Greek Island Hydra Tops 2026 Best European Islands List
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The Greek island of Hydra was voted the best in Europe for 2026 by Condé Nast Traveler readers, noted for its car-free charm. Sardinia, Italy, and Naxos, Greece, followed in second and third place respectively. Popular Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos ranked lower, while Crete, a favorite among Israelis, finished last in the top 20. The survey reflects reader preferences for destinations offering unique experiences beyond typical tourist hubs.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hydra, Greece, was named Europe's best island for 2026 by Condé Nast Traveler readers.
- The car-free Greek island of Hydra ranked first, followed by Sardinia, Italy, and Naxos, Greece.
- Popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos ranked outside the top 10 in the survey.
- Crete, a major destination for Israeli tourists, was surprisingly ranked last in the top 20.
- The ranking is based on a reader survey conducted by Condé Nast Traveler's UK edition.
- Greece had the most islands on the list with seven entries.
The Greek island of Hydra has been named the best island in Europe for 2026 by Condé Nast Traveler's UK edition, surpassing popular destinations like Sardinia and Naxos. The island, located in the Saronic Gulf near Athens, is characterized by its lack of cars, with transportation primarily by foot or boat. Its picturesque harbor, stone houses, and historic mansions form the island's vibrant center, with narrow alleys leading to scenic viewpoints and swimming bays. Hydra was once a haven for artists, including the late singer and poet Leonard Cohen, who resided there in the 1960s.
Sardinia, Italy, secured the second spot, praised for its white sand beaches, turquoise bays, traditional villages, and archaeological sites. Naxos, Greece, ranked third, offering a blend of long beaches, mountain villages, family tavernas, and ancient ruins, including the iconic Portara marble gate.
The ranking, based on a survey of readers from April to June, revealed surprises, with Crete, a popular destination for Israelis, landing in the last place, 20th. Other well-known Greek islands also fell short of the top 10, with Santorini at 16th and Mykonos not making the top tier. The survey included 20 islands and island groups across Europe, with Greece featuring seven entries, Spain four, and Italy three.
Corsica, France, came in fourth, known for its beaches, mountains, and ancient villages. Sicily, Italy, ranked fifth, offering diverse attractions from Mount Etna to ancient theaters and Baroque towns. The sixth spot was taken by Sifnos, Greece, noted for its relaxed atmosphere, white villages, cliffside churches, and culinary traditions.
Crete, despite being Greece's largest island and a major draw for Israeli tourists, received 87.81 points, placing it last. The article notes that while Crete offers ancient cities, Minoan palaces, and famous beaches, its less-traveled areas reveal traditional villages, olive groves, and secluded coves, suggesting a different side to the island beyond resorts.