Mykonos

A charming Greek island just a stone’s throw from the insatiably popular Santorini and Mykonos has stunning beaches, a rich history, and delicious seafood – but hardly any tourists

Escape the bustling crowds of tourists on this idyllic Greek island recently voted the best in the entire world.

Last year, a whopping 40 million international visitors flocked to Greece, marking an impressive 12.8 per cent spike compared to 2023. The sheer influx resulted in hotspots such as Santorini and Mykonos becoming so insufferably busy – swathes of visitors have vowed to never return.

However, if you’re desperate for golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, mouth-watering food and a ubiquitous history – you have to check out Páros. This tiny island, located in the Aegean Sea, boasts 120km of unspoilt coastline – complete with quaint cliff-top villages, rugged mountains, and a vibrant nightlife.

If you’re not satisfied with soaking up the rays on sugar-like beaches, head over to Panagia Ekatontapiliani, aka the Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary. This Byzantine church complex is a must-see for history buffs, and is one of the best-preserved Paleo-Christian monuments in Greece. According to legend, the original church was either constructed by Saint Helene herself or Saint Constantine, the first Emperor of Constantinople, after the oblation of his mother.

Staying in the charming villages of Naoussa, Lefkes, and Marpissa, is a great way to explore the island’s whitewashed houses with blue windows and flowered yards. It’s as Instagram-worthy as the domed buildings in Santorini, but comes without coachloads of selfie-stick-waving tourists.

And if you’re feeling extra boujee, explore Páros’ wildlife-rich waters with a private boat trip or yacht charter. The island is also a great place for scuba divers, home to barracuda, groupers, and moray eels, as well as sea turtles and even dolphins and seals. With all of this in mind, it’s no surprise that the island was voted the world’s best in Travel and Leisure’s most recent survey.

“This Aegean isle has made the European islands list every year since we added the category to our ‘World’s Best Awards’ survey,” the publication said. “This year, it takes the top spot for the first time since 2020—and readers named Páros not only their favourite island in Europe, but also the best in the world.

Travellers hailed the island’s fresh seafood, shopping options, natural beauty and ‘warm hospitality’ from locals. “There’s more to explore than I expected,” said one survey respondent. “[There are] surprises around every corner.”

While there is an airport in Páros, it only operates as a domestic hub connecting the island to the mainland. This means Brits will have to first fly to Athens, and then hop on another flight to Páros – which altogether takes around six hours and 15 minutes.

If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab return indirect flights for around £264 in August – if you’re travelling from London. Flying from northern airports such as Manchester or Edinburgh increases the cost to £358 and £336 respectively.

There is a wide range of accommodation types on Páros, from no-frill hotels to luxury resorts. For example, a week’s stay (Monday, August 4-11) at the Surfing Beach Huts will only set you back £585. This is based on two adults sharing two single beds in a wooden cabin.

If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, you have to check out Paros Agnanti Resort & Spa. This five-star hotel is situated just 100 metres from the beach, and boasts a stunning spa, beautiful sea views, and excellent leisure facilities. Staying here on the exact same nights, in a Superior room which includes breakfast, will cost £2,358.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

What’s your favourite Greek island? Let us know in the comments section below

If you’re looking for something a bit quieter and don’t mind working a little harder to get there, then Milos may be the cup of tea you’re looking for

A Greek island rivals Mykonos in its charm and beauty, but you’ll have to work hard to get there.

Mykonos is one of the Cyclades, sitting in the sparkling Aegean Sea, and offers a bit of something for everyone. Beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise have bars that blare thumping music and can set the stage for a big night of clubbing. It also has a gentler side, such as a row of 16th-century windmills perched on a hill above Mykonos Town, and plenty of quieter coves.

It’s a big hit with Brits, in no small part because of the ease of the journey. You can grab direct flights with easyJet from London Gatwick, London Luton, and Manchester.

According to Kathimerini, more than 1.5 million people visit Mykonos each year, with another 1.2 million arriving by cruise ship. This small island has just 11,000 residents and covers only 85 square kilometers, yet hosts more tourists annually than Peru.

READ MORE: Little-known plane rule means Brits risk being hit with £53 fines onboard

The sheer number and density of visitors mean that Mykonos is not for everyone. If you’re looking for something a bit quieter and don’t mind working a little harder to get there, then Milos may be the cup of tea you’re looking for.

It is one of the most picturesque of the Greek islands; however, it’s only the third most popular holiday destination to reach from the UK, according to Travel Republic.

While Milos’s beaches and ancient history are iconic, it lacks its own airport. For Brits longing to visit, the best option is to fly into Athens and take a ferry to the island.

The ferry ride can vary from 2.5 to 7.5 hours, depending on weather conditions. For the smoothest travel experience, consider visiting between late May and early September, when the seas are typically calmer and ferry services more frequent.

Despite the longer journey, Milos remains one of Greece’s most sought-after destinations, with demand surging by over 500% in the past month as Brits look for sun-soaked escapes. Shaped by a volcanic eruption, the island offers something for everyone, from scenic coastal hikes and a thriving food scene to fascinating ancient artifacts.

Milos is known for its picturesque fishing villages and indigo bays and as the place where one of the world’s most famous artworks was discovered. In 1820, the Venus de Milo statue was found by a peasant named Georgios Kentrotas. As he wasn’t aware of its historical importance, he kept it on his farm. When a French sailor named Jules Dumont d’Urville arrived on the island, he saw the statue and immediately understood the importance of the discovery. The statue is now displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The beaches on the island are iconic, with the most famous being the gorgeous Sarakiniko Beach. It boasts a lunar landscape of gleaming white volcanic rock formations and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Kleftiko is another popular attraction, albeit one that is only reachable by boat. Boasting towering rock formations and emerald waters, the former pirate hideaway is now a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and boat tours.

Benidorm is a top holiday destination for Brits, with its cheap prices, sunny weather and the famous Calle Gerona – best known as ‘the strip’, but there’s a hidden gem nearby

Benidorm is a popular British tourist hotspot known for its sunshine, bargain deals, and the renowned ‘the strip’ on Calle Gerona. But while you’re likely to encounter lively stag and hen parties along the main drag, Benidorm also harbours many stunning, lesser-known gems.

For those holidaymakers looking to escape the party atmosphere, there’s a delightful little town just a stone’s throw from Benidorm. Despite being only minutes away, it offers a tranquil contrast to the party atmosphere for travellers, drawing comparisons to the idyllic beauty of Mykonos.

Hop into a car for an 18-minute journey or catch a 12-minute bus from Benidorm Intermodal station and you’ll arrive at the charming haven of Altea, Alicante.

Touted as one of Spain‘s “most iconic” towns, Altea is akin to stepping into a fairytale past with its winding cobbled lanes and radiant white houses.

Meandering through Altea’s old town, your senses are greeted by the inviting scents of coffee from local cafés and delicacies from cosy eateries.

Visitors are frequently captivated by the stunning parish church, formally named Nuestra Señora del Consuelo or more commonly called Iglesia de Arriba, and the breathtaking views of shimmering seas and vast beaches beyond it.

Alice, an online influencer who shares Benidorm’s hidden treasures and her top picks, recommends adding Altea to any traveller’s itinerary.

The TikTok creator, with an audience of more than 37,000 followers, recently took in the sights of Altea. She saied: “Hidden gem only 15 mins from Benidorm!

“Maybe Altea isn’t a hidden gem for those in the know, but the way you could lowkey be just 15 mins away from this gorgeous slice of history and culture while on your holibobs in Benidorm!”

The travel fan added: “It’s an absolute MUST see if you’re looking to escape for an afternoon to see some of the best views on the entire Costa Blanca. It’s giving cheeky altea day trip, don’t you think?”

The brief video has already racked up over 16,300 likes and a host of positive comments.

One visitor said: “I went there in December. Very nice.” Another said: “There are stunning restaurants and bars. It’s not Benidorm. They may be close but they are worlds apart. Altea is beautiful.”

Another person commented: “It’s simply a stunning old and new town.” Meanwhile, another user hailed it as their “fave place of all time”.

Another added it to their must-visit destinations, saying: “Definitely heading here.. never knew it was so close.”

Flights from the UK to Alicante are available from just £40. From there, you can hop on a bus, grab a taxi, or catch a tram to Benidorm, which should take about 40 minutes by road.

Cycladic islands like Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos have long been synonymous with Greek holidays, but if you’re looking to discover Greece without the crowds, consider this lesser-known neighbour

Destinations like Santorini and Mykonos are renowned for their iconic beauty – but also for the number of tourists that flock to the islands every year.

Overtourism is a growing problem all across Europe – which is all the more reason to explore some alternatives that are just as exceptional.

Travellers keen on immersing themselves in the Cyclades should consider a trip to Folegandros. One of the westerly Cyclades islands, Folegandros may be on your radar already because of the stone-paved capital of Chora, which has become an increasingly popular holiday destination of the years.

Home to the same whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches that define the Cyclades, Folegandros is a great way to enjoy a classic Greek experience around fewer crowds. It also boasts an incredible natural landscape that sets it apart from its neighbours.

Following the zigzagging road up the dry hill to the Panagia church—the most famous church on the Folegandros islands—travellers can capture exquisite views of the Aegean Sea. But Folegandros has more to offer than can be found within the bounds of the capital.

READ MORE: Europe’s hidden country next to Greece with nowhere near as many tourists

There are two other key villages worth exploring. Just three kilometres from Chora is Folegandros’ only island port and one of only two seaside settlements: Karavostasis. The Karavostasis port functions all year round and is the arrival port for all ferry travellers headed to Chora.

Karavostasis is also home to charming tavernas and mini-markets, as well as a beloved beach. The village’s main beach is only a small strip of pebbles but low-grown trees offer much-needed shade and Vardia – a more expansive beach – is close by.

The second biggest but fairly traditional village of Ano Meria is known as the calmest region of Folegandros, sitting on the northwestern tip of the island. It is 5.5 miles from Karavostasis and 2.4 miles from Chora, with the agricultural village being made up of only a few dispersed neighbourhoods perched on a small hill. Most houses in this village are “themonies” meaning they are dwellings as well as self-contained farming units.

The village is ideal for travellers seeking seclusion and unhurried exploration, offering a more authentic experience of rural Greek life. It is also perfectly carved for hikers, as there are four great hiking routes travellers can take from Ano Meria.

Apart from these three villages, Folegandros is also home to the Agali village—the newest island settlement and predominantly a summer one—and two additional rural settlements of Petousis and Livadi.

Keep in mind, this Cycladic island has no airport or cruise ship terminal, and there’s only one daily hour-long ferry from Santorini. The somewhat inconvenient trek to the island is what has helped it stay in the comfortable shadow of Santorini and Mykonos.

Other small Cycladic islands that should be on your radar if you’re looking for less crowded alternatives are Sifnos, Milos and Tinos. All three are as lovely as Santorini but have maintained an air of serenity and untouched beauty.