Islands that aren't Ibiza or Santorini: seven Mediterranean gems

BarcelonaThe Mediterranean has always been a beacon of inspiration, a mosaic of turquoise waters, ancient stones, and villages that hold ancient stories. Dotted with islands, it's a corner of the world that leaves memories etched in the minds of all who visit. The warm touch of fine sand underfoot, the gentle sound of waves crashing against the beach, the intense scent of salt, the warmth of the golden sun, and that feeling of freedom that only islands provide.

Santorini, Ibiza, and Sardinia are some of the world-famous Mediterranean islands, but did you know that there are more than 1,200 islands and islets in the Mediterranean, offering thousands of different experiences? From the tranquility a family might seek in the crystal-clear waters of Koufonisia to the wild beauty and silence a couple seeks on Gavdos. And there's more: volcanic caves in Lipari, lush forests on Mljet, verdant nature in Marettimo, serenity in Tilos, or history in Gozo.

If this is the first time you've heard these names, or if they sound familiar to you, but you're not sure where to find them or what's hidden inside, read on. These seven islands invite you to discover a Mediterranean full of nuances, where every corner has its own charm and the sunlight sparkles moments that remain forever etched in your memory.

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and combines the calm of a village with the lively life of a small Mediterranean town. Between the Marina Corta and Marina Lunga, summer evenings and eves are filled with conversation, ice cream, and music. By day, just step away for a few minutes to discover its wildest soul: dry stone walls, paths overlooking the sea, white sand beaches, and volcanic rocks. The castle, the acropolis, and the archaeological museum tell millennia of history, and at night, the warm light caresses the Quattrocchi viewpoint overlooking Vulcano. Lipari is a natural set, but also a real, living place, where every corner invites you to linger a little longer. And longer. And longer.

Koufonissia seems like a mirage lost in the middle of the Aegean Sea: a small archipelago made up of two tiny islands—Ano and Kato Koufonissi—surrounded by waters of an impossible, almost unreal turquoise blue, which captivates any traveler. These two blocks are connected by a strait of about 200 meters, and their pace of life seems to defy time and clockwork, a whirlpool of calm and simplicity. Only Ano Koufonissi is inhabited: a white spot on the Mediterranean blue that invites you to relax, ride bicycles, and swim in golden coves. Everything is very close. In less than three hours you can explore it on foot or by boat, among natural pools, seaside taverns, and ancient rituals like that of August 15th, when the entire village sails to Kato Koufonissi to venerate the Virgin. This other island, uninhabited, is a paradise of deserted beaches and ancient ruins. They say pirates called them "empty islands" because of the cave-like holes in the rocks. But anyone who has been there knows that they are anything but empty. Koufonisia is not just a place, but an experience for the senses, a tribute to the simple beauty and pure charm of the Mediterranean.

There is no other Mediterranean island further south than Gavdos. 40 km from Crete, it is the southernmost tip of Greece and the entire European continent. A remote corner of pristine beaches and silence, where only 60 people live year-round. You can get there by ferry from Paleokhora or Hora Sfakion, but the schedules are limited and the return journey is uncertain. Perhaps for this reason, traveling to Gavdos is an act of voluntary disconnection. It is said that the nymph Calypso lived here, and her charm still floats among gin, eroded paths, and golden coves like Sarakiniko. From the Ambelos lighthouse, 368 m high, the sunsets are starkly beautiful. There are no banks or gas stations, but you will find paths, scattered taverns, and a scent of thyme that endures the summer.

Ancient forests, salt lakes, dreamy coves, and legendary caves: Mljet has it all. A designated national park, the western half of this Croatian Adriatic island offers a unique combination of deep green and turquoise blue, with the lakes of Veliko Tarnovo and Malo Jezero like beating hearts. Reachable by bike or on foot, among pine trees, you can swim to the Monastery of St. Mary. At the other end of the island, Blace Beach and the Saplunara dunes complete this natural mosaic, while Ulysses' Cave invites us to lose ourselves in the myth and the blue light of the seabed. Did you know that legend has it that this mythological figure was imprisoned by love in this cave?

Lonely, rugged, and magical: Marettimo is the most remote and highest of the Egadi Islands. This rugged and silent island, located off the western coast of Sicily, seems suspended in time. Its name comes from the word maritime, and it's no coincidence: everything here revolves around the sea. The small harbor of whitewashed houses, the slow pace of the fishermen, the changing colors of the water, and the smell of salt create a unique atmosphere. With a single fishing village and fewer than 300 inhabitants, Marettimo maintains an unspoiled peace. There are no cars, no large hotels, no crowded beaches: just paths that climb between cliffs, hidden caves, and the constant echo of nature. More than 400 marine cavities surround the island, some accessible only by boat, making it a paradise for scuba divers. Those who prefer to walk can climb to Pizzo Falcone, cross fragrant forests, and discover the Norman castle of Punta Troya or the Roman ruins and the small Byzantine church. Between eagles and mouflons, Marettimo invites you to lose yourself among myths, reefs, and endless horizons. An island that combines sea, mountains, and silence like few other islands in the Mediterranean.

Halfway between Rhodes and Kos, Tilos is a small, unspoiled island in the Dodecanese with uncrowded beaches, quiet villages, and a wealth of natural beauty. It is the first energy-self-sufficient territory in Greece and a protected reserve where rare birds such as the Queen's Falcon and Bonelli's Eagle nest. Remains of the last dwarf elephants in Europe were found in Charkadio Cave. In addition to hiking trails and remote coves, the island preserves medieval castles, ancient temples, and Byzantine remains. Its capital, Megalo Chorio, houses a small museum displaying fossils, ceramics, and sculptures found on the island.

With less traffic, fewer buildings, and more silence than its older sister, Gozo is Malta's slower side. A block of rural interiors, megalithic temples, and coves tucked between cliffs. In Rabat, the citadel dominates the landscape with a medieval feel, while the gantija temples, older than the pyramids of Egypt, resonate with an ancestral spirituality. Fishermen docked in Xlendi still mend their nets in the sun, and at Ta' Pinu, the Basilica of Miracles, devotees hang votive offerings with serene faith. Gozo is unhurried: you walk among carob and fig trees, follow the coastline of Wied il-Għasri or the submerged entrance of the Blue Hole, and, without realizing it, you enter another time.