Ereikoussa has only a handful of named beaches, but it offers something increasingly difficult to find in the Ionian Islands: long stretches of sand without intensive resort development. The two principal beaches are Porto, beside the island’s harbour, and Bragini, on the quieter northern coast. Fyki, on the western side of the island, is better…
Oinousses has a surprisingly varied coastline for such a small island. Its beaches range from sandy, sheltered bays on the southern and eastern shores to wilder coves exposed to the North Aegean wind. Bilali is the island’s best-known and only reliably serviced beach. Apiganos provides a quieter natural setting, while Zepaga is convenient for visitors…
Oinousses is a small North Aegean island with an influence far greater than its size might suggest. Generations of local families became prominent shipowners, and their relationship with the sea remains visible throughout the harbour, village and island institutions. The main settlement rises amphitheatrically above the waterfront. Neoclassical mansions stand beside modest island houses, maritime…
Iraklia’s coastline combines accessible sandy beaches with remote coves enclosed by cliffs. Livadi is the island’s best all-round beach, while Agios Georgios provides an easy swim beside the port. More adventurous visitors can walk to Vorini Spilia and Tourkopigado or take a boat to Alimia, Karvounolakos and the beaches beneath the cliffs of Merichas. Development…
Arki’s beaches are small, unorganised and remarkably peaceful. There are no beach clubs, rows of sunbeds or waterfront resorts. Instead, visitors find clear water, rocky surroundings and quiet places reached on foot from the island’s harbour settlement. Tiganakia is the outstanding beach and the main reason many travellers visit Arki. Patelia is easier to reach,…
Arki is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Dodecanese. Located between Patmos and Lipsi, it has a sheltered harbour, a tiny settlement and a scattering of beaches reached along quiet island paths. There are no major attractions, organised tours or busy resorts here. The appeal lies in swimming in clear water, walking through…
Thimena — also written Thymaina — is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the North Aegean. Part of the Fourni archipelago between Samos and Ikaria, it is a place of fishing boats, steep village lanes, walking paths and small coves rather than conventional tourist attractions. The island covers only about 10 square kilometres. There…
The beaches of Agios Efstratios are very different from those of Greece’s major holiday islands. There are few organised facilities, no long lines of sunbeds and little coastal development outside the island’s only village. Instead, Ai Stratis has a remarkably wild coastline of sand, pebbles, volcanic rock, sea caves and isolated coves. The easiest swimming…
Agios Efstratios is one of the least conventional Greek islands to visit. Usually called Ai Stratis by Greeks, this small North Aegean island lies between Lemnos and the Sporades. It has only one main settlement and remains far removed from the scale of tourism found on better-known Greek islands. Its appeal is also unusually diverse….
Donousa has some of the most appealing beaches in the Small Cyclades, not because they are heavily developed, but because they remain closely connected to the island’s walking trails and largely untouched landscape. There are no sprawling beach resorts. Instead, visitors find sandy bays, tamarisk trees, remarkably clear water and small coves reached on foot….
Donousa is small enough that choosing accommodation is less about finding the perfect hotel and more about deciding what kind of island experience you want. Most accommodation is concentrated in Stavros, the port and main village. This is the best base for first-time visitors, travellers without a vehicle and anyone who wants restaurants, cafés and…
Donousa has a remarkably good food scene for an island of its size. Most visitors initially encounter the tavernas and cafés of Stavros, the port and main village. But some of the most interesting meals are found away from the harbour, particularly in Mersini and Kalotaritissa. The food remains strongly connected to traditional Greek island…