10 Greek Islands That Rival Santorini and Mykonos (Without the Crowds)

227. That’s the number of the inhabited islands in Greece. If you count the uninhabited ones, it goes up to about 6000. While Santorini, with its stunning caldera sunsets, and Mykonos, with its glitzy beach bars and de luxe restaurants, are the best-known islands, there are many, many more. The more you travel in Greece, the more you discover. Island-hopping in this country is a magnificent experience.

I have been practicing it for a decade now, always aiming to visit a new island per trip. The diversity of the coast is another draw—you will find the golden-sand stretches in Naxos, mind-boggling black volcanic cliffs in Folegandros, epic historic towns in Rhodes, and snorkeling-friendly beaches in Antipaxos. Santorini and Mykonos are must-visits, but here are a few other fantastic Greek island alternatives.

Best for long sandy bays and traditional villages

Set halfway between Mykonos and Santorini, Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic islands. It’s also very different from the famed neighbors. The hinterland here is mountainous and lush, offering miles of hiking trails for all levels. You will also find several authentic villages in the interior, such as Apeiranthos and Koronos. Hanging out in a taverna overlooking the rugged Naxos mountains is a delight. But it’s the beaches that make this island exceptional. Its specialty is the long, soft-sand bays. The southwestern coast is where you find the best ones, such as the glorious mile-long Agios Prokopios, beautiful Plaka, and windsurfing-friendly Mikri Vigla.

Another spellbinding beach area is Alyko, with its cedar forest and turquoise coves. Chora, Naxos Town’s historic part, is as photogenic as you’d expect from a white-and-blue Greek island capital. The breathtaking accent here is the portal of the 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo, greeting the ferry travelers.

Best for a hassle-free Greek holiday

Sometimes all you need is a good rest. You won’t find grandiose, Santorini-like volcanic formations in Kos. However, this Dodecanese gem is ideal for an easygoing retreat, offering a perfect balance between historic exploration and lazy beachgoing (something that oversaturated Santorini lacks). Kos, the capital, is among the most convenient beach towns in Greece. Here, the restaurant terraces overlook the ancient Greek ruins and the remnants of the Ottoman rule. The sea is never too far away—the pebbly stretches of Lambi, Paradiso, and Psalidi are easily reachable on foot straight from the center.

You will also find a superb selection of all-inclusive resorts in Kos. Head to the Southern Coast for more sublime Aegean beaches. Agios Stefanos is the most impressive, overlooking the rocky island with a chapel. For more history, walk among the ruins of Asclepieion, above the town of Kos, where Hippocrates used to teach medicine.

Best for mind-blowing cliffside views

If there’s one Cycladic island that can compete with Santorini in looks, it’s Folegandros. Its capital, Chora, is dramatically perched on the cliff, much like Santorini’s Oia. The island’s most impressive sight is the Church of Virgin Mary of Folegandros, a white church with a photogenic, cascading road leading to it. Needless to say, you’re in for breathtaking Aegean sunsets on Folegandros. 

Best for a picture-perfect harbor

One of the best yachting stops in the Mediterranean, Symi is an incredibly delightful island. You can spend hours in a harborside cafe here just observing life go by. But what a beautiful harbor it is: the Neo-Classical houses of different colors dot the promenade and the surrounding hills. It’s also the island of churches—where you will find over 200 religious buildings around Symi, including the magnificent seaside Holy Monastery of the Taxiarch Michael in Panormitis.

A walk in Symi town includes climbing the Blue Steps to reach the medieval Citadel and windmills, enjoying the panoramas along the way. Beach lovers will have plenty of sublime spots to discover. A boat tour will take you to Saint George Bay, a splendid bathing area between the tall cliffs. Nanou is another epic stretch to check out by boat. Agia Marina and Pedi are two gorgeous turquoise beach areas near Symi town. 

Best for sea caves and turquoise beaches

If Mykonos exudes exclusivity in the Cyclades, Paxos and its smaller sister island, Antipaxos, offer the same atmosphere in the Ionian group. Venetian houses greet you at the gorgeous marina town of Gaios, which is home to stylish promenade cafes and cocktail bars. Paxos is a treasure trove for sailing enthusiasts, with numerous azure coves to discover. The island is also known for its limestone caves, such as Ypapanti, Papanikolis, and the aptly named Blue Caves complex.

Tripitos Arch—a 20-meter-high limestone “gate”—is another natural attraction to admire from the water. A water taxi will take you to Antipaxos, a tiny island neighbor with some of the best Ionian beaches. Voutoumi, Vrika, and Mesovrika are splendid white-sand bays with sapphire-blue sea to enjoy. The bays are also perfect for snorkeling. 

Best for pretty towns and beach-hopping

Mykonos-reminiscent landscapes and a quieter vibe are things you will find in Paros. The third-largest Cycladic island, it’s a nice mix of historic towns, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Parikia, the capital, is famous for its traditional white houses and churches. But it’s Naousa, in the northeast, that gives you the most Mykonos-like feel. The center of the village is a harborside Greek dream with whitewashed houses, bougainvillea-covered alleys, and photogenic restaurants and cafes.

It’s also the ultimate bar destination, with a vibrant scene of cocktail-serving establishments and a bohemian atmosphere. The epicenter of cheerfulness is the old port area. Near Naousa are excellent gold-sand beaches, such as Monastiri and Kolympethres (great for snorkeling). Head south for wilder stretches like Kalogeros, surrounded by cliffs and a turquoise Golden Beach, ideal for windsurfing. 

Best for adventurers and water sports lovers

If you want your Greek island vacation to be filled with a diverse set of activities, Rhodes is the one. Its gorgeous bays, charming hilltop towns, and spectacular historic city-fortresses make it a fantastic alternative to Mykonos and Santorini. UNESCO-protected Rhodes town has few rivals in Europe when it comes to the epic views. Think well-preserved city gates, miles of medieval walls, a blend of Gothic and Ottoman influences, and stately ancient palaces.

The main Santorini-coded attraction of Rhodes is Lindos, a spellbinding whitewashed town, gloriously perched on a hill. It’s a bit of Athens, too, with its hilltop Acropolis, built in the 6th century BC. Rhodes can also be a superb beach escape, offering stretches for all tastes. Anthony Quinn Bay and Navarone Bay enchant you with crystalline waters. Stambika, Stegna, and Vlicha will be ideal for family leisure. Prasonisi beach strip, at the southern tip of Rhodes, is among the Aegean’s premier windsurfing spots. 

Best for tranquility and inspiration

Arriving in Astipalea by ferry feels like living an ancient Greek myth. The island’s main town dramatically climbs the rocky hill, culminating in the austere Querini Castle. Almost every house is painted white, with blue for the window frames. Astipalea is the best example of an “unknown” Greek island. Crowds are unheard of here, the experience is pleasantly local everywhere you go, and you won’t rub shoulders with fellow tourists on the beaches. Administratively part of the Dodecanese, Astipalea stands at the cultural border with the Cyclades in the middle of the Aegean, closer to the latter in architecture.

Slowing down is incredibly easy on this barren, magnificent island. Livadi is de facto Astipalea’s main beach area, a pebbly stretch overlooking the castle perched high above. Steno is a shallow, family-friendly bay in the center. For something more stunning, hire a boat to visit the southwestern coves. 

Best for breathtaking sunsets and untamed feels

You can literally see Santorini from Anafi. But when it comes to tourist numbers, the two are worlds apart. Anafi is the lesser-known, much wilder neighbor. Like in Santorini, the main village here is perched high above the Aegean. Of course, the vistas are to die for. In recent years, ultra-luxurious villas with infinity pools started popping up on the island, mirroring Santorini’s accommodation scene. Affordable guesthouses are also available, but book beforehand—Anafi is very tiny.

Roukounas is the island’s most famous beach, a patch of soft sand overlooking the rugged coast. Pink sunsets here are incredible. Another exceptional thing to do is hiking to the Sacred Monastery of Virgin Mary the Kalamiotissa. The trail is moderately difficult, but the end-of-the-world views of the Aegean and Anafi’s mountainous interior are absolutely worth the effort. 

Best for beach clubs

Mykonos is unique for its glamorous nightlife scene. The parties there cater to the high-end crowd, and line-ups frequently feature the world’s top DJs. Another Cycladic charmer, Ios, can’t really compete with the luxurious part of Mykonos’ nightlife. But it also does things a bit differently, and maybe you like it more this way. There are two sides to Ios fun. The narrow alleys of Chora are the epicenter of raucous action: club crawls, shot bars, packed dancefloors, and open-air cocktail bars.

It’s pretty diverse—you can start in a Shush Silent Disco, enjoy the vibes at Helios Rock Music Bar, and dance till sunrise at Disco 69. For something more Mykonos-coded, head to Ios Club, offering a stunning sunset terrace overlooking the Aegean. Now, the other side of Ios is by the sea. Gialos and Milopotas offer many cool beach bars to hang out at, such as the vibey FarOut.