Mainland Europe is home to some of the most significant cities in human history like Paris and Rome. However, the European coastline is over 68,000 km long and there are 310 islands that belong to the continent exclusive of island states like Malta.

Instead of visiting mainland Europe on your next vacation why don’t you take a trip to one of the islands that sit just off its coast? There are tropical, subtropical, and even Arctic islands for you to explore.

Here are seven of the most notable:

Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are a rocky island chain located on Ireland’s western coast. According to the specialists over at aranislands, travelers can find a true Irish experience waiting for them there. Locals speak a mix of Celtic and Irish and there are a number of ancient churches and historical monuments there, including a World Heritage site, Dun Aonghasa. You can find hotels, hostels, and bed and breakfasts there, which makes the Aran Islands a suitable travel destination for people of all budgets. You can take a ferry to them from Doolin, a quintessential Irish village that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

Santorini

Santorini is one of the most photographed places in the world. It is, unsurprisingly, a tourist hotspot. Traveling there is by no means cheap. While there is a mix of hostels, hotels, and bed and breakfasts, getting to and around Santorini can cost a small fortune. Thankfully, people on tight budgets can visit neighboring islands that are just as beautiful. There are thousands of other Greek islands that have just as much charm as Santorini. If you cannot afford to stay in Santorini then you could also just take a day trip there.

Corsica

Corsica is a French island, located a stone’s throw from Sardinia. For the unaware, Sardinia is an Italian territory. As Italy and France are both in Europe’s Schengen Zone you do not need individual visas to travel between them. As long as you have a Schengen visa then you can travel throughout the Schengen Zone freely. Sardinia is accessible from Corsica by a 50-minute ferry that runs several times a day. Corsica is only really worth visiting in summer as throughout the winter the vast majority of hotels and bed and breakfasts are closed. That said, the establishments that are open tend to charge significantly discounted rates making the winter a fantastic time to travel for those on budgets.  

Sicily

Sicily is one of Italy’s most iconic islands. Unfortunately, it is known for its connections to organized crime more than anything else. In spite of the island’s bad reputation, it has an amazing history, friendly locals, and immense natural beauty. Sicily’s history is also incredibly interesting, much more so than many of its neighboring islands. The Sicilian culture is distinct from the culture of mainland Italy. It has been shaped by the many different people who have settled there over the years.

The Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are nestled between the United Kingdom and France. While they are culturally and geographically closer to France, they belong to the United Kingdom. A lot of people are unaware of the fact that the Channel Islands are actually the most expensive places to live in all of the UK. The average wage is significantly higher there than it is in most parts of the British mainland. Notwithstanding the wealth of the Channel Islands, they are a cheap place to travel to. You can get to them by ferry from France or plane from England.

Ibiza

Ibiza is a Spanish island visited by tourists from all around the world each year. However, tourists seldom visit Ibiza to explore history or learn about Spanish culture, they visit to party. Ibiza has some of the best nightclubs, bars, and hotels in all of Europe. The vast majority of travelers to Ibiza are from the United Kingdom, however, in recent years, travellers from other parts of Europe have flocked there too. While Malaga is not a Spanish island it is another place in Spain that is popular with international partygoers. Give either Ibiza or Malaga consideration if you want to travel purely to party.

Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is another British island. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited parts of the United Kingdom, located a stone’s throw from Britain’s south coast. It is an affordable travel destination and a favorite of British families.

Why visit mainland Europe when there are hundreds of islands for you to visit? Many are mentioned here in this post are fantastic places to go if you are on a budget. As islands rely heavily on tourism they tend to offer more affordable prices to those visiting.