10 UNESCO sites to discover on a Mediterranean yacht charter

The Mediterranean is a true paradise for yachting exploration with nearly 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Make the most of your next yacht charter by exploring some of these astonishing sites. Climb the active volcano of Stromboli, walk the alleys of Dubrovnik's old town, taste the dolce vita in the villages of the Cinque Terre, discover Apollo's birthplace or try snorkelling in the Scandola Reserve. In the post below, we share with you our 10 favourite sites that you can visit when you next charter a yacht in the Mediterranean. So don't forget to add them to your cruising itineraries!

Western Mediterranean UNESCO sites

The cliffs of the Gulf of Porto in Corsica

Cruise in the Gulf of Porto during your yacht charter in Corsica

Located on the western coast of Corsica, the Gulf of Porto offers postcard landscapes. In addition to the beauty of its environment, the site has one of the richest terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Nestled between Porto and Piana, the famous Calanques boast superb red granite cliffs that plunge steeply into the sea. These rocks, sculpted by erosion, form a magnificent contrast to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. A bit futher, the Gulf of Girolata is a popular anchorage for yacht charterers – its charming village is accessible only by sea and by a hiking trail. One of Corsica’s greatest natural treasures, the Scandola nature reserve shelters a very rich marine fauna and many species of birds. Discover this amazing coastline during your next Corsica yacht charter.

The colourful village of Manarola in the Cinque Terre National Park, one of the UNESCO sites in the Mediterranean

Discover the Cinque Terre during your Italian Riviera yacht charter

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cinque Terre National Park captivates yacht charterers year after year. These five pastel-coloured fishing villages run along a steep coast with terraced vineyards and olive trees. When chartering a yacht in the Cinque Terre, be sure to stroll through these charming little villages and walk along the paths that criss-cross the coast from one village to another. The panorama over the Mediterranean is absolutely gorgeous. Back on your yacht, head for the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, which offer a nice detour. You can also sail to the city of Portovenere, which is also part of UNESCO's list for its history and beauty.

Night panorama of the village of Amalfi in Italy

Explore the villages of the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri during your yacht charter in Italy

The Amalfi Coast stands as a suspended balcony between cobalt blue seas and steep mountains covered with superb Mediterranean vegetation. Gorgeous coves, beaches, groves of lemon and olive trees as well as a remarkable heritage and some posh spots that will delight the most demanding yacht charterers - the Amalfi Coast has it all! Among the most beautiful villages to visit during your Amalfi Coast yacht charter: Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. Whether you are shopping in Capri, having lunch on the terrace of Positano's most romantic hotel or visiting Amalfi's cathedral, the Amalfi Coast remains one of the most coveted yachting destinations for a yacht rental in the Mediterranean.

Lipari, one of the Aeolian Islands in Italy

Sail the Aeolian islands during your Sicily yacht charter

Off Sicily, the Aeolian Islands archipelago consists of 7 islands that emerge from the crystal-clear sea. With an arid and unspoilt wilderness, the archipelago has two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano. For over two centuries, it has been an ideal site for the study of volcanology and geology. Each island has its own personality. On Vulcano you will find black sand, mud baths and many craters. Head to the capital Lipari to visit the acropolis and its superb cathedral. Wine lovers will enjoy Salina while partygoers meet in Panarea. Cut off from the world, Filicudi offers magnificent beaches - this is clearly the farniente hotspot in the archipelago. Further away, Alicudi is the most mountainous island. Stromboli, the most famous, more than an island, it is above all a volcano. Its lava explosions earned it the nickname of "the lighthouse of the Mediterranean".

The fortress of Ibiza and the place of the cannons at sunset

Get a taste of Ibiza when you charter a yacht in the Balearics

Surprising but equally true, Ibiza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for good reason... Famous for its fun attractions and its crazy nights, its cosmopolitan and bohemian vibes, Ibiza has first and foremost a rich historical heritage. The UNESCO also pays tribute to the incredible biodiversity of the Balearic island. Among the sites not to be missed when chartering a yacht in Ibiza are the natural park of Ses Salines, the old town of Ibiza (Dalt Vila), the Punic necropolis of Puig des Molins and the Phoenician archaeological site of Sa Caleta.

Eastern Mediterranean UNESCO sites

A picturesque street in the old town of Dubrovnik in Croatia

Visit the old town of Dubrovnik during your yacht charter in Croatia

If you are expected to sail along the southern shores during your Croatia yacht charter, don't miss the beautiful fortified city of Dubrovnik, known as the "pearl of the Adriatic". Despite the major earthquake of 1667, the city has preserved its beautiful Gothic and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. The glorious medieval fortifications protect the charming city centre, with its cobbled and pedestrian-only streets, quirky cafés and excellent restaurants. The bright waters of the Adriatic Sea complete the picture. A must for any Croatia yacht charter itinerary!

Wander around the historic city of Trogir during your yacht charter in Croatia

During your Croatia yacht charter, be sure to explore the city of Trogir. Built by the Greeks on a small island, the city offers a true historical and cultural richness. Since 1997, the city of Trogir has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The urban plan of this island city dates back to the Hellenistic period, but successive rulers have continued to embellish it with an exceptional variety of public and residential buildings as well as fortifications. In addition to its beautiful Romanesque churches and medieval city centre, the city also offers magnificent Renaissance and Baroque buildings. The most important building in Trogir is the Cathedral - the most significant example of Romanesque-Gothic art in Croatia.

The beautiful bay of Kotor at sunset, one of the UNESCO sites in the Mediterranean

Learn about the beautiful bay of Kotor during your yacht charter in Montenegro

Beyond the mountains and the immensity of the Adriatic Sea, lie the Mouths of Kotor, a site listed by UNESCO that gives the illusion of a fjord opening onto the Adriatic. The arrival in the mouths aboard your charter yacht will leave you with an unforgettable memory. With its ramparts, Venetian buildings, port and white stone buildings nestled at the bottom of a spectacular gulf, the medieval city of Kotor is an essential stopover during a Montenegro yacht charter. It is delightful to lose yourself in this maze of squares and streets to discover an old Renaissance palace, an Orthodox church, an old well or the cathedral of Saint-Tryphon and the Clocktower - the 2 emblematic monuments of the city... From the morning mist that gives them a dramatic aspect to the pink reflections of the sun on the mountains in the late afternoon, the mouths of Kotor are one of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe. And they truly deserve a stop during any Montenegro yacht rental.

The island of Rhodes in Greece, famous for its historic monuments and beautiful beaches

Stroll around the medieval city of Rhodes during your yacht charter in Greece

Located in the Aegean Sea, Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. Its medieval city, now considered the best preserved in the world, was founded in 408 BC. Many monuments trace the heritage of ancient civilizations - the Roman and Byzantine periods, the invasion by the Knights of St John in 1309, the occupation of the Turks, the Italians and finally the arrival of the Greeks. The city's imposing fortifications make it the largest inhabited medieval city in Europe. During your Rhodes yacht charter stopover, you will discover ancient statues, fountains, mosques, the famous street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master and the Clocktower - the two main buildings from the Gothic period.

The Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece

Experience the island of Delos during your Greece yacht charter

With its 5km length and 1.3km from east to west, Delos is a tiny island that stands on the Aegean Sea. It is a unique testimony to the history of the civilizations of the Aegean world. It was on this island that Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto, was brought to light. Delos is the main sanctuary dedicated to Apollo, one of the most important Greek deities. Its geographical position, in the heart of the Cyclades Islands, has attracted lust in the course of history. If you take the time to stop there during your Greece yacht charter in the Cyclades, you can discover the island's main sites of interest: the Apollo sanctuary, the Italian agora, the famous lions' terrace and the theatre district, whose magnificent ruins have been overrun with vegetation.

For more information on yachts available for charter in the Mediterranean, contact one of our yacht charter specialists at Talamare Yacht Charter.