Best Unknown & Small Greek Islands: 12 Hidden Gems Worth Discovering

The Greek islands everyone's heard of — Santorini, Mykonos, Crete — are famous for good reason. But they're not the only reason to visit Greece. Some of the most rewarding island experiences come from places most tourists have never heard of.

Folegandros has Santorini's clifftop drama without the crowds. Sifnos has become a genuine foodie destination. The Small Cyclades — Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Iraklia, Donoussa — are so small they barely register on maps, yet they offer the Greece that travel writers dreamed about decades ago.

Here's my guide to the best unknown and small Greek islands — for travelers ready to venture beyond the obvious.

Why Visit Lesser-Known Greek Islands?

The famous Greek islands are famous because they deliver. But they also come with crowds, high prices, and increasingly similar tourist infrastructure.

The islands on this list offer something different:

Genuine authenticity — Villages that haven't been redesigned for Instagram, tavernas where the owner's grandmother is cooking, beaches where you might be the only person swimming.

Better value — Accommodation costs 30–60% less than Mykonos or Santorini. Restaurants don't have tourist markup. Ferry tickets cost the same.

A different pace — These islands operate on Greek time, not tourist time. Shops close for afternoon naps. Nightlife means ouzo at the harbor. And that's exactly the point.

The real Greece — This is what island-hopping felt like before the influencers arrived.

(For the more famous options, see our guide to the best Greek islands to visit.)

12 Best Unknown & Small Greek Islands

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1. Folegandros

The anti-Santorini

Best for: Couples, romantics, walkers | Budget: €€–€€€ | Ferry: 3.5 hrs from Santorini, 4 hrs from Piraeus

Folegandros does what Santorini does — clifftop Chora, dramatic caldera views, whitewashed cube houses — but without the cruise ships, the crowds, or the prices. If you want Cycladic romance without fighting for sunset photos, this is your island.

What makes it special: Chora might be the most beautiful village in the Cyclades. Perched on a cliff edge, it has a perfect central square, narrow streets that lead to viewpoints, and the Panagia church above town for sunset. There are only three villages on the entire island, connected by walking paths through terraced hillsides.

The beaches: Angali is the main beach, accessible by bus or boat. Katergo is wilder and more dramatic. Neither has the infrastructure of bigger island beaches — which is entirely the point.

The catch: Folegandros is small and getting more popular. August accommodation books up months ahead. The beaches require effort to reach. Limited nightlife beyond quiet drinks in Chora's squares.

Find hotels in Folegandros

2. Sifnos

The culinary island

Best for: Foodies, hikers, couples | Budget: €€–€€€ | Ferry: 2.5 hrs from Piraeus (high-speed)

Sifnos has become a genuine culinary destination — the island that chefs and food writers visit when they want to understand Greek cuisine at its best. But beyond the food, it's simply a beautiful, authentic Cycladic island with excellent walking trails.

What makes it special: Nikolaos Tselementes, author of Greece's most influential cookbook, was from Sifnos. The island's clay-pot cooking traditions, local cheeses, capers, and honey are legendary. Multiple excellent restaurants — from traditional tavernas to contemporary spots — make this a foodie's pilgrimage. The walking trails connecting villages are some of the best in the Cyclades.

The beaches: Vathi is a protected bay with tavernas right on the sand — swim, eat, repeat. Platis Gialos is a long sandy beach. Chryssopigi has a photogenic church on a promontory.

The catch: Sifnos is becoming known — it's no longer truly "undiscovered," especially among Athenians. The beaches are good rather than exceptional. Getting there requires a longer ferry than the closest Cyclades.

Find hotels in Sifnos

3. Koufonisia

The tiny paradise

Best for: Beach lovers, minimalists, escapists | Budget: €€ | Ferry: 2.5 hrs from Naxos, 4 hrs from Piraeus

Koufonisia is part of the Small Cyclades — a cluster of tiny islands between Naxos and Amorgos that most tourists have never heard of. Ano Koufonisi (the inhabited one) is just 5.5 square kilometers with a permanent population of around 400.

What makes it special: This is the Greece of dreams — turquoise water, golden beaches, a single village with a handful of tavernas, and virtually no cars. The entire island is walkable in an afternoon. The beaches (Pori, Italida, Finikas) have that Caribbean-meets-Cyclades color palette that makes you question why you ever holiday anywhere else.

The catch: Koufonisia has been "discovered" by Greeks and in-the-know travelers. August is now crowded by the island's standards (which still means far fewer people than Santorini). Accommodation is limited and books up fast. Ferry connections require planning.

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4. Amorgos

The dramatic escape

Best for: Hikers, alternative travelers, film buffs | Budget: €€ | Ferry: 6–8 hrs from Piraeus, 2 hrs from Naxos

Amorgos was put on the map by Luc Besson's film The Big Blue — the dramatic clifftop monastery of Hozoviotissa is one of Greece's most striking images. But beyond the photogenic moments, Amorgos attracts a different crowd: hikers, yoga retreaters, and travelers seeking something more meaningful than beach clubs.

What makes it special: Hozoviotissa monastery clings impossibly to a 300-meter cliff, its whitewashed walls visible for miles. Chora is one of the most beautiful Cycladic villages, with a Venetian castle and classic cube houses. The island has excellent hiking trails and a distinctly alternative, laid-back atmosphere.

The beaches: Agia Anna near Hozoviotissa is small but stunning. Mouros is a gorgeous cove on the south coast. The beaches require effort but reward with beauty.

The catch: Amorgos is far from Athens — the ferry journey is long. The island is mountainous and rugged, so getting around requires planning. Not for those seeking easy beach access and resort amenities.

Find hotels in Amorgos

5. Ikaria

The Blue Zone island

Best for: Wellness seekers, alternative travelers, festival lovers | Budget: € | Ferry: 7–9 hrs from Piraeus

Ikaria is famous for two things: being a "Blue Zone" where people routinely live past 100, and having a culture so laid-back that shops open when they feel like it. Named after the mythological Icarus (who fell into the sea nearby), Ikaria operates on its own schedule.

What makes it special: Ikarians attribute their longevity to a simple diet, strong social connections, afternoon naps, and not caring about schedules. The island was historically a place of exile for Greek communists, and that independent streak remains. Summer brings famous panigiria (religious festivals) with all-night dancing and free wine.

The beaches: Seychelles Beach is genuinely stunning — a small cove with dramatic rock formations and turquoise water. Nas has a river mouth and ancient temple ruins. Messakti is a long sandy stretch popular with surfers.

The catch: Ikaria's "island time" can be frustrating if you expect things to be open when signs say they should be. Infrastructure is basic. The ferry journey is long. This is not a luxury destination — it's an experience.

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6. Antiparos

The quieter neighbor

Best for: Families, couples, day-trippers from Paros | Budget: €€ | Ferry: 10 min from Paros

Antiparos sits just across a narrow strait from Paros, but feels like a different world. While Paros has developed into a full-service tourist destination, Antiparos remains small, quiet, and genuinely charming.

What makes it special: The main village is perfectly sized — you can walk everywhere, everyone knows everyone, and the pace is unhurried. The cave of Antiparos is one of the oldest-known caves in Greece (stalactites date back 45 million years). The beaches are excellent and rarely crowded.

Tom Hanks connection: The actor has been visiting for years and reportedly owns property here. The island's appeal to those seeking discretion speaks to its low-key character.

The beaches: Camping Beach, Soros, and Agios Giorgios are all lovely. The water clarity is exceptional.

The catch: Antiparos is small — you can see it in a day or two. Nightlife is minimal. Most visitors combine it with time on Paros.

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7. Serifos

The rugged beauty

Best for: Beach lovers, independent travelers, those avoiding crowds | Budget: €€ | Ferry: 2–4 hrs from Piraeus

Serifos is what Mykonos might have been if tourism had never arrived. A whitewashed Chora tumbles down a hillside, beaches remain largely undeveloped, and the island's mining history gives it a rugged, authentic character.

What makes it special: Chora is stunning — one of the most dramatic hilltop villages in the Cyclades, with a ruined Venetian castle and views across the Aegean. The beaches are numerous and excellent, from organized Livadi to wild Psili Ammos. Former mining infrastructure (Serifos was iron-rich) creates an unusual industrial-romantic atmosphere.

The beaches: Psili Ammos, Agios Sostis, Agios Ioannis, Ganema — Serifos has excellent beaches at every compass point, most of them quiet even in summer.

The catch: Serifos has limited infrastructure — few hotels, basic restaurants, minimal nightlife. A car or strong legs are needed to explore. That's also exactly why people love it.

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8. Symi

The pastel harbor

Best for: Photographers, day-trippers from Rhodes, couples | Budget: €€€ | Ferry: 1 hr from Rhodes

Symi might be the most visually striking harbor in Greece — neoclassical mansions painted in ochre, terra cotta, and pastel blues rise amphitheater-style from the waterfront. Most visitors arrive on day trips from Rhodes, but staying overnight reveals a different island.

What makes it special: The harbor of Gialos is genuinely extraordinary — wealthy from the sponge trade, the island's merchants built grand houses that survived because tourism arrived before modern development could destroy them. The Panormitis monastery on the south coast is a major pilgrimage site. Once the day-trippers leave, Symi becomes peaceful and magical.

The beaches: Symi's beaches are small coves reached by boat or walking — Nos, Marathounda, Agios Nikolaos. They're limited compared to bigger islands.

The catch: Symi is expensive by Greek standards — the wealthy history means prices haven't dropped. Beaches are not the island's strength. Day-tripper crowds can overwhelm the harbor from 11am–4pm.

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Book a day trip to Symi from Rhodes

9. Lipsi

The forgotten Dodecanese

Best for: Total escapists, nature lovers, peace seekers | Budget: € | Ferry: 1 hr from Patmos, 2 hrs from Leros

Lipsi is one of Greece's smallest inhabited islands — just 16 square kilometers with a population of around 800. It sits in the Dodecanese between Patmos and Leros, largely ignored by international tourism.

What makes it special: This is Greece at its most elemental. One village, a handful of tavernas, beautiful beaches, and absolutely nothing to "do" except swim, eat, walk, and exist. The people who come to Lipsi come to disappear for a while.

The beaches: Platis Gialos is the main beach — sandy and calm. Katsadia is more remote. Monodendri is accessed by boat. All are quiet.

The catch: Lipsi requires effort to reach — you need to ferry via Patmos or Leros. There's genuinely nothing happening beyond village life. Some find this heaven; others are bored within hours.

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10. Tinos

The art and food island

Best for: Foodies, art lovers, couples seeking culture | Budget: €€ | Ferry: 1.5–2 hrs from Rafina

Tinos sits right next to Mykonos but couldn't be more different. While its neighbor parties, Tinos has quietly become one of Greece's most exciting food destinations, with a thriving arts scene centered on marble craftsmanship.

What makes it special: The marble villages of Pyrgos and Panormos are stunning — the island has produced marble artists for centuries, and workshops still operate. Venetian dovecotes (ornate stone towers) dot the landscape like sculptures. The food scene has exploded, with restaurants sourcing from local farms and creative chefs putting Tinos on the culinary map.

The beaches: Kolymbithra (two beaches — sheltered and windswept), Agios Sostis, Livada. Good variety but not the island's primary draw.

The catch: Tinos is famously windy — the meltemi hits hard in July and August. A car is essential to explore the villages. The Panagia church brings religious pilgrims in August (especially around August 15).

Find hotels in Tinos

11. Schinoussa

The minimalist escape

Best for: Ultimate escapists, off-grid travelers | Budget: € | Ferry: 3.5 hrs from Naxos

Schinoussa is part of the Small Cyclades — and even smaller and quieter than Koufonisia. With a permanent population under 300 and just two villages, this is about as remote as Greek island-hopping gets while still having accommodation.

What makes it special: Genuine peace. The island has a few tavernas, a handful of rooms to rent, beautiful empty beaches, and nothing else. You come here to disconnect completely.

The beaches: Tsigouri, Livadi, Almyros — small, beautiful, and likely to be empty.

The catch: Very limited infrastructure. Ferry connections are infrequent and weather-dependent. You need to embrace simplicity.

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12. Kea (Tzia)

Athens' secret

Best for: Hikers, Athenian-style travelers, weekend escapists | Budget: €€ | Ferry: 1 hr from Lavrio

Kea is the closest Cycladic island to Athens, yet almost unknown to international tourists. It's essentially an Athenians' secret — the island they escape to on weekends when they want Cycladic beauty without crowds or long ferry journeys.

What makes it special: Ioulis (Chora) is a beautiful hillside village with a completely different character from the whitewashed Cycladic norm — red roofs, oak trees, a famous 6th-century BC lion carving. The hiking trails are excellent, connecting ancient paths between villages. The beaches (Koundouros, Spathi, Otzias) are uncrowded and beautiful.

The catch: Kea ferries leave from Lavrio (not Piraeus), which is further from central Athens. Limited tourism infrastructure outside peak season. You need a car to explore properly.

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Quick Comparison: Best Small & Unknown Greek Islands

Island

Crowds

Beaches

Best For

Access Difficulty

Budget

Folegandros

Low

Good

Romance, walking

Medium

€€–€€€

Sifnos

Medium

Good

Food, hiking

Easy

€€–€€€

Koufonisia

Medium

Excellent

Beaches, simplicity

Medium

€€

Amorgos

Low

Good

Hiking, spirituality

Hard

€€

Ikaria

Low

Excellent

Wellness, festivals

Hard

€

Antiparos

Low

Excellent

Families, couples

Very Easy

€€

Serifos

Low

Excellent

Beaches, rugged beauty

Easy

€€

Symi

Medium (daytime)

Limited

Photography, day trips

Easy

€€€

Lipsi

Very Low

Good

Total escape

Hard

€

Tinos

Medium

Good

Food, art, culture

Easy

€€

Schinoussa

Very Low

Good

Minimalism

Hard

€

Kea

Low

Excellent

Hiking, Athens escape

Easy

€€

How to Choose Your Hidden Gem

You want Santorini without crowds → Folegandros

Food is your priority → Sifnos or Tinos

You want tiny island paradise → Koufonisia

You're a serious hiker → Amorgos or Kea

You want genuine remoteness → Lipsi, Schinoussa, or Ikaria

You want easy access from Paros → Antiparos

You want great beaches without development → Serifos

You want Instagram-worthy harbor → Symi

You want a quick escape from Athens → Kea

Still deciding? Take our free quiz to find your perfect hidden gem.

Practical Tips for Visiting Small Islands

Check ferry schedules before booking. Small islands often have just 1–2 ferry connections per day, sometimes none in bad weather.

Book accommodation early. These islands have limited rooms — in August, everything can sell out months ahead.

Bring cash. ATMs exist on most small islands but can run out. Card acceptance is improving but not universal.

Embrace the pace. If you need constant stimulation, small islands might frustrate you. The point is slowing down.

Consider shoulder season. May–June and September–October offer better availability, lower prices, and fewer crowds.

For more planning help, see our guide on how to plan a trip to Greece.

FAQ

Which Greek island is least touristy?

The least touristy islands are the Small Cyclades — Schinoussa, Iraklia, and Donoussa see very few international visitors. Lipsi in the Dodecanese is similarly under-the-radar. For Cycladic beauty without Cycladic crowds, Serifos and Anafi are excellent choices. Generally, islands that require longer or more complicated ferry journeys (eastern Aegean like Ikaria or Chios) remain less visited.

What is the best unknown Greek island for beaches?

Koufonisia has beaches that rival the famous Cycladic destinations — turquoise water, golden sand — but on an island so small that even "crowded" feels peaceful. Serifos has excellent beaches scattered around its coast, most of them empty even in peak season. Kea combines beautiful beaches with easy access from Athens. For truly empty beaches, the Small Cyclades (Schinoussa, Iraklia) or Ikaria deliver.

Are small Greek islands good for first-time visitors?

It depends on your travel style. Small islands reward self-sufficient travelers who enjoy simplicity — limited restaurants, basic accommodation, not much "happening." If you prefer clear infrastructure, easy logistics, and lots of options, start with mid-size islands like Naxos or Paros before venturing to hidden gems. That said, Folegandros, Sifnos, and Antiparos are relatively accessible small islands that work well even for first-timers. For first-time Greece recommendations, see our first-time visitor guide.