Porquerolles, France
If the Côte d’Azur feels like too much, head to Porquerolles. It’s one of the Îsles d’Hyères, just a quick ferry ride from Hyères on the French coast. There are no cars here—just you, your feet, or a bike. The island smells like pine, and the only sound is the crunch of needles as you ride or walk. Best beaches? Plage d’Argent and its neighbors along the north side. Sure, they get busy in high season, but when the crowds leave, it’s quiet again. Absolute peace.
Tabarca, Spain
The Costa Blanca isn’t exactly famous for peace and quiet, but Tabarca is the exception. Twenty-two miles from Alicante, this little island is surrounded by water so clear it’s Spain’s first marine reserve. The ferry drops you off in about 50 minutes, and you’ll step into a car-free world. Here, you snorkel, eat fresh fish stew right on the sand, then wander the old fortified town walls as the sun drops.
Bozcaada, Turkey
Bozcaada is where Istanbul’s city-dwellers escape the heat. Off Turkey’s west coast, the island blends Greek and Turkish culture—mosques next to Orthodox churches, tavernas on the shore, vineyards rolling inland. History runs deep here; this was the launch point for the Trojan horse. These days, you reach it by a short ferry from Çanakkale, then choose between lazy days at beachside tavernas, a glass of local wine, and the lively port. Up on the hill, Ela Tenedos looks down over the old castle.
La Graciosa, Canary Islands
Three miles north of Lanzarote, La Graciosa feels like an entirely different world. No cars, no crowds, no noise. The island is a marine reserve, with sandy tracks, wild dunes, and calm beaches. The port village, Caleta de Sebo, is all whitewashed walls and low-key restaurants. Rent a bike or set off on foot, watch fishermen at La Laja, or head up north to the windswept sands and emerald water of Las Conchas.
Syros, Greece
Skip the flash of Mykonos. Instead, take a half-hour ferry to Syros, where energy and quiet coexist. Ermoupoli, the capital, buzzes with life but feels local, not touristy. Neoclassical homes step up from the sea. Greeks here linger over taverna lunches, and if you wander inland, you’ll find olive groves, orchards, and more deserted beaches than you can count—many only reachable by boat.
Cabrera, Spain
Cabrera sits six miles south of Mallorca, and its past is wild—pirates, soldiers, prisoners of war. Now, it’s a national park, ruled by nature: Caspian gulls, cormorants, lizards everywhere. You can swim in quiet coves, spot wildlife, or climb up the crumbling medieval castle on the hill. When you get hungry, the only place to eat is the cantina at Es Port.
Lastovo, Croatia
Getting to Lastovo takes some patience—it’s over four hours by ferry from Split. But once you step off, you’ll see why it’s worth it. Pine forests, Venetian houses, 38 old churches, and the clear blue water off Skrivena Luka Bay. It’s a world apart from Croatia’s busiest islands.
Tinos, Greece
Just a short ferry from Mykonos, Tinos is a Cycladic gem that somehow stays under the radar. The countryside is green, full of windmills, stone dovecotes, and quiet villages. Pilgrims come to see the icon at Panagia Evangelistria, and this sacred spot has kept big development away. There’s more here than sleepy backroads, though—the village of Pyrgos is packed with lively tavernas and craft shops, while places like Kardiani and Volax stay peaceful and pretty.
Île de Batz, France
People from Paris love Île de Ré, but honestly, there’s another Atlantic island that’s easier on your wallet and just as charming—Île de Batz. It’s only ten minutes from Roscoff by boat, and the whole place stretches just two miles across. Nothing fancy here, just a laid-back vibe that’s great for families. Grab a bike right at the port and make your way to the soft, white sand at Grève Blanche. Afterward, tackle the 198 steps up the lighthouse for sweeping views of the Breton coast.
Filicudi, Sicily
