Sailing on a luxury yacht gives you unparalleled freedom to explore some of the best islands Europe has to offer. You can stop off at the beautiful Mediterranean marinas or avoid the crowds at lesser-known spots for quiet exploration.
If you’re setting sail this summer, check out our guide to the best islands to discover by yacht below.
Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is home to Porto Cervo, an affluent resort frequented by jet-setters, with regattas and golf tournaments in the summer and streets lined with cafés, bars, and restaurants. Head west to the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera for a lively beach scene and easy island-hopping.
Croatia’s Ionian Islands offer calm waters and excellent marina infrastructure that’s perfect for sailors testing out their new yacht. All three are easily accessed by UK-based charter companies, with regular flights and growing networks of yacht services.
For those seeking a more authentic Mediterranean experience, Folegandros is a small island with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants in the southern Cyclades. Untouched by mass tourism, it has an unspoiled charm, with three villages dotted with whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches. On the hills above Chora, you can soak in unparalleled views of the Aegean Sea and watch the sunset.
Kefalonia, the largest Ionian Island, is a visual treat, with lush greenery covering nearby mountains and turquoise coves. Spend a day on the soft white sand of Myrtos Beach before heading to the capital, Argostoli, for an evening meal.
For a true hidden gem, you can’t go wrong with Gozo. As the smaller neighbour of the island of Malta, with around 40,000 inhabitants, it has a more rural character, featuring geological marvels such as the Inland Sea, a saltwater lagoon connected to the Mediterranean by a narrow arch.
Kythira, located between the Peloponnese and Crete, is the most secluded of the Ionian Islands. It’s perfect for history buffs thanks to its rich history as a crossroads for merchants and sailors, resulting in a blend of Aegean and Venetian architecture and cultures.
The yacht market is continuing to grow, with interest from sustainability-focused buyers driving demand for hybrid and electric-powered vessels. Those looking for yachts for sale have more choice than ever before, with vintage models from the 1940s to newer superyachts with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Chartering also continues to evolve, with flexible itineraries, one-way journeys, and themed charters, like wellness or culinary sailing, growing in popularity across Greece, Croatia, Turkey, and Italy. Travelling in the shoulder season can provide smaller crowds with excellent sailing conditions.
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