As travellers look beyond Europe's busiest beach destinations, a new wave of lesser-known islands are having a moment.
From the golden sands of Porto Santo near Madeira to the foodie favourite of Syros in Greece and Norway's dramatic Lofoten Islands, these under-the-radar escapes are seeing a surge in popularity as holidaymakers swap overcrowded hotspots for somewhere a little more authentic.
Online travel agency Expedia has released its 2026 Island Hot List, which reveals the best up-and-coming islands to know now.
Expedia’s research revealed that island-based holidays are getting ever more popular, with online searches for them rising an average of 55% year-on-year, and social media mentions up by some 20%.
The hot list shines the spotlight on 10 increasingly popular islands, celebrated for their natural beauty, cultural offerings, less busy streets and beaches and, sometimes, better value.
