The 10 best islands in the world revealed and THREE are in Europe

Whether you’re looking for a palm-fringed beach or a cultural hotspot, at least one of these gorgeous islands is bound to be an ideal holiday destination.

Palawan, Philippines. Score: 93.15

If you’re looking for postcard perfect, you can’t go wrong with the archipelagic province of Palawan. The main island of Palawan is long and narrow – but the whole province is made up of roughly 1,780 islands and islets surrounding it.

This sparsely population region is home to vivid blue and emerald green lagoons, jungle-filled mountains and incredibly rare wildlife from purple crabs and Philippine pangolin which resembles an anteater covered in large scales. It’s also been named as one of the best scuba diving spots in the world.

Only measuring a mere 12-miles long by five-miles wide, this little island is packed full of adventure.

Long known as a golfer’s paradise, the island has plenty more to offer than just sport. This dreamy island in South Carolina has also been named as having one of the top 10 family beaches in the USA.

Boracay Island, Philippines. Score: 89.67

Palm-lined beaches, clear waters and powder white sand beaches draw tourists to the little island of Boracay.

Only an hour’s flight from Cebu or Manila, the tiny island measuring just over 4-miles long and 500-metres wide offers scuba diving, boat tours and kiteboarding. It’s also known for its relaxation offerings including luxurious spas.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Score: 89.20

This remote island in the Pacific Ocean lies some 620-miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. Visiting the Galápagos is considered ‘the trip of a lifetime’ for many.

This volcanic archipelago, made up of 19 islands, boasts wildlife and landscapes which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Wildlife includes sea lions, marine iguanas, bottlenose dolphin, albatrosses and penguins.

It’s also got its place in history: visited by Charles Darwin in 1835, his observations later inspired his theory of evolution including the ‘survival of the fittest’.

This photogenic island in instantly one of the world’s most recognisable. A regular holiday spot for celebrities, Santorini is characterised by its white cliffs, overlooking the turquoise Mediterranean sea.

On top are the glamorous whitewashed buildings which make this place so postcard perfect. It was also the filming location for blockbuster hit Mamma Mia!

Maui, Hawaii. Score: 89.17

The second largest of the Hawaiian islands, Maui boasts diverse landscapes and what’s believed to be some of the best beaches in the world. With so much choice, that’s no surprise. The island is home to white, red and even black-sanded beaches.

There’s almost too much outdoors beauty to pick from in Maui – from lying on the golden sands of Kapalua Bay to watching whale watching off the Lahaina. Don’t leave the island without visiting Haleakala National Park to watch the breathtaking sunrise.

Kauai, Hawaii. Score: 88.72

A short 45-minute flight to Kauai, otherwise known as the ’Garden Isle’ is the oldest and northernmost island, graced with untouched splendour including waterfalls, rainforests and dramatic landscapes.

Visit Wailua Falls, Kauai’s most popular waterfall or see the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’, Waimea Canyon which is ten-miles long, one-mile wide and 1,066-metres deep. It’s also home to Poipu Beach, a series of golden sand crescents, which has been voted as one of America’s best.

This volcanic island is the largest island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, 20-miles off the coast of Naples.

Ischia’s Italian charm was made famous by the novelist Elena Ferrante, who used the island as the summer getaway for the characters in her Neapolitan novels. Famed for its mountains and hot springs, the island also has miles of spectacular coastline.

Its more famous neighbour Capri was the location for the 1999-film The Talented Mr. Ripley, which attracts many tourists. Ischia has less crowds.

Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia. Score: 87.75

Boasting the legendary Yacht Week, Hvar has a hedonistic buzz about it. The pretty old town is the island’s hub, drawing around 20,000 people a day in high season.

The waterfront promenade is lined by palm trees and iconic 13th-century walls. Hvar is a fertile island with hillsides covered in picturesque lavender fields, vineyards and olive groves. The 79 Dalmatian Islands include Hvar, Brac, Korcula and Vis.

Bali, Indonesia. Score: 87.61

The word ‘paradise’ is commonly used to describe Bali and this is not without reason. One of the most visited out of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, Bali is a combination of exotic culture, spiritual temples, magnificent beaches and stunning nature.

Kuta and Seminyak are two of the island’s most famous beaches. Whilst Kuta is popular for its resorts, Seminyak boats an impressive 3-mile run of pristine white sands, lined with beach bars, hotels and restaurants.