Greece emerged as one of the leading countries in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, with eight Greek islands ranked among Europe’s top 20.
Naxos claimed first place with a score of 95.71, just ahead of some of the Mediterranean’s most famous destinations, including Ibiza, Capri, Hvar, Mallorca, and Sicily. The result places the Cycladic island at the center of Europe’s travel spotlight and highlights the continued strength of Greece’s island tourism.
Alongside Naxos, the Greek islands featured in the ranking include Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Skiathos, Mykonos, Folegandros, and Santorini.
Greece’s islands stand out in Europe’s awards
The ranking gives Greece one of the strongest national presences on the list. Eight of the twenty destinations are Greek, reflecting the country’s broad appeal to international travelers.
Crete ranked eighth with a score of 91.42, narrowly behind Sicily, which scored 91.43. Corfu followed in tenth place with 90.95, while Rhodes came in at eleventh with 90.86. Skiathos also ranked well in twelfth place with 89.52.
Further down the list, Mykonos placed fourteenth with 88.57, ahead of Cyprus, Sardinia, Folegandros, Santorini, Malta, and the Azores. Folegandros ranked seventeenth with 84.29, while Santorini placed eighteenth with 83.27.
All in all, the results show that Greece’s appeal extends far beyond its most popular destinations. The country’s islands continue to attract travelers looking for beaches, culture, food, history, nightlife, and quieter escapes.
Naxos tops Europe’s best islands as Greece shines in awards
Naxos’ first-place ranking is especially notable because it points to a shift in traveler preferences. While Santorini and Mykonos remain among Greece’s most well-known international destinations, readers placed Naxos above both.
The island is widely admired for its long sandy beaches, traditional villages, local cuisine, and more relaxed atmosphere. It also possesses a strong cultural identity, from its mountain settlements and agricultural traditions to the Portara, the ancient marble gate that stands near the entrance to its harbor.
Its score of 95.71 put it ahead of Ibiza, which ranked second with 93.06, and Capri, which placed third with 92.86. That margin underlines Naxos’ growing reputation as a destination that combines natural beauty, authenticity, and accessibility.
Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, and Skiathos remain traveler favorites
Crete’s high ranking confirms its status as one of Europe’s most all-encompassing island destinations. Greece’s largest island offers ancient sites, historic cities, mountain landscapes, beaches, and one of the country’s most distinctive culinary traditions.
Corfu and Rhodes also secured places in the top half of the list. Corfu, known for its Venetian architecture and Ionian character, ranked just ahead of Rhodes, one of the Dodecanese’s most visited islands and home to a famous medieval town.
Skiathos followed closely behind. Known for its beaches and green landscape, the island ranked twelfth, further strengthening Greece’s position in the upper tier of the European list.
Mykonos, Folegandros, and Santorini keep Greece in the top 20
Mykonos, Folegandros, and Santorini completed Greece’s presence in the top 20. Their inclusion is characteristic of the diversity in Greek island travel, from high-profile luxury destinations to smaller islands with a more serene personality.
Mykonos ranked fourteenth, maintaining its place among Europe’s most recognizable island names. Folegandros placed seventeenth, confirming the appeal of smaller Cycladic destinations. Santorini, one of the world’s most photographed islands, ranked eighteenth.
Although Santorini and Mykonos remain global symbols of Greek tourism, the success of Naxos and Folegandros suggests that travelers are also turning to islands that offer a more understated experience.
Top 20 islands in Europe
- Naxos, Greece — 95.71
- Ibiza, Spain — 93.06
- Capri, Italy — 92.86
- Hvar, Croatia — 92.38
- Canary Islands, Spain — 92.06
- Mallorca, Spain — 91.67
- Sicily, Italy — 91.43
- Crete, Greece — 91.42
- Madeira, Portugal — 90.99
- Corfu, Greece — 90.95
- Rhodes, Greece — 90.86
- Skiathos, Greece — 89.52
- Corsica, France — 89.17
- Mykonos, Greece — 88.57
- Cyprus — 85.71
- Sardinia, Italy — 84.76
- Folegandros, Greece — 84.29
- Santorini, Greece — 83.27
- Malta — 82.38
- Azores, Portugal — 78.57
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