Let’s be honest: Just the words “tropical islands to visit in Europe” are bound to raise some eyebrows.
Europe is known for having a lot of great things, but the tropics aren’t really one of them. Geographically Europe is in a temperate zone, so the idea of Europe being a tropical place is not very familiar in this part of the world.
Oh, and when I say tropical, I don’t just mean hot places. Yes, that’s important too (there’s a reason why tropical beaches are famous), but I’m talking about the humidity and prerequisites that make these destinations lush and soooo green. It’s raining. With that in mind, here are five tropical islands to visit in Europe and why you should incorporate them into your travel plans right away. 😄
1.) La Gomera, Spain
The entire Canary Islands are known for their year-round sunshine, but what really sets La Gomera apart is that it is the only island in the world where people still use the ‘whistle language’. Besides the fact that it is one of the places in the world. , its jungle is something not often found in other Canary Islands.
On La Gomera you can find all kinds of plants that you will never find anywhere else in the Canary Islands (and definitely not in mainland Europe). Oh, and by the way, you’re not trading the jungle for the beach here, you’re getting both.
The main reason for the island’s dense vegetation is the trade wind clouds (and the moisture they bring) that get caught up in La Gomera’s dramatic mountains (the island is volcanic and therefore a giant mountain). It’s the perfect mix of heat and humidity typical of tropical destinations.
In short, La Gomera is one of the places you must visit if you want to have a variety of experiences. Don’t forget to pack your clothes properly too. 🙂
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check out Other Canary Islands should also be visited here.
24 things to see and do in the Canary Islands
2.) British Isles of Scilly
Even if we only look at warm countries (including the tropical islands of Europe), we cannot take into account the whole of the UK. Of course, this is not to say that such a system does not exist in the UK. There are many wonderful islands to visit (Far from it), it’s not the kind of place most people would think of as a sunny vacation spot. But that’s probably because most people don’t know much about the Isles of Scilly.
Now, given how high the UK is, it must actually be much colder than it is. The UK is actually on the same latitude as a good deal of Canada, but it’s much warmer thanks to the Gulf Stream, which feeds much of the country. They appreciated the warmth of tropical regions such as Mexico and Florida.
The Isles of Scilly are just off the bottom of the UK and are therefore much warmer than the rest of the country. This is a place where you wouldn’t be surprised to find palm trees, and where glass-clear water is a given. The best part is that this is one of the most unspoilt areas in the UK. That’s why people still use honest boxes here.
For the uninitiated, an Honesty Box is a payment box that is essential for paying for items in a store or booth without the presence of the store or booth owner. This is an unthinkable idea in London (you’ll end up with a pretty empty box at the end of the day), but it’s a really great one in terms of showcasing the best of the British community.
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check out Click here for a week-long itinerary to visit the Isles of Scilly.
A week-long itinerary to visit the British Tropical Isles of Scilly
3.) Azores, Portugal
The Azores are truly Portugal’s answer to Iceland. These volcanic islands also benefit from the Gulf Stream, so they are typically much warmer than mainland Europe. It’s also quite rainy (I think it’s similar to the UK), but don’t let that put you off from bringing your swimsuit, sunglasses and all your beach gear. “Wet” doesn’t just mean it’s raining. Time-wise, that means it rains a bit more than mainland Portugal.
Again, these are not islands where you want to spend too much time on the beach. Not because the beaches aren’t beautiful, but because there’s so much to see and do on the island that it’s easy to waste your time. I’ve been here for a week or two and I still haven’t experienced everything.
Even if you’ve never thought of visiting the Azores, you’ll find Europe’s tropical islands more impressive than you ever imagined. There is no other place quite like it.
4.) Madeira Island, Portugal
Speaking of surprising destinations, Madeira was one of the most recent surprising discoveries we made during our travels. Interestingly, back home in the UK, it’s just one of those places you might dismiss as just a beach holiday, but there’s much more to Madeira.
What makes Madeira special is how diverse the island is. You can be on a cloud (literally), freezing your butt off, and just a short drive away to the beach in the sweltering tropical heat (preferably with a cocktail in hand 😉 🍸). Then head inland and you might find yourself hiking through the jungle. It’s absolutely incredible how many seasons he can feel in one day from this one island.
This diversity, of course, means that Madeira is partly tropical and partly temperate. Also, depending on the time of the year, parts of the island can experience positive arctic conditions (although other parts maintain tropical conditions). . Madeira is truly amazing.
Add in the nearby island of Porto Santo (home to some great beaches), and a vacation to Madeira quickly becomes the European tropical island getaway you need in your itinerary.
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Here it is Madeira travel guide to help you plan your trip.
16 Things to Do on Madeira Island
5.) Polkroll, France
You’d be forgiven if you’ve never heard of this small French island on the edge of southern France. There are about 200 people living there and it’s protected so you literally can’t even pick flowers here. Quite small, but perfect.
In other words, Porquerolle, France has crystal clear blue waters and small coves similar to the Caribbean Sea, perfect for spending the day soaking up the Mediterranean sun.
In fact, Porqueroll is not a tropical island in the true sense of the word. Its tropical character is associated with its landscape, atmosphere, beautiful sandy beaches and endless sunshine. It’s a rather rustic destination, and since you can’t drive or camp here, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered onto a tropical island that feels much further away than mainland France.
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