If you are planning your next adventure with your boat, but are unsure where to go, this guide will help you to find the best destinations. This is the ultimate bucket list for travelling with yout boat in Europe. Where can I leave or repair my boat? Where is the best place to stay overnight? Where are the best restaurants during my journey? This guide will help you to select the perfect sailing route according to your taste, preferences and needs. We asked renowned charter companies and experts from the industry about the most popular and most beautiful boat trip getaways. Click on your favourite yachting destination and plan your next boat trip now.
2. Italy
3. Malta
4. Spain
5. Croatia
6. France
1. Greece
Greece is one of the most popular charter destinations in Europe. Our partner Odyssey Sailing gave us great insights about the most amazing travel destinations for trips with your motorboat, sailboat or even small boat in Greece. Odyssey Sailing has long years of experience in providing charter services and sailing vacations. The islands are ideal for explorers and adventurers.
Advice:
You should always bring enough food aboard, especially when you travel to remote locations. However, yacht provisioning companies such as Gourmet Deliveries can be hired to deliver food to remote locations if you do not want to worry about supplies.
1.1 Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of seven main islands and many smaller islands. They are located to the west of the mainland and are less rugged and more fertile compared to other Greek islands. The Ionian Islands welcome visitors with green hills, deep blue waters and scenic villages. This area is a good sailing ground due to its calm sea and a milder climate in the summer. The islands is influenced by many different cultures and you can feel the vibrant and diverse flair with plenty of monuments and historic sights.
Lefkas - Lefkas Town
Blue waters and green hills characterize Lefkas island. Picturesque natural beauty is accompanied by lively towns that invite to relax and feel the cultural richness. Lefkas town offers typical Greek markets and good shopping opportunities. You can start your journey in Lefkas Town and explore the island from there.
Berths
Berths are available at Lefkas Marina for yachts up to 4m of depth. You can also moor at the town quay or the causeway.
Food and drinks
Good restaurants in Lefkas town:
Nissi Mediterranean Kuzina - Lefkada City Square, Lefkada Town 31100, Greece
Napul'e - Dimitriou Golemi 10, Lefkada Town 31100, Greece
Thymari - Pinelopis 19, Lefkada Town, Greece
Frini Sto Molo - Dimitriou Golemi 12, 31100, Greece
Accommodation
A good place to stay in Lefkas:
Hotel Boschetto - Dairpfeld 1, Lefkada Town, 31100, Greece
Boat service
Urgent and small repairs can be done at Lefkas Marina.
Weather
Mild temperatures in winter and hot Mediterranean summers with average highs of 29°C.
When to visit
Summer is the best time to visit Lefkas. You can also sail to Greece during middle and late spring if you prefer milder temperatures.
Corfu - Corfu Town
The island of Corfu will surprise you with its rich natural beauty. Picturesque bays and coastlines form the island’s face. It is worth visiting the vibrant town centre in order to explore the lively and typical Greek flair with great markets and shopping opportunities. The high street is best visited between 8 pm and 10:30 pm, where it really comes to life. The real natural beauty of Corfu can be seen when you leave civilisation behind and dive into pure nature.
Berths
Sailors have four options to moor their boat. First, you can leave your boat at the Mandraki Harbour which is suitable for smaller yachts up to 3m in depth. NAOK yacht club harbour is only an option for smaller boats with a maximum depth of 2.5m to 3m. The commercial harbour can accommodate yachts with depths up to 4m. You can also moor at Gouvia Marina which is a little further northwest, however, a much better option than the commercial harbour. Boats can be moored up to 5.5m.
Food and drinks
Our favourite restaurants are:
Anthos Restaurant - Maniarizi Arlioti 15, Corfu Town 49100, Greece
Salto Wine Bar - Bistro - Donzelot 23, Corfu Town 49100, Greece
Avli - Alkiviadou Dari 3 | Garitsa Bay, Corfu Town 49100,Greece
Accommodation
Great places to stay are:
Bella Venezia Hotel - 4 N. Zambeli str., Corfu Town 49100, Greece
Aquis Mon Repos Palace - Dimokratias Av. & Iasonos Sosipatrou | Anemomylos - 49100, Corfu, Greece, Corfu Town 49100, Greece
Corfu Mare Boutique Hotel - 5, Nikolaou Zervou Street, Kefalomadouko, Corfu Town 49 100, Greece
Boat service
There are plenty of repair facilities. One of them is Yacht Services Corfu.
Weather
Mild temperatures in the winter, hot summers with average highs of 31°C.
When to visit
Late spring or late summer months are a great time to visit if you want to avoid hot temperatures.
Paxos - Gaios
Paxos is a beautiful island that is located south of Corfu. The village of Gaios is the island's biggest settlement. Its unique harbour allows for scenic views and has a busy and lively quay. You should visit Gaios in the late afternoon and in the evening to experience the best atmosphere.
© Windbeutel Reisen
Berths
You can berth at the North Quay (20 - 25 yachts for up to 2,5m in depth), West Quay (8-10 yachts for up to 3m in depth, do not leave more than 25m of chain), South Quay (main harbour, last 150m are occupied by small fishing boats, sections X and Y are reserved for tripper boats from 10:00am to 5:00pm ) and at the Quay (12 - 14 boats for up to 2m in depth). We recommend early arrival during high season in order to find a free spot.
Food and drinks
Good places to eat during your stay in Gaios are:
Genesis - Harbour, Gaios 49082, Greece
Mambo - Gaios 49082, Greece
Cafe Italiano - Gaios, Gaios, Greece
Carnayo Restaurant - Gaios - 150 meters from the Central Square, Gaios 49082, Greece
Accommodation
There are no exceptionally good hotels in Gaios. So, why not spending a night on your boat?
Boat service
No services available.
Weather
Mild winter temperatures are followed by hot summers with average highs of 31°C.
When to visit
Since Paxos is a very popular holiday destination, it is advisable to visit the island off-season. Late spring would be a good option.
Cephalonia - Fiskardo
Fiskardo is a neat little harbour town located to the North of Cephalonia. Stylish restaurants and cafes as well as the rich Mediterranean atmosphere make this place worth to visit. You will find diverse food which is better than average. The Cafe Tselenti even served as inspiration for the movie “Captain Corelli's Mandolin”.
Berths
You can moor at the Breakwater quay at the Southeast end of the harbour (10 yachts, berths might have to be vacated if ferries are due), the South quay (6 - 8 boats, depths of 1m - 1.5m, depths get better in western section, avoid private moorings), the West quay (6 - 8 boats, depths 2m South end, 3m central, 2.5m north end, watch out for berths that might be needed by ferries), and the ferry quay (2 - 3 yachts, overnight berths only, leave before 11:00am, depths 3.25m West end, 1.5m East end).
Food and drinks
There are many great restaurants in Fiskardo and our suggestions can only cover a few of them:
Le Passage - Akti Panormou, Fiscardo 28085, Greece
Elli's - Harbour Front, Fiscardo 28084, Greece
Cafe - Restaurant Tselenti's - Plateia Kavadia 39, Fiscardo 28084, Greece
The Old Stone House - Antipata | Erissou, Fiscardo 28084, Greece
Lord Falcon - behind Port Authority Police, Fiscardo 28084, Greece
Accommodation
The following hotels are good options to stay in Fiskardo:
Fiscardo Bay Hotel - Fiskardo, Fiscardo, Greece
Emelisse Art Hotel - Emblissi Bay, Fiscardo 280 84, Greece
Almyra Hotel - Frikes, Fiskardo 280 84, Greece
Boat service
The Philoxenia agency is reachable through VHF channel 16 and Mr. Makis can arrange yacht repairs and other services.
Weather
Mild temperatures during winter are accompanied by hot Mediterranean summers with average highs of 29°C.
When to visit
If you want to avoid too hot days, spring to early autumn will be a great time to visit.
1.2 The Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades Islands are among the very favourite destinations for boating enthusiasts. It has to be mentioned though, that the Cyclades are under effect of strong winds from the north, called the meltemi. Therefore, these waters are difficult to sail and not recommended for inexperienced sailors. Nonetheless they are almost ideal for island hopping, for example with a motor boat. The whole region is not too crowded and tourism does not really harm the flair of the islands.
Santorini
Santorini is clearly known as one of the prime destinations of Greece and of the whole Mediterranean. The island has picturesque panoramas, scenic houses, windmills and hilly towns. However, for the travelling yachtsman, the island is rather difficult to explore and to enjoy due to a lack of yacht infrastructure. Nevertheless, we had to include this amazing destination in our ultimate bucket list.
Berths
Santorini has only one harbour called Vlychada. It used to be a marina, but is now packed with fishing vessels and charter catamarans. Silting is also an issue and the harbour is nowhere near the beautiful spots Santorini is known for. The best option would be to visit Santorini without your boat and take your boat to the other beautiful destinations in Greece.
Food and drinks
Top restaurants on Santorini are:
Metaxy Mas Tavern - Exo Gonia, Pyrgos 84700, Greece
Terra Nera - Agios Georgios, Perivolos, Greece
Kapari Wine Restaurant - City Street, Imerovigli 84700, Greece
V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar - Ipapantis Walkway | Panorama Boutique Hotel, Fira 84700, Greece
Accommodation
Top places to stay:
Anastasis Apartments - Imerovigli, Imerovigli 84700, Greece
Astra Suites - PO Box 45, Imerovigli 84700, Greece
Dreams Luxury Suites - P.O. Box 766, Imerovigli 84700, Greece
and many many more….
Boat service
No services available.
Weather
Mild temperatures in the winter are accompanied by hot weather in the summer with average highs slightly under 30°C.
When to visit
June, July and August are best for swimming and enjoying the beach-life, whereas late spring and early autumn are better for sightseeing due to milder temperatures.
Naxos
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