This hidden gem provides the perfect no-crowds experience for summer 2026.
This island has so much to offer(Image: Freeartist via Getty Images)
Summer is just around the corner and many of us are already dreaming about our next sunny escape. With so many destinations to pick from, settling on the perfect spot can feel like quite the challenge.
Many of the world’s most coveted holiday hotspots are now bursting at the seams, which can turn a much-needed break into something of a headache. If you’re after a getaway unspoilt by hordes of tourists, it pays to explore the roads less travelled.
Travel specialists at Solmar Villas have scrutinised more than 160 destinations worldwide to reveal the most tranquil spots for a laid-back summer holiday in 2026 – and Greece has taken the top spot.
Greece boasts more than 6,000 islands to explore and while some are overrun with visitors, others remain blissfully peaceful.
Each location in the top 10 was rated across eight key factors: crowd density, climate, nature and scenery, pace of life, affordability, safety and ease of access.
Remarkably, eight of the top 10 destinations were found in Greece.
Topping the list is Alonissos – a tiny, serene island nestled in the northern Sporades – an archipelago in the Aegean Sea.
To reach it, travellers can fly from the UK to the neighbouring island of Skianthos before hopping on a high-speed ferry across to Alonissos.
The island feels worlds apart from everyday life.
Verdant hills blanketed in pine trees cascade down towards crystalline waters, ideal for a summer dip. Life moves at a leisurely pace, with traditional villages dotted across the hillsides.
The island also houses the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades, one of the largest protected marine areas in Europe, reports the Express.
This transforms it into a haven for divers and snorkellers.
A boat trip around the island reveals caves, reefs and colourful marine life thriving beneath the sea’s surface.
It’s also home to the rare Mediterranean monk seal – fewer than 700 of them survive in three or four isolated subpopulations in the Mediterranean.
On her blog Asinglewomantraveling, travel blogger Melissa said that Alonissos is “absolutely stunning and peaceful”. She added that the island is “quiet, a little wild, totally underrated”.
The top 10 most peaceful holiday destinations
- Alonissos, Greece
- Kefalonia, Greece
- Peloponnese, Greece
- Skopelos, Greece
- Lefkada, Greece
- Mani Peninsula, Greece
- El Hierro, Spain
- Naxos, Greece
- Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
- Paxos, Greece