Spain, Italy, France and Greece are some of the most visited destinations in the world. These European countries are loved for everything from their sun-soaked beaches to their impeccable cuisines. All four destinations attract millions of visitors every year, with popular holiday hotspots often being swarmed by crowds. However, they also offer plenty of beautiful places that remain under the radar. So, whether you want to get away from the crowds of tourists or simply explore somewhere new, the Express has laid out a list of hidden-gem islands worth visiting.
El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain
This beautiful island is considered most remote, least visited, and most westerly and southernmost of the main Canary Islands, making it ideal for those who truly value a peaceful and quiet getaway. El Hierro, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is no stranger to unique landscapes, with it being home to over 500 open volcanic cones and 300 more buried under newer lava flows. Visitors will also find incredible diving sites centered mostly around the southern fishing village of La Restinga and the protected Mar de las Calmas Marine Reserve.
How to get there:
You must fly to a major Canary Island hub, such as Tenerife or Gran Canaria, and then take a connecting domestic flight or a ferry to El Hierro Airport (VDE) or the port of La Estaca / Valverde.
(Image: Getty)
Cabrera, Balearic Islands, Spain
Cabrera is an uninhabited island in the Balearic Islands. The stunning spot is located just off the southern coast of the popular Majorca, and is the largest island of the small archipelago that includes the islands of Estells de Fora, L’Imperial, Illa de ses Bledes, Na Redona, Conillera, L’Esponja, Na Plana, Illot Pla, Na Pobra and Na Foradada. Cabrera was declared a National Park in 1991, and today is has an abundance of flora and fauna across the land. More than four hundred botanical species, two hundred types of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, marine birds and raptors, reptiles and some terrestrial mammals live on the island.
While visitors cannot stay overnight, you do a day trip for hiking and snorkelling.
How to get there:
You can get to Cabrera Island by flying to Majorca and then taking an authorized excursion boat, chartering a private boat, or sailing with your own boat.
(Image: Getty)
Ons Island, Galicia, Spain
The Ons Island is the main island of a small archipelago in the Ria de Pontevedra in Galicia, Spain. The quiet destination features gorgeous white sand beaches, five marked hiking trails, and the very own Ons Lighthouse that offers panoramic views.
How to get there:
To get to Isla de Ons (Ons Island) from the UK, you need to fly or travel to Galicia, Spain, make your way to a mainland coastal port, obtain a mandatory visitor permit, and take a short ferry crossing.
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La Graciosa, Canary Islands, Spain
La Graciosa is a small volcanic island located north of Lanzarote, and is home to approximately 730 residents, with majority living in the fishing village of Caleta de Sebo. The small paradise has no paved or apshalted roads, with streets made up of unpaved sand and motor vehicles banned. You will, however, find licensed 4X4 taxis around the island, and the most people and visitors relying on walking or e-bike rentals, as their main modes of transport, emphasising the slow-paced nature of the destination.
Being one of the least visited islands in the Canary Island, it means that holidaymakers can enjoy a serene experience away from buzzing crowds.
How to get there:
UK travellers must take a flight to Lanzarote and then catch a short ferry from the northern tip of Lanzarote.
(Image: Getty)
Pantelleria Island, Sicily
This volcanic Italian island located southwest of Sicily and east of Tunisia is known as the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean”. Pantelleria combines Sicilian and North African cultures making it a unique and ideal destination for travellers who really value heritage.
Being a volcanic island means that it has an interesting terrain. Pantelleria has no traditional beaches, but rather dramatic lava rocks, sea-filled rock pools, and crystal-clear coves — a haven for swimmers.
A notable mention goes to its Specchio di Venere (Mirror of Venus), which is a sparkling, heart-shaped green-blue volcanic crater lake which has natural hot springs and mineral-rich mud baths. It also houses a natural rock-hewn steam cave called the Grotta Benikulà, and used as a free open-air sauna.
How to get there:
You can take a flight to Palermo or Trapani in Sicily, and then travel to the port of Trapani on the western coast of Sicily, to take a ferry or hydrofoil to the island of Pantelleria.
(Image: Getty)