4 lesser-known European islands for fewer crowds and cheaper prices this summer

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Are you tired of hearing about the all-inclusives in Tenerife, partying all weekend in Mykonos and the staggeringly expensive caldera view suites that have been beaten to death by mainstream travel publications?

Listen, there’s no place we’d rather spend our summers than on a small, unspoilt, heavenly island in Europe, reading a book on a pebble beach, in the shade of a cypress tree, sinking our teeth into that supple, sun-ripened plum, and with nothing but the sound of crashing waves, crickets and a medieval church bell in the distance.

But it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, nor do you have to elbow your way through another selfie-stick crowd.

If you’re looking for the exact opposite, here they are 4 lesser known European islands where the clock is in no hurry, the prices don’t match Capri’s rich and famous lifestyle, and the only queues are for pistachio ice cream at the only ice cream parlor in the nearby village:

San Pietro, Sardinia

I’m sure you’ve heard of Sardinia before, and its paradisiacal white sandy beaches and colorful inland towns, but did you have any idea that there was a smaller spot just off the coast of the large Italian island that most tourists skip?

Located off the coast of southwestern Sardinia, San Pietro has crystal clear waterquaint coastal towns virtually untouched by the masses, and secret coves left alone by large cruise ships.

Carloforte, the main town, is unlike anywhere else in Sardinia: it was originally inhabited by Ligurian families and features pastel-colored mansions along the waterfront, narrow caruggi alleys and a strong fishing village heritage.

By the way, if you like tuna, you should know that San Pietro is The tuna capital of Sardinia: salty, salty and fresh from the boat. In the heart of the city, Al Tonno di Corsa is my favorite place tonno di corsa.

San Pietro is very chill and lived in, not overly polished for tourists. Think more local resort, less Instagrammed, so if you really want to relax, take a scooter ride along the short coastline and spend some picturesque village evenings, then this is for you.

Going to Italy this summer? Between the mandatory fingerprinting and the upcoming European ETIAS, an e-visa aimed at tourists, travel rules change.

Before you fly, check the latest entry requirements that apply to US travelers.

Average prices in San Pietro, Sardinia

• Cheap food: $14–23
• 3-course meal in the city center: $35-58 per person
• Rental car: $41–93/day
• Budget B&B: $64–105 per night
• 4-star hotel: $93–140 per night

Kalymnos, Greece

Looking forward to that classic Mama Mia summer instead? You’ll probably want to give a packed, glitzy Santorini a miss if you’re looking for the idyllic atmosphere of Greece and that slow-paced Aegean lifestyle. Instead, try Kalymnos, a name the editors actually ripped out of me when we were putting this list together.

Believe me, I didn’t want to reveal my little Greek secret.

A rugged, authentic island just a 30-minute ferry ride from the resort hotspot of Kos. It is much less touristy and wilder, attracting adventure enthusiasts for its world-class rock climbing spots. Now I don’t touch a rope myself, but I’m here all day for the hidden coves and turquoise waters, thank you very much.

Pothia is a picturesque harbor town with narrow cobbled streets, local shops and family-owned tavernas right on the water, perfect for candlelit dinners in low light. For my fellow foodies, you definitely don’t want to miss Mamouzelos’ freshly grilled octopus.

In Vathi, at the inner end of a long bay, you’ll find a charming fishing village with traditional Dodecanese houses, colorful shutters and a small beach for peaceful paddling.

Looking for a real beach day for sunbathing? Massouri is a sandy beach on the north side of the island, complete with a beachside taverna and sun loungers for hire.

Average prices in Kalymnos, Greece

• Cheap food: $10–18
• 3-course meal in the city center: $25-45 per person
• Rental car: $30-60/day
• Budget B&B: $50-85 per night
• 4-star hotel: $90–150 per 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 road visibility was poor.

To avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, check the most recent Travel Alerts for Greece at the time of departure.

Porto Santo, Portugal

Most tourists traveling to Portugal head to Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve this summer, but having been to Portugal a billion times before, there’s no place I’d rather enjoy the July sun than small, offbeat Porto. Santo.

Lying in the shadow of the flashy neighboring country Madeira, that is it little piece of Atlantic paradise miss the cruise ships. It has some of the most stunning golden sand beaches in Europe, a laid-back island atmosphere and… you guessed it, virtually no crowds.

Blame it on the remoteness. The small airport only handles flights from a handful of European hubs, such as Lisbon (LIS) and Milan-Bergamo (BGY), so it’s not exactly a typical European destination within easy reach.

But the rewards? Oh, they’re sweet.

Once you land, you’ll probably want to head straight to the nearest postcard-perfect beach, but don’t miss Vila Baleira, the island’s main town. Charming colonial style housestraditional Portuguese eateries serving local seafood, and of course the Christopher Columbus House Museum.

Yes, that’s right. The famous Genoese explorer called Porto Santo home between 1479 and 1485 and essentially used it as his launching pad for discovering the New World.

Check the Traveler Safety Index before you fly

By the way, if you’re wondering how safe Portugal is right now, and in the volatile world of geopolitics, you can always double-check the situation on the ground before flying using the Safety index for travelers.

At this point you are clear:

Average prices in Porto Santo, Portugal

• Cheap food: $12–20
• 3-course meal in the city center: $28-45 per person
• Rental car: $35-65/day
• Budget B&B: $55-90 per night
• 4-star hotel: $100–160 per night

Lošinj, Croatia

If Hvar is the Ibiza-esque, flashy party center of Croatia, and Vis the completely unspoilt, raw, but too undeveloped alternative for my taste, beautiful Lošinj is somewhere in between.

It has the perfect pebble beaches surrounded by blue-green colored seas that Croatia is famous for, apart from the usual daytime crowds. Čikat Bay offers coastal paths, an abundance of elegant Mediterranean villas to choose from, and exclusive swimming spots.

Climb Providenca, a central viewpoint over the island, and get breathtaking views of the neighboring islets and the glittering Adriatic Sea, and if you’re ever in need of that touch of Old World allure, look no further than Mali Lošinj:

The main settlement on the island, it’s pure Mediterranean eye candywith a colorful waterfront, nice old streets and cute cafes.

However, if you ask me what my favorite village on the island is, it has to be Mali’s lesser-known, smaller, perhaps more romantic sister Veli Lošinj.

I don’t know, man… there’s just something about the Venetian-coded, pastel-colored buildings and tranquil harbor that just does it for me.

Average prices in Lošinj, Croatia

• Cheap food: $10–18
• 3-course meal in the city center: $28-50 per person
• Rental car: $35-70/day
• Budget B&B: $55-95 per night
• 4-star hotel: $100–180 per night

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.