The 10 most popular islands of the Mediterranean

Sicily

On the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea in the last couple of millennia who only did not have species - Sycles, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Vikings, Franks ... Now its beaches are occupied by ordinary tourists, divers, windsurfers and kiter. And these beaches are some of the best in Europe. The most popular are at the resorts of Cefal,, Taormina and, of course, Giardini Naxos. Fans of active recreation here do not get bored: in Sicily, they are engaged in diving, windsurfing, kiting, riding bikes, climbing Etna and hiking in picturesque surroundings.

There are expanse for gourmets here: on the island they work without a break for a siesta and cafes, and simple trattorias, which serve as masterpieces of local cuisine - aranchini and swordfish. And local home wine at very humane prices can be drunk on the street directly from jugs.

Of the sights of Sicily, the majestic volcano of Etna is the first number, and the second is the picturesque volcano on the small island of Stromboli, whose famous trickle of smoke can be seen both day and night.

Once in Crete, be sure to go to the small island of Elafonisi with a white and pink beach, its color due to coral crumb mixed with sand. Another obligatory point of the Cretan program is the ruins of the palace, in which, according to legend, the Minotaur lived. By the way, there is another Mediterranean pearl nearby - Santorini island-volcano, where you should go for a day at least.

Photo: star-tours.com.ua

Mallorca

If you ask the average European where the earthly paradise is, he will answer: in Mallorca. The largest island of the Balearic hosts guests all year round: there are excellent beaches with soft sand, lots of entertainment for children and adults, and attractions - at every turn. It is not necessary to be limited to the noisy capital of the island of Palma de Mallorca, although from this beautiful city with interesting architecture, endless opportunities for shopping and an intense nightlife do not want to leave. It is worth following further - in Can Pastilla, which was chosen by surfers (in the winter to the coast, good waves come), or to one of the favorite places of Agatha Christi - Port de Pollensa. And you can also go to the wild beach Es Trenc, which is often compared with the white shores of the Caribbean Sea.

Photo: hola-espana.ru

Sardinia

< p>In Sardinia there is a place for all - millionaires, divers, windsurfers and just those who want to swim and swim in crystal clear water and relax on the luxurious beaches. It is worth knowing that not all hotels and entertainment here are so prohibitively expensive, like the famous Costa Smeralda, where the villas of Abramovich and Berlusconi stand. Beaches here for every taste - both in the region of the capital Cagliari, and in the north, in Alghero and Baja Sardinia. From Bayi, by the way, it is convenient to reach the archipelago of Maddalena, to the shores of which whales and dolphins sail. On the nightlife of the island there are legends: almost all resorts along the embankments chain stretch bars and nightlife.

The best way to view Sardinia in all its glory is to rent a car and get ready for a dizzying ride through the serpentine, on the sea and natural scenery. High-rise construction is prohibited here: a maximum of three floors, even for hotels.

Photo: italy-ai.ru

Santorini

< p>The most paradisiacal and "puppet" island of Greece, as if created for exemplary rest. There are beaches here - and what: seven-kilometer Perissa with black volcanic sand and "wild" Red beach: naturally, with red sand. Nearby is the small island of Nea Kameni, where the volcano is still active, making the air temperature atypically high. Santorini itself, by the way, is also of volcanic origin. The island is incredibly popular: world-famous toy houses on the slopes of the hills by the sea - the best proof of this. In the capital - Fira - and smaller towns full of restaurants and bars, where they pour home wine and feed simple but very tasty food. If you are going to spend more than one day here, we recommend that you make a visit to the Jazz Festival (1-23 August) and the Volcanoes Festival (August 19), during which you will find a surprisingly beautiful firework.

Photo: euromapa.net

Ibiza

The Spanish island of Ibiza is part of the Balearic Islands and has long been known as a mecca of fans of club music and dance break. But its beach-resort life is a little in the shade - which is strange, because there are all the possibilities for a wonderful holiday. By the way, there are a lot of beaches here - from noisy to conservative-family. You can windsurf, ride a catamaran or swim with a mask. Even the water park is there! Well, being in this dance paradise, how not to go to the cult club Pacha? Or in the no less legendary Café Del Mar, where the party people meet the dawn with a Tequila Sunrise cocktail?

< p>Photo: kartinki24.ru

Ischia

The island of spa and curative springs is not inferior to its neighbor Capri in glamor and luxury hotels. And for those who want not only to swim and sunbathe, but also to improve their health, there is expanse here. Local beaches are much better than in Capri: they are long and with golden sand, the bottom is mostly shallow and smooth, so families with small children often come here.

The main peak of the island is the extinct volcano of Epomeo, so picturesque and inviting that rooms in hotels with a view of it are no less than with a view of the sea. And the most popular architectural sight is the ancient Aragonese castle on the rock, surprisingly harmoniously blending into the landscape. This is one of the symbols of Ischia along with the "mushroom" rock in Lacco Ameno.

Photos : pac.ru

Malta

Malta is a tiny island-state south of Sicily, which, it turns out, can not only learn English, but also sunbathe, swim and even dive or simply dive with a mask. The beaches here are not very big - all around the rocky shores, - but the sea is warm and clean, and those who want to rest - though plenty. The best beaches are in St. Julian's and Paceville. In these same cities, the most violent nightlife is almost like Ibiza. Most hotels and boutiques in Sliema, and the beaches here are not worse than in the first two cities. That's only with nightlife is not so fun - in this Sliema suitable for older people. Well, the nearby island of Gozo does not attract beaches (there are none), but a mythical past: it was there that Odysseus met a nymph Calypso, after which a beautiful grotto was named.

Photos: letotravel.com

Corfu

One of the most western Greek islands is characterized by lush vegetation and dizzying landscapes, from which not only millionaires come from around the world. The most bustling city of the island is Corfu; here there is a beach with clear water and soft sand. In Kerkyra, there are many hotels for every taste and opportunity, shopping, restaurants and nightclubs, where life is boiling until dawn. For divers and families with children, Paleokastritsa with an abundance of secluded bays, good beaches with shallow sea and rich underwater flora is suitable. And the aesthetes are a direct road to Perulades - there, at sunset during low tide, you can swim against the background of freakishly outlined rocks.

Photo: mouzenidis-travel.ru

Capri

Here are not such long, as in Sardinia or Sicily, beaches, but the water is amazingly turquoise. The mountains are laid trails, from where dizzying views of the sea and the unique cliffs of Faragoni open. Snow-white yachts of millionaires flood the Marina Grande Bay, on the Monte Solaro mountain, from where the whole of the Bay of Naples can be seen, tourists are lifted by tourists, and from the port of Capri to Anacapri you can walk along the Phoenician ladder. And of course, everyone is eager to see the former nympho of the emperor Tiberius - the Blue Grotto with piercing blue water, which you can only reach on the boat, as old.

Photo: gq.ru

Source: «Travels. "