Greece’s real beauty can be found on these islands, from remote coves to traditional villages.
Greek islands are incomparable in beauty. Unfortunately, this also means they are incomparably crowded. Here are some of the quietest Greek islands you should add to your bucket list in 2022 if you want to visit this stunning region in peace.
These remote corners of Greece’s vast archipelago offer crystal clear waters, sun-bleached villages, pure white beaches, and unspoiled coastlines that can only be described as paradise.
This is the place where the real Greece shines through, whether you want to lie on a remote cove surrounded by pine trees and navigate the winding streets of an ancient village or sail through sapphire-colored waters and sample the finest Greek cuisine.
Ikaria
Located 30 miles off the coast of Turkey, Ikaria is an island in the Eastern Aegean Sea that has retained its own identity despite having many sisters. Ikaria’s residents are famous for living for a very long time. Among only five ‘Blue Zones’, Ikaria is home to the longest-living people in the world, due to its cuisine, stress-free lifestyle, and exercise-inducing topography. Whatever it is, we want it.
There’s no doubt that Greece’s beaches are beautiful, but the Seychelles Beach in Ikaria, for instance, is a vision of perfection with dazzling white stones bathed in azure waves.
Ikaria, however, does not attract much tourism despite its alleged health benefits and impossible beauty. The island is mostly about locals – a rarity among Greek islands – with a few day trippers stopping by and some travelers staying for a quiet week or two. Although Ikaria has its own airport, with only one flight per day coming in from Athens, it does not attract as many tourists as other island airports.
As a result of Ikaria’s quiet nature, high-end accommodations are limited, but it is a perfect yachting destination thanks to its two marinas.
Hydra
There are no airports on Hydra, so tourists hoping for a rowdy week in the sun won’t be attracted to the island. If you’re looking for a sleepy island life with subdued cosmopolitan luxury, this is the place for you. Instead, visitors to Hydra are searching for a serene vacation filled with authentic Greek cuisine and culture – so you’ll be in great company. Despite being a quiet island, there is a pretty main town with a few shops and tavernas to keep curious visitors entertained.
The quiet Greek island isn’t renowned for its sandy beaches like many of its neighbors. Instead, its coastline is punctuated by intimate pebble coves surrounded by cascading rock faces and rugged pine forests. There are so many little bays in the area that you can easily find one that is completely private.
A huge appeal to Hydra is its lack of cars – and even bicycles. Instead, the island’s narrow streets are traversed on foot. We love Hydra even more for its lack of fast-paced life.
Book one of the six suites at Four Seasons Hydra (no, no connection to the Four Seasons hotel group) to spend a week (or even a month) completely blissfully, overlooking the sheltered Vlychos beach. Here, time stands still as you take cool dips in the pristine waters and enjoy oceanfront dinners every night. Bliss.
Ithaca
There is a tiny island off the northeast coast of Kefalonia called Ithaca, shrouded in myths and legends so great that it was believed to be the home of Odysseus, of Homer’s epic Greek poem The Odyssey. You can immerse yourself in the island’s ancient history in a number of places, including the medieval village of Paleochora and the ruins of Odysseus’ palace.
Although Ithaca does not have its own airport, it does have a number of sheltered marinas, making it an ideal place for yacht travelers. After idling around the island’s coastline for a few days, you can moor at Vathy, Ithaca’s main town that sits in a natural harbor with stunning views.
A number of quaint villages can also be found across the island that have been carefully preserved to maintain their Grecian charm. Kioni, a tiny seaside village tucked into a mountainside with a taverna-lined harbor, and Stavros, which dates back to the 16th century.
Patmos
One of the most spiritual Greek islands, Patmos has become a pilgrimage site for religious travellers from all over the world, where pilgrims visit both the ‘Cave of the Apocalypse’, where Saint John is said to have written the Book of the Apocalypse, and the hillside monastery built to honor him.
There are a few laidback bars and inviting tavernas in Hora, Patmos’ white-washed main town. Due to the island’s religious connections, the nightlife is quiet (a blessing to locals and visitors alike).
It’s no secret that Patmos is still one of Greece’s quieter islands, but it has also gained the attention of the jet-set crowd, so you have more luxury options to choose from. For a stunning view of the beach below, choose the Aegean Suite at Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, which overlooks the serene Grikos Bay.
There is no airport and a long ferry ride to get here. However, this only benefits those who do manage to make it, with such a journey deterring the less ambitious of travelers. Patmos is one of the quietest Greek islands because only Patmos enthusiasts come here year after year.
Syros
As a Greek island with rocky shores and waterfront towns rather than stretches of sand, Syros may not be the best choice for beach lovers, but its rich culture and arts make it a must for our bucket list. Summer evenings here are accompanied by a healthy calendar of art and film festivals throughout the season, as well as abundance of live music.
As for its architecture, it has remnants of its Italian rule throughout Ermoupoli, Ano Syros, and Vari. Think colorful houses, stately palazzos, and grand mansions. Aristide, a boutique hotel that blends art-focused design with eco-friendly touches, is located in one of Ermoupoli’s grand neoclassical buildings. A stay here is a must, with tasteful riots of color, specially selected furniture, and stunning artworks everywhere.
Despite its better connectivity (there’s an airport!), Syros is still the preferred choice for those seeking a relaxed yet cultural vacation rather than the hedonistic lifestyle of nearby Mykonos.
Sifnos
The island of Sifnos strikes the perfect balance: under the radar enough to feel quiet even during peak season, but popular enough for a vacation-like atmosphere. Its main attraction, however, is its excellent food scene, founded by the 20th-century chef Nikolaos Tselementes, known as the forefather of modern Greek cuisine on the island.
With the chefs at each of the many taverns on Sifnos putting their hearts into each dish, it’s impossible to eat a bad meal on the island. A traditional Sifnos dish is Revitháda, a low-and-slow-baked chickpea dish. Fresh fish and other roasted casserole dishes are also popular. Sweets include nougat and honey pie.
The main port of Sifnos is Kamares, a tiny, unassuming village on the west of the island. And, seclusion lovers rejoice – we’re back to airport-free life on Sifnos. As cute as Kamares is, it’s the island’s main thoroughfare, so once you arrive, head to Apollonia, where whitewashed buildings are plentiful, or Kastro, which, with its blue-domed churches, reminds us of Santorini.
