5 Unknown Mediterranean Islands. Beautiful Places That Not Everyone Knows About

Islands like Santorini, Majorca and Sicily need no introduction. Some holiday destinations have been struggling with the growing problem of overtourism for years and are introducing new restrictions for foreign visitors. However, the Mediterranean is still full of undiscovered gems that are just waiting for holidaymakers to arrive. The Daily Mail has published a list of five islands worth considering when choosing a place for this year’s holiday.

5 undiscovered islands in the Mediterranean

Turquoise water, delicious food, monuments and good tourist facilities – the Mediterranean region definitely has something to brag about. Unfortunately, during the high tourist season, it is difficult to find a free square meter on the streets of cities such as Dubrovnik, Palma de Mallorca, Chania or Palermo to take a nice photo without a crowd of other holidaymakers in the background. Tourists who have visited the same holiday resorts every year can also look towards less popular places. The British website Daily Mail has presented a list of five hidden gems of the Mediterranean. The list includes islands of Spain, Greece, Croatia, France and Italy, which deserve more attention this summer.

5. Formentera, Spain

Formentera instead of overhyped Majorca? The smallest of the Balearic islands delights with its tranquility, unmatched on neighbouring Ibiza, from where we can get here by ferry. According to the Lonely Planet guide, the island, which at its narrowest point measures less than 2 kilometres, “was designed with lazy days spent lying on some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe in mind”. The roads here are quite narrow, so the best way to get around is by scooter, which is used by most of the several thousand inhabitants of the island. It’s hard to find a place with a more holiday atmosphere.

4. Porquerolles, France

France, apart from Paris, is still a rather unusual holiday destination for Polish travellers. The British, who are hungry for sun, most often relax on its shores, but even they do not know all of its regions. Apart from the famous Corsica and the French Riviera, this country has a lot to offer beachgoers. Located between Marseille and Saint-Tropez, the island of Porquerolles is famous for its lush vegetation, crystal clear lagoons, white sand and fantastic historic forts. Lovers of peace and quiet will certainly be pleased to know that there are not too many hotels or loud parties here.

3. Hvar, Croatia

The Daily Mail also draws attention to the most popular island in Croatia in its list. “Tourists can see picturesque bays, 13th-century walls, a fortress on top of a hill and the main square, where a Renaissance cathedral is located,” we read. For Poles who travel a lot, a visit to this part of Europe will not be anything new. It is worth remembering that Croatia does not end with Hvar. In the Adriatic part of the Mediterranean Sea, we will find as many as 698 belonging to the country with its capital in Zagreb. Some of them have certainly not yet been discovered by our neighbors.

2. Elba, Italy

“The Italian island off the coast of Tuscany, in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park in the Tyrrhenian Sea, was the place of exile of the French emperor Napoleon, although it has gained much greater popularity in modern times,” writes the Daily Mail. We are of course talking about Elba, which has attractions comparable to Capri or Sardinia. Elba is a fantastic place for a leisurely holiday with good food, away from the rush of busy resorts. Not only lovers of sunbathing and swimming in the sea will find reasons to be happy here, but also explorers and history lovers.

1. Folegandros, Greece

If we were to visit a new Greek island every month, our lives would not be enough. So why do we keep choosing the same places? Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Crete, Corfu and Kos have been among the most popular Greek destinations offered by Polish travel agencies for years. The small island of Folegandros in the southern part of the Cyclades will surprise you with its local climate, delicious cuisine and secluded bays. “On the island we will also find the ruins of the ancient agora, a medieval village and an archaeological museum,” we read in the guide.