Quiet and off the beaten track islands to explore in Europe

There’s something special about staying on an island, the limits which the surrounding sea imposes on you. I enjoy the forced relaxation of quiet island holidays. We’re spoilt for choice in Europe – there’s an island for every occasion and every persuasion. But where do you go if you want to escape the crowds? Are there still secret islands in Europe which remain under the tourist radar?

With the help of some fellow travel bloggers, I’ve put together a collection of off the beaten track islands in Europe. Some are more low-key than others – several are popular with day trippers but return to their peaceful selves once visitors have departed. Others are well and truly under the radar and make for an incredibly peaceful holiday.

So, whether you’re looking for an island escape where you can enjoy getting away from it all (all the people that is), or you still like a bit of diversion without the trappings of overtourism, I hope some of these European isles appeal to your wanderlust.

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Quiet islands to visit in Northern Europe

Faroe Islands

Submitted by Amanda of A Dangerous Business Travel Blog

The Faroe Islands are a group of 18 rocky, volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, located roughly halfway between Norway and Iceland. The Faroes are technically an autonomous part of Denmark, but they feel worlds away from the bustling streets of Copenhagen.

The Faroe Islands are known for their stunning natural landscapes. Steep green mountains dotted with sheep and craggy coastlines broken up by colourful villages – breathtaking view after breathtaking view.

In terms of things to do in the Faroe Islands, it all really revolves around those views. Summer is the best time to go – you can go hiking into that beautiful scenery. Walking to the hanging lake at Trælanípa and the hike to Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy Island are two of the best. Take a boat ride to Mykines to go puffin spotting, or visit picturesque little villages like Gjógv and Tjørnuvík and Saksun.

Planning a Faroe Islands road trip is easy, as the main islands are all connected by bridges and tunnels. You can base yourself in the capital city of Tórshavn (stay at Hotel Foroyar or Hotel Hafnia), and get to most of the other islands in a short drive. There are historic sites to visit in Tórshavn, too, and you can try Faroese food at Áarstova, or book a “heimablídni,” a traditional meal in a local family’s home.

Uloya, Norway

Recommended by Lavinia from Continental Hop

Located about three hours from Tromso is Uloya, a small Norwegian island in the Artic Circle where about 40 residents live.

What makes the island special is that, because it is located so far north, it is quite easy to see the Northern Lights here without having to chase them.

Besides being breathtakingly beautiful, the island is also a good location for whale watching in the Lyngen Fjord during the summer months. It’s also one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the midnight sun.

There are mountains on the island, and in winter, the abundance of snow makes it possible to go snow-shoeing and skiing here.

Home to herds of elk and reindeer, you will find these beautiful animals mostly in winter in Uloya. The fjords here are full of cod and salmon, and you can opt for fishing here, which is one of the activities worth trying with a permit.

Runde, Norway

Recommended by Kate from Bags Always Packed

If you’re looking for a beautiful little island off the coast of Norway where you can escape from the summer crowds that more Instagram-famous destinations like Lofoten bring, Runde Island is a great choice. 

Located about halfway up the Norwegian coastline, this small island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, making it accessible to anyone with a car. 

Home to up to 700,000 seabirds during the summer, most people come here to see puffins up close. After a short hike to the cliffs of Runde, you can get within metres of these colourful creatures which makes visiting this island quite a unique experience. 

Puffins live on Runde Island from April to August but spend most of the day out at sea, so the best time to see them on the cliffs is early morning or evening when they return. Alternatively, you can take a boat tour to see them from below. 

Aside from birdwatching, Runde Island also boasts a number of scenic hikes and an environmental centre where you can see exhibitions about the history of the island and its nature. 

You would think that this island would get incredibly busy thanks to its fame as one of the best bird-watching spots in the country, but for most people, it is a little too far off the most common tourist routes in Norway so it remains a sleepy little island getaway waiting to be explored.  

Orkney Islands, Scotland

Recommended by Maja from Away with Maja

The Orkney islands are an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland, and perfect for a quiet getaway. It’s a great destination for history lovers: the Heart of Neolithic Orkney is a group of four ancient sites – Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe – which are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are beautiful beaches to see on Mainland Orkney, like the Sands of Evie and Waulkmill Bay – although it might be a bit chilly for swimming! Orkney also has wonderful opportunities for spotting wildlife, particularly seabirds like puffins, from April to July. There are plenty of coastal walks or inland trails to discover. While

Although Mainland Orkney has the most things to see and do, it’s definitely worth exploring the other islands. Visit Hoy to see the highest seastack in Europe, the Old Man of Hoy, and the Scapa Flow Museum. Head to Westray for beautiful coastline, ancient history, and seabirds. Papa Westray is one of the smallest Orkney islands, just four miles long and one mile wide. This is a fascinating place to visit – the population is about 70 people, and it boasts one of the oldest preserved stone houses in northern Europe, the Knap of Howar. You can take the shortest commercial flight in the world between Westray and Papa Westray with Loganair – the flying time is usually between 60 and 90 seconds.

Canna, Scotland

Recommended by Alison from Everything Arisaig

The Isle of Canna is the furthest west of the Small Isles and looks to Rum on one side and Skye on the other. 

Just four miles long and one mile wide with only 15 residents, one honesty shop and one café, it’s safe to say Canna is an ideal destination for slow travel. The lack of a mobile signal makes it the perfect place for a digital detox and to really get away from it all. 

The scenery on Canna is quite dramatic, formed mainly by a series of volcanic eruptions, including the black beach to the east and basalt cliffs. Several walks take you to the three churches, an old Celtic cross, the Punishment Stone, white beaches, 2,000-year-old souterrains, the King of Norway’s grave, viewpoints and hidden woods. Between April and August, you can watch puffins on the sea stacks. 

Cafe Canna is the only place to eat out but its award-winning food is delicious and uses mainly local, sustainable produce. Reserve in advance and consider pre-booking lobster or crab. The well-stocked 24-hour honesty shop has you covered for self-catering meals. 

Choose a wooden pod, shared bunkhouse, caravan or the luxury of the guesthouse for your stay, then sit back and savour the tranquillity of Canna.

Achill, Ireland

Recommended by David from Delve into Europe

If you want to seek out the wild Atlantic west coast of Ireland, remote Achill Island in County Mayo is one of the best places to start.

It’s a place of desolate and dramatic beauty, constantly lashed by the winds and waves of the stormy Atlantic Ocean. Its landscape is a mixture of peaks and peat bogs, with a few great beaches to seek out. 

The best of these is tiny Keem Bay, a sliver of sheltered golden sand bathed by almost tropical turquoise water – very different to the stormy white froth around the rest of the coast.

The main reason to visit Achill is its astounding scenery, magnificent in sun or rain. One of the best things to do on Achill Island is the Wild Atlantic Way, a superb scenic drive around the island’s south coast, and it’s also worth heading inland to the poignant Deserted Village on the lower slopes of Slievemore mountain. The site was abandoned by villagers in the wake of the Great Famine of the 1840s which devastated much of the country.

It’s also worth heading to Dooagh, site of the famous disappearing and re-appearing beach. It was swept away in a storm in the 1980s, then swept back into place again in 2017. It was then washed away again in 2019. You never know, it may even return before you visit.

Aran Islands, Ireland

Recommended by Nick from The World Overload

On the west coast of Ireland, you will find the relatively unknown yet popular Aran Islands. This handful of islands have a rugged beauty to them with a strong tradition of Irish language and history. The islands are reached from Galway, the closest major city on the mainland.

What is so great about the Aran Islands is how sparsely populated they are despite their popularity with visitors. Even the largest island of Inishmore has a population of less than 1,000 across multiple villages. The smaller islands of Inishmaan and Inisheer also have small populations and there are several even smaller islets with only a handful of people.

The government of Ireland has been working for the last several months offering funds and grants to entice people to relocate to the island and work remotely.  Similar to the same projects that have been used in the smaller towns of Italy and Japan, they hope to increase both the population and economy of the islands.

On Inishmore, you can view some of the old structures that are located across the island, from the old prehistoric Fort Dun Aonghasa on a cliff edge, to the Seven Churches structure, which at one point was one of the biggest pilgrimage centres in all of West Ireland.

Getting around the islands is easy – cycling and walking the designated trails and roads is one of the most popular activities you can do here. It’s more serene and less touristy this way. You can view the panoramic coastline along with the scattering of houses across the green fields for some great views.

Most of the islands have remained relatively unchanged over the decades. If you are looking to stay instead of spending a day trip you can find accommodation at several cosy cottages and farmhouses. It is truly magical when you stay here.

The Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England

Despite their relative proximity to mainland Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a world away from England’s holiday hotspot in terms of crowds. There are five inhabited islands to choose from in the Scillies, depending on how off the beaten track you like to be.

The main island of St Mary’s has plenty of restaurants, a range of shops and a good choice of accommodation. Away from Hugh Town, the island capital, there are quiet country roads, nature reserves and empty beaches, even in August. If that sounds too busy, try one of the off-islands – Tresco, St Agnes, St Martin and Bryher. St Agnes is the most westerly isle and has the smallest selection of holiday accommodation so it’s the best option if you want to really get away from it all.

One of the highlights on our trip to the Scillies was a day trip to St Martin’s. We walked across the seemingly deserted island to the stunning – and empty – Great Bay. This sweep of sand and sparkling sea, backed by colourful heathland felt like a secret discovery. The memories of our visit – with three generations of my family – remind me why travel is such a special experience.

Read about the best things to do in the Scillies with kids

Île-aux-Moines, France

We spent just one day exploring Île-aux-Moines but I’m already plotting a return visit. Located in the Gulf of Morbihan in southern Brittany, Île-aux-Moines is one of 42 islands to explore. It’s just a five minute ferry ride from the mainland but that little stretch of water makes all the difference.

The island is best explored on foot or by bike. Paths of varying lengths crisscross the island taking you past beautiful houses, woodland, open heathland and to fields with Neolithic standing stones. The sparkling sea is never far from view on Île-aux-Moines, the island is just seven kilometres by three.

The island is fairly flat so walks and bike rides are fairly undemanding, but the rewards are golden – beautiful vistas, quiet beaches and an old fashioned holiday vibe.

The main village on Île-aux-Moines has a handful of restaurants and shops including a good bakery – ideal for picnic provisions – we picked up some delicious sticky cakes, for which the region is well known.

Off the beaten track islands in the Mediterranean

Asinara, Italy

Recommended by Claudia from Strictly Sardinia

Even during the busy summer season, when Sardinia reaches its peak in terms of tourist presence, the island of Asinara remains an oasis of peace.

Asinara is part of the Asinara National Park, which was created in 1997 after the high security prison located on the island was finally dismantled. The island is completely uninhabited, save for the park rangers that regularly patrol the island.

Asinara is a breathtaking place. You will find a number of small coves with the most pristine waters – the best are Cala Sabina, which is an easy walk from Cala d’Oliva, and Cala del Detenuto. You will also find a multitude of hiking trails that go to the main viewpoints of the island. Finally, you should take some time to visit the historic places on the island such as the main prison, located close to Cala D’Oliva, where convicted mafia bosses Provenzano and Riina spent part of their sentence.

The tranquility of Asinara is preserved by the almost complete lack of tourist infrastructure. Tourists wishing to spend the night have just two options: a rather modest hostel and a guest house (called La Locanda del Parco), both located in the lovely Cala D’Oliva, once the main village on the island, and both working on a half-board. The only restaurant in the island is located in Cala Reale, where you’ll also find the main tourist harbour.

There are no cars in Asinara other than service cars. This makes biking around the (rather hilly) island incredibly pleasant. You can rent bikes or e-bikes in Stintino or Porto Torres, where ferries to Asinara depart from. Another way of exploring the island is on electric golf cars.

Most people visit Asinara on day trips from mainland Sardinia, but to make the most of its tranquil atmosphere spend at least two full days there.

Read about some of Italy’s other hidden gems here

Pag, Croatia

Recommended by Adri from Traveltipzone

Pag Island in Croatia is an ideal destination if you’re looking for a quiet European island. Pag does not suffer from excessive tourist crowds, so visitors can enjoy the tranquility without the huge crowds.

On Pag island, the natural environment plays a prominent role: the crystal clear sea, picturesque cliffs and spectacular mountain ranges combine to create a harmonious natural setting. Its secluded coves and idyllic beaches are the perfect places to enjoy a relaxing holiday – don’t miss out on Pag Island’s best beaches. Although the summer months are ideal for swimming, the beaches are excellent spots for a seaside stroll throughout the rest of the year. For the most relaxing experience, visit Jadra Beach or Ručica Beach.

The cultural and culinary delights of the island are also worth trying. You can visit a konoba, a local Croatian restaurant where you can sample the local cuisine, including the island’s speciality, the sheep’s cheese called paški sir. There are many konobas on the island, but Konoba Didova Kuća in Šimuni and Konoba Bodulo in Pag are the most recommended.

In the town of Pag, you can also visit the ruins of the surviving castle wall with the Skrivanat Tower and the Benedictine monastery of St Margaret. There are also local history museums in Pag and Novalja, which present the history of the island.

Solta, Croatia

Recommended by Martina from PlacesofJuma

Solta Island in Croatia is definitely one of the most beautiful quiet islands in Europe. It is a small, relatively undiscovered jewel in Dalmatia, near the famous port town of Split and a real insider tip for a unique trip.

Here you can still find the romantic Dalmatian fishing villages, which will enchant you with their old stone houses. But also the interior of the island of Solta is enchanting, because here you can visit dreamlike villages in an extremely charming landscape.

The coastal village of Stomorksa is one of the most beautiful settlements on Solta. The beaches around the village are picturesque, and the harbour with its stone houses dates back to the 16th century. Also worth visiting is Maslinica, located on the westernmost part of the island. It has a beautiful marina and the Heritage Hotel Martinis Marchi, one of the island’s best hotels.

The island of Solta is also famous for its honey. It is said to be particularly healthy and healing. Moreover, you can taste delicious local food in many island restaurants, but unique is small tavern Momčin Dvor with fabulous grilled dishes.

It is easy to get to Solta – take a ferry from Split port to Rogač. Several times a day there is a catamaran or car ferry. The trip takes only takes an hour and you are on the island of your dreams in no time from Split.

Tinos, Greece

Recommended by Alina from World of Lina

Everyone knows the popular Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Crete but few have heard of Tinos.

Tinos is an underrated yet beautiful island between the two Cycladic isles of Andros and Mykonos. Despite its stunning landscapes, enchanting villages and serene beaches, Tinos is non-touristy and quiet island. 

To reach Tinos, you take a flight to Mykonos and then hop on a short ferry ride of under an hour, or you start from Athens by taking a three hour ferry ride. 

Numerous rocky or sandy beaches are perfect if you want to have a relaxing day. If you prefer to experience the local life, head to some of the many villages on the island. One of the largest and definitely one of the most beautiful ones is Pyrgos, also called Panormos, in the northern part of the island. The village is a real arts centre, being the home of many famous Greek artists.

Typical of Tinos is the great number of dovecotes located all over the island. These white buildings with geometrical patterns can be found on a few other Cycladic islands but neither of them has as many as Tinos.

In the capital city of Tinos Town, you can find some amazing restaurants offering typical Greek cuisine – I recommend To Koutouki tis Elenis.

Chalki, Greece

Recommended by Paulina from the UK Every Day

Chalki is a small island located in the Aegean Sea, part of the Dodecanese group of islands in Greece. There are less than 500 people living on the island, making it a perfect destination to visit if you are looking for quiet islands in Europe.

Visitors travelling to Rhodes can take a boat trip to explore this hidden gem of Greece. However, tourists always face the question of which island to choose: Symi or Chalki? Usually, Chalki is in the shadow of the bigger island Symi.

One of the most charming aspects of Chalki is its lack of mass tourism. Chalki has managed to maintain its authenticity, and its stunning natural landscape just takes your breath away. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the sea and exploring the island’s hiking trails.

A great way to explore the island is by taking a circular hike from the ferry terminal to the beaches of Pondamos and Ftenagia. Starting from the ferry terminal, the hike takes you from the charming narrow street to beautiful coastal views. The circular hike ends back at the ferry terminal, where you can relax and enjoy a drink or meal at one of the excellent restaurants such as Taverna Babis.

Peaceful Atlantic islands to visit in Europe

Noirmoutier, France

We enjoyed a week’s family holiday on Noirmoutier – its long sandy beaches and calm waters are perfect for children. The island is located in the Vendee region of France, an hour south west of Nantes.

Until the 1970s, Noirmoutier was reached via a tidal causeway – a road which visitors still enjoy crossing today (if they time it right). There’s now a toll-free bridge to the mainland but unlike Ile de Re a little further south, Noirmoutier remains under the radar, attracting mostly domestic tourists.

We loved the lack of modern development in Noirmoutier. Life very much revolves around the beach and eating seafood – there are little oyster shacks dotted across the island as well as places by the side of the road selling salt.

At the north eastern end of the island is a crescent of sand backed by colourful beach huts – Plage des Dames. In the summer this is a popular spot for young French tourists who like to leap off the pier or go boating along the coast. The beach is reached via a forest cut through by avenues of elegant villas. This corner of the island feels quite different to the west coast which features simple whitewashed holiday home with terracotta tiles and blue doors.

São Jorge Island, the Azores

Recommended by Megan from Packing up the Pieces

The Azores island archipelago consists of nine Atlantic islands and is an autonomous region of Portugal. Sāo Jorge island is one of the “triangle” islands of the Azores and is one of the most stunning and underrated islands.

The entire island is only 56 by eight kilometres wide. It is famous for being the island of fajãs, which are unique flat plains formed by volcanic lava flows. São Jorge boasts over 70 unique fajãs.

Many small and picturesque hamlets are built on the fajãs. The beauty of the fajãs varies with natural swimming pools, hiking trails, and even a small coffee plantation.

The best way to experience the island is to rent a car. There are many things to casually explore on the island from the numerous cheese factories to a waterfall and breathtaking viewpoints. Hikers will appreciate the diverse trails, including the Grand Route which spans the entire length of the island.

There is a very rugged and untouched beauty to Sao Jorge island. While it feels like another world, São Jorge is connected by a short ferry ride to the nearby islands of Pico and Faial.

São Jorge is one of the Azores islands that sees far fewer tourists and feels like an untouched gem. 

Flores, the Azores

Recommended by Inês from Random Trip

Flores (Flowers, in Portuguese) is the Azorean island where the sun sets to sleep in the ocean as far west as Europe gets.

Flores is perfect to get lost in its lush vegetation, beautiful turquoise natural pools, and countless waterfalls but there are a few unmissable places to get astonished. The panoramic view of Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, a green cliff of about 200 metres high splashed by many breathtaking waterfalls; hiking through seven crater lakes; a refreshing bathe in Fajã Grande, where you can swim in the ocean with views of more amazing waterfalls like Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau; and a sunset in Maresia restaurant are some of the favourites.

Bear in mind that flights, accommodation, and car rental options are scarce in small Flores and summer is peak season so try to book everything as soon as you have your flight from one of the main islands through the local airline Sata. The best area to stay is in the west, Aldeia da Cuada, a small village abandoned in the 60s, is now a peaceful rural accommodation with 17 beautiful renovated houses of different sizes, each of them named after the last person that lived in it. Boa Viagem!

La Graciosa, Canary Islands

Recommended by Megan from Megan Starr

For the ultimate quiet getaway, head to La Graciosa, Spain. Part of the Canary Island chain just off the coast of Morocco, this pristine island has no paved roads or pollution. You will be immersed in the gorgeous natural beauty of the island, with its secluded beaches and volcanic landscape.

La Graciosa is a small island, its main town Caleta del Sebo has less than 1,000 inhabitants. Cycling is the best way to get around this little island, and you can rent a bike for your entire stay. The island is home to many marine birds, making it a great spot for birdwatching. It’s also part of the Chinijo Archipelago Nature Park, Europe’s largest marine park, meaning there are fantastic opportunities for snorkelling and diving to discover the rich underwater flora and fauna.

La Graciosa’s best feature, arguably, is its array of stunning beaches. Las Conchas white sand beach, El Salado golden sand beach, La Laja beach near a fishing village – you can take your pick of whichever type of beach you feel like for the day. Cool turquoise waters contrast with the warm sand and sun, and with very few people about, it is the perfect private paradise to relax in.

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Looking for more holiday ideas in less visited parts of Europe? Read my article about family holiday ideas in Europe off the beaten track or read about our UK family road trip. I’ve also written about the best hidden gems of Italy to explore. And for something a little more lively, read about what to expect from a stay on Île de Ré.