Schinoussa

Schinoussa is a tiny gem among the Small Cyclades with multiple quiet sandy beaches, a relaxed traditional Chora, and an intimate island atmosphere. Reachable by ferry in 6 hours from Piraeus, it is ideal for travelers who want to experience authentic Greek island life without any commercial tourism.

Schinoussa is a tiny island of just 8.5 square kilometers in the Small Cyclades, yet it packs an astonishing 18 beaches into its indented coastline. With only about 250 year-round residents, no cars beyond a handful of local trucks, and a landscape of low hills covered in wild thyme and oregano, it's the Greece that postcards promised but mass tourism erased.

The island's got two settlements: the port of Mersini, where ferries arrive to a tiny dock surrounded by crystal water, and Chora (also called Panagia), a five-minute walk uphill. It's a perfect little Cycladic village with whitewashed houses, narrow lanes, bougainvillea-draped walls, and a couple of tavernas serving the day's catch. Between these two points and the constellation of beaches that ring the coast, you've got everything you need for days of pure Mediterranean bliss.

What makes Schinoussa special is the ratio of beauty to people. On any given summer day, you can walk to a beach of Caribbean-quality water and have it entirely to yourself. The island's small scale means you can explore it all on foot, discovering a new cove each morning, and returning to the village each evening for grilled fish, cold beer, and a sky blazing with stars.

Schinoussa has 18 beaches and 250 people. Do the math. That's almost one beach for every 14 residents.