The finest beach holiday: the most beautiful travel destinations for families around the Mediterranean
Going on vacation with the whole family is what young and old dream of all year round. But where? Where will everyone be happy? We present the most beautiful travel destinations around the Mediterranean.
- The Croatian island of Krk has gently sloping beaches and a good price-performance ratio.
- With more than 3000 hours of sunshine, Rhodes is one of the sunniest islands in Europe – from May to October no rain drops fall.
- Mallorca spoils vacationers with bathing temperatures well into autumn.
The foreign city can have the most interesting sides, the sights may be unique in the world and the nature beautiful to kneel down – children usually find such holiday joys as boring. They need water to splash around, space to play, sand to dig and want to hop into the sea. Beach holidays are the most popular type of family vacation. We show the five most beautiful destinations around the Mediterranean that make the whole family happy.
1. Croatia, island of Krk: Baska beach paradise with a good price-performance ratio
Superlatives on the northern side of the Mediterranean, on the Adriatic: 30 beaches with turquoise water are located around the 1600-inhabitant town of Baska in the south of the Croatian island of Krk.
The beautiful island in the Kvarner Bay is easily accessible as it is connected to the mainland by a large bridge. Other advantages besides the good price-performance ratio: The beaches around Baska are protected by a mountain range, including “Vela Plaza”, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.
The two kilometer long, bright beach consists partly of gravel and sand, slopes gently into the sea and has been awarded the Blue Flag for many years. Here there is everything that the heart of children and adults could desire: from pedal boats, surfboards, parasols and deck chairs to slides, diving centers, beach bars and fish restaurants.
2. Portugal, Algarve: Carvoeiro, spectacular fishing village with golden cliffs
Admittedly, the Algarve is no longer on the Mediterranean, but it can be reached in just three hours by flight and spoils you with temperatures of over 20 degrees Celsius and eight hours of sunshine per day until October.
The southernmost Portuguese province also bears the name Dream Coast. One of the most beautiful pieces of evidence is located five kilometers from the picturesque fishing village of Carvoeiro: Praia da Marinha beach. This picture-perfect beach is so well suited for families because it is protected by 30-meter-high cliffs. The furrowed limestone cliffs glow in a warm honey yellow and form bizarre formations such as caves, arches and domes. The great advantage of the rocks – in addition to their extraordinary appearance – is that they keep cool north winds off in the off-season and make it possible to sunbathe even in the winter season.
Colorful fish and seahorses frolic in the reefs in the water. A little comfort between rock and golden sand is provided: There are sun loungers and pedal boats for rent. If you don't feel like hiking on the cliffs or forays into the neighboring bays, you can take a boat tour to the largest sea caves in the Algarve, which are in the immediate vicinity. Or look at Carvoeiro, whose whitewashed houses cling to the cliffs in steps.
3. Spain, Mallorca: Playa de Muro and the most beautiful sandpit in white
Whether spring, midsummer or autumn: The island of Mallorca is and remains the favorite island of the Germans because of the short flight time, its mild climate, the varied landscape, many sights, good infrastructure and its beautiful beaches and bays. In the north is the bay of Alcúdia with the dream beach Playa de Muro, directly in front of the nature park and bird sanctuary Albufera.
White dune hills herald the natural, four-kilometer-long and 30-meter-wide beach. Because of its fine, white sand, its spaciousness, the view of the Bay of Pollenca and the calm water in emerald green, Playa de Muro is especially popular with families.
The blue flag is blowing on the well-tended beach, the entrance to the sea is shallow and a lifeguard ensures safety. A handful of beach bars make the beach happiness perfect. If it is too chilled out here, just take a walk in the direction of Platja d’Alcúdia and the hotel complexes will appear. Or two kilometers in the other direction, to Can Picafort, a stronghold of mass tourism with all its entertainment offers.
4. Italy, Sardinia: Where Caribbean dreams come true – for children of all ages
Not in the mood for the classic family holiday destination of Rimini? Then on the plane or by car on the ferry and off to the second largest Mediterranean island. Sardinia attracts with hundreds of offshore islets, 1848 kilometers of coastline and a wide variety of beaches, which range from the Caribbean powdered sugar model to surfers paradise, as well as 1,800 meter high mountains and original villages – and not to forget: Italian cuisine!
Those who travel with older children will feel at home in the north of the island, in the “La Maddalena” archipelago with its 70 islets. The beaches are embedded between small rocky hills, cacti, myrtle and juniper and enchant with emerald green water and the finest white sand like the "Cala Spalmatore". Tip: explore the island world with its hidden bays by boat.
For families with small children, paradise is on the famous 55 km long coastline of the Costa Smeralda. Cala di Volpe is not an insider tip, but there are four different beaches here – a large main beach and beautiful, small bays.
The advantage of the large beach is that it slopes gently and is protected by a marina in front and therefore does not get wind or waves – ideal for small children. In addition, it is equipped with all amenities – whether beach bar, toilets, loungers or water sports equipment. The small bays, on the other hand, are not for the little ones, because the crystal clear water quickly gets deep.
5. Greece, Rhodes: sun, dream beach and culture guarantee
The state of emergency declared in Turkey after the military coup until the end of October 2016 unsettled many holidaymakers, so they preferred to move to neighboring Greece. Very close to the Turkish coast, only an hour's ferry ride from Marmaris, is the island of Rhodes in the extreme southeast of the Aegean Sea. Your advantages: With more than 3000 hours of sunshine, it is one of the sunniest regions in Europe – no rain drops fall from mid-May to mid-October. The historic old town with its well-preserved city wall and the Grand Master's Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enriches the beach holiday.
Beach resorts that are well developed for tourism, such as Faliraki on the east coast, are perfect for package holidaymakers. If you like it a little more individual, go to Lardos on the southeast coast. The beach consists partly of gravel, partly of sand and is rarely overcrowded. When the children have finished building castles, we recommend a boat trip to the lonely Glystera Bay. Or a trip to the mountain village of Siana, which is far away from mass tourism towards the west coast.