For families there are safe sandy coves in Sardinia, for dedicated clubbers there’s the night-time beach party scene on Mykonos and for adventure types how about a trek across unique landscapes in Sicily? You’ll find it all in our definitive guide to the Mediterranean. Annabelle Thorpe takes you there according to bahighlife.com.

More specific:

SKOPELOS, GREECE
Getting there Three hours by hydrofoil from Thessaloniki.
All ashore This pine-forested island shot to fame as the location for Mamma Mia!, but it has retained its tranquil feel. Ideal for younger families, there are gentle beaches at Milia and Kastani, and Skopelos town is great for a relaxed supper by the waterfront. Don’t miss Agios Ioannis, a church perched high on a rocky outcrop — the location of the film’s climactic wedding scene.
Where to stay A week at Monastiri Villas, sleeping four, costs from £2,392 in August through Greek Islands Club (+44 (0)20 8232 9780, gicthevillacollection.com).

MYKONOS, GREECE
Getting there Three hours by ferry from Athens.
All ashore The whitewashed streets of Mykonos town are home to dozens of chic cocktail bars — and clubs such as Argo, Cavo Paradiso and Pierro’s keep the party going all night. By day, relax on Agios Ioannis beach — where the film Shirley Valentine was shot — or join the night-time beach parties on Paradise, Super-Paradise or Platos Yialos.
Where to stay Luxury villa Olive Garden, sleeping six, costs from £9,921 in September through Abercrombie & Kent Villas (+44 (0)845 618 2215, akvillas.com).

SKIATHOS, GREECE
Getting there Three hours by hydrofoil from Thessaloniki.
All ashore With more than 60 stunning beaches, Skiathos is the Greek island of choice for a sun-and-sand break. The north coast is fringed with sandy bays backed by dense pine woods, many of them free of development apart from the odd beach shack café selling fantastic fresh fish. Mandraki and Elia’s beach are two of the best, and if you fancy a glam night out after a lazy day, Skiathos town does a good line in chic cocktail bars and lounges on the waterfront.
Where to stay Villa Pefka, sleeping six, costs £2,392 in August through Greek Islands Club (+44 (0)20 8232 9780, gicthevillacollection.com).

MILOS, GREECE
Getting there Four hours by ferry from Athens.
All ashore Famed for the variety of beaches that fringe this volcanic island, Milos boasts long stretches of unspoilt sand at Paleohori and Provatas, volcanic coves of black sand at Gerontas, and sleepy fishing villages, such as Mandrakia. Hire a boat to reach hidden gems such as Kleftico, and, back on dry land, explore the pretty whitewashed towns of Adamas and Plaka.
Where to stay The stylish, boutique Hotel del Mar has doubles from £50 per night (+30 228 704 1440, delmar.gr).

KEA, GREECE
Getting there An hour by ferry from Lavrio port, one hour from Athens.
All ashore Kea is the Holy Grail for Grecophiles — an island almost totally undiscovered by Brits. The port of Korissia is lined with simple tavernas, while the village of Voukaria caters for the sailing crowd, with stylish bars and some fantastic fish restaurants. Beaches are pleasingly undeveloped, while the hilltop capital Loulis is a tangle of cobbled streets.
Where to stay The Porto Kea Suites in Korissia has stylish doubles from £102 (+30 22 880 22870, portokea-suites.com).

ASTYPALEA, GREECE
Getting there Six hours from Athens by ferry.
All ashore Off the mainstream tourist track, Astypalea still has a good range of restaurants and bars in the small towns of Skala, Chora, Livadia and Maltezana. It’s a favourite island with artists because of its dramatic high cliffs, clear waters and picturesque bays, and the best beaches are Livadia and Maltezana, while small ferryboats head off each day to the island’s more secluded coves.
Where to stay Tholaria is a sleek boutique hotel in Chora with doubles from £89 (+30 22430 61413, tholaria.gr).