Lipsi tops European list of alternative destinations, ranks first for “untouched” beaches

The island stands out as a model of authentic and sustainable tourism, while boasting the highest concentration of protected beaches in Greece.
Lipsi (https://www.instagram.com/visitlipsi/) is further cementing its place on the international tourism map, earning yet another major distinction—this time through a new list published by the popular Italian travel blog Girovagate.com, followed by hundreds of thousands of travelers with refined and specialized interests.
In this list, curated by the co-founder of the National Association of Italian Travel Bloggers and featuring alternative European destinations for year-round travel, Lipsi emerges as a top choice—an authentic, unpretentious, and high-quality destination. According to Girovagate.com, Lipsi represents the essence of the “real Greece,” with particular emphasis on the island’s natural beauty—linked to the myth of Calypso—its unique beaches, local gastronomy, and the experiences offered through sea activities and excursions, all of which “leave visitors speechless.” This distinction carries even greater weight as it comes from an internationally recognized platform that shapes trends among European travelers, especially in the Italian market.
The same list also includes destinations such as Lapland, Seville, Parma, South Holland, the Alps, Tuscany, Transylvania, and Ancona, further highlighting the significance of Lipsi’s top ranking among well-established international destinations. This new recognition is part of the municipality’s broader strategy to strengthen its outward-looking profile through sustainable development.
Alongside this international distinction, Lipsi has achieved another remarkable national first, being named the municipality in Greece with the highest number of “untouched beaches.” This designation stems from the implementation of a recent joint ministerial decision signed by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou. Under this framework, “untouched beaches” are protected areas where umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bars, and any form of commercial activity are strictly prohibited. In this context, Lipsi counts a total of 23 untouched beaches—placing it at the top among all municipalities in the country. This decision aligns with the municipality’s long-standing and organized efforts to protect its coastline, preserving beaches from overexploitation and mass tourism.
The Mayor of Lipsi, Fotis Mangos, stated:
“The new international distinction from Girovagate.com is yet another confirmation that Lipsi ranks among the top choices for those seeking authenticity and quality in tourism. At the same time, being recognized as the leading municipality in Greece with the most untouched beaches validates a conscious policy and long-term strategy we have followed for years: we protect our natural environment, preserve the character of our island, and invest in a sustainable development model. At the same time, we are upgrading our tourism services through the joint efforts of the municipality, local community, and professionals—something clearly reflected in the consecutive visitor records our island has achieved in recent years. Lipsi will continue to stand out as a unique and authentic destination in the Aegean.”