Crete, Santorini and Mykonos are among the most familiar names for travelers planning a vacation in the Greek islands. But in the 2026 ranking of Europe's best islands, they were overshadowed by other destinations, some far less familiar to Israeli tourists.
Taking first place was Hydra, a small, picturesque Greek island where cars are virtually nonexistent, ahead of Italy's Sardinia and Greece's Naxos. The rest of the list, which includes 20 islands and island groups across Europe, also holds a few surprises: Crete finished dead last, Mykonos failed to crack the top 10 and Santorini also ranked well below the leaders.
Overtourism in Santorini. The famous island finished just 16th
(Credit: Reuters)
The ranking was published as part of the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards by the British edition of travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller. It is based on a survey conducted between April and June, in which participants were asked to rate travel destinations and experiences.
Greece dominates the list with seven islands, followed by Spain with four entries and Italy with three. The scores reflect the preferences of readers who participated in the survey rather than an objective measure of each destination's quality.
Here are the six islands that topped the ranking.
1. Hydra, Greece
The island that claimed first place lies off the coast of the Peloponnese in the Saronic Gulf, within ferry distance of Athens. Ordinary car traffic is virtually nonexistent on Hydra, where people get around mainly on foot or by boat. The picturesque harbor, surrounded by stone houses and historic mansions, is the center of island life, with narrow alleyways leading to scenic viewpoints and swimming coves.
Hydra harbor
(Photo: trabantos / shutterstock)
Hydra has long attracted artists and creative figures, including singer and poet Leonard Cohen, who lived on the island in the 1960s and even bought a house there.
Unlike islands known for their long sandy beaches, many of Hydra's swimming spots are rocky coves, some accessible by boat. Visitors looking for water parks and sprawling resorts are unlikely to find them here. Hydra's charm lies primarily in its architecture, relaxed pace of life and atmosphere, which sets it apart from bustling tourist destinations.
2. Sardinia, Italy
Just 0.11 points behind the winner is Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. Sardinia offers a combination of white-sand beaches, turquoise coves, traditional villages and archaeological sites. The Costa Smeralda area in the island's northeast is synonymous with yachts and luxury hotels, but other parts of Sardinia offer a much more laid-back vacation.
One of its most spectacular areas is the La Maddalena Archipelago, a national park comprising dozens of small islands and secluded coves with exceptionally clear water. Inland, visitors can explore mountainous landscapes, villages that have preserved local traditions and remnants of the ancient Nuragic civilization.
La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia
(Photo: biletskiyevgeniy.com / shutterstock)
3. Naxos, Greece
Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands, offers a Greek vacation combining long beaches, mountain villages, family-run tavernas and ancient sites. One of its best-known landmarks is the Portara, a massive marble gateway that is all that remains of an ancient temple near the main harbor. It has become one of the island's most popular photography spots.
Plaka Beach offers a long stretch of sand, while inland visitors can explore traditional villages, green valleys and olive groves. Compared with Santorini and Mykonos, Naxos offers a vacation experience that focuses less on nightlife and upscale beach clubs and more on the combination of sea, food and sightseeing.
Agia Anna Beach on Naxos in Greece's Cyclades islands
(Photo: vivooo / shutterstock)
4. Corsica, France
This French island in the Mediterranean is known for its combination of beaches, towering mountains and historic villages. Alongside coves with white sand and turquoise waters, Corsica attracts nature lovers and hikers with its mountain trails, some of which are particularly challenging.
One of the island's most impressive attractions is the red granite cliffs of Piana, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Bonifacio, perched on high limestone cliffs above the sea, is another major draw.
A vacation in Corsica can include a day lounging on the beach followed by a drive along mountain roads through forests, streams and small villages.
The picturesque town of Bonifacio in Corsica
(Photo: Virrage Images / shutterstock)
5. Sicily, Italy
The Mediterranean's largest island offers far more than a beach vacation. In Sicily, visitors can explore the active Mount Etna volcano, wander through Palermo's narrow streets and colorful markets, admire the ancient theater in Taormina and discover Baroque towns, beaches and archaeological sites.
Local cuisine is also an integral part of the experience, from arancini and cannoli to fresh fish and seafood. Throughout its history, Sicily has been influenced by various civilizations, including Greek and Arab cultures. Their combined legacy is evident in the island's architecture, food and local traditions.
Palermo, Sicily
(Photo: saiko3p / shutterstock)
6. Sifnos, Greece
Sifnos is one of the Greek islands that has managed to retain a relatively relaxed atmosphere, despite attracting growing attention in recent years. The small island is known for its whitewashed villages, churches scattered along the cliffs, beaches and rich culinary tradition.
Alongside traditional tavernas, the island is home to restaurants offering modern interpretations of local cuisine. Signature dishes include revithada, a chickpea stew baked for hours in a clay pot, and mastelo, a meat dish slow-cooked with wine and herbs.
Sifnos is also known for its traditional pottery, with workshops in its villages still producing ceramics using time-honored techniques.
The village of Kastro on Sifnos
(Photo: Pawel Kazmierczak / shutterstock)
Rounding out the list of Europe's 20 best islands for 2026, following the top six, are:
7. Menorca, Spain
8. Ibiza, Spain
9. Paros, Greece
10. Mallorca, Spain
11. Faroe Islands
12. Ischia, Italy
13. Hvar, Croatia
14. Madeira, Portugal
A view of the town of Naoussa and its harbor at sunset on the Greek island of Paros
(Photo: Pit Stock / shutterstock)
The picturesque village of Seixal
(Photo: proslgn / shutterstock)
The Blue Lagoon, Malta
(Photo: shutterstock)
15. Malta
16. Santorini, Greece
17. Hyères Islands, France
18. Mykonos, Greece
19. Canary Islands, Spain
20. Crete, Greece
Crete comes in last: A surprise at the bottom of the list
Rounding out the list is Crete, Greece's largest island and one of the most popular vacation destinations among Israelis. According to data from authorities in Crete, nearly 180,000 Israeli tourists visited the island in 2025. Yet in the British magazine's readers' ranking, Crete scored just 87.81 points, placing it 20th.
Balos Beach on the island of Crete
(Photo: tiboss77 / shutterstock)
Crete offers far more than the hotels and resorts lining its northern coast. Its attractions include historic cities such as Chania and Rethymno, the Palace of Knossos from the ancient Minoan civilization, the spectacular Samaria Gorge and famous beaches such as Balos and Elafonissi.
Travelers who venture beyond the resort areas discover a different side of Crete: traditional mountain villages, olive groves and vineyards, winding roads between cliffs and secluded coves along the southern coast.
Village tavernas serve local specialties such as dakos — toasted barley bread topped with tomatoes and cheese — alongside local cheeses, olive oil and raki, the alcoholic spirit closely associated with the island.
Distances between different parts of Crete can be considerable, but that is also part of its charm. Visitors can spend an entire week exploring beaches, mountains, historic towns and small villages and still feel there is much more left to discover.
For the full ranking on the Condé Nast Traveller website, click here.