home to thousands of large stone structures called nuraghe that date back to the Bronze and Iron ages. These are the last remaining traces of the Nuragic civilisation, the people who lived in Sardinia before the Roman Empire colonised the island. Nuraghe Su Nuraxi in Barumini is Sardinia’s sole World Heritage site and the island’s most visited nuraghe.

Located in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of Greece, Corfu has been a well-known resort destination for centuries. Follow the footsteps of aristocrats through Corfu Old Town’s labyrinth of shops and cafes until you find the Venetian Fortress. Or take a trip to the neoclassical Achilleion Palace, built for Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary in the 19th century.

Of course, what drew all these travellers of good taste to Corfu is the exceptional scenery. Crystal-clear waters lap sandy beaches surrounded by green hills. Swimming and snorkelling are encouraged, but you’ll also find well-marked hiking trails leading you through olive groves into mountain villages and peaceful monasteries.

If you love outdoor sports, Mallorca is the place for you. There’s climbing, horse riding and snorkelling options around the coast and sea caves, plus dozens of highly rated golf courses. To see more of the island, hire bikes to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, hire a sailboat and view Mallorca’s beauty from the clear blue water.

Capital city Palma has plenty to see and do, starting with the gothic Bellver Castle, former home of King Jaime II. You’ll also find many examples of Catalan-style Art Nouveau architecture in the city, as both Gaudi and Domenech i Montaner designed buildings here. If this whets your appetite for art, check out the city’s many galleries and museums.

Ibiza is famous around the world for its nightlife and club scene, but did you know it’s also home to World Heritage sites and spectacular nature reserves? Dance all night and relax all day in the laidback atmosphere, dining on the promenades and strolling through groves of almond trees.

After you’ve had your fill of vitamin D on one of over 50 beaches, head on over to one of Ibiza’s World Heritage sites, such as the Dalt Vila. It’s one of the best-preserved coastal fortresses in the Mediterranean and forms part of the old town along with winding cobbled streets full of treasures for you to discover.

Come and visit Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, located just off the toe of the boot of Italy. The striking landscape is the home of volcanic Mount Etna, which has enriched the surrounding soil and created the perfect growing conditions for delicious citrus fruits and vineyards.

Sicily might just be the most beautiful region in Italy, with charming rustic towns and turquoise waters. To back that statement, it also features 7 UNESCO world heritage sites, including centuries-old cathedrals, millennia-old structures in the Park of the Valley of the Temples and the Norman Palace in Palermo.

Located in the Adriatic Sea, the lush island of Hvar is the most popular of the Dalmatian Islands that run along the coast of Croatia. The main town, the port also called Hvar, offers a comfortable balance between contemporary restaurants and bars and traditional culture in one of the oldest towns in Europe.

As you would expect from a place known as “the sunniest spot in Europe”, Hvar has a warm climate and lush countryside. As well as the vineyards you find all over the Med, Hvar specialises in growing lavender, so you can imagine how great this place smells in addition to how pretty it is.

As the famous birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, you can expect to learn much about his life and legacy on Corsica. His home, the Maison Bonaparte, is now a museum which offers immersive tours showing original period furniture and a collection of the emperor’s possessions.

The island also has a lot to offer nature fans and outdoors lovers. Thanks to its large size, Corsica offers around 1,000km of beaches, plus a gorgeous interior of rugged mountains and glacier-carved valleys. Pack a picnic and your hiking boots for a trip to Restonica Valley or explore the red granite peaks of Paglia Orba at the Scandola Nature Reserve.

In Malta, you can immerse yourself culture, history, sun and fun. The crystal-clear waters are not only great for swimming in, but also host over 100 of the world’s finest scuba diving sites, suitable for a variety of ability levels. After all that exercise, you have a choice of Michelin-starred restaurants or locally grown rustic classics to nourish your body and soul.

There’s also plenty of culture on the island. Plan ahead to attend theatre and festivals or take a trip to Ta’ Qali Artisan Village to see live glass blowing and other crafts on display. This is also your opportunity to see St John’s Co-Cathedral, featuring extremely ornate artwork and original paintings by Caravaggio.

The influence of 11,000 years of history at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East and Africa can be seen in the varied architectures and archaeological sites of Cyprus. It’s an island rich in cultures, which you can experience through its meze-style cuisine as much as its many museums and historic sites.

To help you explore the island, why not try following one of the Cultural Routes? These specially planned paths each follow a different theme, such as antiquity or historic copper mining. Alternatively, follow the Eastern Cultural Route to discover the thriving handicraft traditions of lacemaking and filigree jewellery known as “trifouri”, and come back with some authentic Cypriot souvenirs.