The best places to visit this summer in the Med

Charter territories don’t come more yacht-friendly than the Med, where each year, from April to October, those in the know descend on its well-preened beaches, drop anchor in its glittering sea, and socialise at some of the season’s hottest events – from the Cannes Film Festival to the Monaco Yacht Show.

As well as a warm climate and long days, what the Med offers far more than anywhere else are options. Within a relatively small region there’s a huge choice of culture spots, excellent marine facilities, fashionable beach bars, old world sea-view restaurants, and islands to explore – thousands of them.

So, whether you want to visit sites of antiquity in the Greek Isles, saunter along La Croisette in the French Riviera, or take a gourmet charter in Italy, here are some of the best places to cruise in the Med.

In Italy, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to charter destinations. There’s the Italian Riviera, of course, where you can don your diving gear and discover the life-size bronze statue of Christ of the Abyss in the bay of San Fruttoso or drop anchor in the nearby bright bay of Portofino.

There’s the Amalfi Coast, surely one of the most picturesque coastlines in the world – and one of its most fashionable – where you can hang with the beautiful people at Conca del Sogno, or cruise on to Positano for some of the best food of your life.

And then, of course, there are the Mediterranean jewels of Sardinia and Sicily, with their turquoise seas, secluded coves, and cool, understated sea-terrace restaurants.

This year, there is still a good choice of yachts with availability, from PHOENIX 2, a playful yacht infused with 1930s New York-style glamour (available in the South of France and the Italian Riviera) and MALAHNE – another yacht with vintage appeal, which is available on the Amalfi Coast and in Corsica and Sardinia this season.

New to the charter market, PARILLION is available in Corsica and Sardinia in August, and has a 120 square metre sun deck, ideal for all those long, hot Med days, plus a 3.5m pool in which to cool down.

Meanwhile, DEEP BLUE II has flexible accommodation, making her ideal for family charters, and is available in the Italian Riviera and the South of France.

Nowhere epitomises Med cruising more than the Cote d’Azur, a coastline that has attracted everyone from French royalty to celebrities since the 19th century.

A perennial favourite for good reason, Cannes is the Hollywood starlet of the Riviera, all graceful, glamorous, and endlessly popular.

In Nice there are excellent galleries to browse, such as the Matisse Museum, which houses an unrivalled collection from the painter who settled here in the 1920s.

To hang with the superyacht set, you’ll want to head to Monaco, where the casino of Monte Carlo is hard to resist and you have your pick of the Med’s cruising grounds, with the French Riviera to the west, and the Italian Riviera to the east.

Palatial LADY JORGIA, which has accommodation spread across five decks, is available in the South of France this August, and with her stunning main deck pool and adjoining beach club, she’s a sophisticated yacht that is right at home in the Med.

Brand-new to the charter market, RESILIENCE, available in the West Med in May, is a vision in midnight blue and comes with both fold-down balconies to the full-beam master, and a private terrace to the upper deck VIP, making her ideal for friends chartering together.

This year, VENTUM MARIS, the 65.70m Amels yacht, which is in pristine condition following a €6m refit and comes with both a Jacuzzi tub and a contraflow pool, is available in the South of France and the Italian Riviera in May and July.

Also available in July is the ultimate charter yacht HALO. Her new exceptional wellness-focused crew of 14 includes a personal trainer and a yoga instructor, perfect for charter guests who wish to stay healthy in body and mind while on holiday.

While the world-cruising displacement yacht GALENA offers a stylish and safe sanctuary for guests looking to enjoy a blissful charter experience like no other.

Of course, when it comes to East Med charters, Greece is still the number one choice and it’s easy to see why. As well as countless islands to explore, the sense of history here is seductive, from the ancient charms of places like Paxos, Zante and Corfu, to the archaeological marvels of Athens and the sacred atmosphere of Delos.

But Greece is nothing if not fun. Sure, there are laid-back tavernas where you can buy fish straight from the boat, and chic restaurants with incredible views amid its sugar cube hilltop villages – Santorini is a must – but islands like Mykonos are also proving that Greece can rival the Balearics when it comes to Med party spots.

For a sailing charter with some contemporary flair around the Greek isles this summer, try ROX STAR, which has rock ‘n’ roll touches throughout and is available in Greece in July.

CROSSBOW is another sailing yacht with availability in Greece this summer and comes with a panoramic deck salon and lots of space outside to drink in the scenery.

If you want to get to know the Greek capital of Athens more this summer, then book a charter on VICTORIA A, which is quite possibly the best Perini Navi on the charter market and comes with an enviable list of water toys, including snorkelling and diving equipment, all of which can be accessed from the fold-down transom.

Over in the East Med, Croatia has been gradually gaining favour with charter guests over the past few years.

It has ancient sites to visit – 13th-century Dubrovnik is rightly popular, but don’t miss Diocletian’s Palace in Split, which dates from the 4th century – crystal-clear waters, a coastline dense with olive groves and lemon trees, pretty villages, and myriad isles to explore.

The most popular cruising ground in Croatia is The Dalmatian Coast, a thin section of the Adriatic, which goes from Rab in the north to Kotor in Montenegro, and Zadar, its unofficial entry point, is fast becoming one of the coolest cities in the Med.

If you are looking to charter a yacht in Croatia this summer, then BINA is a 43m yacht that’s been well-equipped with everything you need for a fun-filled charter, including a Jacuzzi fanned by sunpads, a packed toy box – including a water slide – and a gym. Plus, it comes with a master and two full-beam VIPs, making her a good choice for groups of friends. BINA is available in Croatia (or Sicily or the Amalfi Coast) this July.

Spain’s mainland has lots to offer charter guests, from the flashy marina at Puerto Banus in Marbella, to the cultural offerings of Barcelona, and day trips to the historic cities of Granada and Spain.

However, for a summer spent swimming, hiking, diving, and partying in a beautiful island playground, you must head to the Balearics.

Feel the sand in your toes as you dance until dawn in Ibiza, or soak up the easy-going atmosphere of Formentera, which is known as the ‘last Paradise of the Mediterranean’.

DIANE, a well-presented 43m yacht from Benetti, comes with a fold-down beach club and beautiful deck spaces for sunbathing and has availability in the Balearics in July and August.

Meanwhile, AQUIJO, an 86m sailing yacht with three outdoor bars and an incredible beach club with steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi, is available in the West Med this summer and comes with a Spanish charter licence.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your Med summer charter today. Contact us now.