The best lesser-known Greek islands for dodging tourists in 2025

Sunbeds crammed inches apart, identical souvenirs in every shop window and inflated prices for food, drink and accommodation. These are just some of the reasons travellers choose to avoid Greece’s most popular islands in the summer, when tourists descend in their thousands. Greece’s tourist hotspots are currently battling the effects of overtourism, with Santorini and Mykonos announcing plans to introduce a visitor tax to counteract the burden of cruise ship passengers.

Meanwhile, increased seismic activity in Santorini has forced tourists to flee the island amid fears of a powerful earthquake, with the Foreign Office issuing a warning to anyone travelling there. If all this has thrown your holiday plans into chaos, don’t worry. Metro has scoped out lesser-known Greek islands that promise to deliver sun, sea and ancient history, without the crowds. Look familiar?. Skopelos was the filming location for the hit musical rom-com Mamma Mia!, but it hasn’t let fame go to its head.

It isn’t as easy to reach as other Greek Islands (you have to hop on a ferry to get there), which means its pristine shores are untouched compared to other corners of the country. Skopelos is expensive to get to compared to other Greek islands, especially during high season. The reason? It doesn’t have an airport. Instead, visitors have to take the ferry from neighbouring island Skiathos. Metro travel writer Sophie-May Williams kept costs low by flying from London Stansted via Pisa on her trip to Skopelos. Week-long return flights cost £135 per person, and the entire journey takes around six hours.

However, major UK airports including London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham all provide direct routes to Skiathos. Costs average at £296 return during the summer months, but take half as long. The ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos varies in price from €15-30 (£12-24) and tickets can be booked via Ferries.gr. But the journey is rewarded with a true slice of Greek paradise. Think white pebble beaches with turquoise blue water surrounded by lush pine forests.

Fans of ABBA’s jukebox musical can visit filming locations around the island such as the Chapel of Agios Ioannis, an isolated church where Donna and Sam married in the film, which offers panoramic views of Skopelos from its perch on top of a barren sea rock. How to get there: The quickest way to Skopelos is to fly directly to Skiathos Airport, which is served by Jet2 and easyJet. From there, it’s a seven-minute taxi journey to Skiathos Port, where you can board a ferry to Skopelos.

The Ionian Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, and tiny Paxos does not disappoint. Off the beaten path, the island can only be reached by boat and is home to breathtaking cliffs, hidden beaches, olive groves, vineyards and hot springs. With just three main villages to stay in, Paxos is the picture of tranquillity, but there are plenty of traditional tavernas and restaurants to enjoy too – some of which host traditional Greek dancing.

Metro writer Gergana Krasteva visited Paxos on her trip to Greece in 2023. She wrote: ‘With all the fuss over islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Crete, it can be easy to overlook Paxos – with its captivating Blue Caves – and Antipaxos. ‘Located near the southern coast of Corfu, they are often hailed as the three jewels of the Ionian Sea – and I’m about to get a glimpse into the hidden, rugged charm of the islands by boat.

‘We set off and it roars along at speed, as I yell out of excitement while watching the waves jump like bunnies around me. ‘For the rest of the day, the captain drives to secluded beaches and rock caves, and lets me swim in the turquoise water.’. Read more about Gergana’s time in Greece here. How to get there: The closest airport to Paxos is on the neighbouring island of Corfu, served by Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.

Return flights from the UK cost as little as £60, and travellers can then take a 15-minute taxi to the ferry terminal. From there, the ferry journey costs €39 (£33) one way and takes an hour and 20 minutes. Also in the Aegean, Naxos is the largest and the greenest of the Cyclades Islands, but, unlike nearby Mykonos, it’s not overrun with tourists. Peppered with white, cubic homes, ancient ruins and other historical landmarks, Naxos is a must-visit for history lovers.

Portara (or Temple Of Apollo) is one of the island’s top attractions, an enormous marble gate that construction began in the 6th century BC. Though the temple was never finished, the doorway remains on the islet of Palatia more than 2,000 years later. Metro‘s Martina Andretta fell in love with Naxos when she visited last year. She said: ‘There’s a real ‘matter of fact’ feeling about this place, it doesn’t feel as staged as (in my opinion) Santorini felt.