5 Greek Islands You Need To Experience

When people come to Greece for the summer it is usually with Santorini in mind, or perhaps Corfu, Mykonos or Crete. Relatively little is known about the other 18 major Cycladic islands. Last year we briefly visited Crete on a Mediterranean cruise and we knew we wanted to come back and see more of the Greek islands. What we also knew is that we wanted to see ones that were more secluded and crammed with authentic Greek culture. We sure got that!

During April and May we visited five islands that you may not have heard of, but are well worth visiting just as much, if not more so, than the other more well-known Cycladic islands.

Kythnos

No more then 1500 people live on this island. It has police force of 3, just 1 doctor and over 400 churches. During the summer the population in one particular town can swell from 3 or 4 families to over 150 individuals.  Cars are left unlocked, houses have keys in the doors and everyone knows everyone.

We fell in love with this little island and you will too. From its numerous beaches to it’s thermal hot springs, to classic white houses and lush rolling green valleys. You won’t find expats and foreigners living here, but you will find restaurant menus in English, A-grade hospitality and a relaxed vibe that releases all the tension from your muscles within moments of arriving.

Sifnos

We arrived at night and were greeted by a mysterious floating monastery high in the darkened sky. It wasn’t until the sun rose the next morning we realised that it was in fact a monastery perched atop a steep mountain enveloped in the clouds.

Slightly more developed than Kythnos, the roads are wider, and there are several larger villages. The island has long, rich history dating back millennia and quaint towns with narrow, cobblestone paths.

Milos

Well known as the site of the discovery of the Venus of Milos, Milos holds more ancient history than just one iconic statue. The island is very developed with the majority of roads sealed and easy access around the island.

It has an extensive mining history, ancient Christian catacombs and mysterious caves. Half of the island is a dedicated nature reserve (only accessible via 4 wheel drive or boat), and the other half has over 70 beaches that you could spend days discovering.

Ios

Ios is considered by most as a party island. The island is abundant with expats, many of them Australian. We seemed to slot into life on the island quite easily considering the amount of Aussies we met. While the island may not have as many historical sites as the other islands, it is dotted with amazing sandy beaches.

There are also a collection of hotels and bars along Mylopotas beach offering food, drinks, beach volleyball and even an free-for-all swimming pool. We really enjoyed zipping around on our scooters with minimal traffic as well as discovering the main town of Chora.

Paros

One of the larger islands in the Cyclades, Paros has plenty to see and do. Numerous sandy beaches, clay spa beaches, restaurants, hikes, horse riding, yoga and much more. If you want more from an island than just lying on the beach all day, Paros is for you.

The main port is a superb little town with plenty of shops, restaurants, a Venetian castle and even an ancient church with 100 openings. The other towns and ports are just as lovely to meander through.

What we found most surprising about these 5 islands is how different they were from each other. Considering cultures in the Cyclades have developed for thousands of years just a short distance from each other, you’ll find unique food and customs on each island. They have each evolved into really fascinating and fun places to visit. Ferries regularly access each of these islands, and connect you to Athens, so you’re not limited to choosing just 1 for your next holiday. Now the tough choice… which ones will you visit?