If you’re heading to Europe this summer, chances are your algorithm is already bombarding you with dreamy reels of Sicilian towns hugged by azure seas or French Riviera spots that look like the epitome of chic.
What most travel influencers fail to mention, however, is that you can barely make your way through one of those picture-perfect historic centers without bumping into other people, museums always seem to have an outstandingly long line of people waiting to go in, and prices are out of control.
That’s the effects of overtourism, one of the biggest threats facing Europe at the moment.
These Are The Least Crowded Island Getaways In Europe Right Now
Luckily, there are a handful of European spots that have managed to successfully avoid the rising trend, and that’s not us saying it: BookRetreats.com has recently conducted research looking into the most crowded and least crowded destinations across the pond.
While the incredibly popular island country of Malta came out on top, with a whopping 38,700 overnight stays per km2, followed by the Spanish hotspots of Lanzarote (21,600 overnights per km2) and Tenerife (16,873), two little-known summer havens were the exact opposite.
The fifth-largest island in Greece, Chios, remains under the radar. Though it is roughly the same size as Lanzarote, it logged an average of 600 overnights per square kilometer.
Similarly, El Hierro, one of Spain’s lesser-known Canary Islands, often overlooked by tourists bound for Tenerife or Gran Canaria, registered 610 overnights per square kilometer.
Chios
Where Aegean Bliss Meets Old-School Greek Hospitality
Chios is a side of Greece most tourists aren’t aware exists, but then again, most tourists are flocking to the whitewashed chora of Santorini to see the Instagrammable stone-paved pathways and blue domes, and that’s it.
Bordering Turkey, a mere 11 nautical miles from the neighboring country, it is primarily known for its unspoiled golden-sand beaches, beautiful bays filled with the turquoise sea, and ancient monuments that have stood the test of time.
Chios lacks an international airport, and the only way to get there is either via ferry or flying from one of Greece’s major hubs, namely Athens or Thessaloniki, so this has made it harder for mass tourism to find its way here.
Some of the must-sees include the trio of ‘mastic’ villages, criss-crossed by cobbled streets and exuding medieval charm, the UNESCO-protected Byzantine monastery of Nea Moni, and the charming Chios Town, with its signature windmills and scenic coastal promenade.
Chios is also significantly less expensive than other Aegean islands like Santorini or Mykonos: you will find rooms from as cheap as $54 per adult in the peak season (check Omiros), and a casual gyros dinner in a family-run tavern will set you back $12 tops.
Plus, it’s just way more laid-back overall, and locals come across as friendlier than usual.
El Hierro
Over in the far west of Europe, surrounded by an azure Atlantic, El Hierro is the complete opposite of Chios: it is less lush, more rugged, and the attractions here are mostly natural. Nature comes first and foremost.
El Hierro is traversed by hiking paths that lead to vertiginous volcanic cliffs, natural swimming pools fenced off by lava-formed rocks, and unusual farmlands that all make up a UNESCO-overseen Biosphere Reserve.
With only 11,000 inhabitants and a much shorter history of habitation, it’s not the Europe of castles and fairy-tale-like mountain villages. People come here mostly to go on walks, bask in the sun, and escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
After all, this is Spain’s least-crowded island, with only 1,000 guest beds, distributed between modest townhouses and pensions and rural stays, so irrespective of the time of year, it never feels busy.
Oh, and let’s see if you notice a pattern here: much like Chios, it is only served by a small national airport, and in El Hierro’s case, it does not even host flights from mainland Spain. The only way to reach it is by flying to Tenerife-North or Gran Canaria first.
You’re probably wondering whether this is one of those ultra-exclusive destinations for the super-rich, given its remote location and the limited number of accommodation providers available. Well, not in the slightest:
An overnight stay at a local pension, such as Casa Trudo, will cost you a mere $22.50 per night as an adult, and if you’re heading out for dinner in Valverde, the quaint main town, a seafood main and some wine should run you up between $11 and $16.
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