With the world’s economies in a state of disarray, 2026 (just like 2025) is a year when affordable destinations are certainly top of mind.

But are there any Greek islands we can count as “cheap”, “budget-friendly”, “affordable” or however you want to call them? Yes, there are! Surely, you do need to consider how you arrive in Greece – and long haul flights can be pricey.

However, once you arrive (most likely) in Athens, you’ll be in for a nice surprise. Without further ado, here are some lovely Greek islands that surely won’t burn deep holes in your pockets.

>> Prefer to visit the mainland? Check out these Surprisingly Cheap Places to Visit in Mainland Greece

Evia (Euboea)

Only 80 km from the Capital Athens, Evia or Euboea, is the second-largest Greek island and is separated by two bridges by the mainland.

The island features rugged terrain with amazing landscapes and a rich history, changing hands many times during history. However, Evia never formed one political state, but it’s known that Chalcis and Eretria were two of the most important cities in Greece.

The island’s modern capital Chalkida, is waiting for its visitors with a variety of activities to do and historical places to check out, such as the Archaeological Museum, Red House, Church of Paraskevi district of Kastro and Karababa Castle.

If you love water sports, you can dive or take classes at Aegean Seals Diving Center. Limnionas Beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing and relaxing. And if you prefer your feet firmer on the ground, you can embark on hikes across the island.

Make sure to visit Drimonas Waterfall and discover the Monastery of St David. Explore Ancient Eretria, as the ruins are just 20 km from the Chalkida, where you can still admire the many ancient baths and temples. Visit one of the many thermal spas in Aidipsos (Edipsos) resort, known for its healing waters from ancient times.

Evian geography offers plenty of breathtaking places, some hard to get to but 100 % worthy. Some of them are Euripus Strait, Dimosari Gorge, Drimonas Waterfall, a lighthouse at Cape Kakokefali, mountain peaks like e Dirfi, Kantili, and Ochi, a breathtaking coastline with many secluded beaches like Lichadonisia so called Greek Seychelles of Greece, Chiliadou, Klimaki, Daphni, Kalamos, Vythouri and many more.

The island boasts around 110 beaches waiting for you! A lesser known but fascinating spot is the Dragon Houses Of Evia, situated in the southern part of the island, where 25 triangle structures resemble pyramids made from limestones.

The main towns of the island are Chalkida the capital, Eretria, an ancient city, Karystos with its picturesque squares, Marmar,i a beautiful costal town, Vathi, known for its wine and the temple of Goddess Artemis, Gimno, an ideal place to dive into local cuisine, Oxylithos and Kymi.

Getting to the island is easy as regular buses and ferries go from and to Athens, and the nearby islands. A ride from the capital usually takes between 1h and 2h. A train ride from Athen’s airport costs 14 Euros, and you need to make a change in Athens. taking almost 3 hours total.

Accommodation prices may vary based on where you wish to stay. In the capital a double room in a hotel starts from around 100 USD and an apartment around 75 USD, while in the other cities on the island you can find places to stay for as low as 54 USD

Aegina (Egina)

Located close to Athens, and just 30 km from Piraeus port, Aegina is ideal for both a short holiday and a day trip from the capital. Even if the name doesn’t say much to you, I bet you tried or heard of pistachios. In either case, this small Greek island is where you should be to enjoy the best pistachios. And one of the best times to visit the Island is during the Pistachio Festival.

Aside from the fest, you’d also want to visit Aegina Town, with the Tower of Markellos, the nearby Temple of Apollo (also known as Kolona) and its surrounding Archaeological Site, Temple of Aphaia, part of the Sacred Triangle of Ancient Greece, Monastery of Saint Nectarios, Archaeological Site Palaeochora of Aegina build by pirates in the 9th century, Perdika fishing village, and many beautiful beaches.

Getting to Egina is easy, as regular ferries depart from and towards Athens. The ride is less than an hour long.
Accommodations prices start at 77 USD for two in high season while a hotel room for the same period will set you back not much more, around 85 USD.

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands is, perhaps, one of the best well-known places to visit in the country. And even though it’s popular, it’s big enough to allow for some affordable experiences and places to stay. Even if you’re looking to stay in one of the bigger cities, you can find something for your budget.

The most important cities and towns of the island are Heraklion or Irakilo, Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Ierapetra, Europe’s most southern city.

When it comes to what you can visit on the island, Knossos, the capital of the Minoan Civilization, located just nearby Heraklion, takes the crown. Then there’s the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, Gortyna ruins, Lychnostatis Open Air Museum, Phaistos Palace and Archaeological Site, Malia’s Minoan Palace, Samaria Gorge, Imbros Gorge, Psiloritis the highest mountain of the island, the birthplace of Zeus – Dikteon Cave at Lassithi Plateau, Balos Lagoon, many of the amazing beaches like Elafonisi Beach and Falassarna Beach, Arkadi Monastery, Holy Trinity Monastery, or many of the traditional ancient villages like Anogeia, Argyroupoli, or Matala.

Accommodation prices start from around 50 – 56 USD for a hotel room, while can go as high up as your budget allows. The most expensive city is Chania, with double room prices starting at 80 USD per night during the travel season, while in low season you can stay for as low as 45 USD.

Lesvos

Also known as Lesbos, one of the largest Islands of Greece, Lesvos is located in the north-eastern Aegean.

The most known cities and villages of the island are Mytilene, the capital city, hosting the impressive Mytilene Castle as well as the Teriade Museum of Modern Art, Molyvos also known as Mithymna, a town with streets covered by cobbled stone and viewed over by a Venetian castle, and Petra, a seaside village with a unique church in a rock called Panagia Glykofilousa. Other places worth mentioning are Eressos the birthplace of the poet Sappho, or Sigri home of the UNESCO listed petrified forest, an unique and wonderful geological site.

You can’t visit the island without relaxing at one of the many thermal springs of the island like Eftalou, Polichnitos, or Gera.

Lesvos is also the capital of the origin of the Greek drink Ouzo. The most famous being, Βαρβαγιάννης or Varvayanis made in Plomari.

Accommodation prices star from 40 USD for an apartment or studio, and 46 USD for a budget twin hotel room for two during the low season while it climbs to around 60 USD during the high season.

Lemnos

Another north-eastern Aegean Island, Lemnos awaits its visitors with an average yearly daily temperature of 16 C or 61 F.
The mythological island of Hephaestus, Lemon has been and is a very important one, from ancient Greece through Byzantine times till our days. Here, you can find Poliochni, a 5000 BC old Neolithic settlement, considered Europe’s oldest, even older than Troy.

Like most of the islands in the region, Lemnos is also home to a Venetian castle, located in the capital of the island Myrina.

Other places you can visit are the ancient site of Kavirio, located just 3 kilometers from the archaeological site of Ifestia, Hephaistia, a well-preserved ruin of a Greek theater, or Alyki Lagoon a saltwater lagoon and a great location to check out flamingos.

Some of the traditional villages you can stroll through are Kontias, Moudros or Repanidi & Romanou.
And if you are food enthusiast, Lemnos is home to an ezquisite wine called Muscat of Alexandria, kalathaki cheese and melichloro cheese.

Prices for a hotel room start from 129 USD for two per night during the high season. During the low season you can find a hotel room from around 67 USD.

Chios

Not far from Lemnos and a short flight from Athens, Chios could be the ideal destination for your Greek vacation.

Steeped in mystery and history, many consider Chios the birthplace of the famous poet Homer, the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey. Also, Chios is the only place where you can find mastika growing. The liquor and the traditional sweets nicknamed Submarine, a sweet mastic spoon dessert, are very popular. And you can also find many almond based pastry to tantalize your tastes buds with.

The capital or the main city, Hora, awaits you with some amazing culture, architecture and traditions, many museums, bars and shopping possibilities.

Not far from the capital, you can discover the costal area, with settlements like Vrontados, home to the 3 Windmills (Tris Mill) and Monument of the Unknown Sailor.

Another important place to visit is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nea Moni Monastery. And if you still have tine, check out Homer’s Rock called Daskalopetra, (located at Vrontados as well) a black pebble beach called Mavra Volia Beach, Agia Dynami Beach and Aipos Plateau.

Mesta, a medieval labyrinth built to defend against pirates, the Painted Village of Pygri, Anavatos a ghost village abandoned since the Chios Massacre, and the traditional village of Volissos with its Byzantine castle are also quite incredible.

Accommodation starts at 41 USD for a studio or apartment, and 51 USD for a hotel room, per two.

Symi

A charming island in the Dodecanese, close to Rhodes and the Turkish coast, Symi is an idyllic little gem. With its main town Symi, divided into two parts, the harbor called Gialos, and the upper old town called Chorio or Ano Symi, connected by 500 steps (the Kali Strata staircase), it’s a destination worth adding to your itinerary.

You’ll get the opportunity to discover the cultural and the culinary side of tradition Greek living. The island is well known for its sea sponge products as well as the products made by mastika imported from Chios.

The town of Symi is home to the Naval Museum where you can discover many interesting facts and myths about the island.
Other worth visiting locations on the island are the 17th century monastery of Panormitis, the castle of Knights of St, John, and the Church of St. John.

For those who like to dive and discover underwater history, many sources say that this was a place of a fierce battle where an unspecified number of Spartan Ships were defeated. Fortune hunters are still hunting for those.

If you want to stay away from hustle and bustle and get some sunshine or dive under the crystal waters, check out on one of the amazing beaches like Nos Beach, Agia Marina, Agios Georgios Dysalonas, Marathounda Beach or Nanou Beach. Or you can take a boat ride to explore these gorgeous beaches.

Even though the island is an ideal day trip destination from Rhoes, staying overnight and enjoying the silence and beauty can be an exquisite experience. You can find accommodation starting as low as 66 USD per two in a studio or apartment and a hotel room for 75 USD during the high season.

Samos

One of the eastern Aegean Sea Island, Samos is well known for its world winning Muscat wine.

Steeped in history and culture, Samos is home to the Heraion of Samos, an UNESCO site, and the place of the grand temple dedicated to Hera, the 6th century BC Tunnel of Eupalinos, another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Pythagoreion, the ancient harbor of Pythagoras, and the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani.

Then, there’s the Archaeological Museum of Samos where you can find one of the largest archaic Greek statues, Kouros of Samos.

Plus, there are the beautiful sandy beaches like Tsamadou Beach, Livadaki Beach, Kokkari Beach or Psili Ammos Beach.
Nature lovers can explore places like Potami Waterfalls, Mount Kerkis & Mount Ampelos, Nightingale Valley, Cave of Pythagoras, one of the many Samian Wine hills or Karlovasi Hot Springs.

You can discover culture and nightlife in one of the traditional towns and villages such as Vathy (Samos Town), Pythagoreio, the fishing village of Kokkari or the mountain villages like Manolates & Vourliotes. You will find bars, taverns, shops and buildings like Panagia Spiliani Church, Metamorphosis Church, Archaeological Museum of Vathy and many more.

You can find accommodation on the island starting from 65 SD for two in high season, and as low as 31 USD during the low season.

Amorgos

The easternmost islands of the Cyclades, Amorgos is home to one of the most spectacular monasteries in the country: the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, 11th century establishment build on a cliff 300 m above sea level.

Chora, the main towns, is one of the most beautiful villages in the area, surprising visitors with its narrow streets, windmills, and classical whitewashed houses.

Other places to visit and see are the Ancient Minoa settlement, Agia Anna Beach & Chapel, and Asfondilitis an abandoned traditional village.

You can also find some amazing beaches, like Agia Anna Beach, Mouros Beach, Kalotaritissa Beach, Levrossos Beach, Nikouria Island or Maltezi Beach.

Accommodation for two starts from 46 USD during the low season, while in high season prices start from 100 USD for two per night.

Kythnos

Situated in the Western Cyclades, and commonly called Thermia, this little-known Greek island has two major settlements – Chora or Messaria, the capital of the island, a traditional Cyclades village with white houses, taverns and terraces and towering windmills, and Dryopis or Dryopida, also known as Chorio by some.

A third costal settlement is growing in popularity, Kanala, home to one of the most important religious sites in the Cyclades region, the Monastery of Panagia Kanala.

The island is both an amazing place to discover nature as well as the traditional Greek culture and culinary delights.
The island is a hotspot for hikers, divers, and sailors. One of the best trails is between Chora village and Kolona Beach, but many ancient trails are available to explore. Other beaches worth visiting are Apokrousi Beach, Gaidouromantra Beach or Loutra Beach, with a hot spring directly connected to the sea. Obviously, if you’re visiting Lotura you can’t skip the Thermal Springs for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

And if you’re looking to check out of some historical sites, Ancient Kythnos, the ancient capital of Kythnos and the Katafiki Cave are waiting for you.

Even though the island is affordable and it’s easy to get to, most likely most of your budget will be spent on accommodation. As there are limited number of rooms available prices start from 75 USD in low season and 140 USD in high season for two per night.

Kythira

Located just south of the Peloponnese peninsula, Kythira or Cythera is one of the seven main Ionian Islands.

It is home to many wonderful beaches like Avlemonas Beach, Chalkos Beach, the red send beach Fyri Ammos, Melidoni Beach, Kapsali Beach and Kaladi Beach. Also hiking and trekking are ideal activities here, allowing you to visit the hidden paradise of the Mylopotamos Waterfalls. Other natural spot are the Agios Petros Cave and the Agios Petros Cave.

Main settlements on the island are the capital Chora or Kythira Town, home of the Venetian Castle of Chora, and the seaside village of Kapsali. You can do a day trip to Paleochora, a ghost village.

Accommodation prices start from 40 USD in low season for two per night, while in high season prices starts from 57 USD.

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