The 10 Largest Islands in the Mediterranean Sea

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest autonomous region of Italy. It is located south of the Italian peninsula and to the east of the Italian mainland, separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina. Sicily is located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea, making it a popular destination for travelers from around the world. Sicily's land area is 25,711 square kilometers making it the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also the highest and most mountainous region of Italy, with Mount Etna, its highest peak, reaching 3,350 meters. 

Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest island in Italy. It is located approximately 200 miles west of the Italian mainland and is approximately 250 miles long and 100 miles wide. The island has an area of 24090 square kilometeres It has a varied landscape that is mostly mountainous, with the highest peak being Monte Limbara at 6,096 feet. The climate of Sardinia is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers. The island is known for its warm, sunny days and mild nights. 

Cyprus is an island nation located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is situated at the crossroads of three continents—Europe, Asia and Africa—and is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia. The area of Cyprus is 9,251 square kilometers. The coastline of Cyprus is about 648 kilometers and is dotted with numerous picturesque beaches and stunning cliffs. The island of Cyprus is divided into two parts, the northern part is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the southern part is the Republic of Cyprus. The latter is a member of the European Union since May 1st, 2004. 

The island of Corsica is a French island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, with a total area of 8,722 square kilometers. Corsica is located west of Italy and south of France, and is bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ligurian Sea to the east. The island has a unique geography, with a rugged mountain range running along the northern coast and picturesque beaches, coves, and inlets along the southern coast. The island is known for its natural beauty and has long been a popular destination for tourists. Corsica is also home to a number of historical sites, including the remains of a Roman amphitheater in Aleria, the ancient city of Filitosa, and the citadel of Calvi. The island is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including a number of endangered species. Corsica has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. 

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete covers an area of 8450 square kilometers. It is the southernmost of the Greek islands and is bounded on the east by the Aegean Sea, on the south by the Libyan Sea, on the north by the Sea of Crete, and on the west by the Mediterranean Sea. Crete has a long and rich history, as it is believed to be the birthplace of the Minoan civilization, the earliest known civilization in Europe. It was also the home of the ancient Greeks, with the Minoans, Mycenaeans, and Dorians all having left their mark on Crete. Crete is known for its dramatic landscapes, with the White Mountains rising to over 2,000 meters above sea level. There are numerous picturesque beaches, and the island is full of archaeological sites, including the Minoan city of Knossos. 

Euboea is an island in the Mediterranean Sea located off the eastern coast of mainland Greece. It is the second largest island in Greece after Crete and is about the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The island has an area of 3684 square kilometers. It is divided into two parts by a narrow strip of water known as the Euripos Strait. The northern part of the island is known as the North Euboea and the southern part is known as the South Euboea. The island has a mountainous landscape with its highest peak, Mount Dirfys, reaching an elevation of 2,401 meters. The terrain is mostly forested, with a few small farming villages scattered throughout the island. The coastline is made up of rocky cliffs, small bays and beaches. Euboea is connected to mainland Greece by a bridge that spans the Euripos Strait. 

Majorca, or Mallorca as it is known by its Spanish name, is one of the largest and most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Located 80 kilometers off the east coast of Spain in the Balearic Islands, Majorca is the largest of the four main Balearic Islands, with a surface area of 3,640 square kilometers. Majorca is a popular vacation destination, known for its sandy beaches, stunning mountain ranges, and picturesque towns and villages. Its stunning natural beauty and mild climate have made it a popular tourist destination for centuries. The most popular resorts are located in the south of the island, and the north is a nature reserve. Majorca is also known for its excellent wines, produced from the local vines. 

Lesbos is an island in the Mediterranean Sea located off the eastern coast of Turkey and the northwestern coast of Greece. It is the third largest Greek island and the eighth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The total land area of Lesbos is 1,632  square kilometers. The island of Lesbos is shaped like an irregular triangle, with its northern tip pointing towards the Aegean Sea and its southern tip toward the Sea of Marmara. Along the eastern coast lies the city of Mytilene, which is the capital of the island and its largest port. The rest of the island is largely rural, with small villages scattered throughout the interior. The terrain of the island is largely mountainous, with the highest point being Mount Olympus at an altitude of 1,624 meters. 

Rhodes is a Greek island located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. It is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands, with an area of 1,398 square kilometers. It is situated in the south of the Aegean Sea, between the islands of Karpathos and Symi. It is the most easterly of the Greek islands and is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches, lush forests and historical sites. The island has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, evidenced by the ruins of the ancient city of Lindos. The Greeks named the island after the sun god Rhodes, and it became the home of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Colossus of Rhodes. In the Medieval period, Rhodes was part of the Byzantine Empire, and it was later ruled by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. 

Chios is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. It is the fifth-largest of the Greek islands, with an area of 842 square kilometers. Chios is part of the North Aegean region and is the only Greek island in the region that is not part of an archipelago. Chios is the birthplace of Homer, the famous epic poet, and is known for its distinctive mastic gum. The island is also home to a unique form of architecture, with its houses built of stone and surrounded by tall stone walls. Chios is known as the “Island of Flowers”, due to its abundance of wildflowers. The island is also known for its beautiful beaches, with white sand and crystal-clear water. Chios is connected to the mainland by ferry and is served by the Chios International Airport.