Boats look like they’re hovering in mid-air due to how clear the waters are on this tranquil Greek island that has incredibly managed to avoid the tourist limelight – but getting here isn’t easy
Escape the crowds of bustling tourists by visiting this breathtakingly beautiful Greek island that has somehow managed to avoid the limelight.
If you’re dreaming of stunning beaches, turquoise waters, cobbled streets and balmy temperatures – Greece is probably already on your bucket list. However, in recent years, many of the country’s hotspots have become too popular for their own good.
Take Santorini, for example, a tiny island with just 15,000 residents that begrudgingly welcomed a staggering 3.4 million tourists last year. The result? Coach loads of selfie-stick-waving holidaymakers queuing for hours just to take a snap of the sunset, and fed-up locals threatening to protest against over-tourism.
However, tucked away in the western part of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea lies the idyllic island of Kimolos. Once referred to as the land of Silver due to its constant shimmer – boats look like they’re hovering in mid-air due to how clear the water is. In fact, the Greek Reporter recently found that Kimolos has the most pristine waters in the entire world, after analysing more than 2.4 million traveller reviews that mentioned ‘clear water’.
There are 11 beaches on the island, including the famous Prassa – known for its sugar-like sand and shallow cobalt waters. This is one of the few stretches of coast that has amenities like a beach bar and loungers nearby, but if you’re wanting to get off the beaten track – there are plenty more secluded coves to explore.
Plage De Monastiria is a beautiful alternative that offers a more laid-back vibe. However, tourists say the road to get there is ‘long and in very bad condition’, meaning you’ll have to put in the effort before soaking up the rays.
Inland, you’ll find quaint cobblestone alleys, whitewashed houses with blue windows, and cosy eateries serving up fresh seafood and local delicacies. It’s a similar vibe to Santorini, but with hardly any tourists in comparison.
Getting to Kimolos isn’t such a breeze, which could explain its low levels of tourism. First, Brits will have to fly to Athens on the mainland – which takes an average of three hours and 55 minutes. In the summer months, you can take this route directly from London Luton, Gatwick or Heathrow.
If you’re flexible with flights, you can grab return fares for as little as £93 in August. A great way to keep costs super low is by checking if it’s cheaper to fly home to a different airport than the one you departed from – but this may not work if you’re wanting to park your car nearby. After touching down in Greece, you’ll have to take a six hour ferry over to Kimolos. Adult tickets start from around £41.46 in the summer months.
Accommodation on Kimolos can be hard to find due to its small size, especially during the peak summer months. For example, on Booking.com – the only property available for a week in August (Monday, 4-11) is Pigados Beach House Kimolos, with all other listings being booked out.
This stunning one-bedroom holiday home boasts a private beach area and terrace with incredible sea views, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and free WiFi. However, it’ll also set you back a whopping £3,674 for the week. If this is way out of your price range, it might be worth visiting Kimolos in the shoulder seasons – or visiting as part of a day trip from the nearby island of Milos.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
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