20 Best Mediterranean Destinations To Visit In 2025

Valletta, Malta

I am going to start this list with where I am currently holidaying at. I am in Malta with the entire family for my Christmas vacations this year and I couldn’t have chosen a better option.

Valletta, the capital is a delight to be at during any time of the year. Over the past few days, we have wandered around tiny alleys around the city, taken boat trips to islands of Gozo and Comino, visited medieval cities like Mdina and Rabat and eaten tons of holiday food. Since it is a small country, everything is accessible by car.

How to reach : We flew from Dubai on Emirates with a fuel layover in Larnaca, Cyprus. There are also direct flights from many cities in Europe like Zurich and London etc for as less as 20 pounds based on the time of the year.

Florence, Italy

One of my favorite holiday destinations in the mediterranean has to be Florence in Italy and I fell in love with this city on my first visit to Italy more than 12 years ago.

Watching so many masterpieces at Uffizi gallery and then gazing at perfect David was the highlight of my trip there. And to top it off, the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo was a perfect addition to the trip.

Autumn colours and a day trip to Pisa ended the trip to Tuscany on a high note.

How to get there: You can fly to Florence from major European cities or you can fly directly to Rome from the US and then take a train to Florence. Or better still include it as one of your mediterranean cruise destinations.

Mallorca, Spain

This tiny island in Spain was one of the best recommendations I got from a friend almost 8 years ago.

I loved swimming in the many beaches around the island and a day trip to the pretty village of Valldemoosa is definitely recommended.

It has gotten more popular in recent years but it is still a must visit on your list of mediterranean vacation destinations.

How to get there: You can fly or take a ferry from Barcelona. Also accessible from many destinations in Europe by flight or by cruise.

Athens, Greece

Athens is the starting point and ending point of many cruise ships and it is definitely a must visit if you are a fan of Greek history and architecture.

I could spend an entire day exploring the Acripolis and the Parthenon and the many museums in the city.

Definitely watch out for the crowds when you are there and the best time to visit Athens is in the Spring.

How to get there: You can fly here from many American and European destinations.

Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is one of those top mediterranean destinations I did not instantly connect with. But then I realised that there was so much to do in Kotor besides the Bay of Kotor which is a docking point for many Adriatic cruises.

The best recommendation would be to split your time between Perast and Bay of Kotor. And don’t forget to hike to get one of the best views of the Bay to make it one of the best mediterranean holiday destinations.

Additionally, go swimming in many of the beaches around the Bay.

How to get here: You can fly to the capital, Podgorica and then rent a car to drive around Montenegro. Alternatively, you can take a bus or a cruise from Dubrovnik.

Santorini, Greece

This is one of those dream destinations in my bucket list and I can’t wait to explore it one day with my husband.

What is not to love about those white houses with blue roofs and incredible sunsets and views anywhere you go in Santorini. Also, can’t wait to some luxury yacht tours around the island and to party till the sun rises. Which makes Santorini one of the most beautiful mediterranean islands.

How to get here: The easiest way to get here is by a cruise. Alternatively, you can fly or take a ferry from Athens.

Nice, France

Last summer, me and my husband did a road trip around France and Switzerland. And we ended up spending couple of days in the south coast of France in Nice, France.

We spent our days exploring the many beaches around the city, the old town of Nice and the nearby villages of Eze, Valbone, Antibes, Meribel among others. We also ended up doing a half day trip to the film capital of the world, Cannes.

How to get here: You can do a road trip from Paris like we did or you can fly to Nice from many European and American destinations.

Crete, Greece

Crete definitely lists among some of the most underrated mediterranean destinations. Most people are aware of Crete’s stunning beaches which are mostly found in the Southwest of the island.

But there is so much to do other than beach hopping in Crete making it an ideal one of a kind among mediterranean vacation spots. You can go hiking in gorges, visit many archaeological sites including ruins and lots of frescos, go windsurfing and so much more.

How to get here: You can take a ferry from mainland Greece or you can fly to Heraklion from many European destinations. One of the best ways to visit Crete is through a cruise ship.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Amalfi coast ia a popular mediterranean tourist destination among the rich and the famous. With many celebrities choosing to get married at Amalfi coast, the popularity of the destination has only increased over the past few years.

For me, it is still a dream destination and one day, I would love to visit the villages of Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and the many villas around the city.

I would definitely love to drive a mini cooper around these villages.

How to get here: Amalfi coast is a popular day trip from many cruise ships. Alternatively, you can get here after flying to the nearest city of Naples from other cities in Europe and USA.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a popular destination and maybe one of the reasons I did not love it during my first visit.

But it is considered as one of the best destinations in the mediterranean and millions of people visit it and love it every year.

You will see Gaudi’s work everywhere you go in this city. La Sagrada Familia is an unfinished cathedral and hopefully it will be completed in this decade. Nevertheless it is gorgeous and a must visit.

La Ramblas is a famous tourist destination but be careful of your belongings there. And don’t forget to eat Tapas all day long while you are in Barcelona.

How to get here: You can fly from almost everywhere in the world and most likely, this will be the starting point for your cruise.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

After Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has been listed in many lists of the best holiday destinations in the mediterranean.

And rightfully so. The turquoise waters of this coastal city are unmatched.

The old town of Dubrovnik is a vibe in itself and you can spend days wandering the walls or partying the night away.

Day trips to nearby islands are a must and you can find many Snorkeling destinations around the Dubrovnik coast.

How to get here: You have direct flights from many European destinations and Emirates flies multiple times a week from Dubai too.

Sicily, Italy

We know Sicily for its role as the birthplace of Italian Mafia. But in modern days, Sicily has so much to offer as one of the mediterranean locations.

With its excellent climate almost throughout the year, this island at the crossroads of the three seas has so many beaches to choose from. From Palermo to Favignana.

In addition to the beaches, hike the volcano, taste the wine in Mount Etna, gaze at the mosaics from the Roman and Byzantine empire and wander the valley of temples at moonlight.

How to get here: Since it is an island, you will need to fly in or take a cruise ship in.

Corsica, France

Corsica is famous to be the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte but this Mediterranean island became famous with us Indians when Tamasha was released.

You can do everything from sailing, snorkeling and it is a perfect destination for the adventure lover. You can hike one of the toughest hikes in Europe; the GR20 or drive from Francardo to Porto through a twisty road or explore the lesser known capital of Bastia.

How to get here: You can fly here but the best way to get here is by a cruise because it is one of the mediterranean cruises destinations.

Ibiza, Spain

Everyone knows Ibiza as the ultimate party island renowned for all night parties and international DJs.

But if you are looking for something beyond the party vibe, then beach hopping among the many beaches in the island is the best place to start.

Visit the old town of Ibiza, eat some farm to table produce, visit many markets around the island and a day trip to Formentara are some of the best things to do on the island.

How to get here: You can fly here or take a ferry from Barcelona.

Antalya, Turkey

This destination was on top of my bucket list and I finally got to visit it couple of years ago.

This is a perfect starting point for your Turkish Riveira itinerary and most cruises include it during their 10 day mediterranean cruises.

Best advice is to either choose a cute Boutique hotel next to Hadrian’s gate or choose one of the many inclusive resorts along the coast.

Don’t forget to take the cable car up to the top to see the city from that angle. 

There are many day trips to take but the most famous one has to be to the cotton candy pools in Pammukale.

How to get there: You can fly directly from many European and Middle Eastern destinations as well as fly from within Turkey.

Rome, Italy

Rome is one of those mediterranean cities that you can spend days in and still have lots of best mediterranean places to visit.

There are so many architectural wonders from the Roman Era and you can spend days roaming in little Vespa’s around Rome.

Colosseum should obviously be on your list or you can be on the trail of the places listed in The Da Vinci Code.

Since Vatican is within the city of Rome, don’t forget to spend half a day in Vatican City as well while eating all the pizzas, pastas and Gelatos in the world.

How to get here: Accessible by flight from many destinations around the world.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is the perfect blend of both the Eastern and Western worlds and is one of a kind when it comes to mediterranean places.

It is funny how it has aspects of two cities just when you cross the Bosporus.

On one side, the Eastern influences are very evident while it is opposite on the other side.

Stay in either Taksim square or the Sultanmet area to get the best of both worlds.

Don’t forget to visit the Blue Mosque, the Viaducts, the Palaces and the Grand Bazaar while you are there.

Also, don’t forget to visit the colourful district of Balat.

How to get here: You can fly to Istanbul from almost anywhere in the world.

Algarve, Portugal

If you ask which among all the best places to visit in Mediterranean is my favourite beach destination, then it will be an unequivocal answer; Algarve, Portugal.

I spent 3 wonderful days soaking in the sun and the sea in this region many many years ago and this was the place I did my first dive too.

It is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world and the best part is that you can choose among so many small towns.

How to get here: You can take a bus from Lisbon or you can fly to Faro airport from many airports in Europe.

Venice, Italy

I am not a fan of Venice because I went during high season and we ended up walking on planks almost everywhere.

But I loved the tiny day trips from Venice to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano. And I have found the best lace in these islands.

Vaperettos are the best way to get around Venice. Only advice: don’t fall for the tourist traps in Venice.

How to get here: Again a short train ride from both Rome, Florence or Milan, other popular mediterranean destinations.

Monaco

Monaco definitely does not list among the cheapest mediterranean destinations. After all, it is the capital of the billionaires.

And that is why we did it as a day trip from Nice which was just half an hour away by car or taxi.

Casinos are famous here but if you are someone like me and don’t want to lose money, then go wandering around the marina. You can also hire private yachts that take you around the area.

How to get here: we did it as a road trip around the south of France. But Monaco is easily accessible especially if you have a private jet.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Which mediterranean country is best to visit?

Every country has something unique and it is always difficult to choose only one country during your Mediterranean travel destination itinerary.

What is the most beautiful part of the mediterranean?

All are beautiful in their own way and I don’t have an answer for this question.

What are the best places to visit in the mediterranean?

Hope this post answered this question.

What are some cities I should go to when visiting the Mediterranean?

I would say all the cities in this post are a must visit.

Conclusion

So which among these best mediterranean destinations are you planning to visit next? Let me know in the comments.