Hot sun, white sand, and stunning cliffside houses – we present a list of the best European islands to visit in the summer.
When going for a beach vacation in summer, most people will immediately think about the Caribbean or the exotic islands of the Maldives or Fiji. But Europe is also home to some of the world’s most stunning islands that offer the perfect setting for a relaxing summer holiday.
So, if you’re on the hunt for your next summer destination, here is a list of incredible European islands to visit.
Best European Islands in the summer
- Ibiza, Spain
- Mljet, Croatia
- Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Mykonos, Greece
- Hvar, Croatia
Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza is one of the best European summer destinations for many reasons. It’s famous for its stunning beaches and coves and has breathtaking landscapes worthy of a postcard.
In summer, the island is in full swing. Party revellers dance until sunrise to the beats of world-class DJs while beach bummers lounge around at the island’s beautiful beaches.
Wandering around the walled town of Dalt Vila is one of the top activities to do in summer. Surrounded by 16th-century walls, Dalt Vila has picturesque cobblestone streets. They’re lined with shops, cosy bars and cafes, art galleries, and the 13th-century Catedral de Santa Maria de la Neu de Vila d’Eivissa.
The Ibiza Museum of Contemporary Art is also a great place to visit in Dalt Vila.
If you feel like hanging out at the beach, visit Talamanca Beach. It’s covered in snow-white sand, perfect for lounging around. Plus, the water is gentle and shallow, so it’s safe enough for swimming, even for little kids.
After a day at the beach, head to the nearby beachside restaurants and treat yourself to mouth-watering seafood dishes.
Mljet, Croatia
Croatia is home to many beautiful islands that are fun to visit in the summer.
If you want to see several islands in one visit, consider cruising around Croatia, providing the perfect way to travel in style. Cruising is a fun way to discover the country’s gorgeous islands and explore countless hidden bays, coves, and beaches.
If you only have time to visit one island, choose Mljet. Home to the famous Mljet National Park, Mljet is one of Croatia’s greenest islands.
It boasts lush Mediterranean vegetation, crystal clear waters, a gentle sandy shoreline, and colourful underwater sea life.
If you are into hiking, you will surely enjoy exploring Mljet National Park’s scenic trails. You will find well-maintained paths that hikers of all skill levels can follow. One of the trails will take you to Mt. Montokuc, where you can enjoy exceptional island views from the top.
After a day of exploring Mljet, one of the best ways to relax is to enjoy the stunning Dalmatian Island sunsets. Since Mljet National Park is closed in the evening, you can head down to the pier at Pomena, where you can marvel at amazing sunsets.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Famous for its rugged landscapes, medieval castles, and charming fishing villages, the Isle of Skye is one of the most fascinating and best European islands to visit in the summer.
The island looks even more magical during the summer months, and since the days are longer, you will have many more opportunities to explore and enjoy outdoor activities.
Portree, the main town of the Isle of Skye, is an ideal base for sightseeing on the island. It’s a bustling port with colourful houses, shops, bars, and restaurants.
If you want to venture away from the town centre, visit Quiraing. It’s an impressive hill steeped in history and natural beauty.
The best place to admire the hill’s magnificent view is from the top of the Quiraing Mountain Pass. You can witness it from the carpark or choose to hike the two-hour loop.
No visit to the Isle of Skye is complete without seeing the Old Man of Storr, a fantastic place to explore if you are fond of hiking. It’s a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula that takes around 75 min to walk up and down.
Another fantastic place for trekking in Skye is the Sligachan. It’s home to the Red and Black Cuillins, a massive range of rocky mountains. Climbing these mountains is a popular activity on the island. However, it’s not for the faint of heart. The climb can be arduous and dangerous if the weather conditions are not good.
Mykonos, Greece
Although Mykonos is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year, visiting the island in summer is more enjoyable. Summer brings out most of what this island has to offer.
From Mykonos, you can cruise around the Greek Islands. On these cruises, visit other picturesque islands that are also radiantly beautiful in summer, such as the world-renowned Santorini.
The clear and azure waters of the Aegean Sea look even more incredible in summer, allowing you to enjoy swimming and sunbathing to the fullest. In addition, rain is pretty rare during this time of the year. The sunny climate is perfect for soaking up the sun during your summer vacation.
Since summer is the most popular time to visit Mykonos, the island gets even livelier this time.
As the party island of Greece, Mykonos is home to world-famous bars and clubs where you can experience the most incredible nightlife. You might even bump into your favourite celebrity in one of the island’s upscale nightlife spots!
Hvar, Croatia
Hvar is a small, picturesque island off of the Dalmatian Coast. As one of the sunniest places in Croatia, it’s one of the best European islands to visit in summer.
Although it’s more famous for its nightlife scene, the island also boasts tranquil beaches and breathtaking landscapes, which you can best explore on a hike.
Overlooked by a 16th-century fort, the town of Hvar is a fun place to stroll around. Its charming town square is home to historic buildings, including the St Stephen Church.
If you want to spend your days frolicking at the beach, hike to Dubovica Beach, a lovely, secluded beach with tranquil blue waters. The beach is also home to some beach bars, serving refreshing drinks and snacks.
Check out Stari Grad, the island’s oldest settlement, established in 384 BC by the Greeks. Steeped in history, it is home to several historical sites, such as old churches and palaces. Stroll through its cobblestone streets to admire the lovely ancient buildings, with some dating back to its founding.
Save on your trip with these resources
We use these aggregator companies to save time and money. They do the work for us by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews for anywhere we are travelling worldwide. Plus, we have personally had positive customer service experiences with all of them:
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Hotels: we use Booking.com as they consistently return the best rates and their reviews are from actual guests. However, for self-contained lodging, use VRBO
- Cars: we use RentalCars to find the best deals and dealer ratings.
- Private guides: we often hire private guides from Tours by Locals
- Travel Insurance: we start at InsureMyTrip as they are the best option to compare plans and find the right coverage for you.
Before you book the rest of your trip: Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
Which do you think is the best European island to visit?
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Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
About the author
Alexa is a talented photographer, writer, and world traveller who speaks four languages. She is equally comfortable walking around a city and exploring museums as she is out in the wilderness discovering nature and photographing wildlife. She is an avid coffee drinker, and can often be spotted in local cafes when she needs a break.
Alex+J.+Cavanaugh
I’ve been to Scotland twice but never made it over to the Isle of Skye. I certainly will next time!