1. Its unspoilt beaches

Psara is one of the few Greek islands without beach bars, allowing visitors to enjoy swimming in its unspoiled, calm beaches even in August. Besides Lazareta Beach, where the island’s lone beach bar may open this year, there are countless small coves with sand or pebble beaches for swimming. For those seeking comfort, the less distant and more popular beaches of Katsounis, Aghia Kyriaki, and Kato Yialos offer free umbrellas, sunbeds, and showers courtesy of the municipality. If you have your own equipment, head to Lakka, Psara’s largest beach, Archontiki, and Ftelio in the west, and Limnos, Limnonaria, and Fanari near the Kokkino lighthouse in the south.

2. Its charming village

Strolling through Psara’s alleys brings to mind the white, plain beauty of the Cyclades, but without the tourist crowds. You’ll see fishermen untangling their nets, housewives preparing vegetables for lunch, and children playing in the streets. Stop at the village’s only bakery and visit the captains’ houses and historical sites. A station for electric bikes has just been set up, allowing visitors to enjoy the village in an environmentally friendly manner. Find the bikes on the square in front of the town hall and rent them for just €0.25 per ten minutes of use. For more information, visit psara.cyclopolis.gr.

3. Its Glorious History

Psara, a symbol of resistance and self-sacrifice, commemorates 200 years since its destruction by the Ottomans, which inspired poets and painters such as Dionysios Solomos and Nikolaos Gyzis. The island is rich in history. Monuments and objects like the statue of the Glory of Psara, which welcomes visitors at the foot of Mavri Rachi, the house of Konstantinos Kanaris, and the sword of Dimitris Papanikolis, which is displayed alongside other exhibits at the Municipal Guesthouse next to the Port Authority, demonstrate Psara’s pride in its fight for independence. Book a trip with Diana Katakouzinos at [email protected] or Tel. (+30) 22740.613.51 to explore the island’s historic buildings.

4. The Delicious Lobster Pasta

Lobsters are believed to love the seafloor of Psara. If you appreciate this red king of crustaceans, Psara remains one of the best spots in Greece to eat lobster, despite the effects of overfishing. Whether grilled over coals, fried with garlic sauce, or served in pasta, you can’t leave Psara without trying their specialty at one of the island’s three restaurants: Resalto (Tel. (+30) 22740.611.61), Aldebaran (Tel. (+30) 22740.612.00), and Spitalia (Tel. (+30) 22740.611.30). Spitalia is housed in one of Psara’s most iconic buildings on Katsouni Beach. The 18th-century structure, which originally served as a quarantine station for sailors, was converted into a restaurant in the 1970s by architect Aris Konstantinidis, and it is definitely worth a visit.

5. Antipsara 

This little speck in the North Aegean, ten times smaller than Psara, is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and an excellent place to observe rare birds. Psili Ammos is a gorgeous beach that is regarded as one of the best in the Mediterranean. To get to Antipsara, rent a boat from Psara and explore the little nearby islands of Daskaleio, Kato Nisi, Mesiako, Nisiopoula, and more.

You can get to Psara by ferry from Piraeus every Wednesday and Friday, as well as from Limnia in Volissos, North Chios, every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.