Lichadonisia Islands Near Athens Offer Untouched Mediterranean Paradise Few Israelis Know

While Israeli tourists flock to popular Greek destinations like Rhodes and Mykonos, a hidden gem lies just 200 kilometers from Athens in the northern Evoia Gulf. The Lichadonisia archipelago, a cluster of seven small, green islands without roads or hotels, is known locally as the "Bahamas of Greece" or the "Seychelles of Europe." This pristine area features white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and wild Mediterranean nature dominated by dense pine forests and ancient olive groves.

Lichadonisia is protected and accessible only for day trips, with Monolia being the largest island offering minimal visitor services such as a rustic beach kiosk serving fresh grilled fish and traditional souvlaki. Once home to about 100 fishing families, Monolia was abandoned in the 1980s, allowing nature to reclaim the islands. The archipelago now hosts a permanent colony of endangered Mediterranean monk seals and serves as a vital nesting site for rare Caretta caretta sea turtles.

The islands also attract divers and snorkelers due to the exceptionally clear waters and a well-preserved German WWII shipwreck, Pioneer I, located near Monolia at a depth of about ten meters. Megali Strongyli, the second largest island, features a historic 1870 lighthouse, Roman aqueduct remains, and 12th-century monastery ruins.

Reaching Lichadonisia is straightforward: visitors can travel by bus from Athens to the coastal town of Kamena Vourla in under two hours, then take a 15-minute boat ride for around 15 euros. Alternatively, travelers can cross from the larger island of Evoia via the small port of Agios Georgios. The best time to visit is late May or September when the Aegean Sea remains warm, crowds diminish, and accommodation prices drop significantly.

This secluded Mediterranean paradise offers Israelis a visually similar alternative to far-flung tropical destinations without the long flights or jet lag, yet remains largely unknown among Israeli travelers.