Hidden Gems of Europe: Islands You Should Visit This Summer – Kiwi.com
9 min read
It’s summertime in Europe, and you need somewhere new to visit for a little getaway. You’ve covered the lively urban centers like Madrid and Paris where every second tourist goes and are now looking for something a little bit more untouched.
Believe it or not, Europe still has a few hidden gems, some of which are faraway islands that don’t have airports and require additional planning to reach. But that adds a sense of thrill to the journey, doesn’t it? From short ferries from Malta to Gozo to bumpy rides across the Atlantic to Colonsay, where will this summer take you?
We’re going to cover Europe’s most secret islands you should visit this summer. They may not have airports, but we’ll show you exactly how to get there. Ready to take on the adventure? Let’s kick things off!
Malta, Gozo
Gozo is the second-biggest of Malta’s three islands and certainly the easiest on the eye. With its twisting laneways, historic sites like the Ancient Citadella, and sunlit shores such as Ramla Bay Beach, it’s no wonder parts of the hit series Game of Thrones were filmed here.
The vibe at Gozo is much slower-paced than in the capital of Valetta, but just beware of the drivers; they’re pretty crazy. If you’re a history buff, you should check out Gozo’s endless historic landmarks. The man-made Ta Pinu Basilica is one that gets a lot of eyeballs; it’s the country’s national shrine to the Virgin Mary surrounded by verdant green fields looking out over the ocean and it doesn’t cost anything to enter.
While Gozo may not have an airport, it’s easy to reach as it’s only a 45-minute ferry from Malta’s capital, Valetta. After landing at Malta International Airport, take a Jayride shared shuttle to Valetta Cruise Port; it should only cost around €8.60 and the drive is about 15 minutes.
Multiple ferries depart every day, so you can be pretty flexible with your time of departure. A one-way ticket will set you back €7.50, but Gozo High-Speed Ferries sells a return ticket that can only be booked online for €12.50, which is fantastic value.
Spain, Formentera
The Balearic Islands have always been a hot summer getaway. Big names like Ibiza have never failed to attract partygoers, but there’s a tiny jewel a short ferry from Ibiza that doesn’t get nearly as much attention called Formentera.
You won’t fully grasp Formentera’s beauty until you see it yourself; it’s a secret retreat quietly sitting in the Mediterranean with chalk-colored settlements, crystal white sands, and crystal ice-blue waters that are excellent for diving. People come from all over the world to hook up their oxygen tanks and go below the surface to try to seek out the infamous Don Pedro, an old cargo shipwreck that stretches over 140 meters. If you’ve got your diving license, a double dive only costs around €16. Say you don’t have your diving permit but still want to get out into the ocean; a snorkeling day trip with plenty of marine wildlife spotting opportunities will only cost you around €44.
Formentera is quite a small island with only six towns and villages. Most visitors choose to base themselves in Sant Francesc, as it has the best variety of accommodation, restaurants and bars there. However, be warned, spending a night in Formentera is quite expensive, so many people choose to visit on a day trip from Ibiza. If you do plan to stay overnight, you should expect to spend at least €117 for a room per night in a quiet area with not many things around.
To get to Formentera, you’ll have to take a ferry from Ibiza. Upon arriving at Ibiza Airport, go outside the arrivals area and take the bus labeled ‘Alsa—L10’ to Ibiza Port. It should only take 35 minutes, and tickets will cost €3.60. Multiple ferries operate out of Ibiza Port, but Aqua Bus is the cheapest service going to Formentera, with ticket prices starting at €16, depending on where you book them from. The journey with Aqua Bus tends to be a little longer than that of other companies, which is why it’s the cheapest, but it still only takes 55 minutes.
Faroe Islands, Kolsoy
The Faroe Islands are wedged between Scotland and Iceland, but one part of the 18-island archipelago that sticks is the majestic Kolsoy. Think dramatic cliffs dotted with lighthouses, 13 monstrous mountains ready to climb, and cascading waterfalls pouring into the North Atlantic. It may not be your typical sunny beach island escape, but it sure is an adventurer’s paradise.
Kolsoy isn’t a big island; you could drive from south to north in under half an hour, but the dramatic vistas will make you want to stay put for days on end. Kallur Lighthouse is one of the main attractions here; it’s a red and white painted lighthouse on the northernmost point of the island that dates back to 1927. To get the best view, you should climb up the 200-meter cliff beside it, but it’s tough; only hikers with ridge walking experience should take it on. Originally, it was free to enter, but recently, people have been standing at the entrance to the trail charging DKK 200 (€26.80), although some have argued it’s not a legit fee, so beware.
Buses are the cheapest way to get around the Faroe Islands in general; while each journey is priced differently, most people end up buying the 4-day transport card, which covers you for unlimited journeys on buses and ferries during that period. The price is DKK 500 (€67.01), and it’s well worth it because some of the bus journeys between the islands can be expensive.
There’s only one airport in the entire Faroe Islands, Vágar Airport. Getting from here to Kolsoy takes quite a while with some changovers, so be prepared for a few vehicle changes. Your journey from Vágar Airport to Kolosoy will begin with a 20-minute walk to Sørvágur to catch Bus 350 to Flogvøllur; then, you’ll have to change to Bus 410 to Klaksvík to catch a ferry. This won’t drop you exactly at the port, so when you get off, you’ll have to walk 7 minutes there to hop on the ferry to Syðradalur. As the ferry sails into Syðradalur, you’ll get Bus 506 to Mikladalur in the heart of Kalsoy. Overall, you should expect this journey to take about 4 hours and 49 minutes, as long as the weather is good and there are no delays.
Hvar, Croatia
Croatia has recently become a magnet for travelers looking for a seaside escape on the Adriatic Sea. With over 1000 islands, you could spend your life coming here and not even scratch the surface. One that’s on everyone’s bucket list is Hvar off the Dalmatian Coast.
Hvar has often had a reputation for attracting the rich and famous for its sprawling vineyards, quaint Old Town, gorgeous beaches, and vibrant nightlife scene. But, even as a budget traveler, you can still enjoy the island at a relatively low price with careful preparation.
A room in a guesthouse in the lesser-known settlement of Vrboska can cost €41 per night, or if you’re really strict with your budget, you could stay at a campsite in Gdinj for €12 a night. Since the party scene in Hvar is one of the main highlights, you’ll probably want to experience it one of the nights. If you stick outside the Old Town, getting a pint of beer for around €2 is possible. However, bars in and around the Old Town charge about €2.50, so it’s not too much of an increase.
As Hvar doesn’t have an airport, you’ll have to fly to Split Airport. Your trip to the island will start by with taking Bus 37 to the Split city center for €3. Get off in the center and walk 5 minutes towards Split – Opcina and jump on Bus 9 to the Port of Split; this ticket will cost around €1.45. The two main ferry companies offering routes to Hvar are TP Line and Krilo Kapetan Luka; most tickets for the 1-hour journey cost €25 one way, but the last ferry with Krilo Kapetan Luka at 5:00 pm can cost as low as €9 since there’s less demand.
Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland
Next, we’re making our way to Northern Ireland to the only inhabited island lying off NI’s coast, Rathlin Island.
There’s off the beaten path, and then there’s Rathlin Island. Once you get here, you’ll feel totally cut off from society, with only a couple of houses every few miles, wild puffins tucked away on the edge of sea cliffs, and empty hiking trails across mountains such as the Rathlin Kinramer Trail.
A visit to Rathlin Island can be done as a day trip, but to really get the most out of your time here, you should spend a couple of nights here; there’s quite a bit to see and do. Be sure to stop by Rathlin Seabird Center to see some wild birds in action, from beautiful puffins to adorable razorbills; you’ll catch a glimpse of them all for only £8 (€9.49). Afterward, walk over to Rathlin West Lighthouse to soak up some truly spectacular scenes of the Atlantic waves crashing up against the already eroding cliff.
Planning a trip to Rathlin Island is generally easy, thanks to the ferry connection from Ballycastle on the Mainland. Unless you’re coming by land from somewhere else in Northern Ireland, you’ll more than likely fly into Belfast International Airport. From there, take Bus 600 to Bridge End in the city center for around £3.37 (€4), then walk 11 minutes to Lanyon Place Train Station and board the train to Ballymena for £11 (€13.05). After arriving in Ballymena, you’ll take the bus to Ballycastle, where the ferry departs; the tickets will cost £8 (€9.49). The entire journey takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Lipari, Sicily, Italy
Lipari is the largest (and the prettiest) of the Aeolian Islands off Sicily’s northeast coast. As you sail up to the island’s shores, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale with the old-fashioned, typical Italian-colored houses, small boats with fishermen taking in their daily catch, and little calm beaches.
Many Italians come to Lipari to spend their vacation here as there’s a mix of everything. Lovers of nature won’t be able to get enough of the breathtaking landscapes at Quattrocchi, and history geeks will be amazed by the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano. Or if you just want to kick back and relax, you’ll find it hard to resist some relaxation time at the dreamy Spiaggia Bianca.
It’s possible to fly into a few airports in Italy to reach Lipari, but the most straightforward route is by going from Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport; the total journey time is 4 hours and 25 minutes. First, you’ll take the Giuntabus to Milazzo from the airport, which costs €15. Where the bus drops you off in Milazzo, it’s only a few minutes walk to the port. Two companies run ferries to Lipari daily: Liberty Lines and Siremar, but Liberty Lines is the cheapest, with tickets only costing €20 one way. Since you’ll be visiting Lipari during the high summer season, I urge you to book your tickets in advance because they tend to sell out fast, and prices can increase with demand.
Start Mapping Out Your Summer Getaway to Europe’s Secret Islands!
Europe may just be one of the most well-traveled continents, but like anywhere, it still has its fair share of hidden gems, and this list is living proof of that.
The great benefit of visiting an island that doesn’t have an airport is that it discourages those looking for a quick getaway, minimizing the crowds and lowering the prices on things like accommodation. Of course, these destinations still get a good chunk of tourists every year, but it’s nowhere on the scale of places suffering from over-tourism, such as Venice and Dubrovnik, which works in your favor.
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