The Best Crew Hotspots In The Med To Visit In Your Downtime
Palma de Mallorca
One of the greatest things about Mallorca is that it doesn’t take long to get around, and you don’t have to go far for something to do. Palma has great hotspots for visitors, rich in culture, gastronomy, and art. If you take a quick break there, you can walk the historic streets and enjoy boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and fresh food markets.
Here are a few places to consider:
- Hogan’s Bar – Palma’s first authentic Irish Pub has been situated in the buzzing Santa Catalina area since 1996. It hosts live music and sporting events, and has amazing views of the marina and Paseo Maritimo. Grab a beer, a cocktail, or a pint of Guinness. The menu also boasts filling burgers, chicken wings, and nachos. Everything is made from scratch so it’s guaranteed to be tasty!
- Cala Major Beach – There are many beaches in Mallorca, but if you want to stay close to Palma, this one is ideal for you to chill in the sun and take a leisurely swim in the sea. Popular with Yachties, there are several bars on the beach to purchase snacks or beverages too.
- Maciá Batle Winery – If you and your crew are into wine, don’t miss out on the chance to sample some of the island’s best drops and a tour around a local vineyard. You will taste up to five of the Bodega’s top wines and learn about the process of making them too.
If sightseeing is more your thing, Palma’s biggest tourist attraction is the Gothic-style cathedral La Seu. Nearby is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina (residence of the Spanish royal family), and Bellver Castle sits on a hill just outside the city centre overlooking the whole of Parma.
Gibraltar
A wonderful place to get to a high point and wonder at the horizon. This British headland on the South of Spain has a great mix of Mediterranean and British characteristics. The town centre is decorated with waterfront hotels, red post boxes, and plenty of fish-and-chip shops. With the country’s strong military history, you can’t miss the sights and ruins either.
Check out these:
- Cable Car – This ride only takes 6 minutes to take you over 400m to the top of the rock! Once you’re at the Top Station, relax and enjoy the beautiful view. Hot and cold drinks are available at Top of the Rock Café, and there’s always a meal and cocktails at the Mons Calpe Suite Restaurant and Bar. When you want to get back down, take the cable car or (if you’re feeling energetic) go down the famous Mediterranean steps.
- Camp Bay – If you’re into diving or snorkeling, this is ideal. Camp Bay is a rocky beach that faces the Atlantic on the south side of Gibraltar. Home to one of Europe’s first artificial reefs, the shallower waters are a haven for marine life. It isn’t the sandiest of beaches, so if you want to lounge in the sun all day, Playa de Levante is one to check out on the eastern side.
- Casemates Square – One of the largest public spaces, the square is lined with numerous bars, restaurants, and pubs. It’s found in the shopping district at the entrance of Main Street, where you can relish the experience of a British high street in the sun VAT-free.
Italy
Italy enchants with charming coastal towns, vineyards, and mouthwatering cuisine so on your time off, enjoy numerous Med crew hotspots. Relax by crystal clear waters and explore the sites around you.
Here are three lovely places:
- Positano – A photogenic cliffside town on the Amalfi Coast and a well-known holiday destination, with streets lined with shops and cafés. Chill at Spiaggia Grande beach, grab a bite at the seafront restaurants, and go kiyaking. The Music on the Rocks nightclub is literally carved out of rocks so head there for a memorable night.
- Capri – On the Tyrrhenian Sea. A scenic place with limestone cliffs, lemon trees, and bright blue waters. There’ll be plenty of restaurants and shops to check out. Don’t forget the illuminated Grotta Azzurra seacave, either.
- Sicily – Sample street food, visit the capital Palermo, and explore the various temples around. There’s also the active volcano Mount Etna, vineyards, and cooling seas. Sicily has something for whatever mood you’re in.
Read more: 6 of the Best Diving Spots in the Mediterranean for Summer 2023
Greece
With no shortages of ancient temples and beaches, Greece is an irresistible destination for cultural enthusiasts and sun-seekers alike.
Have a look at these three Med crew hotspots:
- Athens – Stop by the marina 9km from the city centre, then take a look around ancient buildings (like the Acropolis and the Parthenon) and museums for a classical city tour. Try something new and visit the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for a show, or go to the central market instead. Drink a Greek Coffee – you can’t miss out on a unique caffeine fix!
- Nafplio – Near the port, there is a whole strip of bars and restaurants. Arvanita is the local beach, and the sandier Karathona is slightly further away. Take a walk through the old town, along the main promenade, and check out seafront cafés, then if you’re feeling brave, climb the 999 steps to Palamidi Castle!
- Rhodes – There is an elegant marina which is a great base for traveling all over the Aegean and the Mediterranean sea. The old town is the largest medieval city in the whole of Europe, and was declared a World Heritage City in 1988. For a nice time on the beach, Agios Pavlos is a pretty chilled area. To grab a drink or two, head to the bar street Ordanidou Co, with all the liveliest pubs and clubs in the town.
Of course, it doesn’t stop there! There are many stunning islands to visit, such as Crete and Corfu. There are many locations with a great nightlife, as well, if you’re keen on a slightly wilder time.
Corsica
Corsica is an amazing location for lovers of the outdoors. With its picturesque blend of fashionable coastal towns, forests, and mountainous zones, this Mediterranean island offers a delightful combination of natural beauty and charming urban areas.
Take a look:
- Rondinara – One of the island’s most secluded bays, Rondinara’s twin headlands curve to form a perfect horseshoe, which provides a good environment for anchoring boats. The beach boasts white sand and clear water, and there’s a restaurant nearby if you’re hungry! Arrive early to enjoy thinner crowds.
- Filitosa – A prehistoric site, this is a great place to go to if you’re into history. The statue-menhirs are one of the most spectacular and complete examples of megalithic art in the Mediterranean. Guided tours in English are available and after, you can explore the museum!
- Bastia – Main city of the north of Corsica. The three main divisions of the city fall into the the old town, the Citadel, and the old harbour. Stroll through the streets – and if you climb to the Citadel, you’ll see some amazing panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea!
South of France
With a stunning Mediterranean coastline, the South of France is lined with glamorous towns and cities. With its vibrant culture and rich history, you’ll not want to miss out on a trip ashore! Of course, you can indulge yourself with the delectable local cuisine, and beautiful summer sun.
These locations might interest you:
- Nice – Sample classic Niçois cuisine and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. At the heart of it the old town is Place Rossetti, with its classical fountain in front of the Sainte Réparate cathedral. Nearby is Fenocchio, an ice-cream shop that’s been there since 1966 – you can pick from almost 100 ice cream flavours! Are you brave enough to try olive-flavoured ice cream or will you stick to Vanilla?
- Marseille – Lose yourself in the oldest quarter of Le Panier. There’s a lot of street art around to check out, and you can get panoramic views from the basilica La Major. Notre-Dame de la Garde is decorated inside with splendid Byzantine-style mosaics. Visit the MuCEM – a cutting edge museum all about Mediterranean culture and civilisation.
- Antibes – Packed with 1800 boats, Port Vauban is the Mediterranean’s largest marina. The closest beach to the town centre is the Plage de la Gravette, perfect for swimming. Explore the historic Fort Carré, or walk around the coastal path. These are also plenty of spots to indulge in a few cocktails so try the local favourite drink, Pastis. Art lovers, you’ll want to visit the Picasso Museum!
Other noteworthy crew hotspots include Carcassonne and Albi. There are plenty of World Heritage Sites in the South of France, so these locations are ideal for an exploration of historic landmarks and heritage – but don’t forget the beaches!
To keep up to date with the latest Superyacht Content News, click here.
Sign up to our Newsletter below:
var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o):document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("action",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook("action",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook("filter",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+"_"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),"filter"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!!(null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}});
Antalya is a small medieval harbour, surrounded by the walls of the old town’s medieval castle. An active restoration program is taking place in the old town of Antalya, and it is home to a number of restaurants and cafés for guests to enjoy. Besides an excellent archeology museum, Antalya also has a few places worth visiting.
