Greek Islands
Off the Beaten Path
| By now you know the names of the islands that everyone wants to go to. Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, Zakynthos, Paros, Naxos and the rest of them which except for small pockets have fully embraced mass tourism. But what if you are the type who likes to go off the beaten path and wants an island that has not been totally altered by its popularity? Maybe you want to spend a week or so fully experiencing one island instead of hitting 3 to 5 islands in a week or ten days. Yes these islands are harder to get to but they are also harder to leave once you have spent time on them getting to know the beaches, the traditions and most of all the people. These are not remote islands. Visit them in late July and the month of August and you may find them just as busy as the islands you are trying to avoid only with fewer hotels. But choose your season right and these islands offer the kind of experience that travelers to Greece 20 years ago experienced and has kept them coming back. |
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Alonissos Pine forests and beautiful seas, this island in the Sporades chain is popular with the type of travelers that don't want to see other travelers. The main town of Liadromia was damaged by an earthquake in 1965 and many of the locals moved closer to the sea, selling their houses to foreigners. Alonissos is home to the Mediterranean Monk Seal and has some stunning beaches and inlets. The island has a rich history and ancient as well as Byzantine ruins. Most people come here by ferry or highspeed from Ag Konstantinos or Volos. Read More about Alonissos |
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Amorgos |
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Anafi Very few tourists visit this quiet island in the Cyclades but recently there have been more ferry connections in the summer and Anafi could become one of those unspoiled Greek islands that end up in Conde Naste Traveler and becomes spoiled, or if not spoiled expensive. But for now if you are looking for off-the-beaten-path it is still a safe bet. Most of the rooms and restaurants are in the Hora, perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea. There are several nice beaches and the famous Zoodohou Pigis Monastery, one of the oldest in the Cyclades. Read More About Anafi |
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Andros Ferryboats to Andros leave from Rafina to the port Gavrio. Batsi is touristy town, or was when it was a low impact package tour destination, but it has quieted down and it is a nice little seaside village with a port and a decent beach and a number of hotels. Lots of activities and some great restaurants, particularly in the small traditional villages in the hills above. The best place is the main town of Andros, known as Hora, on the other side of the island. No autos are allowed in the village which juts out on a peninsula between two long beaches. There is a shipping museum and an excellent art museum there. Because of the wealth of the village tourism is not encouraged. That is a good reason to go there. Renting a car is recommended. This is a beautiful, green island that even has a small river or two. There are ferry and high-speed connections to Tinos, Syros and Mykonos daily. Read more about Andros |
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Angistri Angistri (or Agistri) is a small island near Aegina with beautiful sandy beaches and a devoted following. Famous for being one of the first places in Greece to experiment with naturism, (or in plain English it was one of the first islands to have a nudist beach, and in fact it still does.) Some nice tavernas and the famous Agistriclub Hotel, a favorite for people who have made a career of visiting Greece every summer, make Agistri an excellent place to stay and still be able to zip into Athens to see the Acropolis. The far side of the island is mostly agricultural and in the village of Limineria, named after its lake, the inhabitants devote themselves mostly to farming and fishing. These islands near Athens are also a good choice for the winter months when weather is unpredictable and you don't want to be too far from Athens. Read More about Angistri |
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Astypalaia |
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Chios The port is a city with traffic and buses, cafes, restaurants and shops and worth at least a night or two if you like cities and large towns. Once you leave town there are lots of interesting things to see including the fortress villages known as Mastichochoria for their historic manufacturing of Mastika, a gummy sap that had major value in cosmetics and medicine before the use of petroleum and still used for a variety of purposes (including a kind of chewing gum and a liquor). Chios is one of the most beautiful of the Aegean islands and has a capable bus system. Renting a car is the best way to see it though. The tiny islands of Psara and Inousses are accessible from Chios. Read More about Chios |
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Elafonissos The small island of Elafonissos in the Laconikos Gulf near the town of Neapolis has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. It is a favorite stop for yachters and is famous for its fish taverns in the port. To get there you drive south to the eastern tip of the Peloponessos and when you get close to Neapolis look for the signs for the small ferry that runs every 15 minutes or so. The beaches on the far side of the island are one of the few places you can camp for free these days. But if you get there and it is now forbidden don't blame me. Read More About Elefonisos |
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Greece's second largest island after Crete, you could easily spend a week or more exploring. Because it is so close to Athens it is usually busy during weekends and in the summer. It's an hour boat ride from Rafina to Marmari and another 40 minutes to Karystos. A car is recommended for Evia and you can actually drive there across the bridge at Halkida. One of the most amazing places I have been to are the Natural Hot Spring Resorts at Edipsos. This is where every Greek senior citizen goes to rejuvenate themselves in the healing waters of over 75 different hot springs and dozens of health spas. You don't have to be old to enjoy the benefits of the healing waters combined with ancient and the most modern healing therapies. There are also great beaches, restaurants, nightlife and beautiful countryside. You can also get to Evia by ferry from Oropos and Rafina. There are numerous departures. In fact the boats go back and forth every 15 minutes or so. Read More about Evia |
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Folegandros |
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Ikaria You have heard the stories about the island where people live to be 100. That's Ikaria. Whether it is their diet, their lifestyle or the fact that they have no real city on the island or if it is just a statistical anomaly, who knows? But Ikaria has gotten a lot of attention because, well, who wants to die? Right? Ikaria is known for its apricots and lack of tourists. Arministis is the island's main resort town and is surrounded by forests and fine beaches. Visit the hot springs at Thermaand Therma Lefkada. Read More about Ikaria |
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Ithaki The island home of Odyseus, Ithaki is mountainous and rocky but has lots of trees and olive groves, as do the other Ionian islands. Several archeological sites which may or may not be associated with Homer's story along with some beautiful fishing villages and beaches make this an interesting island to visit either from Patras or Kefalonia. Ithaka is an ideal place for walking full of trails and views. The island is small and quiet and June is really wonderful for family vacations. Vathy, the capital of the island, brings together the northern part of the island which has the best hiking, and the southern part has the best beaches (quiet isolated coves, or bigger beaches). The best way to explore the beaches is by boat. Read More about Ithaki |
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Kalymnos |
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Karpathos Going to Karpathos is like going to another world if you have never been to Greece before or if you have traveled in Greece before, a way of life you thought had disappeared a half a century ago. The island is very traditional, especially the mountain village of Olympos which was isolated for centuries and still carries on many medieval customs and crafts and is one of the most beautiful villages in Greece. One side of the island is rocky while the other is more fertile and green. A line of mountains separate the two sides. Many nice beaches some with hotels and restaurants but tourism has not gotten out of hand here... yet even with direct flights from some European cities and of course Athens. The port town of Pigadia is the island's capital and has hotels, restaurants and cafes on an active waterfront. There are only a couple ferries a week from Pireaus and perhaps one or two a week to Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Milos, Kassos, Halki, Paros, and Naxos. Read More about Karpathos |
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Kasos A great island for walking and witnessing the vanishing traditions of Greek island life. One of the least visited islands in Greece. You can walk from the main village of Phry to all the other villages and beaches on the island or to the two monasteries. There are only 2 boats a week from Pireaus. There is an airport though with flights to Athens, Karpathos and Rhodes. My favorite restaurant in Athens is called Bakalogatos and the owners are from Kassos and so they serve a lot of food from the island and if the food on the island is as good as the restaurant you should go. Read More about Kasos |
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Kastellorizo This tiny island was made famous by the film Mediterraneo, a must-see for anyone visiting Greece. It is also called Megisti. The island has no beaches but has instead the rocky coves that make it one of the best islands for snorkling. The island has a dramatic history and has been occupied by just about everyone and was even bombed severely during WWII. There are also excursion boats to the islets which surround Kastellorizo including the island of Ro whose last inhabitant, Despina Achladioti, died in 1982. Every day she would raise the Greek flag over the small island, clearly visible from the Turkish coast and she became a symbol of the Greek Spirit in the face of adversity. There are daily flights to and from Rhodes to Kastellorizo in the summer and ferries twice a week to Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi and Tilos. Read More about Kastellorizo |
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Kea (Tzia) The Greek island of Kea is known for many things. It has exceptional beaches and one of the best system of walking paths and trails of any Greek island. Kea is a hiker's paradise with numbered routes that take you through a variety of landcapes to remote coves and the ruins of ancient cities. The restaurants on Kea are among the best in Greece and the summer features a number of cultural events, and an outdoor movie theater with new first-run movies (usually in English) that change every 2 days. Because of its proximity to Athens (just 2 hours by bus and ferry) Kea has always been popular with Athenians who have holiday homes here that they only use on occasional weekends in the summer and for much of August. But come any other time and you won't even see them. If you are looking for an island that is close to Athens but has the feeling of an island much further away, then Kea may be the place for you. Read More About Kea |
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Kimolos The smallest of the Cyclades, Kimolos is only known to a few travelers. Located a half a mile from Milos with a small ferry running back and forth from Pollonia, the island also has connections to Pireaus and several of the other western Cyclades Islands. Like Milos it is volcanic and has spectacular beaches and rock formations. There is one main village and several settlements and enough accommodations and restaurants to service the few visitors the island gets. Read More About Kimolos |
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Kythira I bet you did not know Kythera was one of the Ionian Islands did you? A beautiful island popular with the wealthy Athenians. It is south of the Peloponessos and the ferry runs from Neapolis, Githion and Kasteli-Kissamos in Crete with a couple boats a week leaving from Pireaus. Nice beaches, beautiful towns. Accommodations are scarce during the tourist season so book before you go especially in August when returning Greek-Australians fill the island. if you are looking for a beautiful off the beaten path island this may be it. Most travel agents won't book this island so if you go you are probably on your own. Read more avout Kythira |
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Kythnos The first island on the Western Cyclades route that includes, Serifos, Sifnos and Milos, Kythnos is an un-touristy island with hot springs, some nice beaches and a favorite stop-over for sailboats and yachts journeying to the rest of the Cyclades. It also has an excellent scuba dive center, one of the best in Greece, in the town of Loutra which is famous for its hot springs which flow right into the sea. You can get to Kea several times a week directly or by connecting through Lavrion which also has ferries to Kythnos. Rent a car and check out the double beach of Kolonna. The main Hora is inland and has lots of nice cafes, bars and ouzeries serving traditional mezedes. Read More about Kythnos |
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Lemnos Far enough away to have avoided the mass tourism which has infected other islands, Limnos has some of the best beaches in the Aegean and maybe the best wine after Santorini. The town of Myrina is famous for its excellent fish restaurants and massive volcanic rocks. There are ferries from Pireaus, Thessloniki and Kavala and excursion boats to the nearby island of Agis Efstratos. Can be combined with Lesvos or Chios. Read More about Lemnos |
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Leros One of the undiscovered treasures of the Dodecanese Islands with everything a traveler would want including castles, ancient sites, churches and great food. The main port of Laki is one of the best examples of Art Deco Architecture, though it is actually called Italian Rationalist, in a city created from scratch in a swampy area when the island was a part of Italy. It was designed by Mussolini's architects in 1923, though the capital is in the village of Platanos and most of the hotels, restaurants and nightlife in the beach towns of Pandeli, Agia Marina and Alinda. The rest of the island is green with stunning beaches and large bays. One of the most important islands during the Second World War when it was controlled by the Italians, then the Germans and finally the English. The waters around it are full of sunken warships, other boats and even planes that were shot down and is considered one of the most exciting places for diving in Greece. Read More about Leros |
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Lesvos I love this island, also known by the name of Mytilini, the name of the main city, which is the port where most people will arrive either by boat or plane. Lesvos may have the best food in Greece, especially seafood. Skala Erressos is the birthplace of Sappho and one of the best beaches in the world and a popular family destination as well as alternative travelers meaning in this case gay women, spiritually-minded people and poets. Sigri is the place you go to get away from it all, a town on the western tip of the island with great beaches and restaurants and a cool breeze even on the hottest days. Molyvos and Petra have the most tourism but not a lot compared to popular islands. Lots to see and do on Lesvos. Read more about Lesvos |
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Little Cyclades There are actually about a dozen baby Cyclades, but only four are inhabited in our times: Donoússa, Páno Koufoníssi, Skhinoússa, and Irakliá. They are strikingly different from one another, each with their particular clientele – though none now rank as undiscovered, and all of them, given limited accommodation, are no-go areas from mid-July to September 1 unless you have a rooms reservation – or are happy to camp out. Athens agencies are unlikely to be able to help with advance lodging reservations, except on Páno Koufoníssi and Skhnioússa which have some luxury complexes. Páno Koufoníssi also has the best beaches, with Donoússa not far behind; Irakliá has the best walking, with again Donoússa running second. Accommodation can be on the cheap side, but dining out is definitely not – little islands do not mean little prices. While all four have a bank ATM apiece, best not rely on these but come equipped with plenty of cash. Read more about the Little Cyclades |
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Nisyros This fertile island is actually an active volcano, one of 4 in Greece. Even though there is little water it is rich in agriculture because of the mineral rich soil. The colorful port of Mandraki is host to an ancient acropolis, a monastery and a black stone beach. There is a thermal spa at Loutra. The volcano itself attracts many visitors and the villages of Nikea and Emboreios sit on the rim with spectacular views of the caldera. An excellent island for walking, the volcano has created and altered some incredible landscapes. There are several ferries and hydrofoils from Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos and Kastellorizo. Read More about Nisyros |
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Samos Samos is a big, green, beautiful island with lovely beaches and pine forests. A car or bike is not essential but if you want to get the full experience you should rent one for at least a couple days because it is a semi-big island with lots to see. The main port of Vathi is busy town, almost a city but lots of fun. The formerly industrial city of Karlavassi with deserted warehouses and factories is an up and coming tourist destination with bars, cafes and restaurants in the old buildings. Pythagorio in the south is the most popular beach town with a high-speed connection to Patmos and the Dodecanese islands. Kokari in the north is the second most popular beach town with an iconic peninsula protecting the small fishing boat harbor, and several very nice beaches, those facing north popular with wind-surfers. Day trips to Turkey leave daily from Vathi to Ephesus, an entire ruined ancient city that is a stop for just about every cruise ship in the Aegean. Read More about Samos |
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Samothraki This small island between Limnos and Alexandroupolis in Thrace is one to the most beautiful islands and boasts the highest mountain of all the Aegean islands. It is an island of forests and olive groves, springs and waterfalls and has some of the most abundant wildlife in Greece. Though virtually unknown to to tourists, many Greeks visit the island during July and especially in August. Daily ferry connections to Alexandropoulis and several a week to Kavala. The Winged Nike of Samothrace in the Louvre Museum in Pariscame from here. Read More about Samothraki |
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Serifos |
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Sifnos Visually attractive and still Greek, Sifnos is one of my favorite islands since I first came in the early seventies. For the thirty and older crowd, single or married with children though young people not looking to party Ios style will like it here because it is quiet but not too quiet. Apollonia, in the center of the island, has fun nightlife. Great beaches all around the island. Fantastic food and wine. Port of Kamares is nice combination of beach, restaurants and a few bars all within walking distance and perfect for families with small children or old people who want everything to be within easy walking distance with not a lot of stairs. Read More about Sifnos |
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Sikinos An island that is not quite ready for Prime-time. That's more then enough reason to go there. Very little tourism, it is an island of mostly fishermen and farmers. There are places to stay in the twin villages of Kastro and Chora situated in the mountains and in the quiet port town of Alopronoia. Read More about Sikinos |
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Skopelos People claim Skopelos is the greenest island in the Aegean and they may be right. A nature lover's paradise, Skopelos is home to a great many forms of wildlife due to its extensive forests and beautiful coastline, including the monk seal or what the Greeks call Monachos-Monachos. The island, once a Cretan colony, has a number of archaeological sites plus some 360 churches, monasteries and convents. Though not as wild as nearby Skiathos, there is plenty of nightlife and the islanders take great pride in their cooking. If Skiathos sounds too much like Mykonos and you are looking for something a little quieter but no less beautiful come here. Yes, this is the island that Mamma Mia was filmed which has made it a sort of Mecca for fans of the movie but that is not a good reason to avoid it and you have to admit it was a good movie. Read more about Skopelos |
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Skyros Very green with a pine forest that covers much of the island, nice beaches and some interesting traditional villages and customs. Skyros is famous for their carnival celebration and the goat dancers which may date back to the ancient cult of Dionysios. The end of Carnival, or Apokreas, like Mardi Gras marks the beginning of lent so if you want to visit Skyros, figure out when Orthodox Easter takes place, count back 40 days and then go there the week before that. The ferry to Skyros leaves from Kimi in Evia. This is one of the most difficult islands to travel to though that does not keep people from coming. Read More about Skyros |
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Symi Besides having eon of the most beautiful harbor towns in Greece, Symi is also known for its beautiful bays and pebbled beaches, best reached by small boats that leave frequently. Daily boats between Symi and Rhodes and many people come for the day to eat in the restaurants and wander around the beautiful town. There are several ferries a week to Kalymnos, Kos, Kastellorizo, Rhodes and Tilos as well as a hydrofoil twice a week. There are a couple ferries a week to and from Pireaus. Symi has a thriving X-pat community and would not be a bad place to live if you are thinking about getting away from it all. Read More about Symi |
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Syros The most unique in the Cyclades since it is the capital, Syros is one of my favorite islands. Hermoupolis has a century old shipyard servicing ocean going freighters and tankers, right in the harbor. Beautiful town, more like a small city that looks a lot like Smyrna pre 1922 and a joy for architects. Two or three of the best restaurants in Greece are here. Extremely nice beaches too. I am convinced that the town of Hermopoulis, will one day be a popular destination in the off-season. The reason is the architecture. In the late 1800's the town was the main port for Greece and is full of old buildings, churches and mansions that have now been restored. It has cobblestone streets and great cafes. If you love old buildings and good food, come here. Because it is the capital and people have to come here to get licenses and use the courts there are ferries that go to all the Cyclades so it is a good island to include in your plans if you want to visit a couple islands. Read more about Syros |
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Thassos Beautiful island in the Northern Eastern Aegean that used to be popular with Germans because they could drive down easily. Now it is popular with Eastern Europeans and people from the Balkan countries. It's a beautiful island and not a lot of tourists though if you are coming in late July and August you would be smart to book well in advance. You have to take the ferry from Kavala which leaves every hour and there are 6 hydrofoils a day in the summer. Great beaches. Read More about Thassos |
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Tilos Tilos is a great island for walking, with deserted villages, dramatic landscapes, a spectacular monastery, a medieval castle and uncrowded beaches. There are plenty of places to stay in Livadia and camping is permitted on the beaches.There are several ferries a week to Kalymnos, Kos, Kastellorizo, Rhodes and Simi as well as a hydrofoil twice a week. For the past 16 years, Tilos, has banned hunting and has as a result become a paradise for birds, some of them endangered. Animal protection groups and the Mayor of Tilos are attempting to create an official natural park in Tilos which will guarantee a long term hunting ban. However, local hunting clubs are putting pressure on the Greek Government and islanders to lift the ban and are thereby jeopardising efforts to shift the island economy to conservation uses of their natural resources. If I am not mistaken, Tilos was the first island to legalize same-sex marriage in Greece. Read More about Tilos |
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Tinos This island is close to Mykonos has excellent beaches, traditional villages, beautiful landscape and a rich history. Perhaps the most spiritual island of all, the wonder-working icon in the church of the Panagia Evangalestria attracts people from all over Greece in need of a miracle and around the 15th of August the island is packed with pilgrims, as is every boat going to Mykonos that stops here. Hotels are so full that people sleep on the streets. But except for the two weeks around that date, Tinos is generally a quiet island and is not only worth a visit, you could spend your entire holiday here and be quite satisfied. (And if you crave a little action, Mykonos is 15 minutes a way by high-speed ferry.) Read More about Tinos |
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Greek Island Information You can find hotels, apartments, rooms, holiday homes, and villas for all these islands by visiting Matt's Best Hotels in Greece or by using this link to Matt's Booking.com Affiliate Page. If you can't find availability try Matt's Book Hotels Directly Page or contact one of the recommended Greek ntravel agencies. For ferries try using Ferryhopper.com |
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