Mykonos has long been a must-visit destination for backpackers and honeymooners alike, but as tourism escalates, many people are searching for alternatives. Luckily, there isn't any lack of Greek Islands with crystal clear blue waters, white-washed buildings, sandy beaches, and volcanic cliffs.Consider these 10 alternatives to Mykonos when seeking some slack that’s budget-friendly and less crowded.
10 Naxos
Travelers seeking the white and blue Cycladic architecture and design of Mykonos with no partiers and crowds should consider booking their holiday in Naxos instead. Naxos is simply over an hour from Mykonos by ferry and maintains all of the desirable perks of visiting the South Aegean without the high cost and dense tourist population.
Visitors can relax on the white sands of Plaka Beach or visit the hilltop castle, Kastro. The medieval white-washed homes in Chora are certain to make any traveler's Greek Island vacation dreams become a reality.
9 Paros
A quick ferry ride from Naxos may be the popular Cycladic island, Paros. While still a favorite among tourists, Paros is less expensive and crowded than Mykonos or Santorini with all the charm. Paros boasts vibrant blue waters, romantic stone streets, and white-washed buildings with blue roofs.
Top attractions on the island include visiting Panagia Ekatontapiliani (a historic church) and the Frankish Castle in Parikia. There's also plenty of beautiful beaches like Kolymbithres Beach, Monastiri Beach, and Piperi Beach.
8 Milos
Milos is definitely an up-and-coming destination for travelers because they seek out more affordable alternatives to Mykonos and Santorini. It’s still part of the Cyclades but is located west of the other popular islands in the region. The primary settlement on the island is Plaka, but it's worth venturing to Firopotamos Village for at least each day to experience life in a Greek fishing village.
A can’t-miss spot in Milos is Sarakiniko Beach, featuring white volcanic cliffs that strike an attractive contrast to the vibrant blue from the Aegean Sea. Much traffic come here for the thrill of cliff jumping.
7 Zakynthos
Travelers prepared to explore islands outside the Cyclades can enjoy a different side of Greece; this typically means lower prices and much more local experiences. Zakynthos is definitely an island around the Ionian Sea and boasts the best natural landscapes in the region.
Zakynthos is especially renowned for Navagio Beach, nicknamed Shipwreck Beach. This sandy cove is around the northwest shore of the island and is where visitors can easily see Panagiotis, the ship that washed up within the early 1980s.
6 Ikaria
Heading to the Aegean Sea, Ikaria is really a unique choice for some slack in the Greek Islands. Ikaria is among the world’s five “Blue Zones” that are regions where people statistically live the longest. One out of three inhabitants of Ikaria lives past the chronilogical age of 90, and it’s common for people here to live to 100.
Spending a while here might help travelers comprehend the tips for a long life. You will find valuable lessons to learn from talking to the locals and observing their life-style. In addition to being a Blue Zone, Ikaria offers beautiful beaches like Nas Beach and quality wine at Afianes Wines.
5 Rhodes
Rhodes belongs to the Dodecanese Greek Islands and is nearer to mainland Turkey than mainland Greece. The medieval city of Rhodes is the must-see attraction from the island and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The island’s landscapes are dramatic with towering mountains and contrasting seascapes. Much traffic enjoy windsurfing and kite surfing on the southern coast of the island.
4 Kefalonia
Located west of mainland Greece, Kefalonia is on the Ionian Sea. It features a dry landscape, limestone cliffs, and white sand beaches. The waters here are unbelievably blue, and the colorful buildings give the island a lively feeling that is different from those of the Cyclades.
Kefalonia is simple to get to from Athens because it has its own airport (Kefalonia International Airport Anna Pollatou). Direct flights from Athens are short, taking just over one hour.
3 Skiathos
A lesser-known grouping of islands off the coast of Greece is called the Sporades. The Sporades comprise 24 islands on the country’s east coast within the Aegean Sea. Travelers looking for a less-touristy Greek destination will love the Sporades Island, Skiathos. Skiathos has an open-air cinema for evening entertainment, cafés, and lots of quaint shops.
The top attraction is Lalaria Beach that is purely available by boat. Lalaria offers shocking turquoise waters and white stone cliffs rising in the sea. It only takes 40 minutes to fly from Athens to Skiathos International Airport.
2 Kalymnos
Kalymnos is yet another island within the Dodecanese grouping and makes the perfect pairing with Rhodes for a one-week getaway around the Aegean Sea. Kalymnos was originally a sponge fishing village, using the industry supporting much of the island’s economy before the population of sponge fish become extinct. Between 1859 and 1967, Kalymnos lost over 90% of its sponge fishing population.
Today, tourism is blossoming on the island, and it is being a sought-after destination for adventurous travelers who enjoy mountain climbing. The simplest way to get here from Athens is to fly to Kos and have a ferry.
1 Anafi
Another Cycladic gem, Anafi is situated close to Santorini. It offers exactly the same white-washed buildings and stone streets as Mykonos while getting travelers from the beaten path. Because of the limited tourist population here, there isn’t exactly the same level of infrastructure as a few of the other Greek Islands about this list. Therefore, it's possible to spend a lot of time relaxing on peaceful beaches and enjoying the tranquility of the hidden oasis in Greece.
Visitors can check out the beautiful white-washed architecture of the Church of Panagia Kalamiotissa before heading to the beach. Livoskopos, Roukouna, and Katsouni are the most popular beaches about this small island.