The Greek islands contain some of the most visually extraordinary abandoned landscapes in Europe — ghost villages perched on Aegean hillsides emptied in the post-war rural exodus, derelict hotels on island cliffsides, Cold War military installations on islands that were strategic NATO outposts, and the specific island abandonment typology of the Dodecanese and Cyclades where entire communities left for Athens or Germany in the 1950s–70s. The island setting — turquoise water, stone walls, pine and maquis, the quality of Aegean light — makes island dereliction unlike anything on the mainland. Discover the 5 best abandoned places in the Greek islands, selected from our Greece Urbex Map — 60+ verified GPS locations.
Why the Greek Islands Offer Europe's Finest Island Urbex
Greek island abandonment is geographically concentrated and visually spectacular — every island holds its specific dereliction in a Mediterranean landscape of extraordinary beauty. The ferry accessibility of even remote islands from Athens makes the Greek archipelago an unusually reachable island urbex destination.
1. Mikro Chorio – Tilos Island, Dodecanese — Former Island Capital, Completely Deserted Since 1950s, Stone Houses and Kafeneion Intact, Sunset Views Over Aegean (Known Location)
Mikro Chorio was once the capital of Tilos island, described as "a peaceful village ruin ideal for sunset viewing." The village was abandoned when the entire population moved to the coastal settlement of Livadia in the 1950s, leaving it as one of the most completely preserved ghost villages in the Greek islands — stone houses partially collapsed, the church still standing, the village kafeneion identifiable among the ruins. Tilos is accessible by ferry from Rhodes (2 hours) or from Kos (daily service).
🔗 Sources: Hospitality Ambassadeurs – Abandoned Villages Greece | Greeka – Ghost Villages in Greece
2. Kaviria Palace Hotel – Lemnos Island, North Aegean — 5-Star 1990s Resort, Never Fully Operational, Largest Abandoned Hotel Complex in the Aegean (Known Location)
The Kaviria Palace on Lemnos — the largest abandoned hotel complex in the Aegean — was built in the 1990s as a 5-star resort that never became fully operational before closure. The vast derelict complex on the island's coast, with its swimming pool infrastructure, abandoned reception and corridor network, creates an urbex experience of unusual island scale. Lemnos is accessible by ferry from Kavala and Thessaloniki, or by flight from Athens (50 minutes).
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Greece →
3. Aradena – Western Crete — Stone Village Above Aradena Gorge, Mid-20th Century Exodus, Cliff-Edge Ruins, Ionian Sea Views
Clinging to rocky heights above the Aradena Gorge in western Crete, this once-vibrant village declined through the mid-20th century as residents moved to urban centers. Today, scattered stone houses and a lone church seem suspended between sky and abyss, offering heart-stopping views over the Ionian Sea. The surrounding landscape of jagged cliffs and sea vistas makes Aradena one of Greece's most visually striking abandoned villages. Accessible by road from Chania (1.5 hours). All GPS coordinates in our Greece Urbex Map.
4. Derelict Island Military Installation – Dodecanese or North Aegean — Cold War NATO Coastal Defence, Concrete Bunker Network, Island Cliffside, Sea Views (Find it on our Greece Urbex Map.)
The Greek islands — NATO's southeastern Aegean flank during the Cold War — were heavily militarised, with coastal defence bunkers, radar installations and signal stations distributed across the island coastlines facing Turkey. Several of these installations on islands in the Dodecanese and North Aegean stand in states of complete dereliction: concrete bunker networks with the Aegean visible through firing slits, the Turkish coast visible on clear days. Find it on our Greece Urbex Map.
5. Sfendyli – Heraklion, Crete — Village Submerged by Aposelemis Dam 2012, Stone Structures Emerging at Low Water, Eastern Crete (Mapped exclusively in our Greece Urbex Map.)
Southeast of Heraklion, the village of Sfendyli was flooded on purpose in 2012 when a new dam was built to supply water to Heraklion and the tourist coast. The villagers were forced to leave their homes behind. The village partially emerges when water levels drop, revealing stone structures. The combination of deliberate modern flooding, the emerging stone village and the Cretan landscape creates an urbex experience of quiet devastation unique in the islands. Mapped exclusively in our Greece Urbex Map.
Safety Tips
- Aradena gorge edge: sheer drops of 100m+ with no barriers — never approach the gorge rim in the village ruins
- Island ferries: always check return ferry times — missing the last boat means an unplanned overnight on a remote island
- Sfendyli water level: dam water levels vary — check conditions before driving to the site; structures may be fully submerged in wet season
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your location
❓ FAQ
What is the best abandoned place in the Greek islands?
Mikro Chorio on Tilos island — the former island capital, completely deserted since the 1950s, freely accessible on foot from Livadia and one of the finest preserved ghost villages in the Aegean. Visit at sunset for the best light on the stone ruins.
Is there urbex on Crete?
Yes — Aradena ghost village above the Aradena Gorge is the finest, and Sfendyli (flooded 2012) adds a uniquely modern abandonment. Our Greece Urbex Map covers all accessible Crete urbex sites with GPS and access conditions.
How do I get to Tilos island?
Ferry from Rhodes (2 hours, daily service) or from Kos. Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways both serve Tilos. Day trips from Rhodes are possible if the ferry schedule permits a same-day return.
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