Among the azure waters, sandy stretches of beach and quaint towns, there is one Greek Island that rules them all… at least for 2018. Declared not only the best Greek Island, but best island in Europe over all for this year, is Paros.
Paros is the winner of Travel + Leisure 2018 World’s Best Awards in the Best Island category (FYI for whoever judges these, we are so in). Naturally, the Greek Islands often dominate the list but more famous islands like Ios and Santorini have taken a back seat to the charming isle of Paros. Although that’s only if you have to choose just one island to visit, obviously we’re in support of a full Greek Sailing trip!
About it’s win, Travel + Leisure said: “Páros lands the most coveted space on the world’s best list this year thanks to some of the most glorious beaches in the Aegean and its charming Cycladic villages of whitewashed buildings. Naousa, a traditional fishing town, has one of the most beautiful ports in Greece. Kolymbithres, a beach on the northern coast, is renowned for its unique granite formations. Though everyone who’s been there comes back raving about it, Páros remains undiscovered. As one reader stated, “Páros is a hidden gem.”
Paros may have taken first place in the very stiff competition, but other Greek Islands still made the cut, with Santorini coming in 4th, Crete at 5th, Milos 6th, Mykonos 9th and Corfu in tenth place. Getting 6 out of 10 places in the list ain’t too shabby at all, Greece!
The full list of Best Islands isn’t all summer paradises though, with Scotland’s isolated islands getting a couple looks in. Here’s the full list:
- Paros, Greece
- Orkney Isnads, Scotland
- Azores, Portugal
- Santorini, Greece
- Crete, Greece
- Milos, Greece
- Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland
- Sicily, Italy
- Mykonos, Greece