The Top 5 Mediterranean Sunsail Routes for Culture and Cuisine

July 16, 2025 9 min

Some people chase sunsets. Others chase pasta, pastries and perfectly grilled octopus. Fortunately, sailing the Mediterranean with Sunsail lets you do both.

When it comes to sailing the Mediterranean in search of unforgettable food and rich cultural experiences, it’s hard to put a foot wrong. Every island, harbour and historic port is steeped in centuries‑old traditions, ancient ruins and cobbled streets lined with local flavours and fresh seafood.

Whether you’re sipping homemade limoncello on a sun‑drenched terrace in Sicily or wandering through a maze of Venetian‑style backstreets in Croatia, the best way to uncover the region’s soul is from the comfort of your own yacht.

As a Sunsail owner, you have access to some of the Med’s most iconic bases and the freedom to linger longer, cruise at your own pace, follow your appetite and enjoy the kind of authentic cultural immersion that land‑based tourists can only dream of.

From sipping Plavac Mali wines along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast to savouring grilled octopus in a Greek harbour taverna, or indulging in wood‑fired pizza and handmade pasta in Sicily, sailing the Mediterranean is a moveable feast of flavour, history and adventure – ideal if you enjoy the finer things in life.

So loosen your waistband, follow your nose and take a look at our top five Mediterranean Sunsail routes for unforgettable culture and cuisine this summer.

1. Lefkas: Hidden Taverns And Authentic Island Life

Trip Type: Easy island hopping with pastel-hued harbors

Cultural Highlights: Traditional Greek villages, ancient ruins and off-the-beaten-path charm

Cuisine: Savoro (traditional fish dish), plates of freshly grilled seafood, Lefkada salami, cheese marinated in olive oil, lemony dolmades, village‑pressed olive oil and house red from the family vineyard

Start eating – and sailing – your way through Greece from Sunsail’s pastel‑coloured base in Lefkas. From here, you can follow your nose on short hops across the Ionian Sea and the Heptanese islands.

Far from the crowds heading for hotspots such as Mykonos and Santorini, this relaxed corner of the Ionian is packed with authenticity, from sleepy harbours like Sivota and Meganisi to the stone alleyways of Kioni.

The Heptanese include some of Greece’s least‑visited and most authentic islands, including Ithaca – steeped in mythology as the home of Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey and packed with fresh seafood and classic Greek dishes served in simple, family‑run tavernas.

Along these shores you’ll find white‑sand beaches, pastel‑hued harbours and towering cliffs hiding sheltered coves that are perfect for quiet nights at anchor. Short passages and easy navigation (ideal for both newer skippers and old hands) mean more time ashore soaking up local culture and cuisine.

These are the sort of islands where you can still tie up in tiny ports with hand‑written menus, a catch of the day that was landed minutes earlier and ouzo flowing as locals take long, lazy lunches or dinners.

Sunsail owner tip: Plan a lunch stop in the pretty village of Spartochori. Your table might be plastic, but the tomato salad, grilled lamb and view of your yacht bobbing below feel like pure Greek luxury.

2. Athens And the Saronic Gulf: Ancient Wonders With A Culinary Soul

Trip Type: Legendary landscapes and classic Greek dining

Cultural Highlights: The Acropolis, Temple of Aphaia and neoclassical harbors

Cuisine: Grilled sea bream, stuffed squid, souvlaki, gyros, loukoumades (Greek donuts), almond delicacies on Hydra, and retsina from local vineyards

If your ideal Mediterranean cruise combines culture, history, food and a bit of exhilarating blue‑water sailing, casting off from one of the world’s oldest cities is hard to beat. Athens and the surrounding Saronic Gulf islands capture the essence of Greek culture and cuisine.

Along this coastline you’ll find some of Greece’s most famous ruins – including the Acropolis and the Temple of Aphaia – alongside much‑loved staples such as souvlaki, gyros, moussaka, dolmades, saganaki, baklava, loukoumades and plenty of grilled octopus and just‑caught seafood.

Before you set off to feast your way around the Gulf, spend a day at the bustling, well‑located Sunsail base in Zea Marina, exploring the ruins, neighbourhoods and food scene that define the Greek capital.

Slip lines early and, within a few hours of leaving the city, you’ll be cruising past crumbling temples, pistachio and lemon groves and small harbour towns where mythology meets modern Mediterranean life. The Saronic Gulf offers energetic blue‑water legs, sheltered anchorages and a shoreline rich in both history and flavour.

Hydra enchants with its stone mansions and car‑free streets, while Poros offers hilltop views and traditional tavernas serving slow‑roasted lamb and fresh anchovies. Don’t leave Aegina without a bag of still‑warm pistachios and a seafood lunch overlooking the Temple of Apollo.

These islands are popular with visitors and most locals speak English, with menus often available in English too – making it easier to explore, track down hidden spots and enjoy regional dishes than in some of the quieter Heptanese islands.

If you want to soak up the best of Greek culture, cuisine and sailing, there are few better ways than island‑hopping through the Saronic Gulf from the comfort and flexibility of your own yacht.

Sunsail owner tip: Aim to depart midweek, when harbours are a little calmer. For a perfect culture‑meets‑cuisine day, anchor near Perdika on Aegina, explore the ruins in the morning and settle into a waterfront taverna for grilled octopus and ouzo by sunset.

3. Sicily: Flavors Of The Old World

Trip type: Volcanic island‑hopping with historic harbours and serious culinary indulgence

Cultural Highlights: Aeolian volcanoes, Norman cathedrals, Greek temples and medieval villages

Cuisine: Pasta alla Norma, swordfish involtini, “pistachio on everything” and Malvasia wine straight from the vineyard

From Sunsail’s base in Marina Portorosa on Sicily’s mainland, you sail straight into a region where history literally erupts from the sea. Head north to the volcano‑studded, UNESCO‑listed Aeolian Islands, turn west towards Cefalù and Palermo – or allow time to do both.

The seven‑strong Aeolian chain offers short hops, reliable winds (typically 6–15 knots in season) and relaxed passagemaking with plenty of time ashore. Vulcano, home to one of the area’s active volcanoes, is known for its steaming mud baths, black‑sand beaches, hiking around Fossa di Vulcano, excellent snorkelling and calamari grilled over hot stones.

Lipari, the largest island, is threaded with cobbled streets, dominated by its castle and dotted with cafés serving granita and brioche. It has good marina facilities, markets and cultural stops such as the Aeolian Archaeological Museum. Salina feels quieter, with vineyards, caper farms and easy anchorages near towns such as Santa Marina.

Stromboli – Europe’s second‑largest active volcano – rises 924 metres above the sea; staying overnight gives you the best chance of seeing its lava glow after dark. For true escape, Filicudi and Alicudi are less developed and suit those who prefer simple, secluded anchorages and a slower pace.

Back on Sicily, don’t miss Milazzo for provisioning. A short drive from Portorosa, its markets brim with fresh ricotta, cured meats, citrus, olives, local seafood and pastries. Around the islands, towns such as Canneto (Lipari) and Lingua (Salina) offer bakeries, small grocers and waterfront restaurants serving dishes like pane cunzato (a traditional loaded bread) and swordfish involtini.

Sunsail owner tip: In true Sicilian style, don’t rush. Spend two nights in Salina or Lipari to discover inland trattorias and hidden vineyards. Distances are short and sailing is relaxed – ideal for pairing culture‑rich days with long, alfresco dinners at anchor.

Note: Italy is home to partner-operated bases, and owner bookings operate under different guidelines than at our flagship locations. Please contact our Owner Care team to learn more.

4. Dubrovnik: Walled Cities, Island Wines, And Adriatic Flavor

Trip Type: Relaxed coastal cruising

Cultural Highlights: Dubrovnik’s UNESCO‑listed Old Town, Elafiti monasteries, Roman remains and traditional stone villages

Cuisine: Grilled Adriatic fish, black risotto, peka‑style octopus, Ston oysters and local Plavac Mali wines

Casting off from Sunsail’s base in Dubrovnik puts you at the southern tip of the Dalmatian coast – a perfect launchpad if you want to mix Croatia’s layered history with its flourishing food and wine scene. Expect short passages, sheltered anchorages and access to sites that are easiest reached by boat.

A short sail from Dubrovnik, the Elafiti Islands offer car‑free villages and a slower pace. On Lopud, you can stroll up to the 15th‑century Franciscan monastery or swim off Šunj Bay’s sandy beach. Šipan is prized for its olive oil, seafood and hillside vineyards; it’s the kind of place where you can moor up and eat at a family‑run konoba serving whatever came off the boats that morning.

Further north, Mljet is home to one of Croatia’s oldest national parks. Sail into Polače or Pomena, hire bikes or walk to the island’s saltwater lakes and visit the 12th‑century Benedictine monastery on St Mary islet. Harbourside restaurants here are ideal for trying black risotto or mussels cooked simply in white wine and garlic.

Dubrovnik itself deserves at least a full day at the beginning or end of your trip. Walk the city walls, browse the open‑air markets and sample Dalmatian pršut and cheeses. For a special evening, opt for a wine‑tasting menu just outside the walls, where you can try several regional wines alongside traditional dishes.

Sunsail owner tip: Overnighting in Šipan or Mljet midweek helps you dodge most day‑tripper crowds. Many harbourside restaurants offer mooring buoys for diners – call ahead to reserve both a buoy and a table.

5. Procida And The Amalfi Coast: Coastal Glamour Meets Authentic Italy

Trip Type: Culture-rich cruising with dramatic scenery and time-honored cuisine

Cultural Highlights: Colorful cliffside villages, Roman villas, and cobbled piazzas

Cuisine: Wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, limoncello, fresh buffalo mozzarella, classic Neapolitan dishes

Leaving from Sunsail’s Procida base, you’ll be in the heart of southern Italy’s most photogenic sailing ground. A long‑time favourite of the yachting set, the Amalfi Coast combines headline‑grabbing destinations with more low‑key harbours, all heavy on culture, food, history and romance.

Exploring this coastline from your own yacht gives you front‑row sunset views most visitors never see, plus the freedom to skip the hotspots when they’re at their busiest and favour tucked‑away villages with outstanding food.

Start with a day or two on Procida itself – an island rich in local character. Less hectic than Capri or Ischia, it offers a more authentic slice of Italian island life, with pastel‑painted fishermen’s houses, working harbours and a gentle pace. Sip espresso and enjoy sfogliatelle by the waterfront, or wander uphill for fresh seafood and sweeping bay views.

A short sail west takes you to Ischia, where you can anchor in sheltered bays, visit thermal spas or explore the island’s green interior. Local markets in Ischia or Forio are good sources of homemade limoncello and island cheeses such as caciocavallo.

Continue towards Capri, best visited early or late in the day. Anchor off Marina Piccola, take the funicular up to town or hike near Villa Lysis before heading back to the boat for aperitivo. Capri’s stuffed ravioli and grilled swordfish are hard to beat, especially with a crisp white from the slopes of Vesuvius.

Further south, the Amalfi Coast unveils its famous cliffs, terraced vineyards and stone villages. Amalfi, Positano and Ravello each offer a different angle on the region – from paper‑making and baroque churches to seaside cafés and rooftop restaurants.

For a more local feel, consider overnighting in Cetara, a working fishing village known for its anchovy‑based dishes and simple trattorias, or head to Marina di Stabia to provision before your return and enjoy a final dinner with views of Vesuvius.

Sunsail owner tip: Mooring fields can be busy in high summer, so aim to arrive early or book ahead. For a gentler pace, consider the shoulder months of May and September, when the weather is still kind and the coast is quieter but every bit as flavour‑packed.

Note: Italy is home to partner-operated bases, and owner bookings operate under different guidelines than at our flagship locations. Please contact our Owner Care team to learn more.

If you’d like to dive deep into Italian food and wine without sailing alone, consider joining one of Sunsail’s SailEATtalia flotillas. With a lead yacht and professional crew – plus the camaraderie of fellow food‑loving sailors – you’ll enjoy authentic flavours, local insight and the reassurance of support every step of the way.

Hungry for More?

If your idea of the perfect holiday involves ancient ruins, open‑air markets, waterside tavernas and long, lazy lunches in the sun, sailing the Mediterranean is made for you – and there’s no better way to experience it than from the comfort and flexibility of your own yacht.

As a Sunsail yacht owner, you’re not tied to a single destination. With bases across Europe’s most iconic coastlines and the flexibility of your owner‑use weeks, you’re free to sail to your own schedule, explore beyond the guidebooks and dine where the menus aren’t translated. Ownership means anchoring beneath ruins you once read about, provisioning in genuine local markets and raising a glass at sunset in a quiet cove you’ve only just discovered.

If you’re hungry for more than just another holiday, Sunsail yacht ownership can open the door to a Mediterranean lifestyle rich in culture, cuisine and discovery.

Talk to our team today to find out how your next unforgettable meal could be served on board your own yacht in the Mediterranean.