Today we're highlighting beautiful islands in Europe. Do you dream of chalk-white sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs or windswept adventures? Here are 15 European islands that you won't want to miss visiting.
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Beautiful islands in Europe
We love visiting islands. Recently we told you about ten beautiful islands in Sweden. Now it's time to look outside our own country. Here are fifteen beautiful islands in Europe that we have visited.
1. Corsica (France)
Corsica is a stunningly beautiful Mediterranean island, filled with paradisiacal beaches and turquoise waters. Here you can drive along dramatic mountain roads with incredible views. Don't miss the town of Bonifacio, which sits spectacularly on a high cliff in the south of the island.
2nd Brač (Croatia)
The Croatian island of Brač is a fantastic holiday destination. Here you can visit the cosy towns of Supetar or Bol and the famous Zlatni Rat beach. The island is easily accessible by ferry from the beautiful and historically interesting city of Split.
3rd Rügen (Germany)
The island of Rügen is a popular beach paradise in northern Germany, with chalk-white cliffs, charming holiday resorts and characteristic bathhouses. For something special, visit the tree-drop railway at Naturerbe Zentrum or take a ride on the narrow-gauge railway.
4. Dagö (Estonia)
Dagö in Estonia, or Hiiumaa in Estonian, is an island off the western coast of Estonia. Here you'll find plenty of Swedish history. You can also enjoy beautiful scenery and beaches, as well as check out no less than three mighty lighthouses and a quirky home-made 'Eiffel Tower'.
5. Sardinia (Italy)
Sardinia is another of Europe's beautiful islands. There are lots of beautiful beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters. For example, you can sunbathe, swim and take boat trips at the fantastic Cala Gonone. It's also nice to visit Alghero and perhaps take a trip to the Neptune Caves.
6: La Maddalena (Italy)
Why not visit an island off an island? La Maddalena is located just north of the main island of Sardinia and is easily accessible by car ferry. On the island is the charming little town of La Maddalena. The rest of the island offers beautiful natural greenery, lovely beaches, campsites and holiday accommodation.
7. Gozo (Malta)
Gozo is a beautiful island belonging to the Kingdom of Malta. Compared to the main island, Gozo is a bit quieter, and here you can enjoy nature experiences such as mountain biking, climbing or diving. The island also offers great beaches and locally produced food from the island's farmers.
8. Ireland
Ireland is both a country and an island, which includes the countries of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This island is incredibly green and beautiful, as well as offering beautiful and dramatic coastlines. Don't miss places like the Cliffs of Moher, Carrick-a-rede and the Giant's Causeway.
9. Porquerolles (France)
The island of Porquerolles in France is one of the so-called 'golden islands' of the French Riviera. Many consider the Plage Notre Dame beach on Porquerolles to be the most beautiful beach in the world. We can certainly agree that it is incredibly beautiful here, with dense greenery and turquoise blue sea.
10th Usedom (Germany/Poland)
Usedom is an island on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, half in Germany and half in Poland. The island offers beautiful beaches and charming old spa towns. You can also go cycling here, travelling between the two countries through lovely deciduous forests.
11. Faroe Islands (Denmark)
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago consisting of no less than 18 islands, most of which are inhabited. On these beautiful islands in Europe, you can discover interesting culture and history, but also stunning nature. The Faroe Islands are for anyone who likes dramatic landscapes, puffins and woolly sheep.
12th Kynö (Estonia)
Kynö in Estonia is a small and very special island. Its traditional culture is so distinctive that it has been designated as one of humanity's intangible cultural heritages. Weddings are celebrated here like nowhere else in the world and women are in charge. In addition, this is a green and beautiful island.
13th Pag (Croatia)
Pag is a windswept and relatively bare island in Croatia, offering both vast cliffs and long sandy beaches. Here you can swim in the crystal clear sea, but also learn more about what the island is famous for: good cheese, lace and salt production.
14. Cyprus
Cyprus is an exciting island nation in the eastern Mediterranean. People have lived here for at least 11,000 years and there are plenty of historical attractions. In addition, the island offers lush nature, beautiful beaches, good food and opportunities for boat trips and other wonderful excursions.
15th Port-Cros (France)
The island of Port-Cros is another of the so-called golden islands on the French Riviera. It has a truly exotic feel, reminiscent of the Caribbean, with its lush green vegetation, beautiful beaches and harbour where you can order mojitos in simple, relaxed bars.
Beautiful islands in Europe - on our bucket list
In addition to these beautiful islands in Europe, there are of course many other beautiful islands that we have not yet visited and therefore cannot recommend. Here we list some European islands that we are curious about:
- Bornholm (Denmark)
- Capri (Italy)
- Föhr (Germany)
- Ibiza (Spain)
- Madeira (Portugal)
- Santorini (Greece)
- Sylt (Germany)
- Fish (Croatia)
More beautiful islands in Europe?
What other beautiful islands in Europe have you visited? Feel free to share!
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Minette says:
Interesting places! I agree about Corsica. Wonderful island! Azores is an island group I recommend to visit. Nice that Usedom is included. I recently read the travel journalist Per J Andersson's book: The Dream of an Island and there is Usedom included.
12 January 2023 - 18:20
Helena says:
Yes, the Azores yes, it is a destination that attracts us too! Nice that you mentioned Usedom too. That island is relatively easy to visit from Sweden, but it seems to be quite unknown among Swedes.
15 January 2023 - 10:07
BP says:
Gozo is beautiful, so is Malta. More life in Malta. Then Madeira is not bad either. A relatively unknown and different island is - Hel, reached by ferry from Gdynia, Poland.
12 January 2023 - 19:10
Helena says:
Yes, all of Malta is nice, I agree! Hel is also a favourite, even though it's more of an isthmus than an island 😉.
15 January 2023 - 10:08
Yossu says:
I visited Madeira the year before last and fell in love. Funchal was very charming, the scenery beautiful and the view of the Valley of the Nuns one of the most magnificent I've ever seen.
Right now I'm attracted to the island of Menorca as it feels a little less touristy than Mallorca but offers similar bays with turquoise water.
12 January 2023 - 19:54
Helena says:
Madeira seems incredibly nice! We would love to go there at some point. Menorca also sounds interesting! 🙂
15 January 2023 - 10:09
Ditte says:
Fun with islands! Have visited many of the ones you have included as visited and also on the wish list. Have collected islands over the years. And not least I have lots from Greece, where we have been boating for many summers. As for islands, Greece has many.
12 January 2023 - 21:55
Helena says:
Surely it is fun with islands! 🙂 We have not had time to see so much of Greece, but it is on our list and should be able to be more. Maybe already this year 😉
15 January 2023 - 10:09
T says:
Nice!
19 January 2023 - 9:05