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Thessaloniki is Greece’s much-loved second city (Picture: Getty Images)
A French city with a bad reputation and the ancient capital of Africa’s largest country are two of the alternative places you should visit this year.
That’s according to the travel gurus at Lonely Planet, who just revealed their top off-the-beaten-track Mediterranean destinations for 2026.
It’s no secret that the Med is the most popular region for UK travellers to explore, offering a rich and diverse range of experiences and stunning panoramas, from glamorous holiday resorts, showstopping beaches and island escapes to iconic cities and captivating cultural hubs.
And in its new guide to the Mediterranean, alongside well-traversed locations such as Corfu and the Côte d’Azur, the travel giant recommends unsung heroes such as the vibrant port town of Naples and the brilliantly preserved Ottoman outpost of Antalya.
Here’s the full list to save in your Notes.
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Often described as dark and dirty, Naples may seem an unconventional choice. It has long been synonymous with the Mafia, high crime rates, and a notorious toxic waste problem that’s seen the city nicknamed the ‘Triangle of Death.’ Not the most enticing qualities for tourists.
But for every mound of rubbish, an exquisite piece of architecture overshadows it.
This capital of Italy’s Catania region is raw, high-octane and fizzing with life – bursting with energy from its gritty laneways to perpetually fired-up pizza ovens. Naples was crowned the world’s best city for food in 2024, with good reason.
Neopolitans are proud of their city despite its troubled history (Picture: Sophie-May Williams)
According to Lonely Planet, it has ‘an ethereal and elegant energy that sets it apart from other cities in Italy’.
Our writer Sophie-May Williams transported us to the streets of Naples in a vivid feature earlier this year. You can read it here.
Marseille, FranceA brilliant mix of grit and grandeur, Marseille is a mishmash of the best that European cities have to offer.
Combining the creativity of Berlin and anarcho-vibe of Athens with Miami’s cerulean water and vibrant immigrant mix, there are endless reasons why this multicultural port city in the South of France is a must-visit.
The oldest city in France, Marseille was founded by Greek settlers some 2,600 years ago. Its bustling port brims with a rich diversity shaped by thousands of years of migration, and today it remains a unique gateway between Europe and Africa.
With views like this and over 300 days of glorious sunshine, it’s tempting to just move to Marseille (Picture: Alice Murphy)
As the author Jean-Claude Izzo wrote: ‘Marseille is, and always has been, the port of exiles — whoever disembarks in the port is inevitably at home.’
Our Travel Editor Alice Murphy (that’s me!) spent a few days wandering the streets in October, and found a youthful city with no sign of the bad reputation it was once notorious for.
Read more about Marseille’s colourful past and inspiring present here.
Algiers, AlgeriaHome to grand Roman ruins, historic cities and otherworldly landscapes, Algeria has all the ingredients for a classic bucket list adventure.
Africa’s largest country is just a short hop from Europe, with snow-flecked mountains and stunning coastline in the north, and surreal sand seas in the south.
It’s one of the few places in the world where you can go skiing in the mountains in the morning and hiking in the desert at night.
Travellers have been deterred by its famously complex visa system, but now, the ‘sleeping beauty’ of African tourism is finally waking up.
Algiers, the coastal capital of Algeria (Picture: Getty Images)
In recent years, Morocco has become popular with British travellers, but just two hours east lies relatively undiscovered Algiers, the coastal capital known for its fascinating history, richly textured architecture and labyrinthine streets that spill down into the Bay.
We recommend a twin-city break that takes in Constantine, which featured in Metro’s places to visit for 2026 last week.
Dubbed the ‘City of Bridges’, it is built across a deep gorge (a bit like Ronda in Spain) and connected by a network of walkways that earned the UNESCO-listed ancient city its name.
Enjoy the lot with barely another tourist in sight.
All expenses paid, where are you going?Antalya, Turkey Antalya, TurkeyCheck
Brač, CroatiaBrač, CroatiaBrač, CroatiaCheck
Naples, ItalyNaples, ItalyNaples, ItalyCheck
Thessaloniki, GreeceThessaloniki, GreeceThessaloniki, GreeceCheck
For even more unmissable travel news, features and inspiration in your inbox each week, sign up to Metro's The Getaway newsletter. Thessaloniki, GreeceSmaller and more compact than Athens, Thessaloniki is a much-loved destination among inhabitants of the country’s capital, with a bar-hopping culture and food scene that rivals any in the Med.
The port city has a tumultuous history of occupation, by the Romans, then the Ottomans, followed by a catastrophic fire that razed large swathes in 1917.
These days, the university town’s major draws are its historical sites and museums, easygoing nature, multicultural vibes, buzzing restaurants and bars, and an event-packed calendar that includes some of Europe’s best electronic music festivals.
Thessaloniki has a driverless metro (Greece’s first) that has been described as a kind of hop-on, hop-off museum with centuries’ worth of ruins along its route.
Antalya, TurkeyPassing France as the second most visited European country (Spain is #1) for the first time ever, Turkey has never been more popular.
And for lovers of Turkish culture and cuisine, look no further than Antalya.
The old harbour of Antalya (Picture: Getty Images)
The largest city on the country’s western coastline is classically beautiful and stylishly modern, with a deep history, a wonderfully preserved Ottoman old town and a waterfront ideal for watching the sunrise and enjoying local delicacies.
From there, drive two hours to Fethiye to swim in the Blue Lagoon, a large cove of dazzling turquoise water set against dramatic rocks and verdant woodland in the holiday town of Ölüdeniz.
Brač, CroatiaBrač is famous for two things: its radiant white stone, used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split (and, depending on whom you believe, the White House in Washington) and Zlatni Rat, the pebbly beach at Bol that is lapped by the Adriatic and adorns 90% of Croatia’s tourism posters.
This heavenly island, off the coast of Croatia, is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the country, and offers the opportunity to relax by the sea or hike to Vidova Gora, the highest point in the Adriatic islands, with breathtaking views.
It’s not as accessible as other destinations on the list, but trust us, the journey is all part of the fun.
Brač is famous for its beaches and gleaming white stone (Picture: Getty Images)
To get there, you’ll need to fly into Split, then take a car ferry to Supetar followed by a fast catamaran to Bol.
Along the way, you could detour to Plitvice Lakes, a national park of exceptional natural beauty where 16 crystalline lakes tumble into each other via a network of waterfalls.
Bari, ItalyOvershadowed by northern neighbours like Venice and Milan, Bari is one of Italy’s most intriguing yet underrated destinations.
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This millennia-old city, now the capital of the Puglia region, sits on the shores of the Adriatic and delights with medieval castles, excellent food and a lungomare (promenande) with spectacular sea views.
Make this a twin-break and swing by Brindisi, an overlooked gem rich in history and quintessential Italian charm.
The city is also a gateway to the Balkans and Greece, thanks to its regional airport and well-oiled ferry links.
Our writer Sophie-May Williams has more about Brindisi here.
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