The beautiful island between Santorini and Paros that you've probably never heard of

The Greek island is known for being small in size but offering everything from delicious food to pristine beaches

beach in Folegandros Island

Folegandros boasts crystal clear waters (Image: Getty)

A small island just a stone's throw away from Santorini has been described as one of Europe's "hidden gems."

Folegandros just 32 square-kilometres in size, and is known for being "off-the-beaten path."

It offers a lot to tourists looking for a relaxing summer break - from delicious food to sparkling beaches and azure waters.

It makes up the southern part of the Cyclades between much-celebrated Santorini and Paros.

Castro, Hora. Cycladic Architectural Style in Chora, Folegandros, Cyclades, Greece

The pretty paved streets will have far fewer tourists than the likes of Santorini (Image: Getty)

Diving flipper in the beach

You can catch the ferry from Santorini, where the nearest airport is (Image: Getty)

While there's no airport on the islands, it's easily accessible by ferry from Athens, which takes 6-8 hours. 

The closest airport is on Santorini Island - where you can catch a ferry from too. 

This quiet holiday getaway has mouthwatering dishes on offer, with most places to eat and drink open until 2am in the morning. 

Folegandros also offers a lot for a history lover.

It's the home to the ruins of an ancient Agora (or marketplace), a medieval village and the Olympia Archaeological Museum.

Stray Cats in Folegandros, Greece.

The island is relatively untouched (Image: Getty)

According to travel website Lonely Plant, the island has a "culture alive with passionate music and thrill-seeking activities."

It is said that Folegandros is "relatively untouched by international tourists" despite being in close proximity to some of the most cosmopolitan Greek islands. 

Travel website Greeka describes Folegandros as having a "very different style" and still keeping its "unspoiled charm" intact.

If you want a more laid-back experience, it's recommended to visit the island during the spring or autum to avoid the scorching summer heat.

Beautiful summer vacation landscape

Europe offers a lot of beach destinations to spend your summer (Image: Getty)

If you're looking to make the most of the warm evenings in the island, its recommended to enjoy an evening stroll in Chora. 

Chora is the capital of Folegandros, and the biggest village on the island. With its location on a high point above an impressive cliff, it also offers amazing views of the Aegean Sea.

The landscape is especially beautiful during the sunset hour, when all the whitewashed houses turn golden.

The village is full of traditional Cycladic houses, with blue shutters, paved alleys and pots with colorful flowers scattered around.

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