While I love topical island beaches, I always think that Mediterranean island beaches are more varied and characterful. There’s such a diversity in the islands, and their geography is so varying that the beaches are influenced by many factors of shape, size and composition. Take a look at some of my favorite Mediterranean island beaches.
1 Cala Mariolu, Sardinia
Some people think that the best beaches have to be sandy. Among the Mediterranean island beaches there are some stunners that are pebble or rock beaches and one of the most sublimely gorgeous is Cala Mariolu on the central eastern coast of Sardinia. Overlooked by a vegetation covered chalky hillside, the rocks are blindingly white and the sea the most amazing pale turquoise. The sea is so clear you can see the fish and there are stunning views from every angle. There are so facilities but who cares – it’s paradise!
Frequently asked questions
2 Mgiebah Bay, Malta
Malta has some lovely beaches, but as most of them are anchored by at least one large hotel they can get busy with visitors and locals. If you prefer peace and quiet and some seclusion you’ll find delight in Mgiebah Bay. It’s not the easiest to get to as you have to leave your car at the top of a small cliff and climb down but the effort is worth it. Mgiebah is a small bay in gorgeous surroundings. It’s great for snorkeling but there are no facilities so you need to take your own refreshments.
3 Porto Pollo, Corsica
Corsica has some of the most beautiful Mediterranean island beaches. My pick for you is Porto Pollo, on the very sunny southern coast of the French island. Porto Pollo is reminiscent of the beaches of the Seychelles and Mauritius, although tamer: an arc of silver white sand surrounded by green hills which provided shelter for the small bay. The water is crystal clear and if you like to snorkel, you’ll have plenty of fish for company.
4 Lara Bay Beach, Cyprus
Cyprus has 49 Blue Flag beaches which is a good indication of the standard of seashore you will find on this Greek/Turkish island. Lara Bay Beach is on the north-west coast of the island without any real transport connections, so is usually only found by travelers in a 4x4. If you like your beaches on Mediterranean islands to be close to nature and without endless lines of parasols and sun beds, the potholes you have to negotiate to reach Lara will be inconsequential. Lara is a sandy, unspoiled and oft deserted beach that is also home to protected loggerhead and green turtles.
5 Sequia, Djerba
Djerba is the largest of the North African islands in the Med and belongs to Tunisia. Djerba is blessed with soft sandy beaches and was once described by Homer as the “Island of 10,000 palms. Many of the beaches are owned by the hotels that line the coastline but allow non-guests for a fee. With a lovely long coastline there are plenty to choose from including the main Plage de Sidi Mahrès which is 17kms long. One of the nicest beaches and less busy beaches is Sequia – a beautiful stretch of white sand peppered by a few solo palm trees. Make sure you stay late enough to view the magnificent sunset.
6 Beach Sveti Ivan, Cres
The Croatian island of Cres is a natural paradise. Cres is long, narrow and mountainous with plenty of coves and bays home to gorgeous beaches. Beach Sveti Ivan near the clifftop village of Lubenice is one of the most stunning Mediterranean island beaches and one of the most celebrated in Croatia. Another that isn’t easy to reach (no pain, no gain) you either have to get to Sveti Ivan by boat or via a 40 minute hike from the village. Once there, you’ll find a beach of smooth pebbles that become finer until they become soft sand at the clear blue water’s edge.
7 Gizli Liman, Turkey
The lovely stretch of sand backed by rolling grass-covered dunes and hillocks that give way to pine forests known as Gizli liman beach is on the Turkish island of Gokceada. It is the largest of the Turkish islands and has a history of Greek/Turkish occupation which has formed a unique culture – the Greeks still call the island Imbros. Gizli Liman is often referred to as the “Secret Harbour” and is unspoilt and beautiful. The sands are wide open and the views spectacular.
8 San Blas, Gozo
The main features of beaches on Mediterranean islands? Crystal clear waters of all shades of blue and green? Tick. Sand? Tick. Red sand? Not usually! A number of the beaches of Gozo ( a small island belonging to Malta) are characterized by the amazing red sand that almost looks like ground down house bricks. The beaches of Gozo are also rocky, some with towering cliffs others with more gently sloping headlands. San Blas is the perfect example; clean, quiet and undeveloped, oh and yes of course, slightly difficult to get to. Surrounded by vegetation covered rocks, there is a cozy feel to San Blas Bay.
9 Sveti Nikola, Montenegro
The beaches of Sveti Nikola don’t really have names. This is because Sveti Nikola is a small island of Montenegro. It only covers 89 acres and is only just over a mile long. With a dramatic high point of a cliff that towers 397 feet, the island is fringed by lovely golden sand beaches. Only accessible by boat (plenty available), Sveti Nikola beachgoers have to share space with deer, rabbits and birds.
Have you picked a favorite yet? Maybe you’re like me and love all the Mediterranean island beaches?
