A Cute Island With Colorful Streets And Calm Beaches May Be Greece's Best-Kept Secret

Greece, with its 2,000 islands, has something for every beach-thirsty tourist. From the ultimate party paradise of Mykonos to the blue-capped domes and stunning sunsets of Santorini, it's no surprise that millions of visitors descend upon Greece every year to partake in the thriving island-hopping culture. If you're looking for a quiet getaway, it can be hard to avoid the throngs of crowds in Athens and the most popular islands in Greece over the summer. But the little-known island of Kea, loved by the local Athenians, is an ideal spot to visit if you want the island experience without having to compete with other tourists.

Just one hour away from Athens, Kea is known by the mainlanders as a windy, cool escape from the stifling heat of summer. With a history dating back to the Neolithic period, and thoroughly intertwined with Greek mythology, Kea was said to be the island of the water Nymphs, who made it their home due to its numerous springs. Kea's water-rich landscape and rolling hills means its plant life flourishes, making it a picture-perfect place for hiking and swimming.

Home to a population of just 2,500, this small, conveniently placed island was known as "Hydroussa" to the ancient Greeks, stemming from the Greek word Hydro, meaning "water." This name comes from Kea's numerous springs which feed its rich vegetation and make it abundant with botanical life, with plants such as sage, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary thriving all over the island. One of the island's most important types of produce is a renowned locally sourced honey from bees that get their pollen from thyme flowers, giving it a distinct flavor. It's easy to enjoy Kea's thriving ecosystem as the whole island is fairly accessible by foot, with 25 miles of hiking trails to explore, some that will take you past monasteries, and over rolling hills to its ancient cities, rife with historic ruins. It's also worth visiting Kea's ancient oak forest which is set within a breathtaking mountain range, offering some of the best views on the island.

Once in Kea you'll immediately notice its charmingly colorful cobblestone streets and sleepy atmosphere. As the closest of the Cyclades isles to mainland Greece, Kea's climate and landscape is comparable to its neighbor, Santorini. Ferry tickets from Lavrio in Athens are easily booked on the Discover Greece homepage. Kea's gorgeous, crystalline shorelines mean that this watery paradise has historically drawn sailing enthusiasts. If you, too, want to experience this island from the sea and have a boating license, sailboats are available to rent.

If you'd like to explore Kea on land, there are motorbikes for rent. Exploring the coastlines can also be convenient with various boat tours, including one that leads to Karthea, one of Kea's ancient cities. Only accessible by walking down an ancient path or via the sea, Karthea is home to an impressive collection of Archaic-era remains from temples dedicated to Apollo and Athena, as well as an ancient theater. If you'd prefer a less conventional mode of transport to reach the historical site, you can also rent a donkey! 

Of course, no island getaway is complete without the beach, and Gialiskari, a small beach on the northwest coast of the island is the perfect place to enjoy the sea. Its gorgeous, calm, and turquoise waters are complemented by a convenient cafe/bar on the shore. Kea's locals are spoiled for bars and restaurants, with standouts such as Aristos, a seafood-focused taverna found on Vourkari town harbor, only a 15-minute walk from Gialiskari. It's the perfect place to try some of the local catch-of-the-day and watch the sunset descend over the Aegean Sea, just as the ancient Greeks did.