The best countries to visit in southern Europe

Island hopping and incredible history

If you want a holiday that effortlessly blends beach days with sightseeing, look to Croatia. Here, you’ll find Venetian bell towers and Byzantine churches, quaint stone villages and grand palace complexes, fortified towns and medieval monasteries. Much of it is located on or close to the coast, so you can easily weave a bit of exploring in with time relaxing on smooth-pebble beaches and swimming in some of southern Europe’s clearest waters.

Split, Croatia

Island-hopping is a great way to see more of Croatia’s coastline. Opt for a twin-centre hosted holiday to combine two islands, or step aboard one of our wonderful small ships for a longer cruise to a host of islands, islets and unspoilt bays. With around 30 guests on board, they’re more relaxed affairs than a traditional cruise – think sociable dinners, impromptu swim stops and drinks on deck while the sun sets.

• Take a boat trip to unspoilt Lokrum island, near Dubrovnik

• Walk through Diocletian’s Palace in Split

• Watch the sunset with a glass of Croatian wine

• Wander through lavender fields to reach a quiet bay on Hvar

Cities, scenery and sumptuous cuisine

There’s a reason Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, let alone in southern Europe. The art, the architecture, the food, the landscapes – whichever part of the country you’re visiting, you know you’ll be in for a treat.

In the north, you’ve got the lakes and mountains. Head here for exquisite scenery, lavish lakeside villas and some brilliant walks (particularly in the Dolomites). In the south, there’s Sicily, with its volcanic landscapes, rich history and delicious cuisine; Puglia, home to storybook trulli houses, baroque buildings and endless olive groves; and the rugged regions of Calabria and Basilicata.

The Dolomites, Italy

In between, you’ll find the postcard-worthy Amalfi Coast, Tuscany’s wine estates and medieval towns, the rainbow-bright Cinque Terre, and a whole host of incredible cities, from big hitters like Rome and Florence to smaller gems such as Siena, Bologna and Verona. And we can’t forget Sardinia, either – an island unlike anywhere else in Italy.

• Sample farm-to-fork produce in the Dolomites

• Uncover Sicily’s Greek, Roman, Norman and Byzantine heritage

• Explore Rome’s fountain-dotted piazzas

• Sip espresso with a view of Mount Vesuvius in Sorrento

• Go wine tasting in Tuscany

Ancient history and honey-hued cities

Malta might not be the first place that springs to mind when planning a holiday to southern Europe. But the Maltese archipelago has so much to offer – and the small size of the islands makes exploring a breeze.

Inhabited since around 5900 BC, these islands boast Megalithic monuments, baroque buildings and temples more than 1,000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. Begin with the butterscotch buildings of Valletta, Malta’s capital city, one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Across the waters of the Grand Harbour, there are the historic ‘Three Cities’, a trio of fortified harbour inlets. Further afield, you’ll find centuries-old citadels, prehistoric temples and even a subterranean cemetery dating back to 4,000 BC.

Valletta, Malta

When it’s time to relax, there are rocky coves, sandy beaches and rooftop pools to make the most of Malta’s fantastic weather (the island enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year).

• Admire the architecture of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta

• Visit the National War Museum at St Elmo’s Fort

• Spend a morning exploring the old capital of Mdina

• Take a boat across to Gozo or Comino for the day

Magnificent beaches and Moorish architecture

Brits have been flocking to Spain’s sunny beaches for decades – it’s one of our favourite places for a relaxed seaside break. But there’s plenty more to discover away from the sands.

Southern Spain is graced with some of the world’s most beautiful Moorish mosques, palaces and gardens. Prime examples include Cordoba’s Great Mosque, one of the greatest works of Islamic architecture in the world, Seville’s Royal Alcazar, and Granada’s exquisite Alhambra Palace. If you’re interested in learning more about Spain’s Moorish past, a tour of Andalusia will introduce you to some of the finest examples from that time.

Alhambra, Granada

If you prefer a more active holiday, you’ll some great areas for walking and hiking; there are also some fantastic sites for birdwatching, from wetlands and nature reserves to the migratory corridors leading to North Africa.

• Relax on the golden beaches of the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca

• Stroll through the Moorish gardens of the Alhambra in Granada

• Sample sherry in Jerez

• Bird-spot on the Costa de la Luz

• Discover the beautiful Balearic Islands

Myths, legends and laid-back living

Sometimes, the simplest pleasures make the very best holidays. Island-hopping in Greece is a perfect example of this, combining unspoilt islands, scenic sea crossings, centuries-old traditions and delicious local cuisine. Pick an island group – the Dodecanese for Rhodes, Leros and Symi, perhaps, or the Cyclades for Santorini, Milos and Mykonos – and we’ll do the rest.

Knossos, Crete

Don’t fancy the ferries? There are plenty of islands with enough going on to keep you busy for a week or two (or three…). Crete is brimming with Minoan treasures, such as the huge Palace of Knossos (supposedly once home to the Minotaur), while Corfu has a surprisingly lush landscape and a capital chock-full of Venetian architecture.

On the mainland, try the Peloponnese for beautiful beaches and a plethora of historic sites.

• Try a traditional Greek coffee – strong, thick and delicious

• Tour Rhodes’ incredible medieval Old Town

• Watch the sun set with your toes in the sand

• Learn to cook Cretan specialities

Volcanic islands, great wine and subtropical gardens

The last entry on our southern European holiday hit list is Portugal. It’s one of those places that has a little something for everyone – you just have to know where to go.

For any wine enthusiast, a tour of Portugal’s Douro Valley is a treat. Not only can you visit towns, villages and wineries that have been producing great wines for centuries, you can also taste, try and buy as you go.

Douro Valley, Portugal

As you venture further south, you’ll find untamed countryside and some lovely historic towns (many of them blissfully uncrowded), before you reach the cobbled streets and canary-yellow trams of Lisbon. Right down on the south coast is the Algarve, famous for its toffee-coloured beaches but also home to nature reserves and traditional market towns.

South-west of the mainland is the volcanic island of Madeira, a subtropical wonderland of gardens, woodland and laurissilva forest. Madeira is famous for its well-trodden footpaths known as levadas. This unique network of irrigation channels has become a mecca for walkers, hikers and trekkers from all over the world. They criss-cross the island so are an ideal way to enjoy the sub-tropical flowers, high waterfalls and lush vegetation, as well as the fine views and beautiful scenery for which Madeira is known.

• Taste port wine in Oporto

• Stay in a historic pousada in the countryside

• Eat flaky pastel de nata in Lisbon

• Relax on the Algarve’s beaches

• Walk Madeira’s levada trails

We hope this guide has given you some inspiration on where to go in southern Europe. For more holiday ideas, have a browse of our hosted hotels and escorted tours.