If you are looking for a way to spend a beautiful, long summer holiday - stop looking. Sailing a boat around the Mediterranean is the best place to be.

When sailing in the Mediterranean, the list of idyllic destinations is endless. It’s on almost every sailor's bucket list, and for good reason. It’s exotic, idyllic, and filled with hidden gems.

There is so much to offer that it can be difficult to decide where to start first. Regardless, you won’t go wrong with a Mediterranean destination.

We have put together our top 5 picks for the most amazing Mediterranean sailing destinations. From the Turkish and French Riviera to Malta, we know you will be impressed with the experiences to be had at these epic sailing locations.




Turkish Riviera

The Turkish Riviera tops the charts as one of the most idyllic Mediterranean sailing destinations on our list.

The coastline stretches as far as 1000 miles, perfectly fit for sailing, and offers 600 miles of the finest white sandy beaches.

The Turkish Riviera is known for its top tourist attractions which include the mesmerizing Ephesus ruin, rich in Roman history and culture as well as the Roman Theater of Aspendos.

The Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Cappadocia rock valleys, Greek ruins, and the beautiful area of Antalya are all main tourist hotspots.

The Turkish Coast is filled with hidden coves, secluded bays, and inlets.

You don’t have to be an expert sailor to navigate the Turkish winds and weather conditions, which makes bareboating a great option.

French Riviera

Ever heard of Côte d'Azur? Glamour, medieval romance, and beauty are all synonyms of the French Riviera.

The Côte d'Azur harbours the most iconic French locations such as Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and Antibes. These locations have spectacular displays of French architecture and decadent French dining and local entertainment. Culture and atmosphere are most definitely not rare along this route.

Côte d'Azur has been called the best sailing destination in the Mediterranean. Days can be spent lingering in quaint little French streets when the yacht is at anchor or cruising along the Riviera with breathtaking skyline views and architectural fantasies.

Don’t forget to visit the Musée Picasso and the Monaco Cathedral while sailing this route. Perhaps attend a cooking class in Antibes and pick up a bottle of fine scent from the world’s perfume capital in Grasse.

Malta

Malta is the paradise one sails to when seeking tranquil and relaxing days to get away from the buzz of people and city life. Malta is filled with historical riches and iconic ruins, not to mention the picturesque villages and vibrant culture.

Charter traffic is not a concern as Malta is one of the least popular sailing routes. This European route is ideal for any sailor as it offers secluded anchorages and some of the best dive sites.

Make sure to pack your scuba diving equipment, because with diverse ocean life and spectacularly still water spots, you don’t want to miss out.

The crystal-clear waters and favourable weather conditions are not too hard to navigate, which any charter traveller can look forward to. Of course, Malta is just around the bend of Sicily and the African coast and is the ideal location for exploring fascinating islands.

Italian Coastline

The Italian Coastline stretches over the Phlegraean Islands, the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, Sorrento, and Sicily.

When anchoring ground on the Italian Coastline, one would definitely spend more time on the islands.

A sunny day of wine tasting in Tuscany can be followed by a romantic dinner in Capri. Bring your camera along as you photograph the most famous Italian architecture and historical landmarks.

You will never forgive yourself if you miss out on the world’s best gelato in Sicily while strolling along the carefree beach of Amalfi.

Chances of meeting a celebrity are rather favourable when sailing along the Italian Coastline, as many stars escape to this world of wonder.

While anchoring in Sicily, fear of missing out can be a real concern. Why not make sure you tick all the top tourist locations from your bucket list.

For inexperienced sailors, or those avoiding the commotion of people, the Italian Coastline may be overlooked as it can become densely populated with touring charters in peak season.

So to say, finding a parking spot for your yacht or navigating oneself out of a tiny inlet may be challenging during these seasons.

Croatia

Perhaps we’ve saved the best for last. Imagining what it would be like sailing the clear-blue waters of Croatia, you can picture yourself surrounded by peace and privacy with striking views and days of island discoveries to be made.

Croatia offers roughly 1200 islands to be discovered and with only fifty of these islands being inhabited.

Do not let the small population of these islands fool you. Croatia offers some of the top-rated historic cities and contains multiple hidden gems. Museum and cultural heritage site visitations, delicatessen restaurants, and adventurous activities like scuba diving and windsurfing can fill dreamy days along the Croatian coast.

Croatia is also known for its beautiful spiritual landmarks such as the many cathedrals, and historic churches of patron saints that will fill you with wonder and admiration.

The Croatian Coast is surely not a drive-by and requires a few days to be spent in this iconic destination. Navigating this route also seems to be a breeze, as weather and sailing conditions always seem favourable.

Yacht chartering in the Mediterranean is the perfect holiday getaway, the world is truly your oyster. There are so many more Mediterranean destinations to choose from, it was hard to pick just 5, but these are our top picks for the most amazing places to sail in this incredible location.