8 secret Mediterranean coastal escapes to visit before everyone else does

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People on the beach and seafront in Camogli, Liguria, Italy

Hotspots such as Nice and Capri are popular for a reason – but there are plenty of other beachy Mediterranean getaways that can take you off the beaten track and away from the crowds. From Morocco to Albania, these are eight summer holiday-worthy places on our must-book list.

For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the 10 best Mediterranean islands for foodies and the best European city breaks.

8 Mediterranean coastal escapes

Cadaqués, Spain

On the rugged Costa Brava in northeastern Catalonia, Cadaqués is a sun-drenched fishing town with an artistic edge, thanks to the great surrealist Salvador Dalí, who lived in the adjoining village of Port Lligat. His house is now a museum and one of the cultural highlights of a stay here. It’s easy to see where he got his inspiration from: whitewashed houses tumble down winding streets to a small harbour lined with grand cafés, seafood restaurants and views out to the Mediterranean.

Our top food picks include Olibar, Talla and Batalla, which are all part of the same cool group of modern tapas restaurants. Compartir serves inventive plates inspired by the founders’ time at El Bulli, while Narita is a Japanese spot that makes the most of the daily catch. Away from the table, there are plenty of sheltered coves to explore and lots of great galleries and shops (we rate Pepa).

To get to Cadaqués, you’ll need to traverse Cap de Creus natural park and wind down the twisty switchbacks that are the only way down to the bay. While you’re here, it’s well worth jumping on one of the 15-minute buses into the park itself. The views stretch to France, there are two beautiful, secluded beaches to swim at (Jugadora and Cala Culip), and you can spot some of the rock formations that inspired some of Dali’s most famous works. Read our guide to the best Spanish food trips for more ideas.

Where to stay: Can Set overlooks the main bay. From the front bedrooms, you can look down at the beach below and across to the church that defines the Cadaqués skyline. The branded beach towels, provided in every room, are just what you’ll need for a day out here.

Panoramic view of Cadaques in the morning, Costa Brava, Catalonia, Spain

Camogli, Italy

On the Ligurian coast near Genoa, Camogli is a postcard-perfect alternative to Portofino. Known for its tall, pastel trompe l’oeil houses (where laundry often hangs from the windowsills), crescent-shaped pebble beach and easy-going harbour, it has all the charm of the Italian Riviera without the high-gloss finish. You’ll find lovely markets for fresh fruit and veg, old workshops dotted around, and a few small shops selling local linens and handmade ceramics. There’s plenty to do too: make sure you book onto a boat trip to nearby San Fruttuoso, a medieval abbey in a secluded cove. The nearby towns of Santa Margarita and Portofino make for lovely day trips.

On the food front, La Camogliese is a little wooden beach hut offering fritto misto and trofie al pesto, a regional speciality. Above Camogli, in the hills of San Rocco, La Cucina Di Nonna Nina is a family run restaurant that serves very traditional Ligurian recipes. Historic Focacceria Revello is the spot to stop and buy focaccia di recco (with stracchino cheese), alongside pastries and other local delicacies for the ultimate beachside lunch.

Where to stay: Cenobio Dei Dogi is the right side of retro. Built into the cliff edge overlooking the rocky sea beneath, it has amazing views of Camogli, its own small pebble beach and a great pool.

People on the beach and seafront. Camogli, Liguria, Italy

Datça Peninsula, Turkey

On Turkey’s southwest coast, the Datça Peninsula is a quieter and wilder alternative to Bodrum. 90 minutes from Dalaman airport, the peninsular is a meeting point for the Aegean and the Mediterranean. It’s home to almond groves, olive trees and a string of hidden coves with sapphire-like waters. Naturally, lots of the food and activities revolve around those groves. The Datça Vineyard & Winery olive farm makes for a fun day trip (and is a lovely place to stay), while almonds are scattered atop many of the region’s dishes. Many of these are best tried at Eski Meyhane in Datça itself – expect to sample the likes of stuffed courgette leaves, grilled octopus and sautéed spiced lamb.

There’s a lovely, languorous rhythm to days here, which can be spent swimming, taking boat trips and having long lunches by the sea. Datça is also known for its hiking routes along the striking Carian Trail. There’s history here too: at the peninsula’s tip, the ancient ruins of Knidos add a cultural edge to any trip, while Eski Datça (Old Datça) is a charming village with narrow, bougainvillea-lined streets, stone houses and artisan shops.

Where to stay: On its own private peninsula, D Maris Bay is one of Turkey’s most coveted hideaways. It’s surrounded by pine-covered mountains and overlooks five private beaches, which can be accessed by the hotel’s fleet of speedboats. New for 2026 are padel and pickleball courts, plus the hotel pool and its accessories have been branded by Dior for a third year.

Knidos or Cnidus was a Greek city of ancient Caria and part of the Dorian Hexapolis, in south-western Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. It was situated on the Datça peninsula, which forms the southern side of the Sinus Ceramicus, now known as Gulf of Gökova.

Athens Riviera, Greece

Stretching from chic coastal suburbs like Glyfada and Vouliagmeni right down to Cape Sounion, the Athens Riviera offers sandy beaches, stylish beach clubs and a smart dining scene. We rate Papaioannou, where the sea laps at the tables and the catch of the day is filleted tableside. We spent a very happy afternoon at Lake Vouliagmeni – a thermal, tidal lake set just back from the sea that’s become something of a low-key spa, thanks to the tiny fish that offer free pedicures if you dip your toes in for long enough. You could easily spend a full day here thanks to its sun loungers and café-restaurant set-up.

Evenings call for sunset views at the Temple of Poseidon, which looks out to sea from Cape Sounion and was built around the same time as the Acropolis in Athens. You can also hop into the capital for day trips in just 30 minutes. The riviera is also home to Piraeus, which is where many ferries depart for islands such as Hydra, Milos and Spetses, making this the ideal starting point for any longer Greek escapes (see our picks for the best Greek island escapes).

Where to stay: There are lots of lovely, high-end hotels here, but the grande dame is the Four Seasons Astir Palace (in its 1960s heyday, it hosted Brigitte Bardot, Frank Sinatra and Jackie Onassis). Discreetly tucked away at the tip of the pine-clad Vouliagmeni peninsula, this World’s 50 Best Hotel captures all the glamour of Greece. For something cool and contemporary, One&Only opened its striking Aesthesis property on the riviera two years ago, in the protected forest reserve of Glyfada.

Ostia, Italy

Just half an hour from Rome, Ostia is where Romans come to play against a backdrop of sandy beaches and retro lidos. It’s less polished than Italy’s smarter coastal hotspots, but that’s part of the appeal – and there’s a pleasing mix of eras and architecture. At the mouth of the River Tiber, many visitors come just for the sun and sea. You can choose to split your time between sunbathing at Lido di Ostia and watching for wildlife on the marina. Nearby Kursaal beach club is also well worth a look. It dates to the 1950s and remains locally famous because its pool was the backdrop to lots of acclaimed 1960s Italian films, such as I Vitelloni.

Another highlight is exploring the remarkably preserved ruins of Ostia Antica, which is considered by many to be just as impressive as Pompeii (and without the crowds). Through mosaics, homes, baths and a theatre, it offers an immersive look at what life would have been like for Romans. After a morning exploring the archaeological park, head for lunch at Arianna al Borghetto, a trattoria serving Roman classics such as cacio e pepe and carbonara.

Where to stay: La Posta Vecchia is part of the same independent group as Il Pelicano in Tuscany and Mezzatorre in Ischia. On the coast of Palo Laziale, under an hour away from Ostia, this is a gorgeous design-led hotel with sweeping views over the Tyrrhenian Sea and easy access to the Etruscan sites of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, as well as Rome airport. We've visited the best Italian hotels for more memorable getaways.

Large insula apartment building, ancient Roman harbor city of Ostia Antica

Camargue, France

In the Rhône delta in southern France, Camargue is an elemental counterpoint to the Côte d’Azur. It’s a Unesco-protected park of salt flats, wetlands and sweeping beaches, where thousands of flamingos gather and semi-wild white horses roam freely. This is the place to bookmark if you like an active trip away – popular activities include cycling through the lagoons, horseback riding along the shores of the Mediterranean, and soaking up the changing landscapes on a Jeep safari.

At the centre of Camargue, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer offers a low-key base for long lunches and coastal walks along the 12km sea wall, which stretches out to Gacholle lighthouse. We like the look of Restaurant Chante Clair – a vintage-inspired bistro with a terrace that serves the likes of gougères, fish soup and moules-frites – and A Fleur de Sel, where owner Alexandra serves traditional French cooking with a touch of Provençal flair. Browse more of the best French food trips for more ideas.

Where to stay: In a building dating from the 15th century, La Villa Mazarin sits within the fortified city of Aigues-Mortes, on the edge of Camargue. The 25 bedrooms are decorated differently – their charmingly old-school interiors feature oil paintings and antique furniture in keeping with the historic building. For something that’s both more rustic and more modern, Les Arnelles in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer offers a countryside escape – it even has its own stables.

The wild horses in Camargue,South of France.

Taghazout, Morocco

Just north of Agadir, Taghazout is a surf village with a bohemian edge. Once a low-key fishing spot, it’s now a laid-back favourite with creatives and in-the-know travellers who are drawn to its long sandy beaches, reliable waves and growing wellness scene. Killer Point, Banana Point, La Source and Anchor Point are the best surfing spots – and even if you don’t surf yourself, they’re great places to watch, swim and spend a morning with a book. Or there’s Paradise Valley – a series of lakes and waterfalls an hour away by car or bus.

Taghazout is less polished than Marrakech, but all the more relaxed for it. As well as surfing, days revolve around yoga and slow lunches in rooftop cafés, while evenings make the most of sunsets overlooking the ocean. Our favourite places to eat include the hotel garden of World of Waves for a chilled breakfast, brunch or late-morning coffee, and Dar Joséphine for a French-leaning take on Moroccan cuisine. Check out our guide to the best Moroccan trips for foodies for more inspiration.

Where to stay: There are a handful of big-name hotel groups here now, but we’d opt for Dfrost Almuga, a surfing and yoga-focused villa right on the water. Its optional ‘surf safaris’ run daily from 9am to 4pm, giving surfers of all levels a chance to get to know these wonderful waters.

An evening surf session at Anchor point, Morocco

Vlorë, Albanian Riviera

Unfurling along the Ionian Sea, the Albanian Riviera might be Europe’s most up-and-coming destination. With its turquoise waters, rugged mountains and clusters of mellow beach towns, it’s a fresh and beguiling alternative to the Mediterranean’s better-known hotspots.

Days are best spent hopping between bays, from the lively shores of Dhërmi to the beaches around Ksamil, with scenic drives along Llogara Pass. For a base, Vlorë offers a compelling mix of beach and culture. Its coastline ranges from central stretches like Plazhi i Vjetër to quieter southern spots, where hotels often have their own private areas. Beyond the beach, the city’s layered history – shaped by Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman influences – is reflected in its architecture and landmarks.

Food is another highlight. Drawing on Turkish, Greek and Italian traditions, the local cuisine is fresh, flavourful and distinctly Mediterranean, often featuring Vlonjak olives, which are among the oldest in Europe. Paradise Beach has been a Vlorë go-to for almost three decades, thanks to its seafood prepped Mediterranean and Italian style right by the sea. Taverna Ti Lilo is another must-book for its grilled fish and calamari in rustic surroundings.

Where to stay: Hotel Vlora Priam has the Meliá seal of approval. On Vlorë Bay, it’s surrounded by the azure waters of the Adriatic, which are best admired from the rooftop pool and bar.