25 Must-Visit Islands: From Fishing Villages to Cities

1. Sardinia (Italy)

Sardinia is a large Mediterranean island with a population of about 1.6 million.

It features both small fishing villages (e.g., Bosa) and the city of Cagliari, which serves as a major port and urban centre.

It appears in travel-lists for 2025 as a top food-and-culture island.

Practical tip: Combine a few days in the countryside with time in Cagliari for city restaurants and museums.

2. Paros (Greece)

Paros, in the Cyclades, is trending strongly for 2025.

It presents a mix of traditional village life (whitewashed villages like Naoussa) and a lively town/port area with nightlife and ferry links.

Ideal for island-hopping: easy access to Mykonos and Naxos via ferry.

3. Madeira (Portugal)

Madeira is an Atlantic island noted for its botanical diversity, rugged landscape, and seaside city Funchal.

It’s recognised in traveller-lists for 2025 as well.

Practical note: The city offers airports and infrastructure; outlying villages offer fishing-village character.

4. Sri Lanka (Island nation)

Although Sri Lanka is a large island nation, it qualifies for this list because it blends city life (Colombo) with coastal fishing villages and inland countryside.

It was ranked number one in one “most beautiful islands” list in 2025.

Tip: Spend time in Colombo, then move to small-town beaches or tea-country villages.

5. The Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)

Famous for biodiversity and wildlife; considered among top island destinations for 2025.

Less city-urban than most of the list, but you’ll find main hubs (e.g., on Santa Cruz) and remote village life elsewhere.

Practical: Book early; visitor-quota controls apply in parts.

6. Maldives

An archipelago of atolls known for resort islands and underwater life; listed in 2025 hot-lists.

Although many islands are resorts, there are inhabited islands with local village life too.

Tip: If you want a fishing-village atmosphere, look for guesthouses on local islands rather than resort-only stays.

7. Fiji

Fiji appears in the “islands to visit 2025” lists for community and culture. 

Offers both small-scale village life on outer islands and more developed town‐centres on the main islands.

Practical: Use one of the larger towns as your base then island-hop.

8. Jamaica

Jamaica is listed among the top islands for culture in 2025.

Kingston provides city life; coastal fishing villages and small towns provide a contrasting experience.

Tip: Combine a stay in Kingston with visits to Port Antonio or the Blue Mountains for village perspective.

9. Aruba

Recognised for year-round sunshine in the 2025 island-list.

Offers tourist infrastructure plus local islander life in smaller settlements.

Practical: Stay partly in Oranjestad, then visit smaller towns away from the main resort belt.

10. Koh Samui (Thailand)

Listed for “affordable luxury” in 2025 data.

Provides both lively beach towns (Chaweng) and quieter village beaches and inland fishing hamlets.

Tip: Rent a scooter and explore the less-developed east coast away from main resorts.

11. Oʻahu (USA – Hawaii)

Recognised for surfing and cultural renewal in 2025.

Honolulu gives urban island city life; further out you’ll find fishing villages and small communities.

Tip: Spend time beyond Waikiki to see how the island works outside the resort zone.

12. Ischia (Italy)

In the Bay of Naples, Ischia offers both fishing villages and spa-town infrastructure.

Practical: Use the town of Ischia Porto as base and venture into smaller villages for local flavour.

13. Menorca (Spain)

Menorca offers quieter Mediterranean island life with villages and town centres.

Practical: Stay in Ciutadella for town amenities and explore local coves and villages inland.

14. Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Zanzibar (Unguja) was cited in a list of must-visit island spots.

Stone Town gives a historic city feel; the rest of the island and nearby islets include fishing-based villages.

Tip: Stay nights in Stone Town, then move to a village along the coast for basic local stays.

15. Hiva Oa (French Polynesia)

Remote Marquesas island featuring village life and limited infrastructure; featured in 2025 lists.

Practical: Longer travel required; this is for more adventurous travellers seeking low-key destinations.

16. Sardinia (re-mention for city + village combo)

As noted earlier, Sardinia gives the mix of smaller communities and urban centre; useful to emphasise the villages to city combination.

17. The Scilly Isles (UK)

Mentioned in lists for 2026 as a lesser-known island with village life.

Practical: Easier from the UK; small scale, small towns and strong village feel.

18. Azores (Portugal)

Though not in major headlines, the Azores appear in traveller discussions as islands with village-character, volcanic nature and fewer crowds.

Practical: Choose Ponta Delgada for city base and explore fishing villages inland/coastal.

19. Cook Islands

Remote Polynesia, less developed mass-tourism; villages prevalent.

Practical: For travellers seeking real small-community island life.

20. Koh Rong (Cambodia)

An example from travellers of little-known islands with fishing-village character.

Practical: Consider for non-mainstream island experience.

21. Isle of Islay (Scotland)

Mentioned as a rising destination in 2025 lists. 

Traditional village economy (whisky/distilleries) and town centre accommodation.

Practical: Cape-town style small island with real village culture.

22. Lefkada (Greece)

Increased visitor attention with activities like kitesurfing, diving and villages.

Practical: Use Lefkada town as base; explore small villages inland/coastal.

23. Bequia (St Vincent & the Grenadines)

While not specifically featured in our summaries, Bequia typifies an island combining fishing-village ambiance and ferry access to larger islands.

Recommended for travellers looking for relaxed island life with connections.

24. Mayreau (St Vincent & the Grenadines)

Similarly, Mayreau is very small, village-oriented, and represents the low-key island end of the spectrum.

For those wanting minimal city infrastructure, it is a very small-population island.

25. Tobago Cays (part of Grenadines)

A group of small islands offering reefs, small settlements; again less city, more village/sea life.

Practical: Good for combining with a base on St Vincent or Bequia.