11 Best Vacation Islands on Earth

There are thousands of islands in the world. The most desirable islands are usually little slivers of paradise in the tropics, used for decades as romantic honeymoon escapes, extravagant holidays, or just an exotic destination far away from the ‘’real world.’’ We all need to get away sometimes, right? There are plenty of choices, but with regions like the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, picking the perfect island destination for your next vacation can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you. Whether you’re into beach lounging, high-end resorts, hiking, scuba diving, or history – we’ve got you covered with the 11 best vacation islands on Earth.

1) Santorini, Greece

Picture this: Tier after tier of white-washed houses cover the jagged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean on a gorgeous exotic Greek island. While all the Greek islands are stunning in their own way, it’s Santorini that gets the most praise for its iconic land and seascape. Santorini is a part of the Cyclades island group and is actually made up of several islands. The biggest and most frequented by travelers is Thira. The variety and quality of things to do is pretty amazing for one small island. Tourists who want to just relax love lounging on the striking red and black sand beaches. History lovers swoon over the number of significant archeological sites, namely the Ancient Akrotiri. For active folks, committing to the 12-mile round trip hike from Fira to Oia is the best way to experience the island. The trek boasts exceptional viewpoints, traditional villages, several more ancient ruin sites.