Mega Bored
Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And a trip to Greece is not complete without visiting Crete, Rhodes, Athens or Santorini, the country’s top tourist spots. But did you know the country has several islands that are just as beautiful as Greece’s most renowned tourist spots?
Greece is comprised of 6,000 islands and as far as choosing the best sights to check out, the options are endless. If you are ready to go beyond the beaten path and check out some of the most underrated but equally stunning islands in Greece, here are our recommendations:
1. Zakynthos Island
Zakynthos or Zante is the largest of the three Ionian islands in Greece. Zante features a coastline of 76 miles. The region has several sandy beaches with unspoiled natural landscapes. The Venetians call Zakynthos the Flower of the East or To fioro tou Levante for a reason! This is the best spot for beach lovers. The island offers plenty of water activities including diving, snorkeling, and cruising. Although Zakynthos is starting to become a tourist hub, it remains a carefree destination with very few crowds during the peak season.
2. Milos
Milos is a volcanic island located north of the Sea of Crete. This beautiful island is renowned for its stunning landscapes and the statue of Aphrodite or the famed Venus de Milo.” Milos is a popular summer destination but it is relatively crowd-free during the rest of the year. Apart from the historical sites and the beautiful landscapes, Milos also boasts of more than 70 beaches and hot springs!
3. Evia
Euboea or Evia is the second largest island in Greece. But incredibly, the region gets very little attention from tourists. Evia is a seahorse-shaped island located near mainland Greece. It is very close to Athens so it is quite popular among locals. Just like Milos, tourism peaks during the summer season but is relatively quiet the rest of the year. Evia is the best place to check out if you’d like to go sightseeing. The region features a range of archeological sites particularly in the Almyropotamos and Cape Artemisio region as well as the village of Oreoi and Eretria.
4. Naxos
Naxos is the largest of the islands in the Cyclades island group and is the most untamed one. Renowned for its music history, Naxos boasts of idyllic villages, historic forts, small churches and beautiful countryside. This is the best spot for those who want to relax and get close to nature. As the music hub of the country, there are several live shows every night at Naxos. Two of the most popular attractions in Naxos include the Portara, an ancient marble doorway, and the Kastro castle.
5. Limnos
Rounding up our list of the most underrated islands in Greece is beautiful Limnos. Limnos is located in the northern region of the Aegean Sea. It is the 8th largest island in the country. Because it is remote, Limnos receives very little tourists every year, which is such a shame because there are so many amazing sights this island has to offer. Limnos is teeming with bays, coves, and green, hilly plains. It features a diverse wildlife and volcanic rock formations. Best of all, accommodations, foods, and activities are very affordable compared to Mykonos or Santorini!
