Five Unique Mediterranean Beaches
Cruise Circle
Beaches That Are Outside The Box
Here’s a little beach inspiration with five unique coastal spots in the Mediterranean that you may or may not have heard of...
Scala dei Turchi, Sicily
Scala dei Turchi is an ever-evolving work of art shaped by the sea over thousands of years. Translating to ‘stairs of the Turks’, the beach has historically been subject to a barrage of Turkish pirate invasions – with raiders making the most of nature’s limestone staircase. Follow in their footsteps and scale the spectacular stretch of white marlstone, where (what is best described as) a mammoth meringue unfolds in every direction, making for some enviable holiday snaps!
Red Beach, Santorini
Santorini may not be famed for its beaches like other Greek islands, but it has many other charms. For instance, Red Beach - with steep red hills lapped by dramatic turquoise waters, its red rock formations are a beautiful backdrop for swimming and snorkelling.
Elafonisi Beach (and islet), Crete
Sitting pretty in Crete’s southwest corner, you’ll find Elafonisi and the protected islet (and nature reserve) of the same name. Made up of rolling dunes, crystal-clear waters and pink-hued sands, it’s the latter that makes this beach a truly unique place to soak up some sun. Elafonisi’s iconic rosy colour comes from thousands of crushed shells and is incredibly vibrant around the lagoon and along the sandbar to the islet.
Les Calanques de Cassis, South of France
Whilst not strictly a beach per se, the soaring limestone rock and beautiful bays of the Calanques National Park had to make the list. A whopping 120 million years in the making, the beauty here is worth every century. Craggy coves occupy 10 miles of coast between Cassis and Marseille, featuring France’s highest cliffs and 140 protected species. Get up close and personal with the local marine life with a spot of snorkelling, or enjoy a stint in the Mediterranean sun courtesy of one of the many pebbly coves.
Playa de los Gigantes, Tenerife
Head to Tenerife’s most westerly point to view the volcanic handiwork and legendary rockface of Los Gigantes. This unique beach offers visitors a front-row seat to the massive cliffs that rise 800 metres above the sea. For the best views, take a boat tour and stare in awe as the spectacular scene unfolds. The ‘Cliffs of the Giants’ plunge dramatically into the surrounding sea, making it a haven for marine life, so don’t be surprised if you spy a playful porpoise or two!
Our top pick for visiting these beautiful beaches? The fabulous adult-only Virgin Voyages - with two ships sailing in the Med- have the cultural hotspots and dreamy beaches covered.
