13 of the best quiet Greek islands

2. Folegandros

Best for sunsets
Another isle in the shadow of its Cycladic sisters is Folegandros, which sits halfway between Santorini and Milos. Many of its best beaches are accessible only by boat or on foot, which makes it feel laid-back and bohemian. Take a memorable stroll along zigzag stairs to whitewashed Panagia church, then soak up sunset views from traffic-free, clifftop Chora (the island’s main town) or get closer still on a sunset cruise. Better yet, catch evening’s fiery glow from the comfort of Blue Sand Hotel & Suites, hidden away on the west coast with Aegean horizons from every room.

Nikia in Nisyros (Alamy)

3. Nisyros

Best for volcanic views
It’s only a short ferry ride from Kos, so Nisyros receives crowds of day-trippers from its Dodecanese neighbour. Happily, when they leave, it becomes a tranquil haven for the smart few who stay here. Volcanic roots have bequeathed it dark sand, hot springs and pumice cliffs, plus a crater around which it’s possible to walk. Dotted here and there are villages: Mandraki is liveliest, Nikia has volcanic vistas and Emporios sits beside the volcano itself, where Melanopetra (the name means “black stone”) is a good bet for self-catering stays in stylish units built with local materials.

The streets of Ermoupoli in Syros (Alamy)

4. Syros

Best for culture vultures
You’d never guess from its peaceful vibe that Syros was once this seafaring nation’s main commercial hub. Centred on the capital, Ermoupoli (named for the Greek god, Hermes), the legacy of that influx of wealth can be seen in elegant architecture and cultural institutions such as the theatre and great archaeological museums. Beach-wise, there are pebble or sand options scattered around the coast, with the best being in the south (don’t miss pretty Megas Gialos). But with Ermopouli being so charming, opt for a city stay at Hotel Aristide, an art-and-marble-filled Cycladic townhouse that’s steps away from refreshing sea swims.

Vathy harbour in Meganisi (Alamy)

5. Meganisi

Best for peaceful escapes
Being overlooked in the rush to reach better-known Cephalonia and Lefkada has been a blessing for offbeat Meganisi. Despite lying only 25 minutes by ferry from Lefkada, this unspoilt Ionian island has forgone large-scale resort development to retain its welcoming, step-back-in-time appeal. With just three pretty villages, acres of olive groves and about 1,000 residents, it’s a beautifully languid spot, especially once you’re stretched out on one of its marvellous beaches (Fanari and Spilia are highlights). Vathy & Spartochori villages also have plenty of charm; you’ll be within striking distance of both when staying at bayfront Azur Retreat.

Chrisi Milia in Alonissos (Alamy)

6. Alonissos

Best for going wild
It’s all about nature on Alonissos, which lies within the Northern Sporades national marine park (Greece’s first). The 2,000 sq km reserve is home to rare Mediterranean monk seals, as well as dolphins, turtles and colonies of seabirds. Snorkellers and divers are in for a treat at the underwater museum’s sunken, fifth-century BC cargo ship. Back onshore, discover monasteries, hiking trails and picturesque Patitiri village, then decamp to Chrisi Milia for turquoise water and one of the best sandy beaches. Relax in peace at adult-only Infinity 180 Luxury Suites; then liven things up with a day trip to Skiathos, an hour’s hydrofoil skim away.

• Best hotels in Skiathos

Agioi Anargyroi church and beach in Agistri (Getty Images)

7. Agistri

Best for mixing city and sea
The Saronic islands are some of the easiest to access from Athens and are a cinch to combine with urban explorations. Agistri is only an hour by ferry from the capital, but despite this proximity it remains idyllic and peaceful: all chilled-out vibes, crystal coves and pine trees cascading down to the sea. Dragonera is one of the island’s best-known pebble beaches; for sandier shores, try Skala. This is also where you’ll find Oasis Beach Hotel & Spa, whose 52 rooms and suites all have private verandas blessed with sea and mountain views.

Sarakiniko beach in Milos (Getty Images)

8. Milos

Best for otherworldly landscapes
The exquisite Venus de Milo (the ancient statue discovered here, now on display in the Louvre) is not the only thing of legendary beauty this outpost of the Cyclades has produced. Volcanic origins created a landscape of elemental colours that mix sulphur-yellow cliffs with ash-white and obsidian-black rock formations. Such rawness comes into its own at Sarakiniko, where smoothly sculpted, moonlike shores contrast magnificently with the dazzling Aegean Sea. The water looks just as inviting when gazed upon from Skinopi Lodge, whose seven extraordinary villas blend into their rocky backdrop for the most luxurious of self-catering stays.

Psili Ammos beach in Patmos (Alamy)

9. Patmos

Best for beautiful beaches
The Dodecanese island of Patmos has a fascinating past. Said to be where the Book of Revelation was written (a theory that consequently saw it become a place of Christian pilgrimage), it’s nowadays known for its nightlife and cosmopolitan edge. Being less well connected than some other Greek islands (the best ferry links are via Kos), Patmos rarely feels crowded and its beaches are sublime. Kampos has the busiest beach scene; or hire a boat and escape to Psili Ammos (which merits its name meaning “fine sand”). Porto Scoutari, the top Patmos hotel, is an ideal base from which to explore.

The village of Avlemonas on the coast of Kythira (Getty Images)

10. Kythira

Best for gorgeous scenery
Lying between Crete and the Peloponnese is Kythira: the southernmost of the Ionian chain and a place where age-old traditions still reign. Given that the goddess Aphrodite was said to have hailed from here, it’s only fitting that the island’s landscapes match her fabled beauty — canyons, cliffs and countryside sit beside golden beaches and ancient ruins. Stay at eco-luxury Hidden Retreats on a hilltop overlooking the sea, venturing out to discover pretty villages connected by cobblestone pathways, or the lovely white sand beach at Diakofti.

The harbour in Kastellorizo (Getty Images)

11. Kastellorizo

Best for edge-of-Greece getaways
Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of Kastellorizo. This tiny treasure is one of a handful of Greek isles skimming Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, just off from the town of Kas on the Teke Peninsula. Also known as Megisti, the island takes its common name from Castello Rosso, the distinctively reddish-rocked, castle-topped hill that looms above the port. Its single, east-meets-west town has museums, a mosque and colourfully painted houses, three of which have been transformed into Casa Mediterraneo: a six-suite, boutique hideaway with views of the sunset, sea and across the harbour to the minaret-topped town centre.

The village of Hora in Serifos (Getty Images)

12. Serifos

Best for couples
“Hidden gem” is one of the most over-used travel clichés, but it’s utterly appropriate in Serifos. Though it’s just a hop from Milos (and not much further from busy Mykonos), this Cycladic isle has stacks of somnolent, step-back-in-time appeal. Even in high season, you’ll find quiet spots among the island’s 40-odd beaches (Livadakia is a highlight) and a surprisingly lively, hilltop town that gleams against sun-scorched hills. Keen to make your stay more sustainable? Book into Nostos: a 17-room property whose solar panels, heat pumps and other green technologies minimise its impact on the island’s environment.

The monastery of Panagia Chrisopigi in Sifnos (Getty Images)

13. Sifnos

Best for foodies
It’s thanks to Nicholas Tselementes, a local chef who wrote the first Greek book of recipes in 1910, that Sifnos is renowned for its foodie credentials. Just a stone’s throw from next-door Serifos, Sifnos celebrates Tselementes with a food festival every September, but its wealth of bakeries and restaurants — especially in Apollonia, the capital, and nearby Artemonas — keeps the culinary offering interesting all summer long. Equally respectful of the island’s heritage is Sigma Residences, a collection of villas and cottages on the edge of Apollonia whose names give a nod to local villages and traditional farming practices.

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