Cruising around the Mediterranean with MSC Cruises gives you the perfect opportunity to soak up the sun and become an expert on the best beaches. From white sandy expanses to pebbly little coves, the Med has some fabulous spots for relaxing, not to mention the beautiful azure sea.
Here is a guide to some of the best destinations for sun worshippers.
Croatia
With more than 1,000 miles of seaside, Croatia is the perfect place to disembark the ship and head straight for the beach. Whether you stick to the country’s mainland or try out the islands, there are plenty of wonderful beaches to choose from.
Zlatni Rat on the island of Brac is possibly the most famous beach in the whole of Croatia due to its instantly recognisable shape. This piece of land juts for 580 yards into the sea and has a beach on either side, offering plenty of space to stretch out on.
Dubovica is the biggest beach on the south coast of Hvar island and is particularly picturesque with a small stone church to one end. It is pebbly as opposed to sandy, but is a great place to take a dip in the sea when the sun feels a little too hot.
If you are cruising into Dubrovnik then you may wish to head to Banje Beach with its rows of sunbeds and views of the Old Town. It is a favourite haunt of the rich and famous, so come to this piece of the coast to see and be seen.
Sardinia
The type of beach you will experience on Sardinia depends on which side of the island you visit. Those to the east tend to be small coves with limestone backdrops while in the west they are dominated by long sand dunes.
Swimming is a good option at most of the beaches in Sardinia as the aquamarine water beckons you in and a shelf around the majority of the shoreline keeps you safe. You can count on the cleanliness of Sardinian beaches as well as the fact that they are usually not too busy.
For a five-kilometre stretch of sparkling white sand head to La Sinta beach near the town of San Teodoro. It has good facilities, such as places to buy snacks and watersports on offer. Alternatively, head to La Bombarde beach in Alghero to top up your tan. It can get quite crowded so it is best to turn up early to bag a good spot.
Greece
Any guide to the Mediterranean for beaches should not leave out Greece as it has some of the most fabulous and diverse options. With no less than 13,676 kilometres of coastline there is something to suit everyone and this includes the sunseeker.
The long stretch of sand at Myrtos beach in Kefalonia is dotted with sun loungers and contrasted by the backdrop of tall cliffs and lush vegetation. No matter how much you enjoy the sun, you will not be sad to see it fall lower in the sky as the sunsets here are worth sticking around for.
Navagio beach in Zakynthos is widely photographed due to the shipwreck that adds interest to the vista. Bring a towel to protect you from the pebbles as you soak up the rays and your beautiful surroundings.
Photos: dan taylor , GrahamJY, Koran
