The Cycladic island of Paros has been named the “Best Island in the World” in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious 2025 “World’s Best Awards,” topping a list of 25 global destinations with an impressive reader score of 96.50.

Long considered the quieter alternative to Mykonos and Santorini, Paros is now enjoying its moment in the spotlight. This year’s accolade marks a remarkable leap from its No. 24 ranking in 2024, a clear sign of the island’s rising popularity and the growing international appreciation for its understated elegance.

“There are surprises around every corner,” the article enthused, highlighting Paros’ unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant culinary culture, and postcard-perfect villages. Readers highlighted the island’s “delicious food” – especially its mushrooms, chickpeas, and seafood – as well as its “excellent shopping” and scenic harbor town of Naoussa, described as “picture-perfect.”

While Paros is home to an increasing number of upscale resorts – including Parīlio, Cosme, and Summer Senses – T+L readers emphasized that “the real luxury is the sparkling Aegean, which you’ll see almost everywhere you turn.”

Each year, Travel + Leisure invites readers to share their travel experiences as part of the “World’s Best Awards” survey. Islands are rated across several categories, including activities and sights, natural attractions, beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value. Nearly 180,000 readers took part in the 2025 survey, casting votes across dozens of categories, from hotels and cities to cruise lines and airports.

Paros’ recognition was part of a broader triumph for Greece in this year’s rankings. Crete, coming in at No. 11, has long been celebrated as a richly diverse travel destination. As Greece’s largest island – and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean – it was once home to the enigmatic Minoan civilization, Europe’s first advanced society. Readers praised its “towering mountains, secluded fishing villages, and archaeological sites that span millennia,” noting that the capital city of Heraklion is also “worth a visit.”

Milos claimed the No. 16 spot, earning praise for its stunning coastline, bright-white rock formations, and hidden beaches – many of which can only be reached by boat. T+L readers preferred it to its more famous neighbors, with one voter saying, “Milos is definitely a calmer part of Greece.”

Collectively, the strong showing of Greek islands in this year’s top 25 reflects a growing travel trend: a preference for destinations that combine authenticity, tradition, and natural splendor with warm, unpretentious hospitality.