For some, holidays are a time to slow down; for others, the best release from a hectic work life is an adrenalin-filled break, and there is no better place to let your hair down than by the sea. If your perfect beach involves a jet-ski and a serious hike, followed by shopping, cocktails, dinner, and dancing in an outdoor nightclub, read our Med experts’ selections of the 10 best places to stay active all day and party all night.

Home to some of the best nightclubs in the world, Ibiza also has a gorgeous coastline, with dozens of tiny coves to discover – not to mention some of the most stylish hotels on the Mediterranean. For a week of wild partying head to the soft sands of Playa d’en Bossa . Las Salinas is a mile-long crescent of sand on the southernmost tip of the island, bordered by a small pine forest. Pursue water sports and hike by day, dance by night, and check into the beachside Ushuaïa Tower, a chic hotel close to the Ushuaïa Club.

2. Sanxenxo, Galicia, Spain

With a string of south-facing beaches, Sanxenxo is the main resort in the O Salnés area of Galicia in the north west of Spain.

Sanxenxo, Spain, offers a lively nightlife and some quieter beaches Photo: Getty Images

Most of the tourists in summer are from other parts of Spain, and they come here for the superb seafood and the more comfortable temperatures, not to mention the albariño wines. While the town is lively, with lots of nightlife, you can drive to quieter beaches, seaside villages and historic towns in half an hour or so.

● The popular Hotel Carlos I Silgar is by the beach. Doubles from £85 in June (hotelcarlos.es).

Annie Bennett

3. Los Caños de Meca, Andalusia, Spain

There are several stretches of beach at Los Caños de Meca on the Costa de la Luz, protected by cliffs and topped by a pine forest. Cape Trafalgar, a former hippy hang-out on the Atlantic coast, is more mainstream these days but the bohemian vibe prevails. There is a nudist bay not far from the main beach, and it is a popular gay destination. Come here to kitesurf, snorkel, scuba dive or explore the La Breña nature reserve. Everyone watches the sun set at the beach bars, before the partying begins.

● Stay at the stylish Hotel La Breña, overlooking the beach. Double rooms from £60 in June.

Annie Bennett

4. Praia da Rocha, Portimão, Algarve, Portugal

As known for its wild nightlife as its lovely beach, this is a spot for those who require more than flying and flopping. It is very developed – a casino, bars, restaurants and nightclubs line the beach and it is very crowded in high summer. But that means there is something for everyone to do, from kite surfing to beach volleyball. Escape the mayhem in the Bela Vista Hotel, a 19th-century architectural gem with stained-glass windows and turrets.

● From £920 in high season, including flights (baileyrobinson.com).

Mary Lussiana

5. Rovinj, Istria, Croatia

On Istria’s west coast, Rovinj overlooks a pretty fishing harbour. Its cobbled alleys and pastel-coloured buildings conceal restaurants serving seafood, and waterside cocktail bars. For swimming, walk to Punta Corrente, a wooded peninsula with three pebble coves, plus the sleek Mulini beach.

Take a break from the lively scene outside in the sleek Hotel Adriatic, in Rovinj

Or catch a taxi-boat to the islets of St Katarina and St Andrija, with their secluded bathing spots. Sporty types can scuba dive and sail, or cycle inland along marked trails.

● Stay at the newly refurbished Hotel Adriatic overlooking the harbour. Doubles from £142, with breakfast, in June.

Jane Foster

6. Hvar Town, Central Dalmatia, Croatia

6 Croatia’s most fashionable island resort, Hvar Town numbers Prince Harry, Keira Knightley and Daniel Craig among its recent guests. It’s a magnet for yachting types, hence the pricey rustic-chic seafood restaurants.

Hvar's beaches are perfect for lazing on by day - and there are plenty of beaches to party on all night

The most central beach is Bonj les Bains, a pebble bay rimmed by a curving white Thirties stone colonnade. Or, for a back-to-nature experience, catch a taxi-boat to the secluded pebble coves and pinewoods of the Pakleni islets. After dinner, take a midnight taxi-boat to Carpe Diem Beach in Stipanska Bay – a magical setting for all-night partying.

● Hotel Adriana has doubles, with breakfast, from £155 in June.

Jane Foster

7. Hania, north-west Crete

Many Athenians consider Hania to be Greece’s most beautiful city.

Is Hania Greece's most beautiful city? Why not visit and judge for yourself Photo: Getty Images

Built around a Venetian-era harbour, pretty facades conceal boutique hotels and boho-chic tavernas, while winding cobbled alleys lead to open-air cocktail bars. Near the harbour, Nea Chora is a sandy beach. But much nicer are the golden sands west of town, backed by pines and eucalyptus trees, at Agii Apostoli (two miles away) and Platanias (seven miles away).

● Alcanea Boutique Hotel has doubles with breakfast from £56 (alcanea.com).

Jane Foster

8. Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardinia, Italy

On the northernmost tip of Sardinia, Santa Teresa Gallura is one of the island’s liveliest resorts, a melodious hum of bars, pizza joints and seafood restaurants.

Santa Teresa Gallura is one of Sardinia's liveliest beach resorts Photo: Alamy

From May onwards the town rocks. It has some immaculate beaches in the vicinity: east to sheltered Porto Quadro and La Marmorata, west to the rocky promontory of Capo Testa. But perhaps the best is the resort’s own 660ft Rena Bianca.

● Hotel Corallaro has double rooms from £130 in July.

Robert Andrews

9. Guéthary, France

Guéthary is a little Basque coastal village with white houses trimmed red, and roots in farming and fishing.

The sea at Parlementia rolls in over rocks, chucking surfers about like incompetent seals Photo: Alamy

It’s popular with the discreetly rich and famous, who share it with the surfing community – Guéthary beaches are legendary. Rendezvous afterwards half-way up the hill from the beach at Heteroclito bar, a hip hang-out fashioned from driftwood and junk. Cenitz and Harotzen Costa beaches are a little calmer but no less beautiful. And later, these little worlds meet at the Madrid and Basque bars up in the village.

● Stay at the family-run Briketenia; doubles from £61 (briketenia.com).

Anthony Peregrine

10. Antalya, Turkey

For visitors looking to enjoy a traditional Mediterranean beach holiday while also having access to the nightlife and shopping of a bustling city, Antalya is ideal.

The great curve of Konyaalti beach is near Antalya Photo: AP

Its old walled quarter is packed with bars, clubs and restaurants, its suburbs peppered with shiny new malls with cinemas and great shops. The Su Hotel is a startling all-white concept hotel superbly located where the great curve of Konyaalti beach meets the limestone cliffs on which the city is built.

● Su Hotel has double rooms from £53 (hotel-su.antalyahotelz.com).

Terry Richardson

Reliable tour operators

For more ideas for lively beach holidays around the Med this summer, we recommend the following tour operators, which have options for various budgets:

Anatolian Sky Holidays - hotels in over two dozen resorts featured, plus city breaks.

Bailey Robinson - for luxury resorts

Club 18-30 - non-stop clubs

Thomson Freestyle

Full guides to sand, sun and fun around the Med

France beaches guide

Spain beaches guide

Portugal beaches guide

Italy beaches guide

Greece beaches guide

Croatia beaches guide

Turkey beaches guide

