Europe's Best Islands for a Road Trip This August

Choose an island, skip the mainland queue

Europe's islands are the smart answer for a summer road trip. Euronews Travel just ranked the best ones for calm driving with scenery and little traffic. The list rewards slow drivers, not record-breakers. Check the ranking, then move fast. August is high season and car hire sells out.

Book the ferry before the car

Ferries to most islands need booking days ahead in August, not hours. A car on board takes limited space, so reserve the crossing and the rental car together before you fly. Aim for Tuesday or Wednesday departures if you can. Ports are calmer midweek.

Drive short, stop often

Coastal roads are winding and narrow. A distance that looks short on the map can take twice as long in summer. Plan no more than two or three hours of driving per day. Leave room for spontaneous stops at beaches and viewpoints. That is the point of an island road trip.

Stick to one island

If you have five days, do not try to hop between three islands. Stay on one and explore it properly. You lose a full morning to every ferry crossing, baggage and queuing. One good base plus daily loops beats a rushed island hop every time.

One more thing

Check the official ferry operator's site for current crossing times.

Book a rental car you can cancel.

Prices vary a lot between August and September, so compare options before you commit. If you can shift the trip to September, you will find more space and sharper deals.