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Find your perfect European island drive
European islands offer some of the continent's most iconic drives – ancient coastlines, volcanic mountain passes, and intriguing villages perched above impossibly blue water. But with dozens of islands to choose from, finding the one that matches your style of travel isn't always straightforward.
European islands collectively welcome hundreds of millions of visitors each year, making them among the most sought-after holiday destinations on the planet.
British tourists are the largest international demographic visiting European islands. In 2025, over 10 million Brits visited the Canaries and Balearic Islands, with others also heavily gravitating towards Greek hotspots like Crete and Corfu.
Discover the perfect European island adventure for you
To find the best European islands for road-trippers, Avis analysed European islands across key factors including island size, terrain, elevation, tourist density, Instagram hashtags, and the number of key landmarks.
The result is three ranked lists designed to help you find your perfect island, whether you're chasing dramatic scenery, searching for solitude, or looking for a calming adventure. From the volcanic peaks of Tenerife to the secret coves of Gozo, Europe's islands are made for exploration by car.
Most Scenic European Island Road Trips
The most picturesque island road trips share a handful of qualities: dramatic elevation changes that reward drivers with panoramic viewpoints, plenty of landmarks, and roads that are designed for discovery. Our research scored each island on these factors – combined with Instagram hashtag volume and tourist density – to reveal the European islands that offer the most scenic drives.
1. Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife tops the scenic ranking with a maximum elevation of 3715m and seven key roadside landmarks. With an index score of 83.5, Tenerife is the number one spot for scenery thanks to its high terrain and elevation. It’s no wonder why people have been sharing their images on Instagram in their droves, with 12.4M+ hashtags under #tenerife.
Best visited between April and October, Tenerife is home to Mount Teide National Park, where you can enjoy unmatched views of the area. Other highlights of the island include the famous Siam Park water park, traditional coastal town Garachico and its natural volcanic rock swimming pools, and UNESCO World heritage site San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Wherever you explore in Tenerife, you can enjoy an exceptional visual experience.
2. Gran Canaria, Spain
Gran Canaria secures second place thanks to its incredible mix of volcanic landscapes, historic towns, and golden coastlines. It has six landmarks within easy driving distance and an elevation gain of 1949m at its highest point. Scoring 82.7 on our index, this island rewards drivers who venture beyond the coastal roads.
The best time to visit Gran Canaria is from April to October for beach weather, or November to March for pleasant winter sun and hiking. Top activities include the protected Dunas de Maspalomas sand dunes, hiking up Roque Nublo for breathtaking panoramic views, and exploring the historical villages. Gran Canaria enjoys ‘eternal spring’ all year round so you can enjoy picture perfect scenery any time of year.
3. Madeira, Portugal
Taking third spot on our list is Madeira, with a score of 78.7. Perhaps the most underrated of the three, the island’s score was boosted by six key landmarks and a circuit route of six hours, allowing you to enjoy a spectacular full-day drive. It’s also a popular Instagram spot thanks to its dramatic volcanic landscapes, mild year-round climate, and lush nature, clocking up over 7M hashtags.
The best time to visit Madeira is April to June as the island's famous flowers are in full bloom. While you’re there, the activities are endless. Whether you want to tackle the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ trail connecting Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, go whale watching, or swim in volcanic pools, there’s an idyllic activity for every traveller.
Most Secluded European Island Road Trips
Overtourism has become one of travel's defining conversations, and the pressure is falling on Europe's most popular island destinations. For travellers who prefer their road trips without the queues, the crowds and the overbooked campsites, the answer lies in looking a little further from the obvious choices.
Our research ranked European islands by tourist density, Google search volume, and Instagram presence in order to identify the most secluded European island road trip destinations. Think quiet roads, uncluttered viewpoints, and feeling like a real explorer on the road.
1. El Hierro, Spain
El Hierro is the standout pick for those wanting to escape the crowds, with a score of 80.3. The most remote of the Canary Islands, El Hierro is known for its pristine volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear natural pools. It also has a low tourist density score, making this the perfect road trip for those who want to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Best visited between April-May and September-October due to low visitor numbers and comfortable temperatures, El Hierro has something for everyone. It boasts UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status and has a wide range of natural pools, as well as ample opportunities for whale and dolphin watching, snorkelling, and scuba diving. For something other worldly, El Sabinar is a must-visit spot where harsh Atlantic winds have twisted ancient juniper trees into surreal, sweeping shapes.
2. Lesbos, Greece
Coming in second is Lesbos in Greece, with an index score of 77.1. Due to its immense size, Lesbos is the perfect location for a secluded road trip and a car is recommended in order to experience all of the landscapes and picturesque fishing villages it has to offer. It has a low road trip search volume yet six key landmarks for you to enjoy.
Among these are Molyvos and Mytilene castles, known for their stunning architecture. Alternatively, there are plenty of beaches on offer as well as Eftalou Hot Springs and The Petrified Forest & Natural History Museum for those who want to get in touch with nature. May to June and September to October are peak visiting times if you want to avoid the crowds.
3. Samos, Greece
Another Greek delight is third on our list: the delightful island of Samos, which boasts mythological heritage, hidden natural wonders, and pristine coastlines. With low tourist density and road-trip search volume, you can enjoy clear roads and breathtaking views.
Samos is ideal for a May to October road trip, and there’s plenty of opportunity for you to immerse yourself in history, culture, and nature. Visit The Heraion of Samos, enjoy the refreshing Potami waterfalls, or kick back and relax on the exotic Psili Ammos Beach.
4. La Gomera, Spain
If ancient laurisilva forests, dramatic ravines, and black-sand beaches spark joy then La Gomera is the perfect secluded destination for your future road trip. With a low search volume and number of Instagram hashtags, La Gomera is a brilliant secret getaway.
March to May are the best times for avoiding crowds, plus you can enjoy vibrant, blooming landscapes. Visit Garajonay National Park to get in touch with nature, and hike to Alto de Garajonay, the island’s highest peak offering stunning views of Mount Teide.
5. Gotland, Sweden
Gotland is Sweden’s largest, yet most secluded, island. With Baltic coastlines and deep medieval history, Gotland boasts a low tourist density score and is an ideal road trip destination.
May and September are the most peaceful months, and some of the key landmarks include wandering the Visby city walls, visiting Langhammars Sea Stack Field, and exploring the medieval churches.
Best Stress-Free European Island Road Trips
Not every island road trip needs to be a white-knuckle challenge. For families with young children, nervous drivers, or anyone who wants to explore without worrying about stressful roads, the right island makes all the difference. Our stress-free ranking combines three key factors: average road elevation, EV charging station density, and island circuit distance, rewarding compact, well-connected islands where the logistics take care of themselves.
With an index score of 72.6, Pag in Croatia is our top location for a stress-free island road trip. It has a low elevation and terrain score, meaning you and your family can explore the whole coastline in a single day. Croatia is a hub of stress-free islands, with Korčula and Brač rounding up the top three thanks to their low tourist density. In fourth place, Gozo in Malta is the smallest island on the list and offers peaceful serenity within a two hour drive, alongside a high EV charging station density. Finally, the United Kingdom’s Isle of Man is a stress-free haven in fifth place, thanks to its low tourist density.
Top tips for stress-free family island road trips
Looking for a stress-free road trip that the whole family will enjoy? Here’s some of our top tips for organising an European island trip to remember.
- Book your hire car in advance – Island fleets are smaller than mainland locations, and the most family-friendly vehicles tend to go first in peak seasons.
- Plan your time – Remember to budget more time than you think. Island speed limits are typically lower than mainland roads, and you'll want to stop often to embrace the views. An itinerary is a great idea but make sure you factor in time to stop and appreciate the island’s offerings.
- Check EV charger and fuel availability – make sure you check that there are charging and refuel points along your route to avoid your journey being interrupted unexpectedly.
- Download offline maps before you set off – Mobile signal can be patchy in island interiors – having Google Maps or Maps.me saved offline means you won't be caught out.
Conclusion
Europe's islands are endlessly varied – in landscape, atmosphere, and the kind of drive they offer. Whether you're drawn to the drama of volcanic peaks, the peace of a lesser-known shoreline, or the ease of a family-friendly coastal loop, there's an island road trip designed for you.
Wherever your road trip takes you, Avis has pick-up locations on islands across Europe, from the Canaries to Croatia, Corsica to the Isle of Man. Browse our island car hire locations and start planning your route.
Methodology
Each island was assessed against a range of road-trip suitability factors, including terrain, elevation, number of landmarks, tourist density, EV charging availability and online travel interest (Google Search Volume & Instagram hashtags), with each metric normalised and combined into a weighted index to produce a final score out of 100 for each ranking.