Share The Article
We’re not sure about you, but we can’t seem to get the idea of Vespa rides into blood-orange sunsets or lounging on a fine-pebble beach hugged by crystal-clear waters out of our minds lately.
The Mediterranean is calling, and this summer, we plan on answering it.
There’s just one slight… problem. The Med is huge, and there are so many incredible destinations to choose from.
Maybe this is the year you finally check a beautiful Santorini off your bucket list, but then that offbeat Hvar in Croatia looks just as charming…
Oh, and how about Mallorca, over in Spain, with its vineyard-dotted hills and pristine calas? Don’t get us started on Côte d’Azur and its pastel-hued villages and vintage charm… ok, we get it, it would help would just narrow it down a little for you.
We definitely have our favorites ourselves, but if you’re one to look to TripAdvisor experts for advice, you should know they have just unveiled their Europe’s Best of the Best ranking for 2025, and surprise, surprise, 5 sun-drenched Mediterranean gems have made the top 20.
Without further ado, here’s our lucky winners––and why they should be on your radar this year:
Santorini, Greece
Santorini has been experiencing a rough patch lately due to earthquakes and landslides, but as the saying goes, the darkest hour is just before dawn.
Once the first rays of sunshine break through the overcast winter skies and weather conditions improve, we’re sure the island will be restored to its former glory, and there’s truly no better year to explore Greece’s whitewashed treasure than 2025:
From Imerovigli’s brand new One on One boutique hotel, with luxury villas overlooking the caldera, to Firostefani’s glitzy Nevma Suites, there is a host of exciting new listings we’re eager to experience firsthand ourselves this year.
On top of that, this is the year the Municipality of Thera, which governs Santorini, shifts its focus from Oia and other cliffside hotspots to hidden gems inland. They want to preserve Santorini’s close-to-being-lost cultural identity and promote tourism in lesser-explored areas.
After all, blue-dome churches and Instagrammable, bougainvillea-adorned villages is not all Santorini has to offer:
For instance, there’s Megalochori, a labyrinthian hilltop village with a multi-level bell tower, Akrotiri, where a red-sand beach and archeological ruins await discovery, and even Pyrgos, the highest village, and a fortress-style settlement characterized by its classic Aegean architecture.
Sardinia, Italy
Italy’s second largest island, Sardinia is a stand-alone destination you should dedicate one to two weeks to.
It lays claim to a whopping 1,242 miles of coastline, mostly comprised of sandy strips and teal-colored waters, not to mention it simply oozes Old World charm.
Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital and main port, is famous for its well-preserved, walled Old Town, 13th-century cathedral, renovated along Baroque lines, and unrivaled food scene–you truly haven’t been to Sardinia until you’ve tried the local fregola with clams.
If it’s the unspoiled coastal scenery that makes your heart skip a beat, however, maybe you should head straight for Costa Smeralda, the aptly-named Emerald Coast:
The water here is impressively clear, and the beaches are that perfect, powdery white sand.
Honestly, if it weren’t for the old fishing villages, with their scenic harbors and medieval centers, like Porto Cervo and Cannigione, you’d swear you’d landed in the Caribbean.
Can’t get enough of the subtropical vibes? The virtually untouched Maddalena islands are a short 20-minute boat ride away from Palau, and if you’re chasing those peaks, the Gennargentu National Park offers some of the most beautiful panoramas in all of the territory.
Mallorca, Spain
The trendiest holiday island in Spain, Mallorca truly needs no introduction:
It is well-known for its picture-perfect capital, Palma de Mallorca, a compact coastal hub dotted with historic landmarks, with a monumental Catalan-Gothic cathedral and a unique, round-shaped Bellver Castle, to name a couple, and numerous secluded coves bathed by turquoise waters.
It can get very busy in summer, especially with the influx of British and German tourists and the nonstop flights coming from America, so why add it to your itinerary in 2025?
Well, instead of flocking to a resort-dominated Cala d’Or, like everyone else, or the yacht-lined Port de Sóller, take a deep dive into Mallorca’s rich history instead:
Valldemossa is a beautiful, stone-built mountain village, retaining much of its ancient allure despite being founded as early as 123 BC, and Alcudia combines both seaside relaxation and cultural immersion with its intact medieval core and long ivory beach.
Looking to beat the crowds and soak up all that lush Mediterranean nature without the constant humdrum of the resort zones?
Book a 1 to 3-night stay at the pool-equipped Mon Boutique Hotel, nestled in the Pollença hills, and one-minute walk to one of the most idyllic towns anywhere in Mallorca––can you smell the citrusy aromas and hear the cicadas yet?
Crete
Greece’s most cosmopolitan island, as well as its largest, roughly the size of the U.S. state of Delaware, Crete boasts an incredibly-diverse tourist offer:
Only in the capital, the bustling Heraklion, will you find an imposing 16th-century fortress guarding the main port, a palm-backed marina filled with restaurants and gelato shops, and a 3,900-year-old Palace of Knossos, still partially preserved and with restored frescos.
Outside Heraklion, Samaria Gorge is the main attraction for nature lovers: it is one of Europe’s longest gorges, and there are planks allowing tourists to walk over the crystalline stream.
Over in Balos, there’s a natural lagoon bathed by a striking-blue Aegean, and for the iconic pink sands, head straight for Elafonissi, but do temper your expectations––the vividness of the pink depends on coastal conditions as well as the season.
For a traditional Cretan experience (with smaller crowds), take a day trip out to Chania, a quaint city famous for its medieval harbor, picturesque narrow streets, and bougatsa, a fluffy custard pastry you can find in just about every bakery up around the Old Town.
Sicily
It seems there’s just no beating Sicily when it comes to a Mediterranean escape.
Taormina Sicily, Belvedere of Taormina and San Giuseppe church on the square Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina. Sicily, Italy. Couple on vacation at the Italian Island Sicily
The highest-ranking European summer paradise on TripAdvisor, Italy’s biggest island could well be its own country, judging by its unique character––it has a rich history comprising periods of Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman and even Islamic rule––distinct culture and even language.
Words like ‘buongiorno‘ and ‘grazie‘ will get you far anywhere in Italy, but in Sicily, if you truly want to impress locals, you might want to opt for the Sicilian equivalents ‘bonjornu‘ and ‘grazzi‘.
The territory’s main tourist destination and one that’s hosting U.S. flights beginning this summer, Palermo is a sprawling city known for its 12th-century cathedral. It is also home to several ancient royal tombs, the well-frequented Ballarò Street Market, and a lively port area.
A short drive from town, Mondello Beach has ivory sands and translucent seas, and Cefalù is a postcard-ready whitewashed village topped with a fortified Norman cathedral dating back to medieval times and flanked by the paradisiacal Settefrati beaches.
On the opposite end of the island, Catania is the second-busiest Sicilian hub, that will equally be served by Transatlantic flights in the upcoming high season.
For architecture enthusiasts, the cathedral square and its ornate elephant fountain are a must, and foodies simply cannot skip A Piscaria, the local fish market, off Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto––best sardines and lemon-sprayed clams you’ll get anywhere in Sicily!
Oh, and Catania is backdropped by a towering Etna, an active volcano that will occasionally spew ash at its most agitated––in quieter periods, however, it’s great for summiting, commanding breathtaking views of the greater landscape.
If you’re a White Lotus fan, you’ll want to check out Taormina, a one-hour train ride from Catania, for a Roman theater overlooking the ocean, or even an offbeat Noto, featured in the show’s second run thanks to its impressive Baroque basilica and richly-decorated Palazzo Nicolaci.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Източник за тази статия
Наши спонсори са:
Български трактори на добри цени при изключително качество
