Denmark

WHEN it comes to planning your next holiday, why not look for somewhere different to everywhere else?

Europe is full of breathtaking islands, you just have to discover them…

And fortunately for you, we have done just that.

Here are some of the best ‘secret’ islands across Europe, including several with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters:

Bornholm, Denmark

Known as ‘Sunshine Island’ and the ‘Pearl of the Baltic’, Bornholm sits in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Denmark.

The island has dramatic cliffs as well as vibrant green forests and white sand beaches.

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For things to do on the island, you can head to Opalsoen, where there is a zipline over a lake.

And if you want to see more of the island’s dramatic landscape, try Pissebaekken which is one of Denmark‘s highest natural waterfalls.

One beach spot to visit is Balka Strand, which boasts fine white sand and if you happen to be there during the summer months there is even yoga on the beach each day at 8:30am.

It is about three hours by bus and boat from Copenhagen, which you can fly to from as little as £15 one-way.

Gotland, Sweden

Sweden‘s largest island, Gotland, boasts a UNESCO World Heritage town called Visby with cobblestone streets and pastel coloured buildings.

Venture across the island and you’ll also find the largest sand dunes in Sweden at Tofta Strand.

If you happen to be on the island during August, make sure to visit Medieval Week, which is Sweden’s largest historical festival with jousting and markets.

The island even has its very own Blue Lagoon you can go swimming in.

It takes about four hours to get to the island via the ferry from one of two mainland ports – Nynashamn which is south of Stockholm or Oskarshamn in Småland.

Nynashamn is around a 50minute drive from Stockholm, which costs from £16 to fly to, per way.

Eilean Shona, Scotland

This small tidal island in the Inner Hebrides in Scotland is completely car-free and only has around nine permanent residents.

While there isn’t much in the way of attractions on the island, you can immerse yourself in the nature as well as the calm and clear waters surrounding the island, all of which inspired J.M.Barrie’s Neverland in Peter Pan.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding who recently visited said: “One of the activities to do on the island that is well worth experiencing, though, is taking a cold water plunge or swim – the scenery is stunning and the water is serenely calm.“

You can hop on the Caledonian Sleeper from London costing around £60 per way for a seat to Fort William, and then drive for an hour to the island.

To get to Eilean Shona itself, you’ll need to hop on a small boat operated by the island.

It is worth noting though, that you can only visit the island if you are staying in one of the shepherds huts or houses there.

Heligoland, Germany

Often considered the most fought over island in Germany, Heliogland has changed hands many times throughout its history including belonging to the Danes, the Brits and then the Germans.

In fact, the Brits tried to blow up the island during World War II resulting in loads of huge craters across the island that you can visit on scenic walks.

The island boasts huge sandstone cliffs and as a result, is brimming with wildlife including gannets.

To get to the island, you’ll need to hop on a four-hour ferry from Hamburg – which you can fly to from £16 per way.

From the Heligoland, you can also get on a ferry for five minutes to another German island called Dune, where you will find loads of seals.

You can even camp on this island, in case you want to extend your time exploring the two islands before returning to Hamburg.

Ile de Sein, France

Surrounded by azure blue waters, Ile de Sein in France sits off the tip of Brittany.

In the sea around the island, you’ll also often spot dolphins and seals.

The island has no trees, just wild moorland and white-washed houses and make sure to visit the Grand Phare, which is up 250 steps and is a 52-metre tower with views of the coastline.

Down by the port, venture around the village too, where you will find an intricate network of winding alleys, with some measuring just 85cm wide.

To get to the island, hop on a Brittany Ferry between Plymouth and Roscoff, with prices ranging depending on your vehicle.

Once in Roscoff take the two-hour drive to Audierne, where you can catch an hour-long ferry to the island, costing between €33 and €40 (£28.29 and £34.29) for a round trip.

Île d’Yeu, France

Dubbed the ‘Atlantic Pearl’, Ile d’Yeu off the coast of France is a small island where you’ll find sprawling golden sand beaches and clear waters.

The most popular way to get around the island is by hiring a bike and make sure to visit the 14th century Vieux-Chateau which sit on the edge of a cliff above the sea.

There’s also Saint Sauveur, which is a village on the island with traditional architecture including a Romanesque church surrounded by white houses.

The best way to get to the island is by flying to Nantes costing from £13 per way and taking an hour drive to Fromentine on the Vendée coast, where you can catch a 45-minute ferry across to the island.

Elba, Italy

Elba Island in Tuscany, Italy is known for boasting stunning beaches including the popular spot of Pomonte Beach, where you can swim out to a shipwreck and snorkel around it, discovering lots of brightly coloured fish.

Visit Portoferraio – the island’s main town – where you will find pastel houses as well as Villa dei Mulini, which is where Napoleon lived during his exile.

For keen hikers, take the 40minute hike to the fortress of Volterraio to capture the breathtaking sunset.

The best way to get to the island is by flying to Pisa, which costs from £17 per way and then driving for an hour to the port of Piombino in Tuscany, where you can then catch an hour-long ferry to the island.

Tabarca, Spain

Tabarca sits off the coast of Alicante in Spain and is home to around 50 people.

On the island, there are a number of cobbled streets to stroll down as well as pretty beaches, including Playa de Levante – known for being the main beach, with shallow waters ideal for families.

There are no cars on the island and it can easily be explored within a day, but don’t leave without trying some of the local restaurants where you can pick up traditional seafood such as lobster stew.

The easiest way to get to the island is by flying to Alicante from £13 per way, before hopping on a ferry from Alicante to the island, taking around an hour and costing €24 (£20.58) for a return trip.

Ilha da Armona, Portugal

Ofted nicknamed the ‘Portuguese Maldives’, Ilha da Armona sits on the Algarve.

Ilha da Armona forms part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park where you’ll find no cars, white sand beaches and calm, shallow waters.

Praia de Armona is the main Blue Flag beach on the island and is known for being a family-friendly spot.

After exploring the beach, make sure to head to one of the waterfront tavernas to try some of the local cuisine.

In the village itself, you can expect to see colorful houses and flower-filled courtyards too.

To get to the island, fly to Faro from £15 per way, before hopping on a 10-minute train to Olhao, where you can catch a ferry to the island for as little as €4.20 (£3.60) for a return trip.

Paxos, Greece

The Greek island of Paxos is often dubbed one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Head to Gaios village where you can explore a Venetian-style waterfront was quaint shops and tavernas looking out across the water.

For a beach spot, visit Kanoni Beach which is a pebble beach but sheltered by the bay of Lakka and surrounded by fragrant olive groves,

You can get to the island by flying to Corfu from £15 per way, before hopping on a ferry from Corfu to the island, which takes between an hour and an hour and a half.

EUROPE is full of amazing destinations, but sometimes going to the top spots means battling hoards of crowds and forking out lots of cash.

It doesn’t have to be this way though.

Instead of heading to somewhere everyone else is going, there are some great alternatives where you will be free from throngs of selfie-stick welding tourists and overpriced restaurants.

There are several spots in Rough Guide’s ‘The Most Underated Places in Europe’ book, including the following European destinations:

Swap Bordeaux for La Rochelle

The harbour town of La Rochelle in France, is rarely busy, even in the summer season.

You’ll get the same cream-hued limestone architecture found in Bordeaux as well as a thriving food scene.

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In the old town you’ll find cobbled streets and historic houses and a port boasting three medieval towers.

Instead of the crowds experienced in Bordeaux, you’ll get a more “relaxed in character” vibe in La Rochelle, according to Rough Guides.

Food tends to be cheaper in La Rochelle too.

A direct flight to La Rochelle from the UK takes just over an hour, with flights costing from £16.99 per way.

Swap Prague for Ljubljana

Dubbed “one of Europe’s most relaxed metropolises” by Rough Guides, Ljubljana is a smaller city to Prague but has no crowds.

Instead of battling shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists for a glimpse of Charles Bridge in Prague, you can head to Ljubljana’s Triple Bridge before heading to a cosy cafe.

You’ll get the same cobblestones, castle views and cheap beer in Slovenia‘s capital compared to Prague, but with the added benefit of some of Europe’s cleanest air.

It is also a great city for art fans, with a number of museums and street art. It takes about two hours to fly from the UK to Ljubljana, with flights costing from £32 a way.

Swap Munich for Stuttgart

Those heading to Munich often head to the beer halls.

But just two hours away via train, Stuttgart has lively wine taverns as well as Cannstatter Volksfest – a 17-day annual folk festival considered to be the world’s second largest beer festival after Munich’s Oktoberfest.

And if you feel like you are missing out on the BMW museum in Munich, you can head to not one, but two car museums in Stuttgart – the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.

Make sure to also visit Wilhelma which is Europe’s largest zoological and botanical garden, with a number of vineyards nearby.

Similar to Munich, the city also has a vibrant central hub called Schlossplatz, where you will find the New Palace as well as loads of shops to explore.

It takes under two hours to fly from the UK to Stuttgart, with flights costing from £44 a way.

Swap Santorini for Aland Islands

Santorini is a dream destination for many of us, but with so many people heading to the destination each year, it feels a little more like another spot overwhelmed with tourists.

Instead, head to the sunniest spot in Northern Europe – the Aland Islands.

While technically part of Finland , the region is made up of 6,700 autonomous islands.

With white sand beaches just like you’d expect on Greek islands, the islands offer the ideal holiday for getting away from crowds but still getting beach days and scenic spots – but also with a cheaper price tag.

To make it even better, there are saunas and steam rooms across the islands to venture into.

And if you like to keep active, there are a ton of activities to explore including kayaking, hiking and climbing.

The capital of the islands is Mariehamn, which has wooden houses as well as the moated Kastelholm Castle.

To get to the islands, you’ll need to book a stopover flight to Mariehamn, which from the UK costs from £92 per way.

Swap the Algarve for Comporta

If you want the golden beaches of the Algarve but want to miss the bustling resorts, head to the ‘Hamptons of Portugal‘ – Comporta – which is a village on Alentejo’s Sado estuary.

Comporta is made up of seven small villages, mostly full of small fishermen’s cabanas.

Beaches are backed by pine forests and cosy tavernas where you can pick up a beer for as little as €1.50 (£1.29).

It is also a protected nature reserve with sand dunes and rice paddy fields home to flamingos and wild dolphins.

But unlike the Algarve, the pace of life is slower here and you won’t find bars full of rowdy people.

To get to Comporta, you’ll need to fly to Lisbon which costs from as little as £18 per way and then you’ll need to drive around an hour and 20 minutes to Comporta.

Swap Corfu for Ksamil

Corfu might immediately come to mind when you think of glistening turquoise waters and pristine sand beaches, but you’ll also get this in Ksamil.

Known as the Albanian Riviera, Ksamil has an abundance of pretty beaches that lack the crowds found in Corfu.

Just 1.2 miles from Corfu, you’ll get similar weather as well as a number of small islands that you can even swim to.

The destination also has history to discover including public baths that date back further than the ancient Greek period.

Ksamil also lacks the bustling clubs of Corfu, so ideal for a more relaxing break – plus it is as much as 50 per cent cheaper than a holiday in Corfu.

The best way to get to Ksamil is by flying into Corfu which costs from £15 per way, and then it’s a two-hour drive to Ksamil.

Swap Capri for Procida

Often considered Capri’s smaller and quieter cousin, the tiny island of Procida sits off the coast of Naples and can easily be explored in its entirety without the crowds of Capri.

On the island’s cliffs you’ll find hidden medieval towns and fishing villages, such as Marina di Corricella, which is completely car free and has brightly coloured houses.

Another spot to visit in Procida is Terra Murata, which is the oldest walled village in the region and sits on the island’s highest point.

And don’t worry, you won’t miss out on beaches either with dark volcanic sand spots with crystal clear waters.

There are rules in place that also stop Procida from becoming overdeveloped, so instead of expensive, flashy hotels you can stay in a fisherman’s cottage.

The best way to get to Procida is by flying to Naples costing from £16 per way, and then hopping on a ferry for an hour.

Swap Stockholm for Malmo

Instead of heading to Stockholm when in Sweden, visit the country’s third-largest city – Malmo – where you’ll find hidden squares and pretty beaches.

The city is much-loved for its food including meatballs, falafel and ramen.

You can also head to a number of coffee spots and craft breweries.

Much like Stockholm, the food scene is thriving – but you’ll get cheaper prices and less crowds.

You can also tie it in with a visit to Copenhagen in Denmark, which you can easily reach with a 30-minute train ride.

Flights to Malmo take under two hours and cost as little as £21 per way.

Swap Mykonos for Pelion Peninsula

Sitting east from the Greek mainland, you’ll find the Pelion Peninsula – a vibrant region with an abundance of nature and hiking spots.

Instead of ferry loads of people heading to the beach, you’ll find quiet coves devoid of sunbeds.

You could even head to Damouchari, which was where Mamma Mia! was filmed.

Key villages to visit on the Peninsula include Makrinista with amazing views of the region, the mountainous village of Tsagarada and Millies, a traditional settlement.

And for a fraction of the cost of a Mykonos villa, you can stay in a historic stone mansion in some of these villages.

The best way to get to the Pelion Peninsula is by flying to Thessaloniki costing from £26 a way, and then driving three hours to the Peninsula.

Swap Copenhagen for Aarhus

When people think of heading to Denmark, the first choice is often Copenhagen but the country’s second city is on the up.

Aarhus – also dubbed the ‘City of Smiles’ – is known for its cobblestone streets and medieval feel.

Throughout the city you can see half-timbered houses as well as head to the Old Town Museum, which is the world’s first open-air museum dedicated to urban history and culture.

Crowned European Museum of the Year 2026, you can explore 75 historic buildings that have been relocated from 20 different Danish towns.

For more history, head to Denmark’s largest cathedral dating back to the 12th century and home to the largest collection of medieval frescoes in the country.

Accommodation and food in the city will set you back less than in Copenhagen while direct flights to Aarhus take under two hours and cost from £16 per way.

The North Sea wind is buffeting my body and face, shaking me awake after a six-hour journey from Copenhagen on buses and trains to this rugged stretch of the Danish coast. From my high vantage point on the grassy dunes, overlooking what feels like an endless sea, there is hardly another soul to be seen, save for the specks of a few surfers who are trying their luck on the crashing waves.

Surfers, windsurfers and paddleboarders flock to this stretch of north-west Jutland, which is playfully known as “Cold Hawaii”. The phrase was coined in the 1990s by the international surfing community, and popularised by world champion windsurfer Josh Stone, to describe this laid-back shoreline and its 31 official surf spots running for around 30 miles (50km) from a little north of the industrial harbour of Hanstholm down to the sandy beaches of Agger.