Beyond Santorini: Greek Islands Locals Prefer for Quiet Summer Holidays

The article profiles several Greek destinations that draw domestic travelers looking to avoid the crowds and high prices of Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini. It notes that many Greeks cannot, and do not want to, pay about 200 euros a night for resort stays, so they seek simpler family holidays in August, often with ferry travel and modest accommodation.

Amorgos is described as one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, but also one of the hardest to reach, with no direct flights and no easy connection via Athens. Blue Star now runs two weekly sailings, and the best combination is with Naxos, which has a daily summer ferry. The island has fewer than 2,000 residents, covers about 126 square kilometers, and is known for its dramatic cliffs, white villages, blue water, and the filming location of Luc Besson’s "The Big Blue." The main settlements are Aegiali, Katapola, and Chora.

Koufonisia, one of the "Small Cyclades" south of Naxos, is presented as a stylish, peaceful option with boutique hotels and turquoise, shallow beaches. Ferries run from Naxos and Piraeus, no car is needed, and a 5-euro taxi-boat ticket lets visitors hop between beaches and even to nearby Kato Koufonisi. The article says its beaches rival or surpass those of Naxos and Mykonos, and the water stays warm from April through early November.

The west coast of Epirus, from Igoumenitsa down to Preveza near Lefkada, is highlighted as a major vacation area for Greeks, especially in Sivota and Parga, where most hotels and resort activity are concentrated. It is also visited by Britons, Germans, and especially Italians, and can be reached by road, direct flights to Preveza or Ioannina, or by ferry from Corfu. Kythnos, the closest large quiet island to Athens, is praised for its calm atmosphere, ancient windmills, and secluded beaches such as Kolona; it is easy to reach from Piraeus or Lavrio, yet still sees very few Israeli visitors. Kythira, near Crete and the Peloponnese, is linked by mythology to Aphrodite and is known for mountain landscapes, many beaches, local honey, and summer cultural festivals, including the Panagia celebration on August 15 in Potamos, a carnival in Livadi, and a wine festival in Mitata.