HIDDEN GREEK PARADISE ISLAND ONLY LOCALS KNOW ABOUT - WITH MALDIVES-LIKE WATERS

HIDDEN GREEK PARADISE ISLAND ONLY LOCALS KNOW ABOUT - WITH MALDIVES-LIKE WATERS

Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek island getaways for Brits, but just a stone's throw away is another place that has drawn comparisons to the Maldives because of its clear blue seas.

Covering just five square miles, Rhenia, or Rinia, island sits just off the coast of Mykonos and is uninhabited, with 60 or so abandoned houses the only evidence that people ever lived there. 

The island has no plumbing, electricity, or telephones and by Greek law, no one is allowed to live on Rhenia or build a permanent home there with the last of its residents leaving in the 1980s. 

Anyone heading to the island will find beautiful, secluded beaches, golden sands and turquoise, crystal-clear waters. The four most popular beaches are said to be Ambelia, Lia, Stena, and Glyfada.

As well as taking in the pristine views of the sea and the rest of the Cyclades, visitors should also head inland to explore some of the fascinating Greek history that can be found at Rhenia.

The whole island is a protected archaeological site where the ancient ruins of Christian churches, Greek temples, as well as warriors’ burial stones from thousands of years ago, can all be seen.

The best way to reach Rhenia is by water, with private taxi boats heading to the island from Mykonos. Tour operators also offer trips complete with drinks and meals along with snorkelling or diving