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Samothraki, North Aegean -

The cultural showpiece of isolated Samothraki is the celebrated Sanctuary of the Great Gods. The Winged Victory of Samothrace statue, representing the goddess Nike, which is now displayed at the Louvre in Paris, originates from the island.

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Lemnos, North Aegean -

A favorite with Greek tourists, Lemnos is a large island full of industrious residents: the capital, Myrina, is a working fishing port. The town is overlooked by an imposing 13th-century Venetian castle, the views from which take in Mount Athos on the mainland.

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Ikaria, North Aegean -

Home to Icarus, the son of Daedalus in Greek mythology, Ikaria served as a place of exile for thousands of communists in the aftermath of the Greek Civil War (1946–49). Some locals still refer to the island as the "Red Rock."

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Ammouliani, North Aegean -

Ammouliani is another island favored by locals. One good reason for staying on Ammouliani is its proximity to Mount Athos, home to a secretive male-only monks' republic. Boat trips to the mountain can be arranged, but it's forbidden to land on this UNESCO protected holy territory.

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Meganisi, Ionian -

Meganisi island is often overlooked for its better-known near neighbor Lefkada. But a stay on Meganisi affords exploration of numerous hidden coves, either on foot or by boat. Limonari cove and its golden arc of sand is the Instagram favorite. 

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Kythira, Ionian -

Kythira is the southernmost member of the Ionian Islands, lying opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. While Kythira is blessed with plenty of pristine beaches, its interior is a wonderland of deep gorges and tumbling waterfalls. For an all-round perspective of the destination, make your way to the castle that crowns a hill overlooking Chora, the main town.

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Antiparos, Cyclades -

Antiparos is anchored opposite the larger and more popular Paros. Antiparos, however, is far more tranquil and is a lovely place to relax and unwind. The island's big tourist draw is the large cave in the center. Past visitors to this subterranean wonder include the English poet Lord Byron, who cheekily carved his name into the rockface.

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Kythnos, Cyclades -

Kythnos lies within hailing distance of Athens, so August is not the best time to visit this picturesque island. Instead, arrive out of season. The beaches are near-empty and the famous thermal springs of Loutra are then bereft of crowds.

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Andros, Cyclades -

Despite being close to Athens, Andros is an island often overlooked by locals and tourists. Those who do get here are treated to natural splendor thanks to a verdant interior and some incredible beaches, especially Pidima Tis Grias (Jump of the Old Woman). According to legend, she betrayed a village to pirates. After being found out, she jumped off a cliff to her death and was transformed into a distinctive vertical rock that is a striking feature of the beach.

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Serifos, Cyclades -

Picturesque Serifos is a travel photographer's dream. With a mountainside dotted with dozens of whitewashed cottages and numerous shoebox-sized churches, it's no wonder Serifos is also the artist's favorite. Pleasingly, the island's main town, Hora, retains a delightful yesteryear charm.

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Syros, Cyclades -

Ermoupoli, the capital of the island of Syros, is also the capital of the Cyclades and the South Aegean. Yet Syros has for the most part remained under the international tourist radar. The island's history stretches back to antiquity, with some of the most iconic cultural sites found in Ermoupoli itself.

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Sifnos, Cyclades -

Sifnos has been described as the "most delicious Greek island" by Condé Nast Traveller magazine due to its "sizzling food scene." The island also serves as a magnet for hikers of all levels, drawn to a network of excellent footpaths and trails.

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Folegandros, Cyclades -

Folegandros wows with its fabulous volcanic landscape and precipitous sea cliffs. The "capital" of the island, Chora, is built on one such precipice, and is worth exploring at leisure, provided you have a stout pair of legs.

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Schoinousa, Cyclades -

A little over 250 people live on Schoinousa, in scattered communities around this semi-arid island. The largest settlement is sited above the port. Hotel amenities are few and far between. Pretty much the only activity is hitting the beach. But if magnificent solitude is your thing, Schoinousa is for you.

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Amorgos, Cyclades -

Amorgos is one of the most impressive Cycladic islands, blessed as it is with a dramatic landscape. This is another island celebrated for its hiking, though it also enjoys a deserved reputation as a top diving spot.

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Milos, Cyclades -

Milos has around 78 beaches, yet less than half are accessible by land. A boat is therefore the optimum means of exploring this volcanic wonder. Once on the island, be sure to visit the fascinating archaeological museum that showcases a unique collection of ancient Cycladic art.

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Kea, Cyclades -

Kea is the closest Cycladic island to the mainland and the Greek capital city of Athens. Once considered a backwater destination, Kea is fast becoming a weekend hangout and summer hideaway for those with second homes on the island. Known for its low-key beauty, Kea should be explored before the secret is out.

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Koufonisia, Cyclades -

Koufonisia is actually made up of three islands: Ano Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi, and deserted Keros. Koufonisi is an increasingly popular tourist destination, its beaches matching anything other, more established islands can offer. Many of the locals still fish for a living, a fact that lends the island a wonderfully appealing flavor.

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Tilos, Dodecanese -

Over the centuries, this small Greek island has been variously controlled by the Romans, the Crusaders, and the Ottomans. Today, wildlife rules the roost: the entire island is a designated nature park. Tilos' meandering landscape, meanwhile, makes for leisurely hiking.

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Symi, Dodecanese -

Sparkling Symi often plays second fiddle to nearby Rhodes, but that's music to the ears of those who opt for this island instead. Symi is widely considered the "jewel of the Dodecanese," and for good reason! Its colorful pastel-hued harbor town sets the scene for the rest of the island. Lapped by deep sapphire waters, this enchanting port is awash with rows of 18th-century neoclassical mansions framed by roses and bougainvillea.

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Halki, Dodecanese -

Halki exudes a non-touristy vibe, but packs a big welcome. The main town and port of Emborio is a picture of romance and serenity, and it's easy to forget this was once a thriving fishing and merchant hub. The sleepy atmosphere extends across the whole of Halki, but do make the effort to explore the castle built by the Knights of St. John, set above the ruins of the island's former capital, Horio.

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Kastellorizo, Dodecanese -

Kastellorizo, also called Megisti, is one of the smallest yet prettiest islands of the Dodecanese. It's the most remote island in Greece, set within a stone's throw of the Turkish coast. The pace of life here is slow, but enlivened by visitor attractions such as the Blue Cave, arguably the most spectacular grotto in all of the Mediterranean.

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Patmos, Dodecanese -

Patmos is famous as the location where St. John received the visions found in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, and where the book was written. No surprise, then, that pilgrims number among the tourists visiting this idyllic island. The castle and monasteries are must-see attractions.

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Leros, Dodecanese -

A lesser-known gem in the Dodecanese, Leros is celebrated for its beautiful landscapes of whitewashed villages and charming coves. Rich in history, Leros is unusual in that it has a distinctly Italian feel about it, thanks to the Italians occupying the island in 1912 and Mussolini later making it a base for his imperial ambitions.

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Karpathos, Dodecanese -

It's remote location has afforded the population of Karpathos with its own traditional dress, customs, and dialect. The island's star attraction is the village of Olympos, high in the mountains, where a collection of pastel houses appear as an artist's giant watercolor.

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Lipsi, Dodecanese -

Wild, off-beat, and easy to get around, Lipsi, also known as Lipsos, is only five miles (8 km) long. People are drawn here for the island's  shimmering turquoise bays and enchanting beaches, the best of which is Hohlakoura, with its marble white pebbles and weird rock formations.

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Telendos, Dodecanese -

Rising up from the southeastern Aegean Sea like a huge anvil, Telendos is a semi-circular mountain island lying off the coast of the larger island of Kalymnos. There are no roads on Telendos: exploration is all done on foot. Rock climbers number among the island's visitors, together with beachgoers seeking out uncrowded pockets of sand.

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Agistri, Argo-Saronic -

Moored in the Argo-Saronic Gulf, Agistri is best visited out of season. Doing so avoids the crowds from Athens that have called the island their own. Dotted with villages, the most appealing arguably being Limenaria, Agistri is a place to recharge the batteries. The more energetic can hire a kayak and paddle a circuit of the island. 

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Spetses, Argo-Saronic -

In its time, Spetses has fallen under Venetian and Ottoman rule. From 1821, the island played an important role in the Greek War of Independence. Long at peace, the island today makes for a pleasant alternative to neighboring Hydra. If you have deep pockets, book a stay at the historic Poseidonion Grand Hotel.

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Ithaka, Ionian -

Ithaka, or Ithaki, is known as the home island of Ulysses from Homer's 'Odyssey.' Ithaka is bathed by mirror-like blue-green waters and possessed of numerous dreamy beaches and picturesque fishing villages. Vathy, the main town, is distinguished by the islet of Lazaretto at the entrance to the bay on which perches a 17th-century chapel.

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Paxos, Ionian -

The smallest of the seven main Ionian Islands and lying south of its world famous sister, Corfu, Paxos is more about tranquil solitude in gorgeous surroundings. There's a wonderful tale from Greek mythology in which Poseidon created Paxos by striking Corfu with his trident, so that he and his wife Amphitrite could have some peace and quiet.

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Alonissos, Northern Sporades -

Alonissos is simply stunning. Yet few consider this island when planning a Greek island getaway. It's a paradise for enthusiasts of hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and, in particular, scuba diving: the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades was the first marine park established in Greece and the largest in the Mediterranean.

Sources: (The Guardian) (Euronews) (UNESCO) 

See also: Greece is calling—Your next epic vacation destination awaits

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