Off the Beaten Path in Formentera, Sardinia & Costa Brava: Our Secret Summer Guide
Eli in paradise... errr, in Cap de Creus, Catalonia
Sure, you’ve seen the photos: turquoise coves in Formentera, impossibly blue beaches in Sardinia, rugged cliffs hugging the Costa Brava. These Mediterranean icons are no secret — and in July or August, they can feel more like open-air festivals than peaceful getaways. Sure, we’re all about Arctic destinations, but we love a good Mediterranean beach too!
And here’s the thing: even the busiest places have quiet corners. You just need to know where to look.
After years of exploring these coastlines (and ducking the crowds like pros), we’ve put together our favorite off-the-beaten-path spots — the secret beaches, small-town stays, wild hikes, and local food joints that still make us feel like we’ve discovered something new.
If you want sun, salt, and (some) space to breathe — this is your summer guide.
🌊 PS: Looking for more under-the-radar destinations? Check out our Best European Beaches — 100% tried, tested, and flip-flop approved.
🦩 Formentera beyond the postcards
5 minutes away from our accommodation in Formentera… and nobody!
Yes, everyone raves about Playa de Ses Illetes and all the top things to do in Formentera. And sure, it’s beautiful. But Formentera’s real charm hides in its dusty trails, pine-scented air, and the kind of coves you have to earn with a hike or a bike ride.
Tramuntana Coast
While most visitors flock west, the Tramuntana coast on Formentera’s eastern side is a whole different story: rugged, remote, and refreshingly tourist-free. The cliffs are steeper, the wind is stronger, and the trails are often just goat paths — but the reward is pure Mediterranean solitude. Sure, it’s a bit less scenic than the West Coast, but it’s wild and peaceful. Even early September, we were completely alone there (it was 5 minutes walk from our accommodation, so we went every day).
Start from Es Caló de Sant Agustí and head north along the coast. You’ll find secret swimming spots between jagged rocks, fisherman’s huts built into cliffs, and views that sometimes feel more like Galicia than Ibiza. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and your sense of adventure.
Forest bike paths & inland peace
Rent a bike and ditch the beach entirely (well, for a few hours). Formentera’s interior is dotted with old stone walls, sleepy fig groves, and viewpoints where you’ll likely be alone with the wind. Just a word of advice: the island seems small and flat on a map. In reality, it’s a bit harder than it looks if you plan to ride your bike all day to visit the entire island — especially with a pulsing wound on your foot due to a corral accident. True story.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
I (Eli) once sliced my foot open on coral in Formentera, then decided biking all day was a good idea anyway. (Spoiler: it wasn’t.) Grateful we had travel insurance with Heymondo — and now you can get 5% off — up to 15% with seasonal offers — too. Learn from our mistakes. Cover your salty butt.
Where the locals eat
Step away from the waterfront. Try Can Forn in Sant Ferran for authentic island cuisine, or Macondo for low-key pizza that hits the spot after a day of salty swims. Oh, I know what you’re thinking: “Italian food, that’s not local! And they call themselves foodies at Penguin Trampoline…” Well, technically, no, it’s not local. But don’t go to Formentera to learn Spanish. First, they speak Catalan. Second, you will hear more “Ciao” than “Hola”, especially in high season.
Even if you do eat Italian, make sure to try the Balearic specialties: ensaïmada, sobrasada, queso de Maó, etc.
Did you know?
The Balearic Islands have two official languages: Catalan and Spanish. Catalan is the local language, and while it has distinct dialects on each island (Mallorcan, Menorcan, Ibizan), it's considered the language of the region. Spanish is also widely spoken due to its status as the national language and the influx of people from other parts of Spain and other countries.
Pic: Jake enjoying an iced coffee that Eli had to order in… Italian!
Sunset at Cap de Barbaria
Skip the loud beach bars and ride out to the lighthouse at the end of the world. The sunsets here hit different — just bring a light jacket, the wind is no joke.
🌄 Sardinia’s secret side
Eli walking toward Plagemesu — Ma che sonno!
Sardinia isn’t small, even if it looks like it on a map — it’s a full-on island universe. Seriously, there are so many things to do! And while Costa Smeralda hogs the headlines — and the celebrities, the island's real magic is in the wild west, the quiet interior, and tiny coastal towns that seem frozen in time.
Spiagge segrete in the south: Portu Pordu & Porto Pino
Southern Sardinia doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves — and that’s a very good thing. Beaches are wide, you need to walk to them, and there are a way fewer tourists than in the North. Plagemesu is a perfect stretch of wide sand with aquamarine water and a wild, unspoiled feel.
Nearby, Spiaggia di Porto Pino stretches for kilometers, with soft white sand dunes and shallow turquoise water. Head to the far end near the Dune Bianche for the most peaceful spots. Even in August, you can definitely carve out your own patch of paradise here. Just bring a good panino!
Nuraghe, stone towers & ancient souls
Sardinia is home to over 7,000 nuraghe — Bronze Age stone towers that give the island its prehistoric Game of Thrones vibe. Visit Su Nuraxi, or wander into the wild and stumble on your own.
Wild horses of Giara di Gesturi
In the high plains of central Sardinia, wild horses still roam free. Giara di Gesturi is a protected area where these small, sturdy horses — cavallini della Giara — graze among cork oaks and pink rockrose. When I (Eli) finally spotted them after hours of walking, it was a magical moment.
Stay inland, eat like royalty
Book an agriturismo accommodation in the hills around Barbagia or Ogliastra. Expect homemade pasta, fregola, fire-roasted meats, and endless mirto (the local myrtle liqueur). You’ll leave stuffed, but maybe a bit healthier too!
Blue Zone
Sardinia is one of the world’s 5 official Blue Zones, where people regularly live to 100 and beyond. The secret? A mix of fresh air, strong community ties, simple Mediterranean food, reduced stress, and a lot of walking (often uphill). Spend a few days inland, and you’ll start to understand!
Pic: Signore making pasta near Cagliari.
Tavolara by boat
While the east and north coasts get busier in summer, you can still escape it all. Just off Sardinia’s northeast coast, the island of Tavolara rises out of the sea like a limestone fortress — steep, dramatic, and totally unexpected. It’s part of a protected marine area, and you can only reach it by boat from Porto San Paolo. Once there, you’ll find crystal-clear coves, wild hiking trails, and a tiny beach that feels like a movie set. The island has fewer visitors than you’d expect — and some seriously surreal views back toward the mainland.
I (Eli) went in September, and there was plenty of peace and space for everyone. Plus, lots of tourists only stay around the dock (Are they crazy? Go explore!).
🏖 Costa Brava without the crowds
The Costa Brava is a greatest-hits album of cliffs, dreamy coves, picturesque fishermen towns, and medieval villages. But that doesn’t mean you have to share it with a million others.
Hiking in Cap de Creus
Trade sand for stone and hike the otherworldly trails of Cap de Creus Natural Park. Think lunar landscapes, windswept views, abundant marine life, and not a beach umbrella in sight. I (Eli) spent all my summers there growing up and am still in love with it. While swimsuits are optional, water is not — shade is rare, and you’ll have to earn these coves!
Cadaqués is touristy but a must if you’re in the area. Less popular with foreign visitors, more popular with Barcelonians, Llança and Port de la Selva are hidden gems.
Dali, without the crowds
While Port Lligat and Cadaqués (where Dalí lived and painted) are undeniably irresistible and among the top things to do in Costa Brava, they’re also swamped in summer. For a more relaxed dose of surrealism, head to the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres — a riot of color, imagination, and weirdness built inside an old theater. Fewer crowds, more indoor space, and a perfect option for a rainy day when the beach isn’t calling. That was actually my parents’ plan every summer!
Medieval villages like Begur, Pals & Peratallada
These postcard-perfect towns are close to the coast but feel centuries away from modern tourism. Narrow streets, stone buildings, and cafés with one table outside. Yes, please. Oh, and if you make it to Begur, please take time to explore its picture-perfect coves. Sure, they’re not off the beaten path, but omg they’re beautiful. Try early in the morning or late in the evening for your own little corner of paradise!
Secret coves by kayak
The coastline between Tamariu and Cala Pedrosa is a maze of rock formations and turquoise inlets. Rent a kayak and discover spots you literally can’t walk to.
Garrotxa: volcanoes & valleys inland
Just 30-60 minutes from the Costa Brava, Garrotxa is the kind of place you'd never guess was so close to the beach. Explore ancient forests, extinct volcanoes, and villages like Santa Pau that feel like fairy tales with hiking boots.
Eat seafood where the menus aren’t in English
Go to Palamós and skip the harborfront strip. Head uphill or inland a few blocks and you’ll find places like La Menta or Hostal Vostra Llar — local favorites with killer prawns and zero hype.
If you like anchovies, head to L’Escala (I love them but Jake is frowning right now).
And close to Pals, in Palau-Sator, we can recommend Mas Pou for authentic Catalan food (surf & turf).
🧳 How to plan an alternative Mediterranean summer
Travel in shoulder season: Late May to mid-June or early September is your golden window. The water’s warm, temperatures are not too hot, prices are lower, the trails are quiet, and you’ll actually find parking. All the summer perks without the drawbacks!
Fly smart: Avoid weekends, and look for regional airports when booking your flight (Girona for Costa Brava, Olbia for Sardinia). Vueling offers many summer routes within Europe. You can also take the ferry from/to Barcelona from/to Ibiza.
Ferry life: From Ibiza to Formentera? Book the early one and bike straight off the dock.
Wake up early: Or don’t sleep at all if you went partying?
Pack light, walk far: The best spots often mean stairs, dust, or rocky paths.
Skip the resorts: Look for farm stays, local guesthouses, or sea-view rentals not on Booking's front page.
Book an accommodation inland for cheaper prices and fewer tourists. A 10-minute drive makes a big difference!
Eat off the plaza: If there's a laminated menu in five languages with pictures of each dish, keep walking.
Save more with smarter planning:
→ How to travel cheaper
→ How to save on accommodation
→ How to find cheap flights
Here is our favorite summer playlist to set the vibe:
The Mediterranean doesn’t have to mean traffic jams, packed beaches, and overpriced mojitos. Even in places as iconic as Formentera, Sardinia, and the Costa Brava, there’s still space — for silence, for saltwater, for something real.
So go ahead. Get lost. Take the trail that doesn't look like a trail. Find the beach that isn’t on Instagram. That’s where the summer stories live. At least, our kind of summer stories.
Still with a beach craving?
