In 2023, Greece was the ninth most visited country in the world, with over 30 million annual visitors. So it's not uncommon to have to share your landscapes with the crowds. Fortunately, with more remote regions and thousands of islands, the cradle of Western civilization still has a few secret corners. In this article, we give you the best places to go in Greece away from the crowds, without making any concessions to the beauty of the place.
1. Amorgós
Deep blue as far as the eye can see. That's the promise of Amorgós, the easternmost island of the Cyclades, so much so that it faces the immensity of the Aegean Sea. As a result, Amorgós is a true scuba-diving paradise. However, the island doesn't offer the long stretches of beaches that some others do, but rather hiking trails that criss-cross its wild, rocky landscapes and start in pretty villages like Katapola or Aegiali, two of Amorgós' must-sees. The island can get quite crowded at the height of the tourist season, but this is in no way comparable to others, and it's even a destination to get away from the crowds in Greece if you choose to come in the off-season.
2. Antíparos
Although today Paros and Antíparos are separated by 500 m, they were once a single landmass. A ferry takes you from one island to the other, but most tourists stay on Paros, which is considered one of Greece's most beautiful islands, so Antíparos suffers relatively little from its neighbor's crowds, especially in the evenings, as visitors who do venture there very rarely stay overnight. However, the two islands have similar attractions: golden sandy beaches, immaculate Cycladic villages, small ports facing the sea, sun-warmed hinterland..
3. Where to go in Greece away from the crowds? In Ithaca
Happy is he who, like Ulysses, has made a beautiful voyage. Ithaca was the kingdom of Greek mythology's most famous hero. It was here that Penelope, his devoted wife, wove her work over and over again, awaiting his return. The island is simple and authentic, with no glitzy seaside resorts, two hills that are pleasant to explore, and small villages. Despite its mythological fame, Ithaca remains rather unspoilt and is one of the places to go in Greece away from the crowds. Among other things to do in Ithaca, you can follow in the footsteps of Ulysses, who left several mythical places in his kingdom.
4. Astypálea
Astypálea is one of the main islands of the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea. With its whitewashed houses and arid landscape, it looks very much like an island in the Cyclades, except that tourism is still very low. Recognizable by its butterfly shape, Astypálea is taking advantage of the absence of crowds to develop green tourism based on a rather innovative environmental policy. It is gradually moving towards energy autonomy by relying on renewable energies, converting its fleet of vehicles to electric power and adopting measures to eliminate cigarettes.
5. Tínos
If you're looking for a Greek getaway that's away from the crowds but still close to Athens and other Greek must-sees like Mykonos, then Tínos is for you. Located in the north of the Cyclades, it's conveniently situated between this sublime archipelago and the Greek capital. But the island has neither ancient remains nor beautiful beaches, so it's shunned by tourists. Well, they're wrong, for Tínos boasts some of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades, a rich traditional and above all religious heritage, a generous natural environment and an artistic, bohemian atmosphere. It enjoys a special climate, as the meltem, a northerly wind, sweeps through most of the summer, making it possible to enjoy Greece in summer without suffering from the sweltering heat, and also offering the chance to try windsurfing and other board sports.
6. Where to go in Greece away from the crowds? Sifnos
Sifnos is a destination where you can get away from the crowds without making any compromises. In fact, it has it all: unspoilt landscapes criss-crossed by hiking trails that make it an island you can discover on foot, pretty villages inhabited by craftsmen and artists, a relaxed way of life, beautiful sandy beaches and a rich gastronomic tradition. Typical Greek specialties on this Cycladic island include mastelo, a lamb stew, revithada, a chickpea soup, and manoura, a cheese cooked in red wine lees. Other things to do on Sifnos include a variety of water sports, including scuba diving, kayaking, paddling and pedal-boating.
7. Lipsí
Just 16 km2 and 700 inhabitants make up Lipsí, the only inhabited island in this Dodecanese archipelago. In other words, it's a destination far removed from mass tourism, yet it has a lot to offer: beautiful beaches that remain quiet even in summer, a quiet little port, and a population more focused on farming and fishing than tourism. Far from the jet-set and glitzy atmosphere of some Greek islands, Lipsí has no nightclubs, all-inclusive hotels or blinged-out private beaches, but rather turquoise waters, a single village, nature that's all the more protected for having so few roads, and abundant wildlife.
8. Tílos
Even in the middle of August, Tílos remains the perfect island for those looking for a Greek getaway away from the crowds. This Dodecanese island has remained very wild, to the point of becoming a veritable paradise for campers, hikers, cyclists and other nature lovers. Gentle, controlled tourism is a deliberate choice on the part of the territory, which favours footpaths over roads, limits construction, bans discotheques in some places, bans hunting and relies on renewable energies to achieve energy independence. The result is not only respectful, sensible tourism, but also abundant biodiversity.
9. Where to go in Greece away from the crowds? Kythera
Although it is one of the Ionian islands, Kythera is actually a long way from its sister islands, and cultivates many differences. Dry, even arid, it has few inhabitants and few urban centers, but rather very unspoilt landscapes and even isolated beaches. Its hiking trails provide access to seemingly unexplored corners, coves, caves, steep cliffs and lost villages. Kythera's sixty or so villages are located mainly inland, where inhabitants once protected themselves from pirate attacks.
10. Kassos
Kassos is one of the least-visited islands in the Dodecanese archipelago, and has preserved both its nature and its culture. It has preserved its traditions, giving the impression of a Greece of yesteryear, untouched by mass tourism and globalization. Take, for example, its charming hamlets, pristine beaches and culinary specialties such as sitaka, a creamy, mild goat's cheese produced only here and often served with pasta and onions.
11. Where to go in Greece away from the crowds? Kythnos
Kythnos is an island in the Cyclades that has been neglected by tourists, and all the better for those who discover it. In fact, it boasts almost a hundred deserted beaches, almost as many coves, and waters of incomparable clarity, stirred up by few boats. As a result, the island's basin is reputed to be one of the richest in fish in the area, and you can feast on fresh fish on the terraces of the small restaurants. If Kythnos has managed to retain its authenticity despite its seaside attractions, it's because it used to be so poorly connected by boat that the Greek tourist boom didn't affect it, and the transition was much slower.
12. Milos
It's not for nothing that Milos features among our selection of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades. Its coastline is indented with astonishing rock formations and it boasts several hot springs. The seabed, too, is rugged, a delight for divers who love to explore. Milos ' volcanic origins also explain why it has been relatively untouched by tourism: rich in the minerals it mines, it has not been as eager to enter the visitor race as other islands.
13. Alonissos
Alonissos doesn't offer long stretches of fine sand, ancient relics or lush vegetation, so it's been neglected by tourists. But this has now been turned to its advantage, making it one of the must-see places in the Sporades, as it has developed a certain tranquility, kept its prices competitive, and established itself as a destination of choice for those looking for a place to go in Greece away from the crowds. Once there, the best thing to do is hire a boat to explore the surrounding deserted islets and climb to the top of the island, 450 m above sea level, to admire the sunset accompanied by a few wild goats.
14. Where to go in Greece away from the crowds? Hydra
Hydra is on our list of the most beautiful Greek islands, yet it's still pretty wild. Let's be clear: it's a rather touristy island, and even quite jet-set, to the point of attracting stars from all over the world. But it retains a certain authenticity, banning cars in favor of mules, preserving authentic villages with cobbled streets, and the inland is deserted. It's an excellent compromise for those who want to get away from the crowds in Greece without cutting themselves off from the world.
