Make no mistake, Europe’s islands are great if you just want a fly and flop holiday where all you do is lounge by the pool and catch up on some much-needed R&R.
But if you’re keen on being a little more active when away then the continent’s islands are a playground for adventure, especially on the coasts and in the waters.
Sports and active travel is a growing segment that accounts for around 10% of global tourism spending, with an estimated growth rate of 17.5% between 2023 and 2030, according to UN Tourism.
Reflecting these trends, TUI Musement has analysed Google search volumes for seven water sports – surfing, diving, kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing and kitesurfing – across more than 500 European islands to identify which destinations generate the greatest interest among enthusiasts of these activities.
In its study, the tours and activities company has ranked Europe’s best islands for water sports, with Malta taking the overall top spot and five Spanish islands included in the top 10. TUI Musement also picked out Europe’s best islands for the seven activities included in the analysis.
