The Most Beautiful Islands in the World: 12 Islands for Every Kind of Traveller

An island promises something few other destinations can: the feeling of having arrived the moment the mainland disappears behind you. But there’s no single most beautiful island in the world – it depends on what you’re looking for. Peace without cars? Beaches for the kids? Wildlife you won’t see anywhere else?

Based on our research, we’ve picked twelve islands that rank among the most beautiful in the world and grouped them by travel style, so you can find the one that suits you faster.

Car-free islands: slow down completely

1. Hydra, Greece

Cars are banned on Hydra, with exceptions only for a few service vehicles such as rubbish trucks and ambulances. Donkeys and mules carry the loads, and water taxis shuttle between coves. The harbour, with stone mansions climbing the hillside, is one of the loveliest in the Aegean. From Piraeus near Athens, the crossing takes around one and a half to two hours depending on the boat – ideal for a few days after a stay in Athens.

Best for: couples, photography, walking, swimming from rocky coves

2. Isla Holbox, Mexico

Holbox lies off the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, within the Yum Balam biosphere reserve. Instead of cars, there are sandy streets, bicycles and golf carts. From around June to September, whale sharks gather in the plankton-rich waters off the island, and boat tours take you to see them at a respectful distance. You get there via Cancún and a ferry from the port of Chiquilá.

Best for: nature, peace and quiet, a few days off after the Riviera Maya

Islands for families

3. Menorca, Spain

Quieter than neighbouring Mallorca, Menorca has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in its entirety since 1993. Many coves have shallow, clear water that’s perfect for children. Keen walkers can follow the Camí de Cavalls, a coastal path of around 185 kilometres that circles the whole island – and works well in short stages with a family.

Best for: families, hiking, beaches without high-rises

4. Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca is about far more than party beaches. The Tramuntana mountains in the north-west are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are coves, stone villages and Palma as a lively city. In the south-west, in Sant Elm, looking out to the protected island of Sa Dragonera, we filmed a hotel right by the sea:

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Best for: families, cyclists, hikers, beach and city in one

5. Mauritius

Mauritius pairs reef-protected lagoons with a green interior. Le Morne Brabant, the mountain in the south-west, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and recalls the escaped slaves who once hid there. Many resorts have kids’ clubs, and the calm lagoons are great for first-time snorkellers.

Best for: families, honeymoons, water sports

Islands for beaches and sea

6. Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia has some of the clearest coves in the Mediterranean, from the Costa Smeralda in the north-east to the islands of the Maddalena archipelago. The interior is worth exploring too: the Bronze Age tower complex of Su Nuraxi near Barumini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best for: road trips, beach hopping, great food

7. Seychelles

The Seychelles comprise 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, north-east of Madagascar. On La Digue, Anse Source d’Argent with its smooth granite boulders is one of the archipelago’s best-known beaches. In the Vallée de Mai on Praslin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, grows the coco de mer palm, whose seeds are the largest in the plant kingdom.

Best for: island hopping, honeymoons, nature

8. Palawan, Philippines

Palawan is famous for limestone cliffs rising sheer from turquoise water, especially around El Nido and Coron. The underground river in Puerto Princesa National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can explore by boat. Adventurous travellers can discover lagoons and coves on multi-day boat trips.

Best for: adventurers, snorkelling, island hopping

9. Fiji

Fiji is made up of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, only some of them inhabited. West of the main island, Viti Levu, lie the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups, with coral reefs and small resort islands.

Best for: honeymoons, diving, a long trip with a stopover

Islands for nature, wildlife and culture

10. Galápagos, Ecuador

Lying around 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, these islands were in 1978 the very first site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas and sea lions show little fear of people, and Charles Darwin’s observations here fed into his theory of evolution. Visits are strictly regulated, and many areas can only be entered with a guide.

Best for: wildlife lovers, photographers, learning holidays

11. Faroe Islands

The 18 main islands between Iceland and Norway are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Instead of beach days, expect green cliffs, waterfalls plunging straight into the sea and small villages with turf roofs. Undersea tunnels link several islands, so much can be reached by hire car.

Best for: hikers, photographers, anyone who prefers nature to heat

12. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar combines white beaches with a remarkable history. Stone Town, with its carved wooden doors and narrow lanes, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells of centuries of trade between Africa, Arabia and India. The island is also known for its spice plantations.

Best for: culture and beach in one trip, combining with a safari

How to find your dream island

• How far do you want to travel? Some islands are a short hop from where you live, others are worth a longer trip. Plan more days for long-haul islands like the Seychelles, Fiji or the Galápagos.
• What matters most? Peace, family-friendliness, beaches or nature – every island has its strengths.
• Travel off-season: many islands are quieter and cheaper outside school holidays.
• Respect nature: on small islands, water and space are limited. Follow the rules in protected areas and take your rubbish with you.

Conclusion: the most beautiful island is the one that suits you

The most beautiful islands in the world are very different: Hydra and Holbox are car-free, Menorca and Mallorca are relaxed with children, the Seychelles and Palawan are all about the sea, and the Galápagos and Faroe Islands put nature centre stage. Decide first what you’re looking for – and the choice becomes much easier.

To find the right hotel on your island, read our guide on how to find the perfect hotel. See more hotels on video in our hotel tours. And if you know an island hotel we should visit, recommend it to us.

Sources

• UNESCO: Galápagos Islands, Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana, Su Nuraxi di Barumini, Le Morne Cultural Landscape, Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Stone Town of Zanzibar
• Spanish Ministry of Agriculture: Camí de Cavalls, Menorca
• National Geographic: Hydra, the island with no cars and Isla Holbox
• Britannica: Faroe Islands
• Lonely Planet: Seychelles