Search
Map
Choose skin
Accessibility
Four windmills made of stone on the sea at sunset.

North Aegean

Tranquil Havens of Natural Beauty & Rich Heritage

Just a breath away from the Asia Minor coast, in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea, explore islands with fascinating green landscapes, crystal clear waters, beautiful sandy and pebbly beaches, traditional villages and rich history on each island.

Choose among big islands (Ikaria, Samos, Limnos, Lesvos, Chios, Thasos, Samothrace) and some smaller ones (Agios Efstratios, Agios Minas, Antipsara, Thymaina, Oinousses, Samiopoula, Fournoi and Psara) offer you exciting holiday options.

Despite the fact that some of these islands are far from mainland Greece, they have grown into popular destinations thanks to frequent ferry and flight connection.

ISLANDS
2 STUNNING NATURAL WONDERS
THERMAL SPRINGS

Discover its Treasures

Ikaria
According to the myth, Daedalus (father) and Icarus (son) flew over the Aegean Sea wearing waxed feather wings. During the flight, Icarus ignored his father’s advice not to fly close to the sun. When he approached the sun his waxed wings melted, he fell and drowned in the sea off the island coast.
Apart from sun-drenched beaches, Ikaria has a great variety of archaeological sites, natural monuments (part of the European NATURA 2000 network), traditional villages, hot springs known since antiquity, and endemic species of fauna and flora for the visitor to explore. Open air festivals and sports events take place here throughout the year, so don’t miss the chance to live this experience.
Limnos
The island of Hephaestus (god of fire and protector of blacksmiths) is the ideal laid back holiday destination. Visit Myrina, which is the island capital and port, learn more about its interesting history and enjoy fresh fish dishes. Explore the volcanic areas and visit the island’s museums. Visit Alyki and Chortarolimni Lakes, the areas are part of the European NATURA 2000 network.
Lesvos
Sappho, one of the most famous lyric poets of ancient Greece, was born on the island of Lesvos. You will find grand beautiful houses in Mytilene, the island capital, and traditional villages across the island (Agiassos, Assomatos, Vatousa, Eresos, Mantamados, Mithymna, Petra, Plomari, Polichnitos, Sigri, Sykamia). Plomari Village is known for its top quality ouzo, which is famous across the country and around the world. Accompany your ouzo drink with sardines from Kaloni. Enjoy the hot springs at Thermi, Eftalou and Gera or walk along unspoilt, golden beaches.
Chios
Chios is known as the mastic island because of this unique natural resin collected from mastic trees cultivated at the south part of the island. Explore the Mastichochoria, a group of fortified villages of great beauty built in the 14th century when the island was under Genovese rule. Mesta is a medieval heritage town with preserved towers, ancient churches and magnificent stone houses joined together with arches. Taste delicious dishes cooked with mastic, or have a sip of soumada, a traditional drink made of almonds.
Quite a few museums and traditional open air festivals reveal the island’s long history and interesting culture. Long sandy beaches, secluded or not, as well as quiet coves are also there for the visitor to explore.
Samos
Samos is the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, the philosopher Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, the first to suggest that the Earth revolves around the sun.
Visit the UNESCO monuments of Pythagoreion, an ancient fortified port with Greek and Roman monuments, as well as the Heraion, the temple of the goddess Hera. Attend cultural events and music festivals. Stroll around Vathy, a traditional village, and learn more about the island’s history.
Samos is a green island with many white-sand beaches and picturesque villages. The island is also well-known for its top quality natural sweet wine.
Oinousses
Oinousses is a cluster of nine islands, located between Chios Island and the Erythraian Peninsula of Asia Minor. It is a quiet summer destination, an idyllic place for those who prefer underwater activities such as exploring the colourful seabed. Learn more about the centuries-old maritime tradition of the islands at the Maritime Museum. The whole island complex has been included in the European network NATURA 2000.


Psara
The island was first mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. Despite its size, it played an important part during the Greek War of Independence (1821) as the local competent mariners with their ships fought for the cause next to other Greek revolutionaries. The island’s maritime power ranked third after that of Hydra and Spetses Islands. As a result, Psara holds a special place in recent Greek history. Follow the hiking trails and explore beautiful churches and monuments. Don’t forget to try the local lobster pasta dish (at affordable prices).


Fournoi
Fournoi is a group of small islands that used to be a pirate hideaway. The aromatic plants and olive groves are part of a land of pristine beauty. Mediterranean monk seals, dolphins and sea turtles find refuge in the clear waters of the island.


Agios Efstratios
It is a small volcanic island in the northeastern Aegean Sea surrounded by Limnos, Lesvos, and Skyros islands. Visit the ruins of ancient towns surrounded by serene unspoilt nature. The island has been declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI), and an Important Bird Area of Greece.

Flavours

from the North Aegean Islands

DISCOVER THEM
Flavours

Tips for your Trips

VIEW ALL

Geoparks in Greece

Greece is a land of major geological change. Millions of years of continuous mountain building have endowed this part of the planet with amazing natural monuments.

The Little Gems of the NE Aegean Sea

In the island complex of the NE Aegean Sea there are four tiny and precious gems that are worth discovering for their natural beauty, their strong tastes and aromas and, most of all, their unspoiled character conjuring up the old times.

Laid Back Islands

Each Greek Island has a special atmosphere. Depending on your heart’s desire you can find cosmopolitan or low-key islands; islands known as water & extreme sports destinations; islands preferred by art lovers...