img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}Dreaming of a picture-perfect, Mamma Mia-coded summer, with plenty of island-hopping, whitewashed towns topped with blue-dome churches, and all the souvlaki you can eat?
Unless you have a big budget and a desire to go on a splurging spree, maybe you’ll want to steer clear of Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, and the like: gorgeous as they may be, they get pricier with every passing year, and it’s not like the crowding is dwindling, either.
Lucky for you, Greece is still a country of over 200 islands. It’s just that tourists can’t help but flock to the same places every year.
Here are 4 Greek islands that have not fallen victim to TikTok, and that will make a jam-packed Oia pale in comparison with their unspoiled Aegean charm and cheaper prices:
Kythira
A largely unheard-of island south of the Peloponnese peninsula, Kythira is ringed by sandy beaches and peppered with all your Greek must-haves, from quaint hilltop settlements to jaw-dropping monuments dating back centuries.
Its capital and largest town, Chora, has narrow alleys that lead up to a 13th-century Venetian fortress, whereas Avlemonas is the more idyllic sister, overlooking a scenic bay, and Mylopotamos, further inland, draws in wine lovers with its family-run Porfyrousa Estate, famous for its dry rosé.
Kythira’s greatest attraction, however, is its myriad beaches: it is situated between two of the most beautiful branches of the Mediterranean Sea, the Ionian and the Aegean, and trust us when we say the water is at its clearest in that ‘in-between’ zone.
Think Kaladi Beach, a sandy strip backed by picturesque cliffs and pine trees, straddling teal-colored seas, Melidoni, with its shallow waters and cozy beachfront taverns, or even Chalikiada, a secluded pebbly cove known to host the occasional naturist.
CategoryBudget mealMid-range (3-course for 2)Fine dining (per person)Budget hotel (per night for 2 adults)Luxury hotel (per night for 2 adults)Average Price$22–$33$60$30–$35+$50–$115+$210+
Thassos
One of those offbeat North Aegean gems that do not have an airport, and that are only accessible by ferry from the mainland, Thassos is one of the most lush islands in Greece, with a densely forested hinterland and ancient towns built from stone.
Your first point of entry will likely be Limenas, the island’s capital, right on the coast, and at the foot of an acropolis, but in order to find some of that homemade olive oil and fresh-out-the-oven koulourakia, you’ll need to go up the mountain towards Theologos:
Featuring Thassos’ landmark quarry-stone houses and cobble-paved alleys, it is the island’s most picturesque town—ask any native, and they’ll tell you you’ve not really been to Thassos until you’ve tried katsikaki (roast goat) in a tavern up here.
For more Thassos, check out Panagia, yet another historic settlement further up in the mountains, dotted with ouzo bars, drive down towards Potamia, nestled in a valley, within short walking distance of beautiful waterfalls, and for a taste of the local, laid-back nightlife, there’s nowhere better than Potos.
CategoryBudget mealMid-range (3-course for 2)Fine dining (per person)Budget hotel (per night for 2 adults)Luxury hotel (per night for 2 adults)Average Price$20–$23$30–$50$40–$45+$35–$65$140–$200+
Syros
A small Aegean island only about 10 miles long from north to south, and 5.6 miles at its widest point, Syros is located right at the heart of the Cyclades, the same island group that includes Santorini and Mykonos, though it’s usually ignored by tourists.
A culturally-charged hotspot, it is best known for Ermoupoli, capital of both the island itself and the entire Cyclades, a string of coastal villages where time seems to have stood still for centuries, and crowd-free beaches hugged by turquoise waters.
Ermoupoli is, without question, the main attraction here: a port town dominated by a blue-dome cathedral, it is characterized by its marble-paved pathways, Neoclassical houses, and shopping scene, particularly along Eleftheriou Venizelou Street.
If you’re looking to experience Syros beyond the hustle and bustle of Ermoupoli, however, you must head out to Ano Syros, a hilltop settlement criss-crossed with medieval cobbled lanes, Kini, a fishing village on the west coast, and Galissas, a popular resort town straddling a sandy beach.
CategoryBudget mealMid-range (3-course for 2)Fine dining (per person)Budget hotel (per night for 2 adults)Luxury hotel (per night for 2 adults)Average Price$17–$28$44–$55$66–$77+$88–$132$190+
Chios
Lying just off the Turkish Coast, Chios is Greece’s fifth-largest island, and somewhere you could easily stay in an entire week (or two), and still not run out of amazing sights and fun things to do, starting with Chios Town:
Like most Greek island capitals, it sits on the waterfront, except this one is easily distinguished by its collection of well-preserved historic windmills, occupying a stone jetty stretching out into the sea, a modern promenade lined with seafood eateries, and a lively atmosphere.
If you love medieval history, then you can’t miss out on the trio of Mastic Villages: Pyrgi, where townhouses are clad in black-and-white-patterned tiles, Mesta, with its maze-like grid of winding alleys and defensive walls, and Olympi, raised from stone back in the Middle Ages.
Can’t get enough of the culture? Nea Moni is an 11th century Byzantine Monastery, and UNESCO World Heritage Site a short 13-minute drive inland from the main port—now, if you love unruffled beaches and could do with a tan, Apothika, near Mesta, or perhaps Agia Dynami might just do the trick.
CategoryBudget mealMid-range (3-course for 2)Fine dining (per person)Budget hotel (per night for 2 adults)Luxury hotel (per night for 2 adults)Average Price$20–$30$40–$55$32–$53+$56–$105$150–$200+
Going to Greece this summer?
Make sure you check the entry rules applying to U.S. passport holders in advance using our TOP Entry Checker Requirement.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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