The 7 Best Hidden Islands in Greece for a Quiet Getaway

Greece is made up of over 6,000 islands and islets, with around 200 being inhabited. Most people are familiar with some of the most popular islands: Crete, Corfu and Rhodes to name just a few – but there are far quieter, more secluded islands where you can enjoy the ultimate getaway while still basking in the Greek sunshine and enjoying authentic Greek food. Sometimes you just need a quiet holiday to relax and reset away from the busy tourism hotspots to really appreciate what life’s all about. Here are the 7 best hidden islands in Greece for a quiet getaway.

Greece’s Best-Kept Secrets: 7 Hidden Islands You Need to Visit

1. Folegandros

Forming part of the Cyclades Islands in the southern Aegean Sea, off the southeast coast of the Greek mainland, Folegandros is one of the most overlooked islands in the country.

Despite its close proximity to its much more popular neighbour Santorini, Folegandros is a much quieter and more peaceful island retreat, perfect for a getaway where all that matters is you.

With a small area of just 32km² and a population of less than 800 people, there’s no room for Folegandros to be a busy, noisy island!

You can take a dip in the glorious waters of the Aegean Sea in the morning, and explore the island’s cobbled streets in the afternoon. Despite its small size, Folegandros has an interesting history – with its name allegedly coming from the name of one of the grandsons of the Greek god Zeus.

The ‘capital’ of the island, Choros, is built on top of a 200m high cliff, and offers stunning views around the island and is definitely worth a visit.

2. Donoussa

Not far from Folegandros is the tiny island of Donoussa, the easternmost of the Lesser Cyclades.

Just over 200 people call this island home, making it the perfect place for a peaceful Greek holiday.

Donoussa, thanks to its geographical location, is blessed with some of the best weather in Greece, with a yearly average temperature of 19.2℃, making it the ideal place for some sunshine – even in the winter months, where you can often fly out for much cheaper prices than in the summer.

The island is also one of the most historically rich islands in the country – named after the Greek god of winemaking, theatre, fertility, vegetation and more, Dionysus, the island has archaeological evidence of settlements on the island as far back as 3,000 BCE, while later being a favoured hideout for pirates in the Mediterranean thanks to its hidden location.

If a quiet Greek island blessed with year-round sunshine sounds like your kind of holiday, then make sure to visit Donoussa on your next Greek getaway.

3. Kythira

Another perfect hidden gem in Greece is Kythira, found just off the southern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula.

Often overlooked, it nevertheless is in a perfect location – in between the Greek mainland and the island of Crete, making it one of the most important islands in the country’s maritime history.

Aside from that, it also means that access to Kythira is very easy, from ferries from both Crete and the mainland, meaning that not only is it easy to get to, but it’s very quiet because most people opt to stay either on the mainland or on Crete.

It is surrounded by the stunning blue waters of the Ionian Sea and is traditionally listed as one of the seven Ionian Islands – although it is by far the least popular among tourists, despite the beauty that it offers. Perfect for those searching for a quiet Greek getaway.

Enjoy walking the narrow streets on the island and eating some freshly caught seafood, from pan-seared octopus to king prawns, drizzled in fragrant garlic butter and enjoyed with fresh Greek salad and olives. Beautiful!

4. Ithaca

Another one of the Ionian Islands which is often overlooked in favour of Zakynthose (Zante), Kefalonia or Corfu, Ithaca is a must-visit for a quiet Greek island getaway.

The island is the home of Odysseus, the titular hero in Homer’s Odyssey, and it is easy to see why this island paradise captured the Greek poet’s imagination.

While most Greek islands are a beautiful combination of white sands and blue villas (think of the Greek flag or houses in Santorini), Ithaca is uniquely different, instead lined with green cypress trees which grow all over the island, offering a different but still stunning aesthetic when compared to its other island neighbours.

We recommend hiring a fishing boat while you’re on the island – even if you’re not into fishing, they are cheap to hire, and you can sail around Ithaca’s coastline and find that perfect spot for swimming in the beautifully clear waters of the Ionian Sea.

5. Sifnos

Found nestled among the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea, Sifnos is the ideal place for a Greek island getaway without the hubbub of busy tourist island life.

With a native population of under 1,000, the chances that you experience anything close to busy, quick-paced life here is next to impossible.

The largest settlement on the island, Apollonia, resembles a small town rather than a city and has a much more traditional rather than urban feel to it. Expect locally-owned and operated restaurants and bars, rather than chains operating here.

Sifnos has been settled by humans for over 6,000 years – but still remains one of the quietest Greek islands despite its incredible history. If you’re a fan of local cuisine, fresh produce and friendly people, then a visit to Sifnos is a must.

6. Andros

Another unique Greek island, Andros is the northernmost of the Cyclades in the South Aegean Sea.

While most Greek islands are characterised by their beautiful beaches and tranquil waters (which Andros also has in abundance), Andros is known for its mountainous landscape and lush green valleys.

Compared to most of the islands in this article, Andros is quite large, but despite this, it is still ideal for a quiet getaway where the only things disturbing the peace are the gentle splashes of the waves on the beach, the odd chirp from a native bird, and a waiter asking if you’d like another beer on the beach.

The island is also home to a large number of caves, and many of these have cave paintings on them, dating back anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, depicting island scenes and local wildlife such as dolphins, jackals, goats, fish and even sailing ships.

Andros is one of the most interesting and unique hidden islands in Greece that you can visit.

7. Kastellorizo

Much closer to Turkey than mainland Greece, Kastellorizo is nevertheless still classed as a Greek island.

Found in the Dodecanese (and the smallest of the islands at less than 12km²), just 2km off the south coast of Turkey and around 125km east of Rhodes, this is arguably Greece’s best hidden gem, perfect for a quiet island getaway. 

Island life is largely centred around the harbour, with pastel-coloured houses dotted around the tiny island offering a glimpse into traditional Mediterranean life.

The island is also home to Fokiale Cave, also known as Blue Cave, where the sunlight is refracted on the inside of the cave, making the interior of the cave a remarkable shimmering blue colour. The cave is only accessible by boat, so it is definitely worth visiting while you’re on Kastellorizo.

Thanks to its proximity to Turkey, the culture of Kastellorizo is a mixture of Greek and Turkish, and this is reflected perfectly in the cuisine of the islands, where Turkish kebabs complement Greek salads, offering an insight into life in southern Turkey and eastern Greece.