Greece in the summertime conjures a certain image: white churches with boldly colored domes, glittering beaches with waters so immaculately blue that no single word can adequately describe them, and charming seaside tavernas serving chilled ouzo alongside freshly grilled octopus. Though Greece is technically comprised of 6,000 islands, 227 of which are inhabited, most visitors flock to the shores of Mykonos and Santorini in the summer months. Venture just a bit further and you’ll discover a smattering of smaller, more quaint islands and islets begging to be discovered, all of which possess the same charming Cycladic appeal as their mainstay neighbors, but without the teeming crowds.
Each of these islands is accessible via ferry ride or speedboat from one of the more mainstream islands, making it easy to tack on a few days of exploration to the front or back end of your trip. If you’re like us, you may find that exploring the lesser-known side of the Cyclades is even more tantalizing than the typical destinations, offering up a side of Greece that many visitors never get to experience. Here are six standout islands to get you started.
Tinos
A quick 20-minute ferry ride from Mykonos lands you in Tinos, a Grecian isle that has been experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years. One of the first things you’ll notice upon arrival is the red carpet stretching from the old port through town, leading all the way to Panagia Evangelistria, a 190-year-old Greek Orthodox church built to honor the Virgin Mary. Every August, thousands of devotees flock to Tinos for a religious pilgrimage, crawling on their hands and knees across the red carpet to the church.
Though Tinos has only 10,000 year-round residents, the island has an impressive 50 villages scattered along the mountainside. Nearly every one of the whitewashed villages has at least one taverna serving delectably simple local fare, like roasted eggplant, boiled artichoke with lemon and olive oil, and a variety of local Tiana cheese. Rent a car to explore as many of these villages as possible, and keep your eye out for the intricately decorated ancient dovecotes—slate and limestone houses for domesticated doves and pigeons—that pepper the cliffsides. Beaches abound in Tinos, but Agios Sostis on the south side of the island is well suited for a relaxing day wading in crystalline waters, and there are a few tavernas within walking distance.
CNT Insider Tip: Spend an afternoon visiting a few vineyards located in the center of the island to experience one of the most exciting emerging wine regions in Greece. Be sure to try a glass of unfiltered natural wine and a glass of Raki, the traditional drink of Tinos.
Folegandros
Just an hour from Santorini lies the ethereal, wild beauty of Folegandros, where rugged, exposed cliffs juxtapose brilliant cerulean seas. In many ways, this petite island is the antithesis of its popular neighbor, offering visitors a peaceful respite from the chaos of life. With only three villages and just under 800 year-round inhabitants, Folegrados is the sort of place where you have the chance to feel like a regular after just a few days; a rare feat in the bustling Cyclades.
There are no cars allowed in the Chora, the main town, and the result is a tranquility that feels a bit like traveling back in time. Pounta is a local favorite for an outstanding meal, where tables dot the back garden and breakfast consists of fresh juice, thick Greek yogurt with local fruit and honey, and traditional omelets, among other dishes. Sunsets on this rural island are not to be missed, and the most spectacular place to catch the sun retiring over the Aegean sea is from the church of Panagia, accessible via a photogenic zigzag pathway that takes about 15 minutes to climb.
CNT Insider Tip: Many beaches in Folegandros are beautifully rugged, often with pebbles in place of sand. Opt for a six-hour boat tour of the island to reach those shores inaccessible by foot, stopping at a handful of stunning beaches and prehistoric caves along the way.
Kea
Though Kea is only a 90-minute ferry ride from the metropolis that is Athens, the unique island has little in common with the ancient city, or with its Cycladic neighbors, and that’s what makes it worth visiting. For starters, Kea, known to the locals as Tzia, is distinguished by its neoclassical architecture, consisting of tiled roofs and Earth tones—none of the blues and whites one comes to expect while exploring the Cyclades. Alongside superb beaches, Kea’s diverse landscape is also home to lush, natural beauty, evoking images of the Garden of Eden—think steep hills, the largest oak forest in the Cyclades, olive groves, vineyards, and sweeping valleys, all connected by a highly organized system of numbered walking paths that bring you from wilderness to the island’s four ancient cities: Ioulida, Karthaia, Korissia, and Poiessa.
Though Iouilda is technically Kea’s capital, locals traveling only by donkey or by foot give the impression of a sweet, sleepy village. This is a large part of Kea’s charm; the mostly untouched wilderness coupled with tantalizing blue-watered beaches preserve the original spirit of traditional island villages. Despite its idyllic nature, visitors in Kea can still experience a taste of the quintessential Greek nightlife, mingling with Athenian weekenders at nightclubs in Korissia, many of which stay open until the sun comes up.
CNT Insider Tip: For certified divers, discover a magical underwater world in Kea. Aside from its rich underwater biodiversity, Kea’s waters are also home to several noteworthy shipwrecks that divers can explore, from the Titanic’s twin sister to a German Junkers Ju 52 airplane from World War II.
Koufonisia
Traveling to Koufonisia is an adventure in itself. You’ll take a calming 5-to-8-hour ferry ride from Athens, and you’ll certainly notice when you’re nearing Koufonisia, because the water will transform into the most dazzling shade of turquoise you’ll come across during your trip. Think of Koufonisia as the Montauk of the Cyclades: remote, quaint, and located just far enough that it has remained a genuine hidden gem.
There are actually two islands to see here. Ano Koufonissi, the main island, is the more lively of the two. Even still, there is but one village on the island, and strolling through its steep cobbled alleyways imparts a sense of Greece’s simpler days. There are hardly any paved roads and few cars, so traveling by foot is the simplest method of exploration, and you can easily walk the entire island in about 4 hours. A collection of stunning, often half-empty beaches boast some of the most spectacular glass-like waters in the Aegean. Kato Koufonissi, the second half of the pair, is an entirely uninhabited islet accessible only by boat from Ano Koufonissi. Here, you’ll find lush vegetation and migratory birds, a deserted village unoccupied since the 1960s, and a collection of unbelievably vibrant beaches requiring short hikes to reach.
CNT Insider Tip: Nestled between Italida and Pori beach lies an incredible natural swimming hole. Jump off of the rocks into the cool, clear waters for a bit of a thrill. If you're a strong swimmer, you can swim through a small tunnel beneath the rocks to end up in the stunning open sea.
Serifos
For untamed beauty with a distinct Cycladic charm, a visit to Serifos is a must. A two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Athens transports you to Serifos, whose Chora, or main town, is carved amphitheatrically into a rocky hill at the very top of the island, acting as an ad hoc look out to the glistening sea below. The Chora consists of an upper and a lower part—Pano and Kato, respectively, connected by a set of stairs. Whitewashed houses seem to tumble down the sloped cliffside, resting on the scattered ruins of the ancient town that can be seen up-close from the narrow cobblestone paths. Take a ten-minute walk up to the 15th-century Venetian castle and bask in the sight of the sparkling Aegean waters below before enjoying a fresh catch of fish at a local taverna.
On the southern coast of Serifos sits a string of beautiful beaches—about 70 in total, according to locals—all situated close to one another. An afternoon spent beach-hopping showcases the diversity of Serifos shores, from pebbled or sandy to rugged and rocky.
CNT Insider Tip: For a taste of history with a touch of beauty, spend an afternoon hiking the Serifos mining trail by the bay of Megalo Livadi. Seemingly untouched since the troubled mining industry collapsed in the mid 20th century, the trail boasts several noteworthy landmarks, including the oft-photographed “bridge to nowhere,” which is suspended over the sea.
Naxos
Of all of the lesser-known Cycladic islands, Naxos is amongst the most popular, though it is still a far cry from the overflowing shores of Santorini or Mykonos. Technically the largest of the Cyclades, charming Naxos lays claim to other noteworthy superlatives as well: the longest crystalline beaches in the Aegean; the greenest of the Cycladic islands with a lush, magnificent landscape; and one of the richest histories—perhaps best demonstrated by Portara, the massive, gate-like ruins of the unfinished Apollo temple dating back to 530 B.C.
For those gastronomically-inclined travelers, Naxos is a bright spot in the culinary wonderland that is the Cyclades, thanks to its long-established agricultural economy and nutrient-fertile lands. Green vegetables, sheep and goat meat, fish, potatoes, olives, and honey are all mainstays of Naxian cuisines, best enjoyed in the local, family-run tavernas offering warm hospitality.
CNT Insider Tip: Venture to the small fishing village of Apollonas on the north side of the island to visit the statue of Kouros, a stunning, 35-foot-long marble statue of Dionysus dating back to the 7th century B.C.
Seize the Greek summer and start planning your vacation today at https://www.visitgreece.gr/.