The 20 Best Islands in Europe

The best islands in Europe, according to Travel + Leisure readers, combine fabulous food, rich history, and beautiful surroundings.
The 20 Best Islands in Europe

There are few things more delightful than sipping a cold drink while lounging on a remote island, especially when it also involves earning a European stamp in your passport. This year’s list of the best islands in Europe offers no shortage of inspiration, with seaside escapes so glorious that seven of them land on the World’s Best Islands list.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.

Greece retains bragging rights, with seven highly lauded islands, including Mílos (No. 2); Páros (No. 3); and Crete (No. 7). These three appear on the World’s Best Islands list as well, thanks to their photogenic beaches, fresh seafood, and ancient sites. To the west, France’s Corsica (No. 8) earned plaudits for its boating activities, while the Italian island of Sicily (No. 11) drew praise for its multifaceted history. As one history buff wrote, “Sicily awaits the intrepid and prepared traveler with unbelievably pristine beaches, Greek ruins, and fabulous architecture of the late Middle Ages and period of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.”

Coming in at No. 17 is Scotland’s Skye and the Hebrides (No. 17), a collection of more than 40 islands known for their dramatic landscapes and ancient Gaelic culture. Skye, which is now reachable by bridge, is a hiker’s paradise with otherworldly rock formations, waterfalls, and fairy pools. At the Skeabost Hotel, which has 20 luxuriously appointed rooms, there’s a nine-hole course for golf enthusiasts, while fishing fans can catch salmon in the river that runs through the 23-acre grounds.

Still, no island impressed T+L readers as much as Italy’s Ischia, which was crowned not only No. 1 among the best islands in Europe, but the world.

2. Mílos, Greece
Volcanic rock formations on Sarakiniko beach on Milos island, Greece.
Copyright: GETTY IMAGES

Score: 92.50

The 20 Best Islands in Europe

By Rebecca Ascher-Walsh
Published on July 12, 2022
You can read the full article here.