The gorgeous little island with hardly any tourists named one of the best in Europe

Bozcaada, an island off the coast of Turkey, is an unspoilt paradise rich with Mediterranean culture and history. It was named by Forbes as one of the world’s most stunning islands that flies under the radar.

The idyllic island can be found in the Aegean sea, taking only around 30 minutes to reach it from the mainland Geyikli port.

During your approach, one of the first things that catches the eye is Bozcaada Castle, an infamous characteristic of the island that reflects its ancient history.

In fact, the island is so rich with history that it gets a mention in Homer’s ‘Iliad’. It was once occupied by Alexander the Great and Bozcaada’s beaches were also where the ships with the Trojan Horse were launched from during the Trojan war, making it the ideal location for fans of Roman history.

In many ways it hasn’t changed over the centuries – particularly when it comes to delivering tranquil escapes relatively untouched by modern life.

To visually summarise Bozcaada, think tightly packed cobbled streets lined with vibrant village houses - each bursting with a different colour.

The sight is breathtaking and the streets are always alive. During the day there are an array of cafes and bookshops to explore, especially the Petit Cafe where hours are spent drinking wine and coffee.

The evening offers bars like Salhane, a former abattoir painted a hue of lemon-yellow that faces both sea and castle.

If you want to experience quintessential elements of Mediterranean culture then look no further. Bozcaada is renowned for its long wine history stretching over a staggering 3000 years.

The aroma of wine is distinct as you roam the streets due to such a pronounced viticulture. One of the notable winemakers is the Çamlıbağ family winery that has been around since 1925 and is now operated by the fourth generation!  

The island’s most fascinating collection can be found in the Bozcaada museum filled with more than 15,000 photographs, documents, maps, etchings and objects that recount the island’s long history. They are all located within a stone house built in 1876.

During the summer months, Bozcaada can get quite a lot busier. 1.5 million people are said to have visited in 2018, compare that to the 500 residents and the difference is substantial. However, visiting outside of the July/August window guarantees a magical trip to an island bursting with life with hardly any tourists.

This pales in comparison however to what is perhaps Turkey's most famous seaside resort - Antalya. The holiday hotspot sees around 15.4 million visitors every year.

One TripAdvisor user described the island as ‘Cozy, small island in the Aegean Sea. One of the pearls of Turkey. If you are looking for a quiet, calm place…’.

Another by the name of Breeze said ‘beautiful island, the centre has many cute small hotels, restaurants and cafes along with many nice shops’.