Underrated Greek islands
Underrated Greek islands are for when you want something a little more rewarding than the obvious choices, with proper beaches, lovely villages, and good tavernas, but without the hype, the high prices, and the feeling that everyone else had the same idea first.
This guide compares each island based on tourism levels, atmosphere, scenery, and overall charm to find places that deserve more attention than they get, where you can settle in for a proper stay and feel like you’ve found something genuinely worthwhile.
| Island | Description |
|---|---|
| Anafi | Underrated because east of Santorini with same caldera light and monastery rock, 270 residents and empty beaches, yet no one books it while Santorini gets 1.4M airport arrivals in June. |
| Donousa | Underrated because 160 residents in Small Cyclades, four white-sand beaches with emerald water, overshadowed by Naxos despite better swimming and zero beach clubs. |
| Schinoussa | Underrated because 260 residents and 15 beaches for 260 people, dirt tracks to tamarisk coves, ignored between Naxos and Ios despite being more authentic. |
| Irakleia | Underrated because 150 residents with stalactite caves and crystal bays, smallest Small Cyclades, never in top 10 lists despite clearest water in Cyclades. |
| Sikinos | Underrated because 270 residents, least-visited Cyclades with vineyards and Oia-like Chora sunset, listed as non-touristy due to remote location making it hard to get to. |
| Gavdos | Underrated because 150 residents at Europe’s southernmost point, cedar forest and dunes, 549 km from Athens, off all maps despite being Europe’s end. |
| Agathonisi | Underrated because 200 residents near Samos, two turquoise bays, no bank, ferry skips days, authentic Dodecanese that mass tourism never found. |
| Antikythera | Underrated because 40 residents between Kythira and Crete with wild cliffs and transparent water, famous for ancient mechanism, one minimarket and weekly ferry. |
| Kastos | Underrated because 80 residents in Ionian with no cars, fishing boats outnumber houses, glassy water, missed by Lefkada crowds despite being more peaceful. |
| Thymaina | Underrated because 140 residents in Fournoi archipelago with one harbor and pebble coves with no sunbeds, boat-only and ignored by guides. |
| Telendos | Underrated because 90 residents off Kalymnos, car-free rock with climbing cliffs and waterfront street, overshadowed by Kalymnos despite better sunset. |
| Tilos | Underrated because 780 residents, eco-park with monk seals and no beach bars, wild beaches and mountain springs, eco gem overlooked for Rhodes and Kos. |
| Chalki | Underrated because 500 residents, car-free sanctuary west of Rhodes with restored mansions and water so clear you see fish, ignored for Rhodes. |
| Kimolos | Underrated because 700 residents next to Milos, chalk cliffs and milky water with hot springs, without Milos crowds or Instagram queues. |
| Serifos | Underrated because picturesque home of Cyclops, underrated Greek gem with unspoiled beaches and hilltop Chora, overlooked for Sifnos and Milos despite better hiking. |
| Astypalaia | Underrated because rugged beauty, gorgeous hikes and secluded beaches, forgoing beach bars and crowded streets for peaceful retreat, butterfly-shaped Dodecanese. |
| Symi | Underrated because quieter alternative to Rhodes, relatively untouched and loved at first sight, colorful harbor overshadowed by Rhodes despite being more beautiful. |
| Amorgos | Underrated because monastery cliff and shipwreck bay, tiny island Greeks love for slower pace and good food, not on mass itineraries despite Blue film fame. |
| Kythira | Underrated because one of most isolated of Greek islands and tourism undeveloped, meaning peace and quiet you’re looking for, between Peloponnese and Crete. |
| Samothrace | Underrated because 2,500 residents with waterfalls and thermal springs, remote Thracian island, not in Cycladic circuit despite natural beauty that rivals Ikaria. |
| Kastellorizo | Underrated because easternmost Greece 125 km east of Rhodes and 2 km from Turkey, pastel harbor and Blue Cave glowing blue, 20–22 hour ferry from Athens keeps it empty. |
| Meganisi | Underrated because 1,000 residents in Ionian, yachting secret with sea caves and villages that close for siesta, overshadowed by Lefkada. |
| Ithaca | Underrated because 3,000 residents, home of Odysseus, deep bays and olive groves, Ionian gem for peace and quiet while Kefalonia gets crowds. |
| Kea | Underrated because 2,300 residents near Athens, ancient lion carving and oak forests, Athenian weekend escape that foreigners skip for Mykonos. |
| Kythnos | Underrated because 1,500 residents with 99 beaches and hot springs, close to Athens but still off-radar compared to Serifos. |
| Alonissos | Underrated because 3,000 residents, marine park for monk seals, forested and quiet with no nightlife beyond few bars, missed for Skiathos. |
| Koufonisi | Underrated because 400 residents, famous for beaches but tiny and walkable in hour, overshadowed by Naxos despite better sand. |
| Thassos | Underrated because 13,104 residents in 2021, green northern island with marble quarries, remote from southern Aegean circuit despite sandy beaches. |
| Lemnos | Underrated because 16,411 residents in 2021, flat agricultural North Aegean with vast sandy beaches and few visitors, missed for Lesbos. |
| Nisyros | Underrated because 1,000 residents, active volcano crater you can walk inside, limited ferry and no club scene, ignored for Kos. |
| Skyros | Underrated because 3,000 residents with Skyrian horses and wild southern coast, moderate tourism but interior villages hidden, overshadowed by Evia. |
| Karpathos | Underrated because 6,567 residents, southern strip touristic but northern Olympos accessible only by winding road, authentic village overlooked. |
| Leros | Underrated because 7,992 residents, Italian architecture and deep bays, secluded but with small hotels, missed for Patmos. |
| Antiparos | Underrated because 1,200 residents, beyond main street, caves and southern beaches with no organization, overshadowed by Paros. |
| Sifnos | Underrated because favourite with locals but relatively unknown further afield, pottery and slow food gem, overlooked by international guides. |
| Folegandros | Underrated because fewer than 8 miles long with winter population of just 300 people, walkers paradise with cliffside Chora and quiet luxury that feels miles away. |
| Oinousses | Underrated because 800 residents near Chios, shipowner mansions and no mass tourism, island of captains no one visits. |
| Ammouliani | Underrated because 500 residents, only inhabited island in Chalkidiki, small sandy with no through traffic, ignored for Skiathos. |
| Arkoi | Underrated because 44 residents in tiny Dodecanese cluster, one taverna, secluded even by Dodecanese standards, boat-only. |
| Therasia | Underrated because 160 residents, Santorini’s silent sister across caldera, no luxury resorts and empty views, same volcano without crowds. |
Who it suits and why
Best for travellers who want the Greek island feel without the crowds and high prices of the big names. These islands suit those who like traditional villages, good local food, and beaches that are still mostly used by locals. Ideal if you want charm and authenticity over scene.
Less suited to those who want luxury resorts, beach clubs, and a packed events calendar. If you want designer shopping, DJs by the pool, or a different Michelin-level restaurant every night, a more famous island will give you far more choice.
What to keep in mind
Underrated usually means less connected. Many have no international airport and rely on domestic flights plus a ferry, or a direct ferry from Athens of 4 to 8 hours. UK direct flights are often seasonal and limited to 1-2 times a week, if they exist at all.
On the island, things are simpler. Hotels tend to be small and family-run rather than large resorts with 24-hour reception, and buses and taxis are limited. You will often need a car to get to the best beaches, and ATMs, pharmacies and beach facilities can be sparse outside the main town, especially in May and October when some businesses are still closed.
Sources
- 1. ELSTAT Population
URL: https://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/18573742/GreeceinFigures_2025Q2_EN.pdf/86792569-f9fb-166a-973b-1fbe240bd37f - 2. HCAA Traffic – Famous vs Underrated
URL: https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/52419-hcaa-7-5-passenger-traffic-at-24-state-airports-in-6-months-5-2-overall.html - 3. Kinaros Remote – 4.5 km2, difficult to get to, Marathi 5 residents, non-touristy list
URL: https://despena.gr/the-remote-island-of-kinaros/ - 4. Gyaros – Arid and uninhabited near Andros and Tinos, population 0, off-limits
URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyaros - 5. Polyaigos – Largest uninhabited at 18 sq km, ferries rarely visit, stunning natural beauty
URL: https://news.gtp.gr/2025/09/05/polyaigos-greeces-largest-uninhabited-island-declared-archaeological-site/ - 6. Kastellorizo – 125 km east of Rhodes, 2 km from Turkey, 20–22 hour ferry
URL: https://unusualnomad.com/kastellorizo-greece-travel-guide/ - 7. Viator – Underrated definitions
URL: https://www.viator.com/en-IE/blog/Skip-the-Hot-Spots-Visit-These-Lesser-Known-Greek-Islands-Instead/l98770
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Last Updated on August 4, 2026 by admin