Tired of hearing about the Tenerife all-inclusives, weekend-round partying in Mykonos, and staggeringly-expensive caldera-view suites flogged to death by those mainstream travel publications?
Listen, there’s nowhere we’d rather spend summers ourselves than a small, untouched, heavenly island in Europe, reading a book on a pebbly beach, under the shade of a cypress tree, sinking our teeth in that supple, sun-ripened plum, and with nothing but the sound of crashing waves, cicadas, and a medieval church bell in the distance.
But it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, nor involve elbowing your way through another selfie-stick mob.
Well, if you’re looking for the exact opposite, here are 4 lesser-known European islands where the clock isn’t in a hurry, prices don’t match the Capri rich-and-famous lifestyle, and the only queues are for pistachio gelato at the one ice cream parlor in the nearby village:
San Pietro, Sardinia
I’m sure you’ve heard of Sardinia before, and its paradisiacal white-sand beaches and colorful inland towns, but did you have any idea there’s a smaller dot just offshore from the major Italian island most tourists skip?
Lying off the coast of southwestern Sardinia, San Pietro has crystal-clear water, quaint coastal towns basically untouched by the masses, and secret coves that have been left alone by large cruiseliners.
Carloforte, the main town, is unlike anywhere else in Sardinia: originally settled by Ligurian families, it features pastel-colored townhouses lining the waterfront, narrow caruggi lanes, and a strong fishing-village heritage.
By the way, if you love tuna, you should know San Pietro is Sardinia’s tuna capital: salty, briny, and fresh off the boat. In the heart of town, Al Tonno di Corsa is my go-to spot for tonno di corsa.
San Pietro is very chill and lived-in, not overly polished for tourists. Think more local, less Instagram-featured resort, so if you’re looking to truly unwind, set out on a little scooter ride along the short coastline, and quaint village evenings, this one’s for you.
Heading to Italy this summer? Between mandatory fingerprinting and Europe’s upcoming ETIAS, an e-Visa targeting tourists, travel rules are changing.
Check the latest Entry Requirements that apply to American travelers before flying.
Average Prices In San Pietro, Sardinia
- Cheap eat: $14–23
- 3-course downtown meal: $35–58 per person
- Rental car: $41–93/da
- Budget B&B: $64–105/night
- 4-star hotel: $93–140/night
Kalymnos, Greece
Keen on that classic Mamma Mia summer instead? You’ll probably want to give a jam-packed, glitzy Santorini a miss if you’re after Greece’s idyllic vibes and that slow-paced Aegean lifestyle. Try Kalymnos instead, a name the editorial team basically yanked out of me when we were cobbling together this list.
Trust me, I didn’t want to give away my little Greek secret.
A rugged, authentic island just a short 30-minute ferry hop away from the resort hotspot that is Kos, it’s far less touristy, wilder, and tends to attract adventure lovers for its world-class rock climbing spots. Now, I’m not touching a rope myself, but I’m here for the hidden coves and turquoise waters all day, thank you very much.
Pothia is that picturesque harbourside settlement with narrow, cobble-paved streets, local shops, and family-owned tavernas right on the water, perfect for low-light, candlelit dinners. To my fellow foodies out there, you absolutely don’t want to miss Mamouzelos’ fresh grilled octopus.
Over in Vathi, at the innermost end of a long bay, you’ll find a charming fishermen’s village with traditional Dodecanese houses, colourful shutters, and a small beach for a quiet paddle.
Looking for a proper sunbathing beach day instead? Massouri is a sandy stretch on the north side of the island, complete with a beachside taverna and sun loungers for rent.
Average Prices In Kalymnos, Greece
- Cheap eat: $10–18
- 3-course downtown meal: $25–45 per person
- Rental car: $30–60/day
- Budget B&B: $50–85/night
- 4-star hotel: $90–150/night
On April 3, 2026, Storm Erminio brought heavy rain and Saharan dust to the Greek island of Crete, and many smaller islands nearby. Some flights were diverted to Athens, and visibility on the roads was poor.
In order to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, check the latest Travel Alerts in place for Greece at your time of departure.
Porto Santo, Portugal
Most Portugal-bound tourists flock into Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve come summer, but having been to Portugal a gazillion times before myself, there’s nowhere I’d rather soak up the July sun in than the tiny, offbeat Porto Santo.
Lying in the shadow of its flashier neighbor Madeira, it’s that little slice of Atlantic paradise the cruiseliners miss. It’s got some of the most stunning golden-sand stretches in Europe, a chill, laid-back island vibe, and… you guessed it, practically zero crowds.
Blame its remoteness. The small airport only handles flights from a handful of European hubs, like Lisbon (LIS) and Milan-Bergamo (BGY), so it’s not exactly your average European getaway within easy reach.
The rewards, though? Oh, they’re sweet.
You’ll probably want to hit the nearest postcard-perfect beach the minute you land, but don’t skip Vila Baleira, the island’s main town. Charming colonial-style houses, traditional Portuguese eateries serving local seafood, and, of course, the Christopher Columbus House Museum.
Yep, that’s right. The famous Genoese explorer called Porto Santo home between 1479 and 1485, basically using it as his launchpad for discovering the New World.
Check The Traveler Safety Index Before Flying
By the way, in case you’re wondering how safe Portugal is right now, what with the unstable world of geopolitics, you can always double check the situation on the ground ahead of flying using the Traveler Safety Index.
Right now, you’re in the clear:
Average Prices In Porto Santo, Portugal
- Cheap eat: $12–20
- 3-course downtown meal: $28–45 per person
- Rental car: $35–65/day
- Budget B&B: $55–90/night
- 4-star hotel: $100–160/night
Lošinj, Croatia
If Hvar is Croatia’s Ibiza-like, flashy party hub, and Vis is the completely-unspoiled, raw, but too-undeveloped-for-my-liking alternative, the gorgeous Lošinj sits somewhere in between.
It has the picture-perfect pebbly strips hugged by teal-colored seas Croatia is known for, except none of the usual daytiem crowds. Čikat Bay offers seaside paths, a plethora of elegant Mediterranean villas to pick from, and exclusive swimming spots.
Climb up Providenca, a central viewpoint overlooking the island, and get breathtaking views of neighboring islets and the glistening Adriatic, and if you’re ever in need of that dash of Old World allure, look no further than Mali Lošinj:
The main settlement on the island, it is pure Mediterranean eye candy, with a colorful waterfront, nice old lanes, and cute little cafés.
If you’re asking me what’s my favorite village on the island, though, it has to be Mali’s lesser-known, smaller, arguably-more romantic sister Veli Lošinj.
I don’t know, man… there’s just something about the Venetian-coded, pastel buildings and quiet harbor that just do it for me.
Average Prices In Lošinj, Croatia
- Cheap eat: $10–18
- 3-course downtown meal: $28–50 per person
- Rental car: $35–70/day
- Budget B&B: $55–95/night
- 4-star hotel: $100–180/night
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