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10 Most beautiful islands of Europe

The most beautiful islands in Europe can boast having the unique landscapes and authentic cultural heritage, romantic coastlines, and cozy towns. Each of them is attractive in its own way but also all of them are united by the attention of tourists, holidaymakers, and travelers.

 There are many beautiful islands in Europe region, it is hard to list all of them and describe their beauty as every island is unique and has its own destinations and reasons why people love them. I listed only 10, but there are more islands I could add to this list. Such as Gran Canaria, Madeira, Hvar, Tenerife, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Kerkyra, Lanzarote, Menorca, and others. Every person can find his own paradise in any of those islands. Have you been on any of them? 

Sicily

The largest Mediterranean island Sicily, though it belongs to Italy, is an autonomous region with a distinct culture. The Greek, Roman, Arabic, Byzantine cultures left their traces in Sicilian history, architecture and local traditions. This island is sometimes referred to as the bridge between Europe and Africa's continents. The Etna volcano located on the island of Sicily is one of the world's largest volcanoes and the highest volcano in Europe (3320 m).

Santorini

The volcanic island of Santorini is one of the most romantic islands in the Mediterranean. This crescent-shaped island attracts tourists and vacationers with unique landscapes, cozy streets in small towns, and white homes that have become a Greek's business card, adorned with sea-blue accents. The Santorini Island is volcanic, and the island's volcano has been active so far, although its last eruption occurred more than half a century ago. Scientists say that after the extinction of the Santorum volcano, Mino's civilization collapsed, flourishing about 4,000 years ago in Crete.

Corsica

Wild sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs, breathtaking fauna and vineyards, citrus plantations and olive groves typical of the Mediterranean coastline are just a few words that describe the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, Corsica. During different periods, the island was ruled by Cartagineses, Romans, Goths, Saracens. Although the official language of the island is French, the Corsicans speak Italian and do not consider themselves French. Most of the Corsicans are proud of their most famous fellow countryman, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in the island's capital Ajaccio.

Crete

Crete, the largest island in Greece, long time has been charming travelers and holidaymakers with the beauty and diversity of nature, rocky shores, green valleys and the blue sea. On the island lies the longest European canyon - Samaria. Crete has the first European civilization, its traces today can be found at the ruins of the Knossos Palace, built 4,000 years ago.

Capri

The cliffs of relatively small island Capri are between Naples and Salerno. The Greek name of the island (capros) means a wild boar. The rest on the island of Capri people loved from the Roman times when the Roman emperor Tiberius in I age have settled his residence here. In XIX century, the vacationers have discovered the island again: first of all, due to the magnificent nature. Visitors are fascinated by the rocky and high shores of the island, and there are caves, arches, groves, most notably is a Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzura). The rays of the sun, which pass through the clear blue sea water, create an incredible light effect in this grotto area.

Iceland

This island of volcanic origin in the north of the Atlantic Ocean is full of contrasts. Iceland is famous for its abundance of coastal fiords, still working volcanoes, geysers, icebergs and hot springs. Volcanic eruption and earthquakes are quite common in Iceland. In Iceland, there are about 200 volcanoes in total, of which 30 are constantly working. Approximately a tenth of the island is covered by permanent glaciers, but Iceland's greatest celebrity is the Great Geyser, from which the generic word "geyser" also came out.

Rhode

One of the seven wonders of the Ancient World, Rhodo Colosseum, once stood on Greece's island of Rhodes, near the coast of Turkey. The impressive size of the solar god's Helium statue marked the gate to the port of Rhodes. According to Greek mythology, the Rhode Island was born when the god of the sun, Helie joined a nymph named Rhode. The island is raised from the sea, and its inhabitants are considered children of the sun god.

Sardinia

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, belonging to Italy. The island is famous not only for its pleasant climate but also for its beautiful sandy beaches, romantic hills, and grottoes. In Sardinia, there is a legend about the giants descended from the stars which once lived on this island. Until now, mystical giant tombstones and unconventional cone-shaped creations have survived, whose true purpose is covered in mystery.

Cyprus

The island of Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily and Sardinia). On the island, the sun is constantly shining: an average of 340 days a year! The island attracts not only by beautiful beaches but also by cultural heritage - Greek temples, authentic ceramic works, Roman mosaics, and magnificent Mediterranean cuisine. Paphos, located on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a world cultural and natural treasure and is famous for the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of Greek love and beauty.

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Written by Fortune

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