Car-free (and Carefree) Islands in Greece

Lifestyle

08.07.2023

When we hear the words “Greek islands”, usually Santorini and Mykonos are the first to come to mind. We imagine blue-domed Orthodox churches and whitewashed homes. When we zoom out, there are, in fact, seven main groupings of islands in Greece: The Cyclades, the Sporades, the Dodecanese, the Saronikos islands, the North Aegean islands, the Ionian islands, and the Big Two (Crete and Evia). Hidden in these island chains, Greece has thousands of islands to explore besides the most well-known “Instagrammable” spots. Based on a recent report, the precise number of islands of any size in Greece, inhabited or uninhabited, is 29,372. Many of Greece’s smallest inhabited islands have a charm that cannot be found in the most touristed islands and certainly not in the big cities. In this article, we dive into 5 of the smallest inhabited islands in Greece, all of which do not allow cars.

Hydra

The island of Hydra is found in the Saronic Gulf (south of Athens), and is one of the most well-off islands in Greece because it is near to Athens. Many families choose to go just for the weekend. The island is very steep and the only form of transport are mules that are found in the port. The island has retained its charm because neither cars nor motorcycles are allowed here. The silence is broken only by the mules' steps on the cobbled streets and the occasional church bells ringing. Architecturally, you will not find white and blue houses like in the rest of the Cyclades, but likely Hydra's characteristic mansions.

Telendos

Telendos is a small island near Kalymnos. There are no roads, so no matter where you stay on the island, you will not be woken up by the sound of traffic. There is a ferry that drops you on Telendos from the port of Mytries in Kalymnos. The island of Telendos is known for its small harbor with fishing vessels and the shady 1-kilometer stretch of beach next to town. For those willing to walk a bit, Potha and Paradise Beach are not far away. Here, you can see underwater ruins of a city from before the early Christian period, or hike to Christian necropolises or basilicas.

Marathi (Marathos)

The tiny island of Marathi is sometimes known as Marathos, and is not to be confused with Marathi Beach in Crete. The tiny island is so small that we couldn't find any pictures available online! Marathi features one beach, one pier, 3 tavernas, and a handful of homes. Unlike the other islands in the Dodecanese, Marathi is free of tourists and gives you almost total isolation. There are a few nice beaches and a cafe in town. Locals who will tell you about the view of the red moon from the dome of Agios Nikolaos church.

Kastellorizo (Castellorizo)

The island of Kastellorizo is also referred to as “Megisti” and is found in the southeast Mediterranean. It is 1 mile from Turkey and 78 miles east of Rhodes. There is admittedly 1 taxi on Kastellorizo, but otherwise, it is untouched by car traffic. The island’s history goes back to ancient times, and the Castle of the Knights of Saint John is one of the biggest attractions here. Although Kastellorizo is one of Greece’s smallest inhabited islands, there is plenty to keep you busy– like snorkeling, swimming, hiking, fishing, and excursions to local caves. Of course, the local seafood dishes of Kastellorizo’s tavernas are hard to beat! One of the most popular sights near town is the blue cave, a local grotto where the reflection of the sun off the turquoise water turns the cave a soothing blue color.

Iraklia

The tiny island of Iraklia is found in the Cyclades Islands, the island group known for having the most beautiful white buildings in Greece. It is found between Naxos and Ios and has a tranquil atmosphere. There isn’t much tourism infrastructure, because most visitors come for Iraklia’s untouched beauty. The main port is called Agios Georgios, which takes its name from a nearby church. There are a few little homes and rental properties here. In the center of Iraklia island is the second-largest town, which is called Panagia. Some excursion boats crisscross the beaches of Iraklia during the summer and can take you to Livadi, the most popular sandy beach on the island. Keep in mind that visiting these islands as a tourist is done only in the high season. In the winter, the island empties, restaurants go into hibernation, and very few boats arrive on their shores. Life goes on for the locals, but at a slower pace than in the summer, when higher demand from tourists boosts the local economy.

Medical Services

Pharmacies

Not all of the listed islands have pharmacies, so it’s best to stock up on everything you need before you arrive. To find a pharmacy near you, try Vrisko’s search.

Medical Emergencies

If you are in a more developed area with a hospital, go to the emergency department or call the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV) ambulance: 166. If you are on one of these car-free islands and there is no hospital to treat critical issues, you can get a transfer from an EKAV helicopter or boat to a major city to receive care. For private air ambulances, a few options are Gamma Air Medical and Athens Medevac.