Thanks to their stunning beaches, delightful cuisines and endless sunbathing opportunities, the likes of Mallorca, Ibiza and Kefalonia have been on our radars for a while. But Expedia® have just revealed their 2026 Island Hot List, which details a whole new wave of island destinations to add to your holiday research.
According to the travel site, searches for islands have risen an average of 55% year-over-year, alongside social media mentions, which are up 20% year-over-year. The Island Hot List highlights 10 fast-rising islands offering travellers an alternative to traditional hotspots, which combine natural beauty, cultural depth, and sometimes even better value.
The one that caught our eye? Porto Santo, a small island in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. Favoured for its wellness and relaxation offering, the island offers nine kilometres of golden sands and turquoise waters, perfect for snorkelling, hanging out and catching some rays.
Vila Baleira is the island's main city; a relaxed, picturesque place that prioritises calm vibes over the party lifestyle. Think lowkey, delicious and drawn out lunches, a slow pace of life and the chance to binge-read your books. The dream.
Expedia® describe it as "a quieter alternative to mainland Europe’s busiest beach destinations, known for its golden sands and relaxed pace." As for the rest of the list?
Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List
- St. Lucia (+125%) - Best for romantic escapes
- Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal (+85%) - Best for wellness and relaxation
- Praslin, Seychelles (+80%) - Best for nature lovers
- Syros, Greece (+60%) - Best for cuisine and charm
- Lofoten Islands, Norway (+50%) - Best for Arctic adventures
- Palawan, Philippines (+40%) - Best for natural wonders
- Culebra, Puerto Rico (+35%) - Best for water adventures
- Sanibel Island, Florida, USA (+25%) - Best for family escapes
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+25%) - Best for affordable luxury
- Fiji (+15%) - Best for multi-generational value
Consider your bucket list, updated!
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
