1. Completely Car-Free Islands: Hydra & Spetses
On Hydra (90 minutes by hydrofoil from Piraeus Gate E8), private motor vehicles, scooters, and even bicycles are banned by law. Everything moves on foot, by water taxi, or via coastal walking paths connecting Hydra Port with Kamini, Vlychos, and Mandraki. Neighboring Spetses also bans private visitor cars and is famous for its pine-shaded coastal promenade and horse-drawn carriages.
2. Islands with Outstanding KTEL Bus & Water-Taxi Networks
- Sifnos: Clean, punctual municipal buses connect Apollonia with Kastro, Artemonas, Kamares Port, Platis Gialos, and Vathi until midnight in summer (€2.00–€2.50).
- Paros & Naxos: Frequent KTEL buses link Parikia and Naoussa with Golden Beach and Pounda (for the €1.50 Antiparos ferry), while Naxos buses run every 20–30 minutes from Chora to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka.
- Syros (Ermoupoli): As the year-round administrative capital of the Cyclades, Ermoupoli is a grand walkable neoclassical city with free municipal minibuses and low-cost island loops.