Best European Islands for a 2026 Vacation

According to a study on the best island nations in Europe for 2026, Spain and Croatia will retain their leading positions in the top 10.

The continent boasts thousands of islands—and that is a conservative estimate—so it is hardly surprising that deciding exactly where to go often proves to be the hardest part of planning an island getaway in Europe.

Fortunately, a new study published by Saga Holidays (an English-language source) might make that choice a little easier.

By comparing 80 island destinations across Europe, the study—conducted by a tour operator specializing in travel for the over-50s—evaluated them based on three key factors:

Weather: number of sunny days, precipitation levels, wind strength, and comfortable temperatures.
Food and drink availability: the number of restaurants, cafes, and bars relative to the island’s size.
Green spaces: the total area and proportion of the islands covered by open green spaces.

“These factors were weighted to compile the final ranking: green spaces accounted for 45%, weather for 35%, and food and drink availability for 20%,” stated Saga Holidays. “The ranking of the archipelagos was calculated based on the average score of the islands within each group.”

The study identified the top 10 European islands and also broke down the data by individual categories.

Top 10 European Islands for a Vacation in 2026
Islands in Spain and Croatia dominate the overall rankings: according to the study, they claimed nine of the top ten spots.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, topped the list of Europe’s best islands, scoring 95 out of 100 points. It secured first place thanks to a combination of “beautiful landscapes, fresh produce, and—a category in which the island scored the maximum—an incredible number of sunny days.”

Another island in the Canary archipelago, La Palma, took second place with a score of 94 out of 100. Known for its beauty as “La Isla Bonita” (“the beautiful island”), La Palma is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This designation reflects the islands’ “rich natural environment and commitment to sustainable development.”

With a score of 93 out of 100, Madeira (Portugal) secured the next spot. This archipelago is home to the ancient Laurisilva laurel forest—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

Two Croatian islands made the top five. The medieval island of Korčula, located off the Dalmatian coast, took fourth place (92/100), followed by Mljet (90/100)—an unspoiled Adriatic island that has become a “paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.”

The top ten looks like this:

1. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain: 95/100
2. La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain: 94/100
3. Madeira, Portugal: 93/100
4. Korčula, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia: 92/100
5. Mljet, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia: 90/100
6. Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain: 89/100
7. Lošinj, Kvarner Islands, Croatia: 88/100
8. Brač, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia: 87/100
9. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain: 86/100
10. La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain: 85/100

The Three Best European Islands for Sunny Weather
With their stunning year-round climate, it is no surprise that the Canary Islands dominate this category. Home to some of Europe’s sunniest beaches, Tenerife once again tops the rankings with a score of 88 out of 100.

La Gomera, the second-largest of the Canary Islands, took second place thanks to its “rugged coastline with black sand beaches,” while Gran Canaria rounded out the top three.

1. Tenerife, Spain: 88/100
2. La Gomera, Spain: 86/100
3. Gran Canaria, Spain: 85/100

In addition to their excellent weather, the Canary Islands have been recognized as the best coastal archipelago. Highlighting the Canaries’ growing popularity, data from Saga shows that this island region has become the top “all-rounder” destination.

The Three Best European Islands for Food Lovers
When it comes to gastronomy, Italy emerges as the clear winner, claiming two of the three spots on the list: Capri and Sardinia. The only non-Italian destination to make the cut is the Greek island of Santorini.

1. Capri, Italy: 75/100
2. Sardinia, Italy: 66/100
3. Santorini, Greece: 65/100

Taking the top spot is Capri, where standout culinary specialties include Caprese salad and *Ravioli Caprese*. “This fresh pasta is typically made with Caciotta cheese, Parmesan, and marjoram, and served with a light tomato sauce.”

Three of Europe’s Best Green and Natural Islands
The ranking of the greenest islands is topped by a Croatian destination: Mljet is first and Korčula is third, with Madeira between them.

1. Mljet, Croatia: 86/100
2. Madeira, Portugal: 85/100
3. Korčula, Croatia: 83/100
Known in Croatia as the “Green Island,” Mljet “remains relatively unknown” compared to Dubrovnik and Split.