The Perfect Island Escape: 7 Luxury Mediterranean Islands for Summer

A Food-Led Sicilian Escape

Verdura Resort, Sicily

Shaped by centuries of conquest and culture: Arab, Norman, Spanish, Greek, Sicily reveals itself in contrasting layers: bustling markets, family-run trattorias and stunning religious buildings like Palermo Cathedral with its beguiling fusion of Norman, Arab and Byzantine architectural styles. But beyond iconic Palermo and Syracuse, you’ll find olive groves stretching towards the horizon, baroque towns carved from honey-coloured stone, and the slopes of Mount Etna, laced with vineyards producing mineral-driven wines from indigenous grapes Nerello Mascalese and Carricante. Days here invite lingering over seafood lunches by the sea, tasting local olive oils, wines and pistachios, and discovering the centuries-old traditions that continue to shape Sicilian life.

Stay: Verdura Resort

Verdura Resort provides an exceptional base from which to explore Sicily’s culture and cuisine. Set across 230 hectares of Mediterranean coastline on the unspoiled south western shore, the hotel combines contemporary design with a distinct sense of place: from its eight restaurants and bars showcasing regional ingredients — many from the resort’s farm — to an expansive spa with treatments inspired by Sicilian wellness traditions. Between mixology classes and bespoke explorations with the hotel’s U canuscituri, or “connoisseur of the island,” guests enjoy private beach access, championship golf courses, excursions to the Valley of the Temples and wine tastings at the vineyards of Menfi.

A Barefoot & Sustainable Mediterranean

Teranka, Formentera

Ibiza’s little sister, Formentera, is quieter, more rustic and considerably less developed than its neighbour to the north. Much of the island is protected from overdevelopment, helping preserve the fragile Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows that surround the coastline and contribute to Formentera’s remarkably clear waters. Much of the island can be explored by bicycle, with quiet roads linking Playa Migjorn and La Mola’s iconic lighthouse at the island’s easternmost tip. Days are best spent wild swimming in crystal-clear water, taking languid walks along powdery white sand, exploring hidden coves from a kayak, and stepping into the slower pace that makes Formentera so beguiling.

Stay: Teranka, Formentera

Set directly above Playa Migjorn between dunes and pine forests, Teranka combines contemporary design with a close connection to the island’s surroundings. An art programme developed by Katrina Phillips of 99 Portobello has given Teranka a fascinating series of artworks, almost entirely made from natural and found materials, with local techniques from across the island, while serene wellness experiences spill into the lush grounds, with treatments drawing inspiration from the local landscapes. The rooms all have something special, but the Cielo category, each a distinct rustic hideaway, boasts private roof terraces with spellbinding sea views.

Ancient Landscapes & Hidden Beaches

Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa

Greece’s largest island stretches from snow-capped mountains and green plateaus to soft white beaches and historic stone villages. In the island’s east, explore the narrow lanes of Kritsa, home to ancient olive groves and centuries-old churches painted with Byzantine art, or cross the Mirabello Gulf to Spinalonga, the fortified island whose layered history spans Venetian rule and Ottoman occupation. Along the coast, hidden coves and quiet beaches offer a serene alternative to some of the Aegean’s more frequented stretches of coast.

Stay: Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa

Painted across a steep hillside close to Plaka, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa commands uninterrupted views across the Mirabello Gulf towards Spinalonga, one of Crete’s most compelling historical landmarks. The resort’s contemporary architecture takes inspiration from traditional Cretan villages, with buildings cascading down the hillside in a series of terraces, suites and private pools, and its elevated position guarantees a sea view for every room. Interiors pair clean design with custom-made beds and contemporary bathrooms, and the resort has three large infinity pools alongside a broad collection of restaurants and bars. Cayo’s main restaurant, Ambrosia, serves breakfast with a view, while Kelari, tucked into the gardens, offers a more intimate setting, better suited to romantic dining under the Cretan sky.

The Mediterranean’s Wild(er) Side

A Mandria di Murtoli

Less of an island and more of a world of its own, Corsica may be French, but it often feels closer to Italy, particularly with its villages painted along rugged cliffsides in a similar, pastel-like palette to that of the Cinque Terre across the Ligurian Sea. In the south, dramatic landscapes unfold between Bonifacio’s limestone cliffs and the remote beaches of the Ortolo Valley, where much of the coastline remains blissfully undeveloped. Days might include horseback riding through fragrant scrubland, exploring hidden coves by boat, or lingering over plates filled with mountain cheeses and charcuterie, and paired with local wines shaped by the island’s terroir.

Stay: A Mandria di Murtoli

Set within a 2,500-hectare private estate of fruit orchards and crooked olive trees in Sartène, A Mandria di Murtoli is a sublime opportunity to experience Corsica at its most authentic. Rather than a typical resort, A Mandria di Murtoli is designed to feel like a small village, and guests stay in one of the five beautifully restored pastoral buildings scattered throughout the landscape. Of the 10 rooms and suites, 360’s Travel Designers most often suggest one of three with private plunge pools: Melagrana, Nucciola, and Amandula.