The 12 Best Greek Islands for an Under-the-Radar Getaway
Whitewashed houses, unspoiled cerulean-blue sea and fresh seafood worthy of Poseidon: if you’re in search of a secluded summer escape, sidestep Mykonos and Santorini in favour of these 12 lesser-known Greek islands. We’re pretty sure you won’t have heard about them, but the ouzo is on us if you have.
21 July, 2020
The
The
Greek islands have a unique draw: blue waters,
whitewashed houses, unparalleled seafood and bronzed
septuagenarians playing backgammon in the afternoon heat. A
little-visited, unspoiled island is the Holy Grail here - and
something that's increasingly hard to find. Give Mykonos and Santorini a breather and try catching the ferry
out to one of these lesser-known Greek islands. You almost probably
don't already know about them, though the ouzo's on us if you
do.
Ikaria, Folegandros and the 12 lesser-known Greek islands for a
secluded summer getaway
Samothraki
Greece
Samothraki is a boho enclave of sleepy villages with panoramic
views; visit for the hundreds of natural pools and waterfalls
scattered across the island. Pack hiking boots as well as bikinis
so you can explore the terrain - Mount Fengari (meaning "moon") is
the highest peak in the Aegean and said to be the spot from which
Poseidon watched the Trojan War - before taking a cooling dip.
Don't miss the thermal pools at Therma either.
Best for: getting back to nature
Stay: The Fig Tree House
Kythira
Greece
Kythira has everything you could want from a Greek island; beaches, myths and seafood on tap.
Rent a car to tour the island and you'll find crumbling monasteries
scattered between hidden coves. Make a pitstop at Chora Castle, a
13th-century Venetian fort with impressive views of the island. The
idyllic capital of Chora is packed with higgledy-piggledy artisan
shops; look out for handwoven fabrics and locally gathered sea
salt.
Best for: the all-round island experience
Stay: Lidea Boutique Hotel
Kythnos
Greece
Kythnos comes from the Greek "to hide" and this islet is
arguably Greece's best-kept secret. Athenians frequently make the short journey to
the island, but few tourists have ever heard of the place. A
low-key islet with classic Aegean beauty; think sun-parched
mountains ringed by green-blue waters, with plenty of shoreline
tavernas in which to while away the hours. For a culture hit, head
to Panagia Kanala, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in
the Aegean.
Best for: holidaying like an Athenian
Stay: Cape Suites
Lefkada
Greece
Lefkada is connected to the Greek mainland, meaning you can
drive straight to its beckoning white sands with minimal effort.
Visiting the island is like going back in time; traditional village
life plays out with inhabitants sitting outside their houses in the
cool evening breeze - a far cry from the summer humdrum of Mykonos or Corfu. Stumble across forgotten villages and
centuries-old wells dotted among ancient olive groves before
hitting the beach, the best being on the rugged west coast.
Best for: a local experience
Stay: Ionian Riviera Hotel
Ikaria
Greece
Named after Icarus, the doomed youth who flew too close to the
sun, this wing-shaped island seems to have magical properties;
residents live longer than almost anywhere else in the world. It's
believed that a diet primarily of vegetables, olive oil and herbal
tea is responsible for their glowing disposition. Beyond prolonged
life expectancy, Ikaria is known for its mountainous terrain,
offering a hiking paradise of paths crisscrossing between forests
and lakes.
Best for: increasing your life expectancy
Stay: Anemoessa Luxury Villas
Leros
Greece
Leros may be late on the holiday scene, but this quiet island is
steeped in history. A Byzantine fort, harbour town built in the
style of Mussolini's Italy and ancient shipwrecks scattered off the
coast are just some of the delights that await. This is a Greek
island with distinctly Italian feel (it was ruled by Italy between
the world wars) meaning you can sip the perfect cappuccino while
strolling through Italianate tree-lined boulevards.
Best for: a culture hit
Stay: Asterias
Evia
Greece
Evia is the second largest of all the Greek islands, just a hop,
skip and a jump from Athens. As well as rugged mountains and
beautiful beaches, there are plenty of ancient sites to peruse and
a city for those who can't do without cosmopolitan living. Head to
the green north of the island to horseback ride and hike across the
fertile landscape with lush vegetation continuing all the way down
to the coastline.
Best for: a quick escape from Athens
Stay: New Hotel
Folegandros
Greece
This tiny island (it's less than 12km by 4km) is spectacular;
emerald-green water, deserted beaches and an undulating landscape,
all heady with the scent of wild thyme and oregano. The
medieval-looking capital of Chora sits on a clifftop, making it one
of the most striking towns in all of the islands. From there, walk
up to the white church dedicated to the Virgin Mary - the best
place to watch the sunset.
Best for: a romantic break
Stay: Aspalathras White Hotel
Amorgos
Greece
The journey to Amorgos may be long (it's a six-hour ferry from
Athens) but it's worth it for the otherworldly atmosphere that
awaits on an island imbued with spirituality - although that may
have something to do with the amount of raki that is drunk here.
Visit Hozoviotissa monastery, dramatically built into the rock-face
by hand. Rocky terrain means Amorgos is also an excellent place to
hike; it's said that wherever you are on the
island, you can always see the blue sea all around you.
Best for: getting away from it all
Stay: Villa Halkios Amorgos
Skopelos
Greece
Skopelos is so picturesque that Hollywood came calling; Mamma Mia! was shot on
the island thanks to its rolling hills, clear waters and pretty
churches. Fortunately, its time in the spotlight has not resulted
in boatloads of tourists making their way to its shores; island
life remains fairly unspoiled. Sunburnt landscapes, quiet tavernas
and cobbled towns are yours for the taking - just don't start
singing.
Best for: holidaying like Hollywood
Stay: Evlalia Studios & Villas
Alonissos
Greece
You'll want to stop off at Patitiri, the lively village from
which everything spills out. Hora, the old town is like a
cornucopia of godly goodness - sprouting with passion flowers and
fruit trees - which is best experienced in the evening, when the
daily dispatch of day-tripping tourists have been ferried back to
the bigger islands. A visit isn't complete without ogling the
subaquatic majesty of Alonissos' Marine Park, the largest
marine-protected area in Europe. Before you go, grab a packet of sweets
from the Women's Cooperative of Alonissos - actually, it's a
four-hour boat-ride back to Agios Constantinos; grab two.
Best for: wannabe marine biologists
Stay: Villa Mirothea Alonissos
Kastellorizo
Greece
Sound familiar? Pink Floyd fans might recognise this place as
"Castellorizon," their Grammy-nominated song inspired by Dave
Gilmour's jaunts on the island. Of course, it comes with all the
secluded, pine-fringed beaches you'd expect from such an island,
but the its main village - a dusty riot of pinks, yellows and green
neoclassical buildings which hug the bay - is the real draw.
"Bijou", "bougie" and "chi-chi" are all often used in conjunction
with Kastellorizo. It might be the largest island in an archipelago
of the same name, but ferries to the Kastellorizo only run a couple
of times a week, meaning it has remained a highly exclusive
destination.
Best for: an undercover bohemian escape
Stay: Villa Zoe
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