When you organize a trip to Greece you almost always end up with the same names: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos. Beautiful, without a doubt.

But there is another Greece made up of marinas where fishermen still set their nets at sunset, taverns that don't need an Instagram profile to fill up and beaches where at eleven in the morning you can still find a place in the shade. The question, however, should not be “What is the most beautiful island?
The right one is: “Which island is best suited to my way of travelling?”

Because each island has a different character, and that is precisely what makes it Greece is a country to visit several times.

1. Serifos: for those who want sea, silence and a still simple Greece

Serifos is one of the Cyclades that many cross without stopping. And it's a mistake.
Here you will find wide beaches, almost desert landscapes and a Chora built on the hill which slowly comes to life in the evening, without noisy clubs.

Perfect if

• you love the sea
• you want to read a book on the beach
• rent a car to explore a different bay every day

Don't choose it if

you are looking for nightlife or beach clubs.

Practical advice

The beaches do not always have services. Bring water and something to eat: it will allow you to stop where it is really worth it.

2. Amorgos: if walking is part of the journey

Many know her from the film Le Grand Bleu. In reality Amorgos offers much more, the paths connect monasteries, small villages and coves that can only be reached on foot.

Curiosity

The famous Hozoviotissa monastery is built directly into the rock face, over 300 meters above the sea.

Practical advice

Plan your excursions in the morning. In summer the sun becomes very intense as early as 11am.

Don't choose it if

you want to spend the entire holiday traveling little.

3. Ikaria: where time has a different rhythm

Ikaria became famous for being one of the Blue Zones of the world, where people live longer on average. But don't expect a place built around this record.

The sensation is simply that of aisland that continues to follow its own rhythms.
Taverns can open late, village festivals start when everyone arrives, not when a clock says so.

What you learn here

In Greece the times are often indicative, on Ikaria they are even more so.

Don't choose it if

you need a precise schedule every day.

4. Astypalea: the meeting point between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese

Astypalea is often referred to as one of most elegant islands in Greece.
Its white Chora dominated by the Venetian castle is one of the most scenic in the country, but without the crowds of the more famous destinations.

Curiosity

The island was chosen as a European laboratory for electric mobility, with a strong presence of electric vehicles and dedicated services.

Practical advice

If you want to explore more distant beaches, book your car in advance: availability is limited.

Don't choose it if

you are looking for frequent connections between ferries and airports.

5. Symi: the Greece you don't expect

Anyone arriving in Symi is almost always struck by the same detail: the houses. Colourful, tidy, overlooking the port like an amphitheatre.
The atmosphere is more reminiscent of a small Italian seaside town than a Cycladic island.

Practical advice

To really visit it, it is worth stopping at least two nights. Many arrive on a day trip from Rhodes and leave just when the port becomes quiet again.

Don't choose it if

you look for long sandy beaches.

6. Folegandros: the most credible alternative to Santorini

If you love Cycladic architecture but don't feel like queuing for a sunset photograph, Folegandros is probably the best choice. The Chora is intimate, elegant and pedestrian-friendly. Here the evenings pass between small squares, restaurants and children playing until late.

Error to avoid

Many come for just a weekend. Three or four days instead allow you to really experience the island and also reach the less frequented beaches.

Don't choose it if

you are looking for an island with many sporting activities or great excursions.

Which one should you really choose?

If you love the sea: Serifos.

If you love walking: Amorgos.

If you really want to slow down: Ikaria.

If you love photographing villages and ports: Symi.

If you are looking for a romantic trip: Folegandros.

If you want something different from the usual Astypalea.

Three things that almost no one tells about Greece

1. Meltemi completely changes a beach

In the summer the wind can make a bay perfect and the one next door is almost impassable. Asking the managers of the tavern or accommodation for advice is worth more than any weather app.

2. Not all ferries are the same

Fast routes reduce times but are more sensitive to rough seas. If you suffer from seasickness, check the type of vessel first.

3. The best taverns are often not on the seafront

Just move two or three streets away from the main port to find more authentic cuisine, better prices and an atmosphere frequented mainly by residents.

Is it still worth looking for a less touristy Greece?

Yes! Not because the most famous islands aren't worth a visit.
But because some of the most beautiful experiences are born precisely in places where the journey is not yet punctuated by queues, from tables booked weeks before or from photographs that are all the same.

Greece continues to surprise even when we go beyond the most predictable itineraries. And perhaps this is the best way to take home something more than a beautiful view.

If you love this way of travelling, on the blog of A Place To Go you will find other guides dedicated to authentic destinations, off-the-beaten-path itineraries and practical advice designed to experience each place with more awareness, not simply to visit it.