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- More unique islands in Greece worth visiting
Mykonos has long been a must-visit destination for backpackers and honeymooners alike, offering fascinating tours on the Aegean Sea. But as tourism escalates, many people are looking for alternatives. Luckily, there is no shortage of Greek Islands with crystal clear blue waters, whitewashed buildings, sandy beaches, and volcanic cliffs. These 16 alternatives to Mykonos are a must-visit when seeking a getaway that’s budget-friendly and less crowded.
UPDATE: 2023/02/09 19:59 EST BY JOANE ACAR
More unique islands in Greece worth visiting
The paradisiacal Greek islands are some of the most popular spots for a holiday break in Europe.
The article was extended to include 5 fascinating islands in Greece that offer travelers historic sites, iconic sunsets, stunning greenery, scenic beaches, and most of all precious times.
UPDATE: 2022/07/24 19:44 EST BY GABRIEL KIRELLOS
More Stunning Islands To Visit In Greece
Greece is home to countless charming islands that people should visit for an unforgettable vacation. This list was updated to include some additional islands with amazing attractions that everyone must see, such as the islands of Syros and Santorini.
16 Crete
Crete is a patchwork of old harbors and Venetian port villages loaded with tavernas. The gorgeous island features magnificent olive forests, sun-kissed mountains, and sheer-cut canyons. Visitors spend a perfect weekend in Crete, unwinding by the wild beaches in Falasarna, relaxing at magical beaches like Elafonisi on the Libyan Sea, or enjoying the vibrant spots next to Heraklion and the party ribbons of Malia.
15 Symi
Symi is a tiny island located in the Greek Aegean, and yet it is considered one of the most stunning islands around. The kaleidoscopically bright harbor of Symi and the Ano Symi town are extremely popular and glow in yellow, pink, and blue shades. Wanderers explore the secret beaches, where they enjoy some fresh shrimp dishes from nearby tavernas.
14 Kos
Just a short boat ride from Bodrum in the east, the island of Kos sparkles like a jewel amid the waters of the Aegean Sea. Its land features verdant fig areas and olive forests, peppered with the few arching spines of wild mountain peaks and dunes that give way to popular beaches such as Lambi and secluded Limnionas. There are also authentic Turkish, and Greek eats to try, stalking between the ancient remains and Genoese castles of historic Kos town.
13 Lefkada
Lefkada is a laid-back getaway perfect for travelers looking to catch a glance at rustic Greek island life in the Ionian Sea. Located in the Ionian archipelago, it has a wide inland of rough mountains and high-perched villages, all surrounded by dense forests of olive and cypress trees. The entire coastline features a lovely series of hidden coves and fishing villages such as Porto Katsiki and Kalamitsi Beach.
12 Naxos
Travelers seeking the white and blue Cycladic architecture and design of Mykonos without the partiers and crowds should consider booking their holiday in Naxos instead. Naxos is just over an hour away from Mykonos by ferry and maintains all of the desirable perks of visiting the South Aegean without the high price tag and dense tourist population.
Visitors can relax on the white sands of Plaka Beach or visit the hilltop castle, Kastro. The medieval white-washed homes in Chora are sure to make any traveler's Greek Island vacation dreams come true.
11 Paros
A quick ferry ride away from Naxos is the popular Cycladic island, Paros. While still a favorite among tourists, Paros is less expensive and crowded than Mykonos or Santorini, with all the charm. Paros boasts vibrant blue waters, romantic stone streets, and white-washed buildings with blue roofs.
Top attractions on the island include visiting Panagia Ekatontapiliani (a historic church) and the Frankish Castle in Parikia. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches like Kolymbithres Beach, Monastiri Beach, and Piperi Beach.
10 Milos
Milos is an up-and-coming destination for travelers as they seek out more affordable alternatives to Mykonos and Santorini. It’s still part of the Cyclades but is located west of the other popular islands in the area. The main settlement on the island is Plaka, but it's worth venturing over to Firopotamos Village for at least a day to experience life in a Greek fishing village.
A can’t-miss spot in Milos is Sarakiniko Beach, which features white volcanic cliffs that strike a beautiful contrast to the vibrant blue of the Aegean Sea. Many visitors come here for the thrill of cliff jumping.
9 Zakynthos
Travelers willing to explore islands outside the Cyclades can enjoy a different side of Greece; typically this means lower prices and more local experiences. Zakynthos is an island on the Ionian Sea and boasts some of the best natural landscapes in the region.
Zakynthos is particularly famous for Navagio Beach, nicknamed Shipwreck Beach. This sandy cove is on the northwest shore of the island and is where visitors can see Panagiotis, the ship that washed up here in the early 1980s.
8 Ikaria
Heading back to the Aegean Sea, Ikaria is a unique choice for a getaway in the Greek Islands. Ikaria is one of the world’s five “Blue Zones,” which are regions where people statistically live the longest. One in three inhabitants of Ikaria lives past the age of 90, and it’s common for people here to live to 100.
Spending some time here can help travelers understand the secrets to a long life. There are valuable lessons to learn from talking to the locals and observing their way of life. In addition to being a Blue Zone, Ikaria offers beautiful beaches like Nas Beach and quality wine at Afianes Wines.
7 Rhodes
Rhodes is part of the Dodecanese Greek Islands and is closer to mainland Turkey than mainland Greece. The medieval city of Rhodes is the must-see attraction of the island and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, added to the most beautiful towns to visit around Rhodes.
The island’s landscapes are dramatic, with towering mountains and contrasting seascapes. Many visitors enjoy windsurfing and kite surfing on the southern coast of the island.
6 Kefalonia
Located west of mainland Greece, Kefalonia is on the Ionian Sea. It has a dry landscape, limestone cliffs, and white sand beaches. The waters here are unbelievably blue, and the colorful buildings give the island a lively feeling that is different from that of the Cyclades. Kefalonia is easy to get to from Athens since it has its own airport (Kefalonia International Airport Anna Pollatou). Direct flights from Athens are short, taking just over one hour.
5 Skiathos
A lesser-known grouping of islands off the coast of Greece is called the Sporades. The Sporades comprise 24 islands on the country’s east coast in the Aegean Sea. Travelers looking for a less-touristy Greek destination will love the Sporades Island, Skiathos. Skiathos has an open-air cinema for evening entertainment, cafés, and plenty of quaint shops.
The top attraction is Lalaria Beach which is only accessible by boat. Lalaria offers shocking turquoise waters and white stone cliffs rising from the sea. It only takes 40 minutes to fly from Athens to Skiathos International Airport.
4 Kalymnos
Kalymnos is another island in the Dodecanese grouping and makes the perfect pairing with Rhodes for a one-week getaway on the Aegean Sea. Kalymnos was originally a sponge fishing village, with the industry supporting much of the island’s economy until the population of sponge fish died out. Between 1859 and 1967, Kalymnos lost over 90% of its sponge fishing population. Today, tourism is blossoming on the island, and it's becoming a sought-after destination for adventurous travelers who enjoy rock climbing. The easiest way to get here from Athens is to fly to Kos and take a ferry.
3 Anafi
Another Cycladic gem, Anafi, is located close to Santorini. It offers the same white-washed buildings and stone streets as Mykonos while getting travelers off the beaten path. Due to the limited tourist population here, there isn’t the same level of infrastructure as some of the other Greek Islands on this list. Therefore, one can spend a lot of time relaxing on peaceful beaches and enjoying the tranquility of this hidden oasis in Greece.
Visitors can check out the beautiful white-washed architecture of the Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa before heading to the beach. Livoskopos, Roukouna, and Katsouni are the most popular beaches on this small island.
2 Santorini
Santorini is a famous destination for American and Chinese honeymooners who enjoy taking selfies as the sun sinks behind the flooded volcanic crater, the island's caldera. While this view is considered a romantic cliche, it's still worth experiencing it when visiting Oia, the town of white homes and blue roofs. Visitors to the island will also have fun taking a road trip to the hot springs at Palia Kameni and the crater of Nea Kameni. The places to stay in Santorini are concentrated in Imerovigli and Oia, but it's also worth checking out the unique village of Pyrgos on the island.
1 Syros
This enchanting Greek island is known for its prehistoric settlement, Agios Stefanos, and many more attractions worth checking out. If anyone is looking for a unique Greek holiday without noise and crowds, then Syros is the way to go. From hikes and secluded beaches to historical activities and archaeological wonders, people will never run out of options when visiting this island. They will enjoy exploring Kastri, Ano Meria, Gria Cave, Agia Pakou, Villa Tsiropina, Paralia Kini, and many more attractions on Syros.