Home » Latest Travel News » Greece Joins Spain, Italy and Croatia in Having world’s Best Islands within Europe, All You Need to Know
Published on
November 1, 2025
A massive global survey just named the world’s best island escapes. Greece joins Spain, Italy and Croatia in having world’s best islands within Europe. This exciting news comes from the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. This survey is a big deal. It asked nearly half a million readers to rate their happiest trips. These readers are the judges. They only voted for places where they had a truly positive experience. The results are official now. They show that Europe is an absolute powerhouse for island holidays. Greece is the top champion. The stunning island of Naxos secured the number one spot for the entire continent. Spain is also very strong. The Canary Islands and Mallorca made the top six. We see incredible places in Italy, like the beautiful Capri, ranking high. Finally, Croatia’s glamorous Hvar proved it has a place among the elite. This report will now explain the full ranking and reveal exactly why these amazing places are considered the best destinations within Europe.
The Great Reader Vote: Half a Million Opinions
The Condé Nast Traveler paper is very important. Their awards are called the Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. This shows that the readers pick the winners. They do not use judges. They use normal people like you and me.
The magazine asked all 500,000 people one thing, which was whether they had had a positive experience. They explained that if the answer was yes, the island would get points. They also clarified that the island with the most ‘yes’ votes got the highest score and won the crown. The magazine felt that that was the fairest way to pick the best, describing it as simple math for big happiness.
We now know which islands make visitors the happiest. We know which islands give the best vacation time. It is time to look at the champions.
The Island King: Naxos, Greece’s Big Win
Naxos is the champion island. It won the gold medal for Europe. This beautiful place is in Greece. It is part of the Cyclades islands. Naxos beat every other island in Europe. It got a super score!
The score for Naxos is 95.71. This score is huge. It shows that almost everyone who went there loved it. They had a great time. Naxos is a magical place.
What makes Naxos so special? The island is very real. It is not too crowded. It has old, quiet villages. The beaches are clean and long. The sand is soft. The water is clear blue. You can see ancient things on the island. There is a famous big stone door called the Portara. It stands by the sea. This door is a symbol of history.
Naxos has rich food. The locals are kind people. They make you feel welcome. Visitors love the simple, good life there. Naxos gives you tradition and natural beauty. It is the best place for a truly Greek holiday. It is the top island.
The Continental Top 6: Europe’s Golden Ticket
The top six islands in Europe are amazing. They are all very close in points. This means many places in Europe give wonderful holidays. Spain, Italy and Croatia are right there with Greece.
Let’s look at the champion list.
2. Ibiza, Spain (Score: 93.06)
Ibiza is a super famous island. It is in Spain. Its score is 93.06. Ibiza is known for its fun. It has big music and dancing. People go there to celebrate life.
But Ibiza is not just for parties. It has quiet, beautiful places, too. It has hidden coves. These coves have clear water. You can relax there. You can do yoga there. The island has two sides. This makes it special. Readers love this mix. They love the fun and the quiet.
3. Capri, Italy (Score: 92.86)
Capri is a jewel. It is in Italy. Capri got a score of 92.86. This island is very elegant. It has big, steep cliffs. The blue sea is all around.
Capri is known for shopping. It has expensive shops. It has beautiful gardens. You can take a boat ride to see the famous caves. The whole island feels rich and beautiful. It feels like a fancy dream. Readers who like luxury gave Capri a high score.
4. Hvar, Croatia (Score: 92.38)
Hvar is a star. It is in Croatia. The score for Hvar is 92.38. This island has a lot of sun. It has an old town. The town has big stone walls.
Hvar has a beautiful harbour. Many boats stop there. The water is a bright, clear green. Visitors love to explore the small islands near Hvar. They love the history and the bright sunshine. Hvar is a perfect spot for sun and stories.
5. Canary Islands, Spain (Score: 92.06)
The Canary Islands are a group of islands. They are far from the main country of Spain. The group got a score of 92.06. This score is amazing for a whole group of islands.
The Canary Islands are famous for sun all year. Even in winter, it is warm. They have many different looks. Some islands have big volcanoes. Some have green forests. Others have long, yellow beaches. This variety makes them super popular. You can always find what you want there.
6. Mallorca, Spain (Score: 91.67)
Mallorca is a big island. It is also in Spain. Mallorca’s score is 91.67. This island has everything. It has busy towns. It has quiet farms. It has high mountains near the sea.
Mallorca is easy to get to. It is popular with families. It is popular with bike riders. It has long, lovely coastlines. The island offers many kinds of holidays. It is a big place with many happy visitors.
Greece’s Big Win: More Champions Shine
Greece is the big winner this year. The country had many islands in the top lists. Naxos was number one. But other Greek islands are just as loved by readers.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is famous all over the world. It is the iconic Greek island. It has white houses on big, dark cliffs. The sunsets there are the best. They are fiery and red and beautiful. Tourists go there for romance. They love the drama of the island. It is a must-see place.
Corfu, Greece
Corfu is a green island. It is very lush. Corfu looks like a painting. It has a lot of history. The style of the buildings is old Italian. This is because Italy ruled it long ago. Corfu offers a relaxing trip. It is full of nature and culture.
Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is the island of glamour. It is like a stylish friend. It has beautiful beaches and fancy places. People go there to see and be seen. It is known for its fun and energy. Mykonos is very chic and modern.
Italy’s Island Power: More Mediterranean Gems
Italy also has more great islands. The readers love the warm Italian style. They love the history and the food.
Sicily, Italy
Sicily is a very large island. It has a big, active volcano called Mount Etna. Sicily is full of old ruins. It has amazing, rich food. It is a powerful place. The culture is deep and old. It offers a trip full of discovery.
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is famous for its beaches. The beaches have bright white sand. The water is a bright turquoise colour. It feels like a tropical paradise, but it is in Europe. Sardinia has a rugged inside area. It is perfect for people who love nature and sun.
Best Islands in the World! The Global Stage
The Condé Nast Traveler awards did not just look at Europe. They looked at the whole planet! The score needed to win in the world list was very, very high. This shows just how happy visitors were.
World Champion: Turks and Caicos
The number one island in the whole world is Turks and Caicos. It is in the Caribbean. Its score was an unbelievable 98.91! Almost every single person who went there loved it. It has white sand and bright blue water. It is heaven on Earth.
Runner-up: Isles of Scilly
The second-best island is a surprise. It is the Isles of Scilly. These islands are in the UK! They got a score of 98.85. This is a tiny island group. It is off the coast of England. They are beautiful and quiet. This proves you do not need to go far for the best trip.
Third Place: St Barts
The third-best island is St Barts (Saint Barthélemy). This island is also in the Caribbean. It is sunny and scenic. Its score was 98.78.
Global Regional Winners
The awards also picked a winner for every major area.
Asia: Bali, Indonesia, is the best. Bali got a score of 96.86. It is famous for its culture and beautiful nature.
Australasia and the South Pacific: Bora Bora, French Polynesia, is the winner. It got 97.86. This island is known for its water bungalows.
Africa and the Indian Ocean: The Maldives won this section. They got 97.50. The Maldives are famous for luxury and clear lagoons.
Why These Islands Win: The Simple Secret
Why did these specific islands get such high scores? The answer is simple. The islands make people feel very happy. They give great memories.
- Clear Water: All the winning islands have beautiful seas. The water is clean and bright.
- Kind People: The local people on these islands are friendly. They make visitors feel safe and welcome.
- Good Food: The food is fresh and tasty. Italy and Greece are famous for their food.
- Different Fun: Every island offers something special. Ibiza has dancing. Naxos has history. The Canary Islands have volcanoes. You can choose your kind of fun.
The readers voted for places that felt real. They voted for places that were unique. They voted for places that gave a positive experience. This is the only thing that matters in the end. A holiday that makes you smile is a winning holiday.
The Big Idea: Europe is a Powerhouse
The final lesson is clear. Europe is a giant winner for island holidays. Greece is the champion, taking the top spot. Spain is a strong runner-up, with many islands in the list. Italy and Croatia also stand tall.
These islands show that Europe has everything. It has glamour, history, nature and pure fun. If you want the best island holiday, you must look at this list. The readers have spoken. They have picked the best places on the planet. Start planning your trip to Naxos or Capri now! You will surely have a positive experience.
