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I’ve been doing European summers since I can remember. I’m based in Paris, the heart of Europe, and whether it’s the pebble beaches of Croatia, the paradise islands of Greece or the hidden corners of southern Italy, bliss is always a 2 to 3 hour flight away from me.
It’s not like I normally keep an eye on things like this, but as I looked at a map of our beloved old basin this week I noticed that I have counted more than 40 islands in the Mediterranean. 43, to be precise.
Let’s just say I have a soft spot for pistacchio gelato on a stone pier, pastel-colored houses along picturesque harbors, and early evening swims before the best pasta dinner of that month of your life. As I like to say, a summer away from the Mediterranean is not a summer well spent.
And listen, I really love them all, whether it’s Santorini with its iconic blue domes (even with the crazy crowds), the mix of domestic baroque and coastal charm in Sicily, or the sun-drenched white sands of Djerba, in Tunisia, on the less explored African side of the Mediterranean.
But as with any collection of favorites, I definitely had to have my highlights.
In other words, there are 5 paradise islands in the Mediterranean that have completely stolen my heart, all for different reasons, and will probably steal yours too:
Smaller crowds, turquoise seas and unparalleled bliss: here’s my Mediterranean power quintet for the ultimate Euro summer vibes:
Folegandros, Greece
Of the more than forty islands I have visited in the Mediterranean, more than twenty were Greek. From the turquoise bays of the Ionian Sea, to the sandy beaches of the Saronic Islands, to the Turkey-bordering Dodecanese, I’ve seen all the main highlights, but there’s one unusual gem that has stuck with me.
Folegandros may be in the heart of the Cyclades, a short 45 minute ferry ride from world famous Santorinibut it feels like it exists in its own universe.
Away with the flashy boutiques, Insta-perfect caldera viewpoints and expensive tavernas that are anything but authentic. In with a picturesque capital on a hilltop with a whitewashed, maze-like old townlocated at the foot of a Byzantine monastery, virtually deserted white pebble beaches and welcoming ouzo bars.
The sunset view on top of the said monastery is truly out of this world, and in town, Piatsa Restaurant is hands down my favorite traditional eatery in all of the Cyclades, with outdoor tables taking up the entire main square, and the best matzah you’ll try it someday.
Folegandros is tiny – if you don’t mind the legwork, you can walk the entire length of the island in about five hours – and the atmosphere here is much chiller than your average Cycladic hotspot, not to mention rural, so beware:
If you are looking for Mykonos style beach clubs, you can skip this one.
Formentera, Spain
I was less than impressed with Ibiza and its hordes of beer lovers when I visited five years ago, and I almost pulled out of a weekend break to neighboring Formentera for fear that it would just be more of the same endless daytime drinking, except on a smaller island with fewer amenities.
I’m so glad I didn’t.
Formentera is the closest thing to a Caribbean island in the Mediterranean Sea. None of the hard pebble beaches, cramped beach bars or overcrowded sunbathing areas: it’s all pristine white, powdery sand surrounded by blue-green colored seas.
And the best part? Ibiza’s party monsters are still blissfully asleep, even though they are separated by a 30-minute ferry crossing.
As soon as you enter Formentera you will immediately notice the difference:
Villages like Sant Francesc Xavier feel quieter, more family orientedand the cycle paths everywhere, passing through a vineyard-strewn hinterland on the way to paradisiacal calas, backed by the odd lonely windmill in ruins, only add to the island’s rustic charm.
In fact, the main nightlife here is a 900-metre beach hub known as Es Pujols, and even then it’s very quiet compared to Ibiza. No Ushuaïas or Café Mambos, if you know what I mean.
Spain will soon change its entry requirements. Please keep a close eye on the entry requirements page to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airports.
Gozo, Malta
Then I decided to sneak into Formentera’s spiritual sister. We all know Malta for the vibrant party scene of St. Julian’s and the souvenir shop-lined streets of Valletta, but what if I told you there’s a little sister nearby that most British and German weekenders completely miss?
Welcome to Gozo, the little piece of heaven where time seems to slow to a standstill. No joke, the local capital Victoria (or Rabat) feels even more atmospheric than Malta’s famous ‘Silent City’ Mdina:
As fewer tourists come to Gozo on an average summer day, the citadel actually feels peaceful and ancientwith ocher buildings and restaurant terraces along picturesque cobbled streets, and that monumental baroque cathedral to top it all off.
If you’re a culture vulture like me, you can’t miss the Ġgantija Temples, near Xagħra: built by a Neolithic civilization based in Gozo, they are older than the Egyptian pyramids, and some are still in an impressive state of preservation.
Gozo’s best natural gem, however, is Dwejra Bay: listen, I was quite impressed by the crazy blue of the Blue Lagoon, but there’s something going on. Gozo’s ‘inland sea’and the gentle waves crashing against the sheltered natural beaches make it even more magical.
Oh, and the smaller crowd of course.
The best part of Gozo, or Malta in general? There are usually no pickpockets or thugs around to bother you on that deserted beach spot. Don’t believe us? View the latest real time Safety score for travelers:
Ischia, Italy
For most tourists, Italian summers are synonymous with scenic (yet chaotic) drives along the winding roads of Amalfi, sunset dinners in Positano that cost upwards of $80 per person, and of course exclusive beach clubs in whatever small, packed stretch of volcanic pebble Capri calls home. spiaggia.
No, thanks. If I had to choose an Italian island to escape to, it would be Ischia.
Not exactly a hidden gem, and quite touristy actually, but biggerwith more space, things to see and an abundance of cultural heritage that actually justifies a longer stay. Maybe even a whole week of beach hopping, and that’s what most tourists unfortunately get wrong.
They drive to Ischia Porto, wander the pastel harbor for a few hours and enjoy a swamp-standard lunch in the first coastal town. trattoria they walk by, perhaps climb to the Aragonese Castle if time permits, and call it a day before catching the ferry back to Naples.
I’m going to Ischia for that smaller, more relaxed towns such as Forioon the less glamorous west side of the island, where traditional fishermen’s houses are quiet piazze awaits on the soft, golden sands of Maronti Beach, largely ignored by the cruise visitors, and leisurely low-light dinners at Farm Mediterranean Garden.
It’s not on the tourist-dominated waterfront, which is why locals love it (aside from the fact that they always serve organic, fresh meals and high-quality Ischias wine).
Brač, Croatia
I know it’s been getting some criticism lately for being as gentrified and touristy as Dubrovnik, but I actually love Split? Like in Split, Croatia. The fact that it literally grew out of the walls of an ancient Roman palace, the picturesque, palm tree-lined seaside promenadeand just the Mediterranean flair of it all: it’s absolute heaven.
However, when I’m in Split and the crowds get a bit intense, especially after midday, I tend to be on the next ferry to Brač, an island that’s only 12 kilometers by boat from the mainland, yet is an absolute breath of fresh air amid the summer chaos.
It is best known for its white pebble Zlatni Rator Golden Cape, near the lively coastal town of Bol, but that is where all day trippers usually go.
Find me instead at Supetar and the other quieter beaches in the area. It’s the island’s main town, situated along a horseshoe-shaped bay, and despite being the main gateway for arrivals into Split, it feels surprisingly relaxed and peaceful.
For the local secret that tourists have yet to discover, look no further than Pučišća: nestled in a deep bay surrounded by crystal-clear sea, this cluster of stone buildings with Dalmatia’s signature green shutters offers family taverns right on the water and truly dreamy swimming spots.
Curious how safe Croatia is this season? What about… terribly. safe. See for yourself:
Let us know how your island hopping adventure in Europe goes this summer!
