If you’ve been following the adventures of Dani Dyer and pals on ITV2’s Love Island, then no doubt the constant exposure to picture-perfect villas and sun-kissed bodies has given you a hankering for a romantic getaway of your own. Here’s a rundown of some of Europe’s most idyllic sun-soaked island retreats – including the real Love Island itself.
1. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is the archetypal idyllic Mediterranean island. It’s blessed with astonishing panoramic views of turquoise waters, but the real show occurs when the sun sets behind the rim of the volcanic caldera, turning the isle’s whitewashed houses shades of red and gold. Head up to the fortress ruins above the village of Oia for fantastic views over the blue-domed churches of the town, or splash out and watch the blazing sun plunge into the Med from the prow of a yacht. Check Santorini Sailing for details: semi-private sunset cruises cost around 155 euros. Santorini is popular with celebrities as well: Versace, Harvey Keitel and Hugh Jackman have been known to stay at The Tsitouras Collection in Firostefani. Head this way to discover more of Greece’s most beautiful islands.
Find cheap flights to Santorini2. Capri, Italy
Capri is the very definition of Italian chic. It was the go-to destination for stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, like Rita Hayworth and Clarke Gable, and today it retains its sense of luxury and celebrity allure. The five-star Capri Palace Hotel & Spa has played host to film legends like Keanu Reeves, while the exclusive restaurant Villa Verde is an ideal place to go star spotting. Capri’s steep cliffs plunge dramatically into sparkling waters, and the rugged coastline is riddled with hidden beaches and mysterious caves – the most famous of which is the stunningly iridescent Blue Grotto, which is only accessible by boat. To get the best views of the island’s amazing natural beauty, hop on the funicular from Marina Grande. The nearest airport to Capri is Naples, from which it’s a short ferry ride over to the island.
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3. Santa Maria, Azores
Santa Maria is the ‘Sunshine Island’ of the Azores, a chain of Portuguese islands strung across the Atlantic Ocean. It’s ringed by golden beaches and impressive, dark, volcanic cliffs, while the interior is a carpet of green fields dotted with whitewashed houses. The crystal clear waters provide excellent visibility for diving, and exotic species from conger eels to manta rays can be spotted off the coast – contact the Mantamaria Diving Centre to organise a trip into the blue. On shore, the island is awash with stunning waterfalls – and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can can clamber down them as part of an organised tour. [Bootla](http://www.bootla.pt/site/index.php/en/) takes groups canyoning in the Ribeira Funda canyon, as well as offering jeep safaris around the island.
Find cheap flights to Santa Maria4. Hvar, Croatia
Hvar Island has gained a reputation as a party destination for the yachting set – indeed, in 2011 Prince Harry was famously spotted boogieing the night away in the open-air Veneranda nightclub before leaping fully clothed into the pool. Other hot night spots include Carpe Diem, a celeb-spattered cocktail bar that enforces a reservation-only policy. But away from the glitz, Hvar has some fantastic beaches and vineyards. A great way to sample the island scenery is by boat: Hvar Adventure offers one-day sailing trips (€145 per person) with stop-offs at the unspoilt Pakleni Islands for swimming and snorkelling. The nearest airport to Hvar is Split, and there are regular ferry crossings to the island.
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5. Formentera, Balearic Islands
Ibiza is probably the most famous of the Balearic Islands, but its tiny neighbour, Formentera, is the place to go for a quieter, more romantic holiday. This diddy isle just to the south of Ibiza is only 19 kilometres across, but it harbours some of the most beautiful, unspoilt beaches in the Mediterranean. The nearest airport is on Ibiza, then the Aquabus will get you across to Formentera in around 40 minutes (€29 return). After that, it’s a case of hiring a bike or scooter to get around the beaches. Playa Illetes is probably the highlight – a beautiful stretch of white sand with none of the gaudy hotels and sunbeds you might expect, just a few simple restaurants built from wood. Prudes beware, however: like many of Formentera’s beaches, Illetes is unofficially nudist. Should you tire of checking out naked sunbathers, head to the excellent artisans’ market at El Pilar de la Mola (Wednesday and Sunday afternoons).
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6. Zante, Greece
Zante, also known as Zakynthos, is home to some heady nightlife. But if you venture away from the bright lights of Zante Town, you can find some utterly stunning beaches, many of them practically deserted. Gerakas beach in the south-east of the island is one of the highlights – the shallow water is perfect for snorkelling, and you’re certain to spot all sorts of fish hiding in the nooks and crannies of the rocks. Make sure to give the cages on the beach a wide berth though – these mark the nests of endangered loggerhead turtles. And you’ll have to be off the beach by sunset, when the turtles haul themselves up the beach to lay their precious eggs. Still, the protection measures put on the beach as a designated nesting ground mean that it remains pleasingly unspoiled by development.
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7. Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is absolutely teeming with white sandy beaches, making it perfect for a romantic sun-soaked getaway. Dei Due Mari Beach is on a thin isthmus with ocean on either side, hence its name, the ‘beach of the two seas’. Meanwhile, Is Arutas beach is famed for the pure colour of the sea – the beach is formed from tiny grains of quartz that reflect the sunlight, making the seawater a stunning aquamarine. And if you’re after a bit more adventure, Chia on the Costa del Sud is a great spot for kite surfing and windsurfing.
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8. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Of the seven Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is probably the most varied in terms of landscape – it’s been dubbed a “continent in miniature”. Many of the beaches have black sand – like the beautiful Playa de Puerto Naos near La Palma, a famous suntrap that sees some fantastic sunsets – but Maspalomas in the south provides the impressive spectacle of 400 hectares of undulating golden dunes rippling towards the sea. And if you’re feeling adventurous, Gran Canaria boasts a real hidden gem of a beach in the form of Playa de Guigui, which is a good two-hour walk from the road. For more ideas, check out our guide to the top things to do in Gran Canaria.
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9. Corsica, France
Porto-Vecchio in the southeast is Corsica’s oldest resort, and it’s packed with designer boutiques and fancy places to dine out – the four-star Hôtel Le Roi Théodore is particularly famed for its excellent restaurant. Nearby Palombaggia Beach is one of the best on the island, a two-kilometre stretch of golden sand and blue water – but be warned it can get crowded in the high season. If you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter, the beautiful Ostriconi Beach in the north is rarely packed thanks to its isolated location.
Find cheap flights to Corsica10. Majorca, Spain
If you’ve spent the summer dreaming of being on Love Island, then why not head to Love Island itself? The show is filmed at a private villa on the east side of Majorca (aka Mallorca), and there are plenty of similarly swanky villas in the area that you stay in. Villa Dunas near Cala d´Or, for example, is stunning, brand new building with a private pool and terrace – and it sleeps six. And when it comes to beaches, Majorca has an embarrassment of riches. Some of the best are to be found in the northeast of the island near Alcudia, including Playa de Muro, the island’s longest beach at six kilometres. Further north from Alcudia, the Formentor peninsula has some lovely tree-lined beaches back by rocky hills.
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Looking for more sun-kissed getaways? Take a look at these beauties:
Eight beaches that will blow your mind
These wonders of the seaside world have so much more to offer than sand: from stunning scenery and awesome surfing to majestic wildlife and buzzing city backdrops.
Seven of the best new seaside hotels for summer 2018
For many of us, it’s the ultimate summer daydream: waking up to a sea view, and the prospect of a day spent with the sand between your toes. Well, now’s the time stop dreaming and start booking.
The best secret beaches of the Med – and how to reach them
Sick of beaches teaming with tourists? Then you need to spread your wings. The Mediterranean coastline is actually full of secret coves and slivers of sand, where the pace of life suddenly slackens, and a lunchtime picnic can last till sunset.
Published July 2018. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
