Expert’s picks: Europe’s newest superyacht destinations
The 2025 European yachting season has arrived. After a winter spent flitting around the Caribbean, the Bahamas and beyond, the global fleet is set to change course for the Med and its ever-growing roster of new and coming-soon marinas
Once upon a time, many superyachts would flock to the French Riviera – dividing their time between Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Monaco. Indeed, many still do – drawn by the glamour, the rich nautical heritage and annual jet-set events like the Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
But to start and end an entire season hovering between Port Hercule in Monaco and Marseille’s Vieux Port would be to miss out, for much has changed in recent years, with a new swath of yachting destinations jostling for the limelight. If they’re not already on your radar, make a note in your logbook now.
Ellinikon, near Athens, has been described as "Europe's greatest urban regeneration project" with baked-in sustainability credentials and a 306-berth state-of-the-art superyacht marina. (3D render courtesy Ellinikon and Roula Rouva | Forbes Global Properties)
Greece
The “Athens Riviera” has been making waves for a while now, ever since the opening of the Four Seasons Astir Palace in 2019. Now with the arrival of the Ellinikon, a vast new US$8 billion “smart city of the future,” it’s set to continue bagging headlines. The development, 20 minutes from the Greek capital, is three times the size of Monaco and will be home to its very own superyacht marina with 306 berths for yachts up to 115 meters, along with luxury waterfront villas and all amenities in between. Ellinikon gets extra bragging rights, too, thanks to its innovative sustainability credentials – a priority across the entire project.
Camper & Nicholsons will provide management, oeprational and branding services to the marina at Elounda Hills, which will also be home to a hotel, retail piazza, restaurants and seasonal mooring for superyachts. (3D render courtesy Elounda Hills and Roula Rouva / Forbes Global Properties)
Superyachts have an entire playground of Greek islands within reach of Athens should they wish to explore – although they needn’t just make a day trip of it. The under-construction development Elounda Hills in Crete will feature a boutique marina surrounded by a private sandy beach, tennis courts, kids’ club and even a lounge for teens – giving yacht owners more reasons to stick around.
Sail across the Ionian Sea to watch the multi-million-dollar upgrade to the island’s new Mega Yacht Marina, under the direction of Lamda Development. Underpinned by smart and sustainable principles, plans include 410 berths for both private and commercial vessels up to 140 meters, with premium services to match.
Vibrant Valencia's busy port marina is undergoing a dramatic transformation, updating and adding new facilities to service yachts of up to 130 meters. (Shutterstock)
Spain
From the Italian Riviera to the Maltese archipelago, there are far more destinations to justify an entire season of on the water. Sail over to Spain to check out the chatter around Marina Port Valencia. Which, according to the marina’s general manager, Santiago Donat, is set to become “one of the most ambitious and innovative yachting destinations in the Mediterranean.” He could be right. The project will welcome yachts up to a whopping 130 meters while also positioning itself as a key hub for refit and repair. Killing two birds with one stone never looked so good.
So it’s a case of being spoilt for choice this summer – and for many summers to come as marinas and yachting destinations continue to up their game. Bon voyage.
Montenegro
Porto Montenegro was one of the first disruptors when it launched back in 2009. Quickly hailed the “Balkan Riviera”, it had bags of appeal for the Euro superyachting crowd. Beyond its location in one of the world’s deepest natural harbors, the dazzling Bay of Kotor, yet more of its allure lay in the marina’s first-class facilities. Room for 400 superyachts, palatial waterside residences, yacht club, spa, restaurants – the list goes on. In many ways, Porto Montenegro rewrote the rulebook on what a luxury superyacht marina should really be – and it isn’t even finished yet.
“Porto Montenegro is more than a marina, it has evolved into a thriving multifaceted waterfront community, explains David Margason, managing director of Porto Montenegro. “Upon full completion, the destination will encompass five dynamic and distinctive neighborhoods – each designed to broaden Porto Montenegro’s appeal across leisure, residential, wellness and cultural offerings.”
It wasn’t long before Portonovi – a similarly upgraded superyacht marina – opened right across the bay and was in 2024 named best international marina of the year by industry bible Boat International.
In a sheltered bay 160km south of Tirana, Vlora Marina is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with a world-class marina and hotels alongside mixed-use residential rising from the Adriatic coast. (Render courtesy Capital Point)
Albania
Now it seems the boating baton is being passed across the border to Albania, with the new Vlora Marina set to elevate the country’s yachting status when it completes in 2027. It’s about time Albania made space for the superyacht crowd. The country’s 426-kilometer (264-mile) coastline, dotted with beautiful beaches and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, invites close exploration. And the marina, promising all the requisite nautical bells and whistles, looks set to be the perfect base.
The new Marina Orikum is another fresh destination for the yachting crowd heading to Albania. It lies at the Southern end of the Bay of Vlorë and boasts its own luxury residences, plus room for 600 yachts. And there’s more. Heading northwards up the coast is Porto Lalzi, about 35 minutes from Tirana. There, you can swipe your own beachfront property, or of course, just dock at the pretty marina and head off to explore the exclusive shops and restaurants right on your doorstep.
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