Sunrise at Mediterranean Sea / Photo by Julo for Best of European Union

1) Barcelona

Barcelona is the jewel in Spain’s Mediterranean crown. The capital of the country’s Catalonia region, the city blends cultural modernity and a traditional outlook seamlessly. Wandering the city streets, it is entirely possible to get lost in the meandering cobble-stoned avenues, before turning a corner and being presented with a piece of classic and iconic architecture from the city’s most famous son, Gaudi. This isn’t just a culture vulture’s city, however, as Barcelona has perfected the art of beach living. The city stretches right down to the sea, where lounging Spaniards spend their weekends lapping up the sun and sipping on sangria.

Barceloneta beach in Barcelona, Spain by Oh Barcelona

2) Sorrento and Capri

On Italy’s Mediterranean coast, the small, perfectly-formed town of Sorrento and the equally desirable island of Capri form the Mediterranean ideal. Set away from the metropolitan madness of nearby Naples, Sorrento and Capri provide oases of calm on the shores of the Mediterranean. From the streets of Sorrento, you can stare in wonder out over the Bay of Naples towards the awe-inspiring and slightly ominous sight of Mount Vesuvius and indulge fully in the Southern Italian lifestyle, which includes wine at lunchtime, an evening gelato, and plenty of people watching. Capri is an island idyll, with the famous Grotta Azzurra capping off its reputation as an ideal holiday destination. Feeling that you’re living the life of luxury isn’t hard in Capri; the place was made for it.

Capri, Italy by Francesco Sgroi

3) Cannes

There are plenty of famous names along the French Riviera, each one as attractive and appealing as the next; St Tropez, Nice, Montpellier, Antibes are just a few. But Cannes is the crème de la crème, with its reputation for famous faces, the film festival, and pampered lifestyles. There’s more to Cannes than chilled wine on the beachfront, however; with a long history of perfume-making, a visit to the town wouldn’t be complete without taking in the fragrant air of the Molinard parfumerie, which dates back to 1849.

Cannes, France by photophilde

4) Malta

Malta provides the perfect island escape in the Mediterranean. Away from it all, in its own little world, Malta typifies what is best about the Mediterranean. Long summers, a fascinating history, and a laid-back lifestyle have all combined to make this a most desirable holiday destination. The island is a cultural mix of North African, European, Arabian and Sicilian influences, making Malta a heady, atmospheric place to spend time. It also has a rich and fascinating history, with some of the oldest free-standing structures in Europe calling the island home, as well as the Ggantija Temples, which are thought to be the oldest known religious buildings, possibly in the world.

Malta by Jon Rawlinson

5) Corfu

One of Greece’s most famous islands, Corfu still has the languid, Mediterranean attitude that has made it so popular with holidaymakers for so long. Corfu is Greece’s garden, the greenest of the country’s many islands, and it has attracted many famous faces and literary homages in the past – not least of which are Homer’s The Odyssey and Shakespeare’s The Tempest. With its cypress trees, olive groves, and wild flowers in the spring, Corfu is a delightful Mediterranean paradise.

Corfu, Greece by Michael Gleave

The Mediterranean is a special place to visit whatever the time of year, and with its vast variety of towns, villages, islands, and cities, no two places are the same. There are plenty of Europe tours that focus on these wonderful destinations around the Mediterranean, and whichever one you pick, you can be sure that every single one remains beguiling, bewitching, and simply beautiful.

Written by Kat Kraetzer, a travel blogger who loves to visit Europe.

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