5 of the best lesser-known islands to visit in Europe

Not drawn to Mallorca or Mykonos? Whether you’re after sun or not, these quieter spots, from the Aegean to the Baltic, offer a real away-from-it-all vibe

The mountain’s meringue peaks tattooed on a deep blue sky are a dramatic backdrop to Karpathos’s deserted beaches. It’s early July and I’m discovering this Dodecanese island, 27 miles – or four hours’ ferry ride – from Rhodes, for the first time.