Sunbeds crammed inches apart, identical souvenirs in every shop window and dizzying 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 unveiling a tax in July 2025 to offset the onslaught of cruise ship passengers.
It came into force on July 1 and means that from now on, anyone arriving at either of those two islands on a cruise ship between June 1 and September 30 will need to pay a €20 fee. However, that’s the peak season price – in October, that drops to €12, and then from November 1 to March 31, it’s only €4.
Still, it’s an added cost nobody wants to bear. To help you plan your escapes for 2026, our team of Metro Travel experts has found some lesser-known Greek islands that promise sun, sea and ancient history, without the crowds.
Skopelos
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.
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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.
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.
Lefkada
Dubbed the ‘Caribbean of Europe’ for its breathtaking beaches (Porto Katsiki and Milos regularly rank in Lonely Planet’s top 10), Lefkada is arguably Greece’s most underrated island.
The only Greek island you can reach by car, it’s a delight for anyone who wants to dodge the crowds. But it won’t be this quiet for long.
While Lefkada is popular with German and Scandinavian tourists, it has so far stayed under the radar for Brits. That’s about to change, with the launch of a new direct flight from Manchester Airport to nearby Preveza.
Launching June 24, 2026, the route will run twice a week – on Wednesdays and Sundays – giving travellers easier access to the Ionian Sea, and surrounding islands like Lefkada and Paxos.
How to get there: Preveza airport is served daily by budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet from April to October. During winter months, the easiest route is to fly direct to Athens and take a €40 (£33) bus to the island, which takes between four and five hours.
Paxos
The Ionian Islands are known for their jaw-dropping beaches, and tiny Paxos is up there with the best.
Off the beaten path, the island can only be reached by boat and is home to breathtaking cliffs, hidden beaches, olive groves, vineyards and (rather unusually for Greece), 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 – some of which host traditional Greek dancing.
Metro‘s Gergana Krasteva visited Paxos on a trip to Greece in 2023, and had this to say: ‘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.’
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.
Naxos
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 whose 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: ‘There’s a real ‘matter of fact’ feeling about this place, it doesn’t feel as staged as (in my opinion) Santorini felt.
‘There’s an amazing fruit, called citron, that’s grown in the region and used to make a liqueur served in cocktails and aperitifs. I think about it more than I should.’
How to get there: The quickest route to Naxos from the UK is to fly to Athens and then take a connecting flight to Naxos Airport. Greek airline SKY Express offers return flights to Naxos from Athens from £44.
Ikaria
This beautiful island takes its name from Icarus, who is said to have fallen into the sea after flying with wax wings too close to the sun.
Ikaria is also one of just five designated ‘Blue Zones’ across the world — a name given to the places with the healthiest, longest-living populations — with one in three people living into their 90s.
The island is popular with campers and is a great place to connect with nature, known for its slow pace of life.
Visitors can sunbathe on the aptly named Seychelles Beach — its marble pebbles and crystal clear water offer the Indian Ocean experience at a fraction of the cost.
Meanwhile, the hot springs are a must-visit for anyone who’s into therma tourism, while the island is also famed for its red wine — family-owned Tsantiris Winery and Afianes Wines are recommended places to try it.
How to get there: There are no direct flights between the UK and Ikaria, but travellers can board a connecting flight from Athens for as little as £50. Sky Express runs one flight daily between Ikaria and the Greek capital.
Sifnos
Sifnos is known best for two things: gastronomy and pottery.
All around the island you’ll have the chance to try pottery workshops and purchase handcrafted ceramics, as well as sample various Greek delicacies.
Traditional foods include revithada (chickpea stew) and mastello (slow-cooked goat), as well as loukoumia (Turkish delight) available at the many local cafes and tavernas.
Meanwhile, The Cycladic Gastronomy Festival takes place in the village of Artemonas every year, and is a must-visit for keen foodies.
Crowned with the striking white Chrysopigi Monastery, which is built atop a rocky peninsula overlooking the glistening Aegean, and home to hidden, protected beaches, Sifnos should be at the top of your travel list.
How to get there: Sifnos doesn’t have an airport, but visitors can take a ferry from Athens. Ferries depart daily from the port of Piraeus during the high season, with the journey taking between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 40 minutes. Tickets cost between €43.50 (£36) and €68.70 (£57).
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