Top 5 Mediterranean Walking Holidays

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There’s no lovelier way to explore the Mediterranean than on foot, and no better time to consider walking holidays in Europe than spring or autumn. Temperatures are warm enough for you to feel the sun gently embracing your back, but not too hot. It’s mild enough for you to do some basic physical routines, if you enjoy working out while travelling. The landscape is vibrant with wildflowers and birdsong and it’s the perfect time for refreshing dips (or serious swims) in the sea. Mediterranean walking holidays are extremely popular at this time of year.

Slow travel specialists, Inntravel have been exploring the Mediterranean for decades and offer fabulous self-guided walking holidays in Europe with the most varied selection of Mediterranean walks you could imagine. It’s worth heading over to their website every now and then as they’re constantly adding more destinations to their collection.

If you’re looking for a break from the walking and would rather enjoy some more relaxing on your travels around the Mediterranean, then choosing a Mediterranean Cruise from Southampton is the ideal way to enjoy the sights of the Mediterranean in complete serenity.

Reasons to love Mediterranean walking holidays

Whether you’re into serious hiking across rugged terrain or (like me) prefer wandering along gentle coastal paths, you’ll already know the pleasure of walking. Not only is it a natural way to exercise, but it’s also a proven mood lifter as it releases endorphins. What’s more, it can take you off the beaten track to undiscovered places, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the landscape at a slower pace.

When it comes to walking holidays in Europe, Mediterranean walking holidays provide an opportunity to travel back in time to ancient ruins, through fragrant lemon groves and deep into wooded valleys, to the very edge of mountain ridges, timeless hill-top villages and secluded beaches. 

Top 5 destinations for Mediterranean walking holidays

1. Into Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountain range

Up in the north west corner of Mallorca, the peaks of the Tramuntana Sierra provide a dramatic background for walking, with hill-top villages nestled in its folds, apparently untouched by time. Here, you’ll find the island’s best walking routes: cobbled pilgrims’ paths leading up into the mountains or descending into dramatic gorges, between stone terraces of ancient olive trees, winding down to rocky swimming coves.

One of Inntravel’s Mallorca walking routes follows trails between picturesque towns and villages such as Fornalutx, Sóller, Deià (once a refuge for poets and artists including Robert Graves) and Valldemossa, where you can visit the monastery where Chopin once lived. One advantage of travelling with Inntravel is that they provide luggage transfers while you walk from one unique, hand-picked hotel to another. Furthermore, as their itinerary is flexible, you can mix up walking and sightseeing on a whim by using inexpensive trains, taxis, buses, boats and trams to explore further.

If you do choose Mallorca, a visit to Palma is a must. There’s so much to see in this elegant, laid-back city, from its beautiful 13th Century cathedral to the 10th Century Arab baths. See for yourself why this destination is so popular among Mediterranean walking holidays and one of the most popular spots for walking holidays in Europe.

For more inspiration on things to do in Mallorca, get stuck into a Mallorca travel blog to help you plan your itinerary before you set off.

2. Walking the mountains of Sicily

Sicily is an inspiring destination for nature lovers. Its remote Madonie mountains offer sweeping views and wonderful open landscapes of gorgeous flora and fauna. In fact, the island has one of the most noted mountain ecosystems in the Mediterranean, with hundreds of different plant species. You might even spot a golden eagle as you walk beneath the mountains to the sparkling Tirrenian Sea!

Life passes slowly here in sleepy, tucked away villages and you can expect warm hospitality from the friendly agriturismos chosen by Inntravel. Their suggested walks combine challenging routes with panoramic views of Mount Etna, across a wide limestone valley surrounded by spectacular peaks, criss-crossing a range of hills with sublime views of the Aeolian Islands.

A special time to visit is mid-April to mid-May, when masses of flowers provide extraordinary displays of colour, particularly around Pomieri. It’s also worth visiting in Autumn, when the reds and golds of the turning leaves light up the wooded slopes.

3. Croatia’s hill top towns, vineyards & coastline

With a mild climate, rolling vineyards and olive groves, rugged mountains, secluded valleys and jagged coastline washed by cobalt-blue seas, Mediterranean walking holidays in Croatia are both relaxing and rewarding. In its western corner you’ll find the enchanting Istrian Peninsula, which you can cross on foot, following unexplored country paths.

Hiking in Croatia is a fantastic way to make the most of the beautiful Croatian outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a long trek or just an afternoon of exploring, it’s relatively easy to find out more about hiking tours in Croatia. Itineraries vary from one-day hikes to multi-week guided treks. Whichever option you choose, be sure to take advantage of the abundance of natural beauty and cultural sites you’ll find along the way. From pristine coastal views and busy markets, to ornate Roman ruins, the trails promise something for everyone.

Starting in a lush green landscape of rolling hills, up above the Adriatic Sea in the west, this week-long walk passes through historic hill-top towns and medieval villages where the rugged mountains drop steeply down through secluded valleys and woods of oak and beech, to the jagged yet beautiful coastline of the eastern seaboard with its lagoons and islands, secret coves and tranquil beaches.

On this walking holiday in Croatia, you stay in three different types of accommodation, each just as welcoming as the next: a peaceful guesthouse or luxury villa, a former palace and an intimate seafront hotel.  Walking holidays in Europe don’t come much more luxurious than this.

4. Madeira, garden of the Atlantic

Just off the north west coast of Africa, with a heavenly sub-tropical climate, is Madeira.

Madeira is remarkable for its levadas (waterways) carved into the slopes, and an abundance of colourful exotic flowers and trees. Friends returned from a walking holiday in Madeira in February, looking relaxed and energised after a week of exhilarating walks along the narrow waterways. The levadas cover an incredible 1,200 miles, linking the wetter north of the island to the dry south, with a shaded path running alongside.

Flowers like the Nile lily have been deliberately planted along the levadas, which makes walking along them even more enjoyable. With the watercourse on one side and often a drop on the other, you’ll need a head for heights; navigation is easy, however, leaving you free to focus on the views.

As you walk across the east of Madeira, you’ll come across a beautiful ancient laurel forest, a remote high valley and dramatic sea cliffs. In the attractive capital, Funchal, you can visit the historic harbour and its contemporary art museum, wonderful gardens and Gothic cathedral – not to mention, sample the famous fortified wine. Check out this seven-day guide to Madeira for more inspiration on what to see and do while visiting this picturesque Portuguese archipelago.

5. The enchanting Cyclades

Walking in Greece is a unique experience and it’s easy to feel a connection to the ancient world as you walk past classical temples and amphitheatres, looking out at distant ruins and medieval fortresses. That’s before you even consider the timeless pleasure of eating a Greek salad of succulent beef tomatoes and fresh, salty feta dotted with gleaming olives, while sipping rustic Greek red wine at a harbourside taverna.

Arriving in Greece for a much cooler climate each May, the warm evening air carries the scent of orange blossom, wild thyme and honeysuckle. After a day or two of walking ancient goat trails and rugged coastal paths with white jutting rocks against a shimmering blue sea, finding beaches and swimming coves that aren’t on the map, the magic is complete.

Hiking in Greece offers a unique experience, with trails that wind through ancient ruins, olive groves, and dramatic coastlines, each step immersed in history and natural beauty. The warm Mediterranean climate creates ideal conditions, though the rugged terrain and summer heat can be challenging, making early morning hikes most comfortable. Whether on the islands of the Cyclades or the mainland’s remote paths, Greece’s diverse landscapes cater to all levels of hikers. For those seeking a truly immersive adventure, an 11-day hiking tour in Greece is one of the perfect ways to explore these varied terrains while diving deep into the country’s rich culture and breathtaking vistas.

If you fancy spending some more time exploring the local area while exploring the Cyclades Islands, take a look at some of the best things to do in Paros for inspiration.

The Cyclades are one of the most fascinating island groups, set in a circle around the sacred island of Delos (an island you simply have to visit – go by boat, with good shoes, a camera and an eye out for wild flowers) the surrounding islands are the peaks of a long-submerged mountain range including two extinct volcanoes, Santorini and Milos – famed for their cubic architecture and unspoilt beaches. Delos has an astonishing number of temples, statues and artefacts which you can walk among and, being uninhabited, the island retains a deep sense of peace.

Inntravel offers a fabulous 10-night island-hopping walking holiday to three of the lesser-known islands of the Cyclades archipelago. From Athens, you sail south to discover the picturesque white villages and hills of Serifos; the terraced hillsides and cobbled lanes of Sifnos; and the dramatic white pumice cliffs of Milos, where the Venus (or Aphrodite) de Milo statue was discovered. Thanks to the detailed route notes provided, you’ll be able to watch myths and legends unfold before your very eyes as you stroll along.

Where are your favourite destinations for Mediterranean walking holidays and walking holidays in Europe? Share your thoughts with fellow readers below.

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