Northeast Aegean Islands

Region

The Northeast Aegean Islands are big, green, uncrowded islands hugging the Turkish coast and the northern seas - a world of ouzo, mastic villages, hot springs and famously long-lived locals.

Northeast Aegean Islands Chios Ikaria Lesbos Limnos Samos Samothrace Thasos LesbosPsaraAssosOinoussesAntipsaraAmaniMegalonisiMytileneChios TownVathyThasos TownMithymna
In this guide

Northeast Aegean Islands essentials

Country: Greece
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Greek
Emergency: 100

Where to Go in Northeast Aegean Islands

City Chios ChiosCity in North Aegean known for mastic production City Vathy, Samos Vathy, SamosHarbour town and capital on Samos island Island Lesbos LesbosAegean island known for olive production and archaeology Island Psara PsaraSmall Aegean island known for 1822 uprising History Assos AssosAncient coastal town with well-preserved Greek ruins Nature Amani AmaniMunicipal area on Chios island, rural villages
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Regions & Cities
Thasos Explore Thasos Thasos lies off northern Greece with pine-covered hills, golden-sand beaches and ancient marble quarries. Visitors swim at coves, hike forest trails and visit archaeological sites and small fishing ports. Samothrace Explore Samothrace Samothrace’s rocky interior contains the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, waterfalls and Mount Fengari; visitors combine archaeological ruins with rugged hiking and Aegean swimming spots. Lemnos Explore Lemnos Lemnos in the North Aegean mixes long sandy beaches, agricultural villages, ancient sites such as Hephaistia and seafood tavernas; visitors explore coastal bays and archaeological remains. Lesbos Explore Lesbos A Greek island in the North Aegean, Lesbos hosts olive groves, ouzo distilleries in Plomari, the Petrified Forest and seaside villages like Molyvos for traditional tavernas and beaches. Chios Explore Chios Chios in the North Aegean is known for mastic production, medieval villages like Pyrgi and Mesta, the Nea Moni monastery, and a coastline of quiet beaches reached by ferry. Ikaria Explore Ikaria An Aegean island northwest of Samos, Ikaria is known for steep interior trails, rocky beaches and village panigiria (festivals). People come for swimming, walking between mountain villages, traditional tavernas and a noticeably slow pace of island life. Samos Explore Samos Samos, close to the Turkish coast, offers the Heraion sanctuary and sites linked to Pythagoras, vineyards, pebble beaches and mountain villages reachable by ferry from the Greek mainland. Mytilene Explore Mytilene Mytilene’s waterfront citadel, Ottoman-era houses and waterfront tavernas make the town a hub for exploring Lesbos: ouzo distilleries, archaeology at the Archaeological Museum, and ferry routes to quieter beaches. Chios Explore Chios Chios’s port quarter opens to mastic-scented lanes, a Byzantine fortress and neoclassical mansions; travelers come for island mastic products, local ouzo, fish tavernas and ferries that run to small orange-streaked villages inland. Vathy, Samos Explore Vathy, Samos Vathy’s horseshoe harbour keeps Samos’ life compact: neoclassical mansions, a waterfront archaeological museum, nearby sandy beaches and tavernas serving grilled fish make it a convenient base for mountain walks and olive groves. Thasos Explore Thasos Thasos town rings a small harbor, archaeological museum and neoclassical houses; visitors disembark for marble-quarry hikes, pine slopes and seafood tavernas lining the waterfront. Mithymna Explore Mithymna Perched on Lesbos’ north coast, Mithymna’s cobbled harbor, hilltop Byzantine castle and seafood tavernas draw visitors; travelers come for fresh octopus, local ouzo and walks along volcanic cliffs toward quiet pebble coves.

Top Places in Northeast Aegean Islands

Mytilene Chios Vathy, Samos Mithymna Thasos All cities

Northeast Aegean Islands at a Glance

Local Time
6:15 AM
GMT+3
Population
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The Northeast Aegean islands are large, lush and refreshingly untouristy - authentic Greece of ouzo distilleries, mastic villages and thermal springs.

Why go / don’t miss: the ouzo and petrified forest of Lesbos, the medieval mastic villages of Chios, the wine and Pythagoras of Samos, the longevity ‘blue zone’ of Ikaria, and the wild north of Thasos and Samothrace.

Areas: the eastern isles off Turkey (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria); and the northern isles (Limnos, Thasos, Samothrace).

Getting around: fly into Lesbos, Chios, Samos or Limnos; ferries are long from Athens, shorter between neighbours.

When to go: Jun-Sep for the sea; spring for wildflowers and cooler hiking.

Where to stay: Lesbos or Samos as bases; Ikaria for a slow escape.

Dining: ouzo from Lesbos, mastic products from Chios, Samos sweet wine, and fresh seafood.

Local tips: these islands see a fraction of the Cyclades’ crowds - ideal for authentic, relaxed travel.

Ikaria is one of the world’s ‘Blue Zones’, where people live exceptionally long lives, and Chios is the only place on Earth where mastic - an aromatic resin - is commercially grown.

Best Things to Do in Northeast Aegean Islands