20 Best Islands In The Mediterranean For A Secluded Escape
Looking to swap the noise of packed beaches for the whisper of waves and rustling olive trees? You’re not alone. While the Mediterranean is famous for its glamorous hotspots, it’s also home to lesser-known islands where time slows down and serenity takes center stage.
I’ve tracked down 21 tranquil gems where you won’t have to elbow your way to the shore. Some are rugged and remote, others dotted with sleepy harbors or sun-drenched hiking trails—but all offer that hard-to-find sense of calm.
Which one suits your travel mood: a quiet escape into nature, a romantic seaside village, or a place where the biggest decision is where to sip your morning coffee? Let’s find your perfect slice of solitude.
1. Vis Island, Croatia
If solitude is your kind of luxury, Vis Island feels made for you. I love how the gentle waves barely disturb the silent coves, and the pace here seems to slow time itself.
Hidden tunnels from World War II add a mysterious edge, letting you imagine stories beneath the surface. Vineyards stretch across rolling hills, tempting you to taste local wine on a quiet afternoon.
Here, every sunset feels like a private show, with colors reflecting off ancient stone houses. This Croatian escape is where I truly switch off from the world.
2. Patmos Calm, Greece
Did you ever wish for a place where time stands still? Patmos offers that rare feeling. Walking its cobblestone streets, I notice how silence wraps around the ancient monastery like a soft blanket.
Where writers and thinkers once escaped centuries ago, I find a haven for quiet reflection. From hilltops, the sparkling Aegean stretches toward the horizon.
Narrow lanes and blue-topped churches fill my senses with history and calm. I can almost hear old legends carried by the sea breeze.
3. Pantelleria Charm, Italy
How do you describe a place where earth and sea collide? Pantelleria’s volcanic soul shapes everything. I feel its energy in the steam rising from the hot springs, and the contrast of black cliffs against blue water.
Old dammuso houses, built from stone, dot the landscape. Capers and grapes grow in terraced fields, offering flavors as bold as the island’s scenery.
This is a retreat for those who crave something wild and elemental—a landscape both ancient and alive.
4. Ithaca Escape, Greece
When myth feels real, Ithaca steps in. I wander through olive groves, and the echo of Odysseus’ legend follows my path. The harbors here are quiet, filled with sleepy fishing boats and the scent of wild herbs.
Are the waters really this clear? I find myself mesmerized by shades of blue and green as I watch waves lap against hidden coves.
Ithaca invites me to slow down, to listen, and to dream ancient dreams beneath the Mediterranean sky.
5. Alonnisos Nature, Greece
Though much of Greece buzzes with tourists, Alonnisos feels untouched. I lose myself in pine forests, listening for rare monk seals along the rocky shores.
Where nature rules, hiking trails reveal secret beaches and sun-dappled glades. Old villages crown the hills, offering shelter from the midday sun.
With crystal waters and wildflowers carpeting the ground, this is my favorite escape for reconnecting with the natural world.
6. Formentera Sands, Spain
If barefoot freedom calls you, Formentera’s pale sands are the answer. I step onto powdery beaches that stretch on and on, the water so clear my feet glow underwater.
Ferries rarely bring crowds, so there’s space to wander and breathe. Laid-back chiringuito bars serve fresh seafood just steps from the surf.
Here, the world narrows to sunlight, gentle waves, and salt on my skin. Sometimes, simple pleasures make the greatest luxuries.
7. Elba Coast, Italy
Are you drawn to stories of exile and adventure? Elba’s coast weaves history and beauty together. Napoleon once walked these shores, but now I roam quiet beaches and secret trails.
Pastel villages perch above turquoise bays, and forests spill down to the sea. Each turn reveals a new, unspoiled view.
Exploring Elba feels like traveling through time and nature at once. There’s always something new to find, just around the bend.
8. Gozo Island, Malta
Where legends feel tangible, Gozo stands proud. The ancient citadel overlooks sleepy villages and green valleys, while the coastline glows gold in the morning sun.
Quiet swimming spots and caves wait to be discovered, and I find myself savoring every gentle breeze.
Gozo feels older than time itself, with stories hidden in every stone. This is my go-to for a touch of magic and genuine Maltese charm.
9. Menorca Quiet, Spain
If a soft whisper is your preferred soundtrack, Menorca is perfect. I wander along stone-walled paths to secret beaches where crystal water laps at pale sand.
Ancient settlements dot the landscape, their stones warm from the sun. Wildflowers color the fields every spring.
Menorca’s understated charm invites long afternoons of quiet reflection, far from the buzz of its neighbors. Peace wraps around me here, gentle and complete.
10. Hydra Hideaway, Greece
Did you know no cars are allowed on Hydra? I find myself moving at a donkey’s pace, wandering cobbled lanes lined with stone mansions. Artists and writers gather in shaded cafes overlooking the harbor.
How refreshing it is to hear only the sound of footsteps and waves. Secret swimming spots are never far away.
Life on Hydra flows differently—slower, more thoughtful. It’s a place where inspiration finds me at every corner.
11. Lipari Calm, Italy
When the ferry pulls into Lipari, a sense of calm descends. I stroll past pastel houses and watch fishermen untangle their nets, seagulls circling above.
Volcanic crags rise in the distance, hinting at the island’s wild origins. The old fort keeps watch over quiet harbor life.
Lipari’s easy pace and friendly faces make it a favorite for peaceful days and star-lit nights. Here, the world feels just the right size.
12. Antiparos Peace, Greece
Are small pleasures the best ones? Antiparos holds the answer. I walk barefoot down empty lanes where bougainvillea tumbles over white walls.
The little harbor buzzes quietly with local life—fishermen mending nets and children chasing stray cats. Sandy beaches stay uncrowded, even in summer.
Antiparos makes every day feel gentle and unhurried, like a secret shared between friends. Peace thrives here, as natural as the sunrise.
13. Favignana Shores, Italy
Ever seen water so clear it seems unreal? Favignana’s shores outshine all my expectations. Old tuna boats rest in the harbor, sharing space with sun-bleached stones.
Cycling around the island reveals hidden coves and limestone caves. Wildflowers bloom in unexpected places, even near the sea.
Life here moves at bicycle speed—slow enough to notice every detail, and quiet enough to savor each salty breeze.
14. Serifos Breeze, Greece
How does it feel to have an island almost to yourself? Serifos brings a windswept energy, with hills rolling down to empty beaches.
I watch the sunset paint the sky behind white houses clinging to steep slopes. The breeze here never stops, always fresh and alive.
Serifos makes me feel bold and adventurous, like I’ve stumbled on a secret. Even the chapels seem to whisper stories to the wind.
15. Leros Stillness, Greece
Where can you hear your own thoughts? Leros offers profound stillness. I meander past pastel houses and breathe in the scent of wild thyme floating on the breeze.
The harbor feels timeless, watched over by an old castle perched above the town. Light falls softly as the day drifts by.
Stillness here is never empty; it’s rich with gentle beauty and quiet moments that leave a lasting imprint.
16. Cres Island, Croatia
If wildness calls your name, Cres answers with forests and cliffs that feel endless. I follow winding paths through oak woods, each step leading to another hidden cove.
Stone villages keep watch from high ground, their streets barely changed in centuries. Eagles sometimes soar above, casting fleeting shadows.
This island’s beauty is untamed, and I love how it makes me feel small—in the best way possible.
17. Kythira Bliss, Greece
If you crave bliss away from the ordinary, Kythira delivers. Waterfalls hide in lush valleys, and medieval castles rise mysteriously from green hills.
I wander through olive groves and over ancient bridges, with only birds for company. Beaches remain silent, their sand cool underfoot.
Kythira’s gentle magic is in the details—a soft mist, a crumbling arch, and the hush that settles at dusk.
18. La Maddalena, Italy
Have you ever seen granite turn pink at sunset? La Maddalena’s islands glow with every color as day ends. I explore sandy coves and find wild rosemary scenting the air.
Nature here feels untouched, the sea as clear as glass. Sailboats drift by, but solitude is easy to find.
Each island in this archipelago feels like its own secret world, waiting for me to get lost and found again.
19. Syros Local Life, Greece
Are you drawn to authentic local life? Syros invites me in with neoclassical mansions and markets humming with chatter.
Fishing boats bob in the harbor while blue-domed churches overlook the town. Every street feels lived-in and welcoming.
Though life here is lively, quiet corners aren’t hard to find. Syros blends energy and tranquility with distinctive Greek style.
20. Paxos Bay, Greece
When I close my eyes and dream of calm, Paxos always appears. Olive groves cover gentle hills, and little bays shimmer in the sun.
Stone cottages hide along winding paths, and small boats drift lazily across blue-green water. The pace here is always gentle.
Paxos reminds me that true escape is found in quiet places, where every moment is yours alone.