Lonely Planet's Top Mediterranean Off-The-Beaten-Track Places to Discover in 2026

January 2025 – It is no secret that the Mediterranean is the most popular region for UK travellers to visit, offering a rich and diverse range of experiences and stunning panoramas, from popular holiday resorts, glorious beaches and island escapes to iconic cities and captivating cultural hubs. Lonely Planet has collated the very best locations to explore in 2026 in its new title The Mediterranean, revealing fresh perspectives on well-known destinations, trending places and little-known hidden gems.   

From its new guide Lonely Planet has selected its top off-the-beaten-track recommendations to visit in the coming year. Alongside well traversed locations in Italy such as the Amalfi Coast and Rome, the global travel expert recommends the vibrant nightlife in the region's capital Bari and the delights of Puglian cuisine, specifically the signature Orecchiette pasta, meaning “little ears” in Italian.  And the uniquely vibrant port town of Naples, known as the birthplace of pizza, it has an ethereal, elegant and edgy energy that sets it apart from other cities in Italy.

In France, explore beyond the luxurious lifestyle of the Cote D'Azur to Marseille - the diverse coastal cultural hub with outstanding architecture and celebrated local cuisine including Bouillabaisse and Tapenade. Similarly in Greece, Thessaloniki is a less-crowded neighbour to Athens, with a bar hopping culture and gastronomy rivalling any in the Med.

Every trip to the Mediterranean needs an island escape, with Corfu, Naxos, Sicily, and Sardinia all celebrated for their cultural and culinary attractions.  For travellers looking for something different, Brač off the coast of Croatia offers the opportunity to relax by the Adriatic on the stunning Zlatni Rat beach, or go hiking to Vidova Gora, the highest point in the Adriatic islands with stupendous views.

For lovers of Turkish culture and gastronomy, look no further than Antalya. The largest city on the country's western coastline is classically beautiful and stylishly modern, with a deep history, wonderfully preserved Ottoman old town and a waterfront ideal for watching the sunrise and enjoying local delicacies. In recent years, Morocco has become popular with British travellers, but just two hours east lies Algiers, the Algerian capital known for its fascinating history, richly textured architecture and labyrinth of streets which spill down into the Bay.  

Lonely Planet's top seven off-the-beaten-track destinations to explore in the Mediterranean:

• Bari, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Marseille, France
• Thessaloniki, Greece
• Brač, Croatia
• Antalya, Turkey
• Algiers, Algeria

Lonely Planet's The Mediterranean is a definitive guide to one of the most beloved regions in the world, a deep dive into the landscapes, lifestyle, culture, culinary and arts scenes of more than 30 unforgettable cities and islands, as well as 15 weekend-long road trip itineraries. The guide is filled with in-depth insights from local voices – including chefs, architects, curators, and craftspeople – and curated recommendations from Lonely Planet's expert writers. The Mediterranean is more than a guide, it's an invitation to slow down, discover, and be transformed by the stories of the people that shape this iconic region.

Lonely Planet's The Mediterranean is available from shop.lonelyplanet.com or where all good books are sold.  Price: £37.50

ENDS

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Review copies of The Mediterranean, images and extracts are available on request.

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