When thinking of Greek Islands, the most popular holiday destinations that come to mind are Mykonos, Corfu, Crete and Santorini.
With their sandy beaches and guaranteed sunny weather, it’s no wonder that a staggering 3.4 million tourists travelled to Santorini last year. However, there is one lesser-known island with the same aesthetic and Instagram-worthy beaches, but without the dreaded large crowds.
Step forward Kea or “Tzia” as it’s called by locals, the Greek Island located in the Aegean Sea and just 33 miles from Athens.
The 2,500 person island is home to 19 beaches with crystal clear water, including the Gialiskari beach, only a 15 minute walk from the taverns and harbour of Vourkari.
If you’re after a sandy alternative then Koundouros beach, near to popular tourist attractions including The Lion of Kea and The Kea Archaeological Museum, is your best bet.
The island is also home to authentic Greek cuisine with locally produced meat and dairy products, as well as the island’s local delicacy, loza, a pork-and-spice sausage. This makes it the perfect destination to combine culinary delights with soaking up the sun on the beach.
The history of the island dates back to the Cycladic era, during which the 130 sq km island was carved into four city states. It was originally known in antiquity as Hydroussa, deriving from the Greek word for water, “Hydro”, but was renamed to “Tzia” by the Franks, a name that it still goes by today.
Whatever your reason for visiting the island, hiking up the mountains to the hamlet of Strabroudhaki is a must to get a view of the remnants of the island’s two historic temples: the Doric temple of Athena and the Temple of Pythion Apollo.
The best part is that getting to the hidden Greek island is simple. Flights from London to Athens cost £56 in August, and daily Triton Ferries from Athens to Kea take around an hour and cost just £11.
