Whether you are looking for a typical Cycladic island to enjoy your holiday without the hordes of tourists, a historically important location that no one has heard of or a remote place to spend days on the beach without the pressure of human interaction, you will find it all in Greece.
The only hard part is knowing where to start your search – but here we are to help you.
Here is another list of Greek islands that you will be the first of your friends to visit in 2021
You don’t have to waste a day on the ship to get there. Kea is just an hour and a half by boat from the port of Lavrio just outside Athens.
While the island has seen an increase in visitors in recent years, the largest percentage of summer visitors are Greeks and not foreigners, which ensures a less touristy feel. Bring (or rent) a bike. There is no better way to see this island, which has 65 klm. of cycling routes.
Just below Kea and just 3 hours by ferry from the port of Piraeus, Kythnos is also a relatively peaceful island in the Cyclades. Attractions include the Katafiki cave with its colorful stalactites in the village of Dryopida, the lakes of Tourkala, the church of Panagia in Kanala, with its miraculous image, the medieval castle in Oria and the thermal springs in the village of Loutra.
You can also find the first diving center in Greece that specializes in diving for people with mobility problems in Dryopida (the diving spots around the island include a wreck of World War II).
The small village of Chalki is as photogenic as it can be, with colorful traditional houses with ceramic tiled roofs and Venetian mansions that align the waterfront.
One of the smallest inhabited islands in the Dodecanese, Chalki is home to a community of about 300 people, who are known to live comfortably and you won’t need much time to get into the same rhythm.
There is no movement and even the clock in the clock tower remains stationary (its bell made a lot of noise for the preferences of the locals) – a perfect reminder to slow down, turn off and charge your battery.
You need a car on this green island and driving for the most part is also a great way to get here (you’ll see a lot of Peloponnese on the way to Neapoles, from where you can take a 75 minute ferry).
Swim on a different beach every day. you won’t want to get out of the crystal clear waters. We like Kaladi with many rocks for diving, Kalami for a while adrenaline (you have to go down a rope to get there), Fyri Ammos in Kalamos with red sand and Fourni to cool in a hammock over the water.
Spending an afternoon in the pool under the Fairy waterfall near Mylopotamos is another unforgettable experience, and if the wind allows it, make a visit to the Hytra cave.
Hikers will also love it as two of the island’s trails have recently become the first in Europe to receive Green Flag Trails certifications.
While everyone knows Crete, the region of Lassithi to the east of the largest island in Greece is the least common part of it.
Although less famous than the areas of Chania, Rethymnon and Heraklion, Lassithi has a lot to offer. From the bustling city of Agios Nikolaos, the Minoan ruins of Zakros and the so-called “Dead Gorge”, to the tropical beach of Vai near Sitia and the relaxed surfing center in Kouremnos, there is something for every kind of traveler in Lassithi.
In Elounda, the area with the greatest tourist development, you will find some of the most beautiful resorts and thermal baths in Greece. It is also worth taking a boat on the island of Spinalonga, especially if you have read Victoria’s Hislop’s novel “The Island“, inspired by the true story of the leper colony that once existed here.
This Cycladic island is a series of authentic villages, charming Venetian buildings, a large number of beaches and, most importantly, countless churches and chapels.
The church of Panagia Evangelistria, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, houses an image that is considered miraculous and one of the most important religious sites in the country.
Pilgrims who travel here to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on August 15th, famously complete the last part of the pilgrimage to their knees. In recent years, Tinos has also become a favorite spring food destination, thanks to the Tinos Food Paths festival in May.
If you’ve seen photos of Karpathos on Instagram, you’ll have seen some of its picturesque villages. The mountain village of Olympus is the most famous of all, known to resemble a different era, as if enclosed in a capsule.
Many come here to see residents working on their looms, or making ceramics and shoes. It is also worth visiting the villages of Aperi, Mesochori and Menetes.
This Dodecanese island is also a dream destination for outdoor destinations, with beautiful hiking trails, excellent sailing conditions, amazing underwater landscapes that you can discover while diving, more than a hundred amazing beaches and even more climbing areas.