img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}No man is an island, but every once in a while, we all crave a little bit of reclusiveness, especially if you’re flying all the way from America to Europe for a sun-soaked vacation, and all you need is some peace and quiet.
As beautiful as places like Santorini and Palma de Mallorca may be, they’re not exactly known for being peaceful, given the surging crowds of cruisers and Instagrammer hordes.
The good news is, you don’t have to flock into a touristy spot, like everyone else does, in order to catch that lingering balmy weather in the off-season.
As seen in a new study by Avis, which looked at the most hashtagged offshore destinations in the Old Continent, and their lesser-known alternatives, there are 5 European islands still hugely underrated this fall:
Cres, Croatia
Forget everything you’ve heard about crowds in Croatia: Cres is a tiny island in the middle of the Adriatic Sea characterized by its medieval heritage, lush landscapes, and deserted secret coves filled with turquoise seas.
The main settlement, the compact Cres Town, plays host to a number of landmarks, including the Gothic-Renaissance Arsan Palace and a 16th-century Venetian watchtower.
To the north, you’ll find Tramuntana Forest, a labyrinth of oak trees criss-crossed with trails, and if it’s uncrowded beaches you’re after, look no further than Sveti Ivan, in the southwest, and Orlec, a pebbly strip backed by coastal cliffs not far from Cres Town.
The best part is, unlike the overtouristed Dubrovnik or Split, Cres receives far fewer tourists: it’s harder to get to—it can only be reached by ferry, usually from the port city of Rijeka—more undeveloped (and as a result, more authentic), and the hospitality of locals only adds to the overall charm.
Skopelos, Greece
Millions of tourists fly every year to Santorini or Mykonos for the Mamma Mia! vibes, but did you know the blockbuster musical was in fact shot in the much more offbeat Skopelos?
Dubbed Greece’s greenest island, the landscape here is strikingly different from its counterparts’ largely arid scenery, with a hinterland covered by pine forests, and winding roads that lead down to peaceful beaches and traditional whitewashed villages.
The largest town is Chora, traversed with narrow alleys, and home to a plethora of family-run taverns, but if you’re looking for that truly unspoiled Greek atmosphere, you’ll want to head toward Glossa:
This picture-perfect hillside village offers breathtaking verdant views, and the traditional houses look like something out of a storybook scene.
If you’re a Mamma Mia fan, don’t miss out on Agios Ioannis Kastri, known as the Mamma Mia Chapel, and Kastani Beach, a pebble-and-sand strip hugged by crystal-clear waters and backed by laid-back beach bars (also featured in the movie).
Symi, Greece
Yet another Greek island often ignored by tourists, Symi is a hidden gem of the Dodecanese, a short ferry ride away from Rhodes.
It is distinguished by its rows upon rows of colorful neoclassical houses, which line a lively port, traditional tavernas serving inexpensive Greek grub and local ouzo, and remote turquoise bays accessible only by small boat.
Contrary to the Cyclades, which have been engulfed by mass tourism in recent years, the Dodecanese remains untarnished, with places that have stayed frozen in that sweet time when Greek islands weren’t yet party destinations or photo ops, and life moved at a slower pace.
Picture friendly yiayias (Greek grannies) greeting you with a warm kalimera as you walk past their ornately decorated front porches, locals gathering in the local bar to share a meal as they yap away, and tourist-free alleys lined with inviting pastel colors.
Porto Santo, Portugal
Tucked away in an Atlantic archipelago in Portugal, Porto Santo is usually bypassed by tourists, who are rarely ever aware that there is an even tinier island, right next to the increasingly popular Madeira, ringed by golden-sand beaches and azure seas.
Though it is administered collectively with Madeira, Porto Santo couldn’t be more different from its closest neighbor if it tried. For starters, it is largely flat, with moderate elevations in its center, and none of Madeira’s dense laurissilva forests and vast expanses of green.
Porto Santo Beach is the main sunbathing hotspot, running for an uninterrupted 6 miles, while Vila Baleira is the only ‘real’ town around here, with harborfront restaurants, shops, and Christopher Columbus’ house.
In case you didn’t know, the famous explorer once lived here.
All in all, it feels like a proper subtropical island, with sand dunes extending as far as the eyes can see, charming coastal villages encroaching on volcano-made natural pools, and only a handful of well-reputed resorts offering a wide range of amenities.
If you happen to be in need of some pampering, you’ll definitely want to check out the 5-star, all-inclusive Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa.
Lesbos, Greece
Can’t get enough of Greece yet? The most underrated island destination in Europe, as assessed by Avis, is Lesbos, in the North Aegean.
Greece’s third-largest island, shaped like a leaf indented by two deep bays, Lesbos is famously associated with Sappho, a Greek female poet known to have professed her love for women—sapph-ic, lesb-ian… get the etymology now?
Lesbians aren’t the only ones sure to enjoy their time in Lesbos, though: people in general are drawn here due to its less-touristy atmosphere, untouched beaches (and there are plenty to pick from), numerous historic villages, and of course, ouzo.
Greece’s world-renowned spirit was born here, and trust us when we say there’s nowhere better to have it than Plomari, where the distilling process has been taking place for over 130 years.
When in Lesbos, make sure you take your time in exploring the island, including Mytilene, its fortified capital, Molyvos, a quaint village dominated by a hilltop castle and peppered with stone houses and locally owned eateries, the UNESCO-listed Petrified Forest, and the thermal springs over at Eftalou.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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