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Posted at June 29, 2010

The 5 Most Popular European Island Getaways

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Here are our five best islands to escape to on holiday, without travelling a million miles away.

sunset- north stradbroke island

Photo credit: Behzad K

Long sandy beaches, glorious crystal-clear waters and the delights of a sumptuous local restaurant to serve the catch of the day. These are just some of the images conjured by an island holiday away in the Maldives or the Caribbean.

However, with the increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD), cheap flights to the Caribbean and further flung destinations are harder to come by. The answer is to find an island paradise which can offer all of the above but at a much cheaper price with a flight closer to home.

Here are the top five most popular island holiday destinations, according to online searches*.

Tenerife

tenerife

Photo credit: zkvrev

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a perennial favourite with British tourists. Around 5 million tourists every year take a holiday in Tenerife making it one of the most popular island destinations in the world. Tenerife was the most searched for island online, making it the top European island getaway.

Lanzarote

lanzarote sunset

Photo credit: ahisgett

Another Canary Island ranking highly in online searches, Lanzarote came 12th overall and was the second most popular island. Lanzarote is not as big as Tenerife but benefits from the same year-round sunshine and beautiful waters that the Canaries all receive.

Cyprus

paphos crete

Photo credit: apdk

Well known for its beaches and family-friendly atmosphere, Cyprus is a top island getaway close to Turkey and Greece. Lively Larnaca and party-town Paphos both appeared in the top 20 most searched for holiday destinations, making Cyprus the third most popular island in Europe.

Ibiza

ibiza

Photo credit: Philip Larson

Clubbing capital of the Balearics, Ibiza is a thriving, throbbing cultural centre for young people. The island is much more than just a clubbers’ paradise though, with great family resorts to be discovered further inland.

Malta

malta

Photo credit: oki_jappo

Malta is one of the smallest countries in Europe but has one of the most beautiful sceneries to share with holidaymakers. Since joining the European Union in 2004 Malta has grown in popularity as a holiday destination, with the south-eastern town of Luqa gaining a reputation as an excellent tourism centre.

*Search information courtesy of Skyscanner.net.

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  • Ana

    This is very useful, thanks! :)

  • Travelfusion

    Hi Ana!

    Glad you enjoyed it – hope you can take an island holiday soon :)

  • http://twitter.com/planesandsurf Robin Stafford

    I'm heading to Ibiza in about three weeks and will probably be avoiding those family resorts, cant wait!

  • Travelfusion

    Have a great time in Ibiza! I've heard it's beautiful but haven't had the chance to visit.

  • http://twitter.com/PuzzlerT Dan Brown

    Can't say I was particularly bowled over by Malta but I'm looking to book a holiday right now and Ibiza (the older parts, not the clublands) is really tempting.

  • Travelfusion

    Hi Dan,

    Ibiza is such a popular place to go on holiday and you're right that there's much more to see than the 24 hour clubs! Let us know if you end up going!

    Kathryn @Travelfusion

  • miguel calvelo

    I been in Malta with my cousin and the is very clean and neat. We love to take pictures from the the beach side. But in Asia,Cebu Island is one of the great places in terms of night life.

  • Travelfusion

    Hi Miguel,

    Thanks for the comment! I haven't had a chance to see Malta yet but hope to someday!

    Kathryn @Travelfusion

  • http://ecothreesixty.com/ Ecothreesixty

    Absolutely inspiring, gutted not to be hopping from one to the other.

  • Travelfusion

    You and me both! Too bad it doesn't pay to island-hop! :)

    Thanks for your comment!

    Kathryn @Travelfusion

  • http://paradiseislandlanzarote.cz.cc paradise island lanzarote

    I'm not finished read this yet, but it's so fabulous 'n I'll back again when I was finished my job :D

  • http://www.hotelssydney.com.au/ Hotels Sydney

    Travelfusion, these are really my TOP 5 a must visit European getaways before I turn 40. I'm feeling the pressure now that I must fulfill these dream getaways.

  • Travelfusion

    Thanks for the comment!! Aren't these great ideas for a “must-see” list? Hope you make it to all five!

    Kathryn @Travelfusion

  • http://www.euraildeals.com Eurail Pass Guide

    Just visited Malta for the first time this year…quite touristy but well worth the visit.

  • Travelfusion

    Thanks for the comment – it definitely is somewhere I'd love to go soon! At least for a quick getaway :)

    Kathryn @travelfusion

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