5 Truly Laid-Back Mediterranean Destinations With Smaller Crowds For 2025

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Ahhh, the Mediterranean 😌.

That historic sea bordering among the most lovely locations on this planet: the sun-drenched Costa Del Sol in Spain, France’s turquoise Côte d’Azur, Italy’s idyllic Cinque Terre, the whitewashed Santorini and neighboring Cycladic islands in Greece…

The record is limitless, and it might simply take up a whole web page.

If you are planning on crossing the pond this yr, significantly over summer time, the ‘Med’ is more likely to be on the prime of your wishlist, however the place to go now that all the most well-known spots are crumbling beneath the load of mass tourism, and anticipating even bigger crowds in 2025?

Despair not: we’re right here to assist.

Here are 5 really laid-back Mediterranean gems but to be spoiled that supply balmy temps, cultural sights, and, in some instances, less expensive costs:

5. Folegandros, Greece

Santorini often is the worst place to go if you happen to’re eager on a stress-free vacay, what with the lengthy strains of individuals ready to take the proper image at the very same spot and the booked-out eating places, however there is a silver lining solely 40 nautical miles northwest:

Largely ignored by island-hoppers and retaining a lot of that unique character, with a restricted variety of lodges and no massive cruise liners, Folegandros is the quintessential Greek island escape, with a floor space of solely 12.4 sq. miles and packed with Cycladic attraction.

Its compact capital (Chora) bestrides a rugged hill, with a signature Church of Panagia standing proudly on the highest peak. Every mountain climbing path appears to result in breathtaking viewpoints, and there are blanche townscapes, seashores, and secret coves galore, with out the Instagrammers.

In sum, Folegandros is every thing you possibly can hope for if you happen to worth exclusivity and authenticity––for sure, there will not be that many lodges on the island, however the few that there are cost just prices ($83-95), and your dinners on the superb To Zimaraki will come low-cost as nicely.

4. Brindisi, Italy

The Italian Adriatic could also be finest recognized for the floating city of Venice and the resort-lined Rimini, however additional south, on the heel of the Italian boot, lies Brindisi, a less-famous various usually skipped by vacationers.

A port metropolis relationship again over two millennia, it’s dominated by a red-stone Aragonese Castle, perched on the harbor’s entrance, whereas the Old Town is a maze of pastel edifices, Roman ruins, and family-owned trattorias serving contemporary seafood and pasta.

A brief 29-minute drive from Brindisi, Lido Morelli is a postcardy white-sand seaside hugged by teal waters that can make you consider the Caribbean, and a fair shorter 20 minutes away, Lido Specchiolla is an uncrowded sandy strip excellent for unwinding after a protracted day of exploring.

Looking for an genuine restaurant to attempt native pugliana meals? Don’t neglect so as to add La Locanda del Porto to your bucket record: not solely does it provide breathtaking views of Brindisi’s busy port, it in all probability serves one of the best swordfish spaghetti on the town!

3. Himarë, Albania

Albania might not be everybody’s first choose for a Mediterranean getaway when it is within the neighborhood of Italy, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, and the like, however you should not discard it as an choice so rapidly when it’s dwelling to a stunning Himarë:

A conglomeration of small villages lining the Ionian Sea, one of many most underrated subdivisions of the Med, and backed by the imposing Ceraunian Mountains, it oozes Old World attract with its Albanian-Greek heritage, historic settlements perched atop cliffs, and ruined castles.

The most photogenic spot within the space is undoubtedly Dhërmi, a sleepy Greek-majority city that includes whitewashed homes and a blue-dome church, although you should not bypass the advantageous, pearly-sand Gjipe Beach nor a paradisiacal Palasë, with its gin-colored seas and a plethora of eating choices.

Whilst we’re at it, we must always in all probability point out the Albanian Riviera is among the many least expensive seaside locations in Europe, with meals in native eating places costing as little as $10, and renovated, fashionable beachfront villas beginning at $57 (Hercules Sea View).

2. Korčula, Croatia

If the surging crowds in Dubrovnik and the staggeringly excessive costs in Split have made these no-go zones for you in 2025, how about escaping to a distant island off the Croatian coast, distant from all of the mainland mess?

At 29 miles lengthy and roughly 5 miles large, Korčula could be tiny, however it’s stuffed with wonders, from Marco Polo’s House (rumor has it the legendary explorer hails from this island, not Venice) to the half-moon-shaped Pupnatska Luka, a serene bay edged by a crystal-clear Adriatic.

Other sights on the island embrace Korčula Town, a walled coastal settlement, and Korčula’s largest, crisscrossed with cobbled lanes and dotted with centuries-old homes, and the fishing village of Vela Luka, the island’s foodie hotspot:

Konoba Bata is considered one of Vela Luka’s strongest provides––attempting their Dalmatian prosciutto and home made paški cheese is a should––and do not underestimate the ability of Croatian gelato, mentioned to rival Italy’s (you’ll be able to at all times swing by Diana Gelato on the waterfront and be the choose of that).

1. Porto-Vecchio, France

A hidden treasure of Corsica, an already seriously overlooked Mediterranean island belonging to France, Porto-Vecchio is one other a type of Instagrammable harbor-side cities traversed with slender streets and topped with a medieval citadel.

The fundamental sq., Place de la République, is flanked by memento outlets, French bistros, and Italian-style osterie––in case you did not know, that of the neighboring nation closely influences Corsican tradition––and the buzzing marina is crammed with eye-catching yachts.

Visitors should not miss out on exploring the magnificent Genoese citadel sitting on a hill overlooking Porto-Vecchio or taking a time off to calm down on the beautiful Palombaggia Beach, the place an alabaster shore meets seas of the brightest blue.

Last however not least, you would be shocked at how really inexpensive it may be in comparison with different locations within the South of France: Hotel Alcyon has single rooms for $89, or you possibly can keep as an alternative on the 3-star Hôtel Le Mistral, solely a 6-minute stroll from the middle of city, for $79-a-night.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ international locations beneath his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that can have you ever packing your baggage.

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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.