Most Beautiful Islands in Europe: Our 18 Top Picks & Tips

The Most Beautiful Islands in Europe at a Glance

Before we really dive in, we need to clear up one small thing. The most beautiful islands in Europe all have an incredible amount to offer. You’ll find dream beaches, lush green mountain landscapes, historic towns, and breathtaking cliffs.

Of course, not every island has it all. Some islands are best for a beach vacation, while others are great for hiking or sightseeing.

To give you a better overview of which islands are best suited for which type of trip, we’ve put together a table. That way you can see at a glance which island fits your travel plans.

Further down, we go into more detail about each island.

The Most Beautiful Sun Islands in Europe for Swimming

For us, island means beach vibes.

When you think of an island vacation, do you immediately picture sea air, shells, hammocks, and sand between your toes? Then the best islands in Europe for swimming are just right for you.

Naxos

• Who is the island ideal for? Beach lovers, active vacationers, sightseeing
• Best time to visit: May, June, September, and October
• How much time to plan? 5–7 days

You love the vibe of Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, but you could do without the tourist crowds? Then keep reading. We’re about to introduce you to Naxos.

On Naxos you get brilliantly white villages, fine sandy beaches, olive groves, ancient temples, and stunning sunsets. The island has everything the Insta-worthy islands have — just without the hustle. You can look forward to relaxed beach days, charming tavernas, and empty alleyways instead of parties and selfie chaos.

Naxos is large, but still compact enough to explore the whole island from a single base.

Our hotel pick: Villa Adriana Hotel

Formentera

• Who is the island ideal for? Beach lovers, those seeking peace and quiet
• Best time to visit: May, June, September, and October
• How much time to plan? 3–5 days

You won’t have to look long for dream beaches on Formentera. The whole island feels like one giant Caribbean beach with turquoise water, fine white sand, and a totally relaxed atmosphere.

Formentera is just a few kilometers north of Ibiza. But here it’s not about party nights — it’s about days by the sea, sundowners at the lighthouse, and bike rides to secluded coves.

Speaking of bikes: you don’t need a car on Formentera, you don’t have to worry about parking, and you don’t have to deal with island traffic. Formentera is flat and not overly large. You can get around just fine by bike or on foot. It doesn’t get much more relaxed than that.

Our hotel pick: Boho Suites Formentera

Menorca

• Who is the island ideal for? Beach lovers, sightseeing, families
• Best time to visit: May, June, September, and October
• How much time to plan? 7–10 days

Menorca is the laid-back little sister of Mallorca. And that’s exactly what makes it so special. The turquoise coves and alleyways aren’t packed with crowds. You can still jump into the sea at secluded beaches.

The island is the perfect mix of tranquility, nature, and Mediterranean charm. You can have a relaxed beach vacation and explore charming coastal towns without traveling to the ends of the earth.

Menorca is small enough that you can see everything from one base. That said, the north and south coasts are so different that you could easily spend three to four days on each coast.

Our hotel pick on the north coast: Petit Sagitario

Our hotel pick on the south coast: Hotel Rural Sant Ignasi

Hvar

• Who is the island ideal for? Beach lovers, sightseeing, night owls
• Best time to visit: June to September
• How much time to plan? 3–5 days

Hvar is often described as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The island has everything you could wish for: crystal-clear turquoise water, charming coves, pine forests, a lovely old town, and a seriously lively island scene.

During the day you stroll through the winding alleys of the historic center, enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the harbor, or relax at one of the sunny coves. In the evening, Hvar comes alive. Bars, rooftops, and beach clubs open their doors and you can treat yourself to a drink under the stars.

If you stay in Hvar Town or near a beautiful cove, you can easily explore the island from there. Water taxis take you to hidden coves, you can set off on hikes, or take day trips to small coastal villages.

Our hotel pick: Casa Fortuna

Fuerteventura

• Who is the island ideal for? Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts
• Best time to visit: April to November
• How much time to plan? 7–10 days

The Canary Islands are definitely among the top islands in Europe. Our personal favorite is Fuerteventura.

The island is perfect for a beach vacation. Just picture the endless sandy beaches, volcanic landscapes, and small villages. And if you’re a water sports enthusiast, even better. You can do pretty much anything water-related here: from surfing and windsurfing to diving.

Ah, Fuerteventura is simply wonderful. And the best part: the island is warm year-round. Perfect if you want to escape to somewhere warm in winter.

Our hotel pick: Hélène Holidays

The Most Beautiful Nature Islands in Europe for Active Travelers

You don’t just want to laze on the beach — you want to actually get out and do things on your island? Then keep reading. Here come the beautiful European islands for active travelers.

São Miguel in the Azores

• Who is the island ideal for? Nature lovers, active vacationers, those seeking peace and quiet
• Best time to visit: May to October
• How much time to plan? 5–7 days

Picture an elongated island. In the middle, three large crater lakes. Around them, green hills with winding hiking trails and hot springs. That gives you a pretty good picture of the Azorean island of São Miguel. Beautiful, right?

On São Miguel you can hike along the coast or through blooming hydrangea fields, grab a fresh pastel de nata, and soak in the views of the Atlantic. Nature here lets you breathe deeply. By the way, São Miguel is still a real under-the-radar pick. So you can look forward to plenty of peace and quiet.

Ponta Delgada makes a great base on São Miguel, with day trips easily done from there.

Our hotel pick: The Farm

Lofoten

• Who is the island ideal for? Adventurers, nature lovers, photographers
• Best time to visit: June to August
• How much time to plan? 7 days

Next up, we’re heading to a completely different part of Europe. The Lofoten Islands are located in the north of Norway.

This archipelago is seriously stunning. In summer you have the midnight sun, and in winter the dancing northern lights. The charming fishing villages and the spectacular fjords are worth seeing any time of year. In between, you’ll find Caribbean-style beaches and plenty of hiking trails.

The Lofoten Islands consist of several smaller islands. The best spots are spread across all of them. If you want to explore everything, it’s best to book accommodation in several different places.

Our hotel pick in the south: The Tide

Our hotel pick in the center: Henningsvær Guesthouse

Our hotel pick in the north: Laukvika rorbuer

Faroe Islands

• Who is the island ideal for? Adventurers, nature lovers, hikers
• Best time to visit: May to September
• How much time to plan? 5–7 days

Strictly speaking, the Faroe Islands aren’t just one island. There are actually 18 islands. They’re connected by tunnels, bridges, and ferries, so you can discover new landscapes every day.

The Faroe Islands are wild, windy, and green. The grass-covered rooftops, dramatic cliffs, solitary lighthouses, and puffins give everything a somewhat mystical feel.

Which fits perfectly with the weather: it can change here faster than you can say “Wow!” But that’s also what makes these islands so unique.

Our hotel pick: Hotel Hafnia

Isle of Skye

• Who is the island ideal for? Nature lovers, hikers, photographers
• Best time to visit: May to September
• How much time to plan? 5–6 days

The Isle of Skye is one of the most popular beautiful European islands when it comes to filming locations. Movies and TV shows like Highlander, James Bond, and King Arthur have been filmed here. But honestly, the island just looks like you’ve landed in a fantasy film.

The dramatic cliffs, mist-covered mountains, and waterfalls that plunge straight into the sea look like they’re from another world. That makes the Isle of Skye a paradise for photographers.

If you stay near Portree, you can reach all parts of the island on day trips.

Our hotel pick: Burnbrae Apartment

Iceland

• Who is the island ideal for? Active vacationers, sightseeing, nature lovers, road trips
• Best time to visit: June to August
• How much time to plan? 8–12 days

Iceland is volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. The island is an incredible place if you love nature and enjoy spending hours exploring breathtaking landscapes.

We recommend a road trip along the Ring Road. That way you’ll pass the most stunning highlights, hike through wild landscapes, and simply marvel at it all.

Our hotel pick in Reykjavík: Hotel Von

Our hotel pick in Kirkjubæjarklaustur: Landbrot Guesthouse

Our hotel pick in Höfn: Guesthouse Mikael

Our hotel pick in Mývatn: Berjaya Iceland Hotels

Our hotel pick in Akureyri: Hotel Akureyri

Our hotel pick on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Hótel Karólína

Madeira

• Who is the island ideal for? Nature lovers, hikers, those who love to savor life
• Best time to visit: April, May, September, and October
• How much time to plan? 7–10 days

Madeira is like a giant botanical garden in the middle of the Atlantic. The island is green and warm year-round.

Madeira isn’t for your typical beach vacation. Sandy beaches are in short supply here — especially white ones. But the island is all the more perfect if you love hiking and exploring small towns. You walk along levadas, stand above the clouds on Pico do Arieiro in the morning, and simply can’t get enough of the beautiful scenery.

On Madeira, you can drive from one end of the island to the other in just over an hour and a half. So one base is plenty.

Our hotel pick: Three House Hotel

The Most Beautiful Islands in Europe for Sightseeing

Beach time and hiking are great, but you’d also love to explore beautiful cities and ancient landmarks? Then we’ve got exactly the right islands for you right here.

Malta

• Who is the island ideal for? Culture lovers, sightseeing, beach lovers, divers
• Best time to visit: April to September
• How much time to plan? 7–10 days

Malta is like an open-air museum with Baroque palaces, ancient temples, sunshine, and turquoise swimming coves.

You can wander through the winding alleyways of Valletta and lose yourself among the temples. And when your head is spinning from so much history, you can simply jump into the crystal-clear water of the Blue Lagoon. Or snorkel in hidden coves.

There are no huge distances on Malta. You’re never more than an hour away from anywhere, and you can easily get around by Uber too.

Our hotel pick: Verdi Gzira

Sicily

• Who is the island ideal for? Culture lovers, sightseeing, nature lovers, beach lovers
• Best time to visit: September to October
• How much time to plan? 1–2 weeks

Italy has some really beautiful islands. One of them is Sicily. The island has incredibly beautiful beaches. San Vito Lo Capo even made it onto our list of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.

Beyond that, Sicily has plenty more to offer: the active volcano Mount Etna, ancient temples, historic alleyways, colorful markets with great street food, and stunning coastlines. The island is so diverse that you can experience something completely new every single day.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. If you want to explore the whole island, you should plan for multiple accommodations.

Our hotel pick in the west: Ossuna Bay Hotel Boutique

Our hotel pick in the east: BellaVista

Our hotel pick in the south: Terreforti Village

Elba

• Who is the island ideal for? Culture lovers, active vacationers, hikers, beach lovers
• Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
• How much time to plan? 4–7 days

Let’s keep going with Italian islands: next up is Elba. Elba is often underestimated — until you visit for the first time. Then this little island really blows you away. Because Elba is a true all-rounder.

You can lounge at small coves nestled between green hills, explore charming villages like Portoferraio, hike through pine forests, or follow in the footsteps of Napoleon, who was exiled here.

Elba is a manageable size. You can easily hop from beach to beach by car or scooter.

Our hotel pick: Vistamare Suite & Room

Corfu

• Who is the island ideal for? Culture lovers, sightseeing, beach lovers, nature lovers
• Best time to visit: May to October
• How much time to plan? 7 days

Corfu is the greenest Greek island. And that’s saying something when you consider how many there are. You’ll find olive groves and cypress trees in abundance. But the lush landscape alternates beautifully with the dramatic sea cliffs, the Venetian alleyways of Corfu Town, and the long sandy beaches in the south.

On Corfu you can have it all: relaxed beach days, hikes through greenery, and sightseeing. Sounds great, right?

If you look for accommodation in the center, you can combine beaches, sightseeing, and nature with ease.

Our hotel pick: Tango Studios

Cyprus

• Who is the island ideal for? Sightseeing, nature lovers, beach lovers, active vacationers
• Best time to visit: April to October
• How much time to plan? 7–10 days

Cyprus is the perfect mix of dream beaches, ancient ruins, and a relaxed island vibe. It’s really cool how Greek culture blends with Oriental influences here.

Beyond the culture, Cyprus has endless beaches, crystal-clear sea, small fishing villages, mountain villages, and historic alleyways full of character. Between sightseeing stops, you can treat yourself at small tavernas with meze and wine. Simply wonderful! So: pack your bags and head to the island!

We recommend focusing mainly on southern Cyprus — the Greek part. If you want to see as much as possible, it’s best to book two different accommodations.

Our hotel pick in the southwest: Atlantica Golden Beach

Our hotel pick in the southeast: Mercure Larnaca City

Our Hidden Gems Among the Most Beautiful Islands in Europe

European islands are hugely popular. Islands like Mallorca, Santorini, and Ibiza have simply gotten too crowded.

All the better, then, if you can vacation on a relatively undiscovered island, right? We think so too. That’s why we now have two cool off-the-beaten-path island picks for you.

Juist

• Who is the island ideal for? Those seeking peace and quiet, nature lovers, families
• Best time to visit: May to September
• How much time to plan? 2–4 days

Juist is called Töwerland — Magic Land — by the locals. The North Sea island is surrounded by many legends and myths involving hobgoblins, Hammersee witches, and will-o’-the-wisps. Have we piqued your curiosity? Great! Because Juist is really something special.

Beyond the fascinating stories, Juist also offers dunes and wide beaches, mudflat hikes, and regional slow food. The island is also car-free. Instead of hustle and exhaust fumes, you get bicycles and fresh air.

Our hotel pick: Strandhotel Juister Hof

Alonissos

• Who is the island ideal for? Those seeking peace and quiet, nature lovers, divers
• Best time to visit: May to October
• How much time to plan? 4–6 days

On Alonissos, far from mass tourism and party islands, you can slow down and soak up the sun. Here you’ll still discover the real Greece, with ancient olive groves, pine forests, monk seals, and charming coves.

The crystal-clear water is perfect for snorkeling. And when you’ve had your fill of that, just swap your snorkel mask for comfortable shoes and a camera and explore charming villages like Patitiri and Votsi. Or sit down at a traditional taverna and enjoy the relaxed island life.

Our hotel pick: Atrium of Alonissos