Underrated Greek islands for honeymoon
Underrated Greek islands for honeymoon are for when you want that romantic, away-from-it-all feeling without doing the same trip as everyone else, with quiet beaches, sunset tavernas, and boutique stays where you can actually switch off and have the place feel like it’s just for the two of you.
This guide compares each island based on romance, seclusion, atmosphere, beaches, and places to stay to find underrated spots that still deliver on that special honeymoon magic, with enough charm and comfort for a proper celebration, not just a quiet island with nowhere lovely to stay.
| Island | Description |
|---|---|
| Folegandros | Fewer than 8 miles long with winter population of just 300 people, cliffside Chora with cycladic suites hanging over Aegean and quiet luxury that feels miles away, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Astypalaia | Butterfly-shaped Dodecanese with rugged beauty, gorgeous hikes and secluded beaches forgoing beach bars for peaceful retreat, castle sunset for two, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Sifnos | Favourite with locals but relatively unknown further afield, pottery and slow food gem with white villages and honeymoon-worthy villas above turquoise coves, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Amorgos | Monastery cliff and shipwreck bay, tiny island Greeks love for slower pace and good food, endless blue and no crowds, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Symi | Quieter alternative to Rhodes, relatively untouched and loved at first sight, colorful neoclassical harbor with boutique hotels and no airport noise, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Serifos | Picturesque home of Cyclops, underrated gem with unspoiled beaches and hilltop Chora, Cyclops legend and sunset wine without Mykonos prices, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Tilos | Eco-park with monk seals and no beach bars, 780 residents with wild beaches and mountain springs, eco-lodge privacy and complete silence at night, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Chalki | Car-free sanctuary west of Rhodes with restored mansions and water so clear you see fish, 500 residents and harbor that empties after day boats leave, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Kimolos | Chalk cliffs and milky water with hot springs for 700 residents next to Milos, without Milos crowds, beach where you are only couple, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Anafi | Monastery rock east of Santorini with same caldera light and empty beaches for 270 residents, Santorini view without Santorini crowds, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Sikinos | Oia-like Chora sunset for 270 residents, least-visited Cyclades with vineyards and no organized beaches, listed as non-touristy due to remote location making it hard to get to, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Kea | Ancient lion carving and oak forests for 2,300 residents near Athens, Athenian weekend escape with boutique stone villas and sailing coves, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Kythira | One of most isolated of Greek islands and tourism undeveloped, meaning peace and quiet you’re looking for, waterfalls and Venetian castles for couples, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Alonissos | Marine park for monk seals, forested and quiet with no nightlife beyond few bars for 3,000 residents, pine-covered coves for private boat days, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Kythnos | 99 beaches and hot springs for 1,500 residents close to Athens but still off-radar, Loutra thermal baths for couples, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Ithaca | Home of Odysseus with deep bays and olive groves for 3,000 residents, Ionian gem for peace and quiet while Kefalonia gets crowds, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Meganisi | Yachting secret with sea caves and villages that close for siesta for 1,000 residents, sea cave swim only accessible by boat for two, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Kastellorizo | Pastel harbor and Blue Cave glowing electric blue 125 km east of Rhodes and 2 km from Turkey, 20–22 hour ferry from Athens keeps it empty for private escape, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Donousa | Four white-sand beaches with emerald water for 160 residents and no beach clubs, ferry day is market day, total off-grid romance, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
| Schinoussa | 15 beaches for 260 people with dirt tracks to tamarisk coves, ignored between Naxos and Ios, beach where you are only couple all day, makes it highly underrated for honeymoon. |
Who it suits and why
Best for couples who want romance without crowds. These islands suit honeymooners who prefer private coves, sunset tavernas with two tables out, and boutique guesthouses where the owner knows your name. It’s about quiet luxury, local charm, and time together rather than a scene.
Less suited to couples who want classic honeymoon glamour and buzz. If you want big infinity pools, beach clubs with DJs, spa resorts with room service, and lots of other honeymooners to mix with, a more famous island like Santorini or Mykonos will be a better fit.
What to keep in mind
Underrated usually means simpler and harder to reach. Many have no international airport and need a domestic flight plus a ferry, or a ferry of 4 to 8 hours from Athens. This can mean a long first day of travel and the need for an overnight in Athens on the way.
On the island, honeymoon facilities are low-key. You will find small boutique hotels and stylish villas rather than large five-star resorts, and often no private beach service, late-night bars, or spa treatments. Restaurants and bars are limited to a handful in the main village, ATMs and taxis can be scarce, and you will usually need a car to reach the best beaches and viewpoints.
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, 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 – 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
Back to Hidden 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 4, 2026 by admin