The Mediterranean is known for its clear blue waters, beautiful beaches, sunny climate, laid-back culture, and delicious cuisine. These are just some of the reasons why hundreds of millions of tourists visit the region each year.
But if you’re looking to escape the crowds and have a quieter, more relaxing Mediterranean vacation this year, you’ll need to get off the beaten track.
International statistic experts world-meters.com have revealed seven of the best hidden gems from across the Mediterranean.
From beautiful islands to historic towns and cities and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these are some of the region’s best-kept secrets.
Seven hidden Mediterranean gems to consider for your next vacation
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Formentera, Spain
Most people have heard of the Balearic islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca, but the smaller island of Formentera is often overlooked. Located five and a half miles from the party island of Ibiza, Formentera covers an area of 32 square miles and has a population of nearly 12,000.
While it may not be a well-known tourist destination, the island has been popular with hippies since the 1960s, and it’s inspired many musicians, including Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Gilberto Gil, King Crimson, and James Taylor. Plus, the Formentera Jazz Festival is held on the island every year, featuring both emerging and established musicians from around the world.
A beach-lovers paradise, Formentera has multiple white sand beaches to relax on and crystal clear waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Rather than hiring a car to drive around, many visitors explore the island via scooter or bicycle.
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
The city of Dubrovnik in Croatia makes it onto this list because it is relatively unknown to US travelers. European tourists, however, have been visiting for years, and with its popularity only rising, it won’t remain a hidden gem for long.
Despite suffering extreme damage from an earthquake in 1667 and again by armed conflict in the 1990s, much of the city’s stunning medieval architecture managed to survive, and after repair and restoration in the 1990s and early 2000s, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dubrovnik is also a popular filming location, with scenes from Star Wars and Game of Thrones being filmed there.
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Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is surrounded by the medieval towns of Kotor, Herceg Novi, Perast, Prčanj, Risan, and Tivat — all of which are worth exploring, along with their natural surrounding areas. In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, the old town area of Kotor was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1979.
The area boasts many Catholic and Orthodox churches, cathedrals, and monasteries, which attract pilgrims and other visitors who come to admire these historic structures.
There’s plenty more for tourists to see and do here, from visiting palaces and museums to gazing up at towering mountains as you cruise around the bay by boat.
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Gozo, Malta
If you’re looking for a quiet vacation, look no further than Malta, which is the least populous country on this list. The island of Gozo is the second-largest in the Maltese Archipelago after Malta — which is where most of the Maltese population lives.
Less developed and more rural than Malta, Gozo is known for its rolling hills and for preserving traditional Maltese culture. It also boasts some of the world’s oldest free-standing structures — the Megalithic Temples of Malta.
Some of the island’s other notable tourist attractions include a small selection of sandy beaches, some of the best dive spots in Europe, and the Inland Sea, which is perfect for swimming. Gozo’s most famous landmark is the Azure Window, a natural limestone arch that featured in Clash of the Titans and Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, the arch collapsed in 2017. However, architects have proposed to restore it.
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Porquerolles, France
The French Riviera is known as a playground for the rich and famous. But you don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy a quiet and sophisticated holiday in the area. Porquerolles — a tiny island covering just under five square miles and with a population of around 300 — is just a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland coastal town of Hyères.
Most of the island is part of a national park and nature conservation area, with a cliff-lined south coast, the sandy beaches of Notre Dame, La Courtade, and Plage d’Argent in the north, and plenty of vineyards in between. The best way to explore this idyllic island is by bicycle, but if exploring and relaxing isn’t enough entertainment for you, there’s the Jazz à Porquerolles festival every summer.
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Ischia, Italy
The Italian island of Ischia is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea next to the island of Capri and can be easily reached from Naples by ferry.
Due to its mountainous terrain, the island has many thermal spas, making it the perfect destination for a wellness vacation. One of the largest spas on the island is the Giardini di Poseidon in Forio, which can be found next to the beautiful Citara Beach.
As well as beaches and spas, other tourist attractions include the medieval castle of Castello Aragonese and the Giardini La Mortella botanical garden.
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Nisyros, Greece
The final hidden Mediterranean gem on our list is the Greek island of Nisyros. Located in the Aegean Sea, it has many famous neighbors, including the much busier islands of Kos and Rhodes.
Like most of Greece, Nisyros has a low cost of living, making it a great budget option for a Mediterranean getaway.
What sets Nisyros apart is that it is an active volcano, so it has black as well as white sand beaches and warm, coral-filled waters that are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Windsurfing and sailing are some of the other activities you can do here, and if you want to get away from the water, there are plenty of churches and a monastery to explore. To really appreciate the island’s uniqueness, a hike through the volcanic crater is an activity that should not be missed!