While some Greek islands are struggling with overtourism, these hidden gems are still low-key island paradises--for now.
You’re probably familiar with Mykonos and Santorini even if you haven’t been to either of them. These hugely (some may say overly) popular hotspots attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, and your Instagram feed is probably littered with images of Santorini sunsets or Mykonos beach bars.
However, to say there’s more to the Greek islands than these hubs is something of an understatement. The region has around 6,000 islands in total, and only 227 are inhabited. If you want to escape the crowds, go where locals from the mainland head during summer–it’s customary for Greeks to take large chunks of August off to vacation on the islands, and most have no interest in elbowing their way through crowds or paying exorbitant prices.
These lesser-known islands are all popular getaways for Greeks–and therefore come equipped with accommodations, eateries, and transport routes–but are off most foreign visitors’ radars. Some are perfect for foodies, others are popular with partiers, and others are ideal for getting-away-from-it-all relaxation. Now that the secret’s out, it’s time to start planning your vacation before everybody else finds out.