Secret Mediterranean Coves
Freeby Sébastien Couix
19 Spots
Plage de Saleccia, Corsica
Two kilometers of white sand and Caribbean-blue water in the roadless Agriates desert. Skip the rough 4x4 track: take the morning boat from Saint-Florent, or hike the coastal path over from Plage du Lotu. No shade and no shops, so pack water and lunch.
Plage du Lotu, Corsica
Saleccia's smaller sister, reachable only by boat from Saint-Florent or on foot along the Sentier des Douaniers. Most boat passengers stay on Lotu, so walk 1 hour west to Saleccia or find your own patch of sand between the two.
Petit Sperone, Corsica
A tiny sheltered cove near Bonifacio with shallow turquoise water and views of the Lavezzi islands. Park at the Piantarella lot and walk 15 minutes through the maquis; it's a fraction of the crowd of nearby Rondinara or Palombaggia.
Plage d'Arone, Corsica
A wild, wide bay at the end of a winding road from Piana, a short drive from the red Calanques de Piana. Fine sand, clear water and almost no development; swim here, then drive back up for sunset at the Calanques.
Cala Goloritzè, Sardinia
The limestone spire and white pebbles of Golfo di Orosei's most spectacular cove, a protected natural monument. Hike down from the Golgo plateau (about 1h15 down, harder coming back); access is limited and requires a paid ticket booked online in summer, and boats can't land.
Cala Mariolu, Sardinia
Pink-white pebbles and water so clear boats seem to float. Reach it by boat from Santa Maria Navarrese or Cala Gonone; take the first departure or a small rubber-boat rental to beat the midday tour-boat wave.
Cala Domestica, Sardinia
A fjord-like sandy inlet on the wild southwest coast near Buggerru, framed by old mining ruins. Walk through the rock tunnel on the right side of the beach to a hidden second cove most visitors never find.
Cala Coticcio, Caprera, Sardinia
Nicknamed 'Tahiti' for its granite boulders and electric-blue water in the La Maddalena archipelago. Access is capped in summer: book the guided hike from the Caprera trailhead or arrive by authorized boat.
Stiniva Cove, Vis, Croatia
A pebble beach hidden behind a narrow gap in towering cliffs on the south coast of Vis. Hike down the steep 20-minute path from the Marinje Zemlje road (proper shoes needed) instead of arriving with the Blue Cave speedboats around midday.
Pasjača Beach, Konavle, Croatia
A secluded pebble beach at the foot of sheer cliffs near Popovići, south of Dubrovnik, reached by a zigzag path cut into the rock. No facilities and no shade after noon, which is exactly why it's quiet.
Sakarun Beach, Dugi Otok, Croatia
Shallow, powder-white sand and lagoon-colored water on the car-light island of Dugi Otok, a ferry from Zadar. Excursion boats arrive around midday, so come early, then drive to the Veli Rat lighthouse for the evening.
Voutoumi, Antipaxos, Greece
Arguably the clearest water in the Ionian: a short pebble beach below green hills on tiny Antipaxos. Take the early water taxi from Gaios on Paxos, then climb up to Voutoumi Taverna for lunch with the view.
Kleftiko, Milos, Greece
White volcanic sea stacks, arches and caves once used by pirates, on Milos' southwest coast. Go by small sailing or kayak tour from Adamas or Paleochori that anchors early, and swim through the arches before the big boats arrive.
Tsigrado, Milos, Greece
A pocket-sized sandy cove you reach by squeezing down a crack in the cliff on a rope and wooden ladder. Small, so arrive early; next door Firiplaka is the easy fallback if it's full.
Mikro Seitani, Samos, Greece
A protected cove in the Seitani monk seal reserve on Samos' wild northwest coast, reached only on foot (about 45 minutes from Potami) or by boat. Keep going another hour to Megalo Seitani for a bigger, even emptier beach.
Lalaria, Skiathos, Greece
Smooth white pebbles, limestone arch and deep blue water on the north side of Skiathos, only reachable by boat from the old port. Pair it with the sea caves and the Kastro ruins on the same boat trip.
Cala Varques, Mallorca
A wild, unbuilt cove near Portocristo reached by a 20-minute walk through pine forest from the roadside parking. Snorkel to the sea caves on the right; skip overcrowded Caló des Moro for this one.
Cala Pregonda, Menorca
Reddish sand, ochre rock islets and a Martian-looking landscape on Menorca's quiet north coast. Park at Binimel·là and walk the Camí de Cavalls for about 25 minutes; bring everything, there are no services.
Cala Mitjana, Menorca
Pine-fringed white sand and turquoise water with cliff jumping spots, a short walk from the Cala Galdana parking. Walk 10 more minutes to tiny Cala Mitjaneta, and come early: the paid summer parking fills by mid-morning.