Travel + Leisure: Greece dominates Top-10 Islands category - Santorini ranks first

Greece has dominated ‘Europe’s Top 10 Islands’ category at this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, with Santorini taking first place, Crete ranking fourth, Paros in fifth place and Rhodes following in at number six.

Travel + Leisure (T+L) is a travel magazine based in New York City, and is known as one of the world’s most influential travel brands. Every year T+L organizes their World’s Best Awards survey, asking millions of readers worldwide to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe- sharing their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more.

In the category of ‘Europe’s Top 10 Islands’, readers valued islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.

“Rhodes and the Dodecanese, P?ros, and Crete are all places where you can choose your own adventure: ruins or lazy basking in the sun, with a spectacular meal of fresh fish at the end of the day regardless. But Santorini is another animal altogether, which is why it’s claimed the number one spot in this category an astounding 14 times. Sunset hero shots may have become a clich? on Instagram—and here, as everyone gathers in the cobblestoned town of O?a just before evening falls, you can see why. Hotels built into the steep cliffs offer views out over the sea that are so captivating, there’s no reason to leave your suite and its private plunge pool until dinnertime,” notes the publication.

Top 10 European Islands, according to T+L

10. Menorca, Spain

9. Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland

8. Sicily, Italy

7. Azores, Portugal

6. Rhodes and the Dodecanese, Greece

5. P?ros, Greece

4. Crete, Greece

3. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

2. Ischia, Italy

1. Santorini, Greece

For a full list of all the awards check out – World’s Best Awards