This beautiful Greek island is where locals go to escape the crowds

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Mass tourism has been a real threat.

I know someone who recently let his intrusive thoughts get the better of him and rhetorically wondered if there is an ethical way to be a tourist at all.

Hippie-dippy stuff aside, yes, it is – and it starts with doing just a tiny bit more research instead of cramming the same already overcrowded destinations to the gills.

The truth is, there are thousands of places around the world that still want to welcome you with open arms – and you don’t have to be a “local” to do this.

A short drive from Athens is an astonishingly beautiful island where locals have remained tight-lipped for years.

Whether we are the good guys or the bad guys who revealed this, we are excited to introduce the Greek ‘anti-Santorini’ – a blue-white dreamscape with less busy alleysquieter beaches and much tastier prices.

Kythnos glories More than 50 beaches without crowds

Greece might as well not exist for half a year as most travelers explore the whitewashed islands in the literal heat of summer.

Of course, Santorini is the mecca, happily at the top of almost every traveler’s wish list, despite the money-guzzling prices and maze of alleys where everyone is looking for the same snapshot of blue-domed churches and caldera views.

As we have reported over the years and continue to preach – without passing the Joel Osteen collection plate – there are countless other islands where you will completely forget about Santorini before you even check into your hotel.

If you want to possibly be the only tourist on certain beaches, Kythnos is the right place.

There are more than 50 beaches on this smallish, lesser-known island.

According to TripAdvisorthese are the top 5 to check out for your next Greek adventure:

1. Kolona Beach:
2. Apokrousi Beach
3. Gaidouromantra beach
4. Lefkes beach
5. Skilou beach

You may be wondering why third best is in bold, and we’re glad we can read your thoughts.

Despite being ranked #1, Gaidouromantra, a name I hope to never spell again, actually has the most rave reviews for its “clear waters”, “virgin environment” and lack of people in general.

It’s your own little piece of paradise that you never knew existed.

As for the above photo of the double-sided beach, a rare place where you wish you had eyes in the back of your head, that’s Kolona beach.

You can easily see why it ranks first.

A quick ride from Athens

You’ve reached Europe, all the way to Greece, so now you might be looking forward to a trip.

Athens is one of the best connected cities in Europebut it’s pretty much mandatory to hop aboard a boat in some form or another since there are so many inviting islands nearby.

Kythnos is one of the most accessible places from Greece’s largest hub and bustling capital, which is certainly one of those places that are chock-full of crowds, with so many legendary sights that draw travelers all over the world.

To escape those crowds, you can just head southeast Lavrio Gate.

The crossing takes about 1 hour by speedboat or about an hour and a half by conventional ferry for less than $20, which is another reason why so many people the locals prefer Kythnos as their tourist-free haven.

It’s not all beaches: enjoy similar Santorini vibes 💙🤍

If you’ve stuck with us this far, you might be wondering, “Where are the Greek vibes?”.

We get it: some of Kythnos’ beaches are isolated, so at first glance it may seem like a deserted island with no dreamy townscape to wander around.

That is not the case…

The main town of Kythnos is Chora (also known as Mesaria), and it delivers the Cycladic charm that travelers look for in Santorini – you know, whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, blue painted decors, open shutters, quaint churches, flower-draped tavernas and shops tucked along the main street.

You won’t mind the prices here, whether you arrive by boat or stay for a while. Unlike the triple-digit rates in Santorini, you can find cozy digs here The bay of Kythnos for just $75 in July, which can be booked here.

How safe is Greece to visit this summer?

Greece is largely seen as a haven for tourists throughout the summer, even though the stony, graffiti-lined streets of Athens might convince you otherwise.

According to our Safety Index, the current safety score, rated by fellow travelers like you and me, is an impressive 89/100:

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego, has visited 44 countries and written more than 1,500 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.