Your guide to the lesser-known Greek Islands

The Greek islands have always had an alluring appeal for the waterborne. From their glittering turquoise waters and charming fishing villages to their culture and cuisine, they seduce all who touch their shores, and each island has its own distinct character.

Some are better known for their buzzing nightlife, filling our Instagram feeds throughout the summer, others are better known for their culture and cuisine, while a few also attract the Athenian weekend crowd to their trendy bars and restaurants. But with more than 200 Greek islands in total, there’s certainly plenty to go around. 

Here we steer you to the lesser-known Greek islands that you can combine with the more popular and better-known yachting hotspots for your next East Mediterranean yacht charter through the Aegean.  

Hydra

Only accessible by sea, the car-free island of Hydra has been attracting artists to its tranquil shores since the '60s. The island remains an artists’ muse with many sculptors, painters and musicians still spending their whole summers here, joined on weekends by the chic Athenian-crowd. Horses, donkeys and mules ferry both visitors and locals around the island, but it is the picturesque port of Hydra Town that attracts the majority of superyachts. 

The perfect horseshoe bay, which is backed by 18 century mariners’ mansions, has an old-school 1960s glamour similar to that of Saint-Tropez, but on a smaller scale. Head inland to Hydra’s hills where you will find old monasteries that make for superb viewpoints over the Aegean. Hydra is not blessed with lots of beaches – there are only a handful of pebble beaches to speak of, but they are worth finding simply for the access they provide to swim in the clearest blue Aegean waters.  

Folegandros  

The island of Folegandros is only a short hop away from Paros and Santorini but remains an unspoilt gem with remote beaches, white-washed villages and rustic landscapes. Drop anchor off pebble beaches, the best of which are Katergo, Ambeli or Agali, and explore the hiking trails that lead through the island’s barren interior. 

Cool down after your hike with a dip in the azure Aegean, then visit a taverna and feast on local delicacies such as kalasounes (cheese pie) and settle into the relaxed rhythm of island life as you people-watch in the cobblestoned squares of medieval Kastro. Alternatively, head up to the cliff-top capital of Hora where a jumble of taverns and bars line the three town squares.  

Tinos

A world apart from its neighbouring party of island of Mykonos, the quiet island of Tinos is one of the most picturesque in the Cyclades archipelago. For centuries the only visitors to the island were pilgrims who came to pray at the Church of Panagia Evangelistria (avoid the religious festival on 15 August though, when Orthodox pilgrims flock to the harbour and its standing room only). The island remains mostly under the tourist radar although its burgeoning culinary scene has started to attract the Athenian crowd in a small way. 

Drop anchor here and discover unspoiled beaches and isolated coves in the north of the island and perhaps learn to windsurf and kitesurf around Kolympithra Bay, or head south to the livelier beaches near the principal town of Chora. Here, the old open-air cinema has been transformed into the latest hotspot restaurant of Mikro Kavari, while on the far side of the harbour Tarsanas serves fish of the day, and Boui Boui offers French cuisine.  

Milos

You will have heard of the Venus de Milo, which has stood in the Louvre since the 19-century, but did you know it was discovered on the island of Milos? One of the lesser-known Cycladic gems, the volcanic island features a dramatic, almost lunar-like landscape that is home to ample beaches (70-plus), hiking trails, traditional villages and archaeological sites. 

Recent years have also seen the addition of restaurants, waterfront bars and a number of luxury boutique properties on the island, making it a sought-after hotspot for those in the know. Discover the jewels of this treasure island as you cruise beneath the undulating white cliffs at Sarakiniko, swim in the cobalt-blue swimming hole at Papafragas, or head inland for a dip in the hot springs.  

Naxos

Famed for its miles of sandy beaches (and speciality cheeses), Naxos is the biggest island in the Cyclades, yet it trails well behind the likes of Mykonos and Santorini in popularity with tourists. Drop anchor on the west coast for the beaches with bars and restaurants, or cruise to the wilder beaches in the south. Head for Plaka, where you can horseback ride across the dunes, or Mikri Vigla for kite and windsurfing. 

Serifos 

A world apart from its neighbouring Cyclades islands, Serifos remains a hidden gem with some of the best beaches in the archipelago. Most are only accessible by dirt road or hiking trail, or to the waterborne, hence they remain relatively empty. A retreat for designers and architects, there is barely any nightlife or fancy hotels, but we recommend visiting this quiet and peaceful island now, before the trickle of visitors turns into a flood.  

Andros

The little-known island of Andros is the northernmost of the Cyclades and only a couple of hours' cruise from Athens. A throwback to a gentler, slower, more elemental way of life, Andros offers nature-lovers a treasure trove of attractions thanks to its verdant green interior. Step ashore and discover the hiking trails that criss-cross the island, taking you to cascading waterfalls, through picturesque villages, to ancient monasteries and past secluded beaches.  

Sifnos  

If you are looking for a peaceful and laidback island, set sail for Sifnos. With just the right balance of low-key luxury and unspoiled authenticity, the island has become well known for its authentic Greek cuisine. Drop anchor and step ashore to the pretty, white-washed towns, and villages where traditional tavernas and high-end restaurants serve delicious slow-roasted chickpea stews as a speciality. Blue-domed churches, stunning beaches, hiking trails and a sprinkling of nightlife have attracted some of the more discerning yachting crowd eager to escape the summer crowds in Santorini and Mykonos.  

Antiparos

A short hop from Paros, Antiparos is a true hidden gem, loved by A-listers coming for the relative anonymity that an island that has little to offer other than uncrowded beaches and laidback living affords. It is worth visiting the millenia-old caves where stalactites spiral vertically from the roof of enormous caverns. The town itself packs a hip scene into its dinky port, with a number of restaurants and tavernas lining the strip that leads from the waterfront to the square. By day, a handful of fantastic beach restaurants, including those belonging to boutique hotels The Rooster and The Beach House, attract a mellow crowd keen to enjoy their relaxed, laid-back vibe and the beautiful scenery and crystal-clear waters. 

Ithaca

Despite a storied past as the legendary homeland of Homer’s hero Odysseus, Ithaca remains well under the mainstream tourist radar. The yachting crowd also enjoy the emerald coves that dot the island’s coastline, while those who venture into the forested interior will find paths that lead to ancient ruins, including the remains of Odysseus’ palace. Small ports offer waterside tavernas while pebbled beaches are often small and remain relatively empty, even during the peak summer months.  

Kefalonia  

Featuring beautiful beaches and historical hotspots, Kefalonia is the lesser-known and largest of the seven Ionian islands. Caves and caverns are dotted across the island, the most impressive of which is the Cave of Melissani. Thought to be a place of ancient worship, you can either hike to the top of the cave or alternatively take a boat ride to its centre – ideally aim to go around midday when the sunlight streams through the cave’s collapsed roof and covers the water with a magical blue light. Kefalonia is also home to some of the Ionian’s best beaches, including the postcard-perfect Myrtos Beach and Kaminia Beach. At certain times of year, the latter is also a nesting site for endangered loggerhead turtles. 

Kythira  

A fitting island for couples on a romantic trip, the Peloponnese island of Kythira has long been associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Lying southeast of the Mani Peninsula, the island is blessed with rugged natural beauty while its shores are lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. Despite increasing in popularity, it remains far less crowded than its neighbouring islands owing to its harder-to-reach location at the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese island chain. It is an ideal anchorage for those seeking a slower pace, with picturesque vistas, historic sites and mythical villages. Discover secluded coves, tiny chapels, and abandoned villages as you step ashore to discover the more than 18 miles of ancient hiking trails that criss-cross the island.