It’s tricky planning an island getaway when everyone is getting away to the same place. Not only does that result in higher travel costs, longer queues and wait times, but it threatens the dream of tranquil isolation. Yes, we know that no man is an island, but hey, it’s nice to pretend once in a while.
To help us live the dream, car hire company Avis studied the search volume and Instagram hashtags of island destinations to uncover the busiest ones and find their alternatives.
So where is the best island to to really get away? That would be Lesbos, Greece’s third largest island perched near Türkiye in the Aegean sea. Summer temperatures average at 25-30C. The waters? Clear, clean and blue. Lesbos also offers all the things its more popular sister islands like Mykonos, Santorini or Paros would like charming fishing towns, epic seafood, ancient architecture and an active nightlife, but without all the crowds.
Recommended: The best beaches in Europe, according to Time Out.
Molyvos, Lesbos’s capital, ticks all those boxes. Stay at the Sea Horse Hotel right on the harbour before embarking on a journey to Molkyvos castle, which sits pretty on a hilltop surrounded by evergreen pines and the most idyllic view of the town and sea.
The second most underrated and secluded island is Porto Santo in Portugal. Less than a two-hour flight from Lisbon, Porto Santo is the smallest inhabited island of the Madeira Archipelago and known for its golden-hued, sandy beaches and phenomenal diving experiences thanks to its clear waters. But it has just as much excitement on land: think cave tours, extensive hikes and even a van tour of the island’s coastline.
The Greek island of Symi takes third place. Its oceanside homes, painted as gold as the sand itself, are actually preserved buildings from an early settlement that helped declare Symi as a ‘historic place in need of special protection’. From July to September, the island gathers for its annual festival that celebrates Greek culture and music, and events are held across the area’s sites like the Monastery of Panormitis that overlooks the bay with its giant, Baroque-style tower.
Need more island inspiration for your next holiday? Take a look at the full list below.
These are the top 10 underrated European islands, according to Avis
- Lesbos, Greece
- Porto Santo, Portugal
- Symi, Greece
- Skopelos, Greece
- Cres, Croatia
- Andros, Greece
- Karpathos, Greece
- Brac, Croatia
- La Maddalena, Italy
- Thasos, Greece
ICYMI: This is officially the most beautiful place in the world, according to Time Out.
Plus: The Italian island named the world’s most colourful destination.
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