9 lesser-known Greek islands for finding peace & nature

The majority of holidaymakers to the Greek islands focus on the most popular ones such as Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Corfu*. Yet Greece has 227 inhabited islands, and a further approximately 1,300 to 5,800 uninhabited ones, depending on what you class as an island.

Pretty Assos, Kefalonia
Pretty Assos, Kefalonia © Lucian Bolca - Adobe Stock Image

The best-known ones can be expensive and get very crowded, especially in peak season, and it is common for cruise ships to queue up to moor during the summer months.

While the most beloved islands certainly have much to commend them, there are many more waiting to be discovered. They all have their own distinct personalities, cultures, habits, landscapes, climates, cuisines, clothes and music.

Not to mention differing histories, with invaders and occupiers including the Minoans, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans, who have all left their mark. Here, we look at some of the most enticing, lesser-known Greek islands you can discover on your next break.

Getting to Greece: browse the current online offers on holidays to Greece with TUI*, which departs from airports across the UK.

Evia

With its proximity to Athens and easy access by road or ferry, it's surprising how little known Evia is to non-Greeks, especially as it is the second-largest island in Greece after Crete*.

It boasts rolling hills, chestnut forests, olive groves and vineyards, and golden-sand beaches, many of which chances are you'll have to yourself.

Cool off in Drymonas Waterfall, Evia
Cool off in Drymonas Waterfall, Evia © Gatsi - Adobe Stock Image

It's peppered with archaeological remains, including an 11th-century Byzantine fortress, a Roman Kylindroi (cylinder) quarry dating from the 1st century BCE where huge columns remain, and dragon houses; megalithic structures buried deep in the mountains.

Climate in Evia

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
12°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Athens12
13°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Athens13
15°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Athens15
19°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Athens19
24°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Athens24
29°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Athens29
32°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Athens32
31°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Athens31
28°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Athens28
22°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Athens22
18°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Athens18
14°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Athens14
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
8 days with some rainfall in January in Athens8
9 days with some rainfall in February in Athens9
8 days with some rainfall in March in Athens8
7 days with some rainfall in April in Athens7
5 days with some rainfall in May in Athens5
2 days with some rainfall in June in Athens2
1 day with some rainfall in July in Athens1
2 days with some rainfall in August in Athens2
2 days with some rainfall in September in Athens2
6 days with some rainfall in October in Athens6
9 days with some rainfall in November in Athens9
10 days with some rainfall in December in Athens10
Sea temperature °C
15°C sea temperature in January in Athens15
14°C sea temperature in February in Athens14
14°C sea temperature in March in Athens14
15°C sea temperature in April in Athens15
18°C sea temperature in May in Athens18
22°C sea temperature in June in Athens22
25°C sea temperature in July in Athens25
26°C sea temperature in August in Athens26
25°C sea temperature in September in Athens25
22°C sea temperature in October in Athens22
20°C sea temperature in November in Athens20
17°C sea temperature in December in Athens17

Kythnos

Tourists are still quite a rarity on this island in the Western Cyclades, and it's mainly popular as a weekend getaway for Greeks, being no more than two hours by ferry from Athens*.

Its south is almost uninhabited, although the capital, Chora, or Mesaria, has some nightlife, having several bars and restaurants.

With 60 miles / 100 km of coastline, there are plenty of good beaches to choose from, and a few traditional villages to explore, such as Agios Dimitrios and Dryopida. In the north, at Loutra, you can take a therapeutic plunge into the thermal springs.

Climate in Kythnos

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
13°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Galissas13
13°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Galissas13
15°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Galissas15
18°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Galissas18
22°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Galissas22
26°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Galissas26
28°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Galissas28
27°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Galissas27
25°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Galissas25
21°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Galissas21
18°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Galissas18
15°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Galissas15
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
10 days with some rainfall in January in Galissas10
9 days with some rainfall in February in Galissas9
8 days with some rainfall in March in Galissas8
6 days with some rainfall in April in Galissas6
3 days with some rainfall in May in Galissas3
1 day with some rainfall in June in Galissas1
1 day with some rainfall in July in Galissas1
1 day with some rainfall in August in Galissas1
1 day with some rainfall in September in Galissas1
4 days with some rainfall in October in Galissas4
8 days with some rainfall in November in Galissas8
11 days with some rainfall in December in Galissas11
Sea temperature °C
15°C sea temperature in January in Galissas15
15°C sea temperature in February in Galissas15
15°C sea temperature in March in Galissas15
16°C sea temperature in April in Galissas16
18°C sea temperature in May in Galissas18
22°C sea temperature in June in Galissas22
23°C sea temperature in July in Galissas23
24°C sea temperature in August in Galissas24
23°C sea temperature in September in Galissas23
21°C sea temperature in October in Galissas21
18°C sea temperature in November in Galissas18
16°C sea temperature in December in Galissas16

Thirasia

The surprising thing about this completely unspoilt island in the Cyclades, hardly touched by tourism, is that it is only a 10-minute ferry ride from Santorini*, which welcomes about 3.4 million visitors each year.

There aren't many sights on Thirasia, and only a handful of eateries or places to stay, but eBiking around the island is exhilarating, with very little traffic.

There's a handful of little, unpretentious tavernas, abandoned cave villages and remote churches to discover. It's perfect for hiking and has near-deserted beaches.

Climate in Thirasia

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
14°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Oia14
14°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Oia14
16°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Oia16
19°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Oia19
22°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Oia22
26°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Oia26
28°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Oia28
27°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Oia27
25°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Oia25
22°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Oia22
19°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Oia19
16°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Oia16
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
11 days with some rainfall in January in Oia11
10 days with some rainfall in February in Oia10
8 days with some rainfall in March in Oia8
5 days with some rainfall in April in Oia5
3 days with some rainfall in May in Oia3
1 day with some rainfall in June in Oia1
1 day with some rainfall in July in Oia1
1 day with some rainfall in August in Oia1
1 day with some rainfall in September in Oia1
4 days with some rainfall in October in Oia4
8 days with some rainfall in November in Oia8
12 days with some rainfall in December in Oia12
Sea temperature °C
16°C sea temperature in January in Oia16
16°C sea temperature in February in Oia16
16°C sea temperature in March in Oia16
16°C sea temperature in April in Oia16
19°C sea temperature in May in Oia19
22°C sea temperature in June in Oia22
23°C sea temperature in July in Oia23
24°C sea temperature in August in Oia24
24°C sea temperature in September in Oia24
22°C sea temperature in October in Oia22
19°C sea temperature in November in Oia19
17°C sea temperature in December in Oia17

Karpathos

The second-largest of the Dodecanese islands, roughly halfway between Rhodes* and Crete (and an approximately four-hour ferry from the first, and seven hours from the second), Karpathos is even under the radar for many Greeks.

The calm waters off Achata Beach, Karpathos
The calm waters off Achata Beach, Karpathos © Anyarnia - Adobe Stock Image

It has more than 200 beaches to choose from, as well as more than 120 miles / 200 km of hiking paths. The twisting, narrow mountain roads lead to scenic villages such as Mesochóri, with its whitewashed houses and Arkasa, which has been inhabited for 3,000 years.

Steeped in tradition, it is not uncommon for women to wear colourful traditional clothing day-to-day on the northern side of the island; many families still shepherd and farm for a living.

Climate in Karpathos

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
14°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Karpathos14
15°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Karpathos15
16°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Karpathos16
19°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Karpathos19
23°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Karpathos23
27°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Karpathos27
29°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Karpathos29
29°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Karpathos29
27°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Karpathos27
23°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Karpathos23
19°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Karpathos19
16°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Karpathos16
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
13 days with some rainfall in January in Karpathos13
12 days with some rainfall in February in Karpathos12
9 days with some rainfall in March in Karpathos9
6 days with some rainfall in April in Karpathos6
4 days with some rainfall in May in Karpathos4
2 days with some rainfall in June in Karpathos2
2 days with some rainfall in July in Karpathos2
2 days with some rainfall in August in Karpathos2
2 days with some rainfall in September in Karpathos2
5 days with some rainfall in October in Karpathos5
8 days with some rainfall in November in Karpathos8
13 days with some rainfall in December in Karpathos13
Sea temperature °C
17°C sea temperature in January in Karpathos17
16°C sea temperature in February in Karpathos16
16°C sea temperature in March in Karpathos16
17°C sea temperature in April in Karpathos17
19°C sea temperature in May in Karpathos19
22°C sea temperature in June in Karpathos22
24°C sea temperature in July in Karpathos24
25°C sea temperature in August in Karpathos25
24°C sea temperature in September in Karpathos24
23°C sea temperature in October in Karpathos23
20°C sea temperature in November in Karpathos20
18°C sea temperature in December in Karpathos18

Folegandros

After a few days battling the crowds on Santorini, it's a blessed relief to land on this tranquil island in the Southern Cyclades after an 80-minute ferry crossing.

With its little harbour with just a handful of colourful boats and cosy tavernas, and a sleepy main town with pretty white stone houses, narrow alleyways, low-key hotels and villas, attractive squares and churches, it feels like going back in time to how many Greek islands would have been like 40 or 50 years ago.

Climate in Folegandros

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
14°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Oia14
14°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Oia14
16°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Oia16
19°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Oia19
22°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Oia22
26°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Oia26
28°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Oia28
27°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Oia27
25°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Oia25
22°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Oia22
19°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Oia19
16°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Oia16
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
11 days with some rainfall in January in Oia11
10 days with some rainfall in February in Oia10
8 days with some rainfall in March in Oia8
5 days with some rainfall in April in Oia5
3 days with some rainfall in May in Oia3
1 day with some rainfall in June in Oia1
1 day with some rainfall in July in Oia1
1 day with some rainfall in August in Oia1
1 day with some rainfall in September in Oia1
4 days with some rainfall in October in Oia4
8 days with some rainfall in November in Oia8
12 days with some rainfall in December in Oia12
Sea temperature °C
16°C sea temperature in January in Oia16
16°C sea temperature in February in Oia16
16°C sea temperature in March in Oia16
16°C sea temperature in April in Oia16
19°C sea temperature in May in Oia19
22°C sea temperature in June in Oia22
23°C sea temperature in July in Oia23
24°C sea temperature in August in Oia24
24°C sea temperature in September in Oia24
22°C sea temperature in October in Oia22
19°C sea temperature in November in Oia19
17°C sea temperature in December in Oia17

Poros

Located close to Athens on the Saronic Gulf and about 80 minutes by ferry from there, Poros is made up of two islands: Kalavria and Sferia, which are connected by a small bridge.

Explore the streets of Poros Town, Poros
Explore the streets of Poros Town, Poros © S.Borisov - Shutterstock.com

In attractive Poros Town, terracotta-roofed buildings ascend the hillside while the seafront is lined with neoclassical buildings and narrow streets reveal traditional tavernas, local cafés and small boutiques.

If you're culturally inclined, there's an archaeological museum, the 18th-century Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, and archaeological sites such as the Temple of Poseidon, dating from 520 BCE. With its great beaches, Poros is a good base for water sports; hiking and biking through its pine woods is also popular.

Climate in Poros

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
12°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Poros12
12°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Poros12
14°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Poros14
17°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Poros17
22°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Poros22
26°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Poros26
30°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Poros30
29°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Poros29
26°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Poros26
21°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Poros21
17°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Poros17
13°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Poros13
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
14 days with some rainfall in January in Poros14
13 days with some rainfall in February in Poros13
11 days with some rainfall in March in Poros11
11 days with some rainfall in April in Poros11
8 days with some rainfall in May in Poros8
3 days with some rainfall in June in Poros3
2 days with some rainfall in July in Poros2
2 days with some rainfall in August in Poros2
4 days with some rainfall in September in Poros4
9 days with some rainfall in October in Poros9
13 days with some rainfall in November in Poros13
15 days with some rainfall in December in Poros15
Sea temperature °C
16°C sea temperature in January in Poros16
15°C sea temperature in February in Poros15
15°C sea temperature in March in Poros15
16°C sea temperature in April in Poros16
19°C sea temperature in May in Poros19
22°C sea temperature in June in Poros22
24°C sea temperature in July in Poros24
26°C sea temperature in August in Poros26
25°C sea temperature in September in Poros25
23°C sea temperature in October in Poros23
20°C sea temperature in November in Poros20
17°C sea temperature in December in Poros17

Syros

Most cruise ships, thankfully, give this island in the Cyclades a swerve in favour of nearby Mykonos*, and it is mainly Greeks who holiday here.

The attractive, easygoing 19th-century capital, Ermapoulis, is home to marble squares and elegant neoclassical buildings as well as lots of excellent tavernas and even an opera house.

If you have the energy, especially on a hot day, walk up the twisting lanes of the old town to either the Orthodox or the Catholic church, so prominent on the skyline. There are regular festivals in and around the town, including ones for dance, animation, film, digital art, jazz and classical music. It's a two-hour ferry from Athens.

Climate in Syros

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
13°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Ermoupolis13
13°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Ermoupolis13
15°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Ermoupolis15
18°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Ermoupolis18
22°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Ermoupolis22
26°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Ermoupolis26
28°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Ermoupolis28
27°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Ermoupolis27
25°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Ermoupolis25
21°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Ermoupolis21
18°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Ermoupolis18
15°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Ermoupolis15
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
10 days with some rainfall in January in Ermoupolis10
9 days with some rainfall in February in Ermoupolis9
8 days with some rainfall in March in Ermoupolis8
6 days with some rainfall in April in Ermoupolis6
3 days with some rainfall in May in Ermoupolis3
1 day with some rainfall in June in Ermoupolis1
1 day with some rainfall in July in Ermoupolis1
1 day with some rainfall in August in Ermoupolis1
1 day with some rainfall in September in Ermoupolis1
4 days with some rainfall in October in Ermoupolis4
8 days with some rainfall in November in Ermoupolis8
11 days with some rainfall in December in Ermoupolis11
Sea temperature °C
15°C sea temperature in January in Ermoupolis15
15°C sea temperature in February in Ermoupolis15
15°C sea temperature in March in Ermoupolis15
16°C sea temperature in April in Ermoupolis16
18°C sea temperature in May in Ermoupolis18
22°C sea temperature in June in Ermoupolis22
23°C sea temperature in July in Ermoupolis23
24°C sea temperature in August in Ermoupolis24
23°C sea temperature in September in Ermoupolis23
21°C sea temperature in October in Ermoupolis21
18°C sea temperature in November in Ermoupolis18
16°C sea temperature in December in Ermoupolis16

Thassos

The northernmost of the islands, located in the North Aegean 90 miles / 150 km east of Thessaloniki, Thassos is also one of the greenest.

Mountain-backed old harbour, Thassos
Mountain-backed old harbour, Thassos © Balate Dorin - Adobe Stock Image

Just a 40-minute ferry from the Macedonian city of Kavala, there are mountain villages, pine forests and ancient ruins to explore, and a host of hiking and biking tracks; but it's also an idyllic island to laze away the days on the crowd-less white-sand beaches.

Hotels are generally low-key and relatively inexpensive. Unlike many Greek islands, it also has a decent bus service, if you further want to keep costs down.

Climate in Thassos

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
7°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Glykadi7
8°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Glykadi8
11°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Glykadi11
16°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Glykadi16
21°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Glykadi21
26°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Glykadi26
28°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Glykadi28
28°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Glykadi28
24°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Glykadi24
18°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Glykadi18
13°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Glykadi13
9°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Glykadi9
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
9 days with some rainfall in January in Glykadi9
8 days with some rainfall in February in Glykadi8
8 days with some rainfall in March in Glykadi8
7 days with some rainfall in April in Glykadi7
8 days with some rainfall in May in Glykadi8
6 days with some rainfall in June in Glykadi6
4 days with some rainfall in July in Glykadi4
4 days with some rainfall in August in Glykadi4
4 days with some rainfall in September in Glykadi4
6 days with some rainfall in October in Glykadi6
8 days with some rainfall in November in Glykadi8
9 days with some rainfall in December in Glykadi9
Sea temperature °C
12°C sea temperature in January in Glykadi12
12°C sea temperature in February in Glykadi12
12°C sea temperature in March in Glykadi12
14°C sea temperature in April in Glykadi14
18°C sea temperature in May in Glykadi18
22°C sea temperature in June in Glykadi22
25°C sea temperature in July in Glykadi25
26°C sea temperature in August in Glykadi26
23°C sea temperature in September in Glykadi23
20°C sea temperature in October in Glykadi20
17°C sea temperature in November in Glykadi17
14°C sea temperature in December in Glykadi14

Kefalonia

Given that Louis de Bernières' novel and subsequent 2001 blockbuster film, Captain Corelli's Mandolin put the Ionian* island of Kefalonia on the map, it's perhaps surprising that it's still relatively quiet.

Unlike many of the busiest Greek islands, where tourism has been booming since the 1960s, Kefalonia kept itself to itself until the late 1980s, so it had developed differently.

Highlights include beautiful, crescent-shaped Myrtos and pine-fringed Horgota beaches, as well as Mount Ainos National Park where wild horses roam.

There are historic villages such as Assos, with its Venetian fortress, and Fiskardo*, known for its lively marina, which is also ideal for snorkelling.

You can fly direct from the UK and Athens or take a ferry from Kyllini, Patra or Astakos in western Greece, as well as Bari in Italy.

Climate in Kefalonia

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
13°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Argostoli13
13°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Argostoli13
15°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Argostoli15
18°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Argostoli18
23°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Argostoli23
27°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Argostoli27
30°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Argostoli30
30°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Argostoli30
27°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Argostoli27
22°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Argostoli22
18°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Argostoli18
15°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Argostoli15
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
14 days with some rainfall in January in Argostoli14
13 days with some rainfall in February in Argostoli13
11 days with some rainfall in March in Argostoli11
10 days with some rainfall in April in Argostoli10
7 days with some rainfall in May in Argostoli7
3 days with some rainfall in June in Argostoli3
2 days with some rainfall in July in Argostoli2
2 days with some rainfall in August in Argostoli2
4 days with some rainfall in September in Argostoli4
10 days with some rainfall in October in Argostoli10
13 days with some rainfall in November in Argostoli13
15 days with some rainfall in December in Argostoli15
Sea temperature °C
16°C sea temperature in January in Argostoli16
15°C sea temperature in February in Argostoli15
15°C sea temperature in March in Argostoli15
16°C sea temperature in April in Argostoli16
19°C sea temperature in May in Argostoli19
22°C sea temperature in June in Argostoli22
24°C sea temperature in July in Argostoli24
26°C sea temperature in August in Argostoli26
25°C sea temperature in September in Argostoli25
22°C sea temperature in October in Argostoli22
20°C sea temperature in November in Argostoli20
17°C sea temperature in December in Argostoli17

Ready to discover Greece's quieter side? Find the latest offers on escapes to destinations across Greece with TUI.

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Ben West

Ben West

Ben has written for many publications including The New York Times, The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian and The FT. He has also written a number of books, including the Bradt Guide to Cameroon. Ben covers many subjects such as travel, the arts, health and property, and has even penned a popular stage play.

Posted on Thursday 5th June 2025 in: Europe Excursions Nature

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