The European Seychelles that is a hidden island gem just two hours from the UK

The Seychelles may be a holiday dream for many, but with flights often costing more than £700 and taking more than 12 hours, it’s easy to see why it’s not the top choice for most UK travellers.

If you want sunshine without spending too much, there’s a similar option much closer to home.

Only a two-hour flight from the UK is this French island, known for being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

A trip to this stunning island doesn’t need to be expensive either, with travel experts Holiday Pirates recently sharing a week-long stay for just £174, including flights and accommodation.

In a video on Instagram, they said: “Locals keep this place a secret because it’s so beautiful and cheap.

“It looks like the Seychelles, but it’s only two hours away.” In the caption, they also asked: “Could this be the most underrated island in Europe?”

Corsica is home to many gorgeous beaches, including two that made it onto TripAdvisor’s list of Europe’s top 25 beaches.

One of these was Plage de Palombaggia in Porto-Vecchio, which also ranked 17th in the list of the best beaches in the world.

This amazing beach feels like real paradise, with bright turquoise water, soft white sand, and beautiful views of the nearby Îles Cerbicale islands.

Another standout spot was Plage de Santa Giulia, found in the resort town of Santa Giulia, which is loved by people who enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving.

At the southern end of the island sits Bonifacio, a striking town with a medieval fortress and a lovely old centre, making it a brilliant place to visit for anyone who enjoys history or exploring on foot during their holidays.

A visitor on TripAdvisor wrote about Bonifacio: “We almost couldn’t get tired of this view on the rocks, the houses look amazing and the narrow streets are so photogenic, even if our photos aren’t perfect. It’s lovely to walk around!”

They added: “If someone can’t walk far, you can drive up by car and might find a parking spot. At sunset, climb the hill opposite for a wonderful view of the whole place.”

Discover more hidden gems with our interactive map!

Did you know we have a Hidden Gem Finder on our website? This handy little map shows over 12,000 hidden gems across the entire world with their exact co-ordinates available to view on Google Maps as well as an image/description for each one!

Click to view Hidden Gem Finder!