Which islands of Europe do you know? Surely many will first name Crete or Cyprus, continue with Sicily and Corsica, and end the list with the well-known Canaries. However, there are many more islands in Europe and some of them will be much more interesting than popular tourist destinations. We present an overview of the five most unusual islands of our continent, which are worth getting to know better.
Iceland
A distinctive country, which is famous for its fjords and volcano with the unpronounceable name Eyjafjallajökull. It was its eruption in 2010 that caused the cancellation of air travel. Now the volcano has calmed down and does not pose a threat, so you can safely pack your bags and go to this, without exaggeration, amazing country.
The population of the island is about 320 thousand people – it seems that this is not enough, because the territory itself is quite large. But it is partially covered by glacier and rocks, making the area uninhabitable. The capital of the state is Reykjavik, it is the northernmost capital in the world. The city is small, you can walk around it length and breadth in one day. The official language is Icelandic, but you won’t have any difficulties communicating: everyone knows English and speaks it tolerably.
Thanks to the unique nature, there are places here that are unlikely to be found anywhere else. For example, the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal pool in which water is heated from underground sources. You can swim in any season – the water temperature is usually about 37-40 degrees and even in the cold season it does not drop lower. A spa center with all treatments and various relaxation areas are also available there. The Blue Lagoon is considered a must-see among tourists – some fly to Iceland just for this pool.
For a change, you can check out Nauthólsvik beach. Geothermal waters with an abundance of beneficial minerals help strengthen the immune system and treat chronic diseases, so this place quickly became popular after the opening of a full-fledged complex in 2000.
In Reykjavik itself, go to the Lutheran Church Hallgrimskirkja, on the top floor of which there is an observation deck. From there you have an excellent view of the city and the mountains nearby. There are many waterfalls on the island, the most famous being Ofairufoss, Aldejarfoss, Dettifoss. All of them are worth getting to. The same can be said about Iceland itself. The tourism sector is well developed, and you definitely won’t have to complain about the lack of interesting places.
Azores
The autonomous region of Portugal consists of nine islands and is located one and a half thousand kilometers from the European shores. This place is not very popular among tourists: people usually come here purposefully, knowing exactly how to spend their time. The archipelago has good conditions for diving and eco-tourism. There are almost no interesting sights, but lovers of active recreation will be satisfied.
The choice of islands depends on your preferences. If you like to lie on the beach under palm trees, go to Santa Maria, Faial or San Miguel. The latter, by the way, hosts off-road safaris, and during the trips you can appreciate the diversity of the landscape: forests and volcanoes give way to almost deserted areas, and frozen lava can be found on the coast. Lovers of a more relaxed and measured holiday will appreciate the island of Flores with seven small lakes and excellent beaches. There are few tourists, so you can find yourself in a rather secluded environment. Just be careful with the holiday season: from October to March the lakes are shrouded in fog. It is best to come to Florish in spring and summer.
You think that you can sunbathe at the dacha, but when traveling you want active recreation? Then go to Pico Island, a favorite place for divers. This is where you will find the best dive sites. The seabed is home to a variety of flora and fauna. If you are lucky, you will meet dolphins or even whales – there are usually a lot of them near the Azores Islands. After a busy day, you can go to the wine museum on Pico.
Architectural attractions are concentrated on the island of Terceira. There are many churches, a palace built in the Baroque style, as well as forts. The Algar do Carvaro cave deserves special mention, which appeared as a result of a volcanic eruption about two thousand years ago. Essentially, the cave is a hundred-meter lava tunnel, at the end of which there is an underground lake of rainwater.
Faroe Islands
These islands, which belong to Denmark, are associated with an unpleasant fact for animal rights activists – the traditional slaughter of whales and dolphins is regularly carried out here. They are driven close to the bay, blocking access to the sea with boats. Then the animals are simply cut out. The shore and water are painted a rich red color. But the slaughter of whales and dolphins is carried out only once a year, and local residents convince the “greens” that this fishery is a long-standing tradition. Although I still feel sorry for the dolphins.
Otherwise, it is a beautiful archipelago, with terrain and architecture similar to Iceland. By the way, it is located right between Iceland and Great Britain, so on the way to one of these countries you can also stop by the Faroe Islands. Tourism is expected to be active: there are no beaches, and the climate is not particularly suitable for sunbathing. Everyone here is left to their own devices, and since there are few tourists, you can isolate yourself from your usual surroundings and relax in a different atmosphere.
The archipelago includes eighteen islands, plus a handful of rocks and very small areas of land. The main diving sites are concentrated on the islands of Esture, Strem, Vida, Bor and Kuna. At the same time, there is only one diving center in all the Faroe Islands – in the city of Klaksvig (Bore Island). Other popular activities include anything related to rock climbing and hiking. It will not be difficult for you to climb into a quiet place and be alone with nature. If you want a little extreme, you can try rappelling, that is, descending from a mountain on a rope, or swim in a sea cave.
If you’re tired of communicating with nature, check out the nightclubs and bars that are abundant on the Faroe Islands. Locals know a lot about this type of holiday, and fun is guaranteed on weekends.
Channel Islands
Two little-known islands, Jersey and Guernsey, are located between Great Britain and France. They do not belong to Great Britain and are not part of it, but are the possession of the British Crown.
These islands have excellent recreational conditions: diving, sailing, windsurfing and other entertainment. If finances allow, you can fly on a private jet. In addition, there are many golf clubs, horse riding tracks and sports centers. Much attention is paid to activities on the water: yacht rental, wakeboarding, canoeing, water skiing and so on.
The Island of Jersey is famous for its private Gerald Durrell Wildlife Park, where rare and endangered species of animals are collected. A huge number of all kinds of living creatures live here: the marmoset, the red-headed varmint, the shelduck, the Mexican hawk tooth and other rare species that only zoologists have heard of. Among the attractions of Jersey, it is worth noting the Elizabeth Castle of the late sixteenth century. In addition, the island annually hosts the Battle of Flowers; this year it will take place on August 11-12. Despite the frightening name, the event looks quite harmless – a column of platforms is moving along the streets, on which various patterns and shapes are laid out in flowers.
In Guernsey you will find many forts and fortresses. By the way, before traveling to Guernsey, we recommend reading Victor Hugo’s novel “Toilers of the Sea,” which describes in detail the customs of local residents and cultural sites of the early 19th century.
Madeira
This archipelago, like the Azores, is part of Portugal, but is autonomous. The place is very popular among tourists who choose unusual travel routes.
The beach season lasts from May to January, and in February–April it is a little cooler in Madeira. The place is well suited for ecotourism and wellness; there are many spa centers and seawater pools on the island. In addition, you can go diving, surfing or take a boat trip.
The capital of the island, Funchal, has an abundance of architectural monuments: the Customs building of the 16th century, the Town Hall of the 18th century and several forts. The number one attraction is usually called the Franciscan Monastery, built in the 16th century, where tourists are shown the process of creating Madeira – fortified wine. You can also buy a bottle of drink there as a souvenir. While traveling around the island, stop by the village of Camara de Lobos, which is notable for the fact that it is home to the “Winston Churchill Point”. This is the place where the British Prime Minister set up his easel, and the landscapes of the island served as inspiration for his paintings.
The small town of Santa Cruz is famous for the largest water park on the island, Aquaparque and Praia dos Reis Magos, and the city itself is good for shopping – there are many boutiques and shops.
