Best Mediterranean Destinations for a European Summer Vacation

Looking for the best European summer destinations along the Mediterranean? From the Amalfi Coast to the Greek Islands, here are the top places to soak up the sun and explore iconic seaside towns in the summer.

Why the Mediterranean is the Best for a European Summer Trip

There’s a reason people dream about summer in Europe - and even more so when it involves the Mediterranean. Clear turquoise waters, cliffside towns, long sunny days, and that effortless mix of beach + culture. It’s iconic for a reason. And it will leave you craving more, looking at flights to see how you can extend your trip.

I’ve spent multiple summers traveling through Europe and wanted to round up the top Mediterranean destinations for a summer vacation based on places I’ve personally visited and loved. I get questions all the time about travel tips for visiting Europe in the summer, so be sure to check out the linked posts at the end of this article for more tips and inspiration.

1. Greek Islands, Greece

Best for: Beaches, boat days, island-hopping, nightlife & sunsets

Top islands to visit: Mykonos, Santorini, Milos, Paros, Corfu

Greece is one of the best countries for a Mediterranean summer. The Greek islands offer everything like luxurious resorts, best-of-the-best beach clubs, beautiful sea views, and laid-back beach towns. Not to mention that the hospitality and friendliness of the hospitality workers in Greece (from the mainland to the various islands) have been top-tier in my experience, every time I visit.

Mykonos is the spot for chic beach clubs and parties with house music DJs (as a DJ too, this is partially why Mykonos is my favorite), while other islands like Paros and Milos are a little more local, relaxed, and affordable.

Santorini is popular for a reason, with its more luxury yet relaxed feel and stunning sea views. One of my favorite things we did in Santorini was take a sunset catamaran boat tour. Here’s one from GetYourGuide.

I personally liked visiting Corfu, too, on the west side of Greece, for a completely different feel than the Cyclades (where Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, etc. are). Corfu used to be Venetian-ruled, so there is plenty of colorful Italian architecture.

Pro Tip: Use ferries to easily hop between islands. Book early in summer! I always book in advance with Ferryhopper. If you prefer to fly, some islands offer direct flights to each other or from Athens. Factor in the total travel time to see if it is worth flying or taking the ferry.

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Best for: Postcard views, cliffside towns, lemon groves, luxury

Top towns: Positano, Sorrento, Ravello, Capri (day trip)

The Amalfi Coast is what Mediterranean dreams are made of. You’ve seen the Positano photos - but it’s even more magical in person. Expect colorful homes, romantic dinners, rocky beaches, and boat cruises around the island of Capri.

Don’t miss: A boat day around Capri and trying all the lemon-infused treats (Limoncello originated here!). Check out this Capri boat tour here, or this Sorrento to Capri day trip.

For nightlife: I had the pleasure of DJing B2B with Mario at Music on the Rocks in Positano, one of the coolest beach clubs in my opinion. If you are staying overnight in Positano (or will book a private taxi to go back elsewhere in Amalfi after a late night out), I highly recommend it.

More info: I wrote a full post comparing Amalfi Coast vs. Cinque Terre right here.

3. Tuscany + Cinque Terre, Italy

Best for: Rolling hills, wine tasting, cultural day trips

Best town add-ons: Florence, Lucca, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre

While Florence isn’t on the coast, it’s a perfect summer base paired with a beachy destination. I used to live in Florence while working for a travel company there (which inspired me to start this blog!) and have been back a few times since - it’s a beautiful small city with plenty to do and see.

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, gets really hot in the summer, so I definitely recommend a day trip out to the coast to cool off and enjoy the refreshing Mediterranean Sea.

A common day trip from Florence is Cinque Terre (pronounced Chink-weh Tehr-eh) - a group of five cliffside villages with colorful homes and charming views.

Monterosso is best if you want a beach day with umbrellas, while towns like Vernazza and Manarola are iconic for photos and sunsets.

Tip: Take the Cinque Terre Express train for easy access to all five towns. You can also hike through the towns, too.

Consider other nearby towns in Tuscany for a charming daytime excursion, and especially for wine tasting.

If you’re back in Florence at night, consider checking out a summer pop-up club like Villa Vittoria.

4. Lake Como, Italy

Best for: Upscale vibes, peaceful beauty, day trips from Milan

While not on the Mediterranean coast, Lake Como deserves a shout-out due to its sheer popularity. It’s stunning in summer, especially for a more relaxed getaway. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean there won’t be crowds - it’s popular, and it gets crowded, you can’t really avoid that.

Bellagio was the main location of choice my friend and I visited when we went to Lake Como, and it is gorgeous. Grab an aperol spritz, watch the boats go by, or even take a boat tour for the day!

5. Barcelona, Spain

Best for: City + beach combo, food, architecture

Barcelona gives you the best of both worlds - beach days and big city buzz. I loved exploring the beaches and grabbing delicious tapas and wine in the Gothic Quarter.

In summer, the city gets lively with rooftop bars and beachgoers.

Tip: Keep a close eye on your belongings at the beach or in touristy areas to avoid pickpockets, and Barcelona is a top pickpocket city - personally, I’ve always been fine, but I know a bunch of people who have fallen victim to the pickpockets there.

6. Ibiza, Spain

Best for: Party scene, hidden beaches, big EDM clubs

Ibiza is famous for nightlife, and many well-known DJs in EDM or house music play at the big clubs in Ibiza. You’ve heard of Ushuaia, Hi Ibiza, and Pacha, and that’s just the tipping point. Prepare to stay up all night and sleep in late if you spend the night at a place like Hi (our tickets for Afterlife were from 10pm-6am).

Tip: Hi Ibiza is a great club bringing in some talented artists, but it can get extremely crowded inside. If you are in GA, I recommend wearing close-toed shoes over open-toed sandals or heels. Otherwise, consider getting a table with your group for a more comfortable experience!

Outside of the clubs, consider visiting Old Town Ibiza or taking a day trip to the nearby island of Formentera.

7. The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), France

Best for: Glamour, yachting, rocky beaches

Top towns: Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez (and Monaco - which is its own country)

The French Riviera is the kind of place where time slows down in the best way. Strolling the promenade in Nice, shopping the markets, and having seafood by the water - it all feels cinematic, and I’ve enjoyed each of my visits to the French Riviera.

Getting around: Trains run easily between most of the towns. However, St. Tropez is a little more difficult to reach. You can take the ferry between Cannes and St. Tropez for a day or overnight trip if you aren’t staying in St. Tropez, or plan out transportation with your hotel ahead of time if you are.

There are some fun beach clubs in St. Tropez, like the famous Le Club 55, as well as the typical upscale beach clubs like Bagatelle or Nikki Beach.

8. Croatia: Split, Hvar, and more

Best for: Island hopping, historic towns, clear Adriatic water

Croatia’s popularity has skyrocketed over the years as a top summer destination. The coastline is long, sunny, and filled with medieval towns and sparkling blue water.

It’s beautiful and is so refreshing to swim in the Adriatic Sea! Plus, the seafood is fresh and fantastic.

Dubrovnik gets crowded, and I haven’t been personally, but I hear the views are worth it. For a more relaxed trip, I liked Split or hopping to the islands. Split is a great base for an island-hopping boat tour, or you can stay on one of the islands, like Hvar.

9. Montenegro: Budva + Kotor

Best for: Scenic coastline, fewer crowds than Croatia, medieval charm

Montenegro feels like Croatia before the tourist wave. Budva has beaches, a cute Old Town, and nightlife, while Kotor’s bay views are absolutely stunning.

I took a boat cruise around the Bay of Kotor, and it’s still one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

Travel tip: You can get to Budva via bus from Dubrovnik, but expect a bit of a journey - buses in the Balkans always took longer than expected for me. You can also rent a car or hire private transportation.

Where Should You Go This Summer?

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Europe or coming back for more, the Mediterranean is always a good idea in the summer.

You can pair a few of these regions together, like Greece and Croatia, or Italy and France - or, take it slow and explore one area in depth and choose another one for next year.

Whatever you choose, you’re in for beautiful Mediterranean views, incredible food, and experiences you’ll never forget!