Not every island is a beach paradise – some are literally just rocks jutting out of the sea. But for the most part, islands make for ideal holiday destinations, being surrounded by water and offering enough isolation that you can forget about the rest of the world for a bit.
There are loads of gorgeous islands on the planet to choose from, but which ones have the best beaches, the most things to do, a range of affordable hotels and decent weather? Luggage storage platform Bounce has figured all of that out to create a new ranking of the best island holidays for 2024.
Claiming the number one spot, thanks to its warm waters (which reach 30C in April), an abundance of things to do (of which there are nearly 3,000), and reasonable prices for a hotel stay (at £149 –€174, $187 – on a weekend), it’s Phuket in Thailand.
Beaches are obviously gonna be a priority on an island break, but Phuket does have lots going on if you get a bit bored of sunbathing – have a look at our guide to the best things to do and the best nightlife spots.
In second place, it’s Zanzibar, which scores particularly well for its affordability – a hotel stay is just £128 (€150, $160), and a local beer is just £1.55 (€1.80, $1.95). In third place, it’s Crete, and the Greek island boasts an incredible 228 beaches and 3,110 things to do – check some of those out here.
The best island holidays for 2024
- Phuket, Thailand
- Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Crete, Greece
- Puerto Rico, Caribbean
- Majorca, Spain
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Mauritius
- Aruba
- Bali, Indonesia
- Ibiza, Spain and Sardinia, Italy
To read a little more about Bounce’s study, have a look here.
Did you see that this country has been voted the world’s most beautiful?
Plus: These are officially the best beaches in the world in 2024.
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