Sunbeds crammed inches apart, identical souvenirs in every shop window and inflated prices for food, drink and accommodation.
These are just some of the reasons travellers choose to avoid Greece’s most popular islands in the summer, when tourists descend in their thousands.
Greece’s tourist hotspots are currently battling the effects of overtourism, with Santorini and Mykonos announcing plans to introduce a visitor tax to counteract the burden of cruise ship passengers.
Meanwhile, increased seismic activity in Santorini has forced tourists to flee the island amid fears of a powerful earthquake, with the Foreign Office issuing a warning to anyone travelling there.
If all this has thrown your holiday plans into chaos, don’t worry. Metro has scoped out lesser-known Greek islands that promise to deliver sun, sea and ancient history, without the crowds.
Skopelos
Look familiar?
Skopelos was the filming location for the hit musical rom-com Mamma Mia!, but it hasn’t let fame go to its head.
It isn’t as easy to reach as other Greek Islands (you have to hop on a ferry to get there), which means its pristine shores are untouched compared to other corners of the country.
Getting to Skopelos
Skopelos is expensive to get to compared to other Greek islands, especially during high season. The reason? It doesn’t have an airport. Instead, visitors have to take the ferry from neighbouring island Skiathos.
Metro travel writer Sophie-May Williams kept costs low by flying from London Stansted via Pisa on her trip to Skopelos. Week-long return flights cost £135 per person, and the entire journey takes around six hours.
However, major UK airports including London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham all provide direct routes to Skiathos. Costs average at £296 return during the summer months, but take half as long.
The ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos varies in price from €15-30 (£12-24) and tickets can be booked via Ferries.gr.
But the journey is rewarded with a true slice of Greek paradise. Think white pebble beaches with turquoise blue water surrounded by lush pine forests.
Fans of ABBA’s jukebox musical can visit filming locations around the island such as the Chapel of Agios Ioannis, an isolated church where Donna and Sam married in the film, which offers panoramic views of Skopelos from its perch on top of a barren sea rock.
How to get there: The quickest way to Skopelos is to fly directly to Skiathos Airport, which is served by Jet2 and easyJet. From there, it’s a seven-minute taxi journey to Skiathos Port, where you can board a ferry to Skopelos.
Paxos
The Ionian Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, and tiny Paxos does not disappoint.
Off the beaten path, the island can only be reached by boat and is home to breathtaking cliffs, hidden beaches, olive groves, vineyards and hot springs.
With just three main villages to stay in, Paxos is the picture of tranquillity, but there are plenty of traditional tavernas and restaurants to enjoy too – some of which host traditional Greek dancing.
Metro writer Gergana Krasteva visited Paxos on her trip to Greece in 2023.
She wrote: ‘With all the fuss over islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Crete, it can be easy to overlook Paxos – with its captivating Blue Caves – and Antipaxos.
‘Located near the southern coast of Corfu, they are often hailed as the three jewels of the Ionian Sea – and I’m about to get a glimpse into the hidden, rugged charm of the islands by boat.
‘We set off and it roars along at speed, as I yell out of excitement while watching the waves jump like bunnies around me.
‘For the rest of the day, the captain drives to secluded beaches and rock caves, and lets me swim in the turquoise water.’
Read more about Gergana’s time in Greece here.
How to get there: The closest airport to Paxos is on the neighbouring island of Corfu, served by Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.
Return flights from the UK cost as little as £60, and travellers can then take a 15-minute taxi to the ferry terminal. From there, the ferry journey costs €39 (£33) one way and takes an hour and 20 minutes.
Naxos
Also in the Aegean, Naxos is the largest and the greenest of the Cyclades Islands, but, unlike nearby Mykonos, it’s not overrun with tourists.
Peppered with white, cubic homes, ancient ruins and other historical landmarks, Naxos is a must-visit for history lovers.
Portara (or Temple Of Apollo) is one of the island’s top attractions, an enormous marble gate that construction began in the 6th century BC.
Though the temple was never finished, the doorway remains on the islet of Palatia more than 2,000 years later.
Metro‘s Martina Andretta fell in love with Naxos when she visited last year.
She said: ‘There’s a real ‘matter of fact’ feeling about this place, it doesn’t feel as staged as (in my opinion) Santorini felt.
‘There’s an amazing fruit, called citron, that’s grown in the region and used to make a liqueur served in cocktails and aperitifs. I think about it more than I should.’
How to get there: The quickest route to Naxos from the UK is to fly to Athens and then take a connecting flight to Naxos Airport. Greek airline SKY Express offers return flights to Naxos from Athens from £44.
Ikaria
This beautiful island takes its name from Icarus, who is said to have fallen into the sea after flying with wax wings too close to the sun.
Ikaria is also one of just five designated ‘Blue Zones’ across the world — a name given to the places with the healthiest, longest-living populations — with one in three people living into their 90s.
The island is popular with campers and is a great place to connect with nature, known for its slow pace of life.
Visitors can sunbathe on the aptly named Seychelles Beach — its marble pebbles and crystal clear water offer the Indian Ocean experience at a fraction of the cost.
Meanwhile, the hot springs are a must-visit for fans of therma tourism, while the island is also famed for its red wine — family-owned Tsantiris Winery and Afianes Wines are recommended places to try it.
How to get there: There are no direct flights between the UK and Ikaria, but travellers can board a connecting flight from Athens for as little as £50. Sky Express runs one flight daily between Ikaria and the Greek capital.
Sifnos
Sifnos is known best for two things: gastronomy and pottery.
All around the island you’ll have the chance to try pottery workshops and purchase handcrafted ceramics, as well as sample various Greek delicacies.
Traditional foods include revithada (chickpea stew) and mastello (slow-cooked goat), as well as loukoumia (Turkish delight) available at the many local cafes and tavernas.
Meanwhile, The Cycladic Gastronomy Festival takes place in the village of Artemonas every year, and is a must-visit for keen foodies.
Crowned with the striking white Chrysopigi Monastery, which is built atop a rocky peninsula overlooking the glistening Aegean, and home to hidden, protected beaches, Sifnos should be at the top of your travel list.
How to get there: Sifnos doesn’t have an airport, but visitors can take a ferry from Athens. Ferries depart daily from the port of Piraeus during the high season, with the journey taking between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 40 minutes. Tickets cost between €43.50 (£36) and €68.70 (£57).
Lefkada
Dubbed the ‘Caribbean of Europe’ for its breathtaking beaches (Porto Katsiki and Milos regularly rank in Lonely Planet’s top 10), Lefkada is another paradise for fans of Greek cuisine.
And while the island has all the standard fare of a Mediterranean tourist trap (think ice cream parlours, dinky boutiques and a string of canal-side bars, perfect for sunset cocktails), its pathways and beaches are almost empty of holidaymakers.
Lefkada is the only Greek island you can reach by car, making it an undiscovered delight for travellers who want to properly get away from the crowds.
How to get there: Preveza airport is served daily by budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet from April to October. During winter months, the easiest route is to fly direct to Athens and take a €40 (£33) bus to the island, which takes between four and five hours.
Eating and drinking in Lefkada
Amanda Cable chose Lefkada as her pick for our round-up of the unmissable destinations to travel to in 2025, hailing it a ‘foodie delight’.
‘Bakeries here are unfettered by tourist prices, with authentic pastries such as spanokopita (spinach and feta pie) and kourabiedes (Greek butter cookies) for less than €2.
‘Even better value are Lefkada’s off-beat tavernas, which serve moreish plates of saganaki (fried cheese with honey), calamari, mussels and grilled octopus with glasses of chilled red wine for as little as €16 a head.’
This article was originally published on April 26, 2022.
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