Urban oasis: 10 river islands to escape world's biggest cities

This Danube River island is the place to lose yourself among trees, lawns and beautiful flowerbeds when you've had enough of pounding pavements. Bring a picnic. From the promenades, you get great outlooks over the city and Hungary's neo-Gothic parliament building. For even better views, climb the Art Nouveau water tower. Of passing interest are medieval church ruins and a hot-springs bathing complex. See budapestinfo.hu

KITCHENER'S ISLAND, ASWAN, EGYPT

This small Nile island is taken up by Aswan Botanical Garden, which won't win any prizes in the botanic-garden stakes, though it does have glorious trees and abundant bird life. What's wonderful about visiting are the outlooks over the Nile, which is dotted with islands, tumbled with huge granite boulders and hemmed in by desert cliffs. Go just before sunset, when colours are magnificent. See egypt.travel

ILE SAINT-LOUIS, PARIS, FRANCE

Most visitors tramp Île de la Cité for sights such as Notre Dame, but the Seine River's other island is worth a wander. The surprisingly tranquil, elegant residential district captures Parisian charm in its street facades, neighbourhood restaurants and chic boutiques. The likes of Voltaire, Chopin and Baudelaire once lived here. The small park at its eastern end is a great picnic spot cooled by Seine breezes. See en.parisinfo.com

SHAMIAN ISLAND, GUANGZHOU, CHINA

Lying in the Pearl River, Shamian is a short bridge away from southern China's largest city but a world away in atmosphere. The small, leafy enclave was once a British and French concession and retains its colonial-era architecture. Ramble through quiet streets to the trill of songbirds, click of mahjong tiles, and music that accompanies old ladies performing morning exercise routines. See eguangzhou.gov.cn

DJURGARDEN, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Spend a full day on this vast forested island, starting with either the kitschy ABBA Museum or fascinating Vasa Museum, which preserves a 1628 warship and its artefacts. Meanwhile open-air museum Skansen preserves some 150 historical buildings – including farmhouses, churches, merchant's houses and windmills – from across Sweden in a naturalistic setting, with costumed staff demonstrating traditional skills such as weaving and butter-churning. See royaldjurgarden.se

BROWN'S ISLAND, RICHMOND, USA

The capital of Virginia is one of America's oldest, most charming cities, but when you've had enough of historic buildings get into the modern groove on this James River island. The always-busy space is filled with walkers, joggers, picnickers, cyclists and kayakers, and hosts outdoor festivals and concerts. When the music isn't pumping you might spot ospreys, eagles and herons. See visitrichmondva.com

MUSEUM ISLAND, BERLIN, GERMANY

Museumsinsel in the Spree River brings together a world-class collection of antiquities and art, including paintings by leading German Romantics and French Impressionists. Admire the outsized Persian, Assyrian and Babylonian sculptures and gateways in the Near East Museum and gorgeous miniatures and woodcarvings in the Museum of Islamic Art. Every one of the Greek and Roman antiquities in the Pergamon Museum is superb. See visitberlin.de

ILE D'ORLEANS, QUEBEC CITY, CANADA

This St Lawrence River getaway is within sight of the city yet presents rolling countryside of vineyards, lavender fields, farmland and six pretty villages, some of whose buildings date back to the seventeenth century. In summer, it's lively with farmers' markets, cellar doors, art galleries, a microbrewery, fromagerie and maple-syrup maker. Manoir Mauvide-Genest, a grand 1734 country manor, showcases French-Canadian heritage. See tourisme.iledorleans.com

The writer has travelled as a guest of numerous tourism offices and at his own expense.