List of Mediterranean Countries: Coastal Guide

Mediterranean Countries Overview

The Mediterranean area is a fascinating mix of countries lounging around the world-famous Mediterranean Sea. Spread across Southern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, this corner of the globe is packed with different flavors and characters but shares a strong bond with the sea.

Geographic Regions

The Mediterranean countries are organized into three main sections based on where they hang out geographically: Southern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. This setup helps us get a grip on what makes each tick, culturally, historically, and environmentally.

Southern Europe: Think of places like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece with their rich stories from the past, lively traditions, and eye-popping shorelines. Don’t forget Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Albania—they also bring a lot to the table.
Western Asia: Over here, you’ve got Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine—each offering a cool mash-up of old-school charm and modern vibes. If you dig historical hotspots and lively cultures, this is your scene.
North Africa: Featuring Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, North Africa is where African roots and Mediterranean chic meet and mingle.

Inclusion Criteria

To join the Mediterranean club, a country needs to have a beach party along the Mediterranean Sea or be smack in the middle of it, like Malta and Cyprus. Oh, and two British Overseas Territories—Gibraltar and Akrotiri & Dhekelia—get honorary mentions here, too.

Here’s a quick rundown on who’s where:

Region	Countries
Southern Europe	Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania
Western Asia	Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine
North Africa	Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
Island Nations	Malta, Cyprus
British Territories	Gibraltar, Akrotiri & Dhekelia

The Mediterranean’s got its own personality—weather, legendary past, and a wild mix of cultures. Curious about more details on these individual places? Check out our deep dives into the list of european countries, list of asian countries, and list of african countries.

Southern European Countries

Southern Europe is a treasure chest of countries that snuggle up to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. This patch of the planet is dripping with a cocktail of cultures, traditions, and scenes—from sun-soaked beaches to jaw-dropping mountains. Join us as we wander through the Mediterranean marvels that make Southern Europe a total knock-out.

Spain, France, Italy

Spain, France, and Italy grab the spotlight with their long stretches of sandy coastlines hugging the Mediterranean’s shores.

Country	Key City	Star Coastline
Spain	Barcelona	Costa Brava
France	Marseille	Côte d’Azur
Italy	Naples	Amalfi Coast

Spain is bursting with life in places like Barcelona, while the Costa Brava waves a hello with its coastal swagger.
France lays out the red carpet on the Côte d’Azur, shining bright in glamorous spots like Marseille.
Italy sprinkles its magic along the dreamy Amalfi Coast and in the history-rich streets of Naples.

Malta, Slovenia, Croatia

Malta, Slovenia, and Croatia each bring their own flavor to the Mediterranean party.

Country	Key City	Star Coastline
Malta	Valletta	Secretive bays and havens
Slovenia	Koper	Adriatic Coast
Croatia	Dubrovnik	Dalmatian Coast

Malta might be small, but it packs a punch with a history as deep as its lush bays.
Slovenia may have a tiny Adriatic stretch, but what a lovely bit it is near Koper.
Croatia is a postcard-perfect spot with the Dalmatian Coast flaunting its charms, not least in the swoon-worthy Dubrovnik.

Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania add to Southern Europe’s impressive cast of characters.

Country	Key City	Star Coastline
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Neum	Tiny Adriatic starlet
Montenegro	Kotor	Holds the Adriatic stage
Albania	Durrës	Split between Ionian and Adriatic Seas

Bosnia and Herzegovina might squeeze in just a sliver, but Neum is a quaint spot along the Adriatic.
Montenegro unveils a stunning Adriatic cast with Kotor stealing the show.
Albania flaunts a coast stretching across the Ionian and Adriatic splendors, with Durrës a trusty entrance.

Greece

Country	Key City	Star Coastline
Greece	Athens	Islands and peninsulas galore

Greece thrives with countless islands and peninsulas. A feast for the senses with ancient sites mingling with dreamy beaches.

Southern Europe is overflowing with tempting destinations, craftily mixing iconic coastlines with storied traditions. Exploring these Southern European gems offers a peek into the eye-catching melange that sets the Mediterranean scene. For more bits and bobs on countries in the region, swing by list of european countries, list of mediterranean countries, and list of schengen countries.

Western Asian Countries

The Mediterranean isn’t just where Europe and Africa throw their coastal parties; Western Asia is also on the guest list. These countries aren’t just sitting there looking pretty; they’ve got deep histories and vibrant cultures adding color to the Mediterranean vibe. Let’s take a not-so-boring tour of the Mediterranean country club in Western Asia featuring Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine.

Turkey, Cyprus, Syria

Turkey:

Turkey is like the cool kid that’s friends with both Europe and Asia, and boasts sandy stretches along both the Mediterranean and Aegean.
Big cities by the sea include Istanbul, which can’t decide if it belongs to Europe or Asia, and Antalya, a must-see for sunseekers.

Cyprus:

Situated just a hop, skip, and a jump south of Turkey, Cyprus is a small island with a big history.
Whether you lose yourself in the past at Limassol or soak up rays in Paphos, Cyprus is a keeper.

Syria:

Syria’s coastline hugs the Eastern Mediterranean, spotlighting the city of Latakia.
Even with sticky situations in recent times, its coastal cities have been in the trading game since lions roamed the Earth.

Table of Key Coastal Cities:

Country	Key Coastal Cities
Turkey	Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir
Cyprus	Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca
Syria	Latakia, Tartus

Lebanon, Israel, Palestine

Lebanon:

Sitting pretty with a lengthy Mediterranean stretch, Lebanon is home to hip cities like Beirut and old-school charmers like Tripoli.
Dive into its lively culture and century-spanning history without ever getting bored.

Israel:

Israel claims its Mediterranean strip with cities such as artsy Tel Aviv and industrial Haifa.
Tel Aviv isn’t shy about being the life of the economic and cultural party.

Palestine:

Palestine throws its beach towel down on the Gaza Strip.
With a history that’s deep and an economy that’s crucial, Gaza is not just another dot on the map.

Table of Key Coastal Cities:

Country	Key Coastal Cities
Lebanon	Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon
Israel	Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ashdod
Palestine	Gaza

In the banquet of Mediterranean countries, these Western Asian ones aren’t just extras; they’re headliners with cultural richness and multilayered tales. Curious about other cultural hotspots? Peek into our list of countries in the Middle East and sail through our list of Asian countries.

North African Countries

North Africa’s Mediterranean embrace is like a welcome party of vibrant cultures and rich histories. Here, we’re giving a nod to Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, each lending its own special touch to this sun-soaked stretch along the sea.

Egypt, Libya, Tunisia

Egypt: Famous for its ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza and the watchful Sphinx, Egypt’s got more to offer besides old stones. It’s got a sea-kissed coastline influencing both weather and wallets. The fertile lands along the Nile Delta and the sea shore help fill cupboards and sustain livelihoods.
Libya: With over 1,100 miles of Mediterranean hug, Libya’s seen its fair share of history, including a bit of Italian flair. But what really keeps its gears spinning are the vast oil riches buried beneath its land, fueling not just cars, but the entire economy (Study.com).
Tunisia: Bathed in a climate that’s kind to crops, Tunisia still has its hurdles to jump with limited resources. Farming’s a big deal, but they’re playing it smart by trying out new economic tricks to keep things ticking over (Study.com).

Country	Key Features
Egypt	Sturdy old monuments, Nile-fed farming
Libya	Long coastline, oil treasures, Italian history shades
Tunisia	Sunny climate, agricultural puzzles

Algeria, Morocco

Algeria: Blessed with a sea breeze and a warm embrace, Algeria’s fields yield cereals, olives, and citrus goodness. This coastline isn’t just for vacations—it’s a breadbasket that feeds the nation (Wikipedia).
Morocco: With sea views and a patchwork of lands, Morocco is a grower’s dream. They’re busy planting olives, grapes, and the sweet bounty of date palms, all nourished by their gentle climate (Study.com).

Country	Key Features
Algeria	Warm climate, fruitful fields
Morocco	Diverse terrains, productive farming life

These lands along the Mediterranean aren’t just pretty faces with shared climates and busy fields. Each country brings a unique history and flair that makes them stand out in the crowd. Want to dive deeper into the stories of these North African gems? We’ve got a list of Mediterranean countries and more about the African scene for the curious among us.

Unique Features

The Mediterranean region is like a patchwork quilt of rich history and vibrant cultures. Let’s see what makes this part of the world so special and why it continues to enchant travelers.

Historical Significance

When it comes to historical whoa moments, the Mediterranean countries are loaded with them. From the jaw-dropping ruins and majestic landmarks to the bounty of natural resources that shaped empires, this area is a history buff’s playground (World Atlas). European countries like Spain, France, and Italy flaunt timeless layers of history with Roman amphitheaters snuggled up to Gothic cathedrals. Greece gets to boast about ancient marvels like the Parthenon and the Acropolis—you know, the heavy hitters of historical sites.

Swinging south to North Africa, places like Egypt, Libya, and Morocco offer their own jaw-droppers like the Pyramids of Giza and remnants of ancient Carthage. These landmarks aren’t just stone and stories; they’re snapshots of bygone eras that captivate the imagination (World Atlas).

Cultural Diversity

The Mediterranean countries are cultural kaleidoscopes—each with its own flair you won’t find anywhere else in the list of countries in Europe. Think about southern Europe: Spain and Italy aren’t just places; they’re entire moods thanks to their lively festivals, mouth-watering cuisines, and legendary contributions to the arts.

Then there’s the cultural treasure trove of Western Asia in countries like Turkey and Lebanon. Here, East meets West with lively bazaars, captivating dances, and culinary joys from kebabs to baklava.

Over in North Africa, there’s a cultural mélange with Berber, Arab, and French influences. Morocco’s vibrant markets and intricate crafts could awaken anyone’s inner explorer.

In a nutshell, the Mediterranean, with its twenty-two flavors (World Atlas), stands out not just for its postcard-worthy sights, but as a melting pot of cultural variety that draws in both wanderlust-affected globetrotters and curious historians. For a deeper look into the economic side of these diverse lands, feel free to check out our list of EU countries.

Languages in the Region

The Mediterranean area is a linguistic treasure chest, boasting a variety of tongues. This section digs into the official and off-the-record languages that pepper the countries bordering the big blue sea.

Official Languages

Count them—13 different official languages flourish in the Mediterranean neighborhood (Quora). These are the languages of business, schools, and all things official. Here’s the lineup:

Country	Official Languages
Albania	Albanian
Algeria	Arabic, Berber
Bosnia	Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Croatia	Croatian
Cyprus	Greek, Turkish
Egypt	Arabic
France	French
Greece	Greek
Israel	Hebrew, Arabic
Italy	Italian
Lebanon	Arabic, French
Malta	Maltese, English
Montenegro	Montenegrin
Morocco	Arabic, Berber
Slovenia	Slovenian
Spain	Spanish
Syria	Arabic
Tunisia	Arabic
Turkey	Turkish

These official tongues keep the administrative wheels turning smoothly in each land.

Unofficial Languages

Beyond the official chatter, plenty of unofficial languages play important roles in everyday life around the Mediterranean. These tongues add flavor to local culture and society (Quora). Check out some of these spicy dialects:

Language	Regions Where Spoken
Aramaic	Syria, Lebanon
Armenian	Cyprus, Lebanon
Basque	Spain
Berber	North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)
Bosnian	Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro
Catalan	Spain
Galician	Spain
Kurdish	Turkey

Looking for more worldly wisdom on countries? Dive into our guides on African countries, European countries, or Asian countries.

The patchwork of languages in the Mediterranean doesn’t just talk—it sings the history and interactions of countless civilizations, enriching what it means to live or visit there. It’s a banter of voices that paints the region’s colorful cultural landscape.

Economic Aspects

European Union Impact

The European Union (EU) has brought considerable changes to the economies of Mediterranean nations that are part of the club. As a political and economic family of 27 countries, the EU’s mission of free trade and economic camaraderie has fostered an environment where the countries can thrive together. By pooling resources and efforts, these nations have crafted a strong market, bolstering growth and resilience (Study.com).

Some tasty perks of being in the EU include:

Bye-bye, trade hurdles: Streamlined processes make trading a breeze and enhance access to markets.
Economic team spirit: This teamwork attracts more investments and projects, giving a boost to member countries’ economies.

Euro Currency

A major hallmark of economic teamwork in the EU is the shared currency, the Euro. This nifty tool smooths trade by doing away with the pesky exchange rate drama between different countries’ moolah, making transactions easier and prices clearer (Study.com).

Usage of the Euro in Mediterranean Countries

Not everyone in the Mediterranean is on the Euro-train. Whether or not to jump on board is up to each country, and it hinges on their economic game plans and if they check off the required boxes.

Country	Euro Adoption Status
Spain	Yes
France	Yes
Italy	Yes
Greece	Yes
Malta	Yes
Slovenia	Yes
Croatia	Yes
Cyprus	Yes
Portugal	Yes
Turkey	No
Albania	No
Israel	No

For those who are interested, there are extended versions:

list of european countries
list of eu countries
list of countries by gdp

This handy chart shows which Mediterranean countries are saying “yes” to the Euro and which are not. For the ‘yes’ crew, trade becomes a walk in the park, untroubled by money roller coasters. Those like Turkey and Israel, holding on to their own buck, tread carefully, adjusting their economic strategies for international trade.

The EU’s setup and the power of the Euro are big players in the financial games of Mediterranean countries. By digging into these interactions, we get a peek behind the curtain of how regional teamwork plays into economic planning.

Port Cities and Trade

The Mediterranean Sea is like a highway for trading and traveling, with lots of bustling ports juggling cargo and tourists. Here, we’re checking out some of the top cargo and busiest passenger ports in that lively stretch of water.

Major Cargo Ports

Business is booming around the Mediterranean, thanks to a busy bunch of ports. These places are like hubs handling heaps of cargo, keeping the economies of Mediterranean countries buzzing.

Port	Country	Cargo Handled A.N. (TEU)
Valencia	Spain	5,440,000
Algeciras	Spain	4,760,000
Piraeus	Greece	4,937,000
Gioia Tauro	Italy	3,100,000
Barcelona	Spain	3,100,000

Figures courtesy (Quora).

Topping the charts, Valencia’s port is the go-to place for Spain’s exports and the Mediterranean’s biggest cargo hub. Other heavy hitters are Algeciras, Piraeus, Gioia Tauro, and Barcelona, all busy bees of the trade scene (Quora).

Busiest Passenger Ports

When it comes to ferrying folks, the Mediterranean is buzzing with activity, hosting millions on their journeys each year.

Port	Country	Passengers A.N.
Barcelona	Spain	3,000,000 +
Civitavecchia	Italy	2,700,000 +
Palma de Mallorca	Spain	1,600,000 +
Venice	Italy	1,428,000 +
Piraeus	Greece	1,000,000 +