4 Greek islands to discover to avoid tourists

Discover the land of the sunset but... away from the crowd. Here are 4 islands without tourists in Greece.

Greece and its rosary of islands, including the famous Cyclades , are not to be introduced. Balnean holiday probes on sparkling beaches, parties and enchanting white villages, this dream destination can however suffer from one thing: a strong tourist attendance.

Although it is possible to fall on a hidden address, to uncover some isolated bays or to leave out of school holidays, visitors looking for isolation can a little tooth grind. At Wanderlix, we thought about you, lonely travellers. Here are 4 islands without tourists in Greece. A secret to keep for you...

Astypal

Finding the crystalline sea, Astypal , laid like a butterfly on the water, is one of the few islands without tourists in Greece. The island in the shape of wings makes the heart of hiking and ancient history lovers beat. You will discover the alpine meadows described by Homère and beaches dug in shredded cliffs. Hold your ear! Maybe you hear the syrup song?

The main village of Hora falls like a cascade of white houses suspended in the void. It deflates from its medieval fortress to the small fishing port of Skala. At the heart of the alleys, push the doors of a friendly tavern. Here you are at the table next to pure Greek strains. On leaving, admire the circular movement of the cycladic-style windmills: real guards at the entrance of the village.

On the Skala side, lizard on the small sandy beach and pebbles licked by shallow waters. In the early morning or to taste on the thumb, let yourself be guided by the smell of the artisanal bakery that slams the taste buds of the islanders for chandeliers.

To see and do on Astypalée

• Fortress of Skala and Hora : built in the early 15th century by a rich Venetian family, this imposing fortress welcomed up to 4,000 people between its ramparts. The islanders lived there until 1956. They left the place after a earthquake which, for your greatest happiness, spared the two churches of the enclosure;
• Excursion to Kounoupi and Kousomyti : these uninhabited islets, surrounded by turquoise water and covered with golden sand, visit on a boat trip from Skala;
• Livadi : the beach of Livadi is one of the most beautiful of this Greek island without tourists. So don’t worry, you won’t have to play elbows between parasols and tight bodies like sardines. The beach is located at the mouth of a lush valley and houses a few bars and restaurants where it is a good time to stretch out its summer evenings;
• Isthmus de Skala : The Isthmus east of Skala gathers the two wings of the butterfly drawn by the island. This corridor is crippled with small ravishing coves, combining sand, shadow, shallow waters and sometimes remains of Roman baths.

Getting to Astypalée

Who says island without tourists in Greece also says number of limited crossings. To reach Astypalée, two options are available to you. The first, quick and expensive, is the plane: three flights a week from Leros, Kalymnos and Kos (less than 100 euros) or six flights a week since Athens (over 100 euros).

Do not hesitate to consult a Compare flights to get tickets at small prices.

Otherwise, several ferries pass on the island. According to the starting point (Kalymnos, Nos, Le Pirée, Naxos, Paros or Rhodes) the crossing lasts between 2h30 and 9 hours. The frequency ranges from 1 to 5 weekly crossings. Visit the site Direct Ferries to find out more.

Cythère (Kythira)

Cythere, or Kythira, is a little known island south of Peloponnese . Forgotten by time and tourists, recalling the Cyclades by its white houses, Cytherus belongs to the Ionian Islands .

According to legend, this enchanting islet was known in Antiquity as the birthplace of Aphrodite. So keep your eye on the stable... It may be that the Goddess of Love, Desire and Beauty surprises you during your swim.

Cytherto, in spite of its allure of abandoned rock, does not shelter less than forty towns. The rest of its territory is characterized by green valleys, gorges and cliffs covered with vegetation and vertiginous topics.

You will also discover several ancient columns scattered this and there. In each village you will also find a place surrounded by taverns and kafeneio . Come in. A group of premises will welcome you a glass of orzo by hand. An authentic sunlight stuck in a glass! A few vibrating notes will escape from a guitar, soon joined by songs. This is how you will taste Greek conviviality and authenticity.

To see and do on Cyther

• Kythira (Hora) : the eponymous city is the capital of this island without tourists in Greece. Its pretty cubic buildings splashed with white and blue went to the Venetian castle. Juched on its hill, it toises the sea and the land and offers a superb viewpoint;
• Kapsali : this small hamlet, prosperous in the Venetian era, is today a seaside resort animated in a setting of taverns, elegant cafés and artist workshops;
• Potamos : laid in the heart of the island, this village is taken for its market with Sunday chips and its place full of flowers;
• Agia Pelagia : this port town, surrounded by impressive cliffs and shady valleys, plunges into Azurean waters. But the most beautiful to see are the volcanic beaches enamelled with red colours;
• Mylopotamos : nestled in a valley, this pretty bucolic hamlet is a real enchanted parenthesis. Its canal flows along the square, the silhouette of its watermill, its labyrinth of abandoned churches, its cascade: this colorful village bathes in a magical atmosphere.

Getting to Cytherine

In the summer, Cythère Airport provides several connections with Athens (2 to 3 flights a day less than 100 euros) or Thessaloniki (2 flights a week less than 100 euros). In low season, the flights are much more rare so think about going on one Compare flights .

Boats, greener and economic, come from La Pirée Athens or Crest. As with all the Greek islands without tourists, consider watching the crossing times before organising your stay.

It's all right.

Ithaque, many times quoted in the Epistles of Hormer, is faithful to his reputation: epic, fierce and romantic. This island without tourists in Greece, the cradle of Ulysses and surrounded not the sea, has a magnetic aura. Yet, the time and the tourist development of the surrounding islands have never been due to this bubble out of time.

Thus, Ithaque remains a confidential Greek island a large part of the year. Ancient Ruins, small ports, millennial remains travel through its territory scinded by an isthmus. The mordus of mythology will not fail to escape in the footsteps of Ulysses.

According to legend, this great sailor winner of the Troy War , spent ten years at sea before returning to his dear Ithaque and his tender Penelope. Captured by the nymph Calypso, charmed by the singing of the sirens, happed by the cyclope Polyphème, naufragé de Corfu , the valiant browser is in every imagination. So what would you say to follow the paths articulated around his famous Odyssey and lift the veil on the mysteries around him?

To see and do on Ithaque

• Vathy : the main town of the island has beautiful neoclassical dwellings, oscillating between sky blue and ocher. Its winding streets lead to a lively port. It is an ideal starting point for hiking on the cliff side or in the fertile back country;
• Kathara : a beautiful perched monastery that offers a breathtaking panorama. On the way down, visit the peaceful village of Anogi and its church with Byzantine frescoes;
• Stavos : a third charming and carefree village, such is the tradition on Ithaque;
• Frikès and Kioni : two fabulous and isolated coves, flanked by golden villages and small harbours with charms.

Getting to Ithaque

Only ferries from Leucate (Nydri), Céphalonie (Sami) or the continent (Astakos) will allow you to set foot on Ithaque. The links are mainly held from June to September, although some routes remain the rest of the year. Once again, the organization is rigorous.

Tilos

The wild flowers and Venetian blonde mountains give an unmatched charm to the last of our islands without tourists in Greece. View of the sky, Tilos is hashed with trails that cross the meadows to waters populated with seals and sea turtles.

This island also attracts ornithologists from all over the world. Indeed, its back country with fertile plains is a prosperous place for Mediterranean birds. To summarize, Tilos is an ode to nature and outdoor activities, away from the festive and seaside atmospheres characteristic of the Cyclades for example.

To see and do on Tilos

• Livadia : the sleepy city of Livadia is deeply peaceful. Life flows slowly in the taverns and on the terraces installed in front of the old Italian buildings. 45 minutes walk from the centre of the village, visit the medieval village Mikro Horio, which, with its houses more or less in ruins, bathes in an atmosphere as strange as attractive;
• Mégalo Horio : Mégalo Horio is a lilliputian chief town on the cliff. Its streets are lined with cubic houses and flooded by an eternal sun. A muscular hike leads you to the fort of the knights raised in the heights;
• Beaches : if hiking is a must-see activity of this island without tourists in Greece, Farniente It is as much. To do this, follow the beaches of Eristos and Plaka.

Getting to Tilos

Without airports and few ferries, Tilos is the privilege of travellers. Several options: take a catamaran from Rhodes or ferry from Rhodes . Definitely, calm and unbelievable!