Uncovering Europe’s best island getaways

To uncover some of the best island breaks in Europe, we commissioned analysis of islands across key holiday factors including weather, greenery, and food. Focusing on islands that form part of Europe’s archipelagos, the research highlights the destinations that stand out for different types of getaway – whether you are looking for a crowd-pleasing all-rounder, a sunshine escape, or a holiday shaped around scenery and local flavours.

If you are travelling with friends and family and want a destination with broad appeal or are simply curious about which islands in Europe offer the best balance of sunny weather, gorgeous greenery and exceptional food and drink, these are the top-scoring islands across all three factors.

Tenerife ranks first as Europe’s best island destination, with a score of 95/100 due to its mixture of beautiful natural scenery, fresh food, and – its highest scoring metric – incredible sunshine.

Also, in Spain, La Palma ranks second at 94/100. Fondly nicknamed “La Isla Bonita” (the beautiful island), La Palma is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, reflecting the island’s rich natural environment and focus on sustainable development.

In third place is Madeira in Portugal at 93/100. This archipelago is home to the millenary Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Next in the rankings is Korčula in Croatia, with a score of 92/100. The medieval island is located off Croatia’s Dalmatian coast and is nicknamed ‘Black Corfu’ by ancient Greeks due to the island’s dense forests.

Rounding out the top five is Mljet, also in Croatia, scoring 90/100. A haven for the active traveller, this unspoiled Adriatic island rewards those who like to work for their views – crystal-clear bays beg to be explored by canoe or paddleboard, while coastal paths make cycling the undisputed best way to see it all.

Islands across Spain, Croatia, and Portugal round out the top 10, all receiving great scores for sunshine, greenery, and food.

When it comes to fantastic weather, Tenerife tops the ranks with a score of 88 out of 100. Home to some of Europe’s sunniest beaches, it’s unsurprising that Tenerife holidays are such a popular choice for those seeking bright skies and high temperatures.

Ranking second is La Gomera. While it is the second smallest of the Canary Islands, measuring barely 20 kilometres from north to south, it offers plenty of warm weather. It has a rugged coastline with black-sand beaches, and divers can explore reefs full of coastal marvels.

Gran Canaria ranked third with a score of 85/100, securing the Canary Islands’ status as a great place for sunshine, warmth and great weather.

If you love wildlife holidays and being surrounded by nature, we’ve also spotlighted the islands with the most greenery.

Topping the ranking as Europe’s greenest island is Mljet, scoring 86/100 which is known as the “Green Island in Croatia”. This island is relatively under the radar compared to Dubrovnik and Split, making it a great addition to your Croatian holiday.

Next is Madeira, with a score of 85/100. The island is renowned for its mountains, waterfalls and UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest. So, it’s no surprise that a holiday to Madeira is one of the best options for those who love to be surrounded by greenery.

Korčula follows in third place, at 83/100. These smaller islands are lesser-known than more popular Croatia holiday destinations like Split and Dubrovnik, offering peaceful alternatives for those looking to enjoy a slower-paced slice of island life.

When it comes to food across Europe’s smaller island havens, Italy emerges as a clear winner, taking two out of the three top rankings.

Capri in Italy tops the list with a score of 75/100. Culinary highlights here include the Caprese Salad and Ravioli Caprese – fresh pasta typically made with caciotta, parmesan, and marjoram, and topped with a light tomato sauce.

In second place is Sardinia at 66/100, offering hearty, traditional dishes like porceddu (suckling pig).

Santorini ranks third with a score of 65/100, which is the perfect idyllic island spot for anyone seeking a food-centric holiday to Greece and its islands.

If you are looking to visit more than one island on the same trip, our research also highlights the archipelagos that stand out most strongly for different holiday styles.

For those seeking a mix of food, great weather and natural beauty, the Canary Islands stand out as the best all-round option, with an average score of 76/100. This archipelago offers travellers a mix of beaches, fishing villages, natural landscapes, and cultural attractions.

For food lovers, the Campanian Islands come out on top with 75/100. From fresh pasta and seafood to great wines, these islands should be on the radar for any holiday to Italy, from Capri’s luxury shops, to Ischia’s volcanic hot springs.

For luscious greenery, Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands stands out as a must-visit for your next holiday. Losinj is known as the island of scents and vitality, but its aquatic life is also intriguing, as over 250 bottlenose dolphins swim around the island.

And if it’s great weather and reliable sunshine you’re looking for, the Canary Islands take the spotlight again, offering an array of warm weather escapes. Islands in Spain also offer idyllic winter sun, and a relaxing summer holiday.

The research analysed 80 island destinations, assessing each island’s area as a whole.

Islands were selected with a focus on major European archipelagos and popular destinations for UK travellers.

The ranking was based on three main factors:

• Weather: including sunshine, rainfall, wind and temperature comfort

• Food and drink availability: based on the number of restaurants, cafés and bars, adjusted for island size

• Green space: based on the amount and share of the island covered by green areas

These factors were weighted to create the final ranking, with green space accounting for 45%, weather 35% and food and drink availability 20%. Archipelago scores were calculated using the average score of the islands within each group.