Underrated Greek islands near Athens
Underrated Greek islands near Athens are for when you want to escape the city quickly without landing somewhere packed, with quiet harbours, swim-friendly bays, and low-key villages where you can properly unwind just a short ferry ride from the capital.
This guide compares each island based on proximity to Athens, accessibility, tourism levels, atmosphere, and seclusion to find underrated spots that feel genuinely away from it all, but still have enough charm, beaches, and places to stay for an easy short break.
| Island | Description |
|---|---|
| Kea | Ancient lion carving and oak forests for 2,300 residents, 1 hour from Lavrion, Athenian weekend escape that foreigners skip for Mykonos, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Kythnos | 99 beaches and hot springs for 1,500 residents, 1h40 from Piraeus, Loutra thermal baths and Kolona double-bay, close to Athens but still off-radar, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Serifos | Picturesque home of Cyclops, underrated gem with unspoiled beaches and hilltop Chora for 1,400 residents, 2h30 from Piraeus, overlooked for Sifnos, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Sifnos | Favourite with locals but relatively unknown further afield, pottery and slow food gem for 2,600 residents, 3 hours from Piraeus, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Agistri | Small Saronic pine island for 1,100 residents, 55 minutes from Piraeus, no cars beyond main road and Aponissos turquoise water, missed for Aegina, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Poros | Pine-covered near Peloponnese for 3,500 residents, 1 hour from Piraeus, quiet beyond port strip and waterfront neoclassical houses, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Spetses | No cars, horse carriages and pine forests for 3,748 residents beyond Dapia, 2 hours from Piraeus by ferry, old-world mansion escape, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Hydra | No cars, mule paths and stone mansions for 1,800 residents, 1h30 from Piraeus, famous but still underrated for honeymoon quiet beyond port because day-trippers leave at 5pm, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Aegina | Pistachio island for 13,000 residents, Temple of Aphaia and hidden coves, 40 minutes from Piraeus but considered local only, makes it highly underrated near Athens for weekend. |
| Evia | Huge island with 207,726 residents in 2021, northern villages and waterfalls hidden from mass tourism, 30 minutes by bridge from Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Salamina | 37,220 residents in 2021 near Athens but interior fishing villages hidden, 15 minutes from Perama, overlooked despite being closest island to Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Trizonia | Only inhabited island in Corinthian Gulf for 60 residents, no cars and pine trees down to water, 2.5 hours from Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Dokos | Ancient wreck site near Hydra for 20 residents, one family and one church, 2 hours from Piraeus, uninhabited feel near Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Patroklos | Tiny islet off Sounion with no residents and no ferry, known only to divers for clear water, 1 hour from Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Agios Georgios | Unnamed rock off Attica with zero residents, no name on most charts, known only to fishermen, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Makronisos | Long former prison island near Kea with ruins and barbed wire, no tourism development, 1 hour from Lavrion, makes it highly underrated near Athens for history. |
| Paleo Trikeri | 15 residents in Pagasetic Gulf, old monastery and one guesthouse, small boat with no fixed timetable, 3 hours from Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Elafonisos | Actually Peloponnese but 3 hours drive + 10 min ferry, small settlement near Peloponnese with Simos beach for 700 residents, single road, makes it highly underrated near Athens for beach. |
| Kythira | One of most isolated and tourism undeveloped, meaning peace and quiet you’re looking for, 3.5 hours drive + ferry, still weekendable from Athens, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Alonissos | Marine park for monk seals for 3,000 residents, forested and quiet with no nightlife, 3.5 hours from Volos but reachable from Athens for long weekend, makes it highly underrated near Athens for nature. |
| Skopelos | Heavily forested and quiet beyond port for 4,518 residents, Mamma Mia fame but still quiet outside August, 4 hours from Volos, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Skyros | Skyrian horses and wild southern coast for 3,000 residents, moderate tourism but interior villages hidden, 2 hours ferry from Kymi after drive, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Tinos | Pilgrimage island for 8,600 residents with 40 marble villages, overshadowed by Mykonos next door, 4 hours from Piraeus, makes it highly underrated near Athens for culture. |
| Andros | Waterfalls and stone villages for 9,000 residents, closest Cyclades to Athens with 2-hour ferry, missed for Mykonos, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
| Syros | Ermoupoli neoclassical capital for 21,000 residents, +112.8% traffic with 3,254 passengers showing small scale vs Heraklion 1.4M, authentic capital, makes it highly underrated near Athens. |
Who it suits and why
Best for travellers who want an island feel without a long journey from Athens. These islands suit those who want traditional harbours, local tavernas, and beaches where most visitors are Athenians at the weekend, not international tourists. Ideal for a short break or a few days added to a city trip.
Less suited to those who want remote, castaway-style isolation. Because they are close to Athens, they can be busy on Fridays to Sundays and in August, and they feel lived-in and connected rather than far-flung and wild.
What to keep in mind
Close to Athens usually means ferry access only. Most have no airport, but are reached by ferry of 1 to 4 hours from Piraeus, with frequent daily sailings in summer. In winter, timetables thin out and high winds can still cancel faster boats, even on short routes.
Facilities are modest and seasonal. Accommodation is often small hotels and family rooms rather than resorts, and while the port town will have ATMs, pharmacies and car hire, smaller villages may have none. You will usually want a car or scooter to explore properly, and many beaches are unorganised with no sunbeds or are pebbly rather than sandy.
Sources
- 1. ELSTAT Population
URL: https://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/18573742/GreeceinFigures_2025Q2_EN.pdf/86792569-f9fb-166a-973b-1fbe240bd37f - 2. HCAA Traffic
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
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 – Serifos, Astypalaia, Symi, Folegandros, Sifnos
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