5 Truly Laid-Back Mediterranean Destinations With Smaller Crowds For 2025

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Ahhh, the Mediterranean 😌.

That ancient sea bordering some of the most beautiful destinations in the world: the sun-drenched Costa Del Sol in Spain, France’s turquoise Côte d’Azur, Italy’s idyllic Cinque Terre, the whitewashed Santorini and neighboring Cycladic islands in Greece…

The list is endless, and it could easily take up an entire page.

If you’re planning on crossing the pond this year, particularly over summer, the ‘Med’ is likely to be at the top of your wishlist, but where to go now that all of the most famous spots are crumbling under the weight of mass tourism, and expecting even larger crowds in 2025?

Despair not: we’re here to help.

Here are 5 truly laid-back Mediterranean gems yet to be spoiled that offer balmy temps, cultural sights, and, in some cases, much cheaper prices:

5. Folegandros, Greece

Santorini may be the worst place to go if you’re keen on a stress-free vacay, what with the long lines of people waiting to take the perfect picture at the exact same spot and the booked-out restaurants, but there’s a silver lining only 40 nautical miles northwest:

Largely ignored by island-hoppers and retaining much of that original character, with a limited number of hotels and no big cruise liners, Folegandros is the quintessential Greek island escape, with a surface area of only 12.4 square miles and packed with Cycladic charm.

Its compact capital (Chora) bestrides a rugged hill, with a signature Church of Panagia standing proudly at the highest peak. Every hiking trail seems to lead to breathtaking viewpoints, and there are blanche townscapes, beaches, and secret coves galore, without the Instagrammers.

In sum, Folegandros is everything you could hope for if you value exclusivity and authenticity––needless to say, there are not that many hotels on the island, but the few that there are charge just prices ($83-95), and your dinners at the amazing To Zimaraki will come cheap as well.

4. Brindisi, Italy

The Italian Adriatic may be best known for the floating city of Venice and the resort-lined Rimini, but further south, on the heel of the Italian boot, lies Brindisi, a less-famous alternative typically skipped by tourists.

A port city dating back over two millennia, it is dominated by a red-stone Aragonese Castle, perched at the harbor’s entrance, while the Old Town is a maze of pastel edifices, Roman ruins, and family-owned trattorias serving fresh seafood and pasta.

A short 29-minute drive from Brindisi, Lido Morelli is a postcardy white-sand beach hugged by teal waters that will make you think of the Caribbean, and an even shorter 20 minutes away, Lido Specchiolla is an uncrowded sandy strip perfect for unwinding after a long day of exploring.

Looking for an authentic restaurant to try local pugliana food? Don’t forget to add La Locanda del Porto to your bucket list: not only does it offer breathtaking views of Brindisi’s busy port, it probably serves the best swordfish spaghetti in town!

3. Himarë, Albania

Albania may not be everyone’s first pick for a Mediterranean getaway when it’s in the vicinity of Italy, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, and the like, but you shouldn’t discard it as an option so quickly when it is home to a gorgeous Himarë:

A conglomeration of small villages lining the Ionian Sea, one of the most underrated subdivisions of the Med, and backed by the imposing Ceraunian Mountains, it oozes Old World allure with its Albanian-Greek heritage, historic settlements perched atop cliffs, and ruined castles.

The most photogenic spot in the area is undoubtedly Dhërmi, a sleepy Greek-majority town featuring whitewashed houses and a blue-dome church, though you shouldn’t bypass the fine, pearly-sand Gjipe Beach nor a paradisiacal Palasë, with its gin-colored seas and a plethora of dining options.

Whilst we’re at it, we should probably mention the Albanian Riviera is among the cheapest beach destinations in Europe, with meals in local restaurants costing as little as $10, and renovated, modern beachfront villas starting at $57 (Hercules Sea View).

2. Korčula, Croatia

If the surging crowds in Dubrovnik and the staggeringly high prices in Split have made those no-go zones for you in 2025, how about escaping to a remote island off the Croatian coast, far away from all the mainland mess?

At 29 miles long and roughly 5 miles wide, Korčula may well be tiny, but it is filled with wonders, from Marco Polo’s House (rumor has it the legendary explorer hails from this island, not Venice) to the half-moon-shaped Pupnatska Luka, a serene bay edged by a crystal-clear Adriatic.

Other attractions on the island include Korčula Town, a walled coastal settlement, and Korčula’s largest, crisscrossed with cobbled lanes and dotted with centuries-old houses, and the fishing village of Vela Luka, the island’s foodie hotspot:

Konoba Bata is one of Vela Luka’s strongest offers––trying their Dalmatian prosciutto and homemade paški cheese is a must––and don’t underestimate the power of Croatian gelato, said to rival Italy’s (you can always swing by Diana Gelato on the waterfront and be the judge of that).

1. Porto-Vecchio, France

A hidden treasure of Corsica, an already seriously overlooked Mediterranean island belonging to France, Porto-Vecchio is another one of those Instagrammable harbor-side towns traversed with narrow streets and topped with a medieval citadel.

The main square, Place de la République, is flanked by souvenir shops, French bistros, and Italian-style osterie––in case you didn’t know, that of the neighboring country heavily influences Corsican culture––and the buzzing marina is filled with eye-catching yachts.

Visitors shouldn’t miss out on exploring the magnificent Genoese castle sitting on a hill overlooking Porto-Vecchio or taking a day off to relax at the stunning Palombaggia Beach, where an alabaster shore meets seas of the brightest blue.

Last but not least, you’d be surprised at how actually affordable it can be compared to other destinations in the South of France: Hotel Alcyon has single rooms for $89, or you could stay instead at the 3-star Hôtel Le Mistral, only a 6-minute walk from the center of town, for $79-a-night.

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