A single rustic restaurant terrace overlooking a small cove is the typical image of Deià, but the village is actually perched on the hillside above. Since the early 20th century this spot on Mallorca’s northwestern coast has drawn a bohemian crowd. The poet Robert Graves was an early settler here and the likes of Mick Jagger came later, while celebrities without local property stay at La Residencia. Once owned by Richard Branson, the hotel is now run by the Belmond (formerly Orient Express) group.
Taormina’s ancient amphitheatre, perched above the sea with views of Mount Etna, is one of the classic images of Sicily. The structure was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century and later adapted by the Romans. Nowadays you may catch pop or opera there. More sea views await from the elegant Piazza IX Aprile, and cobbled streets crammed with restaurants meander through the lofty town. Though peak season is always busy, exploring in the morning or early evening should avoid the cruise ship crowds.
It’s the colourful fishing boats called luzzu – many painted with eyes for spiritual protection – that help make Marsaxlokk so picturesque. Naturally, the harbour is lined with alfresco eateries where you can enjoy the day's catch. On Sundays visitors can also enjoy the spectacle that is the fish market. The bay has been a landing place for pirates, Ottoman Turks and Napoleon, and, in common with much of Malta, there are old fortifications to explore. Popular natural swim spot St Peter’s Pool is nearby too.
In southeastern France, close to the Spanish border, Collioure has a Catalonian influence reflected in the proliferation of tapas bars. Famous artists were drawn here for the quality of the light, among them Matisse, whose works can be seen in the Museum of Modern Art. Beyond the town’s beaches there's a medieval chateau, hilltop fort and 14th-century windmill to see. If you love anchovies, you’ll be pleased to know Collioure is a top spot for them.
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The celebrated city of Dubrovnik is overrun in summer months, not least by Game of Thrones fans keen to seek out the series’ filming locations. Consider then Korcula Town, which is nicknamed ‘Dubrovnik in miniature’ thanks to its medieval squares and palaces. The fortified town sits on its heavily forested namesake island, which, being further from Dubrovnik and Split, is a much quieter bolthole than the popular islands of Hvar and Brac.
Five fishing villages make up the dreamy Cinque Terre and, thanks to its colourful houses, Manarola is perhaps the most photographed. Besides its red, pink, yellow and cream buildings, the village is beautifully situated, stepped down the cliffs all the way to the sea. There are vineyards nearby, making this a fine place for a spot of coastal wine tasting. If you can handle the hills, you can hike through all five villages on a popular seven-mile (11km) trail.
This attractive fortified village, on an islet on Montenegro’s Budva Rivieria, has long drawn glamorous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. It comes with a private beach, and is exclusive to its residents and guests of the Aman Sveti Stefan resort, some of whom stay in converted fishing cottages. It’s just across a causeway from the mainland, so those that haven’t got deep enough pockets will have to make do with photographs.
Situated on Greece’s Aegean coast, Parga was the only Christian village in the region during Ottoman rule. A fort called the Venetian Castle is a relic of the town's storied history, but today you’ll find a terracotta-tiled settlement sandwiched between pine-covered hillsides and a bay dotted with islands. There are several popular beaches to choose from and an excursion opportunity to Acheron River, which in ancient myths was said to carry the souls of the dead to Hades.
Take a look at lesser-known Greek islands to discover before the crowds catch on
Albania is often overlooked by tourists, yet it has a stunning coastline. Among the prettiest spots on the Albanian Riviera is Dhërmi, set in the foothills of a mountain range overlooking a beach and once visited by Lord Byron. The village hosts a surprising number of churches including the lofty Shen Marise, which has particularly impressive views. There’s a less sleepy vibe down around the beach clubs, which are popular with local tourists.
Sitges might be best known for its party scene, but with a charming old town and Barcelona an easy day trip away, there's much more to this Catalonian resort. It boasts one of Spain's best Lent carnivals and a popular Pride parade, along with a big annual fantasy and horror-slanted film festival complete with a zombie parade. The Cau Ferrat Museum, the former home and workshop of painter Santiago Rusiñol, is among the other diversions you'll find beyond the beaches.
Its name might be from the Italian word for 'island', but thanks to some very deliberate infilling Izola now simply protrudes from Slovenia’s Istrian peninsula. A Venetian influence lingers thanks to its position on a former Venetian trading route. The narrow streets of the old town are lined with colourfully painted houses and it doesn't take long to explore, so there’s plenty of time to settle down with some freshly landed seafood, or charter a yacht from the harbour.
Cefalù’s seafront was the setting for an alfresco movie night in the classic film Cinema Paradiso, but these days you’re more likely to watch some of Sicily’s best sunsets from the rocks on Cefalù’s western side. A short stroll from the beach, the 12th-century Duomo dominates the lower part of the old town, where the narrow cobbled streets are lined with seafood restaurants and kiosks serving gelato and cannoli. The resort is handily under an hour by train from Sicily’s capital Palermo.
Just 16 miles (10km) from Ibiza Town, this tiny village contains little more than a whitewashed church and a couple of restaurants. It does however have its own secluded beach with a simple restaurant under the trees and other shingle coves nearby. The views are the real draw and there’s a cliff path you can walk. There are villas to rent in the area, and you can head into the city if you need a little nightlife.
Close to Mallorca’s capital Palma, tiny Santanyí offers a more chilled escape than the island’s famous resorts. Some of its sandstone buildings date back to medieval times, and the old town is still partially enclosed by a wall. Relaxed days can be spent visiting art studios and restaurants. There’s also a twice-weekly market. Santanyí has its own sandy beach but you could seek out picturesque coves such as Cala Llombards five miles (7.6km) away.
This Provence port near Marseille is lined with café terraces and backed by the rugged Calanques National Park. Its most striking features, however, are its chateau (now a guesthouse) and Cap Canaille, the highest sea cliff in France, which overlooks the town. Not to be confused with the home of cassis blackcurrant liqueur, the port is actually known for its wines. Swimmers can choose from a shingle main beach or a series of coves.
Less party-focused than other resorts on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Kalkan still has a decent harbourside buzz. The town is attractively arranged down a hillside to a bay and has its own small beach. Others are within easy reach, notably the eight-mile (13km) sweep of sand at Patara. Kalkan is also well positioned for exploring a number of ancient sites in the region and the Lycian Way hiking trail. Nearby Kas is another beauty.
It’s Positano’s dramatic cliffside perch that makes this colourful town on the Amalfi Coast so breathtaking. Despite the approach by winding road or boat, it’s hugely popular with tourists. There are numerous restaurants, bars and boutiques in the narrow streets between the road and the pebble beach, but prepare yourself for vertiginous steps (and prices). Follow the same coastal road to reach the further highlights of Amalfi and Ravello.
A celebrated white sand beach called La Pelosa is not the only reason to consider making Stintino your base on the Italian island of Sardinia, though it does come with Caribbean-esque good looks. The town, in the northwest, is also extremely pretty, with a harbour used by fishing boats and another frequented by tourists enjoying the seafood the fishing boats bring in. There’s a tuna festival held here in May and even a museum dedicated to the fish.
Menton sits halfway between Paris and Rome and, with a history of French and Italian rule, is influenced by a mix of cultures. Baroque churches and multi-coloured houses give the Riviera town its visual appeal, though it was its reputation as a health resort that drew 19th-century Brits, including Queen Victoria, to holiday here. Menton’s many gardens include Serre de la Madone, filled with tropical plants. There’s also a museum for writer and artist Jean Cocteau.
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Like Izola, busier Piran has a Venetian influence, and was majority Italian speaking until the mid-20th century. The prominent church bell tower was even inspired by Venice’s St Mark’s Campanile. Piran retains some of its medieval architecture and it also has a large main square by the harbour named after Italian composer and violinist, Giuseppe Tartini, who was born locally. Climb the old town walls for the best sunset views.
Whitewashed walls, blue-domed churches and old windmills perched above turquoise sea are the classic images of Santorini. The most famous photos are taken at Oia, a village that dates back to the 15th century. This is the most popular spot to watch the sunset over the volcanic caldera, a romantic view that is just one reason the Greek island is a favourite among honeymooners.
Whitewashed houses with blue studded doors are the most striking features of cliffside Sidi Bou Said on Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast. The town has been a magnet for writers and artists over the years, and you’ll still find many small galleries nestled among its cobbled streets. In fact, it was a French painter who started the blue door trend in the 1920s. As a bonus, Sidi Bou Said is less than 12 miles (20km) from the capital Tunis, which is easy to reach by train.
This joyful peninsula town serves up sparkling façades and a large fortified church, where you can take in rooftop views. There’s a Spanish influence, reflected in the flamenco bars and paella restaurants, and you’ll encounter games of boules in the main square. May sees the Gitan Pilgrimage, popular with Europe's Gypsy community. Be warned: the town also hosts bull-related entertainment, including fighting. Happier spectacles are found in nearby Pont de Gau ornithological park, a flamingo habitat.
There’s something of a rustic mini Mykonos vibe to this spot on Lebanon’s northern coast, around an hour’s drive from Beirut or half an hour from Tripoli. The Greek island feel comes from the blue and white painted wooden cafés, and the fact that most inhabitants are of Greek Orthodox faith. It’s definitely a place for a mezze and a swim rather than a party. In the wider Anfeh area are ruins of former cities, including dwellings carved from rock.
On clear days you can see neighbouring Corsica from this hilltop Sardinian town. Its most prominent feature is a medieval citadel raised on a rock above the present-day settlement. Though there’s a seafront, most restaurants are in the historic upper part of town catering to day-trippers visiting the castle, which contains examples of traditional handicrafts. You can also buy baskets from weavers in the surrounding streets.
Rosh HaNikra is a kibbutz (agricultural communities specific to Israel) far in the Israeli north. Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen was once a volunteer here, and it is an important world centre for banana research. What draws the tourists, however, are the nearby sea caves, just metres from the Lebanon border. The Rosh HaNikra Grottoes can be reached via a cable car ride down the cliff. Day trips are offered from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem too.
This village is variously spelled as Latchi, Lakki or Latsi. While the fishing harbour remains, there’s also now a smart marina for yachts and boats making trips to the nearby Blue Lagoon. Despite the tourist attention, it’s much lower key than the island’s more famous resorts. Latchi’s best asset though is its closeness to the unspoilt Akamas Penisula, making it a relaxed base from which to plan hiking and biking.
The tiny Turkish island of Bozcaada (known as Tenedos to Greeks) is situated in the Aegean arm of the Mediterranean. It has a history dating back to 3000 BC with the Trojan horse reputedly delivered here by ship. There’s a well-preserved 15th-century castle overlooking the island’s namesake town and ample opportunities to relax at pavement cafés. Local vineyards and a choice of sandy beaches add to the appeal.
Arriving, as most visitors do, by ferry from Rhodes, you’ll be surprised by the sight of pastel Neoclassical mansions left over from Italian rule. It’s a grand touch for a relatively low-key Greek island, and the population here is a fraction of what it once was. Ano Symi, or Symi Town, is the main settlement, with the lower part around the harbour known as Yialos. Fried shrimps, eaten whole, are a speciality in restaurants.
It may be a large touristy town but Nerja, on the eastern tip of Spain’s Costa del Sol, has an attractive rocky coastline complete with powdery beaches. It’s best viewed from the Balcon de Europa viewpoint that sits at the end of the palm-lined promenade, and juts over a strategically perched hotel. You can escape the heat of the day by exploring the sprawling Nerja Caves or even taking a watery hike wading along the Chillar River.