Patmos is unlike most Greek islands. It has beaches, whitewashed villages and waterfront restaurants, but its identity is shaped just as strongly by religious history, medieval architecture and pilgrimage. According to Christian tradition, Saint John the Theologian received the visions that became the Book of Revelation while living on Patmos around AD 95. Centuries later,…
Tilos is not an island of giant beach clubs or heavily developed resort strips. Its coastline is much quieter than that. You can swim beside the port in Livadia, spend a full day on the long sandy beach at Eristos, walk from Livadia to secluded Lethra, explore the fishing-village shoreline at Agios Antonios, or take…
Nisyros isn’t the Greek island I’d choose if the only thing you want from a holiday is long stretches of organised golden sand. But that’s also what makes its beaches interesting. This is an active volcanic island, and its geology continues all the way to the sea. Around the coast you’ll find black pebbles, dark…
Leros doesn’t have one famous beach that dominates every postcard. Its appeal is different. The island’s deeply indented coastline creates a collection of bays, coves and beaches, ranging from the organised shoreline at Alinda and the fishing-village atmosphere of Panteli to the darker sand and shallow water of Gourna and more secluded places that require…
Ammouliani is easy to overlook on a map of Greece. At only around 4.5 square kilometres, it is the only inhabited island of Central Macedonia, sitting just off the coast of Halkidiki opposite the Mount Athos peninsula. Yet its small size is one of its advantages. You can swim at a different beach, explore the…
Ammouliani may cover only around 4.5 square kilometres, but beaches are one of the strongest reasons to stay on the island rather than simply visit for the day. The coastline ranges from the popular and well-organised Alykes Beach to quieter bays such as Karagatsia, the broad sands of Megali Ammos, and more secluded places such…
Thirasia isn’t an island you visit for long stretches of golden sand or organised beach clubs. Its volcanic origins have created a steep and rugged coastline dominated by dark rock, black pebbles and deep water. As a result, there are only a few easily accessible places to swim. That’s not necessarily a disadvantage. Thirasia’s beaches…
Psara may be best known for its important role in Greek history, but beaches are one of the strongest reasons to spend several days on this remote North Aegean island. Despite Psara’s small population and lack of mass tourism, its coastline contains an impressive selection of sandy beaches, pebble coves and secluded swimming spots. Some…
Antipaxos may cover only around four square kilometres, but its beaches are the main reason thousands of visitors make the short boat journey from neighbouring Paxos. The island is famous for remarkably clear turquoise water, pale sand and pebbles, and a largely undeveloped coastline. Greece’s official tourism organisation highlights Voutoumi, Vrika, Mesovrika, Rodovani and Sarakiniko…
Just off the northern tip of Karpathos lies one of the wildest islands in the Dodecanese. Saria has no conventional tourist resorts, hotels or busy waterfront tavernas. Instead, visitors come for rugged landscapes, clear water, secluded beaches, hiking and the remains of settlements that reveal a surprisingly rich history. Saria is separated from Karpathos by…
Saria isn’t an island of organised resorts and busy beach bars. Its appeal comes from almost exactly the opposite. Located immediately north of Karpathos in the Dodecanese, Saria offers a rugged coastline, wonderfully clear water and remote beaches reached primarily by boat. For most visitors, a beach trip to Saria centres on Palatia, while some…
Santorini, Mykonos and Crete may attract much of the international attention, but some of the most rewarding Greek island experiences can be found far away from the country’s most famous destinations. Across the Aegean and Ionian seas are smaller islands where tourism remains relatively low-key, beaches are less crowded and traditional villages continue to play…