A Beginner’s Guide to the Mediterranean Islands

It’s hard to find a bad meal anywhere in Italy, but Sicily, with its mix of age-old cultural traditions, offers dishes you won’t find on the mainland, making it one of the top Mediterranean islands to visit for foodies. A street food tour of Palermo can introduce you to some of Europe’s most celebrated bites, such as arancini (stuffed rice balls) and purpu (boiled octopus).

Enjoy granita and brioche for breakfast, then head out to smaller coastal islands, such as the Aegadian Islands or the Aeolian Islands, for food and drink specialties such as local capers and Malsavia wines.

The vote is in: The best beaches in Italy—and among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean—are in Sardinia, Sicily’s lesser-known, but just as enchanting, island cousin. Frolic like European celebrities do on a sailing excursion in the turquoise waters of the Costa Smeralda, a high-end travel destination on the north side of the island; otherwise, you can take on beach and mountain adventures in the south for a more rugged experience.

Did you know?: Sardinia is home to archaeological curiosities called nuraghi, Bronze Age towers unique to this corner of the Mediterranean.

Capri is known as a splurge-worthy celebrity favorite, so it's no surprise that it's a destination for a luxe experience. Take a private “gozzo” boat tour around the island to take in its natural beauty—think: pretty rock formations and sea caves with fluorescent waters. Then, stop at the Piazzetta di Capri, the heart of the island, for first-class celebrity spotting, and to explore the high-end boutiques and perfume shops nearby.

Insider tip: Budget travel in the Mediterranean islands can be a challenge, but the nearby island of Procida, in Naples, has a less touristy feel—and generally lower prices.

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has a lot to offer, from year-round sun-and-sand to rolling vineyards with wine and olive oil tours. But nothing compares to the Bronze Age splendor of the Knossos archaeological site, which was once the center of the ancient Minoan civilization. Grab your best mock-up explorer suit and tour the site; opt for a small-group tour to explore at a lower-key pace.

Did you know?: In Greek myth, the Minotaur (half man and half bull) was imprisoned in a labyrinth underneath Knossos.

Unlike its Balearic neighbor Ibiza, Menorca does not house a powerhouse party scene—making it an ideal destination for solo travel in the Mediterranean islands. This mellower slice of paradise is manageably sized, with two lovely main towns—Maó and Ciutadella—and plenty of hiking trails, such as the beautiful Cami da Cavals coastal trails. If hiking isn’t on your solo travel itinerary, low-key beach outings and boat trips are easy to find around the island as well.

Trailblazers need travel no further than Pantelleria, a lesser-known gem on the Strait of Sicily roughly 44 miles (70 kilometers) from the Tunisian coast. Although it can swell with visitors during summer, Pantelleria favors raw nature over an attention-seeking beach atmosphere, making this one of those secret Mediterranean islands that's perfect for a low-key getaway. In fact, there aren't many beaches here at all, but the beautiful Mirror of Venus Lake, thermal springs, and famed sweet wines make up for the lack, as does the thriving street food scene.

Getting to a Mediterranean island with the family in tow can be an Odyssey-like journey, but Gozo is worth the trip. It lies just a short ferry ride from Malta and is typically quieter, making it one of the most family-friendly Mediterranean islands. While Europeans flock to “mainland” Malta for fun in the sun, your family can enjoy gentle kayak excursions around quiet beaches or fun tuk-tuk tours the little ones will love.

Did you know?: By some accounts, Gozo is the island of Ortigia in Homer’s Odyssey, where the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus captive for seven years.

Roughly half of Mljet, one of the Adriatic Islands in the Dalmatia region of Croatia, is a national park—so lush is the area that Croatians often call it “Green Island.” Here, boating excursions are the name of the game. You can boat to the saltwater lakes of Mljet National Park, or—if you have the time—multi-day sailing trips from Dubrovnik make it easy to explore the national park and more Croatian islands with natural appeal, such as the Elaphiti islands.

How can couples enjoy a romantic getaway on the Jewel of the Aegean, postcard-perfect Santorini? Let us count the ways. A catamaran cruise to natural hot springs in the bay of Palea Kameni (an uninhabited neighboring island) is a good place to start, but only after exploring the sublime Red Beach and White Beach, each named after the unusual colors of their respective cliffs. At the end of the day, wash it all down with a sunset wine tasting experience featuring vino made from the island’s volcanic soil.

Related: 9 of the Top Beaches in Santorini For Every Type of Traveler