Island suggestions Greece

Hi everyone,

I'm traveling to Greece for 2 weeks in July and August. My itinerary is almost completed, but I would like to visit one more island. I am not sure which one though, so I was hoping some of you could maybe give me some suggestions.
I am starting my trip in Santorini, where I will spend four nights. Then I'll go to Paros, where I also plan on staying three or four nights (with a daytrip to Antiparos). I'm finishing my trip in Athens, where I'll stay for about two days.
So, inbetween Paros and Athens, I would like to visit another island for two or three days, but I don't know which one. I thought about Milos, but I really cannot find any affordable accommodation that is still free. I don't think I want to go to Naxos. Although it seems very nice, I feel like it is too similar to Paros maybe (or isn't it?).

Right now, I'm considering Hydra as a day trip from Athens or possibly even Chios, although that might be too far out of the way.

I'm interested in seeing exploring nice villages/towns, nature, some hiking, nice ports etc. I'm 22-years-old and traveling by myself. I would like to add an island that is not over-touristy, but that also is not too quiet, as I'm by myself. I don't really need any nightlife, so probably not Mykonos or Ios.
Does anyone have any suggestions for nice islands?

Thanks!

Naxos would be the obvious choice because of the excellent ferry connections. Naxos is different from Paros imo: it's a big island, greener, with a busy port but also more quiet corners. Other candidates could be Serifos or Sifnos, but I think there are only 2 or 3 direct ferries per week. Maybe check when you arrive in Paros what ferry options you have on the day you want to leave.
Oh and (almost) nowhere will be too quiet I think; you will be there at the very height of what promises to be another record tourist season.

Go to Amorgos(Katapola or Egiali), it's between Santorini and Paros. Go Santorini > Amorgos > Paros > Piraeus.

It's more efficient doing it that way rather than dodging about trying to fit in some random island when ferries are not frequent and may prove impossible in your short timescale.

Paros itself has good ferry services to the Athens area so that last is a good move.

Fitting in the likes of Milos, Sifnos, Serifos would likely be impossible again frequency of ferries.
Those are better done before Santorini. Thus making a simple round trip by ferry.

Other possibilities from Paros are dodging back to Naxos, or to Syros you may have to change ferries on Mykonos.

Knowledge of main Greek ferry routes is an important facet, old timers like me know, but newbies tend to try a selection of islands that are impractical in a given timescale.

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