What if we told you there are over 220 inhabited islands in Greece, some even more stunning than the Instagram staples of Santorini and Mykonos? Would you believe us? The following list may convince you…
Folegandros (Cyclades) – Perhaps the most famous of the Greek island groups, the Cyclades offer a number of stunning escapes, including the heavily touristed Mykonos and Santorini. But if you’re looking for something more “secret”, there’s plenty of that to be had as well. First, try Folegandros, which is famous as much for its natural beauty as for its delicious local dishes and delicacies, such as matsáta (handmade noodles with rooster or rabbit) and rakómelo, a drink consisting of raki and honey. To discover the secrets of the traditional, everyday life of the island, visit the Folk Art Museum in Ano Mera, a rural settlement from the 19th century.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Sifnos
Sifnos (Cyclades) – For those who want to enjoy a sizzling food scene, superb hotels and beautiful villages without spending a mini fortune, Sifnos is the ideal place. A few kilometres outside the island’s capital of Apollonia, you’ll find Kastro, a village on a steep hill with a panoramic view, inhabited since prehistoric times; in fact, it was at one time the capital of the island.
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20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Milos
Milos (Cyclades) – Though it’s becoming more and more popular, Milos is not on most tourists’ radar; so for now, the island maintains its untamed natural beauty and authentic charm. It’s home to more than 80 spectacular beaches, several picturesque fishing villages and many authentic Greek tavernas offering fresh seafood, but the absolute highlight of the island is Sarakiniko Beach, whose unearthly landscape of smooth, white rocks was formed by lava flow and creates a magical moon-like cove.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Syros
Syros (Cyclades) – Often described as the “next big thing,” Syros is accessible by plane and ferry. The island’s striking capital, Ermoupolis, features incredible medieval and neoclassical architecture, and is home to the largest and most impressive town hall in Greece. The gem of the island, however, is its historic theatre. Named after the god Apollo, it was built in 1864 by Italian architect Pietro Sampo, who was inspired by the La Scala opera house in Milan. [Photo: Hans Peter Schaefer/Wikimedia Commons]
Amorgos (Cyclades) – As this gorgeous island has no airport, the only way to reach Amorgos is by ferry, which you can take from the two nearest islands of Naxos and Santorini. However, none of this deterred French director Luc Besson from picking the impossibly clear waters of Amorgos to film The Big Blue back in 1988. Due to the film’s unexpected success, Amorgos is now home to several international freediving events and meetings.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Anafi
Anafi (Cyclades) – Located east of Santorini, getting to the small island of Anafi can be an issue – it’s only served by a couple of ferries, though the connections are better during July and August – but it’s worth it to find such a place of pristine beauty with outstanding beaches and utter tranquility. You can explore the whole island by foot or bike, as it measures less than 40 square kilometres in size. But be forewarned: the terrain is mountainous and often subject to strong winds, so you’ll need to be fit. [Photo: Zde/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Naxos
Naxos (Cyclades) – The biggest and greenest of the Cyclades island group, Naxos is gifted with impressive mountains and fertile valleys surrounded by endless golden beaches with crystal-clear waters, and yet it retains an authentic charm: the island is particularly noted for its many small, traditional villages, as well as its dairy products. Should you visit Naxos, don’t forget to try a freshly made salad with delicious local products such as Graviera Naxou (a famous local cheese), Naxian potatoes, olives and juicy sweet tomatoes.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Delos
Delos (Cyclades) – A UNESCO World Heritage site and archaeological monument, Delos is home to the remains of an ancient sanctuary to the gods Apollo and Artemis, as well as the city that developed around it. The museum here boasts a rich collection of ancient Greek sculpture and precious artefacts recovered from excavations around the island. Delos is not inhabited, so you can’t stay the night here; to visit, you’ll need to take a small boat from the old port of Mykonos, or (in summer only) from Naxos or Tinos. [Photo: Bernard Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Hydra
Hydra (Saronic) – Cars are banned on this romantic island, which explains how Hydra has preserved its distinctive spirit despite the passage of time. Donkeys are the island’s most popular form of transportation, as there are no taxis. Don’t forget to visit the Historical Museum, which highlights the innumerable contributions of the locals to the 1821 War of Independence, with their powerful fleet taking part in several crucial sea battles. Be sure to pack your snazziest resort wear: Hydra is known as the place to see and be seen by chic Greeks at the weekend.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Skiathos
Skiathos (Sporades) – No longer a best-kept secret, having served as one of the breathtaking backdrops for hit movie Mamma Mia!, Skiathos is arguably the most beautiful and cosmopolitan island in the Northern Sporades; its green forests and azure waters won’t fail to mesmerise you. Koukounariés, the most famous beach on the island, has been called the “diamond” of the Mediterranean, but if you love clubbing and water sports, then Banana Beach is the right place for you, with its many water sports facilities and frenetic parties thrown by the local beach bars.
Thassos (Eastern Aegean) – Sometimes called the “jewel of the North Aegean Sea”, Thassos is the most northerly Greek island, only 10km from the mainland. To get there, you have to take a plane from Athens to Kavala, then hop on a bus or taxi to Keramoti Port, from where you’ll take the ferry to Thassos. It may sound a bit irksome to get there, but once you see the island’s gorgeous green landscape surrounded the blue waters of the sea, you won’t even care. Enjoy well-shaded hikes among the pines, sun on beautiful beaches, and don’t forget to take a dip in the Giola rock pool.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Gavdos
Gavdos (Southern Aegean) – For lovers of solitude and untamed wilderness, this remote but gorgeous island is a worthy choice. You won’t find a lot of tourism infrastructure here – there are few guest rooms and tavernas, and the island is only accessible by small boat from Crete – but you will find a wealth of unspoilt beaches and breathtaking landscapes. Don’t forget to ascend Cape Trypiti, where you can climb the iconic “Big Chair” to get an incredible view of the Libyan Sea – and bragging rights for having stood at the southernmost point of Europe. [Photo: Artemis Katsadoura/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Kefalonia
Kefalonia (Ionian) – The Ionian island of Kefalonia has a long history going back thousands of years; some scholars believe Kefalonia is the real place that legendary poet Homer calls Ithaca in his epic Odysseus Unbound. The island offers a number of intriguing archaeological sites, but these may not impress you as much as its stunning beaches, with Myrtos beach named as “one of the most dramatic beaches in Greece” by The Daily Telegraph. [Photo: Matt Sims/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Ithaca
Ithaca (Ionian) – Though the exact location of Homer’s Ithaca is up for debate, there is a real Ithaca: it’s a peaceful, more or less undiscovered island off the northeastern coast of Kefalonia. Hiking to the Cave of the Nymph is a unique experience that combines natural beauty and myth, as according to the legend, this is where Odysseus hid gifts that he brought from the land of the Phaeacians.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Patmos
Patmos (Dodecanese) – Just like so many other Greek islands, Patmos has plenty of gorgeous beaches, resorts and taverns with delicious food to offer, but the island’s original claim to fame is that the Apostle John wrote the “Book of Revelation” there. If you only have one day on the island, you won’t want to miss the Monastery of Saint John, built in the 11th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. [Photo: Sophia Diakidou/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Kastellorizo
Kastellorizo (Dodecanese) – One of the last islands to officially join the state of Greece back in 1947, Kastellorizo’s many colourful houses lend it a unique atmosphere and make it stand out from the usual “blue and white” Greek isles. Go for a swim in the Blue Cave, a unique natural marvel adorned with stalactites – you may even be lucky enough to see the sun hit the water at just the right angle, lighting up the entire cave in a breathtaking shade of blue (hence the name).
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Nisyros
Nisyros (Dodecanese) – If you’re interested in spending an adventurous time near the most accessible volcano in the Mediterranean, swim in some of Greece’s purest and clearest waters, enjoy stunning views and attend various art festivals, then Nisyros – also known as the “Island of the Arts” – is waiting for you. Visit the thermal baths, take in art exhibitions, hike the island volcano …and enjoy being one of the few tourists to experience this island’s singular energy.
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Special Greek Islands
20 Secret Greek Islands To Discover.
Rhodes
Rhodes (Dodecanese) – One of the largest islands in Greece, Rhodes isn’t exactly a tourism secret, but as it’s often outshined by the likes of Santorini, we still think it deserves a place on this list. Not many other islands can boast of a rich 2,500-year history, in addition to stunning natural beauty and a unique architectural heritage. The island is also home to gorgeous sandy beaches, emerald waters, a valley full of colourful butterflies, an array of gourmet restaurants and a fascinating Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, in addition to the many mosques and Ottoman architectural influences from the era of Ottoman rule that began in 1522 and lasted nearly 400 years.
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