10 Insider Places To Visit By Yacht In The Mediterranean
Some of the Mediterranean's most rewarding stops sit a little off the usual route. Others are well known on land but feel entirely different when you arrive by sea. Either way, the yacht gives you the best seat in the house and the luxury of choosing when to go.
A yacht changes how you meet a place. You might drop anchor off a fishing village for a long lunch, or take the tender to a quiet beach in the soft morning light. Evenings can be spent lingering in a harbor long after the day's visitors have gone home. It is a way of traveling that rewards curiosity, and each of the places below shows why.
Every charter with IYC is shaped around places like these, where the view from the water is part of the pleasure and the best moments are rarely rushed.
Assos, Kefalonia
Assos curves around a small bay on a narrow strip of land in northern Kefalonia, watched over by a Venetian castle that once made this tiny village the capital of the island's north. Built to guard against pirates, the fortress walls still stretch for more than 1.2 miles (2km) across the headland.
On a calm day, the yacht anchors off the little harbor and Assos becomes the perfect lunch stop. A paved path winds up to the castle's east gate, while a shorter trail through the olive groves leads to the south gate. Back down in the village, the waterfront tavernas serve the day's catch, and IYC's own favorite is Platanos, tucked beneath the castle, for Greek traditional dishes.
Mljet, Croatia
The western part of Mljet is a national park of pine forest and two saltwater lakes, Veliko and Malo jezero, which connect to the open sea through narrow channels.
Yachts berth at Polače or Pomena, both inside the park, where quays and designated anchorages put the lakes within easy reach. From there, guests can walk or cycle the lakeside trails, explore the water by kayak, or cross Veliko jezero by boat to St Mary's islet and its 12th-century Benedictine monastery.
Local legend links Mljet to Odysseus and the nymph Calypso, and a cave on the south shore, reached by tender or on foot, bears his name. A few hours' sail from Dubrovnik, the island is a natural addition to a Dubrovnik itinerary.
Banyuls, France
Banyuls-sur-Mer is set on the Côte Vermeille, where vineyards climb terraces held up by schist walls to produce Banyuls, a sweet fortified wine made mostly from Grenache noir.
The Cerbère-Banyuls marine reserve begins right offshore, and it was the first of its kind in France. At Peyrefite beach, a marked snorkel trail runs through water, with five buoys whose underwater panels explain the sea life around you. Designed for all ages and set up for the summer season, it makes a delightful morning from the yacht.
Santorini Cave Hotel, Greece
Santorini's caldera villages are famous for their cave hotels, and the story behind them is part of their charm. They began as yposkafa, homes carved straight into the soft volcanic rock, which kept rooms at a steady temperature all year and left the island's precious farmland free. In Oia, many were modest sailors' homes set into the cliff and insulated by pumice.
Today many of those caves are among the island's most atmospheric places to stay, with guest houses, hotels and restaurants lining the caldera rim in Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani and Fira. Even if you sleep on board, dinner at a cave restaurant on the caldera is well worth the trip ashore.
The caldera itself makes a spectacular backdrop. For a day in Fira, yachts take a buoy or lie stern-to at the old port, ideally arriving before the mid-morning cruise tenders. The cable car then carries guests up to the town. From the small port of Ammoudi, about 300 steps lead up to Oia, and when the meltemi blows, Vlychada marina on the south coast offers a sheltered berth.
Restaurant Miramar, Mallorca
Arriving in Port d’Andratx in Mallorca you will be charmed by the small fishing village, which has maintained its relaxed feel despite being a favourite of the rich and famous. For a particularly special evening here, visit the Restaurant Miramar de Giuliano.
Established in the 1920’s, Miramar has spent nearly a century perfecting and providing the best, seasonal food. Located in the small fishing village, the restaurant is situated right next to the fishing vessels to get the freshest catch.
Loggerhead turtle reserve on Isola dei Conigli, Italy
Lampedusa, the largest of Italy's Pelagie Islands, sits closer to Africa than to Sicily. Off its south coast lies the small islet of Isola dei Conigli, and the beach facing it is one of Italy's rare loggerhead turtle nesting sites.
The beach is protected as a nature reserve, and the surrounding waters form part of the Pelagie Islands marine protected area. During the nesting months, it welcomes a limited number of guests in morning and afternoon sessions.
Out at sea, bottlenose dolphins live around Lampedusa all year, and they may well keep you company while cruising in the Sicilian waters.
Scala dei Turchi, Sicily
Near Realmonte, close to Agrigento, a brilliant white cliff of marl drops to the sea between two sandy beaches. Its name, the "Turkish Steps," recalls the pirates who once raided this coast.
The finest view is from the deck of the yacht, where the white rock stands out against the deep blue sea. Ashore, visitors enjoy the cliff from a dedicated viewing area, and small timed groups help keep this fragile landscape pristine.
For a shore excursion, the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento holds the ruins of the Greek city of Akragas, including the Temple of Concordia, one of the best-preserved Doric temples.
Cala Luna Beach, Sardinia
Like many of the beaches in the area, Cala Luna is accessible only by boat, leaving it a quiet haven away from the tourists. The clear waters make for excellent snorkelling or diving, and after a day of exploring the ocean return to your boat to feast on local wine and cheese, or enjoy a snack from the beach bar in a shady spot.
Sanary-sur-Mer, France
In the popular Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, just around the corner of St Tropez, the secrets of the south of France are hidden. In keeping with the upmarket feel of the region, the town of Sanary boasts a number of excellent restaurants, but retains its relaxed, Provencal atmosphere.
Wander along the quay and see the daily flower market, then stop for a coffee or tisane in one of the many waterfront cafes.
The Spice Markets of Istanbul, Turkey
Aside from the dramatic views as you sail into the harbour, designer shopping and fantastic food, a stunning experience in Istanbul is the spice bazaar.
As the biggest of all the markets in the city, wandering through will delight all your senses! Take in the colourful stands of edible delicacies as the aromas of coffee mingle with spices and sweet Turkish delight.
The IYC charter team is available to help you create your own Mediterranean charter experience . For more information about chartering a yacht in the Mediterranean this contact the IYC Charter team. For more information about yachting destinations in the Mediterranean click here.
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