Greek islands starting with S
Looking for a Greek island starting with S? There are 20 in the Greek Island Directory, ranging from famous destinations such as Santorini and Samos to tiny, uninhabited and rarely mentioned islands including Saliagos and Saria. The complete list is below, with a short explanation of what makes each island distinct. It includes conventional holiday destinations as well as smaller, private and uninhabited islands, so not every name is somewhere you can actually stay.
How I chose these islands
I checked all 125 islands in the Greek Island Directory and included every island whose standard English name begins with S. I did not limit the list to popular holiday destinations, which is why it includes inhabited islands, uninhabited islands, private islands and small historical or archaeological sites.
Alternative spellings and transliterations can make alphabetical lists of Greek islands slightly complicated. This page uses the standard English names used throughout the directory, so an island may appear under a different letter elsewhere if another spelling is used.
| Island | Description |
|---|---|
| Salamina | The first Greek island that starts with S; Salamina is a large island near Athens known for its naval history, residential character, and local beach culture. Salamina is a popular alternative is islands that are near Athens. |
| Saliagos | A tiny, uninhabited islet with no infrastructure, known for its archaeological significance as one of the earliest Neolithic settlements in the Cyclades. Though this Greek island starts with S, you will find it on very few travel blogs or sites due to the aforementioned reasons. |
| Samos | A large, green eastern Aegean island known for its vineyards, mountain scenery and ancient connections with Pythagoras. |
| Samothrace | A rugged, mountainous northern Aegean island known for waterfalls, natural pools and its connection with the Winged Victory of Samothrace. |
| Santorini | Probably the most famous Greek island that starts with S – A volcanic island known for its caldera views, whitewashed villages, and iconic sunset scenery. |
| Sapientza | A small, uninhabited island off the southwestern Peloponnese, known for its protected natural environment and Mediterranean vegetation. |
| Saria | An uninhabited island immediately north of Karpathos, known for rugged terrain, archaeological remains and a protected natural environment. |
| Schinoussa | A small, inhabited Cycladic island known for sandy beaches, low-key tourism and a quiet traditional atmosphere. |
| Serifos | A rugged island known for its dramatic landscapes, hilltop Chora, and relaxed, low-key atmosphere. |
| Sifnos | A refined island known for its gastronomy, traditional architecture, and well-developed hiking network. |
| Sikinos | A small, quiet island known for its traditional villages, minimal tourism, and unspoiled, relaxed atmosphere. |
| Skiathos | A lively island known for its sandy beaches, pine forests, and vibrant nightlife. |
| Skopelos | A lush island known for its pine forests, clear waters, and traditional village charm. |
| Skorpios | A small, private island known for its association with Aristotle Onassis and its secluded, luxury character. |
| Skyros | A diverse island known for its distinct culture, rugged landscapes, and the rare Skyros horse. |
| Spetses | A historic, car-light island known for its neoclassical mansions, naval heritage and relaxed atmosphere. |
| Spinalonga | A small, uninhabited island with preserved infrastructure, known for its Venetian fortress and later use as one of Europe’s last active leper colonies. |
| Strongyli | A small, remote island with minimal infrastructure, known for its strategic eastern location, lighthouse presence, and very limited permanent population. |
| Symi | A picturesque island known for its colourful harbour, sponge-diving and amphitheatrical setting. |
| Syros | A refined island known for its neoclassical capital, cultural heritage, and year-round local life. |
My pick
If I were choosing one island from this list for a trip, I would pick Samos. It offers a particularly strong mix of beaches, mountain scenery, villages, history and local life without feeling as dominated by tourism as some of the better-known names on the list. For a first visit to Greece, though, Santorini is the obvious choice if the caldera scenery is what you have always wanted to see.
FYI – A Greek island beginning with S doesn’t necessarily make it special, but as you can see from the list above, there are several to choose from. Was it an island you forgot? Somewhere your yiayia lived? We’ve got you covered. So if you’re looking for a Greek island starting with S, look no further!
Not every island on this list is a holiday destination
This is an alphabetical list rather than a travel recommendation, so inclusion does not mean an island is open to ordinary visitors or suitable for an overnight stay. Saliagos, Sapientza, Saria and Spinalonga are uninhabited, while Skorpios is privately owned.
Names can also vary between English and Greek transliterations. The list follows the standard English island names used throughout the Greek Island Directory, which keeps the alphabetical system consistent across the site.
FAQ
Which Greek islands start with S?
- The Greek Island Directory includes 20 islands beginning with S: Salamina, Saliagos, Samos, Samothrace, Santorini, Sapientza, Saria, Schinoussa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skorpios, Skyros, Spetses, Spinalonga, Strongyli, Symi and Syros.
What is the most famous Greek island starting with S?
- Santorini is by far the most internationally famous Greek island beginning with S. It is known for its volcanic caldera, whitewashed cliffside settlements and distinctive Aegean scenery.
Are all Greek islands beginning with S inhabited?
- No. The list includes both inhabited and uninhabited islands. Some, such as Saliagos, Sapientza, Saria and Spinalonga, do not have permanent residential communities.
Which Greek island starting with S is best for a holiday?
- That depends on the type of trip. Santorini is the standout for iconic scenery, Samos for variety, Skiathos for beaches and nightlife, Sifnos for food and villages, and Syros for culture and year-round local life.
Sources
- https://allofgreeceone.culture.gov.gr/en/venues/spinalonga
- https://necca.gov.gr/en/mdpp/management-unit-of-kotychi-strofylia-wetlands-national-park-and-protected-areas-of-western-peloponnese
- https://www.statistics.gr/en/2021-census-pop-hous
- https://www.statistics.gr/en/2021-census-res-pop-results
- https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands
- https://www.culture.gov.gr/en
- https://ypen.gov.gr/perivallon/viopoikilotita/diktyo-natura-2000
- https://ypen.gov.gr/perivallon/viopoikilotita/prostatevomenes-perioches
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gr
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Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by admin