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If you want to avoid the crowds this summer, these three underrated islands in the Mediterranean are perfect.
Europe sees a huge influx of tourists during the summer months.
Some destinations, such as the popular Spanish islands Ibiza And Mallorcaare so overwhelmed by tourists that locals organize protests.
Meanwhile, other popular destinations in Europe such as Athens, Venice and Paris face similar problems with overtourism and huge crowds in the summer.
Not only does the extreme level of overtourism upset locals, but it also creates an unpleasant experience for tourists, a lose-lose situation for everyone.
So skip Ibiza and Mallorca and head to these less crowded islands in the Mediterranean:
Minorca
Menorca is part of the Balearic Islands, along with Ibiza and Mallorca, and is the lesser-known, relaxing alternative to these busy destinations.
Menorca is a quick 1-hour flight from Barcelona or a 3.5-hour ferry ride (although it’s often significantly cheaper on budget airlines like Ryanair and Vueling And faster to fly than to take the ferry.)
Although the Balearic Islands have broken tourist records recently, Menorca still sees far fewer tourists than Ibiza and Mallorca. It also has a more relaxed atmosphere without all the crazy nightlife that the other islands are known for, but it is just as beautiful when it comes to beaches.
In Menorca you can enjoy pristine beaches with few crowds and explore the island’s charming small towns. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway this summer.
And the prices don’t break the bank. According to the trip planning website BudgetYourReishotels average €115 per night in Menorca.
Corsica
Leaving Spain, Corsica is another great Mediterranean destination to visit this summer.
This large island is located between Italy and France in the Mediterranean Sea, but belongs to the French.
Although part of France, Corsica feels closer to Italy in many ways – probably due to the fact that Corsica was part of the Italian-speaking Republic of Genoa for almost 500 years until it was ceded to the French in 1769.
Today, Corsica is a fantastic island destination with beautiful beaches, beautiful nature and lots of history and culture.
Because the island is so large, it doesn’t feel overcrowded, as is the case with many popular destinations.
Corsica is about a 50-minute flight from Nice.
There are four airports on the island, and all receive cheap airline flights from various destinations in Europe, including many cities in France.
According to BudgetYourTrip, the average hotel price in Corsica is $94 per night, so it’s an affordable destination too (especially compared to the super expensive and busy French Riviera!)
Ischia
Finally, Ischia is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe.
Located off the coast of Naples, Italy, this small island doesn’t get the international attention that the nearby Amalfi Coast does.
Although Ischia is a popular summer getaway for Italians, especially those from and around Naples, it still doesn’t feel too crowded or overwhelmed by tourists.
And you won’t find overpriced souvenir shops or touristy restaurants anywhere, as the island mainly caters to a local audience.
Ischia is known for its thermal baths with water said to have healing powers. The island also has incredible beaches, charming towns and cool places to explore, like Castello Aragonese.
There is no airport in Ischia, which may be one of the reasons that it is not yet well known among international visitors. However, getting to Ischia is easy as it is only a 50-minute ferry ride from Naples.
Based on data from BudgetYourTrip, hotels in Ischia cost an average of €98 per night.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
