Greek Island of Syros Ranks Among World's Top Rising Travel Destinations, Expedia Says

The Greek island of Syros ranked fourth on Expedia's "Island Hot List 2026," part of a broader trend of travelers seeking quieter Cycladic alternatives to Santorini and Mykonos, with searches for the island up 60% year-over-year.

Expedia's list, which tracks travel

St. Lucia topped the list, while destinations spanning five continents rounded out the top ten, including three in Europe among the top five.

Syros drew attention for offering a more authentic Cycladic experience away from crowded tourist hubs.

The island's capital, Ermoupoli, is known for its Venetian mansions, colorful neoclassical buildings and seaside cafes, while Ano Syros, with its marble-paved alleys and medieval character, remains a popular draw. Visitors can swim at the beaches of Galissas and Kini and sample local specialties including traditional Syros loukoumi flavored with rose, bergamot and mastic.

Portugal's Porto Santo ranked second, with searches up 85%, offering a quieter alternative near the more established destination of Madeira, roughly two-and-a-half hours away by ferry.

The island is known for its nine-kilometer golden beach, Praia do Porto Santo, along with the Dunas de Porto Santo sand dunes and the Porto das Salemas natural pools.

Norway's Lofoten Islands rounded out the European entries in fifth place, with searches up 50%, drawing travelers seeking dramatic landscapes combined with outdoor activities.

Visitors can experience the midnight sun in summer, while the months from September through spring offer increased chances of viewing the Northern Lights.

The full top ten list includes St. Lucia; Porto Santo, Portugal; Praslin, Seychelles; Syros, Greece; the Lofoten Islands, Norway; Palawan, Philippines; Culebra, Puerto Rico; Sanibel Island, Florida; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; and Fiji.

By Eleni Kyriakidou

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr

The Greek island of Syros ranked fourth on Expedia's "Island Hot List 2026," part of a broader trend of travelers seeking quieter Cycladic alternatives to Santorini and Mykonos, with searches for the island up 60% year-over-year.

Expedia's list, which tracks travel search and social media trends, found overall online searches for island vacations rose an average of 55% compared to last year, with related social media mentions up roughly 20%.

St. Lucia topped the list, while destinations spanning five continents rounded out the top ten, including three in Europe among the top five.

Syros drew attention for offering a more authentic Cycladic experience away from crowded tourist hubs.

The island's capital, Ermoupoli, is known for its Venetian mansions, colorful neoclassical buildings and seaside cafes, while Ano Syros, with its marble-paved alleys and medieval character, remains a popular draw. Visitors can swim at the beaches of Galissas and Kini and sample local specialties including traditional Syros loukoumi flavored with rose, bergamot and mastic.

Portugal's Porto Santo ranked second, with searches up 85%, offering a quieter alternative near the more established destination of Madeira, roughly two-and-a-half hours away by ferry.

The island is known for its nine-kilometer golden beach, Praia do Porto Santo, along with the Dunas de Porto Santo sand dunes and the Porto das Salemas natural pools.

Norway's Lofoten Islands rounded out the European entries in fifth place, with searches up 50%, drawing travelers seeking dramatic landscapes combined with outdoor activities.

Visitors can experience the midnight sun in summer, while the months from September through spring offer increased chances of viewing the Northern Lights.

The full top ten list includes St. Lucia; Porto Santo, Portugal; Praslin, Seychelles; Syros, Greece; the Lofoten Islands, Norway; Palawan, Philippines; Culebra, Puerto Rico; Sanibel Island, Florida; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; and Fiji.

By Eleni Kyriakidou

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr