Despite being just a couple of hours from Athens, one hidden Greek treasure has managed to avoid the throngs of tourists completely. Visitors tend to stop just shy of the northernmost Cycladic island at popular neighbours like Mykonos, making it an authentic and peaceful holiday.

It isn't what you may expect from the dry Cyclades, as lush vegetation covers the island of Andros, which can be explored on foot through hiking trails that snake through walnut trees and olive vines. And with a population of only 9,221, according to the 2011 census, it feels completely off the beaten track.

When you've finished exploring, you can take your pick from more than 100 beaches, most of which are easily accessible by car.

The most famous are Agios Petros, Batsi and Golden Sand, although for a more secluded dip, opt for Vlychada, Agios Sostis and Halkolimnionas instead.

In the island's capital, Chora, a history of Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman architecture has resulted in noble mansions and neoclassical buildings instead of the whitewashed buildings typical of Greece. 

Built on a small peninsula between two long sandy beaches, the capital is full of imposing mansions that used to belong to the sailors and captains, dating from when Andros was a maritime superpower.

The beautiful island is connected to other Cycladic islands, such as Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Syros, so you can island hop with a peaceful retreat to come back to. 

Flights to Athens take about three hours 45 minutes. A ferry to Andros typically departs from the port of Rafina in Athens, and takes approximately one to two hours.