Five Greek Islands That Aren’t Mykonos or Santorini

With Greece reopen for tourism this summer, many have started planning trips to the Islands. And while Mykonos and Santorini are two of the most visited islands, with so many islands to choose from, Greece has so much more to offer than just those two places! Don’t get me wrong — both Santorini and Mykonos are incredible! But there are other places that offer more secluded and less mainstream experiences. If you are looking for something a little more, shall we say, socially distant, then look no further to some of the islands on this list.

1. Samothrace: Samothrace is definitely one of the lesser visited islands. It’s scarcity of hotels and abundance of camping means you shouldn’t expect the 5 star resort experience that you might have at other islands. Still, it’s a wonderful place to visit, especially if you enjoy hiking and nature. The food is also incredible, and there are amazing Ancient Greek ruins to boot. Look for our upcoming travel guide to Samothrace!

*Vathras of Fonia, Samothrace, Greece; Courtesy of Unsplash*

*Goats of Samothraki, Greece; Courtesy of Unsplash*

2. Amorgos, Cyclades: With it’s many gorges, crystal clear waters, and a monastery carved into a cliff, Amorgos is sure to stun you with it’s beauty. Amorgos is actually the perfect island to visit in combination with Santorini and/or Mykonos, because of it’s close proximity and the easy ferries from either island. Amorgos does not have an airport, so the other option is to take a ferry directly from Piraeus or one of the surrounding Cycladic islands.

3. Ikaria — Most famously known as one of the “Blue Zones”, with one of the largest populations of centenarians, Ikaria has a lot to offer asides from it’s longevity lifestyle. Be forewarned though, this island might not be for the type A personalities. If you are used to busy schedules and everything being on time, know that in Ikaria things move at a much slower pace.

4. Milos, Cyclades — Milos is quickly starting to gain popularity due to it’s incredible landscape. Seriously — some parts look more like the moon than earth! Also, since it’s part of the cyclades, it fits perfectly into an island hopping trip.

5. Hydra, Saronic Islands: A quick ferry ride from Athens, Hydra is a one of a kind experience. The island does not allow automobiles, and instead the main mode of transportation is water taxi and pack donkeys. Although this is a popular destination for day-trippers from Athens, most stay in the main town. Exploring the rest of the island, you’ll find that the crowds thin and the true nature of Hydra shines through.

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