When you think of Mediterranean islands, chances are your mind turns to Santorini, Corfu, or Crete. The Greek islands are the quintessential image of a Mediterranean island, all rocky mountains, sheer cliffs, and picturesque whitewashed villages. Or, you might picture sunrise in the Balearics, with chilled house music providing the backdrop to a late night/early morning in Ibiza.
But while these spots are definitely worth visiting, there are a couple of others that are definitely worth considering in any list of top Mediterranean islands, and should really be included on your Mediterranean bucket list.
Sardinia and Sicily are two of the most interesting and exciting places to visit in Italy, and two of the best islands in the Mediterranean Sea. A wonderful combination of fascinating history, high culture, rugged natural beauty, and delightful cuisine makes these two destinations a must for any serious traveler to Europe.
So if you are thinking about packing your bags and exploring Europe’s intriguing coastline next summer, here are a few of the reasons to add Sicily and Sardinia to your itinerary!
One of the most delightful beaches in Sardinia, and arguably in the whole of Italy, Cala Goloritze is a sight for sore eyes. Tucked away in the Gulf of Orosei, it remains a little off the beaten track, despite its popularity. Created by a landslide in 1962, the beach itself is a new natural feature, but no less picturesque for that. Most famous for the towering pinnacle that looms nearly 500 feet over the bay, it is also the perfect jumping-off point to explore the stunning scenery of nearby Le Figlie Della Aguglia.
Sardinia doesn’t have many cities, and certainly no large ones, but what its cities and towns lack in size they make up for in sheer, unrivaled charm and beauty. Cagliari, the capital, is picture-perfect, a riot of colorful houses, ancient cobbled streets, and exquisite churches. It is brimming with history, boasts some wonderful museums, and the iconic Duomo is a must-visit. Best of all, as a coastal city it offers some really lovely beaches, so you can combine a busy morning’s sightseeing with a relaxing afternoon stretched out on the sand!
The Maddalena Archipelago National Park is a selection of islets just off the north coast of Sardinia. This glorious haven of natural beauty was designated in 1994, and is a wonderful blend of rocky islands, coastline, and sea. Covering over 20,000 hectares, the park is absolutely stunning, whether you are climbing the rocky outcrops, exploring the bays and trails, or diving beneath the waves. It is a paradise for wildlife lovers as well, with sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and Adouin’s gulls commonly sighted.
Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe - a dramatic, smoking, rumbling presence that looms over the east of Sicily and dominates the landscape for miles around. Despite its malevolent aspect, it is a seriously delightful tourist attraction - not just for how impressive a sight it is, but for skiing, hiking, a cable car, and even wine made from grapes grown on its slopes. Etna has been an enormous presence in the Mediterranean imagination for millenia (the Ancient Greeks believed it was the home of the Cyclops), and it remains a must-visit today.
Sicily has long been the crossroads of Mediterranean Europe, a fascinating melting pot of cultures from all sides of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The Valley of the Temples is a great spot to get a sense of the richness of Sicily’s history, with impressive remains from 8 Greek temples dating as far back as the sixth century BC. These are some of the most complete and intact ruins from the ancient world, and well worth exploring.
Siracusa offers a vibrant, exciting taste of urban Sicilian life, with less of the neglect and decay that has befallen the capital, Palermo. One of the most exciting and interesting things to do in Siracusa is head to the bridged island of Ortigia for a night of drinking and dining. The city also boasts some sumptuous archaeological sights, including Greek and Roman ruins and an amphitheater.
