These are the most spectacular beaches in the Mediterranean

We begin our tour of the Balearic Islands, with their well-known tourist islands: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera , each a paradise in itself. But if we had to highlight just one beach on this flash tour, it would be Ses Illetes , in the north of Formentera, for its pure nature and its protected status as part of the Ses Salines Natural Park. Its privileged location offers crystal-clear waters that visitors will fall in love with. The beach is famous for its fine white sand, which stretches into the turquoise sea.

Surrounded by native vegetation, the pines and junipers offer shade and a touch of cool air on hot days, as well as panoramic views of the neighboring island of Espalmador and the Ibizan islet of Es Vedrà . Its waters are ideal for water sports such as snorkeling and paddleboarding.

On the other hand, in the south of Menorca are two of the most beautiful beaches in the Balearic Islands, Macarelleta and its neighbor Macarella, which are connected by a short path. Their clear turquoise waters and surrounding vegetation make them authentic Mediterranean paradises. On the island of Ibiza, the Balearic tourist center par excellence, Cala Comte stands out, known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand, and spectacular views, especially at sunset; Calas Salada and Saladeta , which offer turquoise waters and a peaceful natural setting and are surrounded by pine-covered hills; and Cala d'Hort , also with views of Es Vedrà, which is located in a protected natural environment, with fine sand and shallow waters.

In the south of Corsica, France, are some of the beaches that evoke the beauty of the purest Mediterranean. Corsica boasts beautiful and varied beaches, from the most famous, such as Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, to quieter and wilder beaches, such as Saleccia or Lotu , accessible only by boat, ensuring a pristine and peaceful beach.

The Italian Mediterranean holds evocative spots like Cala Goloritzé, on the east coast of Sardinia and within the Gulf of Orosei National Park. This sandy beach of white rocks is nestled between cliffs where the endangered Eleonora's falcon nests.

Stintino , in northwestern Sardinia, is a charming fishing village. It has a harbor with colorful boats, and nearby is one of the island's most spectacular beaches: La Pelossa . This sandy beach is famous for its clear waters and the islet with a watchtower that the more adventurous can swim to.

The Scala dei Turchi , meaning "Staircase of the Turks," is a cove surrounded by white cliffs in southern Sicily , the largest island in the Mediterranean. It's located very close to Agrigento , a hilltop town famous for its archaeological site. The marble-white sedimentary limestone rock between the walkways of the Scala dei Turchi leaves a crystal-clear Mediterranean at our feet. Its beaches include Le Pergole, Punta Grande, Giallonardo, and Rosello.

Between the rugged Adriatic coast and the sandy shoreline of the Ionian Sea, the 800-kilometer Puglia coastline offers two seas and beaches ranging from fine sand to pure rock, cliffs, natural parks, and summer bars. The common denominator is its turquoise color. Legend has it that two lovers arrived in Vieste and provoked the jealousy of the sirens. The sirens tempted the young lover, who resisted at every turn. This enraged the sirens, who took revenge and transformed him into a rock. Today, it is a regional attraction. The limestone monolith, known as Pizzomunno , is 25 meters high and is located on the Mattei seafront in the south of the town.

The island of Milos is one of the more than 200 islands in the Cyclades archipelago, located in the heart of the Aegean Sea , the cradle of Mediterranean culture, and something worth visiting, even if only once in a lifetime. The island is famous for its beaches, more than 70 of which have unique characteristics, ranging from rocky coastlines resembling lunar landscapes to quiet, sandy beaches, and even hidden coves only accessible by sea. Some of the most popular are Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, Firiplaka, and Tsigrado.

Sarakiniko, in the north and the most photographed on the island, owes its worldwide fame to the shapes of its volcanic rocks, eroded over centuries by wind and water, which give rise to its nickname, Moon Beach.

Papafragas Beach, also located north of Milos, is surrounded by impressive cliffs that reach dizzying heights and enclose bathers. To access this hidden paradise, travelers must pass through a narrow opening in the rock, adding an adventurous touch to the experience.

In the 15th century, when the Venetians arrived on the Ionian island of Zakynthos , they nicknamed it the Flower of the East for its beautiful landscapes. And they were right. An island covered in pine trees, with fertile plains, stunning beaches and white cliffs. The island's most famous beach is Navaggio , also considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It owes its name to the ship loaded with contraband tobacco that sank in 1983. Today, the remains of the ship can be seen half-buried in the sand. Surrounded by beautiful cliffs, it is only accessible by sea.

In the south of Greece lies Crete, the country's largest island and famous for its idyllic beaches. Notable beaches include Elafonisi , with its pink sand and turquoise waters, and Balos , with its turquoise lagoon, white sand, and stunning scenery of great natural beauty. Balos is one of the most photographed beaches in Crete. Falasarna Beach on the west coast has long stretches of white sand, is known for its spectacular sunsets, and is sometimes considered one of the best beaches in Europe. Like Vai, a beach distinguished by its palm forest, which gives it an exotic atmosphere, and Preveli Beach, located at the mouth of a river, offers a unique landscape with palm trees and crystal-clear waters.

And we say goodbye to the famous Matala, known for its caves carved into the cliffs and because it was an idyllic destination for hippie communities in the 1960s and 1970s.