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.