Underrated Mediterranean Islands: Where to Go in 2027?

The Mediterranean is associated with warm seas, ancient history, and a leisurely vacation. However, by 2027, Santorini, Capri, and Mallorca will mean $20 cocktails, traffic jams, and long lines at tourist attractions. There is an alternative: lesser-known islands with local beer for about $4 a pint, ancient ruins, and quiet coastlines. Travel Off Path recently published a selection of such destinations.

Which islands to choose, what to see there, and how to get there—we’ll cover all that in this article.

Planning a trip to Gozo, Ithaca, or Menorca in 2027?

Make sure to get travel insurance from Visit World while you’re still planning your itinerary.

Which Mediterranean islands should you choose instead of Santorini and Mallorca?

For a peaceful getaway in 2027, consider these six islands: Gozo in Malta, Samos and Ithaca in Greece, Vis in Croatia, Menorca in Spain, and Sant’Antioco in Italy. All of them offer ancient landmarks, fewer tourists, and lower prices compared to popular resorts. Each island has its own unique character: from green mountains to fishing villages.

• Gozo (Malta): rural landscapes and megalithic temples;
• Samos (Greece): green mountains, muscat wine, and Geraios;
• Ithaca (Greece): olive-covered hills and the “School of Homer”;
• Vis (Croatia): its remoteness from the mainland and the ruins of Issa;
• Menorca (Spain): calas and Talayotic towers;
• Sant’Antioco (Italy): fishing life, the Tofet, and the catacombs.

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Greek Islands Without the Crowds: Samos and Ithaca

Samos and Ithaca are ideal for those seeking the atmosphere of a Greek island without the prices of Mykonos. Samos is located in the eastern Aegean Sea, about a mile from Turkey. Due to its distance from Athens, there aren’t many tourists here. The island is green, mountainous, and famous for its sweet muscat wine. The main attraction is the Heraion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are the ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Hera, of which only a single column remains.

Ithaca, known in mythology as the birthplace of Odysseus, has retained its tranquility due to the complicated logistics of getting there. There is no airport on the island, so you’ll first have to fly to neighboring Kefalonia and then take a ferry. The olive-covered hills here drop steeply down to the Ionian Sea. It’s worth climbing up to the ruins of the “School of Homer.” Archaeologists still debate the history of this site, and there aren’t many visitors there.

Where to go to the beach in December — find out by following the link.

Gozo: Malta’s megalithic temples, older than the pyramids

Gozo is Malta’s smaller island, with a much more relaxed pace than the main island, which gets very lively in the summer. The ferry from the northern tip of Malta takes about 45 minutes to get here. Gozo has a rural character: steep limestone cliffs, gentle hills, and quiet villages. For history buffs, the island offers landmarks that predate the Egyptian pyramids.

The island’s main attraction is the Ġgantija Temples, sprawling megalithic stone structures older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. You can get right up close to them without having to wait in long lines for tickets.

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Vis Island in Croatia: A Former Military Base and the Ruins of Issa

Vis is Croatia’s most remote inhabited island from the mainland, having preserved its unspoiled nature. For decades, it housed a secret Yugoslav military base, so foreigners were not allowed on the island until 1989. As a result, Vis was spared the wave of commercial development that swept across Hvar and Brač. Today, the island attracts visitors with its rugged landscapes and historical sites.

Behind the modern town lie the ruins of ancient Issa, with its Greek and Roman heritage. Another interesting spot is the abandoned tunnels carved directly into the coastal cliffs.

About the world’s best hotels in 2026 — read here.

Menorca: a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Balearic Islands

Menorca is a tranquil option among the Balearic Islands: Ibiza is known for its parties, and Mallorca for its luxury resorts. The entire island is listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so the coastline is strictly protected from excessive development. The beaches, which locals call “calas,” are tucked away in deep coves amid pine forests, and the water there has a turquoise hue.

Photo: iStock

Menorca is also fascinating to explore because of its Talayotic cultural heritage. Hundreds of ancient stone towers and Bronze Age monuments stand right in the middle of open fields.

In our previous article, we wrote about the coolest places in the world in 2026.

Sant’Antioco near Sardinia: Phoenician and Roman History

Sant’Antioco is a small island off the southwestern tip of Sardinia, little known to foreign travelers. It is connected to Sardinia by an artificial isthmus and a bridge originally built by the Romans. An active fishing community lives here, and tourism remains secondary to the local way of life. The island is ideal for those who want to experience authentic coastal life in Italy.

The Carthaginian Tofet and the underground Roman catacombs are located a short distance from one another. During a single walk, you can see layers of Phoenician, Punic, and Roman history.

Read also: The world’s best restaurants in 2026, according to Tripadvisor.

How to get to the underrated islands of the Mediterranean?

Some of these islands are hard to reach, and that’s precisely what helps them avoid mass tourism and maintain a peaceful atmosphere. It’s worth planning your itinerary in advance, as some destinations require a combination of a flight and a ferry or a transfer from a neighboring large island. Here’s how to get to three of the islands on the list:

1. Gozo — take a ferry from the northern tip of Malta; the trip takes about 45 minutes.
2. Ithaca — fly to neighboring Kefalonia, then take a ferry across the strait.
3. Sant’Antioco — from Sardinia via an artificial isthmus and a bridge.

Remember! Traveling to the underrated islands of the Mediterranean usually involves flights, ferry crossings, and walks through ancient ruins along rocky coastlines. For a trip like this, it’s worth arranging travel insurance in advance. A policy from the Visit World portal will help you feel more confident while vacationing on Gozo, Samos, Menorca, or any other island from the selection.

Get insurance on Visit World before you even start your trip!

Reminder! Earlier, we wrote about 10 hidden gems around the world worth visiting in 2027.

Photo: iStock

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