If you follow us on Instagram, you already know we have a soft spot for the sea. We’re lucky to call beautiful Galicia home, and most evenings when the light turns golden, we drop whatever we’re doing and head to the coast — for sunset shots, tapas, and maybe a cold beer by the waves.
Still, as much as we adore our home shores, our curiosity often pulls us farther. Over the years we’ve explored places as diverse as Thailand, Indonesia, Israel, and Malta — and no matter where we go, there’s always some kind of water involved. Sailing, diving, island hopping… it’s where we feel most alive.
Planning ocean adventures abroad, though, isn’t always simple. Finding reliable operators and safe conditions takes some digging, and we’ve learned that doing a bit of homework pays off every time.
So, if you’re dreaming of swapping solid ground for open sea this year, here are some of our favorite sailing adventures in Europe — the kind that remind you how vast and wild this planet still is.
1. Sailing the Kornati Archipelago, Croatia
Inma loved Croatia when she visited a few years back, but it was still quite early in the season and a bit too cold to swim and enjoy the beautiful seascapes of Dalmatia. We’ve heard great things about Kornati, one of Croatia’s National Parks, famous for being the world’s densest archipelago – there are 140 islands in just 35 square kilometers. Kornati is also a well-known sailing location, where you can get lost for weeks on end spending time swimming in pristine lagoons, snorkeling, and having lunch in one of many village konoba (family-run restaurants). Who’s in?
2. Sailing the Aeolian Islands
We love Italy, but sadly we’ve never been as far south as Sicily! If we did, we’d make sure to spend some time discovering the Aeolian Islands. We’ve heard it’s one of the most photogenic regions in Southern Italy, with stunning black sand beaches, vineyards, cute villages an the opportunity to visit two volcanoes – Volcano, with its steaming craters, and Stromboli, where eruptions take place every half an hour or so, and you can hike at sunset to see sparkling lava. Around the Aeolian Islands there are also lots of diving and snorkeling opportunities, and naturally plenty of delicious Sicilian food and wine!
3. 2 Week Adventure in the Magical Cyclades
If you love Instagram as much as we do, I’m sure you’ve dreamed of visiting Greece to take those perfect sunset-over-a-Cycladic village shots. However, Santorini is just so crowded these days, we’d rather head elsewhere and discover some lesser-known places. On nowboat there’s a fantastic two-week cruise on offer offbeat islands and locations like Skinoussa, Folegandros, Serifos, Kithnos, and Poros – have you ever heard of any of these places? I don’t think you’d have to fight with the crowds to get those perfect sunset shots!
4. Afternoon Cruise from Mallorca
Closer to home, the Balearic Islands are a fantastic destination – if you avoid the busy summer months when the archipelago is full of holidaying families and party crowds, and visit in the shoulder season instead, you’ll find spectacular beaches with only a few other souls to share them with. However, if you truly want to head off the beaten track, what about chartering a sailboat for a day to go exploring? One of the best places to do that in Mallorca is Port de Pollença, close to spectacular swimming and snorkeling spots like La Victoria and La Fortaleza.
If you get a group together, prices can be as low as €40 per person for a full afternoon of adventuring on the water. Not bad, huh?
5. Sunset Cruise in Lisbon
Last but not least, our beloved Lisbon! Inma spent a few years living in the Portuguese capital during her Erasmus, and we’ve returned to the city countless times. Sunset is a very special time in Lisbon – and when most tourists are crowding rooftop bars and lookout points in the historic center, a sunset cruise is the best thing to do to get away from it all! Sunset cruises typically start from Belem and include time sailing past the city and even up to the stunning Vasco da Gama bridge. If you’re looking to surprise your significant other or even pop the question, this is the way to do it!