9 Under-The-Radar European Islands To Explore In 2025
From rugged Mediterranean coastlines to idyllic Aegean hotspots, Europe boasts exquisite islands in abundance. But to escape the summer crowds, head for somewhere not quite so prominent and a little trickier to reach. KATIE BERRINGTON discovers the lesser-known islands for a glorious getaway
Tinos, Greece
The Greek islands are perennially in favor, meaning the most well-known can get overcrowded as soon as the temperatures climb. But there are still hidden gems to discover. The wild and dramatic island of Tinos – only a 15-minute boat ride from party island Mykonos, not that you would sense that from its relaxed, unwinding pace – is rugged and charming, with a cinematic landscape of vineyards and olive groves, punctuated with quintessential Cycladic white-washed villages.
Where to stay: The recently opened Odera hotel sits on a tranquil private beach and is designed with an understated elegance that mirrors the island’s low-key allure. Breathtaking Aegean views dazzle from every corner, while inside, traditional Tinian stonework and marble furnishings create a beautiful and serene setting from which to marvel them.
Pantelleria, Italy
Situated between Sicily and Tunisia (closer to the latter), this tiny and dramatic volcanic island is often called the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean because of its rocky, black volcanic landscape. With natural hot springs, fumaroles, vineyards and crystalline coves, so cinematic is the scenery that it backdropped Luca Guadagnino’s 2015 film A Bigger Splash. But the remoteness of this rugged island means it has stayed relatively off-radar from the crowds, who more regularly descend on its larger neighbor, Sicily.
Where to stay: An elegant, whitewashed retreat offset by the wild setting, Sikelia is built in the ancient, domed dammusi style of the region. The 19 serene suites are imbued with an artistic nature, while the menu in the Themà restaurant combines Sicilian cuisine with Arabic influences.
Formentera, Spain
Usurped in size by its better-known Balearic neighbors, Formentera is far less built-up and has a more easy-going pace and rustic, bohemian vibe than Ibiza and Mallorca – and fewer buzzy, crowd-drawing openings than Menorca. While it is a popular day-trip destination that is accessible only by boat from Ibiza, the number of daily visitors to Formentera is monitored and restricted during high season, in a bid to protect its natural splendor. The beaches here are particularly astounding, with glassy turquoise waters lapping at powdery sands and dense green pine trees. Playa de Ses Illetes is perhaps the most beguiling of all, thanks to the incredible coral hue of the sand.
Where to stay: Teranka is a boutique, contemporary, art-filled hotel that evokes a quaint Formentera finca, with 35 rooms and suites on a protected beachside estate. Here, the rich biodiversity of the island is celebrated, while the protracted, laid-back pace of Formentera is encouraged.
The Azores, Portugal
The Azores archipelago, secluded in the middle of the Atlantic, is so majestic that it is sometimes called the European answer to Hawaii. With dramatic volcanic landscapes, wild, verdant hills, soaring cliffs, cavernous crater lakes and steaming thermal springs, the nine islands make for a beguiling escape. São Miguel is the largest and has the most impressive hotel and dining offering, but look to the smaller ones, too, such as the lush and waterfall-rich Flores, and the tiny, characterful Corvo, for something even more peaceful. There is an abundance of rugged natural beauty to relish across the isles, with each utterly distinct from the other, from whale- and dolphin-spotting in the cerulean waters to hiking the rainforest hills – or even the country’s highest peak, Mount Pico.
Where to stay: A beautifully restored farmhouse on sweeping fields that meet the sea, Sensi Azores Nature and Spa immerses guests in the surrounding scenery. Unwind in the indoor and outdoor pools, enjoy the extensive spa menu, and opt for a room with a sea view. Another recharging spa retreat is Octant Furnas, with thermal pools that are open 24 hours a day and take guests on a tranquil sensory journey.
Salina, Italy
Part of the magical archipelago of the Aeolian islands north of Sicily, Salina offers a romantic slice of countryside and coast, with a lush, green landscape and slicks of pebble beaches. It has a scattering of charming villages, where Tyrrhenian Sea-perched trattorias serve fresh catches, and pretty roads from which tantalizing Sicilian street food can be discovered in tiny cafés. Salina’s twin peaks of extinct volcanoes give idyllic hiking trails, too, where spectacular views rivaling those of the Amalfi Coast and Italian lakes are revealed around almost every corner, minus the crowds. Make sure to book a boat trip to get a closer look at its neighboring islands, and take in the imposing sight of nearby Stromboli’s active volcanoes at sunset, too.
Where to stay: Principe di Salina is a delightful boutique hotel that gleams against the volcanic landscape. With only 12 rooms, it’s intimate and inviting, and the balconies and infinity pool are perfectly situated for soaking up the endless Aeolian vista.
Île d’Aix, France
The ultra-pretty Île de Ré has made its name as a beloved vacation destination of the Parisian jet-set, but Île d’Aix – its tinier, quainter little sister, also situated off the Charente-Maritime region of the French Atlantic Coast – is a lesser-known, far less populated alternative. The picturesque, hollyhock-lined streets make for a charming amble (the island is mostly car-free, offering the height of tranquility), and the silky-sand shores are divine. Given its diminutive size, it can fill with day-trippers in the summer months, but devouring the region’s famous oysters overlooking the ocean makes it worthwhile.
Where to stay: Hôtel Napoléon, an elegant, blue-shuttered boutique property with just 18 bedrooms, close to the harbor. Unsurprisingly, it is necessary to book well in advance.
Lošinj, Croatia
The picture-perfect island of Lošinj is a peaceful locale in the Adriatic Sea, where the vivid array of color is a feast for the eyes – from the azure waters and flourishing pine forests to the multi-hued houses in the harbor and cinematic sunsets. The island has long attracted guests keen to experience the reportedly unique healing properties of its sea air, but there is more to it than its utterly spectacular natural surroundings, including scenic architecture, dolphin tours, plus the rich history and culture on display in the town of Mali. Those looking for a less conspicuous spot, however, should head for the beautiful village of Veli Lošinj and its neighboring fishing port of Rovenska.
Where to stay: Set on Čkat Bay, Boutique Hotel Alhambra & Villa Augusta comprises two villas linked by a modern building, where century-old architecture meets sophisticated, contemporary features; book a room with a balcony for mood-boosting sea views over the sea. Meanwhile, its Michelin-star Alfred Keller restaurant serves local Croatian specialties, and spa treatments are inspired by the surrounding environment.
Isles of Scilly, UK
Close to the south-west tip of the Cornish coast, this unspoiled, low-lying archipelago includes five inhabited islands. St Mary’s is the biggest and best connected; Tresco is quiet and car-free; St Agnes is only a mile wide, but all are ruggedly enchanting and boast beaches that remain remote from the mainland hoards. A slow pace is celebrated by Scillonians, but that doesn’t mean a shortage of pursuits to enthrall visitors – from boating and hiking, to golf and sea swimming in the temperate Gulf Stream waters.
Where to stay: Star Castle on St Mary’s is a characterful, family-run hotel with bedrooms spanning 16th-century castle rooms to country-garden cottages within secluded gardens. The food and wine is a particular highlight, including fresh seafood caught from the hotel’s own fishing boat.
Milos, Greece
The lunar-like Cycladic island of Milos boasts some of the Aegean’s most stunning coastline, with chiseled cliffs and dozens of unspoilt beaches, and yet it has stayed lesser explored than some of its more famous neighbors. The birthplace of the Venus de Milo, this enchanting island is full of history and character – and charming cobblestoned and bougainvillea-adorned villages in which to find tantalizing tavernas.
Where to stay: The adults-only Domes White Coast Milos is a romantic waterfront retreat where every suite comes with its own oversized balcony, infinity pool and far-stretching sea views.
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