May on the Med: 5 Seaside Towns Before the Crowds
There’s a hush to the Mediterranean in May. A stillness before the hum of high summer. Bougainvillaea begins to unfurl. Beach cafés brush off the sand. Locals return to the rhythm of the sea—long lunches, morning swims, late-evening strolls. It’s the perfect time to slip into lesser-known coastal corners, where the soul of the region quietly awakens.
Here are five seaside towns—still blissfully uncrowded—where you can taste the Med as locals do.
1. Kardamyli, Greece – Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Tucked into the rugged Mani Peninsula, Kardamyli is a poetic place. Patrick Leigh Fermor made it his home, and it’s easy to see why. Olive groves stretch to the sea, stone towers rise from thyme-scented hills, and the Taygetos mountains glow pink at sunset.
In May, the town hums with quiet beauty. Hike to old-town Kardamyli, where Byzantine chapels sleep beneath wild fig trees. Dine at Lela’s Taverna, perched above the bay, where the octopus is grilled with a whisper of lemon and love.
Local Tip: Skip the main beach—walk 10 minutes south to Foneas Beach, a secret cove of white pebbles and turquoise waters.
2. Cetara, Italy – Anchovy Capital with a Golden Soul
While the Amalfi Coast starts to buzz, Cetara remains a salty, soulful exception. This tiny fishing village clings to its traditions—especially colatura di alici, a centuries-old anchovy essence that flavours everything from pasta to legend.
Wander the lemon-scented alleys, chat with fishermen mending nets, and sample spaghetti colatura at Al Convento, a modest gem tucked near the marina.
Local Tip: May marks the tonno rosso (bluefin tuna) migration. If you're lucky, you might catch the start of the village’s traditional tuna festival.
3. Cargèse, Corsica – A Tale of Two Churches and Untamed Shores
On Corsica’s west coast, where craggy cliffs plunge into indigo depths, lies Cargèse—a village with Greek and Latin roots. Two churches face each other here, a symbol of harmony between Corsican and Greek settlers.
Stroll down to Plage du Peru, a wide crescent beach often empty in May. Pine forests perfume the breeze, and the sunsets turn the sea into molten gold.
Local Tip: Visit La Ferme d’Alzetu for fresh brocciu cheese and a glimpse of Corsican pastoral life.
4. Altea, Spain – The Quiet Charm of Whitewashed Dreams
Just north of Alicante, Altea is the serene sister to its party-town neighbours. Terracotta rooftops, cobbled lanes, and the blue-domed church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo rise above the sea like a painting come to life.
Artists have long found refuge here, and in May, the galleries and ateliers spill open with new works and salty air.
Local Tip: Wake early and walk the Paseo Marítimo with a cortado in hand. Tucked along the palm-lined promenade near Playa de la Roda, Café Columbus is a beloved local hangout known for its slow mornings and sea-view serenity. Think almond croissants still warm from the oven, strong Spanish coffee, and a breezy terrace where locals read the paper and watch the waves roll in. Try their pan con tomate y jamón serrano—a simple, perfect bite of the Med.
5. Komiža, Croatia – Time Slows on the Edge of Vis
Remote and windswept, Komiža sits on the island of Vis like a pearl tucked in an oyster. Its stone houses cluster by the harbour, fishermen still head out in gajeta boats, and there's a silence to the evenings that feels sacred.
In May, the Blue Cave glows a surreal azure and the pebbled beaches are yours alone.
Local Tip: Ask locals about Pogača Komiška, a savoury anchovy pie native to the village. Best enjoyed with a glass of Vugava wine as the sun sinks behind Biševo.
Why May Matters
Before the ferries are full and the sunbeds reserved, the Mediterranean whispers her secrets. Travelling in May isn’t just about beating the crowds—it’s about tuning into the true rhythm of the coast. When the scent of orange blossom mixes with salt and time slows just enough for you to notice.
So pack light. Linger longer. And meet the Med as she quietly stretches into summer.
