A classic wooden motor launch at speed
TheMediterranean.com The Luxury Gateway
DestinationsStayResortsSailCruisesFlyTrainsLiveLuxury Real EstateShopDineExperiencePlan a Trip

Home›Arrive Privately

Arrive Privately

For the leading destinations of the Mediterranean, the private jet airport, the helicopter transfer and the yacht berth.

Last checked October 2026.

A classic wooden motor launch at speedPhotograph: Pexels

Lisbon and Cascais, Portugal

By private jet
Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS / LPPT), about 7 km from the centre, about 15 to 20 minutes by car to central Lisbon and about 35 to 40 minutes to Cascais. Sky Valet Portugal handles private flights at the airport. Cascais Municipal Aerodrome at Tires (CAT / LPCS), about 15 minutes by car from Cascais, has a 1,700-metre runway suited to smaller jets.
By helicopter
Not a regular option; helicopter charters from Lisbon Airport to Cascais can be arranged, subject to landing permission.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Marina de Cascais, 650 berths for yachts up to 25 metres, with a pontoon outside the breakwater for yachts up to 50 metres; about five minutes' walk from the centre of Cascais.
Good to know
Lisbon is a fully slot-coordinated airport, so every private arrival and departure needs a confirmed slot.

Comporta, Portugal

By private jet
Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS / LPPT), about 118 km and 1 hour 10 minutes by car.
By helicopter
Not a regular option; helicopter charters from Lisbon Airport can be arranged, subject to landing permission.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. The nearest harbour is Tróia Marina, at the tip of the Tróia peninsula, about 30 minutes by car; Marina de Cascais is about 1 hour 30 minutes away.

The Algarve, Portugal

By private jet
Faro (FAO / LPFR), about 15 to 20 minutes by car to Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo and about 25 minutes to Vilamoura.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Marina de Vilamoura, 825 berths for yachts up to 60 metres; its Nova Marina, opened in 2025, adds 68 berths for superyachts of 20 to 40 metres. In Vilamoura itself, about 20 minutes by car to Quinta do Lago.

Porto and the Douro Valley, Portugal

By private jet
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO / LPPR), about 20 to 25 minutes by car to central Porto and about 1 hour 30 minutes to Peso da Régua in the Douro Valley.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Douro Marina, at the mouth of the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia, 300 berths for yachts up to 50 metres; about 15 minutes by car to central Porto.
Good to know
From central Porto to Peso da Régua, at the heart of the Douro Valley, is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car along the A4.

Madeira, Portugal

By private jet
Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo International (FNC / LPMA), about 13 km from Funchal, about 20 to 25 minutes by car; its 2,781-metre runway takes every class of private jet.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. The marinas in Funchal's harbour, in the city centre, take smaller yachts only.
Good to know
Madeira's airport has strict wind limits and pilots need additional training to land there, so allow for delays and plan a fallback.

Marbella, Spain

By private jet
Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP / LEMG), about 50 minutes by car along the AP-7, longer in midday traffic. Universal Aviation Spain runs a private aviation terminal (FBO) at the airport.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Puerto Banús, berths for yachts up to 50 metres, with anchorage for larger ones; about 15 minutes to central Marbella.

Barcelona, Spain

By private jet
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat (BCN / LEBL), about 15 km from the centre, about 20 to 30 minutes by car.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
OneOcean Port Vell, berths for yachts up to 190 metres; in the old port, a few minutes from the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas.

Mallorca, Spain

By private jet
Palma de Mallorca (PMI / LEPA), about 15 minutes by car to Palma.
By helicopter
Not a usual airport transfer; private helicopter charters link Mallorca with Ibiza and Menorca, and Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor arranges them from its own helipad.
By sea
Club de Mar-Mallorca, Palma, more than 70 berths for yachts of 40 to 170 metres; about 10 minutes to central Palma. Puerto Portals, 10 km from Palma, takes yachts up to 60 metres.

Ibiza, Spain

By private jet
Ibiza (IBZ / LEIB), 7 km from Ibiza Town, about 15 to 20 minutes by car.
By helicopter
Not a usual airport transfer; private charters run between Ibiza and Mallorca.
By sea
IGY Ibiza Marina, 27 superyacht berths for yachts of 20 to 150 metres; at the foot of Dalt Vila, a short walk to the old town.

Gibraltar

By private jet
Gibraltar International (GIB / LXGB), on the isthmus at the frontier with Spain, a few minutes by car from Main Street and Ocean Village. Gibair Handling runs the airport's General Aviation Wing, with its own entrance and customs and immigration. Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP / LEMG) is the alternative, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Ocean Village Marina, which with neighbouring Marina Bay has about 330 berths, the largest taking yachts up to about 80 metres; Sunborn Gibraltar, the floating superyacht hotel, is moored here, and Main Street is about ten minutes' walk away. Queensway Quay Marina, on the western waterfront below the old town, is Gibraltar's other marina.
Good to know
Under the UK–EU treaty on Gibraltar, there are no routine checks at the land border with Spain; travellers arriving at the airport or the port from outside the Schengen area, including from the UK, pass Schengen entry checks carried out by British and Spanish officers.

Saint-Tropez, France

By private jet
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE / LFMN), about 1 hour 30 minutes or more by car, which is why most arrivals continue by helicopter. La Môle-Saint-Tropez (LTT / LFTZ), about 20 minutes away, has a short 1,071-metre runway that takes smaller aircraft only, and Toulon-Hyères (TLN / LFTH), about 1 hour away, takes larger jets. Sky Valet, the private aviation arm of the Côte d'Azur airports group, runs the private terminal at La Môle.
By helicopter
The usual way in from Nice, about 20 minutes. The flights are operated by Héli Sécurité and Monacair and booked through BLADE, which has sold their seats and private flights since 2022 and has been part of Joby Aviation since 2025.
By sea
Port de Saint-Tropez, about 730 berths, with superyachts moored stern-to along the village quays; on the waterfront of the village itself.
Good to know
La Môle is weather-sensitive and requires a specific pilot qualification, so a fallback to Toulon-Hyères or Nice is worth planning.

Cannes and Antibes, France

By private jet
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE / LFMN), about 25 minutes by car to Antibes and about 35 to 45 minutes to Cannes. Cannes-Mandelieu (CEQ / LFMD), 5 km from Cannes and about 15 minutes by car, is devoted to business aviation and suits light and mid-size jets. Sky Valet runs the private terminal at Cannes-Mandelieu.
By helicopter
A regular option from Nice to Cannes, about 10 minutes, operated by Héli Sécurité and Monacair and booked through BLADE.
By sea
Port Vauban, Antibes, where the International Yacht Club d'Antibes (IYCA) has 19 berths for yachts of 50 to 165 metres; in the old town of Antibes, about 25 minutes by car to Cannes.

Nice and Cap Ferrat, France

By private jet
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE / LFMN), about 20 minutes by car to central Nice and about 30 minutes to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Sky Valet and DC Aviation G-OPS run private aviation terminals (FBOs) at the airport.
By helicopter
Not needed for the short drive; Nice airport is the Riviera's helicopter hub, with flights on to Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez operated by Héli Sécurité and Monacair and booked through BLADE.
By sea
Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, for yachts up to 50 metres; in the village itself, and about 30 minutes by car to central Nice.

Corsica, France

By private jet
Figari Sud-Corse (FSC / LFKF), with a 2,480-metre runway, is the airport for Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, each about 25 to 30 minutes by car. Calvi Sainte-Catherine (CLY / LFKC) is about 10 to 15 minutes by car from Calvi. Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte (AJA / LFKJ), about 5 km from Ajaccio harbour, serves the west coast, and Bastia Poretta (BIA / LFKB) the north-east.
By helicopter
No regular transfer service; private helicopter charters can be arranged from all four airports.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. The harbours of Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio and Calvi each lie at the foot of their old towns.

Monaco

By private jet
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE / LFMN), about 30 to 40 minutes by car.
By helicopter
The usual way in: Nice airport to the Monaco Heliport takes about 7 minutes, with frequent flights through the day operated by Monacair and booked through BLADE; Héli Air Monaco also flies transfers.
By sea
Port Hercule, 760 berths in a deep-water harbour that also takes cruise ships up to 300 metres; in the heart of the Principality, below Monte-Carlo.
Good to know
Monaco has its own heliport at Fontvieille; there is no airport in the Principality.

Portofino, Italy

By private jet
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA / LIMJ), about 50 minutes by car, longer at midday in summer when the A12 is busiest.
By helicopter
A regular option: BLADE offers flights to the Portofino–Rapallo heliport from Nice, Monaco and Saint-Tropez.
By sea
Marina di Portofino, 14 superyacht moorings on the village quay plus two in Cannone Bay, for yachts up to 55 metres, in the village itself.

Venice, Italy

By private jet
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE / LIPZ), then about 30 to 40 minutes by private water taxi to St Mark's Square.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Venezia Certosa Marina, 320 moorings for yachts up to 60 metres; a few minutes by water to St Mark's Square.
Good to know
There are no cars in central Venice; the final leg from the airport or marina is always by boat.

Rome, Italy

By private jet
Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA / LIRA), the city's business aviation airport with its own general aviation terminal and customs, about 30 to 40 minutes by car (up to an hour at peak times). Rome Fiumicino (FCO / LIRF) takes private jets only at night, when Ciampino is closed, and has no private terminal.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Porto Turistico di Roma at Ostia, 833 berths for yachts up to about 60 metres; about 10 minutes from Fiumicino Airport and about an hour by car to central Rome.

Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy

By private jet
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB / LIEO), about 35 minutes by car to Porto Cervo, up to 40 minutes in July and August.
By helicopter
Not needed from Olbia; Monacair flies direct from Monaco and Nice (about 100 minutes), landing at Olbia airport.
By sea
Marina di Porto Cervo, about 700 berths, 100 of them for megayachts, taking yachts up to 160 metres; in Porto Cervo itself.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

By private jet
Naples International Airport, Capodichino (NAP / LIRN), about 1 hour 15 minutes by car to Positano, longer on summer weekends. Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport (QSR / LIRI), at Pontecagnano south of Salerno, is the closer option for the southern end of the coast, at about an hour by car to Amalfi.
By helicopter
Helicopter transfers from Naples and Salerno serve the coast; confirm the landing point near your hotel when booking.
By sea
Marina d'Arechi, Salerno, for yachts up to 100 metres; about 45 minutes by car to Amalfi, or by tender along the coast.

Capri, Italy

By private jet
Naples International Airport, Capodichino (NAP / LIRN), about 20 minutes by car to the port of Naples, then under an hour by fast ferry or private boat to Marina Grande.
By helicopter
The usual private arrival: Naples Capodichino to the Damecuta heliport at Anacapri takes less than 30 minutes, with taxis on to the hotels.
By sea
Porto Turistico di Capri, Marina Grande, for yachts up to 60 metres; a few minutes by funicular or taxi to Capri town.

Taormina, Sicily, Italy

By private jet
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA / LICC), about 1 hour by car.
By helicopter
Helicopter transfers from Catania airport take about 15 minutes.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Porto dell'Etna (Marina di Riposto), about 6 nautical miles south of Taormina, has a quay reserved for yachts over 15 metres; about 30 minutes by car to Taormina.

Malta

By private jet
Malta International Airport (MLA / LMML), at Luqa, about 20 minutes by car to Valletta. Private flights are handled at the ExecuJet FBO, run with Executive Aviation Malta.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Grand Harbour Marina, Birgu, superyacht berths of 30 to 100 metres; directly across Grand Harbour from Valletta, a short boat crossing or about 20 minutes by car.

Piran, Slovenia

By private jet
Portorož Airport (POW / LJPZ), about 15 minutes by car; its 1,200-metre runway takes jets up to the midsize category. Larger jets use Trieste Airport (TRS / LIPQ) in Italy, about 80 km away and about 1 hour 15 minutes by car to Piran.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Marina Portorož, 1,285 berths for yachts up to 40 metres, is about 10 minutes by car from Piran.

Hvar and Split, Croatia

By private jet
Split Airport (SPU / LDSP), about 30 minutes by car to Split; Hvar is an island with no airport for jets, so the onward leg is by helicopter or boat. Brač Airport (BWK / LDSB), on the neighbouring island, is an occasional alternative for some aircraft.
By helicopter
The fastest way to Hvar: transfers from Split Airport to Hvar Town or nearby landing points take about 15 to 20 minutes.
By sea
ACI Marina Split, 318 berths at the western end of Split's harbour, a few minutes from the old town; for Hvar, ACI Marina Palmižana on the Pakleni Islands takes yachts up to 40 metres, a short water-taxi ride from Hvar Town. A fast boat between Split and Hvar Town takes about an hour.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

By private jet
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU), 15 km from the Old Town, about 30 minutes by car; its 3,300-metre runway takes every class of private jet.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Marina Frapa Dubrovnik, in Gruž, 220 berths for yachts of 10 to 50 metres and one berth for a yacht up to 100 metres; about 10 minutes by car to the Old Town.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

By private jet
Mostar Airport (OMO / LQMO), about 15 minutes by car to the old town. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU) in Croatia is the usual alternative, about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours by car including the border crossing.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Not applicable: Mostar is inland. Yachts berth on the coast at Dubrovnik, about 2 hours 30 minutes by car.
Good to know
Mostar is often visited as a day trip from Dubrovnik; the drive crosses the border, so carry passports.

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

By private jet
Tivat Airport (TIV / LYTV), about 30 minutes by car to Kotor. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU) in Croatia is the second option, about 1 hour 30 minutes from Kotor by car plus the border crossing.
By helicopter
Rarely needed: Tivat Airport is less than 10 minutes from Porto Montenegro and about 30 minutes from Kotor by road.
By sea
Porto Montenegro, Tivat, with about 450 berths including a 250-metre berth, among the largest in the Mediterranean; about 30 minutes by car to Kotor. Portonovi Marina, Herceg Novi, takes yachts up to 120 metres at the entrance to the bay.

Albanian Riviera, Albania

By private jet
Tirana International Airport (TIA / LATI), about 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours by car to Dhërmi. For the southern Riviera around Sarandë, Corfu Airport (CFU / LGKR) in Greece is the usual alternative, with a fast-boat crossing to Sarandë of about 30 minutes.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. D-Marin Vlora, with 438 berths for yachts up to 50 metres, is due to open in 2027, about an hour by car from Dhërmi; Sarandë port has a superyacht jetty for picking up and dropping off guests.

Athens Riviera, Greece

By private jet
Athens International Airport (ATH / LGAV), about 25 to 30 minutes by car to Vouliagmeni. Business aviation uses the airport's General Aviation Facilities building, where ExecuJet lists an FBO.
By helicopter
The Four Seasons Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni has its own helipad, about 15 minutes by helicopter from Athens Airport.
By sea
Astir Marina, Vouliagmeni, 59 berths for superyachts, with the largest taking yachts over 70 metres, at the Four Seasons Astir Palace itself. Flisvos Marina, Athens, takes yachts of 15 to 110 metres, about 30 minutes by car from Vouliagmeni.

The Peloponnese, Greece

By private jet
For Costa Navarino, Kalamata International (KLX / LGKL), about 40 to 45 minutes by car. For Amanzoe at Porto Heli, Athens International Airport (ATH / LGAV), about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes by car; Kalamata is about three hours away.
By helicopter
Costa Navarino has its own helipad, and the resort arranges helicopters and private jets for its guests. Amanzoe is about 25 minutes by helicopter from Athens Airport.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. At Costa Navarino, the marina at Pylos and the Bay of Navarino offer safe anchorage for private yachts.

Mykonos, Greece

By private jet
Mykonos Airport (JMK / LGMK), about 10 minutes by car to Mykonos Town. Athens International Airport (ATH / LGAV) is the alternative and the usual place to park aircraft in summer.
By helicopter
A common option: from Athens Airport or the Koropi heliport the flight takes about 40 to 45 minutes, and helicopters also shuttle guests between yachts, the airport and nearby islands.
By sea
The Old Port at Chora, in Mykonos Town itself, is reserved for motor yachts over 25 metres; berths are booked online through the Mykonos Port Fund. Smaller yachts use Tourlos, the new port.
Good to know
In summer (usually May to September, and sometimes into October), Mykonos Airport offers no parking for private jets and a maximum of 40 minutes on the ground, so jets drop off and reposition, usually to Athens; slots and prior permission are required.

Santorini, Greece

By private jet
Santorini Airport (JTR / LGSR), about 20 to 30 minutes by car to Fira, depending on summer traffic.
By helicopter
Helicopter transfers from Athens can be chartered; there is no regular service.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Vlychada Marina on the south coast takes yachts only up to about 20 metres, so larger yachts anchor offshore and come ashore by tender; about 20 minutes by car from Vlychada to Fira.

Crete, Greece

By private jet
Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER / LGIR), about 1 hour 10 minutes by car to Elounda, the island's luxury resort area. For western Crete, Chania International Airport (CHQ / LGSA) is the usual choice, about 30 minutes by car to Chania.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Agios Nikolaos Marina, taking yachts up to 70 metres; about 20 minutes by car to Elounda.

Bodrum, Türkiye

By private jet
Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV / LTFE), about 40 minutes by car to Bodrum town (36 km); allow about an hour to Yalıkavak. The airport has a dedicated General Aviation Terminal operated by TAV.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Yalıkavak Marina, taking yachts up to 140 metres; about 25 minutes by car to Bodrum town.
Good to know
Bodrum's airport is slot-coordinated and every private arrival and departure needs a confirmed slot, so book early for June to August.

Istanbul, Türkiye

By private jet
Istanbul Atatürk Airport (ISL / LTBA), about 30 minutes by car to the city centre; it no longer has airline traffic and handles most of Istanbul's private flights. Istanbul Airport (IST / LTFM) is the second option, about 45 to 75 minutes by car, with a Jetex private terminal.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Ataköy Marina on the European shore, with berths for yachts up to about 75 metres; about 30 minutes by car to the historic centre.
Good to know
Atatürk Airport, Istanbul's former main airport, is now the city's business aviation airport; airlines use Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen.

Limassol and Paphos, Cyprus

By private jet
Paphos International Airport (PFO / LCPH), about 20 to 25 minutes by car to Paphos and 45 to 60 minutes to Limassol. Larnaca International Airport (LCA / LCLK), the island's main airport, is about 50 to 70 minutes by car to Limassol.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Limassol Marina, taking yachts up to 110 metres, in the centre of Limassol; about 50 minutes by car to Paphos.

Tel Aviv, Israel

By private jet
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV / LLBG), about 30 minutes by car to central Tel Aviv. The Fattal Terminal there is a private terminal for VIP passengers.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Herzliya Marina takes yachts up to about 40 metres; about 25 minutes by car to central Tel Aviv.

Alexandria and the North Coast, Egypt

By private jet
Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE / HEBA), about 40 km southwest of central Alexandria, about 45 minutes to an hour by car. For the North Coast resorts, El Alamein International Airport (DBB / HEAL) also takes private jets and sits much closer to Marassi and El Alamein.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Marassi Marina, at Sidi Abdel Rahman on the North Coast, is about two hours by car from central Alexandria.

Tunis and Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

By private jet
Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN / DTTA), about 20 to 30 minutes by car to Sidi Bou Said.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. The marina below Sidi Bou Said takes smaller yachts (draught of about 2 to 3 metres); superyachts usually anchor off Sidi Bou Said, where clearance can be done in under an hour, with yacht agents based at La Goulette, about 15 minutes away by car.

Algiers, Algeria

By private jet
Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG / DAAG), about 17 km southeast of the centre, about 30 minutes by car.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
No superyacht marina here yet meets our standard. Sidi Fredj, 24 km west of Algiers, takes boats up to about 20 metres; larger yachts arrange a berth in the Port of Algiers through a local yacht agent.

Tangier, Morocco

By private jet
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG / GMTT), about 11 km southwest of the city, about 25 minutes by car.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Tanja Marina Bay, more than 1,400 berths in two basins, taking yachts of up to 90 metres; in the old port at the foot of the medina, a few minutes from the centre.

Marrakech, Morocco

By private jet
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK / GMMX), about 7 km from Jemaa el-Fna, about 15 to 20 minutes by car. Jetex runs a private aviation terminal (FBO) at the airport.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Not applicable: Marrakech, one of Morocco's imperial cities, is inland.
Good to know
Marrakech Menara opened a dedicated business aviation terminal in 2020, Morocco's second after Casablanca.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.