The best destinations for Sailing in Europe

Anyone who has sailed in Europe can attest to the diverse and beautiful sailing destinations there are to explore. From the stunningly clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the famous French Riviera or the rugged coasts of Ireland, there is much to see and do when sailing in Europe.

Whether you’re an experienced sailor or just starting, there is a perfect cruising spot for you in this corner of the world. This article covers some of the best places to sail in Europe for the summer months: the wind is favourable, the sea warm, and the beers chilled! Read on to find out more.

The Best Destinations For Sailing In Europe

When it comes to the best boat trips in Europe, the continent has so much to offer. With its long coastline and numerous rivers and lakes, the continent is a paradise for sailors of all experience levels.

Whether looking for culture, history, or just some time on the open water, Europe truly does have it all. So pack your favourite sailing jacket and life vest, and set sail for an unforgettable adventure.

1. The Ionian Islands, Greece

Spend your days sailing Europe on these stunning Greek Islands. The Ionian Islands are one of the most popular places to sail in all of Europe, and once you get here, you’ll understand why.

The Ionian is lush and mountainous, with some of the clearest waters you’ll ever see. Many coves and sheltered bays offer perfect protection from the wind, and the weather over the summer months tends to settle.

Things to do in the Ionian Islands

• Visit the capital city of Corfu and explore the ancient architecture
• Anchor in Paxos and explore the island by foot or bike, and keep an eye out for the rare Monk Seals that live here
• Explore the many sheltered coves on the island of Meganisi
• Swim with turtles in Zakynthos or anchor next to the famous shipwreck beach.

Top tips for sailing in the Ionian Islands:

The predominant winds over the summer months are from the north. They tend to blow in the afternoons and never usually reach more than 20knts.

The Ionian is a busy cruising ground with charter boats aplenty! So brush up on the collision regulations before visiting, and ensure that autopilot isn’t doing your watch!

While favoured town quays book up quickly here, it is still possible to find anchorages all to yourself. In addition, most charter boats will head to marinas or docks overnight, so stock up on BBQ food and enjoy the peace and quiet in the evenings.

Keep an eye on the best sailing apps for the Med for any approaching storms. They can hit out of nowhere during the summer and often bring strong winds with them.

2. Sardinia, Italy

Sailing Sardinia is a must-do for any sailor looking for a fantastic experience. Near Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this beautiful area is full of history, stunning scenery, and excellent sailing conditions. You’re guaranteed an unforgettable time here.

Although Sardinia can get pretty busy over the summer months, there are still plenty of remote anchorages you can explore if you’re after some seclusion.

Things to do in Sardinia:

• Discover the fascinating history of the city of Olbia
• Anchor in the clear waters of Porto Cervo and take a dip
• Head to the island of La Maddalena and explore the many coves and bays
• Visit the lively town of Alghero

Top tips for sailing in Sardinia:

The best time to sail Sardinia is between May and September, when the weather tends to settle, and the winds are light. However, keep an eye on the forecast for thunderstorms which can bring strong winds and rain.

The wind in Sardinia tends to pick up in the afternoon, so most people move anchorages then. However, if you’re finding it a little busy, try moving anchorages in the morning and securing a spot before the masses arrive!
In the Strait of Bonifacio, westerly winds can pick up quickly to high speeds. Watch out for this!

The Costa Smeralda can get busy during the Italian school holidays.

3. Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

The Dalmatian Coast is one of Europe’s most popular sailing destinations, and it’s easy to see why. With over 1,000 islands dotting its coastline, there are endless opportunities for exploration.

This beautiful coastline offers sailors stunning scenery, superb sailing conditions, and a wealth of history and culture to explore. In fact, our highlight of sailing in Croatia was definitely exploring the ancient cities and towns.

Dubrovnik is the jewel of the Dalmatian Coast and should not be missed by any sailor cruising in the area. This medieval city is full of charm and character, and its old city walls offer amazing views of the surrounding area.

Things to do in Croatia:

• Explore the medieval city of Dubrovnik
• Check out the best things to do in Korcula
• Visit Hvar Island and enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife
• Anchor on Lavisto island and explore the national park – a true Balkans hidden gem
• Visit Krka Falls or Plitvic waterfalls

Top tips for sailing and yachting in Croatia:

Croatia has a reputation for being an expensive place to sail, with many stories of fines and strict rules and regulations. However, this wasn’t our experience, and with some careful planning, you won’t have any troubles here either.

Make sure you check anchorage apps like Navily carefully before choosing an anchorage. In some anchorages, you will have to pay to drop your hook, so ensure you’re prepared by reading the comments beforehand. The upside-down anchor signs mean no anchoring.

Croatian anchorages tend to be deep. Ensure you have enough chains and are prepared to tie lines to shore in small anchorages. Sometimes mooring buoys are a better option. You may have to pay, or sometimes they belong to restaurants you can eat at as payment (this is a popular option!)

The predominant winds here tend to be northerlies during the summer and southerlies during the European winter. Still, Croatia is renowned for summer storms, so make sure you keep a close eye on the forecast.

4. Montenegro

The Bay of Kotor is a gorgeous cruising ground with plenty to see and do. This sheltered bay is full of history, with many medieval towns and fortresses dotting the coastline. The scenery is also stunning, with high mountains and deep blue waters.

Montenegro is a small cruising ground, so it’s actually perfect if you’re on a week-long Europe holiday. You should feel like you’ve really got a taste of all the best sailing spots by the time you leave.

Things to do in Montenegro:

-Anchor in the town of Perast and explore its two ancient islands
-Visit the old town of Kotor, a UNESCO world heritage site
-Head to Herceg Novi for some relaxation
-Anchor in the secluded Bay of Tivat
-Explore the island of Mamula, an abandoned

Top tips for sailing Montenegro:

The Bay of Kotor is the most popular cruising ground in Montenegro, with everything from small boats to yachts and cruise ships docking here, but don’t miss the small section of coastline open to the sea either. The area just south of Budva is stunning.

Wind in Montenegro is a little temperamental because of the strong katabatic winds from the tall mountains. So anchor well with plenty of chains, and you should prepare yourself for whatever comes your way!

If you need some marina time, Porto Montenegro is surprisingly cheap (in comparison with other Mediterranean marinas!), especially off-season.

5. The Cyclades, Greece

You can’t beat Greece in the European summer, whether it’s island hopping or choosing All Inclusive Holidays to Greece. These islands are no exception.

The Cyclades Islands are a popular sailing destination for a good reason. These stunning islands offer lovely sailing conditions, beautiful scenery, and plenty of history and culture to explore.

The Cyclades isn’t the most accessible place to sail. Still, if you’re more experienced, you can have a great time here, especially if you enjoy sailing in stronger winds. On the other hand, suppose you’re a beginner sailor (or just nervous like me!). In that case, you should consider sailing here in the shoulder season instead of the summer months.

Things to do in The Cyclades:

-Anchor in the sheltered bay of Santorini and explore the island’s volcanic coastline
-Visit the ancient ruins of Delos (you can anchor just off the famous island)
-Drop anchor in Mykonos and enjoy the island’s world-famous nightlife
-Sail to the quiet island of Antiparos for some relaxation

Top tips for sailing in The Cyclades:

The reason why the Cyclades is a more difficult cruising ground compared to others on this list is down to the Meltemi. The Meltemi is a wind system that blows from the north at up to 40knts and can last up to a week at a time. The Meltemi tends to kick up during the summer months. It can be great for downwind sailing, but coming back north again can be tricky.

The Meltemi is usually well forecast and has many safe, sheltered anchorages. However, when you have to be somewhere at a specific time (returning a rental charter boat, for example), it can prove frustrating and take good planning and confident seamanship skills.

It might be tempting to head south to the famous island of Santorini, but check the anchorages there before you go. It’s a busy cruising ground with very few protected anchorages, so you might need to book a spot in a marina before you head there

6. The Three Cities and Gozo, Malta

The Three Cities and Gozo are great places to sail for anyone looking for an authentic Mediterranean experience. These two areas are full of history, with many ancient sites and buildings to explore. The sailing conditions are also excellent, with plenty of sheltered bays and anchorages.

Things to do in Malta:

• Visit the ancient city of Mdina
• Anchor in Gozo and explore the island’s coastline on foot
• Sail to little Comino and anchor in the crystal clear waters
• Explore Valletta, Malta’s capital city

Top tips for sailing in Malta:

Malta is a great place to sail for beginners as it has plenty of sheltered anchorages and bays. Just don’t leave things to the last minute; check the charts to ensure you aren’t anchoring inside a protected nature reserve.

Some of the best things to do in Malta (and the surrounding islands) involve exploring inland. There are cheap buses that cover much of the island, or you can hire a car relatively quickly. Also, check out the coastal hikes on the island of Gozo.

The best time to sail to Malta is between May and September. Wind forecasts here are good, though you should be aware of katabatic winds that can make gusts much stronger.

7. Sicily: Taormina and Syracuse, Italy

Sicily is a well-known cruising ground for sailors looking for beautiful scenery and excellent sailing conditions. Taormina is a must-see stop on any Sicily sailing trip.

This medieval town is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, and its Greek theatre is one of the most well-preserved in the world. Syracuse is another fantastic option, with its large natural harbour and rich history.

Things to do in Sicily:

• Visit the Greek theatre in Taormina
• Explore the streets of Syracuse’s old town
• Sail to the Aeolian Islands for some relaxation

Top tips for sailing in Sicily:

Be prepared for strong winds and currents in the Strait of Messina, along with significant shipping traffic. However, if you’re only here for a week or so, we recommend you avoid the Messina Straights. There are plenty of great things to see and do between Syracusa and Taormina.

Anchor well and prepare for sudden weather changes. Sicily is known for the storms here that hit during the summer months (they are almost always well forecast). Still, most of the time, you should experience pleasant sailing winds.

Get provisions at one of the local markets. The fresh fruit and vegetables here are some of the best in the world!

Conclusion: Top Sailing Destinations In Europe

If you’re looking for an unforgettable European sailing experience, consider picking one of the best cruising areas on this list. With crystal-clear waters, stunning medieval villages dotting the coastline, incredible cuisine, and favourable summer weather conditions, sailing in these countries will be something you’ll never forget.

Author Bio

Emily is a keen traveller and adventure seeker. In an attempt to follow her dreams of learning to sail, she quit her full-time job as a primary school teacher, bought a sailboat in Sicily called Hot Chocolate, and now explores the world from her tiny home on the ocean. She writes travel guides and blogs about her experiences at sea and documents her adventures through film. You can find out more at twogetlost.com.