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Does anything conjure up an image of beach bliss quite like the Med? Surrounded by 22 countries and bordered by three continents, the Mediterranean Sea boasts miles and miles of coastline – not to mention hundreds of islands. And while there are certain seaside spots where you’ll need to fight for space on the sand (we’re looking at you, Barceloneta), there are plenty of other secluded stretches of coastline across the Med. Our selection of alternative beach spots, chosen by Mediterranean-based travel writers, takes you beyond Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. From wild, flamingo-frequented beaches in Spain to a culture-packed port city in France, this is where to find the Mediterranean’s best alternative (and affordable) beach breaks. There’s plenty of room to lay out your towel here. Grace Beard is Time Out’s deputy travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🗺 Europe’s most underrated destinations🌆 The best European city breaks🚫 The travel destinations that want tourists to stay away

What makes a city great? Some would say it’s all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes. We factor in all that and more in our annual survey, which asks city-dwellers around the world to tell us what it’s like to live, work and play in their hometowns right now. Thanks to the opinions and insights of locals on the ground and our global network of city experts, we’re able to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities – and the 2024 results are in. As in previous years, the basis of the ranking remains our global survey of the people who know their city best: the locals. Working with research company Potentia Insight, we surveyed thousands of city-dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife in their city. We also asked locals how their city makes them feel: are they happy there? Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections? Their thousands of responses gave us a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now. Now that international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019, many travellers will be planning a city break this year – so in 2024, we added a little extra weight to a city’s global appeal. Each survey respondent was asked which

The mayor of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomašević, and the head of Zagreb tourism, Martina Bienenfeld, were on hand this Saturday to cut the ribbon and declare Zagreb Advent open. Until January 7, Christmas celebrations and family-friendly entertainment will take over the centre of Zagreb, in the city’s major squares and parks, including a few new locations. As Time Out Croatia reported in the run-up to the big opening, revellers can look forward to skating on Trg kralja Tomislava by the Art Pavilion, street food and live music on Zrinjevac, and Christmas in the form of chocolate sculptures at the Chocolate Museum. In addition, Christmas comes to Ribnjak park, in the shadow of Zagreb Cathedral, for the first time, where a star-filled Moon Garden will be set up for visitors to make a special Yuletide wish. The Snow Queen will later pay a visit when Ribnjak becomes the Ice Fairy Tale, a children's winter wonderland. Neva Zganec/PIXSELL On the other side of the main square, just off Ilica, the Grič Tunnel has been transformed into a Polar Dream, inspired by the Northern Lights. And, of course, the biggest Christmas tree is reserved for Trg bana Jelačića itself, Zagreb’s focal crossing point converted into a kaleidoscope of lights and colours. Later in December, giant sculptures and huge Christmas ornaments will fill Trg kralja Petra Svačića, and the student hall of Mažuranac will host balls accompanied by live classical music. This year’s Advent celebrations coincide with the 50th anniv

One of the world’s leading drum and bass festivals, Hospitality On The Beach, is returning to The Garden Resort in Tisno next July. Hospitality is the pioneering events arm of the leading UK drum & bass label Hospital Records, that covers all styles, from liquid to jungle, rollers to jump up, minimal to neuro and everything in between. Hospitality On The Beach debuted in Tisno in 2018 and has since staged three editions, including one in Albania. Idyllic locations and quality of line-up are its watchwords. The Garden Resort comprises a private beach, multiple stages, amazing sunsets and dazzling sunrises. Like-minded music lovers can expect crazy boat parties and raving until sun-up at afterparty spot, Barbarellas Discotheque. Hospitality On The Beach Says Chris Goss, the Owner & Managing Director of Hospital Records: “The Garden is a really special place for the whole Hospitality family. There's an unparalleled sense of unity among our fans from across the globe, coming together to celebrate the full spectrum of drum & bass music. There are no barriers, no VIP areas, no exclusivity – just ravers and artists sharing the best summer D&B week of the year. We’re buzzing to return to our second home, nestled on the beautiful Adriatic shores of Tisno, Croatia”. Confirmed names include Alix Perez, DJ Marky, Flava D, LTJ Bukem and Sub Focus, among many others. Early-bird tickets are currently £190, plus booking fee. You can also arrange various types of accommodation through The G

Major budget carrier Ryanair has just announced plans to open a base in Dubrovnik from April 2024, making the Dalmatian resort the airline’s third Croatian hub after Zagreb and Zadar. The move will allow the company to offer 18 routes next summer, 16 of them new, from airports such as London Stansted, Manchester and Berlin. Flights on current routes from Dublin and Vienna will be ramped up, operating to a year-round schedule. Using two larger, more environmentally friendly Boeing 8-200 Gamechanger aircraft, Ryanair will be investing some $200 million into its Dubrovnik base, creating 500 local jobs. Speaking at the presentation in Dubrovnik, Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, said: “As the fastest-growing airline in Europe and Croatia.. Ryanair is best positioned to support Croatia’s post-Covid recovery and growth, delivering Europe’s lowest fares and unbeatable choice to Croatia’s citizens and visitors from summer 2024”.

Renovations have just been completed on St Mark’s Church in Zagreb’s Upper Town, repairing and restoring the damage caused by the terrible earthquake that hit Croatia’s capital in March 2020. One of the oldest buildings in Zagreb, St Mark’s dates back to the 1200s, its colourfully tiled roof a familiar sight due to the coats of arms of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia it displays. Three years ago, part of this roof, the vault, southern portal and frescoes were seriously affected by the worse earthquake to hit the city since 1880. A stone medallion above where the organist sits broke off and fell onto the organ. Now everything has been beautifully restored, auxiliary bishop of Zagreb, Msgr Mijo Gorski, will give a blessing this Sunday, December 3, and St Mark’s can once again receive worshippers and sightseeing visitors.

Now in its 29th year, the Book Fair in Istria has been a key feature in the cultural life of Pula ever since staff and customers of the Castropola bookshop set up a few temporary stands in the Forum and adjoining galleries in December 1995. Given a regular home at the House of Croatian Defenders in 2001, this annual literary event has gone from strength to strength, inviting the likes of Irving Welsh, Umberto Eco and Orhan Pamuk for special appearances. This year’s Book Fair, which runs until December 3, showcases more than 200 publishers from Croatia and abroad, and stages discussions, exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances attracting up to 60,000 visitors.   Among the special guests is Milo Manara, one of the world’s leading comic-book authors, known for his work with Federico Fellini, who has just published a graphic version of Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. Book Fair in Istria, until December 3, House of Croatian Defenders, Leharova 1, Pula.

Croatia’s aims of creating a year-round tourist season look a little nearer this winter, with the news of more direct flights into the country’s main hubs for 2023-24. This follows the announcement of record visitor numbers this year to date, showing that the Croatian tourist industry has recovered from the pandemic. With Advent just around the corner, and Croatia benefitting from the adoption of the euro and integration into the border-free Schengen zone earlier this year, an influx of visitors in the usually quiet winter months is the icing on the cake for the tourism-focused economy. As well as from Central Europe and the UK, Croatia is looking forward to welcoming guests flying directly from the Gulf this winter. The main point of entry will be Zagreb, where the month-long Christmas market is due to take over the city centre from this weekend, December 2.

Body Worlds Vital, an exhibition that shows the human body in all its perfections and imperfections, has just opened in Zagreb's Family Mall, and will run until February 17. On the eve of the opening, a presentation was given by curator Dr Angelina Whalley, director of the Institute for Plastination, the process designed to preserve the body for educational and instructional purposes. This is the method used by the German anatomist Gunther von Hagens, creator of the plastination method, which has allowed him to take his exhibition around the world. This is the first time it has come to Croatia.   Admission costs €12 online, €9 for under-18s, €6 for under-10s. The website is Croatian-only but ticket purchase should be relatively straightforward for the date you require. Body Worlds Vital, Family Mall, Ulica Velimira Škorpika 11B, 10000 Zagreb. Daily 10am-8pm.

Two major UK-based low-cost flight companies have just announced new routes to Pula and Dubrovnik for the summer of 2024. EasyJet will be offering a twice-weekly service between Glasgow and Pula from June 24, due to run until August 30. The long-established budget specialists will also be upping the frequency of its flights between its base at London Luton and Istria’s main city. Following on from Croatia’s bumper post-pandemic summer of 2023, Jet2 will be increasing their scheduled flights to Dubrovnik from Birmingham and Edinburgh in October, helping to extend the season in Dalmatia’s tourist jewel past the traditional cut-off point of September.

Cyclists, hikers and sightseers are flocking to an observation tower set atop Mađerkin Breg at the meeting point of Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary. Providing spectacular views over five countries on a fine day, 27-metre-high hilltop feature is integral to a cross-border green initiative, an eco-friendly visitor centre primarily involving the tourist office in Štrigova in Croatia and the City of Nagykanizsa in Hungary. The idea for the viewpoint was developed over the course of nearly 20 years, and was finally realised thanks to the arrival of European funds. Nearly 90,000 people have already scaled the tower, which lies on a picturesque cycle route and lights up for Advent celebrations. For more details, see here.

Following on from the recent news that Istria has again been named the best region in the world for virgin olive oil by the most prestigious guide Flos Olei, the town of Vodnjan north of Pula is hosting its annual festival celebrating this liquid green gold. Now in its 17th edition, ISTRAVIRGIN dedicates three days to the growers and producers who have made olive oil such a successful local industry. From November 24 to 26, as well as showcasing the new harvest, ISTRAVIRGIN gathers gastronomic experts, writers and bloggers for culinary masterclasses, cooking shows in a real kitchen and demonstrations presenting the uses and versatility of this premium product, exalted by the Romans and revived over the last two decades or more. ISTRAVIRGIN, Istarska ulica 16, 52213 Vodnjan. November 24-26. Website (Croatian-Italian only).

Think of football in Croatia and you think of Boban, Šuker and Modrić, and clubs such as Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split. But the history of football in Pula is just as colourful and, given the city’s patchwork history, equally as fascinating – as a new exhibition at the Herman Potočnik Noordung Centre shows. Set in a former public water reservoir, a state-of-the-art visitor centre named after a notable Austro-Hungarian scientist born in Pula, Nostri (‘Ours’) portrays the complex development of the game in Istria’s major city. The various local clubs and leading players – FC Istra, Grion Pola, Tonči Vojak, who went on to win the Italian championship with Juventus – reflect the political changes in this ever-changing region, right through to present-day Istra 1961. The exhibition runs all winter until April 30, 2024. Nostri (‘Ours’), Herman Potočnik Noordung Centre, Gradinska uspon 6, Pula. Daily 9am-5pm.

Having just been named Tourist Destination of the Year by the Croatian National Tourism Board, the City of Dubrovnik is staging a gala event on the main street of Stradun on Tuesday, November 14. From 7pm, top local bartenders will be mixing special cocktails outside the Church of St Blaise, before singer Goran Karan, known for his Dalmatian repertoire, gives a free live performance on Stradun. All lines on the city’s Libertas buses will run free of charge from 6pm until midnight, so wherever you are in town, and wherever you need to get back to after the show, won’t cost you a penny.