A pretty UK island has been named as one of the best places in Europe to travel to in 2026. Britain has thousands of islands, many of which make for a stunning break away from modern life. Popular choices include the Isles of Scilly off the Cornwall Coast and the Isle of Wight off the coast of South England. However, neither of these should be your go-to spot in 2026, according to travel experts. Esteemed travel publication Conde Nast Traveller has revealed their European picks for the best travel destinations in 2026, with one underrated UK island making the list.
It is full of amazing scenery and has several incredible distilleries, making for a worthy trip for lovers of whiskey. Home to just over 3,000 people, it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and tourists can have a beautiful few days here like nothing else they will experience in the UK. This is Islay, an island located off the Scottish coast, full of amazing experiences for tourists.
Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides islands, located off the western coast of the Scottish mainland. While the island is a hit with hikers and nature lovers, it is predominantly known for one other thing: whisky.
Considering its relatively small size and population, you might be surprised to learn that there are a total of 10 distilleries on Islay. The island has a rich history when it comes to whiskey, with distilling first started by monks here in the 14th century.
Islay is heavy on peat, which makes it a perfect place for distilling whiskey. Additionally, the island has lochs and rivers filled with pure soft water. The top-rated distillery on Islay, according to reviews from TripAdvisor users, is Laphroaig Distillery, which dates back to 1745.
Here, you can do tours and learn the history of whiskey in Scotland, as well as sample some incredible whiskey. One reviewer said of their experience: “Such a beautiful location and great experience. Learnt a lot, enjoyed the scotch and had a great time. We even made friends.”
The other distilleries located on Islay are Ardbeg, Ardnahoe, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Port Ellen. While whiskey is the big draw here, there are plenty of other things to do on Islay.
There are a few boat trips that tourists can go on, giving them a unique vantage point from which to view the island. There are also stunning walks and beaches, including Kilchiaran Bay, Saligo Bay and Machir Bay on the west coast, as well as Artalla, Claggan Bay and Ardlistry on the east coast.
Getting to Islay is easier than you might think. Boat services run regularly between Islay and Kennacraig on West Loch Tarbert. Visitors can also travel from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland.
As well as Islay, Conde Nast Traveller revealed a slew of spots tourists should consider visiting in 2026. In Europe, the publications highlight the Belgian capital of Brussels, the Greek island of Crete and Frankfurt in Germany, among others.
For the best food, they recommend visiting Seville in Spain. When it comes to “fairytale villages”, they recommend Upper Carniola (Gorenjska), Slovenia.
