Best coastal walking trips

Soak up Italy’s laid-back Mediterranean vibe as you wander along the sun-drenched Amalfi coast. Bejewelled with glistening turquoise bays, fragrant lemon groves and timeworn alleyways, this coastal walking trip will transport you to a world far removed from life back home. The heavenly ‘Walk of the Gods’ is the highlight of the show, boasting panoramic views of Capri and the Bay of Salerno and emerald green terraces cascading to the rustic fishing villages and bustling harbours below.

This easy-moderate grade eight-day walking vacation leads you to some of the best coastal walking trails in Portugal. Explore the jagged arches of Ponta de Piedade, relax on secluded golden-sand beaches on the Seven Hanging Valley trail, and stand on Europe’s most south-westerly point at Cabo Sao Vicente. You’ll also have plenty of time to enjoy freshly caught seafood and sample delicious local wines with your fellow travellers.

If you want to walk at your own pace, a self-guided walking tour along the southwest coast of Crete, Greece, leads you along golden shorelines and aquamarine seas. Follow clifftop paths and descend through cool pine tree forests to the car-free village of Loutro, where clusters of whitewashed houses surround a peaceful horseshoe bay. Enjoy freshly made mezze in a traditional Greek tavern and make a toast to unforgettable memories with a glass of local wine.

The wild coastline of northern Spain’s Galicia region is graced with rugged clifftop paths, deserted sandy beaches and peaceful seaside villages. Trek to the Punta Narita lighthouse for far-reaching views over the Sisargas Islands, inhabited only by seabird colonies, and explore the exposed shoreline of Praias de Trece, where the Cemetery of the English commemorates the lives of sailors lost at sea here between 1883 and 1893.