There are over 470 islands, divided into 144 groups, scattered throughout Europe. For island addicts, there are more than a few gems around the Old World - from the Baltic and North Seas, across the moody Atlantic and into the Mediterranean Sea - to discover.

As numerous as they are, they are also versatile: travelers roam lush green rolling hills, sail along steeply sloping rocky cliffs, or feast on freshly caught lobster in one of the many bustling fishing villages.

Islands like Guernsey lie almost untouched by tourists in the middle of the blue expanses - true places of longing. © Enrapture Captivating Media

7 islands in Europe that are still real insider tips

The possibilities and preferences are multifaceted. But everyone agrees on one thing: Where everyone is, you don't have to be yourself. And, wonder of wonders, there are actually some islands that are still considered real insider tips. We present seven of them. 

1. gozo

Sea: Western Mediterranean
Country: Malta
Size: 67 square kilometers
Where to eat: Patrick's or Ta'Philip
Where to stay: Hotel Kempinski San Lawrenz

The ancient salt pans on Gozo are abandoned today, but well worth a visit. © Francois Kaiser

Highlight: 

Exploring Gozo's coastline pays off, as natural caves, beautiful bays and steep cliffs as well as historic salt pans await island travelers. Divers have probably heard of the Blue Hole: it is a fifteen-meter-deep circular marine lake located on the Steep coast of Malta. And also into the wreck of the MV Karwela go the dives - impressive!

Best Beach: 

With the scent of fresh fennel in your nose and on orange-colored, fine sand, you walk into the turquoise blue expanses at San Blas. Marsalforn, a long, popular promenade that leads to many beautiful bays and is dotted with cafés and stores, is more lively.

The smaller of Malta's islands awaits with beach dreams: the panorama of Marsalforn. © Shutterstock

Malta's little sister is a haven of tranquility that is less crowded than the main island. In addition to picturesque bays and sandstone cliffs, the cultural diversity of the Maltese Republic can be clearly felt on Gozo: Numerous archaeological sites tell of the lively exchange between Arabia and Europe, but this symbiosis is also evident in the architecture. While in Gharb you pass defiant Moorish buildings one moment, pretty colorful little houses on the next corner already tell of their Italian roots.

2. fehmarn

Sea: Baltic Sea
Country: Germany
Size: 185.5 square kilometer
Where to eat: Margaret Court
Where to stay: Castle hermitage

Among Germany's islands, it is the third largest: In the Baltic Sea, surfers and sun-seekers are drawn to Fehmarn. © Shutterstock

Highlight:

Those arriving in August can look forward to the Fehmarn Round Regatta, where catamarans, thick ship sailors and surfer are scattered around the island. And while you're there, why not toast your vacation with some of the island's own craft beer - cheers!

Best Beach:

Fehmarn offers twenty sunny beaches, one of the most beautiful certainly is the natural Gammendorfer Strand with its white sand and azure water. 

Romantic beach chairs on Fehmarn. © Shutterstock

Dangle your feet from the beach chair in the fine sand or walk along steep cliffs? Germany's third largest island of Fehmarn is undoubtedly an absolute place of longing. The spot in the Baltic Sea is currently known especially among surfers as "Hawaii of Germany". But also the nature reserves and the sweet villages, which are distributed like speckles over the island, make Fehmarn a great destination.

3. texel

Sea: North Sea
Country: Netherlands
Size: 162.18 square kilometer
Where to eat: Hard van Texel
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Opduin

Texel invites you to take a leisurely stroll through the pastureland and enjoy the tranquility. © Joppe Spaa

Highlight:

Over 118 steps you climb the red Lighthouse Eierland in the north of Texel to enjoy the panoramic view over the island and the North Sea. Great!

Best Beach:

In the Paal 9 beach section, you walk along a seemingly endless row of cute white-turquoise beach cottages, through a fine sandy beach and let the sea breeze blow around your nose. 

Living beach dreams in Texel? Go. © Yoline

The leisurely West Frisian island of Texel enchants with its "Bollekammer", a dreamlike heath and dune area where free-living Exmoor ponies graze peacefully. Animal lovers will feel especially at home here: In addition to the ponies, countless peaceful sheep and Scottish Highland cattle with their shaggy coats also roam the small island. Texel is also particularly well suited for horseback riding and extended cycling tours. Accommodation is available in Den Burg (be sure to try the local chocolate here!) or in the coastal village of De Koog, which is just one dune away from the sea.

4. guernsey

Sea: English Channel
Country: United Kingdom
Size: 78 square kilometers
Where to eat: Bohemia
Where to stay: Chateau La Chaire

Guernsey surprises with gorgeous bays and crystal clear water. © Shutterstock

Highlight: 

Apart from the lively capital Saint Peter Port and the Guernsey Museum with its wonderful garden, you should definitely visit Hauteville House. The writer Victor Hugo once resided there and, inspired by the idyllic landscape, gave free rein to his imagination.

Best Beach: 

At Moulin Huet Bay, you walk through the real-life model for Auguste Renoir's impressionist series of paintings: a truly picturesque little bay! Sun-seekers drop in at Cobo Bay, with its crystal-clear waters, bars and restaurants where tourists and locals alike gather for pints and chats.

Cobo Bay is hotspot for sun-seekers, surfers and families. © Shutterstock

Guernsey, consisting of several small islands and one large island, captivates as an island retreat in the English Channel with two official languages, English and French. The island between the two countries is an ideal hiking destination with nearly 50 kilometers of cliff paths, great bays and exhilarating meadows. Birdwatchers, island hoppers and gourmands will also find their island happiness on Guernsey. 

5. porto santo

Sea: Atlantic
Country: Portugal
Size: 42.17 square kilometer
Where to eat: Adega des Levadas
Where to stay: Pestana Porto Santo

A bit more secret and perhaps even a bit more beautiful than Madeira's other islands, Porto Santo. © Shutterstock

Highlight: 

Golfing, visiting windmills and hiking is a must on Porto Santo! Those arriving in June will be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the São João Folk Festival (June 23 and 24) with music, dancing and street parades.

Best Beach: 

Praia de Porto Santo beckons with miles of golden sandy beaches on Porto Santo's southeast coast, leading shallowly into tepid waters.

Miles of golden sandy beaches stretch out on Porto Santo. © Shutterstock

Porto Santo is the Atlantic-Porto Santo is a secret tip among island vacationers: a full fifteen million years older than its famous neighbor Madeira, it is ideal for all those who like to relax on the beach, enjoy good wine or do their best on the green. The ambience on Porto Santo, the "Ilha Dourada", is also a hole-in-one: there is no hurry here, only colorful sunsets, long days with good food and exciting seafaring stories.

6. ponza

Sea: Western Mediterranean
Country: Italy
Size: 7.3 square kilometer
Where to eat: Bar Tripolia
Where to stay: Hotel Chiaia di Luna

Like a crescent, beautiful Ponza lies in the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. © Shutterstock

Highlight: 

Besides beautiful beaches, top spots for divers and picturesque hiking trails, cave dwellings from the Bourbon era are also waiting to be explored on Ponza. Some of them are even provided as vacation rentals!

Pssst: Ponza is a quiet spot in the Mediterranean Sea - whoever is looking for parties and variety has landed on the wrong island.

Best Beach: 

For those who like to dive into the world under the water surface, Cala Felce bay is perfect. Sun lovers will settle at the impressive crescent bay Chiaia-di-Luna (if it is not currently affected by falling rocks) or at Lucia Rosa.

The imposing crescent bay of Chiaia-di-Luna at sunset. © Ferhat Deniz

Between crowded islands, tourist masses and island-hopping jet-setters, the crescent-shaped Ponza shows itself to be a true rarity: hardly anyone strays to the enchanting island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. And this despite the fact that there are numerous picturesque beaches and wildly beautiful nature to be found there. Snorkelers in particular dive into an almost untouched underwater world on the archipelago.

7. saaremaa

Sea: Baltic Sea
Country: Estonia
Size: 2,672 square kilometers
Where to eat: Saaremaa Veski
Where to stay: Kuressaare Linnahotell

Saaremaa is one of the largest islands in Estonia and enchants with secluded beaches and the beautiful Vilsandi National Park. © Shutterstock

A highlight:

The charming capital Kuressaare enchants with its old town streets and alleys, where classicist houses are lined up next to each other. The castle from the 14th century is also worth a visit!

This is how homey tranquil Kuressaare is. © Shutterstock

Best Beach:

On Hariland, the small island connected to Saaremaa by a 300-meter-wide isthmus, you can hike along the natural sandy beach along, passing Kiipsaare tuletorn, the island's leaning lighthouse.

Saaremaa is perfect for long walks. © Shutterstock

Although Saaremaa is the largest island of Estonia, probably few people, except those who live in its geographical vicinity, have heard of this pearl in the Baltic Sea. Yet in the 19th century Saaremaa was a popular spa and bathing resort with a mud spa. The thousand-kilometer coastline is dotted with peninsulas and bays, the most beautiful of which are Sõrve, the largest headland jutting into the Gulf of Riga, and Vilsandi National Park.