15 Best Beaches in the Mediterranean

Santorini’s seaside jewel is famous, its red landscape reminiscent of Mars. Its deep-red, pink, and ruby hues cascade into the shimmering sea.

Red Beach is a unique slice of paradise, where travelers snap stunning landscape photography, wander the rocky coast, and swim in the temperate sea. The beach is also a stone’s throw from the ancient site of Akrotiri, preserving the history of the Cycladic Bronze Age.

Fascinating rock formations lie beneath the surface of the Santorini seas and you can enjoy snorkeling at Red Beach to discover underwater wonderlands. You can also arrive at Red Beach on a private yacht as you explore more of the Greek islands’ best beaches.

Best for: Cinematic beach photography of a shoreline unlike any other

Learn more: Greek Island Hopping Itineraries • Greece Vacations & Tours • Greece Travel Guide

Positano is a charming Amalfi Coast town in Italy and Spiaggia Grande is the main beach travelers flock to when passing through or staying here. Many gather on the sunbeds that cover the shoreline between colorful buildings that climb the cliffs on either side of the beach.

Luxury yachts glide around the pier, while beach lovers find refuge underneath umbrellas or in the azure waters. You can rent kayaks and paddle beyond the gentle swells, looking back at the magnificent village wedged between forested rolling hills and craggy mountain faces.

The beach of Spiaggia Grande is the focal point of days in Positano, while the Italian cafes and gourmet seafood restaurants on the promenade are endearing spots for afternoon cocktails or grabbing a bite en route to discover the Amalfi Coast’s enchanting towns.

Best for: Authentic Amalfi Coast town experiences by the sea

Learn more: Best Beaches in Italy • Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide

Bogatell is a bustling beach in Barcelona, where travelers enjoy the perks of spending summer in the Mediterranean. The beach is a popular hangout for visitors who wish to retreat to soft sands between tours of the city.

The promenade extends for miles, inviting visitors to explore the coastline's restaurants and landmarks. You can also partake in watersports on the main strip or find a quiet spot to lay down your towel and tuck into a sensational bite of Spanish tapas.

Bogatell is a brilliant place for an afternoon stroll in Barcelona and one of the best Mediterranean beaches to visit if you want to combine sun and sand with highlights of Spanish history and culture.

Best for: Experiencing Barcelona’s seaside and eclectic tapas bars

Learn more: Barcelona Itineraries & Vacation Packages • Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide

Positioned on the border of Dubrovnik Old Town, Banje Beach is a gateway to the beauty of Croatia’s coastline and the country’s deep cultural heritage.

Ancient stone buildings and cobbled lanes circle the trendy beach, where visitors gather to catch some sun and unwind after a tour through time in Old Town. White umbrellas paint the golden shoreline, contrasting the vibrant blue and green shades of Croatia’s clear waters.

You can unroll your towel on the sand, swim in the Adriatic Sea, or follow the aromas of Croatian seafood dishes pouring from the terraces of stylish seaside restaurants.

Best for: Fun with family and friends around the corner from Dubrovnik Old Town

Learn more: 8 Best Beaches in Croatia • Croatia Vacations & Tours • Croatia Travel Guide

Praia da Marinha is a picturesque beach in Portugal and one of the most breathtaking in the world. The golden sand and turquoise water sit below striking rock formations, creating a dramatic backdrop to summer days lazing in the sunshine.

Hidden coves can be found along the cinematic coastline that stretches from the sandy shore across the Algarve. The snorkeling from Praia da Marinha is sensational and hiking across the rugged rocks is a treat for adventurous travelers.

You can also cruise across the shimmering water to the world-famous Benagil Cave around the corner from the sandy strip. An opening in the sea cave invites travelers inside, revealing a secret beach, with an aperture in its ceiling illuminating the golden formation. This is an unmissable experience for travelers who visit Praia de Marinha.

Best for: Snorkeling, admiring rugged coastlines, and exploring a remarkable sea cave

Learn more: Portugal Tours & Vacations • Portugal Travel Guide

Super Paradise Beach is one of the best beaches in Europe, let alone in the Mediterranean. It is a popular shoreline and the main strip of sand on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Travelers flock to the soft sands of Super Paradise Beach to enjoy the island's vibrant atmosphere, whether visiting the chic bars and glamorous restaurants or wandering the busy beach. Super Paradise Beach caters to all types of travelers, immersing visitors in the charms of Mykonos’s magnificent energy.

You can flyboard, tube, and cruise across the sea, then slurp oysters during a breathtaking sunset. Anything is possible at the center of glamor in the Greek islands.

Best for: A true taste of Mykonos beach and nightlife

Learn more: Mykonos Vacations • Greece Vacations & Tours • Greece Travel Guide

En Vau is a beach like no other, located near France’s Mediterranean fishing port, Cassis. The estuary cove features a castaway shoreline beneath the limestone formations' summits.

The pebbled beach, with its emerald waters between chalk-white rock towers and green shrubbery, is a feast for the eyes. A short hike leads travelers through the mesmerizing cove to where pebbles drop into the shallow waters. You can swim out from the beach along the edge of the cliffs in search of aquatic life that finds shelter in the Calanques.

Travelers also enjoy the seaside spectacles in other ways, among them on tranquil kayaking trips to secluded areas and on stand-up paddleboards to where the inlet meets the sea.

Best for: Breathtaking landscape views and hidden coves

Learn more: France Tours & Vacations • France Travel Guide

Spiaggia dei Conigli, or Rabbit Beach, is a tranquil escape on the island of Lampedusa near Sicily. It is one of Italy’s famous shorelines and travelers flock to the shallow waters and soft golden sandbars to catch the sun in style.

A rocky coastline of cliffs in shades of yellows, browns, and grays conceals the cove-like beach. Umbrellas dot the shoreline in navy hues and complement the turquoise and sapphire colors of the crystal-clear water. Visitors gather on velvety patches of sand, stroll along the rugged ridges, and swim in the shallow waters that sparkle in the sunshine.

A short drive stands between the shore, charming restaurants, small shops, and the treasures of Lampedusa town, or your resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and exploring local fauna in a unique Italian region

Learn more: Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide

The steep cliffs of Turkey’s Lycian Coast conceal the picturesque golden sands and dazzling turquoise waters of Kaputaş Beach, one of the most famous in the country.

You can reach the short but sensational strip of sand down 187 steps that cascade from the coastal road to the cove, where white umbrellas shade the sands from the sweltering sun. The beach is a postcard-perfect place to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe, with refreshing waters a welcome retreat from the warm Mediterranean temperatures.

Cruise ships also anchor in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the beach and can take travelers to the iconic Blue Cave. This mesmerizing natural formation shimmers in iridescent shades of blue, elevating a day trip to Kaputaş Beach.

Best for: Watersports and touring breathtaking sea caves

Learn more: Turkey Tours & Vacations • Turkey Travel Guide

Ses Illetes is a spectacular shoreline on the Spanish island of Formentera, a small but sensational Balearic island. The beach lies within the Ses Salines d'Eivissa and Formentera Natural Park, ensuring the protection of natural beauty and marine life.

From the powdery white sands, visitors gaze across the calm, turquoise waters to see the five islets of Ses Illetes that add to the dramatic beauty of the beach. A long strip of narrow sand runs between the endless stretches of sea as if once connecting Formentera to the island of Ibiza.

The size of the shoreline offers travelers plenty of chances to escape the crowds as they search for quiet slices of the soft sand to dig their toes into or peaceful waters for a swim. You can also cycle, sail, and settle in for a delightful dinner along the beautiful coastline of Ses Illetes.

Best for: Remote beach days away from the crowds

Learn more: Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide

Almaza Beach is one of the best beaches in Egypt. The heavenly coastline is staking its claim as one of the most superb and luxurious shores to visit on a trip to the country.

Glamorous hotels fringe the strip, gourmet restaurants serve exquisite seafood caught in the Mediterranean Sea, and watersports let travelers explore its marine beauty. Relatively new compared to more popular beach destinations, Almaza Bay’s beach is an unusually good spot to consider for a Mediterranean vacation.

Kitesurfing, volleyball, and more beach activities are available for families visiting the shore. Or you can retreat to a comfortable thatched pergola for a romantic afternoon of cocktails by the sea.

Best for: Watersports and beach sports that are fun for the entire family

Learn more: Egypt Tours & Vacation Packages • Egypt Travel Guide

Saidia Beach in Morocco is another unexpected Mediterranean beach. Travelers who choose to visit it will be thrilled to find an exceptionally vibrant strip of sand catering to summer vacation fun.

Umbrellas pepper the long stretch of sand that meets the chalk-white cliffs of the border between Morocco and Algeria. Behind the beach, multiple-star accommodations dominate the seaside and elegant restaurants border the sand and promenade.

The energy at Saidia Beach during the summer is palpable and travelers enjoy the thrills of watersports day in and day out. You can kayak, ride jet skis, and more in the warm Mediterranean Sea on a trip to Saidia Beach.

Best for: Kayaking, jet skiing, and sunbathing

Learn more: Morocco Tours & Vacations • Morocco Travel Guide

Spiaggia di Sansone is a breathtaking beach with translucent waters and towering cliffs that create a dramatic backdrop rivaled by few Mediterranean beaches.

You can feel the tiny white pebbles and fine grains of sand beneath your feet as you stroll from one end of the beach to the other. The water is beautiful, casting shades of blue and shifting to emeralds and indigos further out to sea. Cruise ships gather in the water and travelers hop off their decks to snorkel.

You can admire the endless allure of Italy’s finest beach as you enjoy seclusion on the picturesque slice of seaside paradise.

Best for: Catamaran cruises and beach days without the crowds

Learn more: Coastal Tours of Italy • Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide

Known as Moon Bay for its crescent strip of lunar-like pebbles, Mesečev Zaliv is a stunning beach to visit on a Mediterranean vacation in Slovenia. The pocket of seaside paradise can be found in Strunjan Nature Park, a sanctuary that protects the peculiar shore and its fascinating wildlife.

Those who wish to spend time embracing the endless natural beauty of Moon Bay can walk a route off the beaten path to the untouched coastline in the park. The reward for your effort will be an isolated shore with hardly any other visitors.

Best for: Secluded beach days in a nature park with few others in sight

Learn more: Slovenia Tours

Sveti Stefan Beach is a famous strip of sand on the small Sveti Stefan islet of Montenegro. Fifteenth-century fortress homes cast shadows across the pink sands, where visitors can relax on comfortable recliners and enjoy the seaside splendor.

You can swim, sunbathe, and wander the cobbled promenade, absorbing the calm and regal atmosphere that envelops the crown jewel of Montenegro’s seasides. You can also explore the charming old town to immerse yourself in the local history or find a quiet table at a lavish restaurant to tuck into sensational seafood dishes.

Best for: Embracing the luxuries of Montenegro’s famous shores and historic fortresses

Learn more: Montenegro Tours & Vacations

The best beaches in the Mediterranean showcase the natural beauty and seaside splendors of its coast. The marvelous red sands of Santorini’s Red Beach in Greece, the breathtaking strip of Ses Illetes in Spain, and the unique summer shores of Saidia Beach in Morocco offer something for every type of traveler.

To plan a trip with days spent on these picture-perfect beaches, customize sample itineraries from our Mediterranean Vacation Packages or explore more of our Beach Vacations & Tours. You can also take a closer look at what the Mediterranean has to offer with helpful information and inspiring recommendations in our Mediterranean Travel Guide.