Winning tip: a bird’s-eye view of wild Croatia
Giant griffon vultures flew alongside my bus as it reached the highest point of Cres, the least populated of the four main islands in the Kvarner Gulf, at the very north of the Croatian Adriatic. The island is covered in scrubby heath, olive groves, and lavender, with small towns and villages along its coast—its wildness is what makes it so appealing. Some places, like Cres town, are quietly set up for tourists, while in others, locals simply go about their daily lives, just as they have since the Venetians ruled here. Everywhere is surrounded by the turquoise, crystal-clear seas Croatia is famous for.
Rhiannon
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Swimming off the Kerry coast
View image in fullscreen: The view across Valentia island and beyond. Photograph: David Lyons/Alamy
Earlier this summer, my sister and I took a road trip along the south-west coast of Ireland. Our favourite spot was Valentia island, a small landmass just off the more touristy Ring of Kerry, reached by a bridge to the south and a ferry to the north. Head to Glanleam beach, an idyllic, secluded cove surrounded by lush vegetation, with views over the mountains of the Dingle peninsula, and take a dip in the Atlantic. Like us, you’ll probably want to come back the next day and do it all over again.
Ellie
Going back in time in Greece
View image in fullscreen: Apella beach on Karpathos is one of Europe’s finest. Photograph: Straga/Getty Images
Between Rhodes and Crete, Karpathos flies under the radar: no package holiday crowds, just goats, wildflowers, and winding mountain roads clinging to the cliffs. The remote village of Olympos feels frozen in time, with its older women still in traditional dress, drying pasta-like makarounes in the open air. Apella and Achata rank among Europe’s best beaches, with turquoise water backed by unspoilt, pine-covered mountainsides. Hotel Lefkorama offers a spectacular view from the valley to the sea, plus a breakfast feast of fruit, jams, yoghurt, and freshly baked bread. End the day at a family-run taverna, sipping local wine as the sun sets over the Aegean.
Stephen and Luca
A car-free outpost off Brittany
View image in fullscreen: The waterfront of the car-free Île de Sein. Photograph: Crystite RF/Alamy
After an exciting 60-minute ferry crossing from Audierne—which passes the Pointe du Raz, where currents off the Breton coast create strange wave formations that carry confused seabirds in opposite directions even when they’re only feet apart—you arrive on the Île de Sein, an island that sits mostly just 1.5 metres above sea level. There are no cars, and you can walk the whole island in a couple of hours. We loved the beaches full of cowrie shells and the plants forming carpets over the pebbles. There’s plenty of history here, an impressive lighthouse, and a handful of stylish cafes (we had crepes at Chez Bruno). We felt very envious of those people who had bags to stay the night.
Miles
Castles and cocktails in Italy
View image in fullscreen: Lipari is one of the volcanic Aeolian islands. Photograph: AP Photo/Alamy
Perched jauntily off the north-east coast of Sicily, Lipari has an energy that perhaps comes from its volcanic origins. It’s the largest of the Aeolian islands and great fun to visit. Lipari town hugs the water and is dominated, Game of Thrones-style, by a brooding castle. The cathedral and the archaeological museum, with its ancient statues and artefacts, are worth a look. My family and I enjoyed joining the evening passeggiata, sipping island-themed cocktails—like the worryingly named Volcano—or eating delicious gelatos. The Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is lined with restaurants down to the picturesque port of Marina Corta. We swam at the nearby beaches of Papesca and POrticello – the rocky white seabed and the clear water create a magical, shimmering sea that kept drawing us in, hour after hour.
April
Lanzarote’s quiet, tiny neighbour
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La Graciosa, seen from Mirador del Rio on Lanzarote. Photograph: Rusm/Getty Images
Most visitors come to La Graciosa from Lanzarote for the day, but if you stay overnight, it becomes wonderfully peaceful. This tiny volcanic island feels different from the rest of the Canaries, with sandy, mostly car-free streets in Caleta de Sebo. Swim or snorkel in the clear turquoise water, walk or cycle among the volcanic peaks, and enjoy fresh fish in the village. You can take a boat around the coast or simply find a quiet stretch of sand. By evening, the island feels a world away from the busy resorts of Lanzarote – exactly what an island escape should be. Susanna
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Puffin-watching in Pembrokeshire
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Puffins off the coast of Skomer. Photograph: WL Davies/Getty Images
My absolute favourite island trip is seeing the puffins off the coast of Skomer in Pembrokeshire. Arriving at a modest pier (and getting on a fairly modest boat), we weren’t sure if the family outing would be a hit or a miss. But in fact, Dr Samuel Johnson’s quote should be updated: a man who is tired of watching puffins is tired of life. A few hours on the Welsh coast watching possibly the world’s most joyful bird can cure many troubles. Rosie
Medieval city walls and fossils in the Baltic
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Visby is a preserved medieval town on the island of Gotland. Photograph: Makasana Photo/Alamy
Gotland is a magical island in the Baltic. Get there via a three-hour ferry from Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm. The main town, Visby, is a perfectly preserved medieval dream, complete with encircling city walls, cobbled streets, and very few cars. Take the bus and ferry to the island of Fårö, hire bikes, and cycle to the famous rauks – massive limestone columns by the sea. It’s also a fantastic place for fossil hunting, as the whole island was once a coral reef. Gaynor
Walk around meteorite craters in Estonia
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A crater lake in Kaali. Photograph: Tomasz Wozniak/Alamy
On the Estonian island of Saaremaa, you can walk around meteorite craters. The nine Kaali craters were formed when meteorites crashed into the island about 3,500 years ago. The area later became a cult site, with archaeological finds suggesting animal offerings, and it has been linked to old Finnic tales of the sun falling from the sky. The tiny Meteoritics Museum costs just €2 (£1.70). Cosmic drama on a very Estonian budget. Elina
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the article topic Lapped by crystalclear turquoise seas readers share their favorite underrated European islands
General Beginner Questions
1 What exactly makes a European island underrated
It usually means the island isnt a massive tourist hotspot like Santorini or Ibiza Its a place with incredible beauty culture or beaches but without the huge crowds high prices and heavy commercialization Think hidden gem rather than bucketlist destination
2 Why should I consider an underrated island instead of a famous one
You get a more authentic experience Youll find cheaper accommodation less crowded beaches friendlier locals who arent tired of tourists and a more relaxed peaceful vibe Its about discovering something for yourself rather than just following the crowd
3 Are these islands difficult to get to
Not necessarily but they often require a bit more effort You might need to take a smaller ferry from a major hub or fly into a regional airport with a connecting flight The extra travel time is usually worth it for the seclusion you get in return
4 Is it safe to travel to these lessknown islands
Yes generally speaking most European islands are very safe In fact because they are less crowded petty crime rates are often lower than in major cities or packed tourist resorts Always use standard common sense but you can usually feel very secure
5 Are these islands only for summer holidays
While the turquoise seas are most inviting in summer many of these islands have charming old towns and local culture that are wonderful to explore in the spring and autumn The weather is still pleasant and youll have the place almost to yourself
Advanced Specific Questions
6 Ive heard of islands like Lefkada and Kythira Are those considered underrated
Yes absolutely The article specifically features destinations like Lefkada and Kythira alongside places like Vis and Madeira They are loved by locals and intheknow travelers but are often skipped by firsttime visitors to Europe Readers specifically praised their dramatic coastlines and clear waters
