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Lopud Island, CroatiaThe carless island Lopud in the Elaphiti chain was once the summertime retreat of aristocrats from the mainland. Today it attracts day-trippers heading to its horseshoe-shaped Sunj beach and exploring medieval ruins. Don’t miss the art-filled 15th-century Franciscan monastery in the village of Lopud.
Photograph by Guenter Standl, Redux

Escape to these under-the-radar European islands

Soak up the seascapes on Europe's sun-baked isles.

ByNational Geographic Staff
March 6, 2019

Europe presents many reasons to hop off the storied continent. From the lava caves of Pico to the sun-baked beaches of Pantelleria, soak up seascapes, fishing villages, and local lore in these little-known havens. (Discover the 21 best beaches around the world.)

This piece, adapted from a story that originally appeared in the UK edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine, appeared in the magazine’s August/September 2015 issue. The story was updated in 2019.
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