the horseshoe-shaped Sunj beach on Lopud Island in Croatia
cattle on the coast of Pico, Portugal
the town of Kastellorizo, Greece
Streymoy in the Faroe Islands of Denmark
the coast on Pantelleria in Italy
the water's edge in the fishing village on Vega, Norway
the castle of Kuressaare on the Isle of Muhu in Estononia
Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull in Scotland
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Lopud Island, CroatiaThe carless island Lopud in the Elaphiti chain was once the summertime retreat of aristocrats from the mainland. Today it attracts day-trippers heading to its horseshoe-shaped Sunj beach and exploring medieval ruins. Don’t miss the art-filled 15th-century Franciscan monastery in the village of Lopud.
Photograph by Guenter Standl, Redux

Escape to these under-the-radar European islands

Soak up the seascapes on Europe's sun-baked isles.

ByNational Geographic Staff
March 06, 2019

Europe presents many reasons to hop off the storied continent. From the lava caves of Pico to the sun-baked beaches of Pantelleria, soak up seascapes, fishing villages, and local lore in these little-known havens. (Discover the 21 best beaches around the world.)

This piece, adapted from a story that originally appeared in the UK edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine, appeared in the magazine’s August/September 2015 issue. The story was updated in 2019.

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