The best hidden Greek islands are small, ferry-only places such as Folegandros, Kimolos, Schinoussa and Anafi in the Cyclades, Tilos and Lipsi in the Dodecanese, Alonissos in the Sporades and Kastellorizo off the Turkish coast. Most have no airport, few large hotels and a slower pace than Santorini or Mykonos. You reach them by flying to Athens and taking a ferry from Piraeus, Lavrio or Rafina, or by connecting from a bigger island such as Rhodes, Milos or Naxos.
What makes a Greek island “hidden”?
None of these islands is truly secret. They are simply less visited because they are harder to reach: no airport, fewer ferries, and a small number of rooms. That is what keeps them quiet. In return you get village squares where locals still outnumber visitors, beaches you can walk to, and family-run tavernas instead of beach clubs. Plan ahead, because limited rooms and ferries mean the good options fill up early in summer.
Best hidden Greek islands in the Cyclades
Folegandros
Folegandros is known for its Chora, a whitewashed village built along a clifftop, with linked squares that fill up in the evening. Hiking paths cross the island to quiet coves. Katergo, one of its best beaches, can only be reached on foot or by boat: small boats run from the port of Karavostasis in about ten minutes, or you can walk a steep path of around half an hour from Livadi. The beach has no facilities, so bring food and water. Stay in or near Chora for evenings out.
Kythnos
Kythnos is the closest of these islands to Athens, with ferries from Lavrio, a small port near Athens airport. Its signature beach is Kolona, a narrow sandbar that links Kythnos to the islet of Agios Loukas and creates two beaches back to back. You get there by water taxi from the port of Merichas or along a rough dirt road. At Loutra, warm thermal spring water flows into the sea. Kythnos suits a short trip or a first stop on an island-hop.
Kimolos
Kimolos is a short boat ride from Milos and is often visited as a day trip, though staying overnight shows you its quiet side. It has volcanic rock formations, beaches such as Prassa, and walking paths between the main village and the coast. Pack snorkelling gear for the clear water.
Schinoussa and Iraklia (Small Cyclades)
These two small islands sit south of Naxos, in the group known as the Small Cyclades. Each has a few villages, walking trails and beaches you can reach on foot. They are a good choice if you want quiet without being far from Naxos, which has an airport and more ferry links.
Anafi
Anafi lies east of Santorini and is one of the most remote islands in the group. It has rugged hiking country, a hilltop Chora and long beaches on the south coast. Connections are less frequent than to the busier islands, so build some flexibility into your plans.
Best hidden islands in the Dodecanese
Tilos
Tilos is a quiet island between Rhodes and Kos, popular with walkers and birdwatchers. Its most striking sight is Mikro Chorio, a village built in the 15th century away from the coast for protection from pirates and abandoned by 1960, when islanders had moved down to Livadia. The stone walls of its houses still stand. Livadia, on the bay, is the most practical base for beaches and tavernas.
Lipsi
Lipsi is a small island north of Patmos with a harbour lined with tavernas and several sandy coves, including Platis Gialos. It is easy to combine with Patmos and Leros on the same ferry line.
Kastellorizo
Kastellorizo, also called Megisti, is Greece’s easternmost inhabited island. It lies about 2 km off the Turkish coast, a short boat ride from Kaş, and is reached from Rhodes by ferry or by a small domestic flight. The harbour is lined with brightly painted houses. Swim off the rocks, take a boat to the sea caves, or simply watch the harbour at dusk.
Astypalaia
Astypalaia, often described as butterfly-shaped, sits between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. Its Chora has a Venetian-era castle above a line of windmills, with quiet beaches spread around both “wings” of the island.
Hidden islands in the north and east Aegean
Alonissos
Alonissos is the base for the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, founded in 1992 as Greece’s first marine park and now one of the largest marine protected areas in Europe. It was created mainly to protect the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and rare seabirds. Boat trips into the park, snorkelling and coastal walks are the main activities. Follow the park rules on where boats may go.
Fourni
Fourni is a small archipelago between Ikaria and Samos with fishing villages, simple tavernas known for fresh seafood, and calm bays. Ferries connect it with both neighbouring islands. It suits travellers who want a slow pace and do not mind basic facilities.
How do you get to the hidden Greek islands?
Most trips start in Athens. From Athens you have three ferry ports: Piraeus for most of the Cyclades and Dodecanese, Lavrio for Kythnos and the western Cyclades, and Rafina for some Cyclades routes. Island groups also connect from local hubs:
- Milos for Kimolos and Folegandros.
- Naxos for Schinoussa, Iraklia and the Small Cyclades.
- Santorini for Anafi and Folegandros.
- Rhodes for Tilos and Kastellorizo.
- Patmos for Lipsi.
- Skiathos and Skopelos for Alonissos.
- Ikaria and Samos for Fourni.
Ferry timetables change by season, and the smallest islands have far fewer sailings outside summer. Check the ferry operators’ current schedules before you lock in hotel dates, and leave a buffer day before your flight home in case of cancellations due to wind.
Getting to Greece from Dubai
Emirates flies nonstop from Dubai to Athens, which makes the hidden islands practical for a one- or two-week trip from the UAE. Search fares on our flight search and compare Athens hotels for a night before or after the ferry. For a ready-made itinerary, see our Greece holiday packages from Dubai.
Sample hidden-island itineraries
7 days: western and southern Cyclades
- Day 1: Fly to Athens, ferry from Lavrio to Kythnos.
- Day 2: Kolona beach and Loutra.
- Days 3–4: Ferry to Milos, day trip to Kimolos.
- Days 5–6: Ferry to Folegandros, walk to Katergo, evenings in Chora.
- Day 7: Ferry back to Piraeus and fly home.
10 days: Dodecanese
- Days 1–2: Fly to Rhodes via Athens, then ferry or fly to Kastellorizo.
- Days 3–5: Back via Rhodes to Tilos for walking and Mikro Chorio.
- Days 6–8: North to Patmos and Lipsi.
- Days 9–10: Ferry to Piraeus or Kos and fly home.
What to pack
- Walking shoes for cliff paths and village steps.
- Snorkelling gear, as rental is limited on small islands.
- Cash: some tavernas and boat taxis on small islands may prefer it.
- A refillable water bottle and sun protection.
