20 of Europe's most beautiful islands that have direct flights from the UK – and some of the world's best beaches
Here are 20 of the best
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Some of the destinations have the most beautiful beaches in the world
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Corfu
The buildings are orange rather than the classic white and blue because of Venetian influence and the island is famous for its old town full of shops and cafes.
One
You can fly from Birmingham airport to Corfu (CFU) in three hours 10 minutes with easyJet one-way flights start at £23.99 (on October 20, 2025).
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Corsica
The island has over 200 beaches and is known for having chic shops, cafés and restaurants.
The island is also a great place to hop on a boat tour. There's one that stops off to enjoy a Corsican wine tasting hosted by a sommelier and a local wine-grower while watching the sunset.
You can fly from London Gatwick airport to Corsica (BIA) in two hours 14 minutes with easyJet one-way flights start at £39.89 (on September 23, 2025).
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Crete
It has ancient ruins, but also incredible beaches, including one of the best in the world.
The TUI guide to Crete from best beaches to passport rules
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Elafonisi Beach is known for it's rare pink sand
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One
You can fly from London Gatwick airport to Crete (HER) in three hours 55 minutes with easyJet one-way flights start at £38.99 (on November 2, 2025).
Fuerteventura
For a summer feeling on sandy beaches head to
Highlights on the island include Corralejo and the Jandía peninsula, and the
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You can fly from London Stansted airport to Fuerteventura (FUE) in four hours 20 minutes with Ryanair one-way flights start at £21.00 (on November 26, 2025).
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The Canary Islands are popular and only hours away from the UK
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Gran Canaria
There's lots to do on the island of
From exploring the
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The island also has busy nightlife too with busy bars and nightclubs.
You can fly from
Ibiza
Ibiza is a popular Mediterranean island when it comes to but beaches, but especially the nightlift.
Dubbed the party island, it has recently
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You can fly from
Kefalonia
It's never actually reached number one, but Myrtos Beach has been named as one of the best in Greece more than ten times.
It's no surprise really as it's adorned with white pebbles, has a cliff backdrop and bright blue waters.
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When one
You can fly from Manchester airport to Kefalonia (EFL) in three hours 45 minutes with easyJet one-way flights start at £29.99 (on October 25, 2025).
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Kos not only has beaches, but natural hot springs too
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Kos
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While visiting the island, one
You can fly from London
Lanzarote
The
Locals revealed to
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You can fly from London Southend to Lanzarote (ACE) in four hours 5 minute with easyJet - one-way flights start at £15 (on November 24, 2025).
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La Palma has bustling towns and volcanic black sand beaches
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La Palma
La Palma is another of the Canary Islands known for forest landscape and beaches with volcanic black sand.
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One of the most famous landmarks is the
Visitors who reach the top can gaze at the valley below from 8,000 feet in the air.
You can fly from London Gatwick to La Palma (SPC) in four hours 25 minute with TUI - one-way flights start at £136 (on November 13, 2025).
Madeira
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The
You can fly from London Luton to Madeira (FNC) in three hours 55 minute with easyJet- one-way flights start at £41.99 (on October 13, 2025).
Majorca
Trusty
It's the most popular of the Balearic Islands, the capital city of
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You can fly from Manchester to Majorca (PMI) in two hours 35 minutes with Ryanair - one-way flights start at £15 (on July 23, 2025).
Menorca
It has four main towns,
including,
You can fly from London Stansted to Menorca (MAH) in two hours 25 minutes with Ryanair - one-way flights start at £21.99 (on August 21, 2025).
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Mykonos has sun, sea, sand and windmills
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Mykonos
Over the years it's become popular with celebrities too like Beyonce and the Hemsworth brothers.
There's even a
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You can fly from London Gatwick to Mykonos (JMK) in three hours 50 minutes with easyJet- one-way flights start at £38.99 (on August 25, 2025).
Rhodes
Dubbed as the quieter neighbour of Crete and Santorini, Rhodes is the place to be, and as one
They discovered the nightlife too with rooftop bars and fine dining at Mystilli Roof Garden.
You can fly from London Luton to Rhodes (RHO) in four hours and 10 minutes with easyJet- one-way flights start at £32.99 (on October 21, 2025).
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Santorini
While some try to steer away from the busier Greek islands, there are some you have to see for yourself - like
Popular sites are the blue-domed churches and views of the houses carved into the cliffs.
You can fly from London Stansted to Santorini (JTR) in three hours 50 minutes with Ryanair - one-way flights start at £34.99 (on September 28, 2025).
Sardinia
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You can fly from London Stansted to Sardinia (AHO) in two hours 30 minutes with Ryanair - one-way flights start at £18 (on September 28, 2025).
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Siscily has striking cliffs and plenty of vineyards inland too
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Sicily
Just under two miles from the Italian mainland is the island of
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With ancient ruins, incredible food, plenty of vineyards and beautiful coastlines, the island is understandably a popular destination for Brits.
You can fly from London Stansted to
Tenerife
Sun, sea and sand,
One Sun Writer visited
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You can fly from London Luton to Tenerife (TFS) in four hours 20 minute with Ryanair - one-way flights start at £21 (on September 17, 2025).
Zante
Also known as Zakynthos,
It's a great location for holidaymakers wanting to relax and have fun during the evening at local bars and clubs too.
In 2023,
in the world by the travel website
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You can fly from London Stansted to Zante (ZTH) in three hours 25 minute with Ryanair - one-way flights start at £29.99 (on October 21, 2025).
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These 20 European islands have direct flights and incredible beaches
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