Greek Travel Community

Best Off the Beaten Track Islands in Greece

1 - 7 of 7 Posts
redsoxdw_

redsoxdw_

Active member
I recently had some friends tell me about their trip to Greece, which involved Mykonos and Santorini. He said those two places were so busy, it ruined the enjoyment of it.

We are planning a trip to Greece next year and want to try some smaller islands that are more like "hidden gems" than tourist traps. Someone told me that Aegina is a nice place, as well as Paros. Do you guys have any advice other than those two islands?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hash
redsoxdw_ said:
I recently had some friends tell me about their trip to Greece, which involved Mykonos and Santorini. He said those two places were so busy, it ruined the enjoyment of it.

We are planning a trip to Greece next year and want to try some smaller islands that are more like "hidden gems" than tourist traps. Someone told me that Aegina is a nice place, as well as Paros. Do you guys have any advice other than those two islands?
Click to expand...
Kalley Mera Kalllo Mina, which part of the year are you thinking of traveling, what is your itinerary, routing?
 
  • Like
Reactions: k_tsoukalas and redsoxdw_
Both Paros and Aegina will have quite a few tourists, but it will be far less than mykonos and santorini.

I was in Spetses a few years ago, and I didn't see many tourists there but that may have been because non-citizens/immediate family members of citizens weren't allowed in Greece.

One of my favorites is Agistri, which is next to Aegina. It doesn't get many tourists because there isn't much there for tourists. You can see everything in 10 minutes
 
  • Like
Reactions: k_tsoukalas and redsoxdw_
you can see everything in 10 minutes ?
It took me over 3 hours to walk around the island.A boat trip took about an hour & a half. There a 3 villages to explore.There is a naturist beach.Called Chalikiada
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: k_tsoukalas and redsoxdw_
Thank you all for weighing in - you introduced me to some great options! Spetses, Agistri , Chalkidiki, Aegina. I'll look into them!
 
I love Aegina - I just went a few months ago. It was my first time seeing a saint's relics (Saint Nektarios) and it was amazing. My mother went to Agistri and hired a local guide. She was there all day and loved every minute of it. Now, I've got Agistri on the top of my list. It sounded charming and fun!
 
Tpebop said:
you can see everything in 10 minutes ?
It took me over 3 hours to walk around the island.A boat trip took about an hour & a half. There a 3 villages to explore.There is a naturist beach.Called Chalikiada
Click to expand...
Don't take things so literally; it was hyperbole.
 
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Which Greek island feels the least touristy in the summer?

I know that July and August are busy almost everywhere in Greece, especially on the more famous islands, but I’m curious about places that still feel relatively local and relaxed even during peak season.

I’m not necessarily looking for somewhere completely empty. I’d just love an island where you can still find traditional villages, local tavernas, quieter beaches, and a slower pace without feeling like the entire island is built around tourism.

Have you visited an island in the summer that still felt authentic and not overly crowded? I’d especially be interested in places where locals still seem to set the rhythm of daily life rather than visitors.

Which island would you recommend, and what made it feel less touristy to you? Was it the beaches, villages, restaurants, fewer cruise ships, or just the overall atmosphere?

Is Island Hopping Worth the Effort?

I've been thinking about trying an island-hopping trip the next time I visit Greece, but I'm wondering if it's actually worth the extra planning and travel time. In the past I've usually picked one island and stayed there for the duration of my vacation, which has been relaxing and let me really get to know the area.

Part of me loves the idea of experiencing several islands in one trip since they each seem to have their own personality, food, scenery, and traditions. On the other hand, I wonder if constantly packing, catching ferries, and checking into new accommodations takes away from the experience.

For those of you who have island-hopped, did you feel it was worth it? How many islands did you visit, and did you wish you had spent more time in fewer places? I'd love to hear your itineraries, tips, and whether you'd do it the same way again.

Is Greece easy to travel around without renting a car?

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s realistic to travel around Greece without renting a car. I’d prefer not to drive if I can avoid it, especially since I’m not familiar with the roads, parking, or driving customs there.

For those who have traveled around Greece using public transportation, how easy was it? I know there are buses, ferries, taxis, and domestic flights, but I’m wondering how practical they are once you get outside the main tourist areas. Did you ever feel limited by not having a car?

I’m also curious whether it makes sense to rely on public transportation for most of the trip and just rent a car for a day or two when needed. Are there certain types of places that are especially difficult to reach without one?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has done a Greece trip mostly or entirely without driving.

Ferry vs flying between islands, what’s better?

I’ve always been a ferry guy when it comes to Greece, something about pulling into a port and seeing the island come into view just feels right. But this trip is a little different because I’m traveling with someone who gets pretty motion sick, so now I’m seriously considering flying between islands instead.

Curious what you guys think, ferry vs flying, what’s actually better?

I know ferries are part of the whole island-hopping experience, and they’re usually more flexible, but I’ve also had a couple rough rides when the water wasn’t calm. On the flip side, flights seem quicker and smoother, but maybe more hassle overall.

If you’ve done both, what would you recommend, especially in a situation like this? Is flying the smarter move, or are ferries still worth it if you plan carefully?

Favorite small towns in Greece?

I realized recently that some of my favorite places in Greece haven’t actually been the major destinations everyone talks about, but smaller towns that just had a completely different atmosphere to them.

Sometimes it’s a mountain village with one main square and old stone houses, other times it’s a tiny coastal town where everyone seems to know each other and life moves slower. A few of the places I still think about most weren’t even places I had originally planned to visit.

I’m curious what small towns or villages have really stayed with people after traveling in Greece. Could be because of the scenery, the food, the people, the history, or just the overall feeling of the place.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorites, especially places that don’t always make the typical travel lists.
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top