Antipsara

Antipsara

Antipsara is a tiny, uninhabited island in the North Aegean, about 3 kilometres west of Psara and northwest of Chios. Zero permanent residents in the 2021 census, though there were four in 2011 — that tells you how quiet it is.

It’s part of the Psara municipality, a dry, rocky islet that was actually a port during Ottoman times and shows traces of ancient settlement, but now it’s left to hares, wild rabbits, and seabirds. No village, no taverna, just low scrub and coves that are hard to approach from the north and west because of the wind.

You only get there in summer as a day trip from Psara itself, by small boat, to swim in water that hasn’t seen many people and feel how remote the North Aegean can get. It’s not a beach destination with sunbeds — it’s a completely unspoiled, wild islet for people who want to say they’ve been somewhere truly off the map.

For when you want no one else on the beach

You’ll love it here if your idea of luxury is total emptiness and water that looks Photoshopped. No permanent inhabitants as of 2021 census, just rock, Natura 2000 protection, and rare seabirds. It lies about 3km west of Psara, name means opposite Psara, and during Ottoman rule served as a port. Now it’s a sanctuary, Special Protection Area and Important Bird Area of Greece. It suits purists, sailors, and beach obsessives who don’t need sunbeds. The whole draw is Psili Ammos, a fantastic long beach with golden sand and crystal-clear emerald water, often called one of the most beautiful in Greece and the Mediterranean. No facilities, no umbrellas, just peace and tranquility. There are more to discover if you have a boat, Ai Yiannis with the charming chapel of Agios Ioannis on the east side, Limnionas, Papa Andreas and Karavi, surrounded by little rocky islets Kato Nisi, Mesiako and Skonio. It’s perfect as a day escape from Psara, swim, snorkel rich seabed, then back. You get seclusion you can’t get on bigger islands. Less ideal if you need anything organised, there’s nothing here by design. It’s protected natural reserve, so you bring everything and take everything back.

How to get to nowhere in 45 minutes

Access is only by boat from Psara, and that’s what keeps it pristine. Psara itself is reached by ferry from Piraeus, Chios, Mytilene Lesvos and Oinousses, then you take an excursion boat from Psara harbour in summer months. Trip to Antipsara is about 45 minutes. Day trips run regularly in summer, local boatmen will sort you. Best plan is base on Psara, then organise a day tour to Antipsara. Bring cash, there’s only one ATM on Psara, plus water, snorkel, sun cover, no shade on Psili Ammos. Psara has over 40 beaches of its own like Katsouni popular in town, Lakka, Spitalia, so you can mix wild and organised days. Best time is June to September for calm seas and boat trips operating. May and early October can work for seclusion, but boats are less frequent. July and August sea is warmest, emerald water at its best. Because it’s Natura 2000, don’t camp, don’t light fires, and don’t disturb nesting birds. For sailors, it’s 48 miles west of Chios, great stop with clean waters. Check boat times the night before in Psara port, and build buffer if you’re connecting to a big ferry back to Piraeus, small boats cancel in meltemi.

Sources

Back to all Greek islands

The Greek Island Directory is a project of passion where a love of Crete, Data Integrity and Directories converge to create something truly special for users: Learn More.

Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by admin