Key Takeaways

  • The Greek islands are a go-to vacation spot. But there are many smaller and more remote Greek islands that deserve more celebration.
  • The Cyclades are home to superstars like Mykonos and Santorini, but have you thought about Amorgos, Milos, Folegandros, or Anafi?
  • Enjoy fewer crowds, untouched landscapes, local delicacies, and a more authentic experience.

There are approximately 1400 islands located in Greece, of which only 227 are inhabited. A Greek island vacation is the ultimate romantic getaway worldwide.

However, despite the attention a few specific islands receive, the country’s visitors neglect the remote Greek islands. Tour operators ignore them, and travel agents underestimate them.

Isolated and remote, they are mostly overshadowed by their world-renowned neighbors. Nevertheless, they deserve our attention for their virgin and unique beauty.

If you’re planning a trip to Greece for young couples, these are the perfect alternatives!

Additionally, staying on a more remote Greek island gets you away from the crowds and lowers your Greece honeymoon costs.

Here, you will discover the ideal remote Greek islands for your vacations. By reading our guide, you will also get ideas for the best places to visit in Greece for your honeymoon or for your elopement in Greece. Then, it’s time to enjoy your time with your partner to the fullest. 

Amorgos

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Amorgos – credits: Milan Gonda/Shutterstock.com

The Cyclades are one of the most popular areas for a Greek island vacation. But there are lots of off-the-beaten-path islands here too. The island of Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Cyclades, about 9 hours away from Piraeus by conventional ferry. Alternatively, you can take the speedboat for about 4 hours. Rest assured that it’s worth it; Amorgos gives you many reasons to choose it as a love nest. 

The idyllic town of Chora on top of a rock at an altitude of 350 meters creates an unmatched ambiance. Its beautiful shops, island feel, bougainvillea plants, and churches will steal your breath. At the same time, the beaches of this remote Greek island will host your dives in a natural landscape.

Be sure to dive into the beach of Agia Anna that stands out from the rest. This beach is mainly famous because “Infinite Blue” was shot there. Then, take a boat to the island of Gramvousa with the beautiful sandy beach and spend relaxing hours under the sun. Built on a rock, the monastery of Hozoviotissa is also imposing.

The landscape in front of the monastery will hypnotize you. The impressive panoramic view over the crystal clear sea rewards the small community of monks that live there. It also rewards the visitors of the island who reach the area.

Read also: The Best Greek Islands for Hiking and Nature-gazing

Anafi

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Anafi – credits: greeka.com

Small and easy to explore from one end to the other, the remote Greek island of Anafi gives many options for a romantic summer. Depending on your tastes, you can rent a room or camp on the beach of Roukounas, a perfect option for a safe trip to Greece.

The beaches of Anafi will not disappoint or tire you since they are located next to each other. However, one of the most romantic activities you can embark on is a half-hour hike on the rock of Kalamos. The famous rock is at the eastern end of the island. At the end of the hike, you will marvel at a view that you have never seen before.

While visiting Anafi, you have to try the local delicacies. The most popular traditional recipe is ‘pitaria,’ a local pasta dish. Additionally, ‘Jonari,’ which is salted pork fried with wine and cooked with onions, potatoes, and spices, is too-die-for.

‘Tsilardia’ is also an excellent dish consisting of pork head, boiled with vinegar, pepper, myrrh, and cinnamon. The list goes on and on; all you have to do is ask the locals’ advice and dare to try things you’ve never tried before.

Milos 

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Milos, Klima Village – credits: Kana Movana/Shutterstock.com

Admittedly, one of the most -if not the most- excellent island for couples and honeymooners is Milos. It is where you go to unwind and enjoy precious moments of intimacy with your significant other. 

This remote Greek island’s endless beautiful beaches cater to every taste and will occupy you all day. On the beautiful Tsigrado beach, you will be awed by the magical landscape. However, it would be best to keep in mind that you have to go down with a rope to reach the beach.

Once you rest your eyes upon Sarakiniko, you will feel like you are on the moon. The stunning lunar setting will become the perfect background for your holiday photos. In Papafragas, you will enjoy your privacy in an environment that will be close to free of people. In Kleftiko, you will dive hand in hand with your partner from the boat that will take you there.

For your night adventures, you can choose Adamas, the island’s port. It boasts a couple of scenic bars with delicious drinks and excellent music. Alternatively, you can take a walk around Plaka, Milo’s old town. There, you can catch the sunset from the Castle and explore the picturesque alleys of the area. After your walk, you can sit for a drink or a bite in one of its many traditional taverns. Most of them offer live music as well. 

Folegandros

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Folegandros – credits: Paul Shark/Shutterstock.com

This is a must-add to your Greece honeymoon itinerary. Stunning Folegandros is a sight to behold and one of the most spectacular remote Greek islands. Due to mild tourist development, it has maintained the purity of a place, highlighting its value and natural beauty. Discover beautiful corners, admire its settlements’ impressive architecture, and find the romantic side that makes it a top choice for wedding vows renewal in Greece.

The traditional settlement of Chora is built at an altitude of 200 meters. Located on the cliff’s edge, it offers a unique view of the sea. The picture is incredibly stunning from the north side of the Castle. The white houses of genuine Cycladic architecture are painted with colorful windows. Additionally, the cobbled streets that lead to continuous squares invite you to explore every secret on the island.

Stop under the big plane trees of Donavidon square. There, you can taste traditional Greek flavors in the taverns and cafes of Chora. When it gets dark, enjoy your time in Piatsa square. Let the local spirit of rakomelo play the leading role. The regional specialties include the ‘matsata,’ handmade noodles with braised rooster or rabbit, the strained, fresh soft cheese, the baked chickpeas, and the local fried watermelon for dessert.

Ano Meria is a small and picturesque village also worth visiting. In the Folklore Museum of this remote Greek island, you will have the opportunity to see up close a typical rural household. Impressive are the treehouses, stone cylindrical walls built to protect the trees from the winds. A unique, natural monument of the island is Chrysospilia. It is an inaccessible cave located on the northeast side of the island. Chrysopspilia lies about 30 meters from the sea on a rocky shore.

The beach of Folegandros

The island’s beaches are exceptional, with clear waters and beautiful landscapes. From Karavostasi, the port of the island, you will reach the shores of Hochlidia, Vitzetzo, Latinaki, and Pountaki. You can also get to Livadi, a picturesque village with a beautiful beach.

In Agali, you will be impressed by the vertical rocks and the turquoise waters. This beach is easily accessible, while it also offers many options for food. Find the path to Agios Nikolaos and enjoy a dip on a beach with fine pebbles. Also visit Vorina beach, Agios Georgios and Serfiotiko.

Kimolos

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Kimolos – credits: ggkoumas/Pixabay.com

What is a couple looking for from their vacation? A small and quiet island to take walks, enjoy swimming, and relax. Kimolos is just that: small and subtle, one of the most local-beloved remote Greek islands. Suitable for couples in love, those who appreciate good food, white sandy beaches, and the complete lack of noise, Kimolos is a Cyrillic island close to Athens. This makes it an easy option for a minimoon in Greece. Unexplored, with beautiful landscapes and clear blue waters, boutique hotels, and fresh fish, what more could you ask for?

Discover the Village of Kimolos, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of the Cyclades. It shared this spot with the Town of Folegandros and Amorgos. It is small but perfectly designed to lose visitors in its alleys. Wander around the many small squares and pass through Skiadi, an impressive geological monument in the northwestern part of Kimolos. Then, swim in Prasa, with its white, coarse sand and blue waters. Alternatively, visit Rema, a natural pool next to the fishing village of Goupa, in Klima. Rema is, in our opinion, one of the best Greek island beaches for couples!

In the evening, it’s time for you to enjoy the gastronomic delights of Kimolos. You can do so in the very chic and cheerful taverns of the village. Moreover, in the liveliest alley of the island, the Agora, you will find 4 bars in a row and a souvlaki restaurant. The musicians of the island usually frequent the restaurant. There, you will drink delicious cocktails and enjoy good music, precisely what you need, before heading back to your accommodation to rest happy and in love.

Read on: Couple-friendly Islands near Athens

Kythira

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Kythira – credits: Aerial-motion/Shutterstock.com

According to Greek Mythology, Kythira is the island where Aphrodite was born. So how could this beautiful remote Greek island not be on our list? Unfortunately, travelers often overlook Kythira. But regardless of your age, if you are traveling as a couple, you will fall in love with it.

The landscape in Kythira is as authentic of the Greek island aesthetic as it gets. With a walk around the island, you will discover an idyllic bouquet of whitewashed churches, traditional houses, and hidden paths that lead to secluded places with unique views.

The charm of Kythera lies behind the calm power that reveals itself in every corner, every stone bridge, lake, and stream. It offers an ideal setting to enjoy your love surrounded by the scent of Semperviva, the yellow flower that is the symbol of Kythira.

Once on the island, you should seek out to explore Melidoni, Kaladi, Diakofti, and dive to all the beaches of Kythera. Finally, take refuge in Mylopotamos, and live romantic moments where the legend says fairies once lived.

Sifnos

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Sifnos – credits: Milan Gonda/Shutterstock.com

The authentic island of Sifnos is a classic example of a Cycladic island and a remote Greek island that deserves more hype. It is only 2.5 hours from Piraeus if you take the fast ferry, and around 4.5 with the slow one. It is a beautiful, organized, and well-kept island that has not been altered by tourism, thus retaining its traditional character. The distances between the settlements and the beaches are short, with a good road network.

The island has beaches for all tastes, although most are shallow with fine sand. Unfortunately, apart from the most famous and full beach bars beach of Platys Gialos, the rest are not organized. Our top picks include Fasolou, Glyfo, Vathi, Apokofto, and Hersonissos, beaches you should not miss.

On a cape, built on the rock that connects to the land through a small bridge, is Panagia Chrysopigi. It is a monastery of the 17th century, with one of the most famous icons of Greece. Lovers often take vows here. 

Sifnos is also famous for its cuisine. Apart from its famous local chickpea soup that you will find everywhere on the island, a dish you need to try is Mastello. Mastello is a dish that usually consists of lamb or goat that is slowly baked in a special clay pot in a traditional oven.

The Castle built on a cliff in the east of the country was until 1836 the island’s capital. It is the most romantic settlement of Sifnos. The best time to visit it is in the afternoon at sunset. The view it offers is stunning.

Fournoi

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Fourni – credits: greeka.com

Southwest of Samos and east of Ikaria, Fourni is a cluster of remote Greek islands in the eastern Aegean. It is also one of the most favored destinations for an island-hopping honeymoon in Greece. The largest island of the cluster is Fourni Ikaria or Fourni Korseon. There, you will spend your vacation more relaxed than ever. You will eat delicious food in beach taverns. Additionally, you will have options for isolation and more sociable activities if your mood calls for it.

Fourni is an island where no one is anxious about anything, and the way of life is exceptionally relaxed. The beauty of Fourni is evident in every corner, with the traditional houses and the picturesque figures of the typical Greek grandmothers, which the curious tourists photograph. 

Things to do in Fournoi

In the main square of the village, you can enjoy your coffee. You can talk to the locals who are some of the kindest islanders you have ever met there. You can even admire the tree planted by the students of Fourni in collaboration with the students of Seljuk in Turkey. Then, pass by the blue and white church and go up the stairs and walk around the whole village, with the doors open and the smells coming out.

After walking in the village, you can slowly head to the wonderful beaches of Fourni. Beware that you will walk and go down many steps, as no means of transport reaches the sand of the beaches. The options are the following three: Kambi on the west side of the island, Psili Ammos on the east, or the southern beaches and Chrysomilia, which you can reach by boat. After swimming and sunbathing, don’t hesitate to enjoy the excellent food on the island. As fishing is a crucial resource of Fournoi, fresh fish is served in abundance.

Koufonisia

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Koufonisia – credits: greeka.com

The dearly beloved remote Greek island of Koufonisia is a small complex of islands that includes Ano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi; upper and lower Koufonisi, respectively.

It is very close to Naxos, with about 400 inhabitants. Due to its small size, you won’t need a vehicle to explore it. It has become ‘fashionable’ in recent years, and the summer season gathers large crowds of visitors. Most of them are couples. 

Pano Koufonisi

The largest beach on Pano Koufonisi is Pori, and nothing can compare to it. It is a vast sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Pori is not organized, but it has an excellent restaurant to get food, coffee, and ice cream. It also offers plenty of space to spread your towel.

On your way to Pori, you will come across the beach of Italida, which is a miniature version of Pori. However, if you want something a bit more cosmopolitan, visit the beach of Fanos, which is located right next to Italida. As you go down the small alley to the beach, you will find vendors with handmade jewelry and various other decorative small items.

Gala beach is the way out to paradise. At first glance, it looks like a cave. However, if you swim in its small narrow alley, you find yourself in the open sea. The water will be colder and the air more intense than on the rest of Koufonisia’s beaches. Regardless, it is well worth it. You will feel a unique sense of freedom that you need and deserve.

Kato Koufonisi

Kato Koufonisi is the wild side of Koufonissia, and it is worth visiting for camping. To reach it, you need to take the boat and stop at the beach of Nero, which is incredible. However, if you crave adventure, go up one of the two alleys and go left until you reach the beach of Pezoulia. You will be speechless due to the beauty that will unfold before you. 

Astypalea

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Astypalea – Credits: Milan Gonda/Shutterstock.com

The calm and remote Greek island of Astypalea uniquely combines the Cyclades with the Dodecanese. The island has peace and beauty through its five settlements. Additionally, its dozens of beaches make it the top romantic destination for couples.

Chora is the central settlement with the characteristic windmills. Livadi is the most popular holiday settlement in the southwest. The quietest fishing settlement is Analipsi or Maltezana in the middle, and the colonies Exo and Mesa Vathi in the Northeast.

Do not forget to visit the Castle of Agios Ioannis opposite the homonymous monastery. From there, you can follow the streets that take you to Panagia Portaitissa and Megali Panagia. By the time you reach the gate of the Quirini castle on the hill, you will have seen the whole town of ‘Astropalia,’ as the locals call it.

In the afternoon, descend to the seaside Pera Gialos, which looks like one with the island’s Chora. Don’t forget to visit the coastal settlements of Maltezana, Livadi, and Vathi, at the entrance of which are the remains of the Minoan settlement.

The beaches of Astypalea

Every bay and small beach in Astypalaia is waiting for your discovery either by land or sea. Kaminakia, Vatses, Pera Gialos, Livadi, Steno, and Schinontas, tend to gather the most people. However, there are plenty more beaches, all of which carry a distinct allure. No one should leave the island before they visit the beaches of Koutsomyti and Kounoupes, where access is only by boat. Together with the island of Tigani, they constitute fascinating spots of the island. 

You can also dive in the little Blue Harbor or the more private Kareklia. Maltezana beach with its sandy coast is also very famous. Kaminakia, with its rocks, is a quiet place perfect for letting your hair down. Tzanaki and Magazaki are the favorite beaches of nudists and couples. Last but not least, the hiking distance for Ai-Giannis is long.

Nevertheless, the wonderful beach with pebbles and plenty of shade due to the big rocks of the area will reward you. Most importantly, if you decide to visit the beach of Ai-Giannis, you are most likely to be alone with your other half in a setting of absolute magnificence.

Nisyros

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Nisyros – credits: Tom Jastram/Shutterstock.com

Beautiful Nisyros is a remote Greek island that lacks mass tourism. Instead, it hides in the magma of its volcanic core the true meaning of alternative holidays.

The wonderful Mandraki, the liveliest settlement in Nisyros, its “Chora.” This amphitheatrically built village is between the Medieval Fortress and Panagia Spiliani. Narrow alleys, pebbled streets, and colorful houses create a unique charm.

The walk around its labyrinthine alleys will take you to the heart of the island. The square of Ilikiomeni . In the evenings, people gather around the big algae tree to eat, drink and try the delicacies of the local pastry shops. The Venetian Castle dominates the settlement, where the monastery of Panagia Spiliani nests. Meanwhile, on the low hill above Mandraki, Paleokastro is one of the best-preserved fortifications of the Aegean.

The two settlements of Nikia and Emporios charm their visitors with peculiar architecture and striking caldera views. In Nikia, the famous pebble square of Porta is one of the most beautiful in the Aegean. While, in Emporio, the lovely medieval Castle of Pantoniki offers its visitors a view of endless blues. At the village entrance, you will find a natural sauna, one of the many that you will come upon on the island.

Moreover, the fishing village of Paloi is famous for its Municipal Baths – the ultimate natural spa experience for everyone who wants to try their therapeutic effects. After Emporio, the landscape changes drastically, and things become even more enjoyable. The imposing crater of the volcano pops up, and the energy it emits causes awe. The smell of sulfur, the bald slopes surrounding it, the unique palette of colors and textures, and the noticeable increase in temperature make the atmosphere eerie and charming.

Nisyros’ volcano

The volcano of Nisyros is the newest in the Aegean area, while its caldera results from two major eruptions – 25 and 15 thousand years ago. Stefanos, which is the volcano’s name, has a depth of 27 meters and a diameter of 330. It is surrounded by hot springs that emit sulfur gases and hot water.

Although the island does not have many beaches, its ones are magical. First and foremost is Pachia Ammos, a large beach perfect for camping with hot, black sand and deep waters. It is probably the only “real” beach on the island. Before Pachia Ammos, there is the beach of Lyes, while the beach of Hochlakoi is unique with the dark volcanic pebbles, the rocks, and the cave, below Panagia Spiliani.

Patmos

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Skala Village, Patmos – credits: Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock.com

The atmospheric Patmos became known for the religious character of its tourism. The historical hermitages in the caves, the white churches, the thousand-year-old Monastery of John at the top of the island give the remote Greek island of Patmos the intriguing mysticism that surrounds it. However, the unique energy of the centuries-old desert island of the Dodecanese conquers the visitor, whether they are a believer or not.

In the heart of the island, the settlement of Patmos is built on a hill. It is essentially a castle city with stone spiral walls, labyrinthine streets that run between mansions, squares with elegant galleries, restaurants, atmospheric cafes, and the captain’s mansions. At the top, of course, lies the unique architectural Monastery of Agios Ioannis, built a thousand years ago in the ruins of the ancient temple of Artemis.

Things to do in Patmos

On the shores below Chora, you will find the Cave of Revelation, where, once exiled for two years on the island, the most beloved disciple of Jesus took inspiration to write the sacred texts of Christianity. A few meters from the cave is the Monastery of the Apocalypse, which magnetizes its visitors.

The port of the island, Skala, is the largest settlement of Patmos. Here beats the commercial and tourist heart of the island. In the streets of Skala, gathered among the Venetian buildings, you will find modern shops. There, you will also find the bars that constitute the low-profile nightlife of Patmos.

In settlement of Kampos, you will find a traditional corner for Greek coffee in the classic square of the village. You will also have the opportunity to taste Greek appetizers in the taverns.

That is where you will regain strength after exploring the north coast. In Groikos, which boasts good tourist infrastructure, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the deep blue bay and the ‘stone of Kalikatsos,’ the large rock with the ascetic caves at its base.

The most exciting beaches of the island include Psili Ammos, Lampi, known for its rare colorful pebbles, Kampos, Agriolivado, which attracts the youngest crowds of Patmos, Geranos, Meloi, Petra, and Plaki, a pebble beach that is popular among the fans of nudism.

Symi

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Symi – credits: Lubos K/Shutterstock.com.

The remote Greek island of Symi has one of the most elegant ports in the entire Mediterranean. It will enchant you with its buildings wholly renovated in the bright colors of the 19th century. It has remained untouched by tourism, avoiding modern developments and renovating old houses. Regardless, its popularity among tourists is growing rapidly.

Colorful neoclassical hanging from the rocks, the fish market, and the stone bridge, are the first things you see when approaching Symi from the sea. Most neoclassical houses have gone through restoration, the colors are bright and many, but the result is harmonious. Since 1971, Symi has been declared a protected settlement, which gave it its trademark architectural homogeneity and color harmony. However, the settlement you see when you arrive is only a part of the island. Around 500 steps above begins the village, which “hides” behind the mountain and is not visible from the port. 

The most vibrant area of the island is, of course, around the port. Cruise ships, yachts, and liners moor here, while all the restaurants, taverns, and cafes of the island are nearby. This makes it a great place for excursions from your Greek cruise. Visit the church of Panormitis and make your way to Gialos by road to see most of the island. Additionally, try the famous local shrimp to experience the delicious local cuisine.

Symi’s beaches

Of course, Symi also has beautiful beaches, some accessible only by boat and others by road -whether it is a dirt road or an asphalt one. Pedi, Agios Georgios, Nanou, Marathounta, Toli are some of the ones that locals and visitors prefer, and you should not miss.

For those who love hiking, the route from Symi to Panormitis route is magical. Walk around a forest with cypress trees and pass by chapels, castles, and 11 restored Byzantine stone presses. What’s more, from Agia Triada, you can see at the same time the part of Symi that surrounds the port of Gialos and the backside, which starts from the top of the mountain and reaches Pedi.

Kastelorizo

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Kastellorizo – credits: Foxys Forest Manufacture/Shutterstock.com

Kastelorizo ​​and its islets are the easternmost Greek territory, right in front of the Turkish coast, about 80 miles away from Rhodes. It is an island that only a lucky few enjoy. It has no beaches, only deep and clear waters for swimming. 

Megisti got the name Kastelorizo ​​because of the red rocks of the hill. That is where the Castle of the Knights, or otherwise Castello Rosso, is built. Although Kastelorizo belongs to the barren line, it retains some of the cosmopolitan character inherited from the Italians who “discovered” it in the ’70s and bought houses there.

The whole settlement is preserved, and the small, colorful neoclassical buildings that crown the natural harbor look like the perfect photo backdrop as they reflect on the transparent turquoise waters. 

It is ideal for couples in love, for those who seek complete relaxation, and for those who want to forget the sound of cars! Moreover, the only road connects the port -where the settlement is located- with the airport. 

With walks in the pier – or Kordoni- flanking overlooking the restored houses, fresh fish in the few taverns, and small daily excursions to the island’s beaches, you’re bound to fall in love with the island. For your swimming endeavors, you can visit Ro, the Blue Cave, or take a boat trip to Kas, Turkey, to see the underwater state of Kekova, Agios Nikolaos, and the Lycian Tombs.

Karpathos

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Karpathos – credits: Pawel Kazmier/Shutterstock.com

The island of Karpathos is affordable, rich in beauty, and with a steady rise in the preferences of domestic and non-domestic tourists. The island’s capital and the place where the ships moor is Pigadia. There, you will climb the hill where the Minoan Acropolis was located, and you will continue to Panagia Larniotissa to admire the stunning view of the entire city, the port, and some villages.

The first and most traditional village on the island is Olympos. Perched on the mountain, it is an unadulterated tourist landscape, with eerie beauty and its inhabitants circulating in their traditional, plump costumes.

Mesochori, with its whitewashed houses stopping at Skopi, the balcony that seems to have been built just to gaze at the sea from above is all you need for romance. At the same time, your walks will continue to Aperi, the island’s old capital. Next, continue to Othos, the highest point on the island with an exciting folklore museum, which is essentially a Carpathian house. Moreover, discover the picturesque fishing village of Finiki, the green Volada, the medieval Menetes, and in Pyles, the smallest town of the island, which offers one of Greece’s incredible sunsets.

The northern part of Karpathos

In the north of the island, the now uninhabited Sharia is a beautiful island for sea excursions and dives in turquoise waters next to caves beaches such as Palatia and Alimounda. The ruined village that stopped being inhabited in 1960 is a good reason for a walk-back to the past, while on the island is the only village in the Mediterranean Saracen pirates.

Nature lovers will duly appreciate a visit to the northern part of the island, to the protected area of ​​North Karpathos where they find shelter seals and other protected species, such as the frog and the salamander of Karpathos. In addition, a vast number of trails are located here, with their network exceeding 200 kilometers.

The island is full of beaches for every taste, with more than a hundred recorded beaches, all beautiful, with pebbles or sand, organized or not. Some of the best are Apella, with its emerald waters, Diakoftis, Agios Minas, Nati, Forokli, and Agios Nikolaos Arkasas, with the beautiful sunset and the waves that are perfect for surfing.

Below Mesochori, Lefkos, with its successive sandy beaches, is one of the most popular seaside villages of the island for diving and snacking in the taverns. What’s more, the beaches of Agata and Kyra Panagia, with crystal clear, transparent waters and the golden, will enchant you. Moreover, Agate attracts many divers with its magnificent seabed.

In Karpathos, you will eat everything from fresh fish to goat and traditional recipes such as ‘makarounes.’ Makarounes is the local handmade pasta served with a sauce that consists of onion, butter, and local mizithra cheese.

Paxoi

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Lakka Village, Paxoi – credits: leoks/Shutterstock.com.

The small, but one of the most glamorous ornaments of the Ionian, the island of Paxoi, can turn your holiday into the most romantic adventure of your lives. Arriving in Paxoi, the first thing you will see is Gaios, the island’s capital. It is naturally protected by two islands, Panagia and Agios Nikolaos, and forms an impressive fjord.

Gaios, much like the whole island, boasts dense vegetation and traditional houses with tiles. This helps maintain the authenticity of the place, despite the tourist development. Most restaurants and entertainment venues are located in this area, with many of them “encircling” the Venetian square.

In Gaios, you will find the castle of Ai Nikolas. On the islet of the same name lies the Monastery of Panagia and the Museum of Paxos. The museum hosted the resolution for the annexation of the Ionian Islands to the Greek state in 1864. What’s more, the blue beaches of Klonou Gloi are waiting for you.

You need to keep in mind in Paxos that on most beaches, you have to forget the sand and go through a multitude of large stones until you dive into the crystal clear turquoise waters surrounding the whole island.

The settlements of Paxoi

Lakka, the second largest village of the island, awaits you in the north, about 8 km from Gaios, continuing in the same pattern with the white, traditional houses, the rich trees, and the turquoise waters. There, do not forget to take a dip in Monodendri. If you take the road to the lighthouse and bypass to the right, you will see the impressive 32 meters high stone lighthouse of 1832.

The third-largest settlement of Paxos is Longos, 5 km from Gaios, in the east of the island, built in a small bay. The landscape is utterly picturesque with traditional Ionian architecture and many Venetian elements. There you can dine in a relaxed atmosphere in the fish taverns and take a walk enjoying the beauties of the place.

You will swim in Loggos on the beach of Levrehi and Marmaria. At the same time, it is worth taking a walk to the factory of Anemogiannis at the edge of the settlement -which includes an olive mill and a soap factory- with the statue of the goddess Athena at its entrance which stopped operating in 1980.

Antipaxoi

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Antipaxoi – credits: inlovewiththemed.com

On the even smaller island of Antipaxoι, with less than a hundred inhabitants, you can admire the landscape and the beautiful beaches. If you reach Paxos and do not take the boat from Gaios to Antipaxoi, you will have made a big mistake.

The reason is that the two beaches there, Vrika and Voutoumi, look like they have jumped straight out of a fairy tale. Their color is a striking mix of intense turquoise from the waters combined with white sand. There, the scenery changes from the stones of Paxos, and the green in the background creates an incredible spectacle.

Although the multiple boats that arrive take away to some extent from this pure natural combination of colors, Antipaxoi is the place that you won’t forget easily.

If you are hungry, two taverns, one of which lies high on the hill with a panoramic view of the bay, are ready to satisfy your gastronomic desires before returning to your base, the dreamy Paxoi. 

Final Thoughts on remote Greek islands

As you can guess, these are only a few of the unspoiled Greek islands you can visit with your significant other on a romantic getaway. The above, however, is what we think are the ideal remote Greek islands for your vacations.

Striking beaches, fascinating cultural stimuli, and welcoming locals who are eager to invite you into their homes and show you the authentic Greek island lifestyle.

If you’re tired of the crowds on your romantic getaway in Greece and Italy, a remote Greek island is the perfect antidote. No matter which one you choose from above, you have a magical time in your pocket.

The best time to visit Greece on a honeymoon is now. Don’t restrict yourself to the destinations in Greece you see on everyone’s Instagram feed; there is more to Greece than meets the eye, and now is the time to discover it!

Our luxury travel agency will help you discover more off-the-beaten-path destinations like Mani, the Peloponnese, and Northern Greece.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the two most popular Greek islands?

    Mykonos and Santorini are the most popular Greek islands. While they are spectacular destinations, you’ll probably want to avoid them if you’re looking to get more off the beaten path.

  • What time of year is the cheapest for Greece?

    The cheapest time of year in Greece is the low season (December to March). But this may not be a great time to visit the islands.

    The weather on Greek islands isn’t always good and many businesses close down for the winter.

    However, there are still authentic options on the mainland during this time, making it a great option for a winter honeymoon in Greece.

  • What is the cheapest city to fly into Greece?

    When you stack up the costs of transfers and ferries, the cheapest city to fly into Greece will depend on your itinerary.

    Athens has a huge international airport, so will have the biggest choice of times, destinations, and prices.

    Many tour operators sell package holidays to island destinations like Crete and Corfu, so you may be able to snag a last-minute budget flight.

    Read our article on Greece Transportation on Your Honeymoon for more information.


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Author

Melina Thalassinou
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