Astypalea stands out as the best destination for escaping the mass tourism crowds, according to Conde Nast Traveler‘s established annual list of ideal Greek islands for 2025.

The popular American travel magazine praises the Aegean butterfly “which boasts a gentler and more authentic lifestyle. Characteristic is the aroma of local saffron dishes spreading through the whitewashed, picturesque streets. Unique in the world are the 2,500-year-old rock paintings in Vathi, which celebrate love.”

At the same time, Astypalea is recommended by the British medium Travel Weekly as one of the five islands in Greece that can be enjoyed without visiting them by car as the pioneering sustainable project “Astypalea Smart & Sustainable island” is being implemented by Volkswagen, the Greek government and the municipality, includes, among other things, electric vehicle charging points and electric cars, bicycles and scooters that can be rented through the Astymove app, making it easier to explore bay coves, villages and picturesque corners of the island.

Astypalaia Deputy Mayor Kostas Kambylis comments additionally that “the island has the largest network of public chargers in Greece in proportion to the population, while at the moment there are about 170 electric vehicles for public and private use including vehicles owned by public bodies. The first electric ambulance in Greece is expected very soon and will join the island’s Health Center. Our goal is to “marry” in every way authenticity and tradition with the future of sustainable tourism creating a model destination that is now in line with modern travel needs. This is also our central narrative in presentations, international exhibition participations and planned business missions, which attracts the interest of international media and visitors from Greece and abroad”.

It is noted that for the period April-October last year, Astypalaia had an increase in ferry arrivals of 22.5% and at the same time air arrivals from April to the end of September were boosted by approximately 8.7% compared to 2023, a performance that led to new record arrivals.