Travel Guide to the Mediterranean

The Best of the Mediterranean
Sandwiched between not two but three different continents, the Mediterranean is a coveted region among travelers and that won’t change in 2022. From the French Riviera to the island country of Cyprus, the Mediterranean offers visitors a comfortable climate and plenty of sunshine complementing numerous opportunities for seaside adventures, whether it’s navigating the whitewashed villages of Greece, touring ancient ruins in Malta or lounging in a laidback lagoon somewhere under the sun. When it comes to traveling to a region with so much to offer, settling on a location can be daunting. So here’s a helpful guide to traveling through the Mediterranean in 2022.

The Latest Guidance
The U.S. State Department continues to advise Americans to either reconsider or avoid travel altogether to most destinations around the world due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers get fully vaccinated before traveling abroad to avoid severe illness in the event that they contract the virus. Travelers to the Mediterranean will also want to check the latest travel restrictions and requirements in their specific destination in advance as proof of vaccination, COVID-19 test results and quarantine may be required in some cases. What’s more, Americans returning to the U.S. from another country will require a negative test taken within one day of boarding their return flight.

3 Best Destinations
Narrowing down the list of the best destinations in the Mediterranean to just three is nearly impossible but there is certainly a handful that travelers will want to target in 2022, including Malta, Santorini, Greece and Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Each offers visitors fascinating historic sites, charming villages and spectacular views of the region’s namesake sea. Travelers can also lounge on local beaches, sample wine from lush vineyards and learn more about the culture in each destination by exploring temples and museums as well as sampling the local cuisine.

5 Best Attractions
There are lots to see and do throughout the Mediterranean but some attractions certainly stand out from others, including Old Town Dubrovnik in Croatia. This centuries-old walled city wows visitors with its well-preserved buildings and has rightfully earned the distinction of being among the world’s finest medieval cities. Italy’s Blue Grotto on the island of Capri is another can’t-miss site for travelers in 2022, offering an otherworldly natural attraction that can be experienced up close via a wooden rowboat. History buffs will also want to add the Tarxien Temples to their travel itinerary this year. Dating back to 3150 BC, the UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island of Malta offers a rare glimpse into ancient times.

Monaco’s opulent Casino Monte Carlo is another Mediterranean icon that can be appreciated even if you aren’t a high roller. It won’t compare to the sprawling casinos of Las Vegas but that’s part of the charm. Lastly, the famous Rock of Gibraltar remains a beloved tourist attraction and for good reason as this natural wonder that’s home to hundreds of Barbary macaques—the only wild monkey population in Europe—holds a special place in Greek mythology and has long been among the world’s most coveted pieces of land.

Must See 2022 Events
The Mediterranean boasts no shortage of events, some of which are reserved for the world’s most affluent travelers. For example, the 75th edition of the annual Cannes Film Festival in France will take place May 17-28, 2022, while the Spanish island of Ibiza will play host to raucous concerts and live events all year long. Visitors can also take part in the annual Bastille Day celebrations along the French Riviera in mid-July and look forward to the 19th Mediterranean Games taking place in the coastal city of Oran, Algeria from June 25 to July 5, 2022. Tennis fans should have their sights set on the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters tournament in the second week of April while Formula 1 will again descend on the principality for the legendary Monaco Grand Prix on the final weekend in May.

Best Places for Families
Malta is a great landing spot for families visiting the Mediterranean this year. The island was among the first to achieve herd immunity from COVID-19 and remains one of the easiest to access. Plus, it features lots of kid-friendly attractions such as the famous Popeye Village, a film set from the 1980 musical turned theme park village. The Greek island of Corfu is also ideal for families traveling with young children, offering a plethora of family-friendly accommodations as well as exciting attractions like aquariums and water parks in addition to activities like bike tours and fishing and even sightseeing at some of the island’s historic monuments. Families will also enjoy the island of Cyprus, which is chock-full of seaside attractions, archaeological sites and beautiful beaches with swimmable crystal-clear waters. The award-winning WaterWorld water park in Ayia Napa is also a must-visit for families.

Best Places for Couples
Couples are certain to fall in love all over again in the iconic Amalfi Coast village of Positano. The locale’s tightness and charm are sure to wear off on visitors as they pop in and out of cafes, take in splendid views of the sea and stroll down to the inviting beachfront. For more enchanting nature and amazing sunsets, couples can travel to Milos, Greece. Here, loving duos can swim together in secluded coves, explore scenic hiking trails, tour ancient sites and discover small villages together.

Spain’s Balearic Islands are another easy choice for Mediterranean-bound couples but the smallest, Formentera, stands out. There are beautiful beaches, of course, but also more seclusion for tandems less interested in the party scene and keener on spending time with each other while sampling spectacular seafood and browsing souvenir shops.

Best Places for Group Travel
There isn’t a more iconic party scene than on the Spanish island of Ibiza. This adult-friendly paradise is long on bars, restaurants, clubs, water sports and entertainment so groups won’t have to worry about running out of new places to explore. The Greek island of Mykonos is just as famous for an unrelenting party atmosphere that’s sure to appeal to vacationing groups. Some of the world’s top DJs save their best shows for the island’s luxe beach clubs and unrivaled nightlife.

If partying isn’t necessarily the priority, though, Kotor, Montenegro is a great option for traveling groups as it still offers beaches and plenty of places to wine and dine in addition to breathtaking views as well as historic and cultural sites and museums, including a cat-themed museum. As a bonus, consider Hvar, Croatia to the northwest as the island’s buzzing nightlife and lively bars have helped make it a favorite among visiting groups.

Best Places for Solo Travel
For a laidback and stress-free solo trip in the Mediterranean, look no further than the Spanish island of Mallorca, where you can unpack in luxe accommodations, lounge under the sun on sandy beaches, sip on ice-cold sangria and shop like it’s your job. Nice, France is another excellent stop where solo travelers can choose to stick to themselves or make new friends in quaint cafes and intriguing museums showcasing spectacular art, history and culture. The Italian island of Sardinia is just as appealing for companion-less travelers who can stretch out on picturesque beaches, hike scenic landscapes and even navigate ruins dating back to the Bronze Age.

Best Foodie Destinations
Finding delicious meals isn’t difficult in this part of the world (olive oil, anyone?) but there are some areas of the Mediterranean foodies simply can’t miss. The Greek island of Crete is poised to impress with a variety of must-try dishes from scrumptious cheese pies to fried snails. Naples, Italy is another fantastic foodie stopover. The Neopolitan pizza experience here alone is enough to warrant a roundtrip ticket but there’s so much more to sink your teeth into, including comforting street food like Cuoppo and mouthwatering Italian meatballs known as Polpette.

Perhaps the best way to ensure you can sample the most dishes in the least amount of time is to try them in smaller portions. Enter tapas. Spain’s Mediterranean coast is littered with excellent places to snack like a local. Bombas, calamares (squid) and gazpacho are among some of the most popular bites that hungry travelers are sure to fall in love with.

Best Places for Adventure Travel
The French island of Corsica is overflowing with opportunities for adventure as it boasts an impressive stable of natural wonders, including rivers and rock formations that will put travelers’ thrill-seeking instincts to the test. Hiking, climbing, kayaking and much more await visitors to this special island and former home of Napoleon Bonaparte. Morocco’s Atlas Mountains present another adventure for travelers to the Mediterranean in 2022. With a summit of nearly 13,700 feet, Toubkal is the highest peak in the range and in all of North Africa but there are plenty of other rewarding attractions, including the incredibly unique range of Jbel Saghro. For a different perspective of the region, consider Cappadocia, Turkey, where you’ll find a landscape straight out of a fairy tale. Take flight in a hot air balloon to see the famous spiraling rock formations for yourself.

Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts
Monaco is among the Mediterranean’s top destinations for sports fans in 2022 as Monte Carlo will play host to one of the season’s biggest tennis tournaments in the Monte Carlo Masters in April before welcoming Formula 1’s best drivers for the Monaco Grand Prix on the final weekend of May. Sports fanatics will also want to visit the Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona to see one of the most legendary clubs in world football in FC Barcelona in person. The 2022 Mediterranean Games are also on the calendar this year, with Oran, Algeria hosting from June 25 to July 5.

Unique to the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is set apart by its jaw-dropping landscapes and rich biodiversity. The European Commission points out that the region is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots. “Mediterranean wildlife and habitats are very specific as the region was not affected by the last Ice Age. The rate of endemism is exceptionally high.” That means visitors will not only encounter a favorable climate and rich history and culture but a large number of species that do not exist anywhere else in the world.