Seven of the Mediterranean’s Best Beaches

We’re desperately seeking sun, sea and sand, and nowhere does it better than the Mediterranean. We’re serving up a delicious reminder of the Med’s best beaches, all in the name of 2022 holiday inspiration. You’re welcome!

1. Cala Saona – Formentera

Just a short ferry ride from the popular Mediterranean port of Ibiza lies Formentera, an island famed as the home of some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches. Cala Saona stands out as one of the very best and, despite being one of the island’s smallest sandy stretches, it offers plenty. The waters are warmed thanks to its sheltered position, private bathing spots are hidden inside rocky coves and the restaurants tucked into the cliffs above the beach serve some of the Med’s best seafood. The beach also offers the best sunsets on the island, according to locals.

2. Navagio Beach – Zakynthos

Some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches are more famous than others. Navagio Beach – or Shipwreck Cove as it is commonly known – is one of the most photographed beaches in the world and has become one of Greece’s most popular attractions. Such popularity unfortunately brings the crowds but they are easily minimized if you time your visit either first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. The cove can only be reached by boat and you’ll be reluctant to get back on board and leave; white cliffs reflect the sun to see the temperature soar and cobalt waters are as clear as any you’ll ever swim in.

3. Spiaggia Rosa – Sardinia

Every now and then, as was recently the case on the Thai island of Koh Tachai, a beach must become out-of-bounds in order to protect its beauty. Sardinia’s Spiaggia Rosa is one such beach and whilst we can no longer walk on its pink sands – the result of tiny particles of coral and seashells – we can still appreciate it from afar on a boat trip around the La Maddalena archipelago.

4. Blue Lagoon – Comino

Malta’s waters are some of the bluest in the Mediterranean. The largely uninhabited island of Comino sits between Malta and Gozo, and is one of the most popular destinations for boat trips from Malta. The waters around Comino need no filter in order to look picture-perfect, especially at the Blue Lagoon swimming spot, where the white sands below are visible through the crystal clear sea.

5. Przno Beach – Montenegro

The Montenegrin town of Budva is renowned as one of the Adriatic’s prettiest seaside citadels. A Medieval walled old town and Venetian architecture are reminiscent of nearby Dubrovnik, locate a couple of hours along the coast in Croatia, but Budva’s beaches make it a great alternative to the popular cruise port and one that cruise lines are catching onto. Przno Beach isn’t the biggest of them all but its setting beneath a rustic Mediterranean village adds to its ambience and makes it one of the best. If you like your beaches quintessentially Mediterranean and beautifully underdeveloped, this one is for you.

6. Capriccioli Beach – Costa Smerelda

There are countless beaches along Costa Smeralda’s idyllic coastline and choosing between them can be hard work. A cruise allows you to dip in and out of several sandy coves, but Capriccioli Beach won’t disappoint if you can only see one of them. The beach’s pale sands and shallow waters are divided by a pair of gigantic pink granite boulders, negotiating which to reach the second half of the beach is part of the fun. The beach is a favourite with locals, to the extent that their fiery Italian nature has seen them fight attempts by the rich and famous to capitalise on the idyllic location with a series of plush developments.

7. Blue Cove – Kolocep

The Elaphiti island of Kolocep is just 25 minutes from Dubrovnik by boat, making it a tempting day trip for those who have visited the vastly popular Croatian port of call several times. The under-developed island is home to a little over a hundred residents, divided between two tiny villages in two picturesque bays: Donje Celo and Gornje Celo. The south coast of the island is dotted with hidden caves and coves, with the most famous of them being Blue Cave. Kayak around the coastline before dropping into Blue Cave, where everything becomes illuminated with an almost neon blue glow.

Are you leaving soaked summers behind in favour a cruise to the Mediterranean in 2022? We’d love to know where you are headed.