Your Mediterranean Travel Calendar – when to go where to get the best experience.

Slow Travel is IN for 2025. After too many years of mass-tourism heavily impacting some of the world’s most beautiful locations, it’s time for us go off-the-beaten-track, venture mindfully, and explore with respect to local life. When you travel can be as important as how you travel, and there is a way to enjoy the hotspots without contributing to overcrowding. Let’s think outside the box and opt for quieter travel seasons which more often than not, yields only positive results. You’ll get to appreciate the beauty of these places in the way that they should be without sacrificing weather, atmosphere, and charm. Here is a list of Mediterranean destinations and when you should best visit them.

January: Turin
For an Alpine effect blended with southern European vigour, look no further than Turin. You’ll enjoy the crisp winter air, the cultural richness, and all the cosmopolitan charm of an Italian hub. Turin can get cold but there are antidotes for this at every turn; cosy cafes, hearty food, bucketloads of Vermouth, and endless museums, churches and palaces will offer protection. Turin sits beneath the Alps and snow-capped mountains can be seen in the distance. For an extended trip, you can even head to the nearby mountains for a few days of skiing!

February: Florence
Florence is a relatively small city so when its packed, you can really feel it. There’s always a buzz there but the crowds are somewhat quieter in the winter months. You can get rewarded with incredible weather, with restaurants that are actually available, and you’ll be able to move through the streets and around the sites without elbowing down the crowds. While everyone else flocks to the city in September (wine harvest and truffle season tempts the masses), take the discerning route and it will pay off.

March: Athens
In March, you can expect crisp blue skies but still walk up to the Parthenon without pouring in sweat. Athens’ historic city centre is best explored by walking through the cobbled lanes and winding roads; at every turn, you’ll find a charming sight or an ancient ruin that has stood for thousands of years. A visit in March allows you to appreciate all of the city’s intricacies whilst also enjoying the atmosphere which is at once steeped in history and alive with cosmopolitan dynamism.

April: Grimaud
The town of Grimaud sits on the outskirts of St Tropez. It is a small, charming medieval town perched on a hilltop and overlooking the vast landscape. Visiting the French Riviera outside the glitz of the summer season uncovers a slower and more authentic pace of life. You see a side of the region which Picasso and Matisse would have seen and fallen in love with 100 years before. Grimaud can be your base – you’ll get to know the village within a few hours – and from there, you can explore the Côte d'Azur to the fullest.

May: Valle d’itria
If you’re visiting Puglia for the first time, you should start in the Valle d’Itria. It is where most of the towns and cultural hubs are based, allowing you to cover plenty of base in a short of amount of time. In May, the fully summer swing is just around the corner; beach clubs will tentatively start to open and coastal restaurants will be polishing off their crockery, ready for another busy season. In May, you can make the most of the calm before the storm.

June: Malta
At the very cusp of summer, Malta is the perfect destination. The small island’s beaches, bays, and coves are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and skippering through whilst the main cities, Valletta and Sliema enthral with their historical sites and their bustling street life. In June, Malta hosts several lively festivals to celebrate its rich culture and traditions – there is no lovelier way immerse yourself into local life!

July: The Aeolian Islands
For a week like no other, plan your island-hopping adventure on the seven islands north of Sicily which make up the Aeolians. It can be quite an odyssey to get there but it’s so worth it once you do. Each island has its own character and soul; from the wild Filicudi to the glamorous Panarea, from the tropical Salina to the explosive Vulcano, you’ll enjoy every step of the journey. In August, the islands can get really packed and whilst July is still brimming with summer buzz, its not as hectic just yet. 

August: Corsica
Almost every coastal Mediterranean destination can be manic and overflowing in August but if you want to escape the maddening crowds, Corsica is one of the last hidden gems left that offers relative tranquillity. Its an island made for the discerning traveller with some of the most spectacular beaches, the most picturesque towns and the most dramatic landscapes. You can forget fighting for spaces on beaches and you can forget the rest of the world when hiking through the many trails in its hinterlands. Whilst Corsica is technically part of French waters, it has an identity entirely of its own. The islanders cherish and respect their beautiful terrain, and you can see this in every nook and cranny.

September: Sicily
July is for Sicily’s Aeolian islands, but September is for Sicily’s mainland. The weather is still blissfully hot, some of the summer crowds have started to dwindle, but the energy is steadfast. Travelling to Sicily in September is like a cheat code that takes you back to the height of August. Whilst you won’t be struggling for space on a beach, driving hours for a parking space, or fighting for a restaurant reservation, you’ll never feel as if fall is round the corner.

October: Zakynthos
There is not better (or smugger) feeling than when a risk pays off. Heading to the Greek islands in October will offer that sensation. Expect sunny skies, empty beaches, crystal clear waters, and an authentic pace of island life. Every day can be spent exploring one pristine bay after another, and no trip to Zakynthos is complete with renting and skippering your own little boat. Bring snacks, beers and speaker on board and zoom down the beautiful blue coasts. For maximum luck with the weather, head to Zakynthos in the first two weeks of October.

November: Lisbon
There is never a bad time to go to Lisbon- it’s a coastal city that feels vivacious all year round but to minimise the crowds in what is quite a small city, its best to go in the later months (even October can still be pretty full on). With fewer tourists in November, you can relish in a more peaceful and authentic experience at popular spots like Belém Tower and the Alfama district. Fuelled by pastel de natas, you’ll stroll up the steep cobbled roads, taking in the sights of beautiful buildings and discovering what lies within them.

December: Madrid
For a twist on the usual celebrations, Madrid will combine the vibrancy of Spanish culture with the cosiness of the holiday season. The historic centre will be smattered with festive lights that sparkle in the evening once the sun has gone down after another clear blue day. Crisp weathers can be combatted with hot chocolates and churros, and noteworthy sites like the Royal Palace or the Retiro Park add grandeur and depth to any stay. The real energy comes around the dinner table and its worth rubbing shoulders with the locals in the city’s best tabernas where the festive spirit is readily celebrated.