The best places for sailing in Europe

Hands-down, our top sailing location has to be the idyllic Ionian coastline in Greece. Dotted with tiny islands, white-washed fishing villages and harbours full of friendly waterfront tavernas, this stunning setting is a sailor’s dream. The clear waters of the Ionian Sea tend to be sheltered and warm, offering the chance to spot dolphins, turtles and rays swimming – and maybe even take a dip with them. 

Join one of the Neilson north Ionian flotillas at our Retreat Beachclub to explore highlights such as the islands of Corfu and Paxos, as well as the Venetian town on Parga and the peaceful port of Platarias on the mainland.

Set sail with one of the Neilson south Ionian flotillas from our Vounaki Beachclub and you’ll be island-hopping through stunning locations like Cephalonia, Lefkas and Kastos. The light winds in this part of the Ionian Sea are ideal for beginners.  

Travel to Croatia’s dramatic Dalmatian Coast where the mountainsides slope steeply down to meet the vivid green-blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the coastline is scattered with literally hundreds of picturesque islands (1,185 to be exact). Novice sailors can find their sea legs in sheltered bays and inlets, while those with more experience can island-hop to their heart’s content. 

Our Alana Beachclub is a lovely destination for beginner and intermediate dinghy sailors, with great cross on-shore breezes and a huge, uncrowded bay to explore. All beneath a beautiful backdrop of Paklenica National Park’s towering limestone crags. 

Psst – Croatia’s beautiful neighbour Montenegro is tipped as the next up-and-coming sailing destination. It’s ancient terracotta towns, craggy coastline and picture-perfect sandy beaches are set to become a lot busier. Get there before everyone else does!

Forget Ibiza’s iconic club culture, our favourite thing about the Balearic Islands is the amazing sailing to be had. A popular choice is to set sail from Denia on the Spanish mainland, one of the country’s sailing hotspots. Every Spring hundreds of yachts gather in this quiet Mallorcan town to take part in the annual salt race to Ibiza. 

Once in the Balearics, there are some gorgeous – and surprisingly quiet – beauty spots to discover. The tranquil Cala Llentrisca is one of Ibiza’s best-kept secrets, while Cala Saona on the west coast of Formentera is the kind of secluded paradise cove dreams are made of.   

Join the jet setters and the movie stars in the French Riviera to sail the glamorous Cote d’Azur. But while the dazzling stretch of coastline between Saint Tropez and Monaco may be a favourite among Europe’s millionaires, you don’t need a superyacht to enjoy sailing here. 

Soak up that famous south of France sunshine, stroll through quaint, cobbled hilltop towns and head out on adventures as you explore the unspoilt Îles d'Hyères archipelago with its rugged shorelines, perfect beaches and ancient villages.  

Sail south from Naples to discover one of the most famous Mediterranean coastlines – with good reason. The entire Amalfi Coast has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, thanks to its wealth of cultural sites and breath-taking landscapes. Colourful towns perch high on the cliffs above cobalt waves, the sunsets over the island of Capri are incredible, and as always in this hospitable country the food and drink are delicious!   

Just across the water sits the Italian island of Sardinia, also a fantastic sailing destination. Crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea to reach it is a popular choice for experienced sailors who fancy a holiday in not one but two beautiful Italian locations.  

If you like the sound of pristine white beaches, dramatic peaks blanketed with thick green forests and quiet anchorages with more than a little French chic, check out the remote island of Corsica. While set right in the heart of the Mediterranean, to the north of Sardinia, this spectacular island is pretty untouristy. And that means hundreds of spectacular hidden coves to enjoy in blissful peace. 

Circumnavigating the entire island can be done in a couple of weeks, with time to visit some of Corsica’s wonderful old towns and ports, such as Calvi with its historic citadel and Bonifacio with its clifftop cafes and restaurants. 

The striking waters of the Turquoise Coast more than live up to their name. Dubbed the ‘Turkish Riviera’, the stunning stretch of coast between Istanbul and Marmaris is a scenic and sunny choice for a sailing holiday. 

Enjoy the region’s steady winds and picture-perfect bays, swim in crystal-clear seas with pebble shores and visit welcoming traditional villages yet to be overcrowded with holidaymakers. And don’t forget to try plenty of Turkish ice cream!