Dreaming of travelling to Greece but your budget is getting in the way? The good news is that these days your dollar is going to go a long way here, to the beautiful Greek Islands - in fact, you'll be surprised to find that there are a number of amazing but inexpensive trips to help make your dream come true.
While some of the islands can be reached by a direct flight from Athens, and some other major cities, most are best accessed by ferry, which is cheaper and offers the possibility of a scenic sailing adventure as well.
Credit: Bigstock.comSerifos, GreeceSerifos, Greece
Serifos (prices and hotel photos)
The small island of Serifos offers an ideal mix of secluded beaches and sandy stretches with plenty of excitement too. Indeed, the island is also home to Psili Ammos, once named the European beach of the year, and neighbouring Livadi is no less impressive. The Holy Monastery of the Archangels in the northern part of the island was built in the 16th century to resemble a castle to provide defence against invading pirates, while the main town, Hora, is considered one of the most charming in the Cyclades with its romantic whitewashed architecture, beautiful churches and narrow alleys. It also boasts excellent nightlife, traditional cafes and affordable prices with rooms starting at just $29 per night.
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Credit: Bigstock.comChurch by the sea on the island of Kythera, GreeceChurch by the sea on the island of Kythera, Greece
Kythera (prices and hotel photos)
Kythera is the legendary home of the goddess Aphrodite and has been a source of inspiration for artists and creative people of all kinds for centuries. Because the island lies at the tip of the Peloponnese peninsula, it has managed to remain relatively unspoilt and affordable, with rooms starting at just $36 per night, and even free camping in hidden bays. This is an ideal island to choose when trying to please the whole family because it has something for everyone: Venetian castles for history lovers, golden beaches for swimming and wooded areas for hiking. At Mylopotamos, you can walk along the path around the Fonissa waterfall and jump straight into the small, inviting pools. After sunset, enjoy the nightlife in the bars along the pedestrian promenade or relax with live music and beer in the Kapsali campsite.
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Credit: Bigstock.comMilos Island, GreeceMilos Island, Greece
Milos (prices and hotel photos)
This Greek volcanic island is the southernmost island of the Cyclades. It is known for its horseshoe shape and magnificent coastline, which boasts over 7o beaches of all kinds. The 'island of colours', as it is sometimes called, is known as such. The sands are incredibly diverse from white to black, with pebbles and covered in shells. The waters are always clear and come in various shades: pale or dark blue, emerald green or vibrant green. Not only is it home to countless beautiful beaches and the striking white rock formations of Sarakiniko, but its entire western half has been designated a nature reserve. This is also the spot where the famous statue, the 'Venus de Milo', was discovered. All this combines to make Milos one of the best-kept secrets in the Aegean - and hotel rooms start at around $40 per night, making it much easier to enjoy those whitewashed Cycladic villages and fantastic food.
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Credit: Bigstock.comKos Island, GreeceKos Island, Greece
Kos (prices and hotel photos)
Kos is part of the Dodecanese and, due to its large size, has an ideal balance of fairly isolated areas, away from mass tourism, and others that are full of tourist facilities. Come and immerse yourself in its extraordinary natural beauty with endless stretches of pristine sand, a fabulous old market and charming whitewashed buildings at a low price with rooms starting at $24 per night. Tourists will appreciate its ancient Agora, the Roman Odeon, the medieval castle and the famous Asklepieion. The southern part of the island is home to wide golden beaches that sit on the edge of crystal clear blue waters ideal for swimming.
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Credit: Bigstock.comSymi Island, GreeceSymi Island, Greece
Symi (prices and hotel photos)
Symi Island offers low hotel rates from $33 per night, along with eight main beaches, some of which are within walking distance of the harbour, while others are accessible by water taxi. Take a stroll around the harbour bay area, along moored yachts and small boats, and you'll find traditional cafes and fish taverns, many of which hang fresh octopus out to dry. The island offers fabulously fresh fish and seafood, with islanders enjoying a strong connection with the sea, diving for octopus, trawling for trawls and supplying those fish tavernas with fresh Symi shrimp. The coastline is incredibly varied, with everything from fine sand to large pebble beaches - and snorkellers will find their paradise in Nanou Bay and the chance to relax in the quiet bay.
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Credit: Bigstock.comRhodesRhodes
Rhodes (prices and hotel photos)
While Rhodes has traditionally been considered one of the most expensive Greek islands, these days, you can find a room for as low as $43 per night to base yourself and enjoy its 300 days of sunshine per year. In fact, Helios, the sun god, was said to have bathed the island in its splendour and made it the most beautiful in the Aegean.You'll find evidence of Rhode's long history scattered throughout the island, with numerous attractions to visit, including ancient Kamiros and Ialysos, the castles of Monolithos, Kritinia and Feraklos, as well as the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Acropolis of Rhodes, to name but a few. There are mountains with scenic hiking trails offering breathtaking views, numerous culinary delights and a vibrant nightlife. And, of course, it's all surrounded by clear turquoise waters and magnificent beaches.
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Credit: Bigstock.comIcaria Island, GreeceIcaria Island, Greece
Icaria (prices and hotel photos)
This is the island that was thrust into the spotlight a few years ago after news of the longevity of its inhabitants was spread around the world. People here live much longer than people on other islands and on the mainland. In fact, people here live, on average, a decade longer than those in the rest of Europe and America, with one in three Ikarians living into their 90s and beyond. For now, it has not been spoilt by hordes of relentless tourists seeking the secret elixir of eternal life, thanks to its remoteness. You can still enjoy hiking in the mountains and lush green valleys, watch the wild hawks and take a dip at the Seychelles beach where the water is blue-green, clear and warm like the archipelago's island far away in relative peace - and cheap rooms that start at just $31 a night.
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Credit: Bigstock.com Thassos Island, GreeceThassos Island, Greece
Thassos (Prices and hotel photos)
This Macedonian gem has certainly been discovered by some tour operators, but few travellers have managed to hear about it - yet. With beautiful hotel rooms that can be rented for less than $200 per week, this is one secret you might not want to let out. The Emerald Aegean is only a 30-minute ferry ride from the northern coast of mainland Greece, but is largely untouched by mass tourism. The verdant island is renowned for its powdery sandy beaches, crystal clear sea, green mountainous interior, ancient sites, picturesque traditional villages and delicious cuisine. It is also a haven for a variety of bird species, and on a hill just above the capital, there is an ancient agora, the ruins of temples and shrines, an acropolis and a cave where you can see an ancient figure of the Greek god Pan carved in stone.
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Credit: Bigstock.comNaxosNaxos
Naxos (prices and hotel photos)
The largest island of the Cyclades is also considered the most beautiful and undisturbed. This quiet island is home to numerous beaches, a rich history with ancient temples and Venetian towers to see and over 40 traditional villages where visitors can get an excellent glimpse of traditional life. Each has a café or bakery and a village square where you'll see locals sitting around tables sipping coffee and trading stories. And the beaches? Agios Prokopios is one of the best beaches in Greece, but it is just one of many that can be found here. There is also an extensive network of walking and hiking trails and plenty of restaurants to feed the appetite you are sure to work up after a day of exploring. Best of all, the prices are just as good as the food. In many restaurants, you can dine on a main course, salad and a glass of wine for less than $10, and rooms start at just $20 a night.
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