Remote Greek Islands

Remote Greek islands can be found in this ancient archipelago of glistening gems with many Hellenic treasures: historical, natural and cultural. As a consequence, they have been receiving visitors for a long time.

But while certain islands loom large in the popular imagination and are visited by hordes of tourists, there of countless other romantic secluded Greek islands that go almost unnoticed. The Greek isles are, above all, about diversity. They offer much more than just the postcard clichés.

They are a tapestry of landscapes, lifestyles and experiences, some of which I have pinpointed here. I would suggest that if you have the time, the inclination and the energy then you should get off the beaten track and seek them out.

Central Aegean Islands Archetypal Greek Islands make up the bulk of this long swathe of islands from the green and forested Sporades group to the sun bleached and rocky Cyclades Tourism ranges from highly developed to oh-so low-key.  There are islands for every pocket and taste. You'll get well away on these often overlooked destinations.
Eastern Aegean Islands Ask any traveller about the eastern Aegean islands and they'll be able to recall off the big names. But beyond the well known there are manifold other islands basking under the Hellenic sun. All have their own distinctive identity and all offer different things to the visitor. Here are a few of our favourites.
Crete The biggest of the Greek islands, Crete blends the modernity of the west with this bit of the east in a beguiling package of mountains, plains, sea, sky, tradition and progress. It's big enough for you to find your own secluded caller and have your own individual Cretan experience.
Ionian Islands The westernmost group of islands wears a European air with grace and panache. Once belonging to the Venetians, French and British the Ionian islands offer a mild climate, rich green vegetation bustling resorts and hideaway villages. Most easily visited as a distinct group the Ionian islands are popular with Greeks and Europeans alike but there are still a few places where you can get away from the popular beats.

Historically, the Greek ferries system left a lot to be desired. However, over the last decade or so, there have been massive improvements made in both the technological advancements in ticket issuing, and also in the construction of new vessels.

Greek ferries play a crucial role in the transportation of 20 million tourists who visit the Greek islands each year. This is in addition to the millions of the indigenous population.

In the past, you could often find it difficult to move from island to island...simply because the ferry systems were so unpredictable and unreliable.

Things such as poor aging ferries, extreme unpredictable weather conditions and insufficient schedules would all have an impact on the frailties of the system.

Of course, it goes without saying that the more remote Greek islands suffered perhaps more than most. But things are now improving and every effort is being made to ensure that these secluded romantic quiet Greek islands have sustained links to the larger islands as well as having year around connections to the country’s capital, Athens and other major destinations within the country.



Only thirty of the 220 inhabited Greek islands have developed robust transport infrastructures, which in turn have helped to increase levels of tourism. Sadly the smaller islands have been somewhat neglected and left behind.

Nevertheless, these smaller, more remote secluded islands offer features and facilities that thousands of us yearn for.

A big effort from the government and the nautical companies has been initiated to ensure that the expanding ferry companies include the remote Greek islands in their schedules. Consequently, the responses from some companies mean that improvements have already occurred.

The Dodecanisos Seaways has connected most of the Dodecanese islands in such a way that islanders can now organize their days knowing that they can safely and reliably make a trip to their chosen destination and return at a time which is convenient for them.

Another company worthy of note is the Blue Star Ferris line, which recently announced new schedules to connect the mainland (Piraeus) and a number of more popular islands, such as Rhodes, Paxos and Naxos to a number of remote Greek islands of the Aegean and would include Nisyros, Astypalea, Kastelorizov and Tilos. Ferris run between these islands on a frequent basis of once every two days, which is, believe me, an improvement.

The efforts of the Greek government and shipping companies have been truly pioneering and inventive. Now, small and remote Greek islands can also have the benefit of increased visitor numbers as a consequence of the improved access.

For the visitor it means they still have the opportunity to enjoy the peacefulness and quietness of these wonderful destinations but at the same time they can arrive less tired and save of time and money.

The improvements mean that visitors should have more time to spend island hopping, whilst at the same time travelling in comfort.

The only thing I would suggest is that you visit these more remote Greek islands sooner rather than later, as you never know, they may never be the same in the future, as they are right now.

Take control, and get your island hopping holiday or vacation organised and make your next trip to the islands, an epic journey of a lifetime.

Here's a link to the top of my page.

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