With sailing, every day brings new destinations and new adventures, and that’s why a sailing vacation is an amazing experience. Island hopping, turquoise waters, meandering along sun-drenched coastlines, evenings on deck, the sky under the stars, are just few of the things we love about sailing.
From the places we visited and loved, these are our top 10 sailing destinations in Europe, by country:
- Croatia - The Dalmatian Coast
- France - Corsica
- France - Cote d’Azur
- Greece - Ionian Islands
- Greece - Sporades Islands
- Italy - Aeolian Islands
- Italy - Amalfi Coast
- Portugal - Azores Islands
- Spain - Balearic Islands
- Turkey - Marmaris
- United Kingdom - The Dorset
1. Croatia - The Dalmatian Coast
With a fine selection of yachts moored in marinas along the Dalmatian Coast, there is something fit for everyone. The Croatian coastline with its clear seas, gentle summer climate, quaint villages and amazing historic towns is a magnificent sailing area.
Croatia has plenty of beautiful beaches and a traditional way of life and there are no fewer than 1185 islands along the crystalline Adriatic coast, and one of the best ways to explore them is definitely by boat.
Head off from the historic cities of Split and Dubrovnik, the amazing Hvar, timeless Vis Island and the more remote islands of Kornati or Elafiti.
Along the coast, Croatia has one of the best marinas in Europe, and we recommend:
Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia
capetanos.com2. France - Corsica
Corsica is a popular destination among sailors, best known for its warm climate, dramatic mountain peaks, stunning coastlines and amazing culture.
Along with the picturesque scenery you can admire by sea, Corsica boasts also a rich history that spans centuries of traditions and will charm you with its unique ancient architecture on every corner, winding cobbled streets and delectable cuisine.
Northern Sardinia on the other hand, will just stun you with its natural beauty, breath-taking islands with white sand and turquoise waters and its undisturbed wilderness.
Southern Corsica is a beautiful sailing location and more suitable for experienced skippers, as the sailing conditions are quite demanding in the Strait of Bonifacio. It is though recommended that less experienced skippers should have someone onboard with good sailing experience in this area. Charter companies usually offer good deals for experienced skippers to join you in this adventure.
Among top marinas in Corsica, we recommend:
- Touristic Port of Bonifacio
- Touristic Port of Figari
- Touristic Port of Portovecchio
- Port de Plaisance Calvi
Corsica, France
capetanos.com3. France - Cote d’Azur
Côte d'Azur is an amazing part of the French Mediterranean coast from Cassis to Menton. This part of the French Riviera is part of the Provence Alpes - Cote d'Azur. The surroundings are mountainous, dominated by the Maritime Alps and the Massif des Maures. In the east the Maritime Alps overlook the sea and the coastline is drawn with high cliffs and beautiful small towns. However, on the Western part of Côte d'Azur you can find a flat coastline with distinctive red rocks. Well-known coastal towns are Toulon, Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and Menton.
The French Riviera has a long history of sailing, with some of the best marinas in the world and amazing blue waters. The east coast is particularly striking and has many ports, marinas and anchorages, which will add to an amazing vacation on Cote d’Azur. Between Marseille and St. Tropez, a sailing distance of around 95 nautical miles, you will find over 35 ports. The Côte d'Azur is a light sailing area fitted for every skipper, even for beginners and less experienced yacht charter crews, with good winds and where the tides and currents have little effect and cause no major issues.
Cote d’Azur has some of the best marinas in the Mediterranean sea, and some of them are:
- Port de Menton Gavan
- Port de Cap d’Ail
- Port de Beaulieu sur Mer
- Port of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
- Port Lympia
- Port Vauban d’Antibes
- Vieux Port de Cannes
Vieux Port de Cannes, France
capetanos.com4. Greece - Ionian Islands
The Greek Ionian Islands are one of the best spots to sail even though if you are new to sailing or not, including 7 amazing islands, with Corfu the most cosmopolitan of the islands. Situated west to the mainland, the Ionian Islands are home to the Mediterranean’s most sought out yacht charter sailing destinations, best suited for a fun, relaxing Greek experience.
The Ionian Islands have a Mediterranean climate, and the best weather to sail in the Ionian Islands is from May to September. The wind and sailing conditions in this area are ideal and predictable.
Best marinas from where you can charter a boat in the Ionian Islands:
Navagio Beach in Corfu, Greece
capetanos.com5. Greece - Sporades Islands
The Sporades islands are located between the mainland and the Greek islands of North-Eastern Aegean. These four islands have a special character, picturesque landscapes, gorgeous beaches and some of the best Mediterranean cuisine. The most popular island to sail to is Skiathos if you search nightlife and fun, while Skopelos and Alonissos have more a family atmosphere. The least known but equally beautiful island of Sporades is Skyros, with a picturesque capital town, secluded beaches and amazing anchorage points.
Best marinas in this area:
Sunrise in Skiathos, Greece
capetanos.com6. Italy - Aeolian Islands
The volcanic archipelago of the Aeolian Islands is situated off the Northeast coast of Sicily, and is named after the Greek God, Aeolus. The God was the divine keeper of the winds, and king of the mythical floating island of Aeolia. He kept the violent Storm-Winds locked away inside the cavernous interior of his isle, unleashing them only at the command of greatest gods to wreak devastation upon the world. Each of the seven UNESCO protected islands: Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina, Alicudi, Filicudi and Vulcano, has its own distinct landscape and offerings.
Hiking extinct and active volcanoes, bathing on black sand beaches, sailing around the incredible rock formations and caves off the coast are just some of the highlights. On the other hand, you will be impressed by the sweet villages, fascinating traditions and delicious local dishes. A glass of Malvasia sweet wine is the perfect sun-downer on board of your rented boat.
There are not many marinas available in the Aeolian Islands, however there are two good options if you want to reprovision your boat.
Vulcano Island, Italy
capetanos.com7. Italy - Amalfi Coast
Southern Italy's famous coastline runs from Punta Campanella to Salerno and includes the picturesque hilltop towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
The Amalfi Coast can just be described as amazing, due to its dramatic scenery and cultural richness. Sailing along the coast will delight you with plenty of towns to stop by and enjoy the Italian culture, history and the many flavours the Amalfi Coast can offer. Vibrant, village-strewn cliffs jut into the sea, and during the summer, notes of lemon hang in the air and festivals enliven hamlets along the coast from the Bay of Naples to the Gulf of Salerno, making it the ideal time to sail the Amalfi Coast.
Positano, Italy
capetanos.com8. Portugal - Azores Islands
The Azores are a volcanic archipelago, located right in the centre of the Atlantic Ocean, almost mid-way between the west coast of Portugal and the east of the United States. The archipelago has nine islands altogether and all of them inhabited. The islands are amazing and they offer unique features, activities, and cultures. Sailing in this area, you will see that a large variety of dolphins call this place home, and depending on the time of the year, you may witness an even larger variety of whales as they migrate through the archipelago.
From the moment you step off your boat onto the island, you’ll be amazed by the luscious colours surrounding you. Regardless of which islands you choose to visit, you’ll find incredible natural landscapes that give each island a unique personality.
There are several marinas around the archipelago, well equipped and with top amenities:
Marina da Horta, Portugal
capetanos.com9. Spain - Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are renowned as some of the most beautiful Mediterranean Islands, with great weather, amazing landscape, dramatic cliffs and pristine coves, waiting for you to drop the anchor and enjoy some unforgettable sunny days on board of your yacht.
Being a combination of culture and nature, the islands will impress you with its historic towns filled with medieval churches, ancient castles and art museums, all surrounded by a welcoming, laid back vibe that encapsulates everything that’s great about this magical place.
Great marinas can be found in the Balearic Islands:
Mallorca, Spain
capetanos.com10. Turkey - Marmaris
Marmaris is an important tourist destination in southwestern Turkey, and a great centre for leisure that incites sailors to stroll along the coastline, from town to town, and discover this area of pristine nature and extraordinary natural beauty.
Crystal clear waters, golden sand beaches, beautiful coves, the ruins of the ancient empire, the small – idyllic villages, or the cosmopolitan cities, are some of the reasons so many sailors enjoy spending the summer holiday in this area.
In Marmaris we recommend the following marinas:
Marmaris, Turkey
capetanos.com11. United Kingdom - The Dorset
Dorset’s beautiful Jurassic coast is what makes this place so unique and that’s why it attracts so many sailors each year. Sailing from the awe-inspiring Lulworth Cove, to view the exceptional geography of the 200-Million-year-old rock formations including Stair Hole, Man O’ War Beach, St Oswalds Bay and Durdle Door, will just make this sailing expedition an unforgettable memory for any sailor.
Among the marinas in Dorset region, we recommend:
Durdle Door, United Kingdom
capetanos.comEurope has many amazing sailing destinations to choose from, and the ones we highlighted in this article are just a few. The sense of freedom, the amazing sunsets and the wind whispering in the sails is what makes sailing the best way to spend your time with your family and friends.
