Top 10 places to visit in the Mediterranean.

The steep and winding pebble stone streets that make Positano holidays so iconic provide one of the most impressive backdrops to a superyacht anchorage. Italy’s Amalfi coast is littered with pastel-hued, chocolate box buildings that drip down the cliffside. And Positano, with its pebble beachfront, shops and cafes, is the jewel in the crown. For a culinary hotspot, the Michelin-starred eatery Il San Pietro is arguably the best around. For something that offers a more relaxed yet boutique vibe, the Treville Beach Club, located in the secluded Laurito Bay, delivers the goods.

A yacht charter in Greece is famed for its island-hopping opportunities, where wind-swept isles offer sailing itineraries that drink in white-washed buildings and luminescent sinking sunsets. Turn your attention to the mainland, however, and the capital city of Athens more than holds its own. A popular port to start or end a charter itinerary, Athens’ skyline is dominated by the sacred sites of 5th-century BC landmarks. The Acropolis, a hilltop citadel that comprises the equally famous colonnaded Parthenon temple, speaks of Greek mythology and architectural heritage. It’s a scene setter that serves as a day or two of legendary exploration.

Renowned for its atmospheric tapas bars, unfinished cathedral and an outstanding soccer team, the Spanish city of Barcelona, just a daysail from the Balearics, is a nautical hub with a must-see list of places to visit when berthed in Marina Port Vell. Top of the spots is Gaudi's Casà Milà followed by a winding stroll through the Gothic Quarter where 2,000-year-old colonnades remain, hidden in the backstreets. The Catalan capital has 22 Michelin-starred restaurants – reason enough alone to stay awhile. Tucked away in the El Born district is Estimar, a seafood eatery that awakens the senses serving shrimp carpaccio and percebes ‘gooseneck’ barnacles, courtesy of El Bulli alumnus, chef Rafa Zafra.

A luxury yacht charter to Malta will deliver you to the doors of the world’s first grid city. Now a common sight in America, Francesco Laparelli designed Valletta’s wide and straight streets on rectangular grids that breathe a cooling sea breeze through the character-filled city. Reminders of the Knights of St John loom large on land and at sea. Set sail for Dwejra Bay, located off Gozo behind Fungus Rock (so-called for a rare type of medicinal plant that naturally grows there). The stunning anchorage forms a protected near-enclosed bay for bathers and yachts of up to 80m. Then drop anchor to dive the famed Blue Hole. Naturally carved out by water and wind, its spectacular limestone rock formations allow divers to swim through arches, explore sea caves and military shipwrecks. 

Catania is a popular stop off on an Italian yacht charter. It sits at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano that erupted so frequently in 2021 that its altitude increased by 30m. The scent of Sicilian lemons drifts through its Medieval towns, where the fruits of burgeoning olive groves are enjoyed alongside a glass of local Muscat. Spoilt for beaches, the warm waters invite snorkelers, swimmers and divers of all ages to enjoy its frutti di mare.

From glamorous Hvar to the green hills of Brač, wake to a new adventure amid Croatia’s one thousand islands. The unspoilt Mljet National Park offers invitingly clear waters, trails through ancient forests of holm oak and pine and two saltwater lakes to explore by kayak. On the mainland, the city of Dubrovnik fronts the Adriatic Sea with its 16th-century walled Old Town. Its limestone buildings are immortalised the world over as the fictional city in Game of Thrones, but for an authentic slice of life, shop for artisan specialities, from ceramics to award-winning olive oil.

Take a Norwegian fjord, drop it on the edge of the Adriatic, and you have the butterfly-shaped Bay of Kotor, more commonly known as Boka Bay, in Montenegro. Dramatic in its beauty, the Dalmatian coastline is a top-draw Balkan attraction. Take a tender from Tivat’s superyacht marina, Porto Montenegro to the whimsical town of Perast for a waterside lunch. Then head to Kotor Old Town, where 2,000-year-old cobbled streets echo a bygone era, and medieval architecture sits in tandem with far-reaching views and delectable gelato.

The island of Corsica merges mountains with pretty, coastal towns and hiking trails with superyacht hubs. Calvi is arguably one of the best beaches in Corsica, with its gin-clear waters and long sweeping coastline. Offering all the colours in the rainbow, Palombaggia beach is defined by red rocks, blue waters, powder white sands and umbrella pine trees. Enticingly remote and easier to access by boat than by land, Saleccia is recognised by its long curve of pearl white sand. Geographically French but with a distinct Italian culture, the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean offers natural diversity, acorn-infused cold meats and unrivalled virgin olive oil.

Nestled in the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Louis XV is considered the jewel in the Principality’s fine dining crown. When it comes to nightlife on the French Riviera, the belle époque Casino de Monte-Carlo is king. As one of the most exclusive gambling houses in the world, its chandeliers and frescoes have provided the setting for two Bond films. Take a short stroll to Port Hercules to spot some of the finest yachts ever built. Come nightfall, Sass Café has served as the heart of Monaco’s fine dining, live music and resident DJ scene for the past 25 years, while Twiga, owned by Flavio Briatore, is where those who want to be seen hang out.

Located in the central Aegean region, Turkey’s ancient city of Ephesus harbours remnants of both Greek and Roman rule. A stone’s throw from the thronging beat of Bodrum, its paved and winding streets – now called Selçuk – offer a more laid-back vibe. It belies the history of what was once the most important trading centre in the Mediterranean. Spend a few hours strolling around the ruined city. Culture vultures should seek out the Temple of Hadrian, regarded as the most significant of all the ruins.