Island hopping in Europe doesn’t have to mean splurging on bottle service and five-star accommodations in Mykonos. Across the Mediterranean, you’ll find islands that are easier on your wallet, lighter on the crowds, and every bit as worth the trip. The trick is spotting the places where dinner comes with a view, but not a cover charge. So where should you plan your next Mediterranean getaway? Here are a few options worth considering.
Lampedusa
Lampedusa is a small Italian island that sits closer to North Africa than to Sicily. Its location gives it a slightly different character from the better-known Italian Mediterranean islands. Its claim to fame are the turquoise waters and white sand of Rabbit Beach (Spiaggia dei Conigli), which often shows up on “best beaches in the world” type lists.
The island itself is simple and low-key. Fishing is still central to daily life for the locals — swordfish, prawns, and whatever was caught that morning will usually be the daily special at the many seaside restaurants. Evenings are laid-back, and it’s a great place to visit for a relaxing few days rather than for nightlife. Reaching Lampedusa means taking a ferry or quick flight from Sicily, which keeps the crowds reasonable. For travelers willing to go a little further south, it’s an affordable option that rewards you with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.
Porquerolles
Just 40 minutes by ferry from the French mainland, Porquerolles feels like the French Riviera’s best kept secret. The island is part of a protected national park, which means its many beaches, trails, and coves have been spared the development and mass tourism you’ll find on much of the rest of the southern French coast. Cars are limited, so the best way to explore is by renting a bike — the island is covered in cycling paths that will lead you past vineyards, olive groves, and lookout points, and you can stop for a swim whenever you stumble across a good spot.
Porquerolles has just one primary village with a few restaurants, shops, and ice cream shops in its main square, while much of the rest of the island is quiet and undeveloped. With so little infrastructure beyond the main harbor, the island feels more like a preserved landscape than a resort — that, combined with its close proximity to the mainland, make it a great place for a quiet weekend escape.
Malta
This island nation may be small, but it’s dense with history and variety. Valletta, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is lined with golden fortresses and baroque churches. The coastline offers both sandy beaches and rocky areas that are great for snorkeling, and the island is also well known for its dive sites featuring shipwrecks and underwater caves.
What else makes Malta appealing is its ease of access: because much of Europe treats it as a weekend vacation spot, there are direct flights from many major cities. Once you’re on the island, the bus network is easy to navigate, and quick ferries to Gozo and Comino make further exploring simple. Malta’s cultural mix of Italian, Arabic, and British influences make it feel distinct from anywhere else in the Mediterranean, and it works just as well for a weekend trip as it does for a longer stay.
Cyprus
Sitting at the far southeastern edge of the Mediterranean, Cyprus is the other Mediterranean island nation — and one that often gets overlooked by many vacation travelers. That geography works in its favor: summer stretches well into October, giving you more weeks of warm, swimmable weather than much of the rest of Europe.
The island is large, so it rewards slow travel. It’s easy to spend a week or two exploring the island’s white-sand beaches, mountain villages, and ancient ruins without covering the same ground twice. Food here is another highlight: halloumi, mezze platters, souvlaki, and fresh seafood are staples, shaped by a mix of Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern influences. Few Mediterranean islands pack in as much variety, which is exactly what makes Cyprus stand out.
Hvar
Hvar has earned its reputation as one of Croatia’s most popular islands, but it’s still a destination that is totally worth a visit. The small harbor town is packed with cocktail bars, clubs, and waterfront restaurants — ideal for vacationers looking to unwind and have a good time.
During the daytime, the island offers beaches, vineyards, and hiking trails to explore, and it also makes for an excellent jumping-off point to visit the dozens of smaller Croatian islands nearby. Reaching Hvar is surprisingly simple, as it’s just a 90-minute ferry from Split. That accessibility makes it one of Croatia’s easiest islands to add to your itinerary, and while it’s no longer the well-kept secret it once was, the appeal still hasn’t worn off.
Naxos
Naxos is proof that you don’t need Santorini’s price tags or Mykonos’s party scene to enjoy the Greek Islands. As the largest island in the Cyclades, it offers both wide sandy beaches and plenty of things worth exploring if you head inland. You can spend mornings having a coffee by the sea and afternoons wandering quaint villages full of the classic Greek whitewashed houses and bougainvillea-lined alleyways.
Compared to many of its neighbors, eating and drinking on Naxos is surprisingly affordable thanks to the island’s own supply of potatoes, cheeses, and fresh fish. Accommodations are also reasonable, with plenty of family-run guesthouses and smaller hotels that won’t stretch your budget. Combined with frequent ferry connections, Naxos makes an easy alternative to the more trendy islands — it’s less expensive, less crowded, but still packed with things to see and do.
Final Thoughts
Island hopping in the Mediterranean doesn’t have to mean chasing the same expensive hotspots as everyone else. From France to Croatia to the far edge of Cyprus, there are plenty of islands that combine great food, easy access, and reasonable prices, while making the most of your vacation. Pick one, or maybe add them all to your bucket list, and you’ll be sure to experience all the Mediterranean magic without the Mykonos bill.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.