Greek mythology is one of the most intriguing subjects within the realm of history and culture.
Like other pantheons, the Greeks anthropomorphized their gods, goddesses, and deities. They’re memorable because they’re flawed, complex, powerful, and capricious—amongst many other traits.
Slowly over centuries (and even millennia, in certain cases), gods and goddesses came into prominence. Eventually, as the Greek Empire declined, its pantheon evolved and migrated westward.
Zeus became the Roman Jupiter, Athena became the Roman Minerva, and so on.
But not all Greek gods, goddesses, deities, and heroes disappeared from the Mediterranean entirely. Thousands of years after heir formal rule, they remain a hot topic for historians, tourists, archaeologists, hobbyists, and many more.
In fact, many islands, cities, and villages carry the legacy of these larger-than-life beings.
If you’re heading to Greece and you have even a passing interest in its ancient mythology, then I suggest you schedule a trip to one of these islands. Most are accessible from the mainland or a large island with a short ferry ride.
These adventures will take you off the beaten path in Greece—and closer to the gods, goddesses, and deities who once ruled these gorgeous waters, sky, and land.
Ikaria: Exile of Icarus
Ikaria is a beautiful and mountainous island in eastern Greece.
You’ve probably heard its name thanks to Icarus, a young man who flew too close to the sun. Here’s the short of a long story: Icarus and his father were hired to create a complex labyrinth in Crete that would imprison a king.
The king got loose, and everyone assumed he’d done so with the help of Icarus and his father. Icarus and his father were then imprisoned in Ikaria. After years of solitude, they escaped using homemade wings glued together wit candle wax.
But Greece is hot. The sun melted the wax when Icarus flew too high, causing him to fall to his death in the ocean. But don’t worry–you won’t try to escape Ikaria.
The island is known for its laid-back atmosphere and its golden-sand beaches. Ikaria is also home to plenty of wineries that are open to visitors. Hiking trails also crisscross the rugged landscape, letting you explore at your own pace.
Anafi: Home of the Argonauts
Anafi is yet another tiny island, this one located a stone’s throw from Santorini.
On this traditional and old-school island, you’ll notice plenty of remnants from the tale of Jason. Jason was the leader of the Argonauts who sailed around the islands to find—of all things—a special golden fleece.
Let me shorten yet another long tale: the Argonauts (Jason’s sailing crew) got a little lost in a massive storm, at which point Apollo (God of the Arts) pointed them to Anafi.
Despite the island’s fame, it goes under the radar for most visitors. On Anaji, you won’t find large groups of tourists. The island is home to a single village, called Chora.
Want to drop off the map? Let Apollo lead you to Anafi.
Kythira: Birthplace of Aphrodite
Depending on who you ask, the Goddess of Love was either born from seafoam on Kythira or Cyprus.
For the sake of this article, let’s go with Kythira, a large island between Crete and mainland Greece.
On Kythira, you’ll notice plenty of love and devotion for Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. But you’ll also notice influences from the Ottomans, Venetians, and much earlier Byzantine Empire. That makes this island a great choice for history nerds, too.
Kythira is an active island in terms of both locals and tourists, as it’s a prime maritime trading point. That means added amenities for visitors. While there, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails, ancient ruins, and absolutely stunning beaches.
Delos: Home of Apollo & Artemis
Right next to Mykonos, you’ll find the thimble-sized island of Delos.
At the moment, Delos is undergoing a vast archaeological dig, which is thanks to its important status for twins Apollo and Artemis. (There’s also been some new evidence that Athena was worshipped heavily at Delos, too.)
Though you can’t stay on the island (it’s pretty shrubby—you probably wouldn’t want to), you can easily take a ferry from neighboring hotspots.
The archaeological site is open to the public though it’s still active. It’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is highly rated by tourists.
This is definitely a visit that’s best for history and culture nerds like me. So if you’re planning on soaking up some beach time or hiking trails while visiting, then stick to a place like Kythira or Anafi.
Lemnos: Sanctuary of Hephaestus
Sweet baby Hephaestus, lone workhorse of the gods. Depending on the myth, Hephaestus was tossed from Olympus because of his lameness or became disabled after being thrown from Olympus.
Regardless, he found sanctuary when he landed on Lemnos.
What I like about Lemnos is that you can see why it’s linked to Hephaestus based on its appearance. Hephaestus is the god of metalworking, fire, and volcanoes (amongst other things).
Lemnos isn’t home to an active volcano, but its landscape is dry, rocky, and scrubby—which you’d expect to see in a place inhabited by a god of volcanoes.
On Lemnos, you can enjoy a varied range of activities. Birdwatching is quite common, as the island is home to tons of flora and fauna. Many people also enjoy outdoor activities like wind and kitesurfing.