Nissyros

Map of Nissyros

The volcanic island of Nissyros is unlike its neighbours in almost every respect. Its much greener than dry Tilos and Halki to the south, blessed with rich soil that nurtures a distinctive flora, and it supported a large agricultural population in ancient times. In contrast to long flat Kos to the north, Nissyros is round and tall, with the high walls of its central caldera rising abruptly from the shoreline around its entire perimeter. And Nissyros conceals a startling secret. Behind those encircling hills, the interior of the island is hollow. For most visitors, the volcano is Nissyros' main attraction. It's easy enough to see it on a day trip from Kos.

The port and sole large town, Mandhraki on the northwest coast, is an appealing tight-knit community with some fine ancient ruins, while two delightful villages, Emborio and Nikia, straddle the crater ridge.

Much of the island's income is derived from the offshore islet of Yiali, a vast lump of pumice, all too clearly visible just north of Mandhraki, that's slowly being quarried away. Substantial concession fees have given the islander's economic security.

Nissyros also offers good walking, on trails that lead through a countryside studded with oak and terebinth.

Kasos

Map of Kasos

Kasos, the southrnmost Dodecanese island with 66km² and 1.100 inhabitants, less than 48km northeast of Crete, is very much off the beaten tourist track. Eever since 1824, when an Egyptian fleet punished Kasos for its active participation in the Greek revolution by slaughtering most of the 11.000 Kassiots, the island has remained barren and depopulated. Sheer gorges slash through lunar terrain relieved only by fenced smallholdings of midget olive trees. Spring grain crops briefly soften usually fallow terraces, and livestock somehow survives on a thin furze of scrub. The remaining population occupies five villages facing Karpathos, leaving most of the island uninhabited and uncultivated , with crumbling old houses poignantly recalling better days.

Rhodes

Map of Rhodes

Rhodes(Rodos), the biggest island of Dodecanese islands with 1.401km² and 115.500 population, is deservedly among the most visited of all Greek islands. Its star attraction is the beautiful medieval Old Town that lies at the heart of its capital, Rhodes Town - a legacy of the crusading Knights of St John, who used the island as their main base from 1309 until 1522. The ravishing hillside village of Lindhos, topped by an ancient acropolis, is another worth visiting place. It marks the midpoint of the island's long eastern shoreline, adorned with numerous sandy beaches that have attracted considerable resort development. At the southern cape, Prassonisi is one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe.

Rhodes Town

By far the largest town on the island, Rhodes Town straddles its northernmost headland, in full view of Turkey less than 20km north. The ancient city that occupied this site, laid out during the fifth century BC by Hippodamos of Miletos, was almost twice the size of its modern counterpart, and at 100.000 held more than double its population.

While the fortified enclave now known as the Old Town is of more recent construction, created by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century, it' one of the finest medieval walled cities. It gets overcrowded with day-trippers in high season, but at night it's quite magical, and well worth an extended stay.

Donousa

Donousa (13,6km² and 163 population) is a little out on a limb compared with the other Lesser Cyclades and ferries call less frequently. Island life is on the pleasant port settlement of Stavros, spread out behind the harbor and the village beach. Most sunbathers head for Kendros, a long and attractive stretch of shadeless sand twenty minutes over the ridge to the east. A World War II wreck can be easily spotted by snorkellers. The village of Mirsini is an hour's walk from Stavros, while a nearby path leads down to Livadi, an idyllic white-sand beach with tamarisks for shade. In high season a beach-boat runs from the port to all beaches, many of which are nudist. Locals don't seem to mind.

Schinousa

Map of  Koufonisia(Schinousa)

A little to the northeast of Iraklia, Schinousa(8km² and 250 residents) is just beginning to awaken to its tourist potential. Its indented outline, sweeping valleys and partly submerged headlands - such as the sinuous, snake-like islet Ofidousa - provide some of the most dramatic views in the group.

An asphalted road leads up from the port of Mersini to the capital, Hora (Panagia), for 1.2km. From Hora you can reach no fewer than sixteen beaches dotted around the island, accessible by a network of dirty tracks. Tsigouri is a ten-minute track walk downhill from northwest Hora and gradually being developed. The local's preferred choice of beaches are Alygaria to the south, Psilo Ammos to the northeast and Almyros, half an hour southeast.

Iraklia

Map pf Koufonisia

Iraklia the westernmost of the Lesser Cyclades and with the least spoilt scenery has just over 150 permanent residents and 18,078km² extension. As the first stop on the ferry service from Naxos, the island is hardly undiscovered by tourists, but with fewer amenities than some of its neighbours, it retains the feel of a more secluded retreat.

The port of Ayios Georgios is a small but sprawling settlement behind a sandy tamarisk-backed beach that gets quite crowded in August. Livadi, a big, shallow beach, is 2km southeast of the port and its crystal-clear waters are the main tourist attraction of the island. The asphalted road continues 3km on to the tiny capital Panayia(Hora), which has no lodgings to speak of. In season, a local boat sails from the port at 11am to make a tour of the island, stopping at the small sandy beach at Alimia and the nearby pebble beach of Karvounolakos.

Amorgos

Map of Amorgos

Amorgos, the 7th bigger island of the Cyclades(121km² extension and 1970 inhabitants), with its dramatic mountain scenery and laidback atmosphere, is attracting visitors in increasing numbers. The island can get extremely crowded in midsummer, the numbers swollen by film buffs paying their respects to the film location of Luc Besson's The Big Blue, although fewer venture out to Liveros at the island's western end to see the wreck of the Olympia which figures so prominently in the film. In general it's a low key, escapist clientele, happy to have found a relatively large, interesting, uncommercialized and hospitable island. Families tend to stay around Katapola, while younger tourists prefer Aigiali. This is the island to try rakomelo - a kind of fermented grappa with honey, herbs and spices, drunk in shots.

Capital of Amorgos is Hora, located in the center of the island, one of the better-preserved settlements in the Cyclades, with a scattering of tourists shops, cafes, taverns and rooms. Dominated by an upright volcanic rock plug, wrapped with a chapel or two, the 13th century Venetian fortifications look down on nearly thirty other churches, some domed, and a line of decapitated windmills beyond.

Anafi

Map of Anafi

A ninety-minute boat ride to the east of Santorini, Anafi, the 16th bigger island of the Cyclades with 271 population and 38,636km² extension, is the last stop for ferries. It was so for the Argonauts who prayed to Apollo for some land to rest. He let the island emerge from the sea for their repose. Tourists visit Anafi for weeks in midsummer to enjoy exactly that: its seclusion. Although idyllic geographically, Anafi is a harsh place, its mixed granite and limestone core overlaid by volcanic rock spewed out by Santorini's eruptions. Apart from the few olive trees and vines grown in the valleys, the only plant that seem to thrive are prickly pears. The quiet, unassuming capital, Hora, provides a daring dash of white in a treeless, shrub-strewn hillock, its narrow, winding streets offering protection from the occasionally squally gharbis wind that comes unencumbered from the southwest.

Folegandros

Map of Folegandros

Folegandros is the 19th bigger island of Cyclades, with 32,384km² and 765 inhabitants. It's located between Milos(15 miles) and Sikinos. It also called Polukandros.

The sheer cliffs of Folegandros rise 300m from the sea in places and until the early 1980s they were as effective a deterrent to tourists as they had historically been to pirates. Folegandros was used now and then as an island of political exile from Roman times right up until 1969, and life in the high, barren interior was only eased in 1974 by the arrival of electricity and the subsequent construction of a road running from the harbor to Hora(capital) and beyond. Development has been given further impetus by the recent increase in tourism and the ensuing commercialization. The island is becoming so trendy that Greek journalists speak of a new Mykonos in the making, a fact that is reflected in its swish jewellery and clothes shops. Yet away from showcase Hora and the beaches, the countryside remains mostly pristine. Donkeys are also  still very much in evidence, since the terrain on much of the island is too steep for vehicles.

The island's real character and appeal are rooted in the spectacular Hora, the capital of Folegandros, perched on a cliff-edge plateau, a steep 3km from the port. Locals and foreigners mingle at the cafes and taverns under the trees of the five adjacent squares, passing the time undisturbed by traffic, which is banned from the village center. Towards the northern cliff-edge and entered through two arcades, the defensive core if the medieval castle (Kastro) neighborhood is marked by ranks of two-storey residential houses, with almost identical stairways and slightly recessed doors.

West of Hora, a paved road threads its way along the spine of the island towards sprawling Ano Meria. In the middle of the settlement stands the large church of Agios Georgios.

Sikinos

Map of Sikinos

Sikinos has so small extension and population -40km² and 270 residents- that the mule ride or walk from the port up to the capital was only replaced by a bus in the late 1980s. At roughly the same time the new jetty was completed. Until then Sikinos was the last major Greek island where ferry passengers were still taken ashore in launches. With no extravagant characteristics and no nightlife to speak of, few foreigners make the short trip over here from Folegandros or Ios. The end result, however, is the most unspoilt rural countryside in the Cyclades where the image of a priest riding a donkey can suddenly materialize from over a hill.

Hora or Sikinos , the capital, consists of the double village of Kastro and Horio. Most of the facilities are in the larger, northeastern Kastro, whereas Horio is mainly residential. Northeast from Hora is Paleokastro, the patchy remains of an ancient fortress. In the opposite direction , a ninety-minute walk takes leads to an old path throufh a steeply terraced landscape to Episkopi, where elements of an ancient temple-tomb have been incorporated into a seventh-century church - the structure is known formally as the Heroon, though it is now thought to have been a Roman mausoleum rather than a temple of Hera.

Syros

Map of Syros

Syros is a living, working island with only a fleeting history of tourism, rendering it the most Greek of the Cyclades. It's the 11th bigger island of Cyclades with 84km² extension and 21.500 population. It is located in the central part of the Cyclades and is 83 nautical miles from Pireas and 62 from Rafina. There's a thriving, permanent community, the beaches are busy but not overflowing and the villages don't sprawl widely with new developments. As well as being home to a number of excellent restaurants, the island is known for its numerous shops selling loukoumia (Turkish delight), mandolata (nougat) and halvadopita(soft nougat between disc-shaped wafers). In addition Syros still honors its contribution to the development of rembetika songs.

The island's sights -including the best beaches- are concentrated in the South and West. The North part is unpopulated and barren offering little interest. Most people tent to stay to Ermoupolis, the capital, which offers better connections to a cariety of beaches none further than 15km away.

Possessing an elegant collection of grand townhouses that rise majestically from the bustling, cafe-lined waterfront, Ermoupolis is once of the most striking towns in Cyclades, and it certainly worth at least a night's stay.

Medieval Syros was largely a catholic island, but the influx of refugees from Psara and Hios during 19th century created two distinct communities. The Orthodox, which accounts the 2/3 of the population, in the Lower Ermoupolis and the Catholics in the Upper Town.

Ios

Map of Ios

Ios is the 8th bigger island of the Cyclades with 2.024 population and 108km² extension. Though not terribly different -geographically and architecturally- from its neighbours, no other Greek island attracts the same vast crowds of young people as Ios. Although it has worked hard to shake off its late-twentieth-century reputation for alcohol excesses and to move the island's tourism one class up with some success, Ios is extremely popular with young backpacker set who take over the island in July and August.

The only real villages, Yialos, Hora and Mylopotas, are clustered in a western corner of the island, and development elsewhere is restricted by poor roads. As a result there are still some very quiet beaches with just a few room to rent. Most visitors stay along the arc delineated by the port, at Yialos, where you'll arrive, in Hora above it, or by the beach of Mylopotas. Despite its past popularity, sleeping on the beach on Ios is strictly banned these days and so is nudism.

Hora or Ios Town, the capital, is a twenty-minute walk up behind Yialos port, and is one of the most picturesque towns in the Cyclades, filled with meandering arcaded lanes and whitewashed chapels. Still, it gets pretty raunchy when the younger crowds moves in for the high season. The main road divides it naturally into two parts: the old town climbing the hillside to the left as you arrive and the newer development to the right. The archaeological museum (Tue-Sun, 8:30am-3pm, free), in the yellow town hall, is part of an attempt to attract a more diverse range of visitors to the island. It contains some interesting finds from ancient Skarkos, a few kilometers inland from Yialos.

Yialos, with its surprisingly peaceful beach- isn't in the same league as Hora, but it provides a refreshing, breezy escape from the hot, noisy capital. Alternatively there's the popular Mylopotas, the site of a magnificent beach, lots of water activity outlets and surprisingly little nightlife.

Hydhra (Ydhra)

Map of Hydhra

Ydhra belongs to the Argosaronic complex. It is one of the most atmospheric destinations in Greece. With 49km² extension and 2.000 inhabitants approximately is the 4th bigger island of the Argosaronic islands (it's located between the Argolic and the Saronic gulf). Capital of the island is the Ydhra Town. Its harbor and main town preserved as a national monument. Entirely traffic-free with a bustling harbor and narrow stones streets climbing steeply above it, it feels like a Greek island. Away from the main settlement the rest of the island is roadless, rugged and barely inhabited. It is extremely picturesque and cosmopolitan island with sophisticated atmosphere and noticeably high prices. The island has a very limited number of beaches and the interior is mountainous and little-visited.

This island is a popular destination for foreign tourists and Athenians, given the relatively short distance from the capital. It has significant shipping history and tradition.

 

Ydhra

Spetses

Map of Spetses

Spetses is a famous island of Argosaronic complex with 22km² extension and 4.000 population. It's a popular destination, especially for Athenians. Capital of the island is Spetses Town, the biggest town of the Argosaronic islands, with apartments and villas spreading  for several kilometers along the Northeast coast, while the rest of the island remains almost entirely uninhabited, with pine forest inland and numerous excellent small beaches around the coast.

It's located near the Argolic peninsula right of the entrance of the Argolic Gulf, just 1.5 miles from Ermionida  and 50 miles from Piraeus.

Main products are olive oil, cereals, grapes, almonds and figs. The inhabitant's main occupation is shipping and fishing.

Spetses Town

For most visitors, shopping, eating and drinking are the principal attractions of Spetses, but it's a very enjoyable place to wander, with majestic old houses and gardens scattered through the narrow streets. The harbor, Dapia, marks pretty much the center of town, with the main square tucked in behind. To the East lies the town beach of Agios Mamas and beyond that the Old Harbor, upmarket focus of the island's nightlife, where private yachts moor up. West of Dapia is Kounoupitsa where much of the accommodation is here, and there are small beaches and waterfront taverns.

Egina

Map of Egina

A substantial and attractive island with a proud history, less than an hour from Pireas, Egina is a popular weekend escape from Athens. The second largest of Argosaronic islands with 82km² extension and 13.000 inhabitants approximately. The capital of Egina is Egina Town(Hora). It's an atmosphere island especially if you visit midweek or out of season. Famous for its pistachio orchards the island can also boast substantial ancient remains, the finest of which is the beautiful fifth-century BC Temple of Aphaea.

Egina Town

Egina Town, the island's capital, makes an attractive base, with some grand old buildings around a large harbor. It's a large town with plenty of shops places to eat and drink.

Agistri

Map of Agistri

Agistri, fifteen minutes by fast boat from Egina, is a tiny island, that belongs to Argosaronic complex. Capital of the island is Megalohori(Milos). It has 11,693km² and 1.120 residents. There's a small non attractive strip of development on the North coast facing Egina, but the rest of the island is very beautiful, pine-covered, with a very few beaches. The island has four villages: Megalochori or Milos (island country), Skala (the physical port where close to the ferry boat from Piraeus / Egina), Limenaria and Metohi. The island has daily ferry connections with Piraeus. The trip by ferry boat is 2 hours while "flying dolphin" 55 minutes.

Alonissos

Map of Alonissos

Alonissos is the largest island of Sporades complex. The total area reaches 64km² and has a coastline of about 67km. The population of the island reaches 2.600 inhabitants. The capital os Alonissos is Patitiri,the major commercial and administrative center of the island. Alonissos is more rugged and wild than its neighbors but not less green. Pine forest, olive groves and fruit orchards cover the Southern half, while a dense maquis of arbutus, heather and kermes oak the North. The beaches rarely match those of Skopelos or Skiathos for sand and scenery, but the white pebbles on most of them enhance the impression of gin clear water. Remoteness and limited ferry connections mean that Alonissos attracts fewer visitors than its neighbors.

Kefalonia

Map of Kefalonia

Kefalonia is the largest and the most mountainous island of the Ionian islands, a place that has real towns as well as resorts. Kefalonia has 781km² and 35.800 population(3rd after Corfu and Zakynthos). Capital of the island is Argostoli, a large and thriving town with a marvelous position within a bay. A big part of Kefalonia belongs to mountain Ainos with peaks the Megas Soros (1. 628m), Agia Dynati(1.131m), Evmorphia(1.043m) and Kokkini Raxi(1.078)

Argostoli was totally rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, but has an enjoyable atmosphere that remains defiantly Greek, especially during the evening around Platia Valianou -the center of the town- and the pedestrianized Lithostroto, the main shopping street which runs parallel to the seafront.

 

Antipaxos

Antipaxos is about 3 nautical miles from Gaios(Paxos).Is a small island which belongs to Paxos complex. Has extension 5 km² and population 65 inhabitants approximately. It is famous for Voutoumi, Vrika and Mesovrika beaches which are listed among the ten best sandy beaches in the Mediterranean. It's also famous for the production of  high quality wine that is held in esteem and is not easily found. You can visit Antipaxos with one of the small boats that operate from Gaios. On a tour of the island you will impressed by the unique natural beauty of this verdant island, Agios Amilianos with its magnificent oaks, the spring of Kalogiris with cool and healthy spring water and the fine marble lighthouse of Antipaxos built in 1833.

Paxos

Map of Paxos

Paxi or Paxoi  is the name of the smallest group of the Ionian Islands which are called the Heptanese. It refers to a complex of islands, the largest of which are Paxos and Antipaxos. The capital of Paxoi is Gaios and is naturally protected by two islets, the Virgin Mary and Saint Nicholas. In Greek mythology, Poseidon created the island by striking Corfu with his trident, so that he and wife Amphitrite could have some peace and quiet.

Paxi are located 7 miles south of Corfu, just 8 miles from the mainland coast and 12 miles from Parga.