This glorious Greek holiday destination is dotted with the most beautiful islands, all within a stones throw (or at least a short ferry ride) of one another. The waters here are so clear that you can see to the bottom perfect for swimming and snorkeling. If you have the qualifications to skipper a charter boat yourself then finding a charter company wont be hard Greece is full of them! Safe travels! Astipalea is a gem of an island. Browse through our selection of islands you can easily fly to this summer and start packing for your holidays in Greece. Another great choice for a stay in Kyparissi. You can even do quite long journeys on the ferry so you can travel directly from Athens to a lot of the islands listed below, and if you opt to travel overnight you can book a cabin room and arrive fresh and ready for a day of exploring! We visited both Vathy and Kioni and fell in love with Kioni the most, though both are beautiful Greek towns full of tempting restaurants and artisan shops. The sunsets from Oia village in Santorini are legendary, Prochasson Frederic / Alamy Stock Photo, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark, Constantinos Iliopoulos / Alamy Stock Photo, Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld / Getty Images, love shacks in Greece for that perfect romantic getaway. The quiet Greek island of Patmos is full of family run restaurants making food grown from local ingredients. There arent as many islands here as elsewhere in Greece but we think it would be criminal for it not to be considered as the perfect secluded Greek getaway. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a2fd214ea684efa666d3fcda339e368f" );document.getElementById("i54e681484").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. It is unfortunate that the island of Lesbos has become so well known for the migrant crisis. Separately, there is also Evia and Crete which are the two largest Greek islands. For real peace and quiet consider staying near the village of Katomeri. If youre visiting as a family then seeing Athens with kids will be something they remember for a lifetime the historic buildings here are like something out of a film set! The frequency of ferry services varies depending on the season. Read More Regrets About Moving Onto A Sailboat, Read More Trekking In The Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka, Read More Kyparissia In The Peloponnese: A Cruisers Guide, Read More 48 Hours In Charleston, SC: The Ultimate Itinerary, Read More Visiting Soma Vineyards In Bangalore, Your email address will not be published. For more information and prices head here! Those seeking a tranquil oasis to call summer home will find it in Samos. The main (only) town is small but pretty, with a tiny harbour for the fishing boats that supply the few restaurants with the daily catch. Journeys between Piraeus (Athens) and the Saronic islands take between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours depending on the specific island. Looking for one of the best places to visit in Zakynthos? This is an updated rewrite of an article originally by Ethel Dilouambaka. However, if youre prepared to put in a little more effort to get there (in the form of a short ferry ride) youll find you can beat a lot of the crowds on the Greek island of Ithaka. We also thought it was a great spot for snorkelling, with some of the clearest waters weve ever seen. For instance, it may be easy to fly into some of the islands below from destinations in Europe and the Middle East. There is a small convenience store with all the basic essentials. in general? Here, you will still find traditional rural villages and forested wilderness. This way, you can plan your travels accordingly. Situation up in the hills and away from it all but with all the modern amenities to make your stay comfortable. It sits about 14km southwest of the capital, and just north of Paradeisi village. The airport is often affectionately referred to as being the European St Maarten on account of the dramatic plane landings and takeoffs that you can witness from beside the runway. Similarly, it is possible to take a ferry from Kefalonia to Zakynthos. But why more people dont take the short ferry ride over to the quiet Greek island of Kimolos we have no idea. From here, you can sail out to Ikaria a tiny, lesser-known island where people have a longer than average life expectancy. We got the impression it was a popular holiday destination for Greeks. The quaint and sleepy village sets an island like pace and you can wander from coffee shop to coffee shop, stopping at a little artisan craft shop along the way. In the meantime, Santorini and Mykonos link international destinations to the Cyclades. The southern part of the island is occupied by an abundance of resorts, gentrified touristic areas, and nightlife strips. Signup for exclusive travel tips, giveaways and more, 2022 Two Get Lost - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Trekking In The Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka, Kyparissia In The Peloponnese: A Cruisers Guide, 48 Hours In Charleston, SC: The Ultimate Itinerary. See the best honeymoon hotels in Greece and book with Culture Trip. You can also fly into Corfu if you are heading towards Lefkada or parts of Epirus. Castelo Beach Hotel This hotel is in a quiet bay with lovely views and bars and tavernas within easy reach. Of these, approximately only 220 are inhabited. Planning a trip to Greece but short on time? There is also a ferry to Kythira fromGythioin Peloponnese andKissamosin western Crete in summer. It is also easy to visit Chios from here. Planning a trip to Greece with your other half? Another great way to explore some of the more quiet Greek islands is by chartering a sailboat.

It sits just north of Kamari village. It is nestled on the southern edge of the Aegean Sea, between Rhodes and Crete. This beautiful island is the largest in the Ionian and is well deserved of several weeks worth of exploration in itself. Feel free to drop me a comment in the box below and Ill get back to you ASAP. Trek up to the Byzantine Castle of Molyvos amid pretty churches and stone houses, and see the fossilised remains of trees formed by volcanic activity more than 20 million years ago in the Petrified Forest of Lesbos. We spotted rays and eels during our time here. The rooms are self contained so you can cook here if you choose. Its only about 20 minutes from Agia Marina and its an easy walk from the windmills and castle Check here for more information and prices. The island is mostly famous for Navagio Beach with its legendary shipwreck and the wild nightlife in Laganas village. From Skiathos, you can easily travel onwards to other islands in the Sporades. Stay at Trinity Boutique Hotel, housed in a 15th-century merchant house, and marvel at the medieval architecture in the Old Town. I am happy to assist with any questions and queries you may have. You should also keep in mind that some of the smaller Greek international airports may only serve more localised routes. Or stay in and enjoy the cooking shows while you eat. Were Emily, Adam and Tiny Cat, liveaboard sailors travelling the world on our 38ft sailboat and writing about it as we go. Astipalea has some amazing trekking opportunities and stunning little beaches and coves. Its also really easy to get there by ferry from Nidri or Ithaki. Stay at Blue Palace Elounda and experience Crete in style, through waterfront verandas overlooking the atmospheric island of Spinalonga and private pastel pools. Gorgeous Corfu is a Mediterranean idyll in the heart of the Ionian islands. The island is also directly connected by air to big cities such as London or Paris. Book the room with a balcony for awesome views. You could spend an eternity here and not run out of things to do. Koroni is one of Greeces castle towns, with a fort on top of the hill that overlooks the sea. Many airlines fly to Rhodes from countries such as Germany and Sweden. I have been living in Greece since 2017. Melissa Stone Houses is situated just outside this village the perfect place for a secluded retreat that still has access to the main town of Vathy and numerous secluded bays and pretty beaches. Crete Chania Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ), Crete Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport (CFU), Karpathos Karpathos Island National Airport (AOK), Kefalonia Kefalonia International Airport Anna Pollatou (EFL), Lemnos Lemnos International Airport Hephaestus (LXS), Lesbos Mytilene International Airport Odysseas Elytis (MJT), Mykonos Mykonos International Airport (JMK), Rhodes Diagoras International Airport (RHO), Santorini Santorini (Thira) International Airport (JTR), Samos Samos Aristarchos International Airport (SMI), Skiathos Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport (JSI), Zakynthos Zakynthos Dionysios Solomos Airport (ZTH), Astypalaia Astypalaia Island National Airport (JTY), Chios Chios Island National Airport (JKH), Ikaria Ikaria Island National Airport (JIK), Kalymnos Kalymnos Island National Airport (JKL), Kasos Kasos Island Public Airport (KSJ), Kastellorizo: Kastellorizo Island Public Airport (KZS), Kythira Kithira Island National Airport (KIT), Milos Milos Island National Airport (MLO), Naxos Naxos Island National Airport (JNX), Skyros Skyros Island National Airport (SKU), Syros Syros Island National Airport (JSY). may have to change in Athens. Meganisi is still a pretty popular island in the Ionian, but it is very possible to find quiet spots if its peace youre after. Travelling out of season provides the opportunity to escape the crowds, even if more businesses are closed. Stay at The Elephant Goupa Beach to be right in the middle of this other worldly scene by the beach houses cut into the cliffs Check here for more information and prices. During the summer months, you can also take a boat to the Turkish Riviera town of Bodrum. If youre heading to the Dodecanese then make Astipalea your first choice! The islands in Greece that have international airports are detailed below. There are some notable archaeological sites and museums in and around Mytilene. Dont miss the Valley of the Butterflies, where thousands of caterpillars transform into butterflies in summer. What you will find, however, is incredibly friendly and welcoming locals, great hiking opportunities and some small, secluded rocky coves to enjoy the water. When we visited in August there were barely any tourists and it had a very quiet and remote feel. After 2 years of island hopping in Greece I am pleased to inform you that it is possible to find quiet Greek islands, and that the extra hassle will be well worth it. There are more than you may think. If you find youre missing the tourist scene then head off on a boat trip to one of the neighbouring tiny islands, where the sea scenery is out of this world! The town was more like a village, with just one main street selling a few pretty bits of pottery and artwork and a scattering of Greek restaurants along the waterfront. You can browse dates and routes via flight comparison websites such as Skyscanner, and directly on airline websites. Dont miss the spectacular Navagio beach. Its set up the hill a little way, giving it both excellent views and refreshing breeze during those hot Greek summers. How Much Does It Cost To Live On A Sailboat? If you cant sail then you can pay extra for a skipper to join your group and sail you from place to place as you choose! Mykonos International Airport is located just 2km out of the islands main town (Chora).

Wind down with a walk around pastel-hued houses in Assos village or a boat ride in Melissani Caves lagoon, before tucking into fresh fish at Tassia in the upscale Fiskardo village. This adults only hotel is another great choice if you want a little luxury. Enjoy a cocktail at one of the bars in Vathy town, before calling it a night at the classy Doryssa Seaside Resort, where you can opt to stay in village-inspired lodgings (complete with a traditional kafeneio). For more information and prices head here. Leros island was famously the hunting ground of the goddess Artemis as it was full of deer, but now youll find more divers than hunters, keen to explore the underwater shipwrecks around Leross interestingly shaped coastline. Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines are the main airlines serving domestic Greek routes. Santorini (Thira) International Airport is located on the popular Cyclades island of Santorini. For panoramic views from the infinity pool and unreal sunsets across the caldera, book your stay at Apanemo. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It should be noted that although the airports detailed here are currently domestic, there is a view for Paros to become international. It is mostly charter flights that service this airport. The Ionian is one of the busiest places in Greece and its easy to see why. Apart from the all-consuming nature and amazing food (the fish-based bourdeto dish is a must-try), expect to find grand Venetian fortresses, majestic palaces like the Achilleion, and Byzantine churches such as the cute chapel on Pontikonisi. Melissa Douglas is a British Travel Writer and Blogger based in Athens, Greece. It also has views to die for! To find out more about Koroni check out this detailed guide. Probably our top Ionian island for its tranquillity, this place can only be reached by a twice daily ferry from the mainland or private boat. Check here for more information and prices, Greece's Top 10 Anchorages | Two Get Lost. However, it is served by a lesser number of flight routes. If its crystal clear waters, good predictable weather and impressive scenery youre after then this is the place to head. From Kos, you can easily sail around the islands of Pserimos, Kalimnos, and Leros, among others. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Please dont hesitate to reach out to me. If youre looking to really get away from it all this is your place. We can thoroughly recommend you book a few nights in the countries capital either before or after visiting some of Greeces quieter islands. Similarly, the island boasts excellent ferry links to the remainder of the Dodecanese. This, in part, is on account of the sheer volume of tourists that Corfu sees, particularly in the summer. You wont regret staying here! You need to be strategic when you plan your trip to Greece. Despite being close to some of Greeces most touristic places to visit, Karpathos has largely retained its authentic charm as a sleepy Greek island idyll. The Greek island of Zante (Zakynthos) is one of the countrys most popular island getaways. While in Santorini, you can marvel at the world-famous Santorini sunsets, conquer the Fira to Oia hike, and have lunch in the gorgeous Ammoudi Bay. For more information and prices head here. Its hard to find quiet Greek islands in the Sporadic gulf due to their proximity to Athens. The journey takes approximately an hour and twenty minutes. Its an amazing contrast to the quiet island life, and the city is just brimming with culture and history. With a backdrop of incredible mountains and surrounded by lake-like seawater, this is an incredible place to visit in Greece. Hopefully thats given you some inspiration for quiet Greek islands you can head to this summer. then stay in Villa Lydia set back a little from the harbour so that you have fantastic views, a little peace and easy access to all the fun of Vathy Bay town. The views here are incredible and the castle is well worth a visit.

But theres so much more to do here. The rooms are basic but comfortable and theres a lovely communal area and a great restaurant here too. Kefalonia also makes a good jump-off point for visiting the little island of Ithaca. Sitia Vitsentzos Kornaros airport (JSH) is the third on the island. This small island can be reached by air from several cities, including nearby Istanbul and Prague.

For more information and prices head here. Unfortunately, it has become somewhat synonymous with raucous nightlife and drunken tourists but that should not define Zante. However, it is also possible to book independent flights to Kos.

Instead it draws just a few Greek holiday makers and some private boat owners, making it even more beautiful and special. If full-on luxury is what youre after, stay at Angsana Corfu think dreamy pools and fusion massages. On the mainland, Athens Eleftherios Venizelos and Thessalonikis Airport Makedonia are serviced by routes from across the globe. We bought homemade cheese and wine to take away from one of these restaurants and it was incredible. If you want a little more freedom to cook for yourself then these apartments are a great option. Youre close to the town here but far enough away to have some privacy. This is the perfect starting point for visiting the Mamma Mia church. To find out more about Kastos, how to get there and where to stay head here! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. The rooms are large, the welcome is warm and the sea views are to die for! You can fly here from practically anywhere, including Vienna or Berlin. Serifos isnt the quietest Greek island weve included on this list but its certainly somewhere you can escape the crowds and find a little peace and quiet! With a hilltop castle, white-washed windmills, and shaded alleyways lined with vibrant flowers this is the sort of place youll be happy getting lost in for days. There are some lovely little towns and villages on the quiet Greek island of Leros, and also some great treks and lovely snorkelling opportunities. However, those flying in from farther afield (i.e. The island is among the Greek destinations with the richest history. Have any additional questions about Greek islands with airports or planning a trip to Greece in general? Ferries dont necessarily connect all islands to each other, even islands within the same group! Dance to the Cretan lyra and feast on dakos salads, meat bites and raki until the early hours. Milos is a famed Greek island in the Cyclades, and rightly so. Alternatively, if you are heading to Chania and Eastern Crete, it is easier to fly into Chania Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ). Karpathos is one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the Dodecanese. The only exception being the Saronic. This Cycladic gem is among the most talked about Greek tourist spots in the world; that doesnt mean its lost its allure, though. Kefalonia is home to Anna Pollatou international airport. The great thing about this option is that you can have the best of both worlds, as most of Meganisi is walkable.

Kalamos village itself is just beautiful. Think castle topped towns, stunning rugged coastlines and plenty of hiking opportunities. This remote island is just as close to Africa as it is to Athens, so flying here is the best option. Aktis Suites is a 5-star luxury hotel, only a few steps from Grikos beach on the quiet Greek island of Patmos. It is the definition of a Greek village, with men sat out watching the world go by and women laughing with each other in doorways. If you plan on exploring the western city of Heraklion and the nearby fort of Knossos, it is logical to fly into Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER). The ferry will take you to the main port on Kimolos. The beach is encompassed by dramatic cliffs and dense pine forests. Just a short ferry ride from Leros youll find the beautiful quiet Greek island of Patmos.

Fortunately, each of the above island groups is home to at least one international airport. If youre travelling to Greece in search of clear waters and dense pine forests, opt for Corfu. This is evidenced in the old town by the fascinating mishmash of architectural styles that you see within the city streets. They offer connections to a wider network of domestic routes throughout Greece. Easily accessed by plane from cities such as Thessaloniki and Bristol, Lesbos is known as the home of ouzo, hosting more than 20 distilleries where the anise-y aperitif is produced. Your email address will not be published. However, the northern part of the island is a different place entirely. Life in Serifos mostly concentrates in Chora, a picturesque town with Cycladic style of traditional whitewashed houses. Santorini is arguably the most popular island destination in Santorini and perhaps the entirety of Greece. Stellas Houses is a great option if you want to be close to the town but still have to quiet youve come to find! The stunning city of Monemvasia would make a perfect day trip. This is a great way to save money while away so if youre looking for a budget option then this is a perfect choice! The island of Kos awaits in the Dodecanese where it actually sits closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece. Because there are fewer inhabited islands in the Peloponnese Ive included a few beautiful but quiet mainland spots with all the feels of Greek island life. Find out more. As such, most international flight routes only operate during the summer months between late April and October. Ive split the islands into four categories the Ionian, the Peloponnese, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades. Hi! The best Cretan airport for you to fly into depends on your schedule. Only half an hours downhill walk from Vathy town, this is a great option for those wanting to dine out in the evenings. Once here, youll be spending your days sunbathing on black-sand beaches like Vlychada, strolling amid white houses and blue-domed churches in Oia village and climbing to the top of an active volcano or swimming close to its crater on the islet of Nea Kameni. Explore the colourful Ano Mera village, or gaze at glorious sunsets in the Little Venice neighbourhood and splurge on designer clothes on Matogianni Street. For more information and prices head here!

Corfu international airport is also a logical entry point to Greece if you are visiting the nearby Ionian islands of Paxos and Anti Paxos. Please try again. A number of different civilisations have conquered and occupied the island over the years. Greek islands with airports? Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport is the countrys main international airport. For more information and prices head here. They have basic cooking facilities and the small market is close by. We stayed near Kalamos village and loved the hilltop castle and the views out to Anti Kythira. If youre looking for a laid-back retreat after all the clubbing, Ftelia Bay is your answer laze the day away under the rattan-covered pergola at the pool bar. Very close to Kefalonia, Zakynthos also caters to those flying from cities like Amsterdam or Manchester. Check here for more information and prices. However, there are ferry links that connect Karpathos with Rhodes, and other islands in the region. It is possible to reach Paxos, Antipaxos, and Igoumenitsa, on the western Greek mainland via a short ferry from Corfu.