This article was originally published in February 2019.
With over 200 inhabited islands, there are plenty of places to enjoy a Greek island-hopping adventure.
There’s no doubt that tourism plays a vital role in local economies. But many destinations – especially in the Mediterranean – are buckling under the weight of overtourism.
While governments are taking steps to limit visitor numbers and improve infrastructure, it’s also up to us, as responsible travellers, to consider the impact we have on the places we visit.
The good news is that sunsets aren’t limited to Santorini. You’ll find them all over Greece – along with seaside tavernas, hilltop villages and bright blue swimming coves.
Here are five lesser-known islands where you can escape the crowds and experience a more relaxed side of Greece.
1. Syros
With quiet beaches, neoclassical architecture and winding lanes lined with family-run tavernas and cafes, Syros ticks all the boxes – but without the crowds of its neighbour, Mykonos.
Ermoupoli, the capital of both Syros and the Cyclades, is a pretty city of marble squares, pastel-painted mansions and 19th-century tenement blocks. It has a rich history as a trading port and the streets still buzz with market stalls and locals catching up over coffee. As you walk around, you’ll likely catch a whiff of loukoumi (turkish delight), a traditional sweet made in family-run shops across the city. If you join Intrepid’s Athens to Santorini trip, you’ll have a go at making loukoumi yourself.
Beyond the capital, explore abandoned windmills, walk to the former fortified medieval settlement of Ano Syros or explore the Bronze Age ruins of Kastri – one of the earliest settlements in Greece.
2. Sifnos
Sifnos is a place where you can hike to a monastery in the morning, buy handmade ceramics at lunch and settle into a taverna for an evening of fresh seafood and tsipouro.
Sifnos’ rugged landscape is dotted with churches and monasteries – the most impressive is perhaps the Agios Nikolaos which sits on a rocky outcrop – olive groves, and valleys of wild juniper and almond trees.
It’s also the perfect place to pick up a ceramic souvenir, given its reputation as the Aegean’s pottery capital. Its culinary reputation is just as rich thanks to Nikolaos Tselementes, a renowned local chef who wrote the first widely influential Greek cookbook in 1910. Be sure to sample local dishes like revithada (chickpea stew), mastelo (slow-cooked lamb with wine and herbs) and kaparosalata (caper salad).
3. Folegandros
It might be just an hour’s ferry ride from Santorini, but Folegandros has a very different feel – with Athenian holidaymakers outnumbering international visitors. Its main town, Chora, is one of the oldest medieval towns in the Cyclades and sits dramatically on a 200-metre-tall cliff. Cars aren’t allowed in the centre, so there’s a very relaxed atmosphere – think shaded courtyards, quiet stone laneways and cats snoozing in the sun.
But the real magic happens at the Church of Panagia. Follow the zigzag path up the hill behind town for wide-open views of the Aegean and, you guessed it, a blazing sunset that’s not half as busy as Santorini.
4. Kythnos
If you’re looking for a mix of hiking and lazy seaside vibes, Kythnos might be your spot. This sleepy island has some of the most rugged terrain in the Cyclades, with bald hills, cliffs, coastal caves and peaceful beaches where you can sprawl out to your heart’s content.
The trail from Loutra to the Castle of Oria winds along breezy headlands to a medieval fortress that sits on a 250-metre-tall ridge. After, treat your leg muscles with a soak in Loutra’s mineral-rich hot springs, used since ancient times for their healing properties.
5. Crete
Crete might not be a secret, but venture beyond Chania, Heraklion and the beach resorts and you’ll see a side of the island that most tourists miss. Intrepid’s Highlights of Crete takes you inland to the foothills of the White Mountains, where you’ll stay in a traditional guesthouse built by a local couple using stone and timber from the land. Evenings are simple, with family-style meals, local wine and traditional folk music.
At lower ground, explore some of Crete’s many gorges, including Agia Irini carved through the west side of the White Mountains – a less crowded alternative to the famous Samaria Gorge. Look out for kri-kri (endangered Cretan goats) and wild oregano along the path.
Read more: Mezes, mountain goats and mother-daughter memories in Crete
The popular islands are popular for a reason. But spend some time in these quieter ones and you’ll find just as much beauty, history and delicious food – while easing the pressure on places that have hit saturation point.
Ready for an island escape? Explore Greece on an Intrepid small group adventure.
