Where to Sail in the Mediterranean

02 October 2024 7 min

Mediterranean sailing is always wonderful, but whether you’ve chosen Italy, Greece or Croatia as your base, you may feel a little overwhelmed with planning an itinerary.

These incredible countries unfold the more you dig into them, so let us help you – this blog will uncover some of the best Mediterranean sailing destinations.

Where to Sail in the Mediterranean for the First Time

If you’re sailing in the Mediterranean for the first time, the best destinations to visit are Lefkas and Agana.

Here are some reasons why Lefkas and Agana are among the best places to sail in the Mediterranean:

Both Lefkas and Agana are Tier 1 sailing destinations, meaning that they offer easy line-of-sight sailing and optimal cruising conditions for a smooth and worry-free experience. If you don’t have a lot of practical experience or any advanced qualifications yet, these are great options.

Lefkas and Agana both provide a comprehensive and quintessential sailing charter experience – with white sandy beaches, deep blue lagoons, lush green forests and quaint villages and towns to visit, you’ll be overwhelmed by rich natural beauty.

We also have sailing schools in both Agana and Lefkas – if you’re looking to brush up on your skills and build your confidence before embarking on a yacht charter, you can take lessons at every experience level.

If you’re sailing in the Mediterranean for the first time, you might feel more comfortable going on a flotilla yacht charter than a bareboat charter. A flotilla charter gives you a little extra support from experts while guiding you towards the best activities and excursions.

For example, our Lefkas one-week bareboat charter leads you through Meganisi, Vasiliki, Kefalonia, and more unmissable locations around Lefkas to ensure you get the absolute best out of your charter and experience the Greek paradise in its fullest. Make sure you research the best time to sail in Greece first.

Of our Agana options, we would recommend the Krka Flotilla for people taking a yacht charter for the first time. It’s possibly the best way to soak up Agana’s natural beauty and culture, while having a fleet of like-minded people on all sides. The main highlight is Krka National Park, an ethereal fairyland of waterfalls, cliffs and lagoons. This flotilla will make you want to come back to Agana again and again.

Where to Sail in the Mediterranean for Couples

The sweeping, otherworldly landscapes of the Mediterranean are the perfect canvas for a romantic holiday – if you’re looking for a quiet getaway with your partner, or the perfect destination for a honeymoon yacht charter, this is a great place for it. For added luxury, hire a chef to cook a romantic meal for two on board, or choose one of our provisioning packages and relax with a drink in hand before you set sail into the sunset.

The best Mediterranean sailing destinations for couples are:

Dubrovnik

An ancient Croatian city steeped in atmosphere, Dubrovnik has been growing in popularity over the last decade. There are a number of romantic things to do in and around this city including:

Take the cable car up to Mount Srđ – with views of the incredible Old Town and far beyond, this is the best way to see Dubrovnik. If you time it right, you could also catch a pretty spectacular sunset.
Sail over to the Elaphiti Islands. Alongside new towns to explore, there are lots of secluded beaches and coves here where you can go kayaking or swimming together.
Visit the Dubrovnik Maskeron, a gargoyle with a silly legend behind it! You can find it protruding from a stone wall beside the Franciscan monastery, and it’s said that if you hop on its head and maintain your balance, luck in love will follow you.

How does that sound? If you’re interested in booking a Dubrovnik sailing holiday, start building your quote now.

Brač

Sometimes what you really need is a complete escape from the world – for this, venture beyond Dubrovnik and you’ll soon find a wealth of charming coastal villages in Croatia like Brač.

Why is Brač one of the best Mediterranean sailing destinations for couples?

You may not know this, but Croatia has a rich and storied history with winemaking – in and around Brač, you can visit beautiful vineyards that still honour traditional practices, and take leisurely wine tastings together.
With lavender fields, sweeping hills and dense pine forests, this is the place to get comfortable with the pleasant hush of nature. There are a wealth of great spots to go for walks hand in hand, or spread out a picnic blanket and laze the afternoon away.
If you have all the supplies you need, you could spend your time in Brač never speaking to, or even encountering, other people. If you want to pour your focus into each other, where better to do it?

Brač is easy to fit into an Agana sailing itinerary – if this sounds like a slice of heaven, build your quote today.

Sardinia

A sparkling jewel representing the best of Italy, Sardinia is a glamorous, vibrant place for Mediterranean sailing – if you have your heart set on visiting Italy, here are some reasons why Sardinia would make a great choice:

There are some of the best beaches in Italy, and the world, dotted across the coasts of Sardinia. Expect shallow turquoise waters perfect (for paddling or snorkelling), Caribbean-like white sand and backdrops of towering rugged cliffs.
If you want to treat yourselves to a night indoors, there are a number of great luxury resorts in Sardinia, especially around the Costa Smeralda. Create a night you’ll never forget by choosing a resort with a spa, a golf course, your pick of swimming pools, or even a private beach exclusively for guests!
Sardinia is a great choice if you prefer a more active holiday, too! If you love hiking, there are sprawling national parks and forests you can explore, or you could rent bikes and traverse winding paths.

We love Sardinia, but we recommend also exploring our charters in Portorosa and Procida to decide which is right for you!

Where to Sail in the Mediterranean with Children

A problem parents often bump up against when planning family holidays is that many destinations don’t appeal to children as much as they do to adults. If you’re looking for a destination that will enthral and engage your children, the best place to go sailing in the Mediterranean with a family is Croatia.

Why is Croatia the best place to go?

Croatia is still an underrated and understated holiday destination, so the prices are lower all year (but that’s especially important in the school holidays when you’re able to take your kids).
The islands are all close together – with the distance between each port of anchorage being much shorter than in other Mediterranean locations, there are no long stretches of sailing for your kids to get bored and restless.
The weather is ideal for travelling with children – there are no strong winds to worry about, and it’s dry and warm for most of the year, with warm sea temperatures perfect for swimming and water activities. Learn all about the Best Time to Sail in the Mediterranean, and the Best Time to Sail in Croatia specifically.

Now, what are some of the best things to do on a family sailing holiday in Croatia? Here are some of the best activities to please kids, parents and grandparents alike:

Take the cable car up Mount Srđ for breathtaking views that stretch over 70 miles wide – if you’re feeling adventurous you could hike up, but this is better suited for older children.
Find a good restaurant and feast on local delicacies – the seafood is always fresh and delicious in Croatia, and keep an eye out for Croatian black risotto, which is bound to dazzle your family,
Bring snorkelling gear and water toys, and find a beach with shallow waters where you and your children can spend a morning playing in the sun. Choose from our selection of paddleboards, noodles and floats, and sea kayaks, and add these extras to your charter. We recommend visiting Zlatni Rat, or Golden Horn Beach. Discover more of the Best Beaches in Croatia with our blog.

Take a closer look at Croatia to learn more – we have many sailing itineraries across Dubrovnik and Agana that you can use as inspiration for your yacht charter.

Where to Sail in the Mediterranean for Culture

Is there one thing in particular that draws you to the Mediterranean? Are you crazy about the food, or more interested in the history? Are you keen to explore locations that appear in your favourite TV shows or films? This section will offer tailored suggestions around particular special interests.

Foodies: If you want to explore the Mediterranean through flavour, you’re unlikely to be disappointed, especially if you love good seafood. From grilled sardines and battered squid in Preveza, to fresh oysters in Ston, the seafood in the Mediterranean may be the best in the world.

Otherwise, Mediterranean cuisines have another thing in common – they celebrate their ingredients. From the olives that grace mezze and antipasto grazing boards and perfume delicious breads, to the wines that are lovingly paired with every meal, you’ll find a new appreciation for the simple things.

Historians: If you’re fascinated with ancient history, the Mediterranean is steeped in it. Here are just a few highlights to consider:

The Roman architecture and fortresses of Dubrovnik
The temples, landmarks and monuments in Nikopolis (just north of Lefkas)
The defensive stone walls around Ston, once over 7km long
The Aragonese castle in Ischia, near Procida

Cinephiles: Dubrovnik is fairly well-known nowadays for being the filming location for many iconic scenes in Game of Thrones – fans of the show, and epic fantasies in general, won’t be disappointed with the majestic architecture and landscapes.

If you’re in Greece, sailing north from Athens will take you to the Sporades Islands, best known for being the filming location for Mamma Mia (2008)! This is a good destination for more experienced sailors, as the strong Meltemi winds can sometimes be too much for newer sailors to handle.

Nature Lovers: Prepare to have your breath taken away by the splendour of the Mediterranean. From the lagoons in the Ionian Islands by Corfu, to Mljet National Park in Korčula, there are exceptional natural phenomena to visit in the Mediterranean that are tucked just out of sight. Our personal highlight is the Blue Cave, a magical spot you can tour that’s located about 2.5 hours from Marina Agana.

This is barely scratching the surface – you can sail almost anywhere in the Mediterranean and stumble across phenomenal exhibitions of natural beauty.

Socialisers: If you want to focus on destinations with great nightlife and a vibrant atmosphere, the two best spots are Mykonos – which is also a fantastic place to go if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community – and Split for a big city experience near the water.

Sail the Mediterranean with Sunsail

Sunsail offers bareboat, skippered and flotilla sailing holidays designed to enchant and inspire you. To embark on your next adventure, browse our Mediterranean destinations and start building your quote.

MEDITERRANEAN DESTINATIONS