Heimaey in Iceland—One of Many Amazing Islands to Visit in 2024
For anyone searching for a list of islands to visit this year, it's worth recognizing that just in Europe there are over 2,000 populated islands (discounting the European countries that are actually big islands, like the U.K and Iceland). So, while Santorini, Sardinia, Ibiza, and Mykonos are often the go-to islands in Europe, there are plenty of other lesser-known ones that are worth a visit and some will have fewer crowds in 2024. Here are four ideas that might not be on your radar.
1. Hvar Island, Croatia
Chic Hvar in the Adriatic Sea came in at 9th place in the CNTraveler Readers' Choice Awards 2023 for the Best European Islands, and it's easy to see why. Hvar is best suited for travelers looking to find something for everyone—great restaurants and nightlife that cater to the glitzy superyacht crowd, it has spas and wellness centers for anyone looking to recharge, and quieter types can head inland on this tiny island (population around 11,000) to explore the rustic vineyards and lavender fields.
Hvar is accessible by ferry or catamaran from the Croatian mainland, with regular services from Split, Dubrovnik, and other coastal cities. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and June or September and October when the weather is warm and sunny, but the island is less crowded than during the peak summer months of July and August.
2. Tiree Beach in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, is an archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland comprising over 200 islands stretching over 130 miles. Only a few are fully inhabited, and while tourists often head for the exceptional Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris (which are actually one island but referred to as two, partly because their landscapes are so varied), wind lovers would enjoy the Isle of Tiree. It's the flattest and most westerly isle, beloved by wind and kitesurfers, with long Caribbean-white sandy beaches—it's locally called the Hawaii of the North.
Its 650 residents are friendly and welcoming to tourists, who usually arrive in July for the Tiree music festival celebrating Scottish folk. Access to Tiree is by air from Glasgow International Airport or by ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland, on the ferry services provided by Caledonian MacBrayne (locally known as CalMac). The best time to visit any of the islands in the Outer Hebrides is definitely in summer, when the weather is as warm as it will ever be, the days are longer, and the sea is a refreshing 50 degrees Fahrenheit/14 degrees Celsius.
3. San Vincenzo Village on Stromboli, Italy
With its distinctive black sandy beaches derived from volcanic ash, the European island of Stromboli is for travelers with the luxury of travel time. There is no airport, and access is via ferry or hydrofoil from Sicilian towns like Milazzo and Messina, as well as from other Aeolian Islands. The best time to visit Stromboli, one of four active Italian volcanoes, is in the shoulder seasons (May and September) when there are fewer people trying to hike near the very active volcano or experience the very laid-back Italian village vibe.
Justine Trier, the director of the current Oscar contender, Anatomy Of A Fall, shot her 2019 film, Sybil, here, if you want to get a taster for the stark beauty. Take a guided hike, ideally at dusk, to see the bubbling lava and explore the whitewashed houses and cobbled streets before sampling, of course, the Italian food.
4. Vestmannaeyjar Island in Iceland
Heimaey is the largest island in the western islands (Vestmannaeyjar) off the south coast of Iceland. It's probably most famous locally for a 1973 volcanic eruption which led to the complete evacuation of its entire population and covered the island in 200 million tons of ash and lava. Today there are almost 5,000 people that co-exist with a million pairs of puffins that breed between April and late summer when travelers can watch them carrying fish to their young cocooned in the cliffs. It also has one of the most scenic golf courses and an August festival, Þjóðhátíð, with fireworks and music.
It's pretty easy to reach the island, with direct flights to and from Reykjavik, or you could also take the impressive 35-minute ferry journey from Landeyjahöfn on the Icelandic mainland.
In conclusion, while the well-known European islands are popular for a reason, exploring lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path destinations can offer a unique and unforgettable experience. From the glamorous Hvar in Croatia to the windswept Tiree in Scotland, the volcanic Stromboli in Italy, and the incredible Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland, these islands offer something different and will surely captivate any traveler seeking new and exciting adventures.
