Elafonisos - Ελαφόνησος

Elafonisos is a tiny, sun-drenched pearl measuring just 19 square kilometers, floating less than a kilometer off the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. This quiet fishing island features low-lying dunes, rare cedar forests, and some of the most blindingly white sand beaches in Europe. Life on the island flows through its single, postcard-perfect settlement, Elafonisos Town, where a sprawling local fishing fleet bobs in the harbor and seafood tavernas line the waterfront promenade. The absolute visual highlight of the port is the charming Church of Agios Spyridon, built on a separate, tiny rocky islet that is connected to the mainland village by a narrow pedestrian bridge over shallow, glowing turquoise waters.

The undisputed calling card of Elafonisos is Simos Beach, an internationally celebrated double-sided bay where two sweeping arcs of powdery sand meet to form a narrow peninsula, flanked on both sides by translucent, neon-turquoise water. Beyond its world-class sunbathing, the island sits right beside an extraordinary step back into antiquity: the sunken city of Pavlopetri. Submerged just offshore in three to four meters of water, Pavlopetri is a 5,000-year-old Bronze Age commercial center that ranks as the oldest submerged town ever discovered, allowing modern snorkelers to swim directly over ancient foundations, streets, and tombs. Because getting to the island involves a scenic drive through Laconia followed by a short, 10-minute ferry ride from Pounta port, it remains remarkably easy to reach yet brilliantly preserved, offering an unhurried, authentic slice of traditional Greek maritime life.

Poros - Πόρος

Poros is a lush, pine-scented gem nestled in the Saronic Gulf, famously sitting so close to the Peloponnese mainland that the dividing sea channel narrows to a mere 200 meters. This unique geographical setup creates the mesmerizing illusion of sailing down a peaceful river when entering by ferry from Athens' port of Piraeus. Historically, Poros is actually a union of two distinct islets connected by a small canal bridge: Spheria, a small volcanic rock where the vibrant, amphitheatrically built port town climbs the hillside, and Kalavria, the larger, greener section blanketed in dense forests of Aleppo pines that cascade straight down to the sea. The island's signature visual icon is the historic Clock Tower, perched at the highest point of Poros Town, which rewards walkers with a cinematic panorama of neoclassic waterfront mansions, docked sailing yachts, and the majestic mountains of the mainland shimmering across the water.

The allure of Poros lies in its effortless blend of cosmopolitan harbor life, deep ancient roots, and shaded coastal hideaways that have long inspired artists, including legendary writers like Henry Miller and Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis. Travelers can spend their mornings trekking into the forested interior to explore the ruins of the 6th-century BC Sanctuary of Poseidon—the historic sanctuary where the famed ancient orator Demosthenes took final refuge—or visiting the serene, 18th-century Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi tucked into a lush ravine. When it comes to coastal relaxation, the island's 23-kilometer coastline offers remarkable water clarity. Sunbathers can unwind at the lively sands of Askeli Beach, swim beneath overhanging trees at the romantic, emerald inlet of Love Bay, or explore the historic stone ruins of the 19th-century Russian Dockyard resting in a secluded western cove. In the evenings, the car-free waterfront promenade pulses with life as open-air tavernas serve up fresh local seafood and grilled meats right at the water's edge, delivering a perfect masterclass in slow-paced yet sophisticated island living.

Trizonia - Τροιζόνια

Trizonia (often spelled Troizonia) is a hidden emerald sanctuary tucked away in the calm waters of the Corinthian Gulf. Spanning just 2.5 square kilometers, it holds the unique title of being the only inhabited island in the entire gulf. The island is a strictly car-free paradise, where the absence of motorized vehicles preserves a rare, old-world tranquility. Visitors are greeted by a picture-perfect natural harbor lined with pastel-colored stone houses, swaying olive trees, and a handful of traditional waterfront tavernas. Its sheer, untouched charm is so legendary that the famous Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis even tried—and failed—to buy the island in the 1960s because the fiercely independent locals refused to sell.

Life on Trizonia revolves around simple, slow-paced pleasures, making it the ultimate destination to disconnect. The island features three scenic, uncrowded beaches, including the famous Pounda Beach, celebrated for its unique reddish sand. Because there are no roads, exploration is done entirely on foot along quiet earthen pathways that weave through verdant pine trees and vineyards, offering sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding gulf and the Peloponnese mountains. Sailors frequently drop anchor in its exceptionally well-sheltered marina, while food lovers flock to the port to indulge in the local culinary specialty: fresh, locally caught shrimp pasta. Located a mere 500 meters from the mainland, Trizonia can be reached in just five minutes via local water taxi boats from the village of Chania in Fokida, serving as an effortless yet completely transformative island escape.

Hydra - Ύδρα

Hydra is a glamorous, car-free jewel of the Saronic Gulf that feels like a living painting stepping straight out of the 19th century. Just a short ferry ride from Athens, this unique island bans all motor vehicles, meaning there are no cars, scooters, or honking horns—only the gentle clip-clop of donkeys and water taxis to transport you around. Its majestic crescent-shaped harbor is lined with grand stone mansions built by wealthy 18th-century ship captains, framing an ultra-chic waterfront packed with bustling cafes, elegant boutiques, and pristine yachting docks.

The island’s irresistible blend of dramatic rocky coastlines and artistic heritage has long made it a sanctuary for international writers, musicians, and painters, most famously singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. You can spend your days wandering the steep, whitewashed stone alleys, swimming off the smooth rocks at Hydronetta, or hiking along coastal paths to secluded pebbled bays like Bisti and Mandraki. As the sun sets, the harbor glows in a golden light, providing the ultimate romantic backdrop for enjoying fresh seafood and fine wine right at the water's edge. Its style is nostalgic and cosmopolitan. An all-year round destination.

Spetses - Σπέτσες

Spetses is a beautiful small Greek island very close to shore of Costa, that you can reach by taxi boats! Cars are not allowed in the main town, so people move around by walking, riding bicycles, or taking horse carriages. It has beautiful pine trees, clear blue water, and pretty old houses.

This island is famous for its long history with ships and traditional sea battles. Today, it is a very relaxing place to visit, with nice restaurants by the water, small shops, and lovely beaches.