Choosing the perfect place for your next family vacation can be tough. You want somewhere that has something for everyone to enjoy and doesn’t break the bank.
For many, a Mediterranean coast is a popular place for families looking for summer fun. The sunny weather, tasty food, beautiful beaches and wealth of attractions draw visitors aplenty.
Here are some recommendations for family-friendly destinations in the Mediterranean.
Formentera, Spain
Formentera is a piece of Mediterranean paradise where you can enjoy the real happiness. It is the smaller and more southerly island of the Pityusic Islands group that belongs to the beautiful Balearic Islands about 6 kilometres (4 mi) south of famous Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Formentera is best known for its ability to develop tourism without harming the environment and is considered to be the last hidden gem of the Spanish Islands.
Corfu, Greece
This Greek Island has more than 200 kilometres of coastline waiting to be explored, which means lots of beach days — either on sand or pebble and shingle beaches. Whether you are looking for idyllic coves, quiet beaches or lively beachfront, the options are limitless. It is best to drive around the island and explore the area. Soon enough you will find the beach location that is just perfect for what you are looking for. Also, you will enjoy exploring the various local markets at different villages and the cosy tavernas in the sleepy hamlets.
Love to lounge by the beach but also interested in history and archaeological finds? On the island of Corfu you’ll find a range of archaeological sites and artifacts that date from the Paleolithic era through the Byzantium.
Menorca, Spain
One of the Balearic Islands is really tiny, but has 120 stunning beaches! The water is crystal clear and perfect for bathing. It is a good destination for young families, thanks to its small resorts and mid-range hotels. The capital, Maó (formerly known as Mahó*), is on the island’s eastern end, perched above one of the world’s great natural harbours. Mahon is the main area for shopping and many of the stores are open late due to their afternoon siesta closure. Fifty kilometres away, at the western extreme is beautiful Ciutadella. Menorca is especially well known for its traditional summer fiestas, which intrigue many visitors.
Rhodes, Greece
The Dodecanes group of islands may not be as popular as the other Greek Island groups but they sure do offer something special that makes them worth visiting.
We can say that some of Dodecanes islands are the answer to any tourist’s dream for a tranquil escape from the crowd.
Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. It is well-known for the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which was sadly demolished. Rhodes has everything from beautiful beaches to a lush, green interior, a capital full of energetic and noisy activity and one of the top sunshine records in Greece. The rock-rose is so productive here that it has been called the ‘Island of Roses’ and whiles the northern coast is renowned for its active vacation resorts the south offers nice beaches and a slower, more simple pace of life.
Paphos, Cyprus
Imagine walking a beach with no sunbeds, no shops, no noise apart from the surf and often nobody else but you! Enjoy the fresh air, the scenery and the forests and keep an eye out for the elusive sheep called Moufflon. Find yourselves a comfortable place on the rocks or lay that blanket on the beach and experience some of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean. Children can enjoy in horse riding, aquarium, and water park, as well as a range of watersports, including banana boats, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, diving. Also can experience the adrenalin rush and thrill of driving across some of the wildest countryside in Paphos on own quad bike.
Rethymno, Greece
Another popular destination in Crete that usually entertains a substantial amount of tourists during summer is Rethymno. It offers beaches galore, historical attractions and beautiful architecture. The touristy gimmicks at the beachfront can get overwhelming at times but all you have to do is to explore the Old Town and the nearby villages and you can easily get lost in their charms.
Rethymno boasts of approximately 12 miles of stunning coastline. The endless beach at this picturesque harbour town is perfect for families, with its gently shelving sand and palm-lined promenade. You can spend hours on end basking under the glorious Grecian sun and enjoying the crystalline Mediterranean waters.
Mellieha
Mellieha is a picturesque town in the northernmost part of the island of Malta on the part of the island where the sea is the deepest inland, making the island almost half-cropped. Because of this, the sea is very quiet so the long sandy beach is a great destination for families and children. The sea is also very shallow, so it is ideal for water enthusiasts and family with kids
It is one of the most attractive tourist resorts in Malta, where is the longest sandy beach on the island. Nearby are rich archaeological sites, a natural reserve of bars and salt marshes, and an ornithological shelter. The most popular attraction in the neighbourhood is Popaye Village. Popeye Village was built as a film set for the production of the 1980 live-action musical feature film Popeye, produced by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions starring Robin Williams. Today it is open to the public as an open-air museum and family entertainment complex. This is a great place to take your kids to meet world famous cartoon characters.
Mali Lošinj, Croatia
Want to stay in the oasis of peace, surrounded by fragrant and picturesque nature, take a swim in the crystal clear sea and with the dolphins or simply enjoy the excellent gastronomy after all-day biking: Mali Lošinj has to be your choice. Here you can enjoy in fragrances of the island because all the plants that can be found around the island are planted here. From orange, sage, mandarin, mica, lemon, lavender, rosemary. Your little ones will be delighted with the game with a four-legged resident of the garden, a donkey, and you will go home with the best home-made products, such as liqueurs, scented candles, baths, and teas. For sure, Mali Losinj is a fragrant garden of the island of Losinj, full of medicinal plants and natural shade.