North-East Aegean Islands

The North-East Aegean Islands of Greece are those islands in (naturally) the north and east Aegean, but which don't really belong to any other island group. They spread out in a sweep, mostly off the Turkish coast down the eastern Aegean, and include Lesvos (or Lesbos), the third largest of the Greek Islands, Thassos (or Thasos) off the Macedonian coast of Greece, the distinctive island of Chios (Hios), Lemnos (or Limnos), and Samos, probably the most popular of these islands for overseas holiday-makers. 

Thassos

These North-East Aegean Islands are much less visited than the Cyclades or Dodecanese islands, and so retain a much stronger Greek identity. There's still plenty to attract those looking for a relaxing vacation, with lots of good beaches, hotels and restaurants, but here you'll also find that elusive 'real Greece'. 

Mytilini on Lesvos

Lesvos (Lesbos)

Lesvos (or Lesbos) is well-known as the island of Sappho, the great Greek poet, and although it's the third largest Greek island after Crete and Evia, you could still drive around it in a few hours. Nevertheless, it has a great deal to offer the visitor, with deserted beaches, mountain walks and forests. It's also noted both for excellent bird-watching, and for the quality of its ouzo! Check out our separate page on Lesbos, including ferry and flight information.

Vineyards on Samos

Samos

Samos is one of the loveliest of this group, an island that is green and fertile, with wooded hills, great walking, olive groves, vineyards producing good wine (especially the superb Samos dessert wine), and lots of terrific beaches too. Read our separate page on Samos, including ferry and flight information. 

Potamia on Thassos

Thassos

Thassos (or Thasos) is the most northerly of the Greek islands, a short ferry ride from Kavala on the mainland in eastern Macedonia. It also has good beaches, pine-covered mountains, some archaeological remains, good walking, and is not yet over-developed for tourism. See our full page on Thassos. 

Chios Cat

Chios (Hios)

Chios (or Hios) has a character all its own, and is a sizeable island with a mountainous north, lots of attractive wooded valleys, and plenty of trees. These include the native mastic tree, which produces a resin that was once in great demand for industrial use and is also now thought to have many health-giving benefits too.

Chios holds onto its Greek traditions, and despite its many attractions it doesn't attract visitors in huge numbers – which will add to its appeal for many people. See our separate page on Chios.

Lemnos

Lemnos (Limnos)

Lemnos (Limnos) is the other notable island in this group, but like Chios it isn't over-developed for tourism. Partly this is because it has a large military presence, due to its proximity to Turkey and due to it having one of the largest natural harbors in the Aegean. However, it does also have some good beaches, a few ancient sites, and plenty of agricultural land including vineyards that produce some fine retsina wine. See our separate page on Lemnos. 

The Smaller Islands

The smaller islands in this North-East Aegean group include Fourni, Ikaria and Samothraki.

Our other North-East Aegean Islands pages...

  • Chios

    The Greek island of Chios or Hios is a large island in the North East Aegean close to the Turkish coast, south of Lesvos and north of Samos, and famous for its mastic trees.

  • Lesbos or Lesvos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    The island of Lesbos or Lesvos is in the North East Aegean Islands in Greece, and on this page you can see information including flights and ferries.

  • Thassos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

  • Samothraki

    Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

  • Samos in the NE Aegean Islands of Greece

    Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

  • Museum of Samos Wine

    A visit to the Museum of Samos Wine to learn about the muscat grapes that produce the best dessert wines in the world and also the Greek spirit, Metaxa.

  • Lemnos or Limnos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    The island of Lemnos (or Limnos) is in in the North East Aegean Islands and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries,

  • Best Things to Do on Thassos

    The best things to do on Thassos in the North East Aegean islands of Greece include its beaches, mountain hikes, and visiting its ancient archaeological sites.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Where To Enjoy The Most Amazing Views In Athens

    When you set off to discover Athens, you will be surprised by the amount of amazing vantage points the city has to offer. Due to its unique geography, Athens offers a number of places to visit and tak…

    Read More

  2. Commission: All Non-essential Travel ‘Strongly Discouraged’

    One day before EU leaders meet to discuss actions in the fight against the Covid-19 crisis, the European Commission called on member states to discourage non-essential travel and to accelerate vaccina…

    Read More

  3. Strefi Hill Revamp to Create an Oasis in Athens for Residents and Visitors

    The Strefi hill, located in the neighborhood of Exarchia near the center of Athens, is set to undergo a major revamp, as part of an ongoing drive for the overhaul of the Greek capital, the Municipalit…

    Read More

  4. Tough Measures Continue in Greece Due to Covid-19 Variant

    Greece plans to keep its strict lockdown measures in place in view of a Covid-19 variant which appears to be spreading at a fast pace. The new strain of the deadly virus believed to be more contagious…

    Read More

  5. Underwater Excavation Off Kasos Uncovers Ancient Shipwrecks and Cargo

    A shipwreck of the Roman period and its cargo are among the significant finds of an underwater excavation that was carried out by archaeologists off the Greek island of Kasos in the Dodecanese. Accord…

    Read More

  6. Conde Nast Traveller Shares its List of the Best Greek Islands to Visit in 2021

    UK travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller (CNT) has compiled a list of the “Best Greek islands to Visit in 2021” and features some of Greece’s most popular vacation spots. After a challenging summer sea…

    Read More

  7. Athens to Welcome Olympic Museum in 2021

    Athens will soon welcome its own Olympic Museum dedicated to the long history of the Olympic Games. The Athens Olympic Museum will be located at the former International Broadcasting Center of Athens…

    Read More

  8. Greece Extends Ban on Non-essential Domestic Air Travel

    The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) on Sunday issued an aviation directive (NOTAM) that extends travel restrictions for domestic flights (travel between prefectures) in Greece by one week, un…

    Read More

  9. Greece to Reopen Retail Stores and Shopping Malls Under Rules

    Greece will begin to gradually ease lockdown restrictions taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), Greek Minister of Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis announced on Friday.

    Read More

  10. Covid-19: Greece Keeps Night Curfew in Place, Lifts Strict Lockdown Measures in Some Areas

    Although retail stores and shopping malls will reopen in Greece on January 18, the country’s night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am remains in force, Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias sai…

    Read More