Lesbos offers tourists everything they crave from its more popular neighbors, Mykonos and Santorini.
Greek Lesbos, shrouded in mystery and legend, has been recognized as the most underrated island in Europe. And it’s a great place to escape the crowds that flock to Mykonos and Santorini.
According to Time Out, a recent study by Avis examined the search volume and hashtags on Instagram for islands to identify the most popular ones and find alternatives.
Lesbos, the third largest island in Greece, located in the Aegean Sea near the coast of Turkey, offers tourists a pleasant summer temperature of 25-30°C on average, and the water is clear, clean, and blue, according to the authors of the study.
Lesbos, which has long been a symbol of same-sex love, also offers tourists everything they crave from more popular neighboring islands like Mykonos, Santorini, or Paros: charming fishing towns, delicious seafood, ancient architecture, and vibrant nightlife, but without the crowds.
Meanwhile, in the island’s capital, Molivos, you can find comfortable and affordable hotels right in the harbor, from where you can easily travel to the Molkivos Castle, located on a hilltop surrounded by evergreen pine trees, offering an idyllic view of the city and the sea.
The second place in the ranking was taken by Porto Santo Island in Portugal, the smallest inhabited island of the Madeira archipelago, located less than two hours away from Lisbon. It is known for its golden sandy beaches and phenomenal diving opportunities due to its clear waters. However, there are also plenty of activities to enjoy on land, including cave tours, extensive hiking trails, and more.
Meanwhile, the Greek island of Simi rounds out the top three, with its oceanfront houses painted the same golden color as the sand, which are preserved structures from an ancient settlement. From July to September, the island hosts an annual festival dedicated to Greek culture and music. Events are held at various local landmarks, such as the Panormitis Monastery, which overlooks the bay with its giant baroque tower.
The 10 Most Underrated European Islands in 2025
- Lesbos, Greece.
- Porto Santo, Portugal.
- Simi, Greece.
- Skopelos, Greece.
- Cres, Croatia.
- Andros, Greece.
- Karpathos, Greece.
- Brac, Croatia.
- La Maddalena, Italy.
- Thassos, Greece.