7 European Islands You’ve Probably Never Heard Of But Totally Should Visit

Just an hour ferry ride from Athens, Hydra is like stepping into a classy time machine. No cars or scooters here! You get around by foot, boat, or with donkeys (yes, real donkeys). Artists have adored this place for decades - Leonard Cohen even lived here. Everywhere you look are stone mansions, cozy boutique hotels in old captain’s houses, and seafood spots serving fish so fresh it practically swims on your plate.

The real magic? Once the day-trippers bounce, the island turns quiet and local. Take a 20-minute walk to Vlychos Beach - a tiny pebble cove with an old-school taverna that feels like a movie set. End your day watching the sunset from the old fort above the harbor. Oh, and don’t miss the art galleries nestled in former sea captains’ mansions.

Prices are friendlier than Santorini or Mykonos but higher than mainland Greece. Pro tip: skip the busy waterfront tavernas and hike uphill about 20 minutes for local spots where dinner is delicious and half the price. Just ask for whatever fish was caught that morning - it’s grilled to perfection.

Flores sits way out west in the Atlantic, so far off most people’s radar it sees fewer visitors in one year than Santorini does in a week. It’s wild, green, and untouched - think huge waterfalls dropping into lush valleys, turquoise crater lakes that look fake, and hiking trails that sometimes feel like you’re the only person left on Earth.

You’ll have to fly to São Miguel first, then hop on a tiny plane to get here. No beaches or wild nightlife, but if you want to unplug and soak up some serious nature vibes, this is your island. Just remember to book your summer stays months in advance because spots are limited.

Warning: expect rain, mud, and loads of wilderness. Reward: mind-blowing landscapes and total peacefulness. Perfect for hikers, photographers, and anyone who needs some solo time with Mother Nature.

Naxos is what Santorini was back in the day - beautiful, chill, authentic, and way less crowded. It’s the biggest island in the Cyclades with golden beaches that actually feel like paradise, mountain villages where time forgot to rush, and ancient ruins that glow during sunset.

Prices? Beachfront rooms can be snagged for around €60, and tavernas serve up mind-blowing moussaka for less than €12 - Santorini dreams, but no breaking the bank here.

Plaka Beach screams Caribbean vibes with soft sand and clear turquoise water, and the giant marble doorway in Naxos Town (the Portara) throws some of the most epic sunsets you’ll ever see. The island even has its own secret liqueur called Kitron made from citron leaves.

No volcanoes, no influencer-packed photo spots, just chill vibes, real Greek island life, and beaches that are honestly better than Santorini’s rocky ones. Stay in town for fun evenings or settle into Plaka for quiet mornings by the sea.

Texel has been my family’s go-to beach getaway forever, and honestly, it’s the Netherlands’ best-kept secret. It’s the biggest Wadden Island, just a quick 20-minute ferry ride from Den Helder, but it might as well be a whole different world.

Think 30 km of wide sandy beaches, friendly seal colonies, sheep farms cranking out cheese you’ll dream about, small breweries, and zero overpriced beach clubs charging you €50 just to plop down on a sunbed.

Last time I was there, I stayed in a fancy wellness villa with a hot tub, sauna, and barbecue for grilling local Texel lamb - which my dog proudly claimed as her royal garden. We biked all over the island, stopped at cute villages, and enjoyed seafood that tastes like it was caught five minutes ago.

Great news: you can cycle the whole island in a day, pet lambs at the Sheep Farm, and cozy up to cozy fireplaces in winter with some wild dramatic skies.

Pro tip: visit in May or September to get awesome weather without the school-holiday crowds.

Lipari is the biggest of the volcanic Aeolian Islands off Sicily, and it’s basically a pastel-colored dream. Picture charming houses spilling down cliffs, fishermen selling the day’s catch right from their boats, and wild thyme scents floating through the salty air.

Renting a Vespa for about €40 a day is the best way to get around. Don’t miss the viewpoint Belvedere di Quattrocchi - with epic cliff-and-sea views that stay with you forever. Spiaggia Bianca, or White Beach, shines with bright pumice stones and electric blue water that looks like a fantasy.

Hit up Café La Precchia for what might be the island’s best Aperol Spritz - just ask for Daniel and say I sent you. And if you’re feeling adventurous, explore the old military tunnels (don’t forget a flashlight!).

My personal fave was lunch at White Beach Restaurant: Pasta all’Eoliana topped with tomatoes, capers, olives, tuna, and loads of olive oil. Bonus: friendly locals insisted I try their cannoli - and they were right. The cocktails on the island? Next-level.

Madeira gets a bad rap as a retirement island for Brits, but trust me - it’s way more exciting than that. I went in December thinking it’d be quiet, and ended up exploring misty laurel forests, hiking 'levadas' (water channels) that feel like Jurassic Park, swimming in volcanic rock pools, and hanging out in the lively city of Funchal with its markets and wine cellars.

One highlight was Blandy’s Wine Cellar tour where tasting a 5-year-old Madeira wine got me in the holiday spirit. I also took a cable car up to Monte Palace Gardens - full of exotic plants and cool tile art - and went on the famous Monte sledge ride (€30 for two), a wild ride down the hill.

Madeira is a year-round gem with amazing hikes and seriously underrated Malvasia wine. The best moment? A Jeep tour to a mountain winery where a 3-hour lunch of grilled beef, tasty white wine, and mountain views made me never want to leave.

Visit during winter for authentic Christmas markets without the touristy nonsense.

Vis was a secret military base until 1989, closed off from the world for over 40 years. When it opened up, tourists discovered a hidden gem untouched by the usual crowds. I spent a week exploring secret beaches reachable only by boat, enjoying family-run spots with octopus salad for €10, and chilling in quiet coves where the biggest noise was the waves.

Forget the yacht parties on nearby Hvar or the cruise ship madness in Dubrovnik - Vis is all about authenticity and relax mode. The Blue Cave is amazing, but get there at 8 a.m. before 15 other boats crowd in. Komiža is where locals vacation, a fishing village with zero souvenir shops.

Stončica Beach? I saw only 12 people there on a July afternoon. Plus, Vis has its own grape called Vugava, so you can sip wine you won’t find anywhere else.

Heads up though: fancy hotels are coming, and Croatian tourism is branding it as the next big thing. So go now before the secret’s out.

Local hack: rent a tiny boat (no license needed if under 5HP), bring lunch and wine, and discover hidden coves solo - this is how the island’s true magic hits.