Europe’s little islands prettier than Tenerife or Ibiza with hardly any tourists

Tourists fed up with Tenerife and Ibiza‘s increasingly crowded tourist scene can try a similar, more beautiful set of islands several thousands of miles away.

The two Spanish territories have been targeted by campaign groups in recent months, who have organised protests against the conditions caused by overcrowding and illegal renting.

Several of these issues have routes in the tourism-focussed economies, with some people now looking elsewhere ahead of this year’s summer holidays.

Holidaymakers seeking a comparable island stay need look no further than Norway‘s west coast.

The country, while not famous for its warmth, is home to an archipelago that offers unrivalled views.

Lofoten, an archipelago that extends into the Norwegian Sea, is located on Norway’s northwestern flank, on the opposite end of the Scandinavian nation to its capital, Oslo.

The chain consists of six major islands, including Austvågøy, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøy, Moskenesøy, Værøy and Røst, each crisscrossed by fjords and narrow straits.

Residents have historically been fishermen who have built up tight-knit communities scattered through the area, with their red, timber-framed homes named Rorbus having become local icons.

Many of those homes are now used to house tourists, who come to soak in the local sights and enjoy its atypically mild temperatures during the summer.

Despite being north of the Arctic Circle, Lofoten is mild, at least compared to other parts of Norway.

Temperatures during the summer months tend to reach between 10C and 16C, and the area is no stranger to sunshine.

The height of the season, between May 25 and July 19, brings near-constant sunlight.

The archipelago’s position so far north means that, during summer, tourists who stay locally experience the phenomenon known as “midnight sun”.

Aside from its exceptional beauty, Lofoten is also known for its wildlife – including puffins and sea eagles – ancient paintings at Kollhellaren Cave and the Viking longhouse at Borg, the largest of its kind in the world.

Those looking for a taste of the Spanish islands 3,000 miles to the south are all set as well, as Lofoten also boasts a host of picturesque beaches.