Greek Islands Shine On Travel + Leisure’s 2015 Best List for Europe

Oia, Santorini. Photo © Region of South Aegean

The Greek islands of Santorini, Crete and Mykonos are among the best in Europe this year, according to discerning readers of Travel + Leisure magazine who voted for their favorite islands for the 20th time.

Santorini, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, topped the list with 87.93 points and also came in fifth in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Island list for 2015 (after the Galápagos Islands, Bali, Maldives and Tasmania).

“The island is a well-known international vacation spot and attracts throngs of tourists during peak season, but its local charm and beauty make Santorini travel an unforgettable experience despite the crowd”, Travel + Leisure said.

Travel + Leisure’s Best Islands in Europe list continues with Malta in second place with 86.90 points and is followed by Crete with 85.79 points, Mykonos with 84.84 and Majorca with 83.85 points.

Sitia, Crete. Photo © Anilah/Shutterstock

On Crete, Travel + Leisure notes: “A visit to Crete, Greece’s largest island and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean, will appeal to beachcombers, armchair historians, and active travelers alike… When you visit Crete, you’ll also find an island that sits at the crossroads of Mediterranean culture; it was home to the Minoan civilization, and the Greeks, Romans, Turks, and Venetians all controlled the island at various points throughout history.”

Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

On Mykonos, Travel + Leisure notes: “Out of the Cyclades, the islands that encircle the sacred island of Delos, Mykonos is perhaps the most famous, renowned for its rolling hills, white beaches and the high-rolling international crowd that vacations there.”

Travel + Leisure magazine is considered once of the world’s most influential travel brands.