Europe is blessed with countless beaches, but the most popular ones can feel too busy, especially during peak season.
If looking to avoid the crowds while taking advantage of all the continent has to offer, research has discovered the quietest islands worth visiting.
A report by BookRetreats.com found an island in Norway is the best for pairing beauty with peace this summer, although it won't be for everyone. Islands in Spain, Portugal and Greece were also mentioned.
Co-founder of BookRetreats.com, Sean Kelly, said: "These are the places that still feel like islands. You’re not shoulder-to-shoulder on a beach or queuing for a table. The pace is slower. The tourism lighter. And they’ve made intentional choices to keep it that way.”
Svalbard, Norway, was voted the quietest island worth visiting, but temperatures are low
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Chios was recommended for avoiding tourists in Greece
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The best European islands to avoid the summer crowds (tourism density per km²)
- Svalbard, Norway (2.4)
- Åland, Finland (269.82)
- Gotland, Sweden (306.42)
- Chios, Greece (353.81)
- Euboea (Evia), Greece (419.61)
- North Aegean Islands (Lesvos, Limnos), Greece (516.43)
- El Hierro, Spain (610.52)
- Funen, Denmark (792.15)
- Azores, Portugal (1,198.57)
- Bornholm, Denmark (1,436.71)
Svalbard was crowned the quietest island worth visiting. Two-thirds of the archipelago is protected by national parks and nature reserves - "it's one of the few places in Europe where you can hike, kayak, or simply sit without seeing a soul".
However, it is worth noting the island is situated on the convergence of the Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, and it is not hot - temperatures peak at around 7°C in summer - meaning it will not be everyone's ideal holiday spot.
If looking for somewhere warmer, islands in Greece, Spain and Portugal also made the list. Chios was the quietest place worth visiting in Greece.
The travel experts said: "Roughly the same size as Lanzarote, Chios records 21,000 fewer overnight stays per km². Unlike better-known Greek islands, Chios has never pivoted toward mass tourism.
"Its economy remains anchored in local industries, especially the unique mastic trade. Instead of cruise ships or mega-hotels, visitors stay in stone guesthouses, wander the island’s medieval villages and swim by near-empty beaches - even in peak season."
Azores is a quieter part of Portugal
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El Hierro is in the popular Canary Islands and has the lowest tourism density in Spain.
"Tourists come for the wild volcanic landscapes, natural pools, and silence". There are no direct flights from the UK, however, which could be one of the main reasons for how quiet it is.
Azores is a great option for a Portugal holiday. It mixes adventure opportunities with stunning, remote beaches. The experts said: "About 97 per cent less crowded than Malta, the Azores show that a destination can be adventurous and sustainable. There are no mega-resorts, no high-volume cruise terminals, just crater lakes, thermal springs, and vineyards climbing volcanic slopes.
"The region has been internationally recognised for marine conservation, and tourism here is built around low-impact travel. It’s nature-first, with policies to match."