Secret Greece: Best 10 quiet Greek islands to cruise to for 2026 & 2027

2. Sifnos

Seclusion Scale: 8 out of 10

Sifnos sits among the most beautiful of the Cyclades, known for excellent beach bars, seafood tavernas and hand-thrown ceramics. Olive groves cover the hills. Whitewashed villages spill down to dazzling blue bays. The capital, Apollonia, spreads across three hilltops with walking paths connecting them.

SeaDream offers the best access to this quiet Greek island, with sailings like their Athens round-trip on 4 July 2027. Star Clippers also calls here on select routes, though SeaDream's luxury yachting vibe suits Sifnos better.

• See all Sifnos cruises

3. Amorgos

Seclusion Scale: 10 out of 10

One of the lesser known Cycladic islands, Amorgos is mountainous, authentic and peacefully remote. Hiking trails cross dramatic terrain. Caves and hidden bays cut into the coastline. The Hozoviotissis monastery clings to the cliffside, its bright white walls visible from the sea.

This is as secluded as Greek islands get. Only a handful of luxury small ships can navigate here, with Ponant, Sea Cloud and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection leading the way. RCYC's Athens round-trip in September 2026 offers one of the most intimate ways to experience Amorgos, with just 298 guests and exceptional service throughout.

• See all Amorgos cruises

4. Kythnos

Seclusion Scale: 9 out of 10

Kythnos is a true yachting port, accessible only to the smallest vessels. Thermal springs steam at the water's edge. Beaches remain unspoilt. Villages follow centuries-old patterns, their whitewashed houses stacked up hillsides with narrow lanes connecting them.

Only Ponant, Sea Cloud and SeaDream visit this peaceful Greek island. Tourist infrastructure is minimal, which is precisely the appeal. Ponant's 32-passenger sailing ship offers the most exclusive experience, with their itinerary The Cyclades in the wake of Le Ponant bringing you into harbours that feel untouched.

• See all Kythnos cruises

5. Syros

Seclusion Scale: 6 out of 10

Syros is busier than others on this list, but its beaches stay quieter than nearby islands. Ermoupoli, the main town, mixes architectural styles such as neoclassical mansions, Orthodox churches, Catholic cathedrals, all layered across the hillside. It's the capital of the Cyclades, though it doesn't feel like it.

Windstar does this quiet Greek island best. Their Off the Beaten Path Greek Islands itinerary pairs Syros with even more secluded stops, while Explora Journeys features it on their Athens to Adriatic voyage, linking Greece with Croatia's hidden coves.

6. Folegandros

Seclusion Scale: 9 out of 10

Folegandros sits between Paros and Santorini but remains off the tourist trail. Its size is diminutive. There's no airport. Rocky cliffs drop straight into the sea and the clifftop village of Chora ranks among the most beautiful in the Cyclades.

Only Windstar visits Folegandros. This is one of the most undiscovered Greek islands in the archipelago, making it a rare inclusion on luxury itineraries. If authenticity is more important than amenities, this is where to go.

• See all Folegandros cruises

7. Limnos

Seclusion Scale: 10 out of 10

Limnos takes a low-key approach to tourism. Volcanic landscapes give way to rolling green hills. The coastline stretches for hundreds of kilometers, broken by private coves and fishing harbours that look unchanged from decades ago. Myrina, the capital, curves around its harbour with Venetian castle ruins above and waterfront tavernas below.

Emerald, Ponant and Oceania all feature this peaceful Greek island. Local wine, honey, cheese and seafood are what you come for. Oceania's May 2026 voyage on the brand-new Allura combines it with Turkish coastal towns, while Ponant's autumn sailing links it with traffic-free Hydra and historic Kavala.

• See all Limnos cruises

8. Samos

Seclusion Scale: 5 out of 10

Samos is greener than most Cycladic islands. Lush hills covered in wildflowers slope down to fishing harbours and white-sand beaches. Two UNESCO sites sit here: the Pythagorion, with its ancient city and underground aqueduct, and the Temple of Hera.

Between June and September, the island hosts cultural events and music festivals. Outside those months, it settles into a quieter pace of life. Azamara and Emerald both include Samos, with Emerald's itineraries allowing more time ashore to explore beyond the harbour.

• See all Samos cruises

9. Symi

Seclusion Scale: 7 out of 10

Symi can only be reached by small ship, which keeps visitor numbers manageable. Blue coves cut into the coastline. Sandy beaches appear between rocky outcrops. The main harbour, Gialos, is lined with neoclassical houses in ochre, terracotta and cream.

Seabourn and Hapag-Lloyd both offer excellent itineraries to this quiet Greek island. An 18th-century monastery sits on the hillside. Beachside tavernas stay open late. July, August and September bring music festivals and religious feasts that fill the streets. Ponant and SeaDream also run summer and autumn sailings here.

• See all Symi cruises

10. Milos

Seclusion Scale: 6 out of 10

Milos has grown more popular recently but still sees far fewer visitors than Mykonos or Santorini. This is where the Venus de Milo was discovered in 1820, pulled from the ground by a local farmer. The island's volcanic origins show in its mineral-rich cliffs, rock formations and beaches that range from white sand to black pebbles.

Fishing villages dot the coast. Blue coves stay hidden between headlands. Seafood restaurants serve the day's catch within sight of where it was landed. Most of our favourite lines visit Milos. Silversea's September 2027 Athens round-trip on the stunning Silver Nova offers exceptional comfort, Regent's Hidden Shores of Mykonos itinerary combines it with lesser-known stops and Crystal's Athens to Venice sailing links Greece with Croatia and the Italian coast.

• See all Milos cruises