Underrated Greek island is 'just like Santorini' but without huge tourist crowds

Santorini is present 1 of the astir fashionable islands, but travellers looking for a portion of Greek civilization tin sojourn a lesser-known neighbour

Popular tourer hotspots of Santorini and Mykonos are known for their relentless quality - but besides for the sheer fig of radical who descend connected them each year.

Overtourism is simply a occupation for these beauteous Greek islands, ranked arsenic immoderate of the astir fashionable destinations to sojourn successful 2024. But travellers who are looking to research the country, and adjacent embark connected determination new, are urged not to place this fantastic neighbour.

Anyone funny successful knowing the entreaty of the Cyclades, the sanction fixed to a radical of islands towards the south-east of the mainland, whitethorn privation to see Folegandros. One of the westerly Cyclades islands, Folegandros whitethorn beryllium connected your radar already due to the fact that of the stone-paved superior of Chora, which has go an progressively fashionable vacation destination of the years.

Defined by the accepted Cycladic architecture of whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, the municipality paints a beloved, if stereotypical, representation of the Greek islands that visitors adore. It besides boasts an unthinkable earthy scenery that adjacent hoards of tourists cannot sully. Following the zigzagging roadworthy up the adust elevation to the Panagia church—the astir celebrated religion connected the Folegandros islands—travellers tin seizure exquisite views of the Aegean Sea.

But Folegandros has much to connection than tin beryllium recovered wrong the superior bounds. There are 2 different cardinal villages worthy exploring. Just 3 kilometres from Chora is Folegandros’ lone land larboard and 1 of lone 2 seaside settlements: Karavostasis. The Karavostasis larboard functions each twelvemonth circular and is the accomplishment larboard for each ferry travellers headed to Chora. But the colony is much than conscionable an accomplishment and departure point. Karavostasis is location to charming tavernas and mini-markets, arsenic good arsenic a beloved beach.

Located successful a stone bay with a beauteous pebble beach, Karavostasis besides boasts the aforesaid whitewashed tavernas and villas you’ll find successful Chora. The village’s main formation is lone a tiny portion of pebbles but low-grown trees connection alleviation from the vigor and the larger formation of Vardia is nearby.

Finally, the 2nd biggest but reasonably accepted colony of Ano Meria is known arsenic the calmest portion of Folegandros, sitting connected the northwest extremity of the island. It is 5.5 miles from Karavostasis and 2.4 miles from Chora, with the cultivation colony being made up of lone a fewer dispersed neighbourhoods perched connected a tiny hill. Most houses successful this colony are “themonies” meaning they are dwellings arsenic good arsenic self-contained farming units.

The colony is perfect for anyone looking for seclusion and dilatory exploration, offering a much authentic acquisition of agrarian Greek life. It is besides perfectly carved for hikers, arsenic determination are 4 large hiking routes travellers tin instrumentality from Ano Meria. Apart from these 3 villages, Folegandros is besides location to the Agali village—the newest land colony and predominantly a summertime one—and 2 further agrarian settlements of Petousis and Livadi.