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Which greek island should you visit our 2024 top picks.

With more than 200 inhabited islands in Greece, each with its own attractions, brilliant sunsets, postcard-worthy beaches and aquamarine waters, it can be a tall order to decide which one is best suited for your island-hopping vacation. That's why U.S. News took into account sights, seasonality, traveler sentiment and more to come up with this list of the best Greek islands. Now the only decision you'll need to make is which beach hat to pack. Have a favorite Greek island? Vote below to help determine next year's ranking.

Folegandros

Through the ages, Corfu's natural beauty has caught the eye of famous writers like Homer and Shakespeare, as well as ancient Venetian, French and British armies that fought to control the island. Today, it's a picturesque haven for travelers seeking some serious rest and relaxation. There are plenty of resorts overlooking the Ionian Sea and restaurants, bars and shops lining the streets in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of Corfu. Here, you'll also find plenty of museums, palaces and historic estates to keep you busy. Also budget time for visiting Paleokastritsa, a tranquil seaside village home to a 13th-century monastery and top-notch scuba diving sites.

Santorini's classic Cycladic architecture (think: whitewashed buildings with blue-domed roofs) makes this archipelago one of the most stunning and frequented of all of the Greek isles. On the main island of Thira, you'll find beautiful red and black sand beaches and well-preserved archaeological sites thanks to its volcanic history. After exploring Thira's busy tourist sights, take a day trip to quieter Thirassia to experience its quaint villages and untouched wilderness. You'll also want to visit Santorini's acclaimed wineries. Most are concentrated in central Santorini and can be seen during a winery tour. And don't miss catching the sunset from Oia for a postcard-perfect view.

One of the most popular Dodecanese islands, Rhodes hugs Turkey's coastline. Rhodes' large footprint allows for a wide range of activities for vacationers to enjoy. The island's namesake medieval city, which historically hosted the Knights of Saint John, showcases its rich history with well-preserved Gothic structures and several museums. Meanwhile, turquoise waters and sandy stretches like Lindos Beach (which sits alongside a scenic seaside village) and Agathi Beach (set in a picturesque cove) will suit any beach bum, and nature lovers can delight in the verdant Valley of Butterflies. What's more, Rhodes' many villages and cities boast flavorful food offerings and lively nightlife scenes.

Since only a portion of Karpathos is developed for tourism, this Dodecanese island is a haven for those seeking a secluded, low-key getaway. Spend days swimming in crystal-clear water and lounging on unspoiled beaches like Apella and Kyra Panagia. Adventurers can try their hand at windsurfing, a popular activity in the southern bay of Afiartis, or hike some of the island's mountainous trails. Travelers who really want to get away from it all can also take a day trip via boat to Saria or Sokastro, uninhabited and undisturbed islets that were once connected to Karpathos.

Greece's largest island offers something for every traveler. Sun-seekers can lounge on Crete's sandy beaches (such as Vai and the pink sand Elafonisi), and nature lovers can hike through Samaria Gorge in White Mountains National Park. History buffs can explore ancient sites like the Venetian Fortezza in Rethymnon, or visit Heraklion to see the Palace of Knossos (where the mythical Minotaur reportedly roamed) and check out the esteemed Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Everyone will enjoy savoring authentic Cretan fare – including graviera (a Gruyere-like cheese) and dakos (barley rusk topped with tomato, oregano and olive oil) – at the island's tavernas.

Although much of Kefalonia's impressive Venetian architecture was destroyed during an earthquake in 1953, the island still feels magical thanks to its diverse landscape. Wander through charming villages like Assos and Fiscardo to see colorful houses and beautiful churches. Then, soak up some sun on one of the island's pebbly or sandy beaches (Myrtos is the most popular), or take a dip in the clear turquoise water to snorkel or scuba dive. If you'd rather get an adrenaline rush, hike to the top of Megas Soros (the highest point in the Ionian Islands) in Mount Ainos National Park or explore one of Kefalonia's underground caves.

Head to Zakynthos for its breathtaking yet rugged coastline full of hidden cove beaches, some of which are home to the endangered caretta caretta sea turtle species. Popular spots include Navagio (or Shipwreck) Beach – which can only be admired from a distance during a boat tour  – and the magical Blue Caves, where the reflection of the sky and the white limestone turns the water an ethereal shade of blue. Check out the Venetian Castle that overlooks Zakynthos' main town, then visit the Post-Byzantine Art Museum of Zakynthos to peruse art exhibits.

This small island's proximity to Athens makes it a popular weekend getaway for city-dwelling Greeks. But since Serifos is less visited by international crowds, the island retains a distinct authenticity and an opportunity to unwind. Here, visitors should embrace the art of doing nothing. But don't worry, the island's secluded stretches of sand like Ganema Beach (popular with the yacht crowd) and Psili Ammos (known for its soft sand) are perfect for doing just that. More social vacationers can also shop for souvenirs or sip ouzo at open-air cafes in the villages of Chora and Livadi.

Most Greek islands are known for their beaches, but Skiathos features some of the region's best. Here, you'll find more than 60 awe-inspiring options, including secluded Lalaria Beach and clothing-optional Banana Beach. Skiathos' vibrant blue water also makes it a terrific place to go sailing. Or, get picture-perfect views from above by hiking some of the island's 120-plus miles of trails. When you've gotten your fill of sun and sand, spend some time admiring the historic Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria. No visit would be complete without heading to Skiathos Town to eat authentic Greek cuisine and party at a local nightclub.

Spend your next vacation in Syros if you want to be surrounded by history and culture without rubbing elbows with hordes of tourists. Syros offers a quieter scene than other Cycladic islands, making it easy to leisurely meander through its charming towns. Check out Ermoupoli's architectural marvels, such as its town hall and the Apollon Theater, then climb the hill above Ermoupoli to Ano Syros, where you'll discover medieval fortifications and panoramic city views. After a few hours of sightseeing, unwind on one of Syros' sandy beaches.

Gorgeous scenery is available everywhere you turn on the Cycladic island of Milos. This volcanic island boasts more than 40 beaches surrounded by jaw-dropping rock formations (check out the lunar landscape at Sarakiniko), as well as houses sporting a variety of vibrant colors. Plus, Milos features multiple caves (including underwater options for scuba diving), hot springs and hiking trails. For a dose of local history, check out the island's catacombs, ancient theater and Archaeological Museum. The latter houses a life-size replica of Alexandros of Antioch's world-renowned Venus de Milo sculpture, which was discovered on the island in 1820.

An ideal spot for slow travel, Astypalea was made for long days of sunning on the sand, hiking through rocky countryside and perusing quaint villages. Shorelines here range from the sandy cove of Agios Konstantinos, which offers spectacular views of the hilltop village of Chora, to the rugged Kaminakia, which is worth the extra effort it takes to get there. Visitors can spend time hiking between beaches while passing Byzantine chapels and scenic monasteries along the way. What's more, the main village of Chora features a Venetian castle, idyllic old town streets to stroll through and a variety of locally produced cheeses and honey to sample.

Part of the Saronic Gulf, Hydra is one of the closest Greek islands to Athens and immediately stands out from its neighbors for its lack of motor vehicles. That's right – you'll have to meander your way around the car-free cobblestone streets on foot or on one of the many mules and horses that reside on the island. But such romanticism is a large part of Hydra's appeal to travelers. While here, walk the island's pebbly shorelines and explore its charming seaside towns like Hydra Town, where you'll discover lavish mansions (many now turned into museums) of elite families of yore and some of Hydra's best nightlife venues.

Folegandros offers a completely different experience than its Cycladic neighbor, Santorini. Here, you'll find undeveloped, hard-to-reach beaches surrounded by steep cliffs, lending a quiet remoteness far from the beach clubs of more touristy islands. Rugged beaches like Katergo and Livadaki are must-visits for their scenery and seclusion, while Agali is a top spot for its nearby tavernas. The clifftop old town of Chora, the largest village on the island, is also worth exploring for its whitewashed architecture, local culture and unbeatable sunset views.

Koufonisia's islands may be among the smallest of the Cyclades, but they offer everything you need for a relaxing seaside getaway. Pano Koufonisi (Koufonisia's only inhabited island) is where you'll find the destination's most beautiful beaches, some of which are clothing optional. After the day's adventures, eat, drink and shop in Chora, the island's capital. For a more secluded feel, take a day trip to Kato Koufonisi to swim or sightsee by boat. A third island, Keros, is not accessible because of its status as a protected archaeological site, but you'll likely see it from afar while traveling.

Paros, one of the most central Cycladic islands, is a mecca for water sports activities. At the island's sun-drenched beaches, travelers can windsurf, kitesurf, scuba dive and go boating, among other pursuits. Away from the water, visitors will find bustling Parikia, which boasts numerous boutiques, restaurants and bars. Paros' capital also features several noteworthy historical sites, including the sixth-century Panagia Ekatontapiliani (which means "Church with 100 Gates" in English) and a 13th-century Venetian castle. Arrive in summer to attend the Festival at the Park, a popular event held annually at the island's 800-acre Paros Park.

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades, meaning there's a lot more shore to go around. On this unassuming island, you'll find plenty of beaches to write home about, from popular Plaka to scenic Agios Prokopios, and lots of water sports activities. Due to the Meltemi wind that blows from the north, Naxos is an excellent destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing, so be sure to sign up for a lesson. Also save time for exploring ancient ruins like the temples of Apollo, Demeter and Dionysus.

9 Day Tour of Greece

Greek Island Odyssey

Island hop from Athens to Santorini via lesser-known gems in the Cyclades.

Starts at: Athens

Ends at: Athens

Duration: 9 days

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The 31 best Greek islands to visit in 2024

From the gastronomic specialties of Sifnos to the enigmatic ruins of the Dodecanese, each Greek island has its own distinct character. Choose your own adventure and discover them yourself.

From the gastronomic isles of the Cyclades to the enigmatic ruins of the Dodecanese, each of the six main Greek island groups has its own distinct character. Yet, look closely and you’ll find that more unites than sets them apart: there are secluded towns loved by local gourmands, hidden coves brimming with mythical associations and, above all, a natural splendour that’s captured the minds of artists and adventurers through the ages.  

1. Nisyros: Walk on a volcano

According to Greek mythology, it was Poseidon who seized a chunk of Kos and hurled it on top of a fiery Titan called Polyvotis — creating the volcanic island of Nisyros, with its enormous, sulphurous caldera. The volcano is active, but travellers can still walk across its warm crust — it last erupted in 1888 and is carefully monitored. It can be visited on a day trip from nearby Kos, but it’s worth sticking around to explore the island’s little capital, Mandraki, with its colourful houses and Byzantine churches; the nearby thermal spring at Loutra; and the lofty village of Emporios, with its ruined Byzantine castle, natural cave sauna and mesmerising views over the caldera.

2. Kalymnos: Reach new heights

For a long time, the island of Kalymnos was famous for one thing: sponge-diving. But in 1996, a new focus emerged, when Italian rock climber Andrea di Bari, on holiday with his family, observed the island’s towering limestone cliffs. Before long, this isle emerged as a capital for climbing. Kalymnos now has over 4,000 routes for all abilities, and companies such as Climb in Kalymnos offer dedicated beginners’ courses. But it’s not all about sports here, as the island has retained its old-world charm. Wander the ruins of the Byzantine town of Kastro, high on the mountainside, or head east to Vathys and its fjord-like valley, flanked by fragrant citrus groves.

3. Kos: Pedal the ‘bicycle island’

Greece’s ‘bicycle island’, Kos has over 6,500 bikes to hire and is also crisscrossed with cycling trails, including a new eight-mile path that takes in the coast. When Kos’s Italian colonisers departed in 1943, they left their bikes behind, which were swiftly adopted by the locals. One of the best sights to explore by bike are the ruins of Asklepion, two miles outside Kos Town and easy to reach on two wheels. In 430BC, Kos native Hippocrates, the ‘Founder of Medicine’, created this healing sanctuary, which is arranged in terraces along the hillside. But you don’t have to be a keen cyclist to enjoy Kos — the island is also generously endowed with sandy beaches, and Kos Town is known for its crusader, Ottoman and Italian architecture set beneath clouds of fuchsia bougainvillea.

4. Tilos: Wander a ghost village

For centuries, the residents of Tilos built their homes inland, safe from marauders. But in the 1950s, when the villagers of Mikro Chorio found their wells running dry, they decided to relocate to the island’s port area — taking their roofs, doors and windows with them. Until recently, the only signs that Mikro Chorio ever existed were the whitewashed church and fawn-coloured stone walls, which snake over the hillside and act as a playground for goats. Now, though, one ruined home has been renovated and turned into an atmospheric summer bar. From 11pm when it opens, a shuttle bus runs here from nearby Livadia — and the sound of chatter and clinking glasses once again fills this ghostly village.  

5. Rhodes: Explore a woodland oasis

The island of Rhodes is best known for two historic sites — walled Old Rhodes Town, built by the crusading Knights of St John; and Lindos, a pretty 15th-century sea captains’ town set beneath an ancient, vertigo-inducing acropolis. But it’s also popular for its broad, sandy beaches, and the fact it receives over 300 days of sunshine each year. If you can tear yourself away from the sea, visit Seven Springs , a refreshing woodland oasis in the north east of the island, reached by wading through a dark, 180m-long irrigation tunnel. The effort is worth it: refreshing swims, a tall waterfall and pine-shaded hiking trails await, and there’s a taverna frequented by roaming peacocks.

6. Symi: Hike through old donkey trails

Pint-sized, little-known Symi beckons day-trippers from nearby Rhodes with its neoclassical, colourful main town and the revered, frescoed Panormitis Monastery, set in a small settlement on the opposite corner of the island. Linking the two through the forested interior are some near-forgotten mule paths, which fell into disuse after a road running the length of the island was paved in the 1960s. Choose to spend a few days in this Dodecanese destination and walk these storied dirt roads — at times, hardly more than a suggestion of a trail — to get to viewpoints rarely reached by foreign visitors.

( Why you should go hiking in Symi, Greece . )

7. Karpathos: Travel through time

One of the Dodecanese’s highest mountains effectively divides Karpathos in two. At the island’s northern end, the remote hamlet of Olympos was isolated until 1979, when a road was built through the wild terrain. Local women still wear flowery scarves and long skirts — plus enormous necklaces of gold coins on special occasions — and they keep to many traditional ways, baking bread in communal ovens and embroidering textiles. Stay overnight here, in a cosy apartment at Irene’s House or Olympos Archipelagos , with its sea views, to get a feel for Olympos’s old-world magic, and don’t miss a traditional laouto (lute) performance in the taverna.  

8. Lefkada: Set sail for the islets

Mountainous, wooded Lefkada, with its craggy coast, was a late-comer to tourism, so it can feel more authentically Greek than some of the most popular isles. And for those dreaming of sailing the islands, its port of Nydri is the best place to start: sheltered from winds, its bay is scalloped with secluded coves and its own archipelago of emerald islets. You can hire anything from a licence-free dinghy up to a large sailing yacht here, with which you can explore the secret inlets.  

9. Paxos: Jump into the blue

Renting boats, whether solo or with a skipper, is something you can do on stretches of most Greek islands. But the size of Pazos, a seven-mile by two-and-a-half-mile blot off the south coast of Corfu, means it can be circled in its entirety in just a few hours. This makes it perfect for beach-hopping and the chance to discover a number of Greece’s most secluded coves — some lined with olive and cypress trees, others barely wide enough for a couple of towels, all lapped by inviting, crystal-clear water. Summer days in this corner of the Ionian are mostly spent dropping anchor at whichever one takes your fancy, stretching out beneath the sun on the deck, then cooling off by diving straight into the water.

( Why you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, Greece .)

10. Corfu: Head for the hills  

With its Venetian-style capital and sandy beaches, Corfu is one of Greece’s most-visited islands. It’s worth heading for the hills here. Old Perithia , the island’s highest village, was founded in the 14th century, but by the 1950s its inhabitants had left, leaving only a taverna for hikers. In 2010, a couple from the UK fell in love with the village, buying a property (now a boutique B & B ) and kicking off its slow restoration. Today, it’s a riot of wildflowers in spring.    

11. Zakynthos: See the blue caves  

This is an island of white-sand beaches, but its north coast, with sheer cliffs rising out of the sea, is truly spectacular. The best-known precipices surround ‘Shipwreck Beach’, where a rusting cargo ship rests, slowly sinking into sands — though it’s currently only accessible to view from afar due to the risk of landslides. Other cliffs help form the Blue Caves, a labyrinth of pale rock that reflects the shimmering electric blue of the waters. Boats can enter the largest cave, where you can dive in for full immersion.

12. Kefalonia: Kayak secret coves

The biggest Ionian island, mountainous and green like a vast turtle’s shell, is surrounded by cliffs and coves — including the deep blue Melissani Cave on the east coast — and many of them are only accessible from the sea. In a kayak , you can paddle between the beaches at leisure, or embark on a longer guided trip, staying in inns on the way. For a challenge of a different kind, drive 1,628m up Mount Ainos, the highest peak in the area, for an eagle’s-eye view of the Ionians.  

13. Samothraki: Meet the Great Gods

Samothraki, in the far northeast Aegean, is a small island with a mythical past. The Greek sea god Poseidon is said to have sat on Mount Fengari here — at 1,664m, the second highest in the Aegean — to watch the Trojan War, while in ancient times, numerous pilgrims would make the difficult voyage here to worship at the Sanctuary of the Cabeiri, or Great Gods. Now in ruins, this temple complex was home to a mystery religion, and very little is known about its secret rites. Anyone, from kings to slaves, could be initiated, and historical figures are thought to have been members — among them Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. After, head to the village of Therma, a 10-minute drive along the coast to the east, for its hot springs and nearby waterfalls so bucolic, you’d almost expect to come across a nymph.  

14. Lemnos: Explore a Greek desert  

It can be difficult to believe that, in among the pretty harbour towns, the Greek islands are also home to one of Europe’s only deserts. Pachies Ammoudies, on Lemnos, one of the largest islands, resembles the Sahara on a smaller scale, its soft dunes constantly shifting with the wind. The best way to explore it is by hiring a 4WD in the capital, Myrina, and heading out at dawn or dusk, when the sand takes on an orange glow. Myrina itself was named after the Queen of the Amazons — the   island is believed to have once been the home of the warrior women visited by the Argonauts — and you can spend hours exploring its traditional coffeeshops and colourful harbour. Also don’t miss the ruins of Poliochni, a settlement thought to be older than nearby Troy on the Turkish mainland.

15. Ikaria: Dance until dawn  

Ikaria, in the far east of the Aegean, is closer to Izmir in Turkey than Athens. It is known for lying in a Blue Zone — an area where people have a longer, healthier life expectancy — with about one in three living into their 90s. The list of potential reasons is long, ranging from the healthy local diet to the lack of stress, but visit this island between May and September, and it’s likely you’ll discover one more — nobody wants to miss the next paniyiri. The island’s saint’s day festivals happen almost daily in different villages. Fuelled by the island’s heady natural wine, they involve all ages dancing in unison together — placing their hands on each other’s shoulders and spiralling in time to traditional violins. When you’re partying until dawn, it can be easy to lose all track of time.

16. Lesbos: Discover the ouzo effect  

Ouzo, Greece’s favourite anise-flavoured spirit, is largely produced on Lesbos, with its traditional villages and gnarled olive groves, where 16 dedicated distilleries work to make over half of the national supply. And for fans of the spirit, Plomari, on the south coast, shines like the North Star — it’s here that travellers can find the Ouzo Museum , and learn about the drink’s history and the variety of Greek herbs that go into making it, alongside tours of the copper stills. Each brand is different, and some are difficult to find beyond the island, so it’s also where you’ll find the best opportunities for tastings. Order with water on the side to observe the famous ‘ouzo effect’ — despite both liquids being clear, when combined the result turns milky-white.  

17. Santorini: Sip volcanic wines

This island may be best known for its vertiginous villages on the edge of the caldera, but it’s also one of Greece’s top wine producers. Because of its volcanic soil, Santorini was spared from the lice epidemic that decimated Europe’s vineyards in the 19th century, and its indigenous white grapes, Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani, flourish, their vines pruned to resemble baskets to protect them from the wind. The resulting wine is bone dry and mineral rich — but you can also find the naturally sweet Vinsanto here, made from sun-dried grapes to produce a tipple that was popular in the Middle Ages. Try both kinds at the Santo , the island’s largest cooperative in Pyrgos. Or visit the organic Hatzidakis estate, located inside a cave.    

18. Syros: Listen to Greek blues

Rebetiko, known as the Greek blues and often featuring soulful lyrics on migration, poverty, misfortune and unrequited love, has roots in the years of mass unemployment following the Greece-Turkey Population Exchange in 1923. One of the genre’s greatest composers, Markos Vamvakaris, came from Ermoupoli on Syros, and live performances still ring out from bars on balmy nights here, especially during the summer Rebetiko Festival. Visit Ermoupoli itself, the neo-classical capital of the Cyclades, with its Catholic and Orthodox hilltop neighbourhoods, marble-paved Miaoulis Square and opera house. Don’t miss its speciality loukoumia (Turkish delight), introduced to the island by refugees from the then-Ottoman ruled islands of Chios and Psara.

19. Sifnos: Cook like a Greek

Sifnos is where the father of modern Greek cuisine, Nikolaos Tselementes, was born in 1878. The island’s specialities are worth looking out for, with chickpea stews and braised lamb mastelo still slow cooked in the traditional way in stoneware pots. Learn some of the island’s recipes by helping to prepare a typical meal at Narlis Farm , just outside Apollonia, where farmers have produced organic fruit and vegetables for generations according to traditional Cycladic methods, using very little water. Sifnos is exceptionally pretty, with the whitewashed villages Apollonia, Artemonas and Kastro, sandy beaches with seaside churches, and landscapes dotted with chapels, crisscrossed by miles of trails.

20. Tinos: Embark on a food weekend

In recent years, Cycladic Tinos has become famous among Greeks as an island of gastronomy. Blessed with fertile land and a resulting bounty of locally grown produce, it’s a magnet for chefs from nearby Athens, who’ll often leave their city restaurants in the warmer months to head here. Tinos Food Paths, a festival of gastronomy celebrated each year in the second week of May, marks the beginning of the season of indulgence. Come to join in the summer feast: start the morning sipping silty Greek coffee with a crispy filo pastry; recharge mid-afternoon with an acai bowl of wild strawberries; and round the day up trying local specialities, from fourtalia — a fluffy omelette made with potatoes — to louza , the island’s spice-cured pork.

( How to plan a food weekend on the Greek island of Tinos . )

21. Milos: Stay in a syrmata  

Volcanic Milos is an island of colour, with rock formations in shades of red, yellow and blinding white. Similarly bright doors and windows adorn its traditional syrmata — the huts found only around Milos and neighbouring Kimolos, carved into the soft volcanic cliffs by fishermen sheltering their boats for the winter. Some have been converted into quirky places to stay — a bit cramped, with just a bed and bathroom, but right on the water’s edge. On land, seek out the catacombs (the only ones on a Greek island), the ancient theatre and the replica of the Venus de Milo, marking the spot where the original was found.

22. Naxos: Find the marbles

Fine, white marble has been quarried and sculpted on Naxos since prehistoric times; the archaeology museum , in the Venetian castle on top of Naxos Town, is packed with remarkably well-preserved marble Cycladic idols from 3200-2300 BCE, smoothed with the island’s native emery. Elsewhere on the island, giant kouros (naked male youth) statues, carved in the 6th century BCE, were abandoned when flaws in the marble were discovered: today, two lie near the quarries in Apollonas. Naxos has a relaxed and family-friendly vibe, with walking trails and swathes of sand south of Naxos Town.

23. Agistri: Snorkel in clear coves

Less than an hour from Athens’ port city of Piraeus, Agistri is the smallest of the inhabited Saronics. Surrounded by twinkling waters, its pine trees cling to the cliffs that curl around its mainly pebbly beaches. Aim for the little peninsula of Aponisos, with its turquoise coves perfect for snorkelling, just a short bus ride from Skala and Megalochori, Agistri’s main towns. Or head out with Interdive and sail in its traditional wooden ship to the uninhabited islet of Dorousa, whose fish-rich waters and shipwrecks are exciting terrain for experienced divers.

24. Poros: Wander in a lemon forest  

Poros is so close to the Peloponnese that the 400-metre-wide channel separating the two is nicknamed Greece’s Grand Canal. A favourite past time in pretty Poros Town is lingering in a waterfront taverna and watching all the ships pass by, including ferries zipping across to Galatas, a port town on the mainland. Near there is a lemon forest that becomes intoxicating in May, when the trees are in bloom and the citrusy scent drifts across the channel on the breeze. For a perfect day out, hike up to the pretty blue-and-white clocktower in Poros Town for views over the lemon forests.  

25. Spetses: Get to know Bouboulina

Thought to be the world’s first female admiral, Laskarina Bouboulina, who grew up in Spetses, raised a small fleet during the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s and won Greece’s first naval battle aboard her flagship, Agamemnon. Her bronze statue stands near the harbour, and now her descendants run the charming Bouboulina Museum in her former mansion — where she was assassinated in a family dispute. Pine-clad Spetses later became the summer retreat of wealthy Athenians and, in 1914, was the first Greek island to get a hotel, the luxurious Poseidonion Grand Hotel , which still dominates the harbour today. The rest of the waterfront, still bristling with cannons, is filled with neoclassical former captains’ mansions, villas, black-and-white pebble mosaics and horse-drawn carriages. Visitors can cycle to the beaches — many sandy — and later dine in the bars and restaurants in the Old Harbour.

26. Aegina: Trace ancient Greece

Outside of Athens, surviving ancient peristyle temples are rare in Greece, but you can find a beautiful one just an hour from Piraeus by ferry — the Temple of Aphaia, on Aegina. Isolated on a pine-covered hill overlooking the island’s biggest beach resort, Agia Marina, the temple was built around 500 BCE — decades before the Parthenon. Sadly, like the Parthenon, it was stripped of its marble friezes by antiquarians, inspired by Elgin, who shipped them to Munich. Aegina has many other feathers in its cap: pretty Aegina Town, the first capital of Greece, where the scent of roasting pistachios fills the air. A remnant of this can be explored at the Archaeological Site of Kolona nearby, which contains the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, and a neighbouring archaeology museum. The ruins of another former capital, Byzantine Paleochora, can be found to the east above Agios Nektarios, one of the biggest churches in Greece, built for the most recent Greek Orthodox saint, who died in 1920.  

At first sight, looming into view as the ferry approaches its harbour, Hydra might seem like any other Greek island: fluttering white-and-azure flags, whitewashed houses, busy tavernas. Except the B & B owners who gather beside its dock, ready to pick up visitors and whisk them to their premises, don’t wait in their cars, like they would elsewhere. This mountainous island, off the east coast of the Peloponnese, is entirely pedestrian. Even bicycles are banned, thanks to a 1950s law that sought to keep it as it’s always been — a labyrinth of alleys to be explored on foot, by boat or, better yet, in the saddle. As you discover hilltop monasteries, cliffs paths and sandy beaches, you’ll find it’s a destination where the journey really does make the experience.

( How to explore the car-free island of Hydra, Greece . )

28. Skopelos: Hike wildflower trails

The emerald sea reflects the pine trees covering Skopelos, a serene island of pebble-strewn coves that’s great for walks and views. Near the town of Skopelos, piled high in the shadow of a Venetian castle, wildflower-dotted trails lead to six Byzantine monasteries on Mount Palouki. You can also hike to the Sedoukia, a collection of Neolithic tombs, or to the wedding chapel of Agios Ioannis — of Mamma Mia! film fame — perched high on a rock overlooking the sea near the island’s second town, Glossa.

29. Skyros: Meet Skyrian horses

Isolated from its sisters, Skyros has a whitewashed capital, Chora, that curls around a castle-crowned crag overlooking a vast beach. The northern half of the island is wooded, while the wild, rocky south is where a few of the last little Skyrian horses roam. Introduced in the fifth century BCE by Athenian colonists and isolated ever since, they’re the descendants of the horses depicted in the Parthenon Marbles. With only around 200 left, they’re one of the rarest breeds in the world.

30. Skiathos: Hit the beach

Cosmopolitan Skiathos, beside Skopelos, owes its popularity to its 62 beaches, which offer a stretch of sand for every taste. Koukounaries and Vromolimnos are best for watersports, while Aselinos is ideal for those after a quieter time, with just a few places to eat. Lalaria, meanwhile, is spectacular and silvery, and Kechria, with its sunbeds amid the olive trees, is perfect for a lazy afternoon punctuated by lunch in the taverna. As the sun sets, pretty, fun-loving Skiathos Town buzzes into life.

31. Alonnisos: Enjoy aquatic adventures

From May to October, boats head out on day trips to explore the waters off Alonnisos, which is part of Europe’s largest marine park. Here, endangered monk seals are protected along with dolphins and over 80 species of bird. Experienced divers can tour the ‘Parthenon of shipwrecks’, a fifth-century BCE vessel laden with amphoras that sunk off the coast of nearby islet Peristera and now forms the core of Greece’s first underwater museum .  

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Which Greek Island Should You Visit in 2024?

By Rachel Howard

Lord Byron was on to something when he waxed lyrical about the Greek islands. But with more than 200 inhabited to choose from, which ones are the very best Greek islands? Here regular isle-hopper Rachel Howard reveals the ones to get in a speedboat for in 2024, with recommendations on where to stay chosen by the editors of Condé Nast Traveler .

Here, we've also ranked the best Greek islands, from 1 to 29. While we love and highly recommend every island on this list—and advocate visiting all of them throughout your lifetime, if you can—we've also edited the list in order so if it's your first time planning a visit to this magical corner of the world, or you just want to branch out from your usual summer isle trip, we can help you choose where to go next. The order below reflects our well-traveled team's personal opinions, the landscapes, food, beaches, hotel options, and more.

For more recommendations, see our round up of the best Greek Islands hotels .

All listings featured on  Condé Nast Traveler  are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Best of the Greek islands for: A photogenic and dramatic coastline

Everyone knows the  Venus de Milo (which has stood in the Louvre since the 19th century). Until recently, very few had heard of Milos, the volcanic island where Aphrodite’s graceful likeness was discovered. Those in the know jealously guard their treasured island, and especially its 70 (or more) beaches — surely the most diverse and dramatic coastline of all the Greek Islands.

Little by little, though, Milos is being discovered. Instagram is saturated with no-filter shots of the undulating white cliffs at Sarakiniko, the bottle-green swimming hole at Papafragas, and colorful, rickety syrmata, tiny boat houses wedged between rock and sea. (You’ll find the best photo opportunities at Klima and Mandrakia). This painterly landscape was shaped by the minerals that have long been a source of wealth–obsidian, alum, barite and sulphur, which still bubbles up in the island’s many hot springs. As the 11,000-year-old mining industry is gradually giving way to tourism, several chic hotels have made an appearance. Go now, before the trickle of visitors turns into a tide.

Where to stay on Milos:

• For romance: Milos Cove
• For families: Captain Zeppos
• For an eco-retreat: Skinopi Lodge
• For an authentic stay: Achinos By The Sea

Best of the Greek islands for: A long weekend with the art crowd

You know when Dakis Joannou, Greece's foremost art collector, is on Hydra. His yacht,  Guilty , is painted in gaudy 'camouflage' by Jeff Koons. Every summer, Joannou invites big hitters such as Matthew Barney and David Shrigley to create site-specific installations in the Greek island's old slaughterhouse. Even the school is commandeered for exhibitions in the summer holidays. Car-free and protected by a preservation order, Hydra has always been the artists' muse of the Greek Islands. Leonard Cohen set the scene in the 60s; now Brice Marden, Sadie Coles and Juergen Teller have homes here. Athenian artists take up residence at the School of Fine Arts, one of the vast, grey, stone mansions overlooking the horseshoe harbour. Musicians of all stripes rehearse and record at the  Old Carpet Factory , an 18th-century residence whose double-height ceilings and underground cistern have incredible acoustics.

Less than two hours from Athens , Hydra fills up with chic Greeks at weekends. They come to disconnect and slow down, but also to see and be seen. Wily cats and weary donkeys patrol the back alleys, but all the action happens along the waterfront. Oh look! There's Olivia Palermo at The Pirate Bar and Chloë Sevigny shaking her tail feather at Hydronetta beach bar. Who cares if there are barely any beaches? You can always find a slab of sun-baked rock from which to leap rock from which to dive into the clearest water in the world. See our full guide to  Hydra, Greece .

Where to stay in Hydra:

• For a boutique stay: Orloff Boutique Hotel
• For a beachfront stay: Onos Residence
• For a group: Mirkella sleeps 12 people

Best of the Greek islands for: Big, fat Greek feasts

Sifnos owes its foodie reputation to its most famous descendant, Nicholas Tselementes, who wrote the first Greek cookbook in 1910. Forget souvlaki and moussaka: here, chickpea croquettes and stewed capers are taverna staples. The island is peppered with potteries that produce the earthenware casseroles used for revitháda (baked chickpeas) and mastelo (lamb with red wine and dill). Traditional dishes are slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven at To Meraki tou Manoli, a local institution on sheltered Vathy bay. (While you’re there, invest in some timeless tableware from Atsonios Ceramics, in business since 1870.) In postcard-pretty Artemonas, all roads lead to Theodorou, purveyors of nougat wafers and almond sweets since 1933. You can eat in your bikini at Omega3 , where locally foraged and fished ingredients are given an exotic twist: baby-calamari tempura, smoked eel in chilled melon soup with wasabi, and chickpea sorbet with wild apricot jam and pine nuts. In 2021, Omega3’s previous energetic head chef Giorgos Samoilis opened Cantina , an equally experimental restaurant in Seralia, a pretty little bay below the beautiful medieval village of Kastro. Lobsters are plucked straight from the sea at Heronissos, then served with spaghetti on the jetty. It's just the right balance of low-key luxury and unspoiled authenticity. Rather like Sifnos itself.

Where to stay in Sifnos:

• For romance:  NÓS
• For a boutique stay:  Verina Astra
• For families:  Verina Terra
• For a laidback stay: Sifnos House
• For something unique:  This windmill Airbnb

4. Santorini

Best of the Greek islands for: Honeymooners and first-timers

Cooing American and Chinese honeymooners line up to take selfies as the sun sinks behind Santorini's caldera, the flooded volcanic crater. That view may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. A volcanic explosion blew out Santorini's heart 3,500 years ago, leaving black-sand beaches, vertiginous cliffs in psychedelic hues, and swirling rumors about Atlantis in its wake. The eruption also preserved the ancient city of Akrotiri under layers of ash, and created fertile ground for exceptional Assyrtiko grapes and Vinsanto wines. (Sample them at Domaine Sigalas and Vassaltis wineries, paired with delicate dishes that let the grapes sing.)

Apart from a boat trip to the smoldering crater of Nea Kameni and hot springs at Palia Kameni, there's not much to do but gaze at the mesmerizing views from your suite, dangling on the edge of the caldera. Most places to stay are concentrated in Oia and Imerovigli, but the inland village of Pyrgos is up-and-coming. Go for a twilight Bellini at Franco's Cafe and visit Emporio, with its smattering of old-school coffee shops and Airbnbs. For a glimpse of Santorini before the onslaught of cruise ships and Instagrammers, explore the quieter south (but keep your discoveries to yourself).

Where to stay in Santorini:

• For laidback luxury: Perivolas
• For glamour: Nobu Hotel
• For romance: Andronis Boutique Hotel
• For the wine: The Vasilicos
• For groups: Elilia Superior Villa sleeps 8 people
• For something unique: this cave house

Best of the Greek islands for: Culture and off-season cachet

On Syros, capital of the Cyclades, you won’t find sugar-cube villages and whitewashed lanes. The colorful 19th-century city of Ermoupoli is built on twin peaks–one Orthodox, the other Catholic, the heritage of a long Venetian occupation. There’s still a strong Italian flavour in Ermoupoli’s marble piazzas, princely mansions, and miniature replica of La Scala, the showpiece of a year-round cultural scene. Syros hosts festivals of animation, dance, digital art, film, classical music, jazz and rembetiko, the Greek blues popularised by local musician Markos Vamvakaris. A few rembetiko joints have survived in the upper town, Ano Syros.

Once Greece’s ship-building centre, Syros' industry centres around the yard in Neorio. But the most splendid legacy of the shipping industry are the manor houses in Vaporia and Poseidonia. The beaches are slightly less splendid—with the exception of Delfini, Varvarousa, and Aetos in the wild north. But fabulous seaside tavernas abound:  Iliovassilemar on Galissas beach for samphire and sea-urchin salad and rockfish soup;  Allou Yialou in the pretty seaside village of Kini for lobster with orzo. In Ermoupoli, the finest places to eat and drink are around Androu Street: Ousyra , where the chef plates up Greek-ified pasta and beautifully balanced salads, and  Django Gelato , where the pistachio gelato reigns supreme, and the fig sorbet made in August can sell out in less than half an hour. Perhaps the prettiest restaurant of all is  Mazi , a vine-covered courtyard festooned with bougainvillea. Before you leave, stock up on loukoumi (rose-tinted Turkish delight) and San Michali cheese from  Prekas delicatessen , and visit Zeyelo for hand-made wooden sunglasses. For more recommendations, see our insider  guide to Syros .

Where to stay on Syros:

• For a boutique stay: Xenon Apollonos
• For glamour: Hotel Ploes
• For romance: Aristide Hotel
• For groups: Villa Syros sleeps 12 people

6. Folegandros

Best of the Greek islands for: Authenticity with a bohemian buzz

The village square should be your first port of call on any Greek island: settle into your favorite café, pick up local gossip, and adjust to the languid pace of life. On Folegandros, this presents a challenge: the cliff-hanger capital, Hora, has not one but three squares, each brimming with a jumble of cafés, tavernas and dinky raki bars. We recommend  Pounta , where the Danish owner makes and sells the lopsided cups and bowls in which your coffee and Greek yogurt are served. From Hora, zigzagging steps lead up, up and away to the only real landmark, Panagia church; make the pilgrimage at sunrise (perhaps after an all-nighter at diminutive Astarti bar).

Folegandros–which means ‘iron hard’ in ancient Greek–is as barren as its name suggests. Fruit trees are protected from fierce winds by rings of stones. You won’t find sandy beaches lined with sunbeds; only limpid, pebbly coves, such as Katergo, Ambeli and Livadaki. Set in the rocks above Agios Nikolaos bay, Papalagi serves big fat prawns and whole grilled octopus on a wooden deck aligned with the horizon. Water taxis service some beaches in high season; otherwise you’ll have to scramble down rocky footpaths to cool off. On your way home, stop at Mimis or Synantisi in Ano Meria for the island speciality of  matsata (goat or rabbit stew with hand-made pasta).

Where to stay on Folegandros:

• For views: Anemomilos
• For families: Anemi
• For beach access: Blue Sand Hotel
• For a private stay: Maistros

Best of the Greek islands for: Antiquities, active adventures and sunshine all year round

Greece's largest island, the birthplace of Zeus,  Crete has ancient ruins, snow-capped peaks and beaches galore. Sunshine is pretty much guaranteed year round, but spring is especially lovely for rambling and sightseeing. The Minoan palace of Knossos is glorious, despite the steady stream of coach parties (go early: it opens at 8 ); but there are stunning ancient sites, such as Aptera and Malia, peppered all over the island. The 16km-long Samaria Gorge also teems with pilgrims, but there are hundreds more canyons to explore, often with only the elusive kri-kri (wild goats) for company. One of the most staggeringly beautiful hikes is through the Aradena Gorge in the wild and rugged Sfakia region, ending at Marmara, a translucent cove on the Libyan Sea, for a cooling dip and lunch at one of Crete’s finest tavernas, Dialiskari.

With the exception of Elounda–a pocket of bling popular with oligarchs–the north-east coast is scarred by over-development. Head west to the Amari valley or Apokoronas for authentic villages surrounded by olive and orange groves. Or go south, where you'll find the best beaches in Crete–try Ligres, Sougia, or Kedrodasos. Alternatively, take a back-to-nature break at Milia Mountain Retreat , a 16th-century hamlet powered entirely by solar energy. Everything on the mostly organic menu is grown, caught or reared locally. In fact, it’s almost impossible not to eat well on Crete, which produces superb cheese, honey and olive oil, as well as delicious goat, rabbit and smoked-pork dishes. Time slows almost to a standstill in the mountain villages, where locals with formidable whiskers welcome you with shots of raki (Cretan grappa) for breakfast and celebrate saints' days with a volley of gunshots. Even the road signs are peppered with bullet holes.

Where to stay in Crete:

• For families: Domes Zeen Chania and Cretan Malia Park
• For romance: Acros Wellness Suites
• For a great location: Blue Palace Resort & Spa
• For a village stay: Kapsaliana Village
• For a private stay: Azure Awe
• For a group: Cien sleeps 16 people

Best of the Greek islands for: Character and lush landscapes

Corfu is the It Girl of the Ionian islands. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British, and French colonial influences. Evenings kick off with cocktails on the Liston (a colonnade modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli), followed by dinner at  Salto , an unpretentious wine bar and bistro on the edge of the Old Town.

With its pastel villages, rolling olive groves and grand manor houses, the rest of the island recalls Tuscany—but with some of the  best beaches in Europe . The smart set stay on Corfu's north-east coast (nicknamed Kensington-on-Sea) where the Rothschilds like to unwind. It's wall-to-wall Sloanes and speedboats at Agni, a tiny fishing village with three rival tavernas (Toula's is the best). From here, you can rent a boat and putter to your own cove: perhaps Nissaki, Agios Stefanos or Kerasia. These idyllic bays still resemble the 'delectable landscape' that Lawrence Durrell fell for in the 1930s–now back in vogue thanks to the ITV series, The Durrells . Or venture inland to  Ambelonas , an enchanting winery, restaurant and cooking school that specializes in unusual local dishes, such as roast pork with quince and crème brûlée with Corfiot kumquats. Steer clear of the south, especially Kavos–unless you happen to like wet T-shirt contests.

Where to stay in Corfu:

• For a standout spa: Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa
• For all-inclusive: Ikos Dassia
• For romance: Domes Miramare
• For families: Domes of Corfu
• For groups: Emerald Oasis sleeps 10 people

Best of the Greek islands for: Endless sandy beaches

Naxiots once made considerable fortunes exporting potatoes, cheese, marble and emery. Locals bequeathed undesirable seaside plots–useless for farming–to their laziest offspring. When tourists cottoned on to the island's scores of fabulous beaches, these wastrels found themselves sitting on gold mines. The west coast of Naxos is fringed with mile upon mile of powdery sands. Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna delight toddlers and teenagers alike with their shallow waters and beach bars. As you head south, the beaches get wilder: Plaka, where you can gallop across the dunes on horseback, Mikri Vigla for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and crystal-clear Kastraki.

Should you tire of frolicking on the shore, three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore. Try kitron, the local citron liqueur, at the Vallindras distillery in Halki or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in Ano Potamia village. No wonder Herodotus described Naxos as “the happiest of islands."

Where to stay in Naxos:

• For romance:  Naxian on the Beach
• For laidback luxury:  Kavos
• For a private stay:  Eye of Naxos Sky
• For families: Hidden Hill

10. Cephalonia / Kefalonia

Best of the Greek islands for: Laidback family holidays

Casting Penélope Cruz as a Greek peasant is improbable. Shooting a World War II film on an island flattened by an earthquake in 1953 sounds even crazier. And yet  Captain Corelli's Mandolin put under-the-radar Kefalonia (Cephalonia) in the spotlight in 2001. The dramatic scenery still lives up to the hype: milky-white Myrtos beach, the island's pin-up; pine-fringed Horgota beach; and the giddying heights of Mount Ainos, a national park where wild horses roam. Outdoor Kefalonia organises four-wheel-drive safaris, if you can't face the hairpin bends. Surprisingly, the two prettiest seaside villages–Assos and Fiskardo–didn't make the cut. But the yachting set has discovered their photogenic charm. Everyone from John Galliano to Jon Bon Jovi has jumped ashore to taste the seafood pasta at  Tassia Restaurant in Fiskardo, washed down with local Robola and Muscat wines. (We recommend the organic muscat from the 19th century  Haritatos Vineyard in Lixouri, also an enchanting setting for wine tasting.) The rocky coastline around Fiskardo is deliciously pristine: go snorkeling at tiny Dafnoudi or Emblisi, flanked by slabs of limestone that turn the water electric blue.

Where to stay in Kefalonia:

• For an adult-only retreat:  F Zeen
• For families:  Emelisse Nature Resort
• For groups:  Odyssea sleeps 12 people
• For a private stay:  Wilderness Whisperings house
• For something unique:  This sky high villa

Best of the Greek islands for: Walking trails and wild beaches

Divided by four mountain ranges, Andros is like several islands in one. Lush valleys, rushing streams, handsome villages, and wild, windswept beaches are connected by a well-maintained network of hiking trails, making this an excellent off-season destination. Many of Greece’s powerful shipping dynasties hail from Andros; they have bequeathed the island with grand estates, splendid museums, and an elegant neoclassical capital. The marble-paved streets of Chora are full of unexpected treasures: a tiny, open-air cinema showing black-and-white classics, great pizzas and cocktails in a  converted slaughterhouse , sublime sundresses and sandals at  Waikiki boutique. Inland, there are fortified monasteries, ice-cold waterfalls, and fantastic farm-to-table tavernas like Kosses in Ano Fellos, Fofo’s in Livadia, and Tou Josef in Pitrofos to explore. And then there are the mind-blowing beaches: from the spectacular sandy bays of Zorkos, Vitali, and Vori on the north coast to the mellow beach bars at Apothikes and Chryssi Ammos, or the sunset views and old-school fish taverna at Agia Marina, there are options for whichever way the wind or your mood is blowing. You could spend weeks on Andros and still have more to discover.

Where to stay on Andros:

• For a guesthouse stay: Melisses
• For privacy: Onar
• For a village stay: Touchstone House
• For groups: Five Star Greece

12. Serifos

Best of the Greek islands for: Naturists and purists

The sleeper hit of the Cyclades, Serifos is the summer retreat of interior designers and architects who prefer to keep the sandy beaches to themselves. (One French home-owner is so protective of her hideaway that she tells all her friends she summers on nearby Sifnos.) Even in August, you’ll find coves where you can skinny dip in blissful solitude. That’s because the best beaches (such as Kalo Ambeli and Skala) are only accessible via bone-rattling dirt roads or donkey tracks. Better still, rent a motor boat from the laidback harbor, Livada. Make sure to moor outside Anna’s taverna on Sikamia beach for freshly caught fish and garden-grown salads.

In the cascading hilltop Hora, there’s barely any nightlife, no smart boutiques or fancy hotels. But who cares when you can kick back with fennel pie and raki at  Stou Stratou , pick up Natassa Kalogeropoulou’s minimalist ceramics at  Kerameio , and listen to Greek folk in the open-air amphitheatre? And all less than three hours from Athens.

Where to stay on Serifos:

• For a boutique stay: Verina Astra
• For romance: Chill & Co.
• For groups: Lenia sleeps 12 people
• For something unique: This 19th century captain’s house

13. Mykonos

Best of the Greek islands for: Decadent parties and five-star hotels

Mykonos had LGBTQ+ clubs and sunrise parties long before rave culture was even invented. Its bohemian allure hasn’t faded since the 1960s, although the once naked beaches now have nail bars, personal trainers and house music pumping out all hours. The influx of supermodels and superyachts has inspired hot new hotels and restaurants. The hippest place to show off your abs is  Scorpios , a louche beach bar that puts Ibiza's finest in the shade (book a cabana to watch the sunset). After hours, it's always Astra, where you might find Keith Richards chatting up Karolina Kurkova. The LGBTQ+ crowd has dwindled, but drag queens and oiled bodybuilders make a splash at Jackie O' , overlooking Super Paradise beach.

If the glitzy excess gets too much, escape to Fokos taverna for superfood salads and lamb chops, or Kiki's, an off-grid grill-shack overlooking Agios Sostis bay, where even Naomi Campbell has to queue for a table. Or cruise over to the tiny island of Delos, an archaeological sanctuary that once thronged with 30,000 sun worshippers (the temple is dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of light).

Where to stay in Mykonos:

• For romance: Cali Mykonos
• For the party scene: Soho Roc House
• For a laidback stay: Once in Mykonos
• For families: Santa Marina resort
• For groups: Bluewave XL sleeps 36 people

14. Zakynthos / Zante

Best of the Greek islands for: Seaside holidays with toddlers or teens

Zakynthos, or Zante, has shrugged off its reputation as a destination for lads on tour (as long as you avoid Lagana and the built-up south coast) by rebranding itself as one of Greece's greenest islands. It's not just the emerald hills sliding into the electric blue Ionian: much of the south coast is a nature reserve where endangered loggerhead turtles hatch in the sand. The turtle beaches are off limits, but there are countless coves in every hue of green and blue. Favourites are tiny Xigia, with its bubbling underwater springs, and craggy Porto Limnionas, with sunbeds wedged between the rocks and palm-frond umbrellas positioned between the pine trees. Skinari is the starting point for boat trips to the most famous landmarks, the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach, where a rusting liner leans into the chalky cliffs. From Keri, you can cast away for Marathonisi island, another turtle sanctuary.

The mountainous interior, all sleepy stone villages poking out of pine forests, is great for hikes and bikes. ( Eco Zante can arrange outdoor activities guided by insiders.)  Askos Stone Park is a wildlife sanctuary inhabited by deer, chinchilla, and dozens of other species. After exploring the Venetian castle high above the harbour, treat the kids to thin-crust pizzas (with grown-up toppings like bresaola, aubergine, and gorgonzola) at  Alesta on cute St Mark's Square.

Where to stay in Zante:

• For families: Porto Zante
• For romance: Zante Maris Suites and Olea All Suite Hotel
• For a private stay: Halcyon Seas
• For a group: Ble Kyma sleeps 12 people

15. Amorgos

Best of the Greek islands for : Deep-blue seas and wide-open spaces

It’s not easy to get to Amorgos. In high winds, the fast ferries stay grounded and the slow boat takes upwards of eight hours from Athens. When you disembark at Katapola, a sleepy harbor lined with great little fish tavernas (our favorites are Prekas and Mouragio), a sign announces: 'Welcome to Amorgos. Nobody will find you here.'

That’s just the point. This craggy Cycladic island has always attracted loners, hikers, divers, and pilgrims, who shuffle up the cliff face to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa, a sliver of white dangling 300 metres above the sea. The water here is a million shades of blue and so startlingly clear you can see every sea urchin lurking on the rocky shore. Even the sage-scented hiking trails are called Blue Paths, because the sea and sky are visible in all directions.

With a population of under 2,000, the locals are outnumbered by shaggy goats that blend in perfectly with the burnished landscape and hippie vibe. But you don't have to be a recluse to fall for Amorgos. There are plenty of all-day spots and a few late-night bars where Amorgos groupies meet, summer after summer: Jazzmin, in Hora, for backgammon and cocktails; Pergalidi in Langada for herbal infusions and jazzy tunes; Seladi in Tholaria, with giddying views and a telescope for stargazing.

Where to stay on Amorgos: There are very few hotels on Amorgos, beyond basic rooms to let.  Vorina Ktismata is the exception, with seven smart apartments looking out across Hora’s white-washed rooftops.

Best of the Greek islands for: The perfect balance of seclusion and sophistication

One of the tiniest Ionian islands, Paxos packs a big punch. Not for its five-star hotels (there are hardly any) or its sandy beaches (practically none), but for its electric blue sea and three dinky harbor towns, each one so pretty it’s impossible to pick a favorite. In laid-back Loggos, on the northeast coast, star-spangled evenings are spent on the waterfront terrace of Taxidi bar, where the owner, Spiros, often jams with local musicians. You could while away days in the waterfront cafés of Lakka, watching lissom sailors hop on and off their yachts. Protected from the wind but with a lively social scene, the main port of Gaios is characterized by Venetian architecture and a high quota of stylish Italians, who own pale stone villas hidden in the wooded interior or on the crest of the limestone cliffs along the western shoreline. For the many British Paxos aficionados, all roads lead to  Ben’s Bar , a happy-go-lucky hangout on Monodendri beach, where you can laze under the olive trees with French toast and Piña Coladas. Make sure to rent a motor boat to putter along the coast to pebble coves such as Marmari and Kipiadi, or across to Antipaxos, an even smaller island that’s a hit with the yachting set. Paths through vineyards and orchards trickle down to bays with sea so clear it looks retouched.

Where to stay in Paxos:

• For an authentic stay: Paxos Villa
• For a great location: Oneiro
• For groups: Panayia View sleeps 14 people

17. Lefkada

Best of the Greek islands for: Sailors, surfers, and superstar beaches

Lefkada is something of an anomaly. Unlike the other Ionian islands, it’s accessible from the mainland via a causeway on the northern tip. Lefkada’s main town, flattened by an earthquake in the 1950s, certainly won’t take your breath away, but those famous cliff-backed beaches, Egremni and Porto Katsiki, sure will. You’ll find sheltered beaches no matter which way the wind is blowing; but if you’re here for the swell, the south coast is fantastic for windsurfing (head to Vassiliki or Sivota, home to the world windsurfing championships) and Agios Ioannis bay billows with kite-surfers. At Nidri, ignore the unlovely bars and watersports centres, and hop on a boat to explore the little isles nearby. You can swim through sea caves near Kalamos; eat seared tuna with tarama at Errikos taverna on Meganisi, a favorite of reclusive billionaires; and watch the sunset with a basil-infused Mastiha and tonic at Mylos bar, a converted windmill on Kastos.

Want to cool down or escape the summer crowds? Drive through forests of chestnut and pine into Lefkada’s mountainous interior to the somnolent villages of Karya (home to an enchanting textile museum), Eglouvi (to play backgammon under plane trees) and Exanthia (to watch the setting sun from up in the clouds at Rachi restaurant). You might even see paragliders leaping off the mountain.

Where to stay in Lefkada:

• For romance: Ibid
• For views:  New Morning villa

Best of the Greek islands for: A mythical retreat for lovers and loners

Despite its legendary stature, the homeland of Homer's hero, Odysseus, remains surprisingly under the radar. Ithaca’s turquoise and emerald coves are popular with the sailing set, but few visitors venture into the forested hills. So you might be the only person exploring the eighth-century BC ruins of Odysseus’ palace, or making the heady trek to the church of Anogi, covered in Byzantine frescoes (ask for the key at the village coffee shop, where the owner will cook you a set menu of whatever is available–maybe a tomato salad, some local cheese and braised goat—straight from her garden or neighbours’ fields).

From Anogi, it’s an exhilarating two-hire hike down to Kioni, a miniature port where you’ll find  Spavento , the perfect pier-side café-bar. Go any time of day or night for ice-cream sundaes, excellent cocktails, and a soundtrack to make your heart sing. The waterside tavernas at the drowsy fishing port of Frikes are unfailingly delightful, especially  Ageri . The deep, sheltered harbor town of Vathy is barely livelier, but the mood can be deliciously mischievous at Mylos bar. Beaches are mostly small and pebbly, but the sea is as clear and refreshing as gin. Authentic, unspoiled and infuriatingly (or gratifyingly) hard to reach, rugged little Ithaca is somewhere you can still disappear.

Where to stay on Ithaca:

• For a private stay: Ithaca Airbnb house
• For families:  Levendis Estate

Best for: Traditional villages and knockout tavernas

Tinos has more than 50 villages, each vying to be fairest of them all. In Pyrgos, famous for its marble craftsmen, sculpted birds and flowers decorate every doorway. In Volax, basket weavers squat outside cottages surrounded by giant boulders, seemingly flung from the heavens by Zeus in a fit of pique. There's even a village called 'love’, Agapi, where you can tuck into wild-fennel fritters at the only taverna. Tinos takes its food culture seriously: there are artichoke, caper and honey festivals.  Marathia launched the island’s farm- (or fishing-boat-) to-table scene, elevating local ingredients into complex modern dishes. For a perfect meal in perfect surroundings, go for cuttlefish risotto and octopus caramelized in grape must at Thalassaki, served on the jetty in Isternia bay, then watch dusk bleed into the horizon from Exomeria bar.

Tinos is only 20 minutes from Mykonos, so it's a wonder it isn't overrun with tourists. The harbor is swarmed on 15 August, however, when Orthodox pilgrims flock here to kiss the Virgin Mary at the Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria, one of the holiest sites in Greece. Otherwise, the island is miraculously untouched. Solitary chapels and whimsical dovecotes stud thyme-scented hills, dropping to sandy bays whipped by the meltemi wind. There's a nascent surfer scene on Kolibithra bay, where a VW camper van has been converted into a cute beach bar.

Where to stay in Tinos:

• For a guest house stay: Xinara House
• For a private stay:  The Detailor

Best of the Greek islands for: Stark mystique and show-stopping villas

Patmos has an indefinable je ne sais quoi–an otherworldly quality that radiates from its crowning glory, the medieval Monastery of St John. This turreted fortress, bursting with Byzantine relics, is named after John the Divine, who conjured up his apocalyptic revelations in a cave nearby. Pure-white Hora, a World Heritage Site, is where A-listers and fashion editors stay. High walls and heavy doors conceal magnificent mansions dating back to the 16th century. The almighty church has kept nightlife in check. If you must see and be seen, head to quietly glamorous Astivi or Stoa Theo's bar, on miniature Agia Lesbia, in Hora. Beach life is generally languid and low-key; Psili Ammos and Livadi Geranou are our favorite hideouts. Dinner reservations are essential at Benetos, for Med-Asian fusion on an organic farm, and Lambi for grilled fish on a purple pebble beach.

Joining the Patmos in-crowd requires commitment. There's no airport and it's a nine-hour ferry journey from Athens, which keeps the hoi polloi at bay. Seriously reclusive types hop on a fishing boat from Patmos to Marathi and play castaway at Pantelis, a divine taverna with modest rooms to let.

Where to stay in Patmos:

• For a guest house stay: Pagostas
• For a private stay: Patmos 360
• For a village stay: Eirini

Best of the Greek islands for: Traveling back in time

When the writer Lawrence Durrell arrived in Rhodes after World War II, he found an island devastated by centuries of crusaders and invaders. Like the fallen Colossus, it was 'a Rhodes dispersed into a million fragments, waiting to be built up again.' Since then, Rhodes has reinvented itself as one of Greece's top travel destinations. The big draw is the medieval citadel in Rhodes Old Town: stroll along the battlements and you'll spy Byzantine churches, Roman ruins, synagogues, and minarets. In the maze of alleys, seek out Marco Polo Mansion, a 15th-century guest-house decorated like a pasha's harem, with an enchanting restaurant in the garden.

Upmarket hotels are clustered around Lindos, its magnificent acropolis surrounded by slate cliffs and emerald coves. Go for the views–and the sublime octopus ragout at Mavrikos restaurant.

As you head south, high-rise resorts give way to stretches of golden sand, such as Glystra, Tsambika, and Fourni. Inland, you'll find alpine forests (Mount Attavyros), hilltop castles (Monolithos), faded frescoes (Saint Nikolaos Fountoukli) and ancient ruins (Kamiros). Marooned on the southern tip, Prasonisi is a powdery peninsula where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. One side is calm, the other choppy–a metaphor for this island of two halves.

Where to stay in Rhodes:

• For romance: Casa Cook
• For history: Kókkini Porta Rossa
• For a boutique stay:  Melenos Art Boutique Hotel

Best for: Castaway coves and a picture-perfect port

Little Symi has the prettiest port in Greece. As you round the headland, neoclassical mansions in every shade of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea. Built by 19th-century sponge and spice merchants, the whole town is now a national monument. You need strong legs to explore–it's about 500 steps up to the crumbling acropolis–but you won't need a car. The only proper road peters out at Panormitis monastery, a major pilgrimage site. Ravishing beaches such as Agios Giorgos Dysalona (backed by monumental cliffs) and Marathounda (where goats will try to filch your picnic) are only accessible by boat or on foot. In the rugged hinterland, more than 100 monasteries are hidden among the pine and cypress forests.

With its laid-back glamor, luminous sea and almost tropical microclimate, Symi is a hit with French and Italian yachties. You'll find them eating flash-fried baby shrimp, a local specialty, at Tholos, a sensational taverna where the harbor views almost steal the show.

Where to stay in Symi:

• For a hotel stay: The Old Markets
• For a private stay: On The Rocks

23. Astypalea

Best of the Greek islands for: Escaping the crowds

A throwback to a gentler, slower, more elemental way of life, Astypalea is surprisingly easy to get to (daily one-hour flights from Athens). Every gap in the burnished hills frames a different view of Hora, cascading from the Venetian castle to seaside Skala. The scent of saffron biscuits wafts through the whitewashed lanes. Tucked beneath the battlements, Castro bar has a magical terrace that seems to float above the archipelago.

The nearest beach is Livadi, a sort-of-resort surrounded by citrus orchards. The rest of the island is stark and wild. Treacherous tracks hurtle down to shingle bays such as Vatses, with a rocking beach bar, and Kaminakia, where Linda's farm-to-table taverna serves the best roast goat in the Dodecanese. If you really want to be alone, rent a motorboat from Maltezana, an old-time fishing village, and putter to Koutsomiti and Kounoupes, tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach. At Vathy, a lagoon where erotic graffiti was etched into the rocks 2,500 years ago, the only taverna is called Galini (Peace). Which sums up Astypalea perfectly.

Where to stay in Astypalea: Saluti da Stampalia Suites , with seven subdued but very stylish sea-view rooms, has upped the ante on an island where most accommodation is uninspired.

24. Skiathos

Best of the Greek islands for: Flopping onto a sandy beach with a good book

Skiathos may be the smallest of the Sporades islands, which counts among its number sleepy Alonissos and the pretty  Mamma Mia! location of Skopelos, but it’s by far the most popular, especially with families, who come for the baby powder-soft sandy beaches and laid-back vibe. The island has some of the finest beaches in Greece, with the tree-lined, turquoise-watered Koukounaries in the south the most celebrated and the busiest (forget about getting a sun lounger here in peak season). Those in the north of the island, which can only be accessed by a steep, winding drive through pine groves, are more rugged and windswept but no less idyllic–emerging onto Elia beach on the west coast, with its crystal-clear sea and rickety wooden taverna, is like stepping into a little slice of paradise.

As dusk falls the town starts to liven up, with most of the action centered around Papadiamantis Street, the main shopping drag. Stroll down it on the way to dinner and browse smart boutiques selling handcrafted jewelery and knick-knacks, or pick up local delicacies from the upmarket Ergon deli (reopens in May), which also has outposts in Athens, Thessaloniki and Mayfair. The buzziest restaurants are clustered around the harbour, with Bourtzi, perched atop a tiny rocky island, the best spot for sundowner cocktails and The Windmill a favorite for elegant suppers. For the most charming setting, head to Sklithri and book one of the taverna’s tables right on the beach. Order an ice-cold Mythos beer, baked feta and a platter of perfectly-chargrilled and out-of-this-world delicious vegetables then watch the sun set over the Aegean, with your toes in the sand.

Where to stay in Skiathos:

• For a hotels stay: Elivi Skiathos
• For a private stay: Villa Azalea

Best of the Greek islands for:  Low-key authenticity all year round

Unusually for Greece, Aegina is truly an island for all seasons. Only about an hour’s ferry ride from Piraeus, the unpretentious port (briefly the first capital of modern Greece) has a lived-in charm. Athenian weekenders come for the excellent seaside ouzeris; Skotadis, on the harborfront is the standout. Classicists come to explore the portside antiquities of Kolona, the hilltop temple of Aphaia (allegedly the template for the Parthenon) and the ghostly Byzantine chapels at Paleochora. Canny ex-pats have snapped up properties in Pachia Rachi, a stone village with sensational views across the straits to the Peloponnese. The Dumas family, heirs to the Hermès fortune, have been discreetly spending their summers here for decades. With its soft light and gentle landscapes, Aegina has always been a muse for Greek artists and writers, including the prolific painter Nikos Nikolaou, whose former home and atelier is now an  enchanting guesthouse and museum (open on Saturdays by appointment). Thanks to a tight-knit community of locals, Athenian escapees, and cosmopolitan emigrés, there’s always something interesting afoot: live music at Proka bar or  Il Posto , a cosy Italian restaurant in Kypseli village, an exhibition in the 17th century Markellos Tower, or a travel writing and ceramics retreat at  Oikia Karapanou , one of many stately homes in various states of ruin and repair that dot this incredibly diverse island. The only thing Aegina doesn’t have is great beaches—perhaps that’s what has spared this accessible island from over-development. This is an island that doesn’t depend on foreign tourists and is all the better for it.

Where to stay on Aegina:

• For a hotel stay: Nikolaou Residence
• For something unique: this bohemian artist's house
• For a group: Villa Calypso sleeps 11 people

26. Kastellorizo

Best of the Greek islands for:  Castaway dreams and swimming through caves

Michael Anastassiades, Lynda Benglis, Savvas Laz, Silvia and Nicoletta Fiorucci…the number of artists, designers, and their patrons who summer on tiny Kastellorizo is remarkable. Covering less than five square miles, with fewer than 500 inhabitants, this sun-blistered fleck lies just over one nautical mile from Turkey’s Anatolian coast. You can sail across to the town of Kaş for kofte and a trawl though the flea market and be back in time for a sundowner at Faros, a day-to-night hangout in the old lighthouse beside the mosque. A confluence of Levantine influences draws a culturally curious crowd to this remote Aegean outpost. Once a thriving maritime economy, Kastellorizo was bombed during World War II and then virtually abandoned. Gradually, the handsome sponge and spice merchants’ houses in vibrant shades of turquoise and terracotta are being revived as artists’ residences (such as Fiorucci’s 4Rooms), or enchanting guesthouses like  Mediterraneo . You can dive straight from Mediterraneo’s sundeck into the port, where sea turtles bob alongside colorful fishing boats. There’s not much action beyond the waterfront strip known as the  kordoni , or shoelace: a little snorkeling, cave swimming, or boat-watching, a ramble along goat tracks, a slow supper of stuffed onions under the fairy-lit plane trees at Ta Platania, or perhaps some yoga in the wild on the even tinier islet of Ro. This is a pure and simple Greece.

Where to stay on Kastellorizo:

• For a boutique stay:  Casa Mediterraneo
• For romance:  Mediterraneo
• For groups:  The Admiral’s House

27. Antiparos

Best of the Greek islands for:  Relaxed cool

This tiny island packs a surprisingly hip scene into its low-slung hills and shallow coves. Most of the action centres around the dinky port, where life drifts by in the waterfront cafés and the lively strip that leads to the square. Every season, more upmarket restaurants ( Yam ,  Lollo’s ) and boutiques ( More than This ,  Zali ) spring up alongside classic dive bars like  Doors and Lucky Luke. At dusk, all roads predictably lead to  Sunset bar for a spritz; after hours, everyone stumbles to cult disco La Luna, where both the décor and music are stuck in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

By day, the scene is way more mellow: brunch at  Margarita’s in town or  Time Marine  on Psaralyki, one of a string of shallow, narrow beaches along the southern coastline. Beyond the modest, boxy houses of the harbour town are dozens of sensational villas designed by in-demand architects. The fanciest properties are scattered around Soros and Agios Georgios bays, where you’ll also find two of the island’s best tavernas,  Peramataki and  Captain Pipinos . The latter is a short boat or kayak ride from Despotiko island, where goats roam around the semi-excavated sanctuary of Apollo. The beauty of Antiparos is that nothing is more than ten minutes away, and after a couple of days, you’ll feel like a regular, bumping into the same good-looking faces wherever you go. If you get cabin fever, you can hop on the 7-minute ferry to Paros for kite surfing, windsurfing, fine dining, or village hopping.

Where to stay on Antiparos:

• For a hotel stay: The Rooster
• For a private stay: Antiparos Escape Villas  and Oliaros

Best of the Greek islands for:  Distinctive architecture and good vibes

Long overlooked because of its checkered history—this Dodecanese Island was an Italian naval base from 1912–1943, and later became the site of a notorious insane asylum—Leros is all the better for flying under the radar. The vast natural harbor of Lakki (an excellent marina for sailboats) still bears the surreal hallmarks of Fascist rationalism, an Art Deco mirage that’s like a faded version of Miami on the Med. The colorful neoclassical houses of Agia Marina and Platanos have a more lived-in feel, peppered with appealing patisseries, antique shops, and B&Bs. Italian cognoscenti and Turkish yachties have discovered Leros for one very good reason:  Mylos by the Sea , arguably the best seafood restaurant in Greece, with a hopelessly romantic setting overlooking a windmill jutting out to sea. Sunset watchers converge on  Harris Bar , another windmill poised between the medieval castle of Panagia and Panteli’s pebbly beach. Most beaches on Leros may be small and scrappy, but the water is luminous and there are just enough low-key beach bars like  Zephyros  and  Lime . Since restaurants cater mainly to Greeks, the food scene is authentic and affordable: Thea Artemis taverna on gentle Blefouti bay, Lychnari in Lakki, and the cult souvlaki joint Yparxo in Platanos are local favorites. Although there’s a tiny domestic airport, there are no international flights or big, branded resorts on Leros. Instead, there are family-run guesthouses brimming with character, where you feel more like a friend than a room number.

Where to stay on Leros:

• For glamour:  Villa Clara
• For (vegan) romance:  Archondiko Angelou
• For a private stay:  Lakki Old Farmhouse

29. Spetses

Best of the Greek islands for:  Family holidays with the smart society set

If it weren’t for Sotirios Anargyros, Spetses might be as barren as its more bohemian neighbor, Hydra. In the early 20th century, after making a killing in tobacco, Anargyros bought up huge swathes of the island and planted thousands of pine trees. Anargyos also founded the famous boarding school (whose grounds are a lovely spot for an evening stroll) that inspired a certain English teacher to write The Magus , and built the Poseidonion, a grand harbor-front hotel that has been gloriously restored (there’s no finer place for an aperitivo). From the heirloom-filled mansions built on shipping fortunes to the horse-drawn carriages and tasteful yachts, the whole place reeks of old money. But there’s plenty of new-fangled fun too: late-night bars ( Bikini  or retro-cool  Bar Spetsa ), two open-air cinemas, stylish boutiques ( The Closet , whose resident cats are an attraction), and expensive restaurants ( Patralis  and  Tarsanas  vie for the best fish soup). In the summer, Spetses is a sociable place to see and be seen. But it’s also lovely off-season, when you can hike the gentle green hills or cycle the coastal road that circles the island (there’s even a Tweed Run in October). Compact, well-kept, and easily accessible from Athens (2-3 hours by catamaran), Spetses is a people-pleaser for all ages and seasons.

Where to stay on Spetses:

• For glamour:  Poseidonion Grand Hotel
• For families:  Orloff Resort
• For a private stay:  Magus House

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller U.K.

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The Perfect 7 to 10 Days in the Greek Islands Itinerary

Last Updated on February 12, 2024

by Lizzie Fitzgerald

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning the perfect 7 to 10 days in the Greek islands itinerary is often top of the list for visitors to Southern Europe. Year after year, Greece tops the list of best holiday destinations in Europe. Could it be the friendly locals, the amazing cuisine, or the gorgeous islands that bring visitors back?

Of course, it’s all of the above, but Greece has so much to offer to a first-timer that it can often be confusing knowing where to start. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with this Greek island hopping route showcasing the most iconic destinations in Greece.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the Greek Islands?

With 227 inhabited Greek islands to explore, you could spend a lifetime exploring golden beaches and white-washed towns.

There are six major groups of islands in Greece, and most travellers choosing a first-time Greek islands itinerary will opt for the famous Cyclades.

Of course, the delightful Dodecanese, the iconic Ionian (like Kefalonia and Corfu ) and the sleepy Saronic islands are all worth their own trips. But ferries often link islands in the same group, so sticking to one chain will be easier and will allow you to effortlessly hop from island to island.

In my experience, 7 days in the Greek islands will serve as a snapshot into this amazing corner of the world.

But if time allows it, you should try and spend at least 10 days in the Greek islands – the sleepy villages, warm evenings and views from the ferries are intoxicating and addictive!

Getting To & Around the Greek Islands

Most visitors to Greece will arrive at Athens International Airport, the largest in the country. Get your bearings in the capital then head to the port of Piraeus, then onto the islands. Santorini and Mykonos airports also serve European arrivals in the busy summer months.

The obvious and the most iconic and idyllic way to make your way around on your island hopping route is using Greece’s extensive ferry network.

Ferries run frequently, and price affects quality and journey time. Slow boats are cheaper, but SLOW – whilst fast boats are more expensive and quicker. But note due to bad weather, fast boats generally only run during the high season.

You should book any peak-season ferries well ahead of time, tickets for fast boats can sell out well in advance. You can book ferries online here.

On the islands, public transport in peak season is quite efficient, so unless you want to get off the beaten track, you shouldn’t need your own transport. If you do decide to rent a car, you can browse options here.

7 to 10-Day Greek Islands Itinerary

So, pack your flip flops, get your best Instagram hat, and make sure your camera is charged as we’re about to embark on the ultimate Greek island hopping itinerary!

If you only have 7 days, it’s perfect for a classic Athens-Santorini-Mykonos itinerary (with a stop on another island as well). If you have 10 days, you will have more time to visit even more islands.

Day 1 – Athens

Athens, the vibrant, unorthodox, love-it-or-hate-it capital is where most Greek adventures start.

The first stop during your day in Athens is the Acropolis and exploring the sights located in the Plaka neighbourhood. Visible from across the city, with temples dating back nearly 2,400 years, the jewel in the crown is the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to the city’s namesake Athena.

Heading downhill from the Acropolis, investigate the Ancient Agora, littered with statues and ruins including the incredible temple of Hephaestus.

Exploring atmospheric Monastiraki Square will lead you down alleys to shops filled with everything as well as delightful tavernas. There are plenty of accommodation options in this area.

A must-see is the changing of the guard at the parliament. Every hour the elaborately dressed presidential guard, the Evzones, march in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier.

And if you want to explore more of the delicious Greek cuisine in Athens, then consider heading out on a street food tour of the capital.

For dinner, explore the hip Athens neighbourhood of Psiri, stopping at the delicious Lithos Tavern, before drinks at 360 Cocktail bar, with illuminated views of the Acropolis.

If you have more time in Athens, you can also opt for a day trip to Delphi or Meteora before you take the ferry to the Greek islands.

Where to Stay in Athens

Athens Ivy Suites – If you’re visiting Athens on a mid-range budget then this hotel is a good option. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms on offer, a great location for seeing the highlights of the city and a terrace with beautiful panoramic views.

The Modernist Athens – Luxury travellers will love this 4-star hotel in Athens. Located in the perfect spot for exploring the highlights of the Greek capital, they have a number of bright and modern rooms available and plenty of other amenities to enjoy.

101 Adrianou Apartments – This aparthotel gives you the convenience of having your own flat while staying in Athens with the amenities of a hotel. They have a range of fully furnished apartments on offer and a location perfect for exploring the Greek capital.

City Circus Athens – This hostel is a great option for those pinching pennies in Athens (or who simply want a social atmosphere). They have both private rooms and dorms available, a great location and they organise social events for guests, as well.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Athens hotels!

Day 2 – Mykonos

Start early and head to the port of Piraeus, before boarding a high-speed ferry destined for the Island of the Winds, Mykonos .

Your first stop should be to explore the beautiful main town of Chora. A maze of winding alleyways filled with shops, churches and whitewashed houses with painted shutters.

Explore the waterfront, stopping to admire the Paraportiani church, which is five separate chapels that are all built together. Look out for the island’s mascot Petros the Pelican, who can often be found taking an afternoon walk in this area.

Little Venice is full of restaurants and cocktail bars with excellent views over the water. Mykonos is a foodie heaven, but book ahead in the summer months – try M-Eating or Eva’s Garden for delicious cuisine.

There are a myriad of cute pensions and hotels in Chora, ideal for couples. If you want something more luxurious head to Elia Beach, or if you like to party stay at Paradise Beach. There are countless beautiful beaches on Mykonos so you can’t really go wrong.

Where to Stay in Mykonos

Panormos Village – This lovely hotel located on the North Coast of Mykonos is a great option for those looking for a mid-range option on the island. They have a range of wonderful rooms on offer, have breakfast included each morning and there is even a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

ELA Boutique Hotel & Spa – This boutique hotel located close to Elia Beach is fantastic for those looking for a great luxe option in Mykonos where cost isn’t a factor. They have a number of rooms available, a great terrace and breakfast served each morning.

Alissachni Mykonos – Located in the village of Psarou, this luxe hotel is perfect for those after the high life in Mykonos. There are a range of suites available, some rooms include private pools and/or hot tubs and there is breakfast available daily.

MyCocoon Hostel – Solo and budget travellers will love this hostel in Mykonos. Offering both dorms and private rooms, they also have a swimming pool and an on-site bar — perfect for making friends while island hopping in Greece!

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Mykonos!

Day 3 – Mykonos

With a full day to explore, start early to discover all that Mykonos has to offer!

If history is your thing, take a guided tour of Delos. A 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos, this island is an archaeological site and is the birthplace of gods Apollo and Artemis.

A package including return boat trip, guide and ticket is well worth the cost and will take up about four hours of your day. You can  book the guided morning tour here .

If beaches are more your thing, don’t worry because Mykonos has you covered there too! The southern coast of the island has beaches for every taste – from family-friendly Ornos, to raucous Paradise Beach, and LGBTQ-friendly Super Paradise. The beaches can all be explored via the Mykonos water taxi.

Day 4 – Paros

Today we’ll be taking our foot off the gas a little and taking a morning ferry across to idyllic Paros.

You’ll arrive in Parikia, the biggest town on the island of Paros , and the most central location to stay. The town is a jumble of gorgeous alleys filled with bougainvillaea, delightful cafes to grab a frappe and seafront tavernas and bars.

Be sure to check out the mighty Ekatontapiliani – the Church of 100 Doors. This church complex is steeped in legend and rumour has it there are 99 visible doors, and one hidden door. When the hidden door is found, Constantinople will return to Greece!

Check in and then jump on the public bus over to Santa Maria Beach. This organised beach has great restaurants, watersports, excellent tunes and drinks flowing throughout the day.

Where to Say in Paros

Hotel Dina – Located in the heart of Parikia, this mid-range hotel has the perfect location for exploring all Paros has to offer. They also have a myriad of clean and comfortable rooms available and there is even free parking available if you have a car.

Paros Palace – If you’re looking for a luxury option in Paros then this plush hotel in Parikia village is an excellent choice. They have many beautiful rooms on offer and countless amenities to ensure your stay is a memorable one.

Nautilus Apartments-Suites – Those after their own space in Paros will love this aparthotel on the island. There are a number of fully-furnished flats on offer that can suit all kinds of group sizes and they have a great location for exploring the island.

Paros Backpackers – This hostel is a great option for those looking for to visit Greece on a budget. They have a range of both dorm beds and private rooms available, a swimming pool and excellent common areas.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Paros hotels!

Day 5 – Paros

Paros has some of the clearest water in Greece, and getting out to explore the many coves & beaches is a must. Jump on an organised boat tour and head out for a day on the waves – many of the tours include a BBQ lunch onboard.

Did you know that Paros is one of Europe’s best windsurfing destinations? The east coast of the island can be very windy and is a great spot to try this fun sport.

If you fancy exploring on foot, get the small ferry over to Antiparos to check out the island’s many cave systems. More hiking opportunities can be found in the interior of Paros around the hilltop village of Lefkes, checking out Byzantine ruins, and ancient stone paths.

For dinner, you must head to the tiny fishing village of Naoussa where you can get some delicious traditional Greek cuisine. Nestled in a cove protected by a Venetian fort, you’ll find seafood tavernas all along the waterfront serving beautiful food well into the night.

Day 6 – Santorini

Heading south, today we will head off to maybe the most iconic Greek island and hop on a ferry to Santorini .

Actually an archipelago of five islands, Santorini was shaped when the original volcanic island of Strogili erupted over 3,500 years ago, leaving us with a series of smaller islands. Nearly all visitors will stay on the main island of Thera – the only other inhabited option being the laidback Thirassia.

Most travellers will stay in the capital of Fira, on the southern black sand beaches of Perissa or Kamari, or in the expensive but enchanting cave houses of the village of Oia.

Both Fira and Oia are on the caldera, the cliffs that are left from the old eruption, and you can find restaurants and cafes in both towns to gaze out at the incredible views at sunset.

Where to Stay in Santorini

Kalimera Hotel – Mid-range travellers will love this family-run hotel in Santorini. Situated close to a number of sandy beaches, they have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available, there’s a swimming pool and breakfast is included daily.

Seaside Breeze – This luxury hotel is a great choice for those looking for something fancy on their Greek island hopping route. They have both standard rooms and larger suites available – all with their own balcony. There is also a terrace, pool and breakfast daily for guests to enjoy.

Remezzo Villas – If you’re looking for a luxury option during your time in Santorini, then these villas are an excellent option. There are a range of suites to choose from along with a daily breakfast, swimming pool and outdoor terrace.

Caveland Hostel – Situated in a small village on the island, this hostel is perfect for those visiting Santorini on a budget. They offer both dorms and private rooms and there is even a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Santorini!

Day 7 – Santorini

Santorini has so much to explore, and if this is the final day of your 7-day Greek islands itinerary it will certainly be one to remember!

Wherever you are on the caldera, your eyes are often drawn towards the two imposing volcanoes jutting from the water. If you’re feeling active you can join a great day tour that will take you on a hike up the active Nea Kameni, and then swimming in the thermal mud springs at Palea Kameni.

Afterwards, you can take the cable car from the old port up to Fira for one last shopping trip in town to grab some unique souvenirs.

If you are heading back to Athens to end your trip, you grab a quick one-hour flight that will take you straight to Athens International Airport, thus maximising your last day in Santorini!

Day 8 – Ios

If you’re lucky enough to be continuing on for a 10 days in Greece itinerary beyond the Athens-Mykonos-Santorini route, then today it’s only a short 40-minute ferry ride to the nearby island of Ios.

A relatively unknown option compared to the likes of Mykonos and Santorini, Ios is famous in its own right. The first tourists visited in the 1960s and were hippies who camped on the beaches, stayed with locals and made makeshift homes in caves.

Now it is famous for its excellent restaurants, eclectic nightlife scene and its mix of raucous and relatively untouched beaches.

There are plenty of great value pensions in Chora, the main town, but if you want to be relaxing on the sand, then you should stay at Mylopotas Beach.

Mylopotas is a beautiful white sand beach, where you can get involved in beach volleyball, watersports, or just lounge on a hammock, iced coffee in hand and watch the world go by. You’re on holiday after all!

Where to Stay in Ios

Homer’s Inn Hotel – This cosy inn in central Ios is the perfect place for mid-range visitors to this island. They have a number of lovely rooms on offer and a great location for exploring all Ios has to offer.

Levantes Ios Boutique Hotel – Those looking for luxury will love this plush hotel. They have a number of wonderful rooms to choose from, a gorgeous pool for guests to enjoy and a location perfect for exploring the incredible island of Ios.

Hide Out Suites – These suites are perfect for those who’d like their own space on Ios. They have a range of different fully-furnished properties on offer along with an excellent location for exploring the island. There are also plenty of plush amenities for guests to enjoy.

Francesco’s – If you’re island hopping in Greece on a budget, then this hostel is a great option. They offer both dorms and private rooms, they have great common areas and a fantastic location on the island.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Ios hotels!

Day 9 – Ios

Today, why not head to the interior of the island, where you can find the tomb of Homer, the poet responsible for the Iliad and the Odyssey .

Heading further afield you can find the super sleepy beaches of Magganari and Psathi where you can feel like you’re the only person on the whole of the Greek islands.

But as you are in Ios, it would be rude not to sample the nightlife. Start with some drinks at dinner, and then head into the main town around midnight – there are plenty of tiny bars dotted around the old town.

All have their own unique twist, be it Slammer, where they slam you on the head whilst wearing a crash helmet, Shush the silent disco or Coo which plays funky R&B well into the wee hours.

Day 10 – Ferry to Athens

For the final day grab a tasty brunch at Hellenic Social in the old town and then head down to the port.

Jump aboard the ferry, it’ll take around four hours on the fast boat back to Athens. Stay in Monastiraki again, and if you aren’t up for exploring too far, grab some last-minute souvenirs on Adrianou street, featuring everything from olivewood backgammon sets to beautiful artisan jewellery. 

For a relaxed experience, head to Mnisikleous street, known as the steps, where cafes and eateries have cushions and chairs right out on the street steps – it is very relaxed and bohemian.

Finish your evening with drinks at The Clumsies, one of the best cocktail bars in all of Europe – what a way to wrap up your 10-day Greek island hopping itinerary!

Have More Time?

If you are lucky enough to have more time to spend in Greece, why not extend your trip to include a visit to Greece’s largest island Crete ? This massive island is perfect for road-tripping and is dripping in culture, history and amazing beaches. Take a few days to explore Chania and Heraklion and also make sure to venture beyond these two cities.

Alternatively, you could simply visit a few more islands in the Cyclades, including loves Milos , Naxos or Sifnos. Planning a trip to these islands is a little bit more off the beaten path than some of the other islands mentioned above and are the perfect addition on any trip to Greece.

The Saronic islands are only a short ferry ride from Athens (the closest island, Aegina, is only 40 minutes from the capital), and are a far more low-key experience than some of the busier Cyclades islands.

Finally, if you have a lot more time you can visit some destinations further afield such as Corfu – where you can visit towns like Agios Giorgios and Corfu Town – Rhodes or even explore more of the Greek mainland such as the Peloponnese region.

So, there you have it, the perfect way to spend 10 days exploring the Greek islands. You’ve seen the most famous, the most beautiful, the laid back and the craziest places in the Cycladic islands. But don’t worry, you have another 223 islands to come back and explore!

Are you planning a trip to the Greek islands? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Is Greece Expensive? A Greece Trip Cost Guide in 2024

Chania or Heraklion: Which Crete City to Visit?

The Perfect 2, 3 or 4 Days in Milos Itinerary

About Lizzie Fitzgerald

Lizzie is a writer for The World Was Here First. She loves travelling and discovering new places but also often finds herself returning to her favourite destinations. She has a particular affinity for Greece where she has visited countless islands and destinations on the mainland.

how much was the budget for a trip like this for just a couple going?

We have guides to the general prices in Greece along with specific guides to the prices in Mykonos and the prices in Santorini . Hopefully this helps you budget your trip adequately 🙂

Hello. Is this itinerary feasible for families with kids (5 and 1 year old)?

Hi Sheila, obviously it depends on your children, however, I see no reason why this wouldn’t be suitable for families with young kids 🙂

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10 Stunning Greek Islands (That Aren’t Santorini or Mykonos)

Greece has around 227 inhabited islands—and beauty has been shared between them equally. Deciding which one to visit is the tricky part. Each has a special something about it.

I love the Greek Islands. And I’ll admit, it makes my heart sink a little every time I hear someone is visiting Greece but only going to Santorini and/or Mykonos. Whilst these islands are deservedly popular, they’re by no means the only stunningly beautiful Greek islands. So if you’re looking for a little extra inspiration for your summer plans, here are 10 islands which will make your heart skip a beat with their achingly lovely landscapes, jaw-dropping beaches and picturesque towns.

FOLEGANDROS

Folegandros is Greece’s best-kept secret, although the word is getting out. There’s something bewitching and romantic about this quiet island in the Cyclades. Just an hour from Santorini, Folegandros has similar stark scenery and stunning sunset. But this island has no airport which helps to keep the crowds at bay. Come here for simple pleasures, seclusion, and chic accommodation.

Another up-and-coming destination in the Cyclades is Milos and its lunar landscape. Formed by volcanic activity and quite unique in its appearance, Milos is one for the photographers. The beaches here look like nothing else you’ve ever seen. Natural wonders are complemented by colourful little houses by the sea known assýrmata which are used for storing fishing boats over the winter.

For island gorgeousness in close proximity to Athens, look no further than Hydra. Part of the Argo-Saronic island chains, Hydra is near enough to make it within day trip distance. But as soon as you step foot on this island you’ll be won over. Vehicles are not allowed on Hydra (also spelt  Ydra ), making it a blissful traffic-free getaway from modern life. The harbour is one of the prettiest in Greece.

Hydra is known for its bohemian associations too; the island has played host to many writers, poets, artists and filmmakers over the years. There’s not much to see or do on the rest of the island thanks to its lack of roads but the main town is a yachtie haven and comes alive with parties in the summer.

Another island within striking distance of Athens, Andros has been sheltered from mass tourism by its wealthy landowners. But the low-key Cycladic island is slowly making a name for itself a top destination for eco-tourism, wellness, hiking, and the arts. There’s a cross-island hiking trail has for the active, art galleries in its handsome neo-classical capital and a wealth of fantastic beaches around the island. The dark dense vegetation lends the light a special quality on Andros, as does the tinkling of the island’s many streams and creeks.

Pretty Paros looks the quintessential Cycladic island with its turquoise seas, fresh beaches and gleaming white buildings made from local marble. It has some of the most picturesque coastal villages in Greece. Its reputation as ‘the new Mykonos’ is gathering pace; the narrow streets are quickly filling with boho shops, boutique hotels and chilled nightlife. Get here quick before the prices rise to match.

Just across the water from Paros but offering a distinctly different vibe, Naxos is a bit different from the rest of the islands in the Cyclades. Its charming capital incorporates Venetian styles and has a surprisingly good town beach. There’s much of interest inland; the views from Mount Zeus, historic mountain villages, ancient temples, verdant hikes. Dare we say it’s the best Greek island for sandy beaches? Naxos never feels overcrowded so even in high season you can find a beach to yourself.

Read more : Naxos – An Unspoilt Island Guide

The popular Dodecanese island of Rhodes boasts one of the blockbuster sights of the Aegean in its well-preserved medieval old town. But the UNESCO World Heritage site is not the only beauty spot on the island: Lindos is surely one of the prettiest villages in all of Greece. The east coast is scattered with breathtaking beaches whilst the west side is covered in dense forest, vineyards and secret churches.  Rhodes is one of the most southerly (therefore warmest) islands and so a good choice if you’re travelling in April or October when good weather is less assured.

Read more : Rhodes – An Unspoilt Island Guide

With its stark rocky scenery and typical whitewashed architecture, mysterious Amorgos has everything you expect from a Cycladic island. But as one of the most remote Greek islands, it attracts independent travellers, hippies, and free spirits. It even has a shipwreck beach to rival Zakynthos’ famous Navagio.

Crete has it all: knockout ancient sites, charming harbour towns, mountain wilderness, superb beaches, and arguably the best food in Greece. Allow yourself plenty of time though, or stick to one side of the island, as Crete the biggest island in Greece and the 5th largest in the Mediterranean. Don’t miss the beautiful Venetian old towns of Chania and Rethymnon, or hiking the Samaria Gorge.

The greenest of the Greek Isles, mountainous and heavily forested Corfu (also known as Kerkyra) is closer to Albania than Greece. The promenades, ochre buildings and shuttered windows of old Corfu Town are more reminiscent of Malta or Sicily than the Cyclades. With historic influences ranging from Venetian and Byzantine to British, Corfu Town has a distinctly cosmopolitan air. When you’re ready to get away from it all, head to the north of the rest of this lush island which is endowed with glistening emerald bays and hidden coves.

Read more :

Corfu – An Unspoilt Island Guide

Corfu – Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece

15 Best Greek Islands for Beaches

Greek Island Hopping 101 – Everything You Need to Know

10 Small Greek Islands Not to Miss

10 Colourful Places to Visit in Greece

Enjoyed this post? Click to save to Pinterest:

Image credits: Folegandros © jcfmorata / Adobe Stock, Milos © jsk12 / Adobe Stock, Hydra © kokixx / Adobe Stock, Andros © kite_rin / Adobe Stock, Paros © kite_rin / Adobe Stock, Naxos © kite_rin / Adobe Stock, Rhodes © The Mediterranean Traveller, Amorgos © costas1962 / Adobe Stock, Crete © smallredgirl / Adobe Stock, Corfu © Balate Dorin / Adobe Stock

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The 13 best places to visit in Greece this summer

From sprawling cosmopolitan cities to breathtaking beaches, here's where to add to your Greece bucket list

Photograph: Shutterstock

When you’re sitting at your desk and dreaming of a holiday, you’re probably dreaming about Greece. Greece is pretty much what dreams are made of, after all, and it’s got the whole package; golden sands, blue waters, and enough of it to go again and again and never get bored. 

But Greece’s top islands and cities all offer something different. You’ve got the cosmopolitan metropolis of Athens , the Instagrammable white and blue houses of Santorini , and the hugely underrated island of Aegina just waiting to be explored. Whatever your style, here are the best islands, cities and towns to visit in Greece this summer. 

RECOMMENDED: 🏝️  The most  beautiful Greek islands 🏨 The best  hotels in Greece 🏛 The best things to do in Athens 🧿 The best things to do in Mykonos

Demetrios Ioannou  is a writer and photographer from Athens.  At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines .  This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our  affiliate guidelines . 

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Where to visit in Greece

1.  athens.

Obviously, if you’ve heard anything about Greece, you know about its beautiful capital Athens. Athens is that perfect mix of traditional but trendy, ancient but modern, full of nature but cosmopolitan at the very same time. Here you’ll find huge, open roads covered in restaurants and bars, but coming off them are tiny little cobbled side streets to explore. Old buildings give way to fascinating galleries. You can grab an ouzo and pitch up at a beautiful outdoor cinema, looking up at the stars. Plus you’ve simply got to see the Parthenon at least once in your life. Athens is a sprawling, incomparable beauty that is like no other. Add it to your bucket list. 

Why go?  Europe’s oldest capital and the birthplace of democracy, Athens is crammed with several thousands of years of history and is as unmissable as any great Euro city. 

Discover Athens: 🧿  How to spend a weekend in Athens 📍  The best  things to do in Athens 🥙  Really good  restaurants in Athens 😎  Explore  Kypseli, Athens’s coolest neighbourhood

2.  Aegina

A little over an hour away from the port of Piraeus, the island of Aegina is the closest to the Greek capital and a popular destination for tourists and locals. In 1827, after the Greek Independence War had ended, it served as the first capital of the newly founded Greek state for a while. Today, the island is mostly famous for pistachios, chock-a-block full of pistachio trees, and thought to be the best in the world for the stuff. It’s worth visiting the famous Aphea Temple, dedicated to goddess Athena, the Saint Nektarios Monastery and the nearby uninhabited Islet of Moni, where wild peacocks and deer stroll uninterrupted. 

3.  Crete

You’ll need a car to explore Greece’s biggest island, but if you’re after golden beaches, crumbly old towns, world-class museums and UNESCO Heritage sites,  Crete  ticks every box. Chania in the west is the liveliest part of the island, while Sitia in the east is famed for its pristine coves and sandy beaches – a perfect rural and picturesque escape. Nature seekers could hike Samaria, Europe’s longest gorge, culture hunters should track down the Minoan palaces, and kids are guaranteed a good time at the island’s countless waterparks.

Why go?  Much more than just an all-inclusive beach holiday hotspot, Crete is a mish-mash of fabulous stuff to see, do, eat and drink. 

Discover Crete:

📍  The best things to do in Crete

4.  Zakynthos

Better known as Zante, Zakynthos draws a party-ready crowd to its notorious Laganas nightlife strip, but this sunstruck Ionian isle – known by the Venetians as ‘the flower of the East’ – is also blessed with some of the Med’s most beautiful scenery. This includes the spectacular Shipwreck Beach, whose bright-blue waters hemmed in by sheer white cliffs can only be reached by boat, and Zakynthos Marine Park, home to slippery seals and savvy turtles. It’s truly wild – in multiple senses of the word.

5.  Santorini

The scenery in  Santorini , one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, seems crafted by the Greek gods: whitewashed villages crown the island with views over its majestic coastlines, rural vineyards span huge stretches inland and the beaches are black, red, and out of this world. There’s a ridiculous amount for explorers, foodies and culture vultures to discover, from archaeological sites to swimming spots and brilliant wine and food. And trust us: this place is  even  more beautiful IRL than it looks on the ’gram.

Discover Santorini:

📍  The best things to do in Santorini 🏨  Amazing hotels in Santorini 🏖️  Where to stay in Santorini  

6.  Tinos

Famous for its carved marble-fronted buildings – and, increasingly, its burgeoning food scene – Tinos is yet another jewel in the Cyclades archipelago. To get there, you’ll need to fly to Mykonos and catch a ferry. It’s worth the journey: some of the best Greek wines are produced here, and chefs from all over Europe have opened restaurants among its sage-scented hills. Most are situated in the main town of Chora – we recommend the traditional Greek menu at Thalassaki.

7.  Naxos

The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos is also one of the least explored – which means you can expect secluded sandy beaches and a low-key, laidback atmosphere that’ll make the pressures of everyday life feel worlds away. Packing an incredible amount of variety into an incredibly small space, this is a place where you can venture up into tiny high-flung mountain villages or laze on an endless chain of silky sand beaches away from the madding tourist crowds.

8.  Corfu

Italianate villages, ornate palaces and romantic beaches are on the cards if you visit the lush island where the Durrell family once lived. With its sundry influences left by past invaders,  Corfu  is a place where you can drink ginger ale with your Greek salad, stroll streets packed with Byzantine and Venetian architecture and meet modern-day monks in Paleokastritsa’s spectacular medieval monastery. And after a hard day’s sightseeing and stuffing your face, you’ll obviously want to jump straight into the Ionian Sea – never not a stunning shade of turquoise blue.

Discover Corfu:

📍  The best things to do on Corfu

9.  Rhodes

Way back when – and we’re talking way, way back –  Rhodes  was home to the Colossus, one of the world’s Seven Wonders. An earthquake may have destroyed that ol’ thing in 226BBC, but the island’s Unesco world heritage-classed old town is still steeped in charm and history – thanks to a series of dazzling topsy-turvy medieval inns and fourteenth-century knight’s houses that stand to this day. Head outside the city, and the mountain villages and cliff-top towns you’ll come across are just as magical as any fairytale location. And with plenty of chic shops, decent restaurants and lively bars, you’re guaranteed some modern magic, too.

Discover Rhodes:

📍  The best things to do in Rhodes 🏨  Amazing hotels in Rhodes

10.  Kastellorizo

At the edge of Greece, right opposite the Turkish coastal town of Kaş, you'll find Kastellorizo (aka Megisti), the island furthest from the Greek capital. It's a flight or a boat ride away from the island of Rhodes in Dodecanese, and though it's a bit of a journey to the island, it's absolutely worth it. This is a remote paradise with colourful buildings, seafood for days and seriously chilled out vibes. Plus, it has a fascinating history – make sure to visit the castle of the Knights Hospitaller overlooking the Aegean Sea, and the glorious 4 th century BC Lycian tomb below it. The fort-monastery of Agios Georgios of the Mountain also boasts one of the best views on the island (you just need to get up 315 steps first).

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23 Best Greek Islands to Visit For The First Time

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: March 4, 2024

If you are planning a holiday in Greece but are unsure where to go, this article will help you to decide. The list of Greek islands includes party favourites like Mykonos and Corfu and off-the-beaten-track islands like Paros and Folegandros. It also includes places to stay, sightseeing attractions, and how to get around the islands.

Greek islands are voted one of the best places to holiday in Europe year after year, and for a good reason.

The picture-perfect islands in Greece have beautiful sand beaches, crystal clear waters, friendly locals and rich historical sites to discover.

Meanwhile, traditional Greek tavernas serve the freshest seafood, from ocean to plate, washed down with chilled local wines to replenish you after a day of exploring these fabulous islands.

Ferry crossings are plentiful from mainland Greece to the islands, making island hopping in Greece pretty easy, so the last thing to know is which island will suit you best.

With recommendations from fellow travel bloggers, I have compiled a list of which Greek islands to visit so you can choose which one to book for your next holiday to Greece.

This travel guide may contain affiliate links – please read my  disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

Do you need to arrange travel insurance, car hire or accommodation? Please check out my  resources page  to help you plan your trip.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions the Greek Islands

Getting to the greek islands.

If you have time and the budget for a Greek islands cruise, there is no better way to experience several islands during your holiday.

Direct flights from the UK, Europe and Internationally fly into Athens and many larger Greek island airports. An onward ferry journey is needed to reach the islands.

When to Visit the Greek Islands

The Greek islands are the perfect summer destination for family holidays, couples, or solo travellers. Still, with the hot weather, the crowds arrive, and those idyllic photos of deserted beaches no longer exist.

The off-peak season is the best time to travel to the holiday islands in Greece, from May to June and September to October. The islands will be quieter, and the temperatures will be pleasant.

How to Get Around the Greek Islands

Public transport is always available, although it may be sporadic. On larger Greek islands like Corfu or Crete, a good idea is to rent a car. Quad bike, moped or cycle hire is another way of navigating narrow streets and mountain paths.

You can use local ferries to do Greek island hopping or splash out and charter a Greek island sailboat to take you sightseeing in style.

Another option is to book a tour with a local company to show you some hidden Greek gems you might otherwise miss.

Which Greek Islands should I visit?

This is tricky because each Greek island offers the visitor something unique and special.

The best Greek islands to visit for couples include the romantic Greek islands of Santorini and Ios.

In contrast, certain areas of Corfu, Zakynthos and Mykonos are the best Greek islands for nightlife.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday, a lively island with vibrant nightlife or a secluded island to return to nature and bear all, you will find an island in Greece that will be perfect for you.

The Greek islands are scattered off the mainland and comprise two large islands, Crete and Evia and six main island groups:

• The Cyclades Islands
• The Ionian Islands
• The Saronic Islands
• The Dodecanese Islands
• The Sporades Islands
• The Eastern Aegean Islands

Best Islands to Visit in Greece

Island of crete.

Recommended by Gabi from thetinybook.com , who lives on Crete and is an expert on the island!

Crete is Greece’s largest island , on the southern portion of the Mediterranean, with its southern coast facing the Libyan Sea. This location makes the island a warm destination almost all year round, a plus for travellers like me who hate winter.

Often described as a universe on an island, this can easily give you an idea of the many reasons I found to make it my go-to destination for any short trip or extended vacation.

There are high peaks, impressive gorges to hike, endless kilometres of pristine shores, and not one but four big cities to seek out tons of fun.

Discover endless activities on Crete

Are you looking for adventurous outdoor activities? You have it! Do you want buzzing nightlife, clubbing, and dancing on the beach? You’ll find that, too! However, the island also has so many hidden spots still to be discovered that it can even be the perfect Greek destination for an off-the-beaten-track holiday. 

If paradisiac beaches are what you’re after, Crete won’t disappoint. Balos, Elafonisi, and Matala have made it onto countless lists of the best beaches in the world.

But remember, you need to rent a car, the island is huge and, although possible, travelling around by public transport will be a waste of precious time you could otherwise devote to exploring Crete.

June and September are the best months to visit Crete if you like hot weather but want to avoid the summer crowds that flock to the island looking for excellent food, history, and quality time on the beach.

Picturesque old towns by the sea, such as Chania and Rethymnon, add a romantic, bohemian touch to your visit.

On Crete, you can enjoy authentic Greek wine tourism, as the island is home to 13 unique indigenous grape varieties producing top-quality wines.

You can also learn about the beginnings of Western civilization in the four different Minoan palaces scattered along Crete. The most important one, Knossos, near the capital, Heraklion, is a must-see in Crete.

If you want a place to stay in Heraklion, check out the Galaxy Iraklio Hotel .

Insider Top Tip:  

Try the local Vidiano wine; this grape is a star on the island!

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Crete

Cyclades Islands

Some of the best Grecian islands are in the Cyclades, located in the Aegean sea off the southeast coast of mainland Greece.

V isitors can find important archaeological Greek ruins on the uninhabited island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo. Still, it is the sunny Greek Cyclades islands with their white-washed hillside villages and sensational beaches that attract visitors from around the globe.

Ios is a small island in the Cyclades, Greece. We had a wonderfully relaxing break there and discovered deserted beaches, great beach clubs, a gorgeous boutique hotel, fantastic food and possibly the best sunset bar in the Cyclades.

A party island from mid-June to mid-August, Ios reverts to being laid-back and chilled for the rest of the year.  

We visited in early June, and the weather was warm but not too hot. The small island is easy to get around by car, and there’s enough to see and do and still have plenty of time to chill. 

There are loads of cool  things to do in Ios .

Exploring the alleyways and tiny white churches in the atmospheric old town was a favourite thing for us to do. We visited Skarkos, a pre-historic settlement, hiked to Homer’s Tomb and soaked up the sun on Mylopotas Beach, the most famous beach on the island.

We took a boat trip to discover hidden coves and beach-hopped from one beautiful bay to another.  

Sunsets in Ios

A wonderful evening was spent watching the sunset over the bay at the iconic Ios Club , where sunsets have been soaked up since the sixties. Think great food, cocktails and laid-back lounge vibes.

There’s a range of accommodation from hostels, B&Bs and small hotels. If your budget stretches to it, I recommend  Liostasi Hotel & Suites . This boutique design hotel is stunning, with a fabulous restaurant and superb views over the ocean.  

You’ll need to take a ferry to Ios from Athens or Santorini. Ios is a good option if you’re looking for a two-centre holiday or are island hopping. 

Insider Top Tip:

Our favourite meal was at Drakos Tavern , where we ate the freshest seafood overlooking the clearest, bluest water. You’ll find Drakos at the far end of Mylopotas Beach – don’t miss it. 

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Ios

Filled with history, culture, and fantastic food, Greece has always been on our family travel bucket list.

We decided that the best way to see this incredible country was through an organised island-hopping tour, and this is how we fell in love with Mykonos!

Mykonos is a small island located in the Aegean Sea. Although it only spans 33 square miles and has just over 10,000 permanent residents, it regularly sees upward of 2 million visitors annually!

Mykonos lies between Naxos, Paros, Syros, and Tinos. However, our cruise took us from Santorini to Mykonos and then to Milos, meaning we only had a partial day to spend on the island.

As for the weather, Mykonos is known as the ‘Island of the Winds’, with the Meltemi winds bringing a welcome relief during the hot summer days. It was already pretty hot when we travelled to the island in June. Since Mykonos sees more than 300 sunny days yearly, you can’t go wrong whatever time of year you go.

Of all the Greek islands, Mykonos is known for its nightlife. With over 100 bars and clubs – two making it on a list of the top 20 nightclubs in the world – the party-like atmosphere is incredible.

Exploring Mykonos in One Day

However, we spent our day on a guided walking tour of Mykonos Town .

We saw the iconic seven windmills, went shopping along Matogianni Street, home to the best boutiques on the island, visited two famous churches (Panagia Paraportiani and Agios Nikolaos) and had coffee in  LaLaLa , a tiny café draped in bougainvillaea.

We found Mykonos Town to be quite walkable, but if you want to see other parts of the island, your best bet is to take a cab or rent a moped, especially if you plan to visit one of Mykonos’ famous golden sand beaches.

And of course, as it is one of the best Greek islands for beaches, there is a beach for every type of traveller.

If you want to party, then Paradise Beach or Super Paradise Beach are perfect choices or head to Kalo Livadi, Elia, Ornos, and Lia if you prefer a family-friendly beach. 

For more sightseeing, visit Little Venice, with its colourful houses built on the sea’s edge.

And if you are interested in art, head to the Rarity Gallery or the Dio Horia Gallery.

And, of course, a cruise around some of the nicest beaches in Mykonos is a must.

And one thing you definitely can’t miss is watching one of Mykonos’ famous sunsets!

People will start claiming their spots along the water over an hour before sunset or hop aboard one of Mykonos’s legendary sunset cruises .

There are so many incredible things to do on Mykonos and such a choice of fabulous places to stay in Mykonos that it is a must-visit in Greece.

Head to the  Armenistis Lighthouse  for one of the best sunset spots in Mykonos.

Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s also free, compared to the tavernas that charge extra for a sunset-viewing table!

When searching for the best Greek island to visit for our year-long trip, we looked for a quiet, low budget and beautiful romantic island. After much research, we chose the Cycladic island of Paros, which did not disappoint! 

Paros is known as the “more authentic” Santorini, and let me tell you, it’s not wrong. The island offers similar features to Santorini but for a lower price and fewer tourists. It was truly romantic, from dreamy beaches and authentic white-painted towns to unbelievable sunsets. 

The island is in the mid-size range with two central towns, Parikia and Naoussa. We stayed at Anna Parikia’s Studio in Parikia, just a few minutes from the beach and port, which was terrific. 

Best activities on Paros

Although there are many  beautiful beaches in Paros to explore , one of our favourite activities was renting an ATV to explore more of the island. 

Another highlight of our trip was watching the sunset from the windmill in Parikia. It was not nearly as busy as Santorini and just as beautiful.

We got around the island, mainly using the public transportation system, except when we rented the ATV for the day. The bus system was cheap and efficient; it was relaxing being driven around and not thinking about driving! It helped a lot with our budget too! 

One of the best meals we had on Paros was very cheap and came from Kargas , a traditional gyros restaurant in Naoussa.  

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Paros

I chose to visit Antiparos because I was looking for a destination off the typical tourist track with all the characteristics of a dreamy island in Greece.

Antiparos met these criteria with its white-washed houses, quiet streets, sunset views, and beautiful Greek beaches.

I travelled to Antiparos at the end of July. Although it’s the hottest month of the year, it wasn’t unbearably hot, and the temperature hovered around 25 degrees Celsius during the day.

Being only 45 km², Antiparos is smaller than the more famous Greek islands. Despite its compact size, Antiparos offers a variety of hotels and excellent restaurants serving authentic Greek cuisine.

Beach time on Antiparos

The most memorable experience I had from my Antiparos trip was snorkelling at the beautiful Camping Beach. With its fine sand, incredible views and turquoise waters teeming with fish, it is one of the  best beaches on Antiparos  and a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting the island.

Besides lounging on the golden beaches, you can also visit the nearby Despotiko island to see the ruins of an ancient sanctuary or explore the Antiparos Cave with its millions of years old stalagmites and stalactites.

I travelled to Antiparos during my Cyclades Greek islands trip, where I first visited Milos, then Naxos, and finished by catching a ferry to Antiparos . I used public ferries to hop between the islands.

To get around Antiparos, I used the municipal bus, which was cheap and convenient. Alternatively, you could rent a bicycle, a quad or a car.

While visiting Antiparos, make sure to have dinner at one of the restaurants at Sifneiko Beach during the sunset. It’s an incredibly romantic experience and the views are absolutely breathtaking.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Antiparos

Folegandros

The Greek island of  Folegandros  is a charming island in the Cyclades that is often overlooked in favour of the famous Greek holiday destinations of Santorini and Mykonos.

A sucker for off-the-beaten-track places, that’s what immediately attracted me to Folegandros. That and the fact that it was cheaper and quieter than the other heavyweights – but just as beautiful. 

Folegandros was also a practical choice for me as I travelled by ferry from Piraeus, Athens, and Folegandros was only a few hours from that point and my first island, Sifnos. This meant I didn’t have to spend my precious holiday on long ferry journeys. 

For a small Greek island, what Folegandros lacks in size, it makes up for in dramatic scenery. 

Giant rocky cliff faces jut out of the water like they’ve been yanked from the seabed, while squat white settlements are scattered across the landscape, with the capital, Chora, sitting perilously on a cliff edge. You’ll also find Kastro, a medieval fortress used to ward off invaders. 

Beach hopping on Folegandros

My favourite activity on Folegandros was beach hopping, and I recommend hiring a scooter to give you more flexibility to explore the island.

The beaches are more sheltered, and the best ones are only accessible within a short walk. The height of the island can make it windy and cool, even in early June when I visited. 

I stayed in Camares , a cheerful and budget-friendly villa complex five minutes from Chora. It had a kitchenette and a pretty courtyard.

Best of all, it was near the path up to the Church of Panagia on the hill above, which, on my second evening, I followed and was greeted by a spectacular sunset over the sea. 

For lovely views of the Church of Panagia, head to Merkouri wine bar in Chora to sample wines from the local vineyard.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Folegandros

Although  Sifnos  has become one of the popular islands in Greece in recent years, it retains its authenticity and easy-going vibes, drawing us to the island in the first place.

We visited Sifnos in early July, probably the best time to visit if you want to enjoy the island’s gorgeous beaches and all the other perks of summer but without the inevitable crowds that the August peak season brings.

Even though Sifnos is a small island, several fantastic accommodations and dining options dot its picturesque villages and towns.

While in Sifnos, we stayed at one of our favourite hotels to date. Verina Astra is a boutique hotel built on a scenic slope overlooking the Aegean Sea for as far as the eye can see.

Apart from incredibly pristine beaches, Sifnos boasts one of the best local cuisines in Greece. Moreover, you can go hiking, visit traditional pottery workshops and explore a handful of picture-perfect villages untouched by mass tourism.

Yet, our all-time favourite activity in Sifnos is to stroll around the maze-like alleys of Kastro, the island’s oldest town.

Greek Island Hopping in Sifnos

Sifnos enjoys a prime location, making it ideal for an island-hopping adventure across the Western Cyclades.

Serifos is less than an hour’s ferry ride from Sifnos, while it takes about two hours by ferry to get to Milos from Sifnos.

Sifnos is an accessible island to get around. Since we like walking a lot, we visited many places on foot. However, driving took us to even the remotest beaches and villages on the island, which is probably the best way to explore Sifnos.

I nsider Top Tip:

When you visit Sifnos, there are two things you can’t miss. First of all, you must try revithada, a hearty chickpea stew that’s slowly cooked overnight. Secondly, don’t forget to enjoy a drink or three at Cavo Sunrise , the island’s most legendary bar.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Sifnos

Syros is very close to Athens, only two hours by boat, so it was easy for me to organise a visit in June as part of an island-hopping trip that included Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Ios and Santorini.

June and September are the best months to visit the Greek islands as there are fewer people and it is not usually too hot. Syros is not a big island; you can easily explore it in 3-4 days.

Although renting a car in Syros is recommended, there is also an extensive network of buses going to the popular places around the island; however, we decided to rent a car and enjoy the freedom and flexibility.

There are plenty of things to do in Syros apart from spending time on the beach.

Ermoupolis is the principal city where the port is located and where we chose to stay.

I recommend two hotels for your stay on Syros:

Hotel Diogenis

Hotel Ploes .

Also, the restaurant Arhontariki Tis Maritsa has fantastic food.

There are a couple of museums in Ermoupolis and bars, restaurants, and shops. Around the island, some other settlements like Galissas, Kini, Posidonia, and Finikas have tourist facilities.

Historic sites in Syros

In Ermoupolis, you will find the Industrial Museum and the Apollo Theatre worth seeing.

Also, several magnificent churches, including the Dormition of the Virgin, where you will find one of the earliest works of El Greco. In Ano Syros, you will find the museum of Vamvakaris.

Ermoupolis and Ano Syros have incredible alleyways to walk around and marvel at the astonishing architecture. For me, that was the highlight of our trip.

Another exciting activity is hiking in Syros . The island has ten official hiking trails considered “Routes of high cultural interest” and many unofficial ones that locals will be happy to show you.

Finally, a couple of boat trips leave mainly from the small port in Kini, taking you to undiscovered beaches.

Visit Ano Syros just before sunset; that is when the village comes alive.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Syros

Donousa is one of the islands in the Lesser Cyclades, small enough that most tourists in Greece miss it.

Overshadowed by Naxos, the largest island in the archipelago and its first neighbour, Donousa remains a secret of those who do not want to see mass tourism destroying this Greek island paradise.

With rare ferry connections, Donousa has been celebrated since the Middle Ages (well, pirates loved it!) and is still a pot of gold that only the most avid Greek visitors can mark with an ‘x’ on the map.

People have lived on Donousa for five millennia, but the last census counts only 167 inhabitants. With rare vehicles and one lonely taxi, Donousa can sometimes resemble a desert island, barely 14 square kilometres only for you to hike and explore! 

Discover Nude Beaches on Donousa

Being away from civilisation is the island’s best asset, which is why I chose to visit this Greek island.

Donousa is a favourite destination for free campers who spend days and nights on its pristine sandy beaches. 

Livadi and Kedros are the most popular beaches for celebrating the freedom of living, so it is not unusual that they arrived at the top of the list of the best  nude beaches in Greece .

For those who seek more convenient accommodation than a tent on the beach, the port of Stavros offers several guesthouses from which to choose.

I stayed at cosy Ammos Studios, a few steps away from the town’s beach, the only one where you should keep your clothes on!

If you prefer to leave the tourist trail and find out how exhilarating switching off can be, there is no doubt you will fall in love with Donousa.

There is an excellent bakery in the village and several taverns. I was a regular at  Ampelaki , selling my soul for mama’s cheese pies with honey!

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Donousa

We chose to visit the Greek island of Naxos as it was one of the largest islands in the Cyclades, and we wanted to get a feel for a “working” island, not just a tourist one. 

We travelled to Naxos in September, and the weather was perfect – long, hot days, with relatively few other travellers compared to July and August. A lovely time to visit!

As part of our  Greek island-hopping route to Turkey , we took the ferry to Naxos from Athens and then continued to Mykonos.

We used scooters to get around; however, the island is big enough to justify hiring a car, and there are many things to see in Naxos.

There are a few little towns, each with a few tavernas and shops. Naxos Town is the island’s largest and capital, with over 7,000 people living there.

Explore the ancient ruins on Naxos

Naxos Town is worth exploring, with cobblestoned streets, interesting shops and traditional white-washed buildings. The Portara , near the harbour, is a mystical marble doorway leading to nowhere, all that remains of an ancient temple of Apollo.

There are other ancient sites on the island, and seeing the kouroi of Naxos, ancient statues of young men, is a highlight. The Kouros of Apollonas is an unfinished marble statue almost 11 metres tall; it’s a very impressive sight! 

Agios Prokopios is the most popular beach on Naxos and can get busy during summer. If you’re after something a bit more secluded, Kastraki Beach in the island’s south is beautiful with pristine waters. 

We stayed in Agios Prokopios at Katerina Hotel , which was very close to the beach. It had lovely rooms, lots of light, a nice pool and a delicious breakfast.

We were so relaxed during our stay that the biggest dilemma was whether to swim in the pool or at the beach!

If you’re staying on the island for a few days, the day tour from Naxos to Delos is also well worth doing and was one of the high points of our trip.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Naxos

Milos, part of the Cycladic group of Islands, was my favourite spot while island-hopping in the Aegean Sea.

Other Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos get a lot of attention, but I wanted to try an island that is less known and more authentic. Milos was the place! 

Making my way by ferry from Naxos, I decided to stay in the port town of Adamas. Amongst the  best places to stay in Milos  are Adamas, Pollonia and the capital of Plaka.

Renting a scooter was easy and the perfect way to explore this island, which takes roughly 30-40 minutes to cross, with several small towns to see along the way. 

Visiting Milos in the Autumn

I visited in October, so the mornings were a little chillier (I needed a sweater), but the days were bright blue, sunny and warm, with a high of 22°C (72°F).

Do note that Milos experiences the Meltemi winds, a strong northerly wind that can make going to the beach a bit tough. But visiting Milos highlights make up for a bit of wind.

Exploring Sarakiniko Beach, an otherworldly landscape dropping into the azure Aegean waters, wandering along the shoreline of colourful Klima, or sailing to Kleftiko are all magical experiences to discover in Milos.

If you are staying in the port town of Adamas, I’d recommend staying at the tastefully decorated Athina Milos Suites with views of Milos Bay.

Due to its central Adamas location, you can enjoy all the town restaurants on foot. I particularly enjoyed the traditional Greek breakfast at Milors in Adamas.

While not famous like Tsigrado or Fyriplaka Beach, I enjoyed the quiet at Paleochori Beach. 

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Milos

Ionian Islands

On the western side of mainland Greece sit the Ionian islands, famous for their lush green countryside and some of the best Greek beaches.

Zakynthos, Corfu, Kefalonia and Lefkada are some of the top Greek islands here, while smaller islands like Paxos and Ithaca offer secluded beaches, a slower pace and fewer visitors.

Some of the best Greek islands for photography are also the Ionian islands.

Who hasn’t fallen in love with captures of Santorini’s white-washed, blue-domed cliff-top church? Or the equally stunning turquoise waters and white sandy Navagio beach in Zakynthos.

After having a brilliant trip to Santorini, my fiancé and I fell in love with Greece. Keen to discover more beautiful Greek isles, Kefalonia became our next target.

As the biggest Ionian island, there are many  things to do in Kefalonia  and a fantastic selection of beaches that enticed us to book. 

We visited in September, and the weather was still beautiful. To make the most of our trip, we hired a Fiat 500 convertible to discover the island in style.

When we didn’t go beach hopping, we spent time at the infamous Melissani Lake, a famous cenote-style cave requiring a rowing boat.

Our favourite activity, though, was paragliding from the clifftops of Myrtos Beach. Another memorable moment was seeing wild sea turtles swim up to fishing boats in the capital’s harbour, Argostoli. 

As we had a car, we did everything self-sufficiently. However, next time, I would also consider hiring a self-drive boat. There are so many beaches that each has distinct charm and variety, so this would make a great addition to the itinerary. 

We stayed in Lassi. It is a popular district due to its proximity to the capital and the selection of bars and restaurants available without being too busy or chaotic.

We stayed at the Thalassa Boutique Hotel ; however, I wouldn’t particularly recommend it unless you’re planning to spend a lot of time by the pool. 

While you’re in Kefalonia, make sure you try the Saganaki, which is like halloumi but often cooked with honey or other sweet flavours.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Kefalonia

When planning my Greek holiday, I fell in love with all the fantastic pictures of Navagio Beach, so without hesitation, I booked my flight to Zakynthos.

At that time, I didn’t know much about the island. In particular, it is one of the best Greek islands for nightlife, especially in Laganas, where I found my accommodation without knowing I would be staying in a party hotel.

Atlantis Hotel is just a 15-minute walk from Laganas Beach.

Its convenient location allows you to explore this vibrant town on foot. If you want to see one of  the best attractions in Zante , such as Cameo Island, you can easily walk there.

Visit this beautiful Greek island during summer to experience the busy life of Laganas and enjoy swimming in the turquoise waters of Zakynthos. You will enjoy great weather with an average temperature of 31 °C.

Best Activities in Zakynthos

Zakynthos is the Ionian Sea’s third biggest island, so I recommend staying there for at least one week.

There are plenty of things to see in Zakynthos, like the Blue Caves , Callinico Winery, Xigia Beach and Porto Vromi.

You can also book a one-day trip to Marathonisi island of Kefalonia .

The best way to get around the island is to rent a quad bike and see some stunning beaches, such as Tsilivi Beach or Mavratzi Beach.

At Gerakas Beach or Cameo Island, you might also see beautiful Caretta Caretta loggerhead turtles.

Tasting delicious food in Zante is another excellent thing to do on the island. There are plenty of traditional restaurants to try Greek salad or moussaka.

After a great meal, visit the oldest monastery in Zakynthos – Anafonitria.

If you are looking for a great restaurant head to Michaelos in Kalamaki . It’s an “old school” Greek taverna offering high quality at low prices.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Zakynthos

Corfu is one of the top Greek islands to visit and was at the forefront of Greek island tourism. It is called the ‘Green Island’ due to the rain it gets each year. Luckily, we only had one wet day when we were there in April.

We stayed in Agios Gordios, one of Corfu’s most popular tourist resorts at  Kairaba Sandy Villas .

Agios Gordios has many restaurants offering delicious Greek dishes, from moussaka and dolmades to fresh olives from the numerous olive groves on Corfu.

When it’s time to hit the beaches, there are six to visit. Paleokastritsa beach on the island’s west coast was our favourite. We loved its crystal clear waters, sheltered bay, and views of the mountain-top monastery.

Historic sites in Corfu

We loved that Corfu had so many historical sights to visit, and because we had hired a car, we were free to explore them at leisure.

One of Corfu island’s important historic landmarks is Mon Repos Palace, the birthplace of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Beautiful gardens filled with cypress trees and mythical statues lead to Mon Repos Palace and outstanding views across the sea. 

Achillion Palace, once the home of Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, was another great place to visit. It was even used as a location spot in a James Bond film!

Without a doubt, the heart of this Greek island is in the Unesco-listed Old Town of Corfu, where you will find souvenir shops, pastry shops, and restaurants juxtaposed with the old and new fortresses dating back centuries.

Visitors can book walking and food-tasting tours to help discover the hidden gems in Corfu’s old town. That said, the vast sandy beach in Corfu Old Town is not so secret and attracts the crowds with its stunning views across the sea to Albania. And guess what – rather than just look at Albania from afar, you can hop on the hydrofoil and enjoy a day trip from Corfu to Albania.

Book a local boat trip to the sea caves in Paleokastritsa , one of the most famous attractions on Corfu. Nausica cave was named after the daughter of the King of the Phaeacians.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Corfu

Before heading there, I didn’t know much about the  island of Lefkada , but I received many excellent recommendations.

I found out it was one of the greenest Greek islands, with amazing turquoise beaches and magnificent sunsets, and that’s no lie; it’s a top Greek island with all these qualities.

At the beginning of the summer, I was there doing volunteer work from June to July. The weather was sweltering, and the temperature rose to 40 degrees Celsius on some days. The locals said they hadn’t felt that much heat in Lefkada in their lifetimes.

It’s a pretty big Greek island, and it can be reached by car over the bridge because it’s close to the mainland. There are a couple of towns and villages, and among them, the most notable places are Lefkada Town, Nydri, Vasiliki, Agios Nikitas, and Egklouvi. 

Watersports on Lefkada

Lefkada is mainly known for different kinds of watersports. It’s one of the best Greek islands for wind and kitesurfers because of the moderate winds around the island.

Taking a Greek island yacht cruise or kayak tour is also a popular tourist activity to see more of the picturesque Greek island of Lefkada.  

I rented a car with friends to explore Lefkada. An alternative is scooters, and there are plenty of rental companies for both vehicles. 

There are a lot of amazing beaches in Lefkada with white sand and turquoise water, but my favourite was Kathisma Beach, with its chilled vibe and good facilities. 

For the most magnificent sunset, I recommend visiting the Rachi restaurant . It’s in a small village up on the hill, but it gets busy right before the sunset. So keep in mind to book a table in advance.

Check availability and pricing forthe best places to stay in Lefkada

Saronic Islands

Located off the tip of northern Greece sit the Saronic islands. The beauty of these islands is that they are a destination that can be reached on a day trip from Athens .

Within 90 minutes by ferry, visitors can swim in the crystal-clear blue waters of the Saronic islands.

Watersports are a favourite pastime in the Saronic Islands, with Poros being a Greek island famous for sailing.

Hydra is probably the most popular Saronic island, with its non-motorised town retaining the charm of times gone by.

Aegina is one of the gorgeous Greek islands in the Saronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea.

It is so close to Athens that you can visit it on a day trip from Piraeus. I accidentally discovered this tiny gem while visiting a friend living in Aegina to surprise him on his 50th birthday.

That end of January was perfect, with sunny, warm weather during the day, unbelievably starry skies at night, and without tourist crowds.

After that trip, I was in awe of this Greek island. A few months later, I returned to Aegina for a proper exploration and stayed at the Danae Hotel , near Aegina Town.

Aegina is a small island of volcanic origin, a rocky hill surrounded by several towns and villages. It is famous for its pistachios, considered among the best in the world.

The main  things to do on Aegina  include visits to the ancient Temple of Aphaia, the Agios Nektarios Monastery, the Archaeological Site of Kolona, and boat trips to Moni Agistri, Poros, or other neighbouring islands. 

Sightseeing on the Greek island of Aegina

You can book a boat tour from Athens , rent a car on the island, and follow along the main roads to Aegina.

Car rental offices on Aegina take cash and don’t require any credit card or deposit.

I hired a small car for one day in Aegina Town. I went to Souvala, Agia Marina, Temple of Aphaia, and Agios Nektarios, then to Perdika, where I also had a fantastic lunch, and then to Marathonas, for some beach time.

One of the highlights of my vacation on Aegina was a boat trip around the island, with several stops for swimming and snorkelling. The captain took us to see the Avantis III shipwreck near Dorousa Island. Snorkelling among fish just above this massive wreck is such a memorable experience!

The taverna behind the fish market in Aegina Town has incredible seafood and fish at excellent prices. You won’t have the sunset view of the waterfront restaurants, but you’ll enjoy great food in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere in the company of locals.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Aegina

One of the nicest Greek islands to visit is the island of Hydra, known for its picturesque port and white-washed sugar-cube houses. What makes Hydra unique within the Greek islands is that it is car-free, which means you have to walk everywhere or take a boat to hidden coves and beaches. 

I travelled from Piraeus in Athens to Hydra by ferry in June, and the weather was very comfortable. It can get quite warm in June, with an average temperature of 72°F (or 22°C). 

Hydra is a tiny island with less than 2,000 residents and only one town, Hydra Port. That said, this small Greek town has many restaurants and charming shops.

Besides that, you can walk to some other small villages on the island for picture-postcard views or take a water taxi to Kamini Beach, where you can swim in the crystal clear waters.

Besides spending time on the beach, you can see several historical sights.

I visited the bastions of Hydra at the port entrance, where soldiers used to defend the island from the Ottomans. There are also several monasteries and churches on the island to visit, including the beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Insider Top Tip: 

A great restaurant is the Sunset Restaurant , often awarded for having one of the best restaurant views in the world!

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Hydra

Dodecanese Islands

The name “Dodecanese”, meaning “The Twelve Islands”, is a group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, comprising fifteen significant islands and 93 smaller ones. They are located between the Cyclades and the coast of Turkey.

When we chose to visit the Greek island of Rhodes last year, it was for the simple reason that it was easy to reach from our closest airport in France. Still, once I learned more about this fascinating Greek Island, I was excited to discover the beaches, historical sites, and natural attractions. 

We travelled in early July, and the weather was terrific. It was hot, without being stiflingly so, with very little wind. Apart from the  stunning beaches on Rhodes , where we spent a lot of time swimming & snorkelling, there is plenty to see and do in Rhodes.

Rhodes is a relatively large island, with several towns and resorts lining the coast and several charming villages further inland.

Family activities in Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the best Greek islands for families, and while the old town could have easily kept us occupied for days, we also enjoyed exploring the smaller areas away from the main city.

My son enjoyed the Butterfly Valley , and we both thought our boat trip to Symi was a highlight of our trip! 

For maximum flexibility, we rented a car to get around the island easily and to travel to & from our accommodation and the airport.

We stayed in the small village of Charaki, which was perfect and had a very relaxed, friendly, easy-going vibe. It’s also very affordable, and our little one-bedroom apartment on the beachfront was ideal for us to share. 

Visit the “secret” beaches of Stegna (Grande Bleu) and Kopria – both are more frequented by locals than visitors (especially the latter), and both have low-key, friendly restaurants for a bite between beachcombing.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Rhodes

Kos is the third largest of the Dodecanese islands and offers holidaymakers beautiful sandy beaches, azure waters, charming fishing villages and buzzing nightlife for those who want it.

It has long been a favourite Greek island for travellers and still remains so despite not being the picture-postcard beauty of some of its neighbours. What it lacks in beauty, it makes up for with the wealth of ancient Greek and Roman landmarks scattered around the island.

Head to the harbour and visit the tree-lined avenues of Kos Town. Here, you can shop, book boat trips , or people-watch from one of the many bars along the harbour.

And outside Kos Town is the ancient site Asklepion, the centre of ancient medicine built in the 3rd century. It is one of the most popular attractions in Kos and can be reached by local bus or on a day tour of Kos.

To visit a traditional and charming Greek village, head to Antimachia and visit the beautiful old chapel.

For history culture vultures, the Tree of Hippocrates must be visited. Located in Kos Town, local folktales say the tree is 2500 years old and planted by Hippocrates (the father of medicine), who sat beneath it to teach his students.

Nearby to the tree are the ruins of the Castle of the Knights of St John (Nerantzia castle).

Head to Mastichari beach for the most beautiful Kos sunsets.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Kos

Patmos is such a beautiful island in Greece that it was one of our most enjoyable island stays. We went to Patmos because it was not a popular Greek island among tourists, and we wanted a more local experience.

It was also perfect on our Greek 2-week itinerary route between Rhodes and Athens with the boat. When looking into it, we realised  Patmos is a beautiful place to visit , with empty beaches, and local boutiques and perfect for relaxation. 

We travelled there in October when there were fewer tourists. The weather was still gorgeous, too.

During the day it was hot, so we needed only T-shirts, shorts and sun cream. It’s also still warm enough by the evening to enjoy dinner outside at a local restaurant (with local dishes being mostly fresh-caught fish). 

Christianity in Patmos

As well as the beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters that Greece is famous for, my partner wanted to visit Patmos due to its link with Christianity. Patmos is believed to be where the Book of Revelations was written by John the Theologian.

This religious artefact has ties to the must-see Cave of The Apocalypse, which can be visited by heading up the hill from Patmos town.

The island is not that big, and it is easily explorable by renting a small car for the stay. We saw most of the island within one full day by car. You can also easily walk and get around by taxi.

Many hotels and B&Bs in Chora are along the water’s edge , where lovely Greek restaurants can be found.

We recommend staying at the Captain’s House in Patmos – beautiful and peaceful, and we loved the private swimming pool! 

Head to Jimmy’s Balcony Restaurant for the freshest Greek salad and inredible views of the stunning Patmos coastline

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Patmos

Sporades Islands

The Sporades lie in the Aegean Sea off Greece’s east coast and consist of twenty-four islands, with only four inhabited – Skopelos, Skyros, Skiathos and Alonnisos.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are popular around the Sporades as the water is clear.

The islands of Skopelos and Skiathos were considered the best islands in Greece by the Mamma Mia location scouts, who used the two islands to film their blockbuster films.

Another of the best Greek islands to visit is Skopelos, an island of the Northern Sporades group.

Compared to many other Greek islands, Skopelos is still rather untouristy, even though many places were used as  filming locations for the movie Mamma Mia . That’s one of the main reasons I chose Skopelos as a Greek holiday destination since it’s one of my all-time favourite movies!

Mamma Mia fan or not, the 96 km² big island lures visitors with its untouched nature, pristine beaches and lively nightlife in the capital city. 

The famous Amarandos Cove, a rocky cape in the south of the island, has become a true symbol of Skopelos, and because of its clear turquoise water, it’s a popular place for snorkelling.  

Another iconic spot on the island is the chapel of Agios Ioannis, located on an imposing rock overlooking the vast ocean. Visitors can reach the small church by climbing more than 200 narrow steps, but the challenging climb is well worth it! 

Mamma Mia on Skopelos

I highly recommend renting a car or booking the Mamma Mia island tour to get around the island. Organised local transport is available, mainly connecting the most famous beaches and villages. With a car, you can explore Skopelos’ hidden gems where no bus goes. 

Sun Hotel is an excellent and affordable place to stay. It’s a casual hotel with a pool just a short walk from the centre of Skopelos Town. 

If you’re looking for some authentic Greek food, check out Taverna Apolafsi in Skopelos Town. This family-run taverna offers mouth-watering food and an incredible authentic Greek experience!

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Skopelos

Eastern Aegean Islands

These gorgeous islands in the eastern Aegean Sea may not be developed for tourism to the extent of their neighbours, but what they do offer is a traditional and family-orientated vibe.

With breathtaking beaches, medieval villages and a slower pace of life, this is where you must visit if you are looking for a complete break away from everything.

Chios, an easy and fun visit, is Greece’s fifth-largest island, but that doesn’t make it huge.

It’s easy to get around in summer and fall for a day or two. We took a ferry to Chios from Turkey, and as soon as we got off, we went to the first rental agency for a car, although you could rent motor scooters as well. It was super simple.

Another reason for  spending one day in Chios  is to visit a UNESCO World Heritage monastery called Nea Moni.

Infamously known as a site of a massacre, today it is a beautiful place to visit, and it has gallantly kept the story alive, honouring the victims.

Landmarks to Discover in Chios

Other places to visit in Chios include two medieval towns decorated with geometric patterns, the villages of Mesta and Pyrgi, and seeking out the island’s cutest museums.

There’s a citrus museum and one that tells you all about a natural substance called mastic from which the local liqueur, called Mastika, is produced and famous on the island.

There’s also a castle, some great little boutiques, and many amazing Greek beaches to laze in the sun and swim in the clear water.

While there, partake of the rich Mediterranean foods such as lightly fried calamari and other fresh seafood. Another surprise is the Ariousiuous winery in the northern hills of the island. Sip a glass and enjoy the views; it’s so romantic.

No matter your interest and how you spend your time on the Greek island of Chios , you will feel so much more relaxed and rejuvenated when you leave.

You can swim in the sea up until the end of October, making Chios the perfect getaway in the Greek islands.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Chios

Thasos is a hidden gem of the Aegean and is close to the Greek mainland. It is reached by ferry from either Kavala or Keramoti, which is why I chose it as one of the best Greek islands to visit in September. By then, the weather was perfect, comfortably warm, and there were no rains.

Thasos is the greenest of the Greek islands, also called Emerald Island and is one of the best Greek islands for hiking. I was happy to follow mountain trails to caves, springs, lakes and quaint abandoned villages.

Thasos offers many historical sights, adventure opportunities and beautiful beaches.

The best one for sunbathing is Golden Beach, a 4km sand stripe with shallow waters, great for swimming.

Saliara Beach made out of marble pieces, fascinated me with its turquoise waters. A natural pool carved in rocks called Giola is another not-to-be-missed spot, especially for jumpers. 

History and Adventure in Thasos

Aside from beaches, I learnt about the history of Thasos. In Limenas, there’s an old preserved amphitheatre with beautiful harbour views.

At the ancient marble quarry of Aliki, I found out how workers collected Thasos marble more than 1,000 years ago. 

While Thasos is not Corfu or Crete, it’s still too large to walk around on foot.

To enjoy the best of Thasos, I hired a car for two days to tour the island (a little over 100 km), allowing us to stop wherever we wanted and for how long we wanted.

I also used public transport on day trips, but the schedule of the buses is not reliable enough to use them for a multi-stop day trip.

Thasos is also great for a Jeep safari; however, I do not recommend you go in a hired car.

Book an organised island jeep tour with a local guide with the right vehicle for the activity. I did the same, and it was the day with the most adrenaline of the week, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Based on my experience, Skala Prinos and Limenaria are ideal for couples, while Potos, Golden Beach and Thasos are more family-oriented, and Pefkari targets older people. 

For great dishes try Irene Tavern in Panagi a or Sotiros Tavern in Limenaria . The food was really tasty and the owners were friendly and always made sure you enjoyed the time we spent in their taverns.

Check availability and pricing for the best places to stay in Thasos

I hope this Greek travel guide has given you helpful information about the best islands to see in Greece for your next Greek adventure!

And if you are wondering why I didn’t include Santorini on this list of Greek islands to visit, that’s because I am going on holiday to Santorini later this year and will be writing a travel guide about the best things to do in Santorini, often described as the best island in Greece.

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21 Best Greek Islands to Visit In 2024

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: June 11, 2024

Searching for the best Greek islands to visit? The good news is that you have lots of choices. Greece has 227 inhabited islands where you can stay and over 6,000 uninhabited islands and islets that you can explore by day trip.

Whether you want traditional villages, busy  cities , gorgeous beaches, or a UNESCO World Heritage Site or two, all the Greek Islands have something to offer. You could visit Santorini – one of the most romantic destinations in the world. You could visit Paxos and Antipaxos, some of the smallest inhabited islands in Greece. Or, for a party experience, you could fly to Zante or Mykonos.

Table of Contents

Top Greek Islands to Visit Right Now

A holiday on a Greek island is the ultimate getaway. This guide will cover the best Greek islands.

Corfu is hardly a hidden gem, and, in peak season, the island does get a little swamped by mass tourism. However, Corfu is one of the best Greek islands to visit if you are visiting off-season or in the shoulder seasons.

Corfu is Greece’s greenest island. It also has lots of historical sites dotted around the island. Corfu Town is perhaps the epicenter of history in Corfu and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get there

Corfu’s one of the most popular Greek islands to visit and is one of the best Greek islands to fly into if you want an easy journey. Corfu International Airport is situated within a short taxi ride (or half an hour’s walk) of Corfu Town, and it has regular flights from many major European cities.

You can also catch ferries or plan cruises to Corfu. The island has a busy port with regular ferries.

Things to do

• Dine and shop in Corfu Old Town.

Corfu Old Town is an ancient city with UNESCO-protected houses, museums, and market streets. Allow at least half a day to treat yourself to a traditional meal and souvenir.

• Visit Cape Drastis.

Cape Drastis is one of the most spectacular beaches in Corfu. The limestone peninsula stretches out into eye-catching cliff and rock formations, with sections of beach along the rocks.

This Corfu Private Yacht Cruise takes you along the central east coast including of Corfu with with several stops for swimming and snorkelling as you explore Garitsa bay, Mouse Island, Vido Island, and Lazareto Island, and more.

• Take a day trip to Albania.

One of Corfu’s most unique aspects is its location. Make sure to take a boat trip to appreciate the coastline from the water and, if you have time, take a day trip by ferry to Albania. You can reach Sarande in just thirty minutes and explore Roman ruins at Butrint National Park with much fewer tourists than in Corfu.

Crete is a popular island amongst tourists and is the largest Greek island. It is full of wild, natural beauty and is home to the spectacular Samaria Gorge National Park. However, it also has a nightlife to rival that of even Mykonos, and you’ll find plenty of nightclubs and beach bars.

Crete is one of the best Greek islands to visit if you want a bit of everything. Nature, nightlife, attractions, and sandy beaches –  Crete  ticks many boxes.

Getting to Crete is easy. The island has an international airport with many direct flights from major European cities. There is also a regular ferry network from other nearby islands.

If you are traveling to Crete from another Greek island, we recommend catching the ferry if possible. The island hopping experience is much more exciting and traditionally done by boat – plus, it is better for the environment.

• Visit Samaria Gorge National Park

The national park is sat on the west coast of Crete and is a great place to spend a day. You can walk the Samaria Gorge, climb the White Mountains, and even go wine tasting. Book this tour of the Samaria Gorge from Chania for a challenging trek through one of Europe’s longest gorges.

• Visit Elafonsi

Forget golden sand; Elafonsi has pink beaches. Millions of crushed-up Foraminifera sea shells turn patches of the sand pink. It is quite a phenomenon.

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum

For Greek history, look no further. Heraklion is a fantastic museum full of Cretan artifacts and fascinating exhibitions. Book a private Heraklion wine and history tour to better understand the past of the mysterious Minoans and appreciate the objects found on the site as well as in many other settlements around Crete.

3. Naxos Island

Naxos Island is a traditional Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea, between offshore Athens and the west coast of Turkey.

Naxos is a laidback island with plenty of beautiful beaches and mountain villages. It is one of the best Greek islands for a quiet experience of Greece – away from all the crazy partying on more touristy islands.

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades Islands, so it’s the easiest to reach from Athens and by ferry. The great ferry connections to Naxos town make it an excellent island-hopping destination. You can easily get to it from bigger islands like Santorini and Mykonos.

You won’t find direct flights to Naxos from abroad. Therefore, you’ll have to plan a stopover in Athens if you fly into Naxos. Book this airport transfer to your hotel in a luxury vehicle for a smooth and hassle-free transfer to your accommodations.

• Temple of Demeter

This temple dates back to 530 BCE and is scenically located on a hilltop above the village of Kastri. Allow an hour or two to wander the marble ruins and admire the panoramic view.

• Eggares Olive Oil Museum

Naxos is full of olive groves, and Eggares Museum is where to learn more about butter, olive oil, and olive harvesting. You’ll get access to informative exhibits and tasting opportunities.

• Cedar Forest of Alyko

If you love secluded beaches, Cedar Forest is for you. Forget forest walks; this spot is a remote beach surrounded by patches of shrubs and small trees. Quiet and idyllic, where better to unwind?

4. Zakynthos AKA (Zante)

Zante is one of the best Greek islands to visit for a party holiday. Lively, busy, and full of things to do, it is no wonder that the Ionian island of Zante is favored for a girls’ trip or boys’ holiday. Read more: Things to do in Zakynthos, Greece

Zante is actually the island’s Italian name, so we’ll reference it by its Greek name, Zakynthos, from now on. However, you can refer to it by either name, and everybody will know what you mean. Regardless this is one of the most beautiful islands to visit in Greece.

The easiest way to get to Zakynthos is to fly. You’ll find direct flights from most European airports – which is very convenient and means no stopover in Athens.

If you want the island hopping experience, though, there are plenty of ferry services to Zakynthos. It is well-connected to the other Ionian Islands, the mainland, major Greek Islands, and some surrounding countries.

• Navagio Beach

Navagio Beach, aka Shipwreck Beach, is the postcard image of Zakynthos. The cove is famous for its rusted shipwreck, curved limestone cliffs, and bright blue waters. Book this trip to Navagio Beach for a guided tour to the north of Zakynthos on a glass bottom seed boat.

Speaking of blue waters, the Blue Caves are another must-visit in Zakynthos. The sea caves are formed by unique cliff formations and are made bright blue by reflected light. You can book a boat tour to reach them, which often includes the chance to swim. This trip also includes a stop a the Blue Caves.

• Volunteer with sea turtles

Zakynthos is famed for its turtles; between May and October, every year, thousands of baby turtles hatch on its beaches. You can contact charities like Archelon The Sea Turtle Protection to get involved.

5. Skopelos

Skopelos is a quiet island in the Aegean Sea. It is incredibly beautiful and unassuming – full of laidback residential areas and picturesque scenery.

Skopelos is a hidden gem but definitely one of the best Greek Islands. Skopelos was only brought into the mainstream limelight after Mamma Mia used it as a filming location.

For Mamma Mia fans, Skopelos is easily the best Greek island. The district of  Pelion  is also worth a visit for die-hard fans. However, Mamma Mia aside, for a small island atmosphere with a peaceful vibe and stunning beaches, Skopelos is an excellent choice.

You can only reach Skopelos by ferry. There’s no airport on Skopelos, so you’ll have to take to the seas.

Luckily, the island has several regular ferry connections, including from Thessaloniki, Kymi, and Volos. It is easiest to catch the ferry to Skopelos from the mainland.

• Walk Skopelos Old Town

Skopelos Old Town is photogenic and the best place to wander on the island. The buildings are white-washed with colorfully painted details. You can snap photos, shop, and dine al fresco on car-free roads.

• Visit Agios Ioannis Church

For the Mamma Mia fans amongst you, Agrios Ioannis is where Sophie was married. However, the church is also stunningly located on a towering rock in the ocean. Visitors scale 198 steps to reach the top, where you get stunning views and a historical religious site.

• Go scuba diving

Get trained at Skopelos Dive Center and go scuba diving while on Skopelos. The ocean around the island is full of caves, wrecks, and reefs. Plus, it has some of the best water clarity in Greece.

6. Santorini

Santorini doesn’t need an introduction. The island is world-famous as one of the most romantic destinations on Earth. You can hardly open a social media app without seeing the white-washed buildings, cobbled streets, and sunset influencer shots.

Santorini is well-known as one of the best Greek Islands. While typically expensive and busy, it is a beautiful Greek island if you don’t mind sacrificing a budget-friendly and quiet experience of Greek island living. There are unique  places  to stay and  things to do  on Santorini. Want to splash out? Santorini is your best choice. Read more: Where to Stay in Santorini: Best Hotels and Towns

Santorini is well-connected. It has Thira Airport, which has international and domestic flights, and there’s a high chance of finding a direct flight from abroad.

Of course, you can also catch a ferry if you wish. Santorini has plenty of connections to other islands in the Aegean Sea, plus connections to the mainland and other major islands, thanks to its superstar status.

• Visit the Venetian castle

Akrotiri Venetian Castle is a collection of stunning ruins on a hilltop with panoramic views over Santorini. Plan a few hours in your itinerary to hike up and explore the castle remains.

• Visit the Santorini Wine Museum

Santorini is a leader in Greece’s wine scene. Here, you can learn about regional wine-making and get regular chances to taste products.

• Watch the sunset at Oia

Oia is where influencers get that sunset shot. The town is cut dramatically into a rugged coastline with all white-washed houses. It is definitely the place to be by sundown. This catamaran Tour is also a beautiful way to enjoy the sunset while taking in the views of the calderra and high sea cliffs of the isalnd.

Lefkada is a medium-sized Greek island known for its traditional villages and dramatic coastlines. The island’s beaches are plentiful, and its coasts have towering limestone cliffs. You’ll have many scenic beach days if you visit Lefkada.

Lefkada is one of the best Greek islands to visit if you are based on the mainland and looking for an add-on island experience. It is one of the only Greek islands you can drive to, which is often much more convenient than flying or sailing.

Lefkada is the most accessible island to access from Mainland Greece and is attached by a causeway. If you rent a car or purchase a transfer, you can easily cross over to Lefkada for a day or a full holiday.

You can also reach Lefkada by boat, and it is well-connected to other Ionian islands like Kefalonia and Zakynthos. There is no airport actually on Lefkada Island, but there are so many just across the causeway that you won’t have an issue.

• Lefkaditiki Gi Winery

It’s no secret that Greek wine is delicious. Visiting Lefkaditiki Gi Winery allows you to discover the production process and sample the products.

• Porto Katsiki

Porto Katsiki is the most stunning beach on Lefkada. You reach it via a steep stairway and can enjoy golden sand, bright blue water, and white limestone cliffs on all sides.

• Faneromeni Monastery

This monastery is scenically located up in Lefkada’s mountainous district. Visitors can admire the views, explore the monastery complex, and visit the small zoo that is quirkily built on the property.

Thassos is one of the best Greek islands for an off-the-beaten-track experience. The island is half-covered in pine forests and olive oil farms – perfect for experiencing Greece’s agricultural, rural side.

In Thassos, you’ll spend your days hiking, eating, or relaxing on the quietest beaches in Greece. The island isn’t short of museums either, but primarily it is a place to visit and unplug from the stress of life at home and in cities.

To get to Thassos, you must take a ferry from Kavala or Keramoti. The ferry connections for Thassos are pretty limited, so you only have these two departure options. However, the ferries do leave almost every hour daily. The island is also located just offshore of Kavala, so this shouldn’t put you too far out of your way.

If you fly, fly into Kavala International Airport, as you won’t be able to fly directly to Thassos since the island has no airport.

• Giola Lagoon

Giola Lagoon is an emerald rock pool popular amongst swimmers and tourists. It is one of the best places to take a dip when visiting Thassos.

• Archeological Museum of Thassos

You can’t visit a Greek island without learning about its archeological finds and history. The Museum of Thassos has ancient artifacts on display and tells of the island’s ancient history.

• Olive Oil Museum

Thassos’ Olive Oil Museum is an excellent way to mix tasting with learning. You’ll follow the production of olive oil and then get a tasting session at the end.

9. Antipaxos

Antipaxos is a tiny island adjacent to the nearby island of Paxos. With an estimated 20 residents, Antipaxos is one of the best Greek islands to visit for a deserted, desert-island feel.

You can visit from Paxos on a day trip or base yourself on Antipaxos. Book overnight accommodation in advance though, as spots are understandably limited compared to other larger Greek islands.

The only way to reach Antipaxos is by boat from Paxos. You can catch a water taxi from Paxos Harbor and arrive in Antipaxos in just fifteen to twenty minutes.

The nearest airport to Antipaxos (and Paxos) is in Corfu, so you’ll have to take two boat trips to reach Antipaxos. You can also take this tour from Corfu to explore Paxos and Antipaxos along the Turquoise waters of the Ionian sea to view the Caves of Paxos, admire the white cliffs of Erimitis and more.

• Go snorkeling

Antipaxos has some of Greece’s best beaches. The waters are shallow, calm, and a beautiful blue – perfect for snorkeling. Just remember to bring snorkels with you or buy some from Paxos as there aren’t any shops in Antipaxos.

• Take a boat tour

Taking a boat tour around Antipaxos allows you to see its coastline from a unique vantage point. If you are lucky, you may also spot dolphins or turtles.

• Hike the island

The best thing about a small island is that you can hike the whole island. Allow around half a day, although the island only covers an area of 4km2.

10. Skiathos

Skiathos  is cosmopolitan and lively. Yes, you’ll have sandy beaches and traditional areas. However, Skiathos is one of the best Greek islands for partying and has an outgoing nightlife with lots of hospitality venues.

Most nightlife is centered around Skiathos Town, so stay there if you want easy access to the action.

Skiathos is well-connected to the other Sporades Islands by ferries. The island also has an airport with international and domestic charters. You can probably find a flight that flies directly to Skiathos, but you may have to stopover at Athens if not.

• Shop and dine in Skiathos Old Town

Skiathos Town is that postcard-perfect center, with irregular grey slabbed streets and white-washed cafes and shops at every corner. Visit in the late afternoon for shopping and enjoy dusk dining al fresco.

• Evangelista Monastery

Evangelista Monastery is a fantastic example of religious and historical architecture. It was also an essential base for Greek fighters in the Greek and Ottoman unrest. Allow at least a couple of hours to take in the monastery’s beauty and significance.

• Lalaria Beach

Lalaria is a stunning beach surrounded by cliffs so steep that it is only accessible by boat. You can plan a boat trip and easily spend a whole day at Lalaria.

11. Astypalea

Want a Greek island that is lesser visited? Astypalea is one of the best Greek islands to visit for a quiet experience.

The island has Cycladic architecture and fantastic beaches and is small enough to get around on foot. It is easily one of the best islands to get off the beaten track, and you shouldn’t struggle with crowds of tourists – even in peak season.

You can fly to Astypalea from Athens about three times a week. But that is the island’s only regular aircraft connection, so make sure to plan ahead.

It is best to reach Astypalea by boat as there are regular connections between nearby Greek islands.

• Astypalea Castle

Astypalea’s Venetian Castle sits on a hill above Chora, the island’s major town. You can hike up to explore the ruins and are rewarded with fantastic views and lots of historical and archeological information.

• Traditional windmills

Eight windmills famously line a road in Chora, and it’s well worth walking to take a look. The windmills are white-washed with orange terracotta roofs and are popularly featured on postcards.

• Drakos Cave

Drakos Cave is an exciting place to visit and full of stalactites and stalagmites. Drakos Cave is an excellent addition to your itinerary if you like natural attractions.

12. Mykonos

If you want flashy, outgoing nightlife,  Mykonos  is one of the best Greek islands to visit. Mykonos is known for its dance clubs and world-renowned DJ appearances.

Unlike party hotspots like Magaluf and Kavos though, Mykonos also retains a luxury, upscale side to its hospitality. Nightlife can be classy, and Mykonos is the best Greek island to visit and prove that.

Flying into Mykonos Airport is easy, and you’ll find regular flights from across Europe.

Mykonos also has regular ferries from other nearby islands, so you can always stick to the seas while traveling to the island.

• Paraportiani Church

This famous church is entirely white and looks like a mound of rock rather than a building. However, the orthodox church is easily one of the most famous churches in Greece and is worth visiting.

• Mykonos Windmills

Once practical and now just beautiful, the Mykonos Windmills are located on a hill outside Mykonos Town. It’s well worth a walk up to admire the windmills and enjoy the view over the town.

• Little Venice

Health and safety nightmare or the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? We’ll let you decide. Little Venice is an area in Mykonos where colored balconies and white-washed houses dangle right over the ocean.

Rhodes is known for its history and definitely has a World Heritage Site or two. The island got its name from the Greek goddess Rhode, who was the daughter of Poseidon, and it is full of myths, archeology, and cultural significance.

Rhodes is the best Greek island to visit if you like Ancient Greek mythology and history. Take this Rhodes cruise to Simi Island where you’ll visit one of the most traditional and colorful islands in the Aegean Sea.

The best way to get to Rhodes is to fly into Rhodes Diagoras International Airport. However, there are also regular ferry services between nearby Dodecanese islands and the mainland. If you want to island-hop instead, there are enough regular boats to sail to Rhodes.

• Acropolis of Rhodes

The Acropolis is one of Rhodes’ most famous archeological sites. You can wander different ruins, including an amphitheater.

• Rodini Park

Rodini Park is a suburban park like no other. The park has fairy-like walkways with twisted branches as railings, shaded water features, and peacocks roaming en route.

• Street of Knights of Rhodes

Drinking at inns on a medieval street is not what you imagine a Greek island holiday to be like, but it is an experience you should have. The cobbled ‘Street of Knights’ is an exciting place for a drink or two.

Evia is not the most commonly mentioned holiday destination, but we have no idea why. The island has the biggest complex of natural hot springs in Greece. Out of all of our ‘best Greek islands’, Evia is where to go if you want to experience bathing in springs.

Evia is also huge. It is the second-largest Greek island with plenty of attractions and even mountains to climb, like Dirfi. For outdoor adventures, Evia is the best Greek island.

Like Lefkada, Evia can be reached by car from the mainland. Evia is connected to the mainland by a large bridge, so it is an excellent option if you’d prefer to drive.

While Evia doesn’t have an airport, you can easily fly to Athens and then pick up a rental car to reach Evia.

• Edipsos Springs

Edipsos is a spa town in Evia and is home to many thermal bath resorts. You can bathe in the luxury resorts or head to the beach to soak in the public hot springs for free. The town has over 60 springs, so you will find a quiet one.

• Hike to find Drakospita

When hiking on hills and mountains in Evia, it’s common to find rock houses. These buildings are made with stacked rocks – similarly to drystone walls – and are called ‘dragon houses’. They aren’t just valuable shelters; some date back to the 8th century BC.

• Drimona Waterfall

Hiking to and swimming in Drimona Waterfall is one of the most fun things to do in Evia. Plus, there is a small fossil collection by the entrance.

15. Kefalonia

Kefalonia is where to head to eat good food, drink wine, and unwind rather than party until the early hours. You’ll find the odd bar or two, but the focus is usually more on quality beverages than quantity.

Kefalonia is one of the best Greek islands to choose if you want to be surrounded by nature and just enjoy gorgeous beaches and hospitality.

Kefalonia has an international airport, so the best way to get to Kefalonia is to fly. Most European cities have flights to Kefalonia Airport.

There are also regular ferries to the Greek mainland and many islands in the Ionian Sea, including Zakynthos and Corfu.

• Meet sea turtles

Thanks to Kefalonia’s quiet waters, you can find loggerhead sea turtles all over the island’s beaches and waters. The most reliable place to spot them is Argostoli Harbor, so head there first.

• Climb Mount Aenos

Fancy a challenge? Hike the 6.5km trail up to the summit of Mount Aenos. You’ll need a full day, and the hike will take around five hours one way.

• Spend a day in Assos

Assos is a coastal village with colorful houses. It’s the perfect place to dine out and spend an afternoon wandering.

Milos is known for its striking coastlines and limestone rock shelving. While not as busy as its neighboring Greek islands like Corfu or Zakynthos, it certainly has a buzz.

In peak seasons, Milos’ nightlife is enough to entertain you for a few nights. Then, throughout the day, the volcanic island has a lot of natural and historical attractions to explore. Milos is one of the best Greek islands to visit if you want to try something slightly new.

You can easily access Milos by ferry, and the island is well-connected by boat to other Cyclades islands.

Milos also has a domestic airport, so you can reach Milos by flying internally (usually from Athens). There are no international flights to Milos though, meaning you’ll most likely have an in-direct flight.

• Sarakiniko Beach

Sarakiniko Beach looks a bit like you’ve landed on the moon. It is surrounded by overhanging white volcanic cliffs and is an amazing place for a beach day.

• Milos Mining Museum

If you want an insight into Milos’ industrial history, the Mining Museum is a great place to start. It contains exhibits and artifacts, plus educational videos on the island’s mining history.

• Catacombs of Milos

Brave? The Catacombs of Milos are a little creepy but otherwise impressive. The Christian burial tombs are in an underground network that dates back to the 1st century.

Syros is one of the best Greek islands to escape cruise ships and mass tourism. The island is small, with coastal cycadean villages and just a sprinkling of taverns and bars. Syros also has a rich cultural heritage, so you’ll have plenty of attractions to appreciate.

Syros has just enough infrastructure to keep things convenient yet not too much to disrupt the calm atmosphere. Syros is a great island for a peaceful retreat. For a quiet, authentic elegance, you shouldn’t look much further.

How to get to Syros

Syros Airport is only domestic and has a handful of weekly flights from Athens. You could fly if you want to, but getting the ferry is much more popular – even from Athens.

Ferry connections include all the main Cyclades islands and a few places on the mainland.

Things to do in Syros

• Agios Stefanos

Sunset lovers, Agios Stefanos is the ultimate spot. The tiny Catholic church is tucked under a rock and is a beautiful place to sit and watch the ocean.

• Saint Nicholas

Another sacred spot, Saint Nicholas, is an Orthodox church in the town of Ermoupoli. If you want an indoor activity, touring the church interior is fascinating, and there are ornate paintings, designs, and relics.

• Miaouli Square

Miaouli Square is an architectural highlight of Syros. The square is surrounded by neoclassical buildings and rows of palm trees – the perfect spot for a morning stroll.

When a Greek island is described as ‘charming,’ it can seem cliche. However, you also immediately get the right idea. Symi is charming in every sense of the word; friendly, colorful, pretty, and slightly reserved.

Symi is one of the best Greek islands if you want a family atmosphere or a quiet couple’s holiday.

How to get to Symi

Symi does not have an airport, so you’ll have to reach the island by ferry.

The best way to reach Symi is by flying to Rhodes and catching a ferry there. However, Symi is also connected to many nearby islands and the mainland if you don’t mind a longer voyage.

Things to do in Symi

• Symi Castle

Symi Castle is a 14th-century-built castle set on a hill above Ano Symi. It takes approximately 30 minutes to hike there and is best timed with sunset for the best views over Symi.

Symi has lots of beaches and coves that are inaccessible without a boat. Hopping on a boat for a day is a fun way to discover more of Symi’s hidden corners.

• Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis

This monastery is one of the most beautiful on Symi, which is saying something, as Symi has a lot of stunning monasteries. The monastery is still functioning and is home to a brotherhood of monks, but you can tour the property during opening hours.

19. Donoussa

Donoussa is a small, remote island located off the shores of Naxos. Laidback and unassuming, Donoussa has a real ‘manana, manana’ atmosphere and is a grand island to experience rural Greece.

Donoussa is safe, but you should be prepared to deal with fewer facilities than on other Greek islands. Donussa is one of the best Greek islands to visit if you are happy with a simplistic lifestyle on holiday.

How to get to Donoussa

Donoussa is only accessible by ferry. You can catch a ferry to Donoussa from most islands in the Aegean Sea and Athens on the mainland.

The best way to reach Donoussa is to fly into Naxos and catch a short ferry.

Things to do in Donoussa

• Take a boat tour to the caves

On Donoussa boat tours, you can visit the Cave of the Wall and the Cave of Fokospilla. These caves make a fun day out, and the light reflections often brighten the appearance of the water.

• Church of Holy Cross

This church is an eye-catching white building with a blue dome. It was built to house the Holy Cross relic and is the site of celebrations every September the 14th.

• Kedros Beach

Kedros Beach is popular because of its beach bar and dramatic WW2 shipwreck. If you want an exciting beach day, Kedros is a good option.

20. Serifos

Serifos is another remote island on our ‘best Greek islands’ list. Serifos is everything you want on a quiet Greek island – full of tradition, the best beaches, and friendly hospitality.

Be prepared to bring a beach towel, as you won’t find beach facilities and endless convenient infrastructure. But, if that’s what you are avoiding, Serifos is one of the best Greek islands to visit to escape the crowds.

How to get to Serifos

Like many remote Greek islands, Serifos is only accessible by ferry. It’s best to fly into Athens and then catch the ferry to Serifos from there.

Things to do in Serifos

• Go tasting at Chrysoloras Winery

Chrysoloras Winery is scenically perched on a hill in rural Serifos. You can learn about local wine production and sample the best Greek white and rose wines.

• Hike the mining trail

Mining is central to the history of most Greek islands, Serifos included. The mining trail is a great way to combine outdoor activity with history, and the trail passes disused mining machinery, railway tracks, and mine shafts.

• Attend a pottery workshop

Kerameio Ceramic Studio is a relaxed, creative place to spend a few hours. And what better souvenir to take home than one you’ve made yourself? Attend a pottery workshop if you can, or purchase some local pottery from the gift shop.

So, we’ve covered Antipaxos, but what if Antipaxos was just a bit too quiet for your liking? Paxos is a fantastic choice if you still want to stay in the Paxi islands.

Paxos is still slow-paced and laidback. It just has more infrastructure and entertainment than Antipaxos. Paxos is the best Greek island if you want a gentle introduction to rural living. Plus, the local boat trips are amazing.

How to get to Paxos

There is no airport at Paxos, so you must use the ferry. The quickest way to get to Paxos is to fly into Corfu and then get the ferry from Corfu to Paxos. However, there are many ferry connections between Paxos and other islands and the mainland if you prefer to take a different route.

Things to do in Paxos

• Shop and dine in Gaios

Gaios is the capital and center of action in Paxos. Whether you want a boat trip, souvenir, or meal out, Gaios is the place to go. Allow at least half a day to enjoy the town.

• Erimitis Bay

Erimitis Bay is the prettiest beach in Paxos. To reach it, you descend (what feels like) endless flights of stairs. But, at the bottom, surrounded by limestone cliffs and sitting on a sandy beach, it is all worthwhile.

• Tripitos Arch

Tripitos Arch is a unique cliff formation best seen by boat trips. If you fancy a challenge on the land though, you can complete a hike to overlook the arch from the cliffs.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of which one of our ‘best’ Greek islands you choose, you’ll have a fantastic experience. The Greek islands are known for their delicious food, warm hospitality, and beautiful beaches.

If you want an unforgettable holiday experience, you’ve already made a great decision by narrowing down your search to the best Greek islands. Greece is full of beautiful islands and  places to visit .

Still, picking the island most suited to you will make your holiday even better. We hope that you’ve found your perfect match while reading this guide.

Plan Your Next Trip to Greece With These Resources

• Places to Visit in Epirus – The Best Kept Secret in Greece
• 22 Best Things to do in Mykonos, Greece
• 17 Best Cities in Greece To Visit
• 25 Best Things to do in Santorini, Greece
• 25 Interesting and Fun Facts About Greece

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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The best Greek islands to visit in 2024

By Rachel Howard and Condé Nast Traveller

Lord Byron was on to something when he waxed lyrical about the Greek islands. But with more than 200 inhabited to choose from, which ones are the very best Greek islands? Here regular isle-hopper Rachel Howard reveals the ones to get in a speedboat for in 2024, with where to stay recommendations chosen by the editors of Condé Nast Traveller .

Here, we've also ranked the best Greek islands, from 1-29. While we love and highly recommend every island on this list – and advocate visiting all of them throughout your lifetime, if you can – we've also edited the list in order so if it's your first time planning a visit to this magical corner of the world, or you just want to branch out from your usual summer isle trip, we can help you choose where to go next. The order below reflects our well-travelled team's personal opinions, the landscapes, food, beaches, hotels and more.

For more recommendations, see our round up of the best Greek Islands hotels .

Best for: A photogenic and dramatic coastline

Everyone knows the  Venus de Milo (which has stood in the Louvre since the 19th century). Until recently, very few had heard of  Milos , the volcanic island where Aphrodite’s graceful likeness was discovered. Those in the know jealously guard their treasured island, and especially its 70 (or more) beaches — surely the most diverse and dramatic coastline of all the Greek Islands.

Little by little, though, Milos is being discovered. Instagram is saturated with no-filter shots of the undulating white cliffs at Sarakiniko, the bottle-green swimming hole at Papafragas, and colourful, rickety syrmata, tiny boat houses wedged between rock and sea. (You’ll find the best photo opportunities at Klima and Mandrakia). This painterly landscape was shaped by the minerals that have long been a source of wealth – obsidian, alum, barite and sulphur, which still bubbles up in the island’s many hot springs. As the 11,000-year-old mining industry is gradually giving way to tourism, several chic hotels have made an appearance. Go now, before the trickle of visitors turns into a tide.

Where to stay on Milos:

• For romance: Domes White Coast Milos or White Pebble Suites
• For families: Captain Zeppos
• For an eco-retreat: Skinopi Lodge
• For an authentic stay: Achinos By The Sea

For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in Milos .

Best for: A long weekend with the art crowd

You know when Dakis Joannou, Greece's foremost art collector, is on Hydra. His yacht,  Guilty , is painted in gaudy 'camouflage' by Jeff Koons. Every summer, Joannou invites big hitters such as Matthew Barney and David Shrigley to create site-specific installations in the Greek island's old slaughterhouse. Even the school is commandeered for exhibitions in the summer holidays. Car-free and protected by a preservation order, Hydra has always been the artists' muse of the Greek Islands. Leonard Cohen set the scene in the 60s; now Brice Marden, Sadie Coles and Juergen Teller have homes here. Athenian artists take up residence at the School of Fine Arts, one of the vast, grey, stone mansions overlooking the horseshoe harbour. Musicians of all stripes rehearse and record at the  Old Carpet Factory , an 18th-century residence whose double-height ceilings and underground cistern have incredible acoustics.

Less than two hours from Athens , Hydra fills up with chic Greeks at weekends. They come to disconnect and slow down, but also to see and be seen. Wily cats and weary donkeys patrol the back alleys, but all the action happens along the waterfront. Oh look! There's Olivia Palermo at The Pirate Bar and Chloë Sevigny shaking her tail feather at Hydronetta beach bar. Who cares if there are barely any beaches? You can always find a slab of sun-baked rock from which to leap rock from which to dive into the clearest water in the world. See our full guide to  Hydra, Greece .

Where to stay in Hydra:

• For a boutique stay: Orloff Boutique Hotel
• For a beachfront stay: Onos Residence
• For a group: Mirkella sleeps 12 people

Best for: Big, fat Greek feasts

Sifnos owes its foodie reputation to its most famous descendant, Nicholas Tselementes, who wrote the first Greek cookbook in 1910. Forget souvlaki and moussaka: here, chickpea croquettes and stewed capers are taverna staples. The island is peppered with potteries that produce the earthenware casseroles used for revitháda (baked chickpeas) and mastelo (lamb with red wine and dill). Traditional dishes are slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven at To Meraki tou Manoli, a local institution on sheltered Vathy bay. (While you’re there, invest in some timeless tableware from Atsonios Ceramics, in business since 1870.) In postcard-pretty Artemonas, all roads lead to Theodorou, purveyors of nougat wafers and almond sweets since 1933. You can eat in your bikini at Omega3 , where locally foraged and fished ingredients are given an exotic twist: baby-calamari tempura, smoked eel in chilled melon soup with wasabi, and chickpea sorbet with wild apricot jam and pine nuts. In 2021, Omega3’s previous energetic head chef Giorgos Samoilis opened Cantina , an equally experimental restaurant in Seralia, a pretty little bay below the beautiful medieval village of Kastro. Lobsters are plucked straight from the sea at Heronissos, then served with spaghetti on the jetty. It's just the right balance of low-key luxury and unspoiled authenticity. Rather like Sifnos itself.

Where to stay in Sifnos:

• For romance:  NÓS
• For a boutique stay:  Verina Astra
• For families:  Verina Terra
• For a laidback stay: Sifnos House
• For something unique:  This windmill Airbnb

4. Santorini

Best for: Honeymooners and first-timers

Cooing American and Chinese honeymooners line up to take selfies as the sun sinks behind  Santorini 's caldera, the flooded volcanic crater. That view may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. A volcanic explosion blew out Santorini's heart 3,500 years ago, leaving black-sand beaches, vertiginous cliffs in psychedelic hues, and swirling rumours about Atlantis in its wake. The eruption also preserved the ancient city of Akrotiri under layers of ash, and created fertile ground for exceptional Assyrtiko grapes and Vinsanto wines. (Sample them at Domaine Sigalas and Vassaltis wineries, paired with delicate dishes that let the grapes sing.)

Apart from a boat trip to the smouldering crater of Nea Kameni and hot springs at Palia Kameni, there's not much to do but gaze at the mesmerising views from your suite, dangling on the edge of the caldera. Most places to stay are concentrated in Oia and Imerovigli, but the inland village of Pyrgos is up-and-coming. Go for a twilight Bellini at Franco's Cafe and visit Emporio, with its smattering of old-school coffee shops and Airbnbs. For a glimpse of Santorini before the onslaught of cruise ships and Instagrammers, explore the quieter south (but keep your discoveries to yourself).

Where to stay in Santorini:

• For laidback luxury: Perivolas and Santo Mine Oia Suites
• For glamour: Nobu Hotel
• For families: Andronis Boutique Hotel and Domes Novos Santorini
• For the wine: The Vasilicos
• For groups: Elilia Superior Villa sleeps 8 people
• For something unique: this cave house

For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in Santorini and the  best Airbnbs in Santorini .

Best Greek island for: Culture and off-season cachet

On Syros, capital of the Cyclades, you won’t find sugar-cube villages and whitewashed lanes. The colourful 19th-century city of Ermoupoli is built on twin peaks – one Orthodox, the other Catholic, the heritage of a long Venetian occupation. There’s still a strong Italian flavour in Ermoupoli’s marble piazzas, princely mansions, and miniature replica of La Scala, the showpiece of a year-round cultural scene. Syros hosts festivals of animation, dance, digital art, film, classical music, jazz and rembetiko, the Greek blues popularised by local musician Markos Vamvakaris. A few rembetiko joints have survived in the upper town, Ano Syros.

Once Greece’s ship-building centre, Syros' industry centres around the yard in Neorio. But the most splendid legacy of the shipping industry are the manor houses in Vaporia and Poseidonia. The beaches are slightly less splendid — with the exception of Delfini, Varvarousa, and Aetos in the wild north. But fabulous seaside tavernas abound:  Iliovassilemar on Galissas beach for samphire and sea-urchin salad and rockfish soup;  Allou Yialou in the pretty seaside village of Kini for lobster with orzo. In Ermoupoli, the finest places to eat and drink are around Androu Street: Ousyra , where the chef plates up Greek-ified pasta and beautifully balanced salads, and  Django Gelato , where the pistachio gelato reigns supreme, and the fig sorbet made in August can sell out in less than half an hour. Perhaps the prettiest restaurant of all is  Mazi , a vine-covered courtyard festooned with bougainvillaea. Before you leave, stock up on loukoumi (rose-tinted Turkish delight) and San Michali cheese from  Prekas delicatessen , and visit Zeyelo for hand-made wooden sunglasses. For more recommendations, see our insider  guide to Syros .

Where to stay on Syros:

• For a boutique stay: Xenon Apollonos
• For glamour: Hotel Ploes
• For romance: Aristide Hotel
• For groups: Villa Syros sleeps 12 people

6. Folegandros

Best Greek island for: Authenticity with a bohemian buzz

The village square should be your first port of call on any Greek island: settle into your favourite café, pick up local gossip, and adjust to the languid pace of life. On Folegandros, this presents a challenge: the cliff-hanger capital, Hora, has not one but three squares, each brimming with a jumble of cafés, tavernas and dinky raki bars. We recommend  Pounta , where the Danish owner makes and sells the lopsided cups and bowls in which your coffee and Greek yogurt are served. From Hora, zigzagging steps lead up, up and away to the only real landmark, Panagia church; make the pilgrimage at sunrise (perhaps after an all-nighter at dimunitive Astarti bar).

Folegandros – which means ‘iron hard’ in ancient Greek – is as barren as its name suggests. Fruit trees are protected from fierce winds by rings of stones. You won’t find sandy beaches lined with sunbeds; only limpid, pebbly coves, such as Katergo, Ambeli and Livadaki. Set in the rocks above Agios Nikolaos bay, Papalagi serves big fat prawns and whole grilled octopus on a wooden deck aligned with the horizon. Water taxis service some beaches in high season; otherwise you’ll have to scramble down rocky footpaths to cool off. On your way home, stop at Mimis or Synantisi in Ano Meria for the island speciality of  matsata (goat or rabbit stew with hand-made pasta).

Where to stay on Folegandros:

• For luxury: Gundari
• For views: Anemomilos
• For families: Anemi
• For beach access: Blue Sand hotel
• For a private stay: Maistros

Best for: Antiquities, active adventures and sunshine all year round

Greece's largest island, the birthplace of Zeus,  Crete has ancient ruins, snow-capped peaks and beaches galore. Sunshine is pretty much guaranteed year round, but spring is especially lovely for rambling and sightseeing. The Minoan palace of Knossos is glorious, despite the steady stream of coach parties (go early: it opens at 8am); but there are stunning ancient sites, such as Aptera and Malia, peppered all over the island. The 16km-long Samaria Gorge also teems with pilgrims, but there are hundreds more canyons to explore, often with only the elusive kri-kri (wild goats) for company. One of the most staggeringly beautiful hikes is through the Aradena Gorge in the wild and rugged Sfakia region, ending at Marmara, a translucent cove on the Libyan Sea, for a cooling dip and lunch at one of Crete’s finest tavernas, Dialiskari.

With the exception of Elounda – a pocket of bling popular with oligarchs – the north-east coast is scarred by over-development. Head west to the Amari valley or Apokoronas for authentic villages surrounded by olive and orange groves. Or go south, where you'll find the  best beaches in Crete – try Ligres, Sougia, or Kedrodasos. Alternatively, take a back-to-nature break at Milia Mountain Retreat, a 16th-century hamlet powered entirely by solar energy. Everything on the mostly organic menu is grown, caught or reared locally. In fact, it’s almost impossible not to eat well on Crete, which produces superb cheese, honey and olive oil, as well as delicious goat, rabbit and smoked-pork dishes. Time slows almost to a standstill in the mountain villages, where locals with formidable whiskers welcome you with shots of raki (Cretan grappa) for breakfast and celebrate saints' days with a volley of gunshots. Even the road signs are peppered with bullet holes.

Where to stay in Crete:

• For families: The Royal Senses Resort & Spa and Cretan Malia Park
• For romance: Acro Wellness Suites
• For a great location: Blue Palace Resort & Spa
• For a village stay: Kapsaliana Village
• For a private stay: Azure Awe
• For a group: Cien sleeps 16 people

For more, see our edit of the  best hotels in Crete .

Best of the Greek islands for: character and lush landscapes

Corfu is the It Girl of the Ionian islands. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British and French colonial influences. Evenings kick off with cocktails on the Liston (a colonnade modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli), followed by dinner at  Salto , an unpretentious wine bar and bistro on the edge of the Old Town.

With its pastel villages, rolling olive groves and grand manor houses, the rest of the island recalls  Tuscany – but with some of the  best beaches in Europe . The smart set stay on Corfu's north-east coast (nicknamed Kensington-on-Sea) where the Rothschilds like to unwind. It's wall-to-wall Sloanes and speedboats at Agni, a tiny fishing village with three rival tavernas (Toula's is the best). From here, you can rent a boat and putter to your own cove: perhaps Nissaki, Agios Stefanos or Kerasia. These idyllic bays still resemble the 'delectable landscape' that  Lawrence Durrell fell for in the 1930s – now back in vogue thanks to the ITV series, The Durrells . Or venture inland to  Ambelonas , an enchanting winery, restaurant and cooking school that specialises in unusual local dishes, such as roast pork with quince and crème brûlée with Corfiot kumquats. Steer clear of the south, especially Kavos – unless you happen to like wet T-shirt contests.

Where to stay in Corfu:

• For a standout spa: Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa
• For all-inclusive: Ikos Dassia
• For romance: Domes Miramare
• For families: Domes of Corfu
• For groups: Emerald Oasis sleeps 10 people

For more, see our pick of the  best hotels in Corfu .

Best for: Endless sandy beaches

Naxiots once made considerable fortunes exporting potatoes, cheese, marble and emery. Locals bequeathed undesirable seaside plots – useless for farming – to their laziest offspring. When tourists cottoned on to the island's scores of fabulous beaches, these wastrels found themselves sitting on gold mines. The west coast of Naxos is fringed with mile upon mile of powdery sands. Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna delight toddlers and teenagers alike with their shallow waters and beach bars. As you head south, the beaches get wilder: Plaka, where you can gallop across the dunes on horseback, Mikri Vigla for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and crystal-clear Kastraki.

Should you tire of frolicking on the shore, three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore. Try kitron, the local citron liqueur, at the Vallindras distillery in Halki or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in Ano Potamia village. No wonder Herodotus described Naxos as “the happiest of islands."

Where to stay in Naxos:

• For romance:  Naxian on the Beach
• For laidback luxury:  Kavos
• For a private stay:  Eye of Naxos Sky
• For families: Hidden Hill

10. Cephalonia / Kefalonia

Best Greek island for: Laidback family holidays

Casting Penélope Cruz as a Greek peasant is improbable. Shooting a World War II film on an island flattened by an earthquake in 1953 sounds even crazier. And yet  Captain Corelli's Mandolin put under-the-radar Kefalonia (Cephalonia) in the spotlight in 2001. The dramatic scenery still lives up to the hype: milky-white Myrtos beach, the island's pin-up; pine-fringed Horgota beach; and the giddying heights of Mount Ainos, a national park where wild horses roam. Outdoor Kefalonia organises four-wheel-drive safaris, if you can't face the hairpin bends. Surprisingly, the two prettiest seaside villages – Assos and Fiskardo – didn't make the cut. But the yachting set has discovered their photogenic charm. Everyone from John Galliano to Jon Bon Jovi has jumped ashore to taste the seafood pasta at  Tassia Restaurant in Fiskardo, washed down with local Robola and Muscat wines. (We recommend the organic muscat from the 19th century  Haritatos Vineyard in Lixouri, also an enchanting setting for wine tasting.) The rocky coastline around Fiskardo is deliciously pristine: go snorkelling at tiny Dafnoudi or Emblisi, flanked by slabs of limestone that turn the water electric blue.

Where to stay in Kefalonia:

• For an adult-only retreat:  F Zeen
• For families:  Emelisse Nature Resort
• For groups:  Odyssea sleeps 12 people
• For a private stay:  Wilderness Whisperings house
• For something unique:  This sky high villa

See our guide to the best hotels on Kefalonia for more.

Best Greek island for: Walking trails and wild beaches

Divided by four mountain ranges, Andros is like several islands in one. Lush valleys, rushing streams, handsome villages, and wild, windswept beaches are connected by a well-maintained network of hiking trails, making this an excellent off-season destination. Many of Greece’s powerful shipping dynasties hail from Andros; they have bequeathed the island with grand estates, splendid museums, and an elegant neoclassical capital. The marble-paved streets of Chora are full of unexpected treasures: a tiny, open-air cinema showing black-and-white classics, great pizzas and cocktails in a  converted slaughterhouse , sublime sundresses and sandals at  Waikiki boutique. Inland, there are fortified monasteries, ice-cold waterfalls, and fantastic farm-to-table tavernas like Kosses in Ano Fellos, Fofo’s in Livadia, and Tou Josef in Pitrofos to explore. And then there are the mind-blowing beaches: from the spectacular sandy bays of Zorkos, Vitali, and Vori on the north coast to the mellow beach bars at Apothikes and Chryssi Ammos, or the sunset views and old-school fish taverna at Agia Marina, there are options for whichever way the wind or your mood is blowing. You could spend weeks on Andros and still have more to discover.

Where to stay on Andros:

• For a guesthouse stay: Melisses
• For privacy: Onar
• For a village stay: Touchstone House
• For groups: Five Star Greece

12. Serifos

Best Greek island for: Naturists and purists

The sleeper hit of the Cyclades, Serifos is the summer retreat of interior designers and architects who prefer to keep the sandy beaches to themselves. (One French home-owner is so protective of her hideaway that she tells all her friends she summers on nearby Sifnos.) Even in  August , you’ll find coves where you can skinny dip in blissful solitude. That’s because the best beaches (such as Kalo Ambeli and Skala) are only accessible via bone-rattling dirt roads or donkey tracks. Better still, rent a motor boat from the laidback harbour, Livada. Make sure to moor outside Anna’s taverna on Sikamia beach for freshly caught fish and garden-grown salads.

In the cascading hilltop Hora, there’s barely any nightlife, no smart boutiques or fancy hotels. But who cares when you can kick back with fennel pie and raki at  Stou Stratou , pick up Natassa Kalogeropoulou’s minimalist ceramics at  Kerameio , and listen to Greek folk in the open-air amphitheatre? And all less than three hours from Athens.

Where to stay on Serifos:

• For romance: Chill & Co.
• For groups: Lenia sleeps 12 people
• For something unique: This 19th century captain’s house

13. Mykonos

Best of the Greek islands for: Decadent parties and five-star hotels

Mykonos had LGBTQ+ clubs and sunrise parties long before rave culture was even invented. Its bohemian allure hasn’t faded since the 1960s, although the once naked beaches now have nail bars, personal trainers and house music pumping out all hours. The influx of supermodels and superyachts has inspired hot new hotels and restaurants. The hippest place to show off your abs is  Scorpios , a louche beach bar that puts Ibiza 's finest in the shade (book a cabana to watch the sunset). After hours, it's always Astra, where you might find Keith Richards chatting up Karolina Kurkova. The LGBTQ+ crowd has dwindled, but drag queens and oiled bodybuilders make a splash at Jackie O' , overlooking Super Paradise beach.

If the glitzy excess gets too much, escape to Fokos taverna for superfood salads and lamb chops, or Kiki's, an off-grid grill-shack overlooking Agios Sostis bay, where even Naomi Campbell has to queue for a table. Or cruise over to the tiny island of Delos, an archaeological sanctuary that once thronged with 30,000 sun worshippers (the temple is dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of light).

Where to stay in Mykonos:

• For romance: Cali Mykonos
• For families: Santa Marina resort
• For the party scene: Soho Roc House
• For a laidback stay: Once in Mykonos
• For groups: Bluewave XL sleeps 36 people

For more recommendations, see our guide to the  best hotels in Mykonos .

14. Zakynthos / Zante

The best Greek Island for: seaside holidays with toddlers or teens

Zakynthos, or Zante, has shrugged off its reputation as a destination for lads on tour (as long as you avoid Lagana and the built-up south coast) by rebranding itself as one of Greece's greenest islands. It's not just the emerald hills sliding into the electric blue Ionian: much of the south coast is a nature reserve where endangered loggerhead turtles hatch in the sand. The turtle beaches are off limits, but there are countless coves in every hue of green and blue. Favourites are tiny Xigia, with its bubbling underwater springs, and craggy Porto Limnionas, with sunbeds wedged between the rocks and palm-frond umbrellas positioned between the pine trees. Skinari is the starting point for boat trips to the most famous landmarks, the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach, where a rusting liner leans into the chalky cliffs. From Keri, you can cast away for Marathonisi island, another turtle sanctuary.

The mountainous interior, all sleepy stone villages poking out of pine forests, is great for hikes and bikes. ( Eco Zante can arrange outdoor activities guided by insiders.)  Askos Stone Park is a wildlife sanctuary inhabited by deer, chinchilla, and dozens of other species. After exploring the Venetian castle high above the harbour, treat the kids to thin-crust pizzas (with grown-up toppings like bresaola, aubergine, and gorgonzola) at  Alesta on cute St Mark's Square.

Where to stay in Zante:

• For families: Porto Zante
• For romance: Zante Maris Suites and Olea All Suite Hotel
• For a private stay: Halcyon Seas
• For a group: Ble Kyma sleeps 12 people

15. Amorgos

Best for : Deep-blue seas and wide-open spaces

It’s not easy to get to Amorgos. In high winds, the fast ferries stay grounded and the slow boat takes upwards of eight hours from  Athens . When you disembark at Katapola, a sleepy harbour lined with great little fish tavernas (our favourites are Prekas and Mouragio), a sign announces: 'Welcome to Amorgos. Nobody will find you here.'

That’s just the point. This craggy Cycladic island has always attracted loners, hikers, divers and pilgrims, who shuffle up the cliff face to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa, a sliver of white dangling 300 metres above the sea. The water here is a million shades of blue and so startlingly clear you can see every sea urchin lurking on the rocky shore. Even the sage-scented hiking trails are called Blue Paths, because the sea and sky are visible in all directions.

With a population of under 2,000, the locals are outnumbered by shaggy goats that blend in perfectly with the burnished landscape and hippie vibe. But you don't have to be a recluse to fall for Amorgos. There are plenty of all-day spots and a few late-night bars where Amorgos groupies meet, summer after summer: Jazzmin, in Hora, for backgammon and cocktails; Pergalidi in Langada for herbal infusions and jazzy tunes; Seladi in Tholaria, with giddying views and a telescope for stargazing.

Where to stay on Amorgos: There are very few hotels on Amorgos, beyond basic rooms to let.  Vorina Ktismata is the exception, with seven smart apartments looking out across Hora’s white-washed rooftops.

Best for: The perfect balance of seclusion and sophistication

One of the tiniest Ionian islands, Paxos packs a big punch. Not for its five-star hotels (there are hardly any) or its sandy beaches (practically none), but for its electric blue sea and three dinky harbour towns, each one so pretty it’s impossible to pick a favourite. In laid-back Loggos, on the northeast coast, star-spangled evenings are spent on the waterfront terrace of Taxidi bar, where the owner, Spiros, often jams with local musicians. You could while away days in the waterfront cafés of Lakka, watching lissom sailors hop on and off their  yachts . Protected from the wind but with a lively social scene, the main port of Gaios is characterised by Venetian architecture and a high quota of stylish Italians, who own pale stone villas hidden in the wooded interior or on the crest of the limestone cliffs along the western shoreline. For the many British Paxos aficionados, all roads lead to  Ben’s Bar , a happy-go-lucky hangout on Monodendri beach, where you can laze under the olive trees with French toast and Piña Coladas. Make sure to rent a motor boat to putter along the coast to pebble coves such as Marmari and Kipiadi, or across to Antipaxos, an even smaller island that’s a hit with the yachting set. Paths through vineyards and orchards trickle down to bays with sea so clear it looks retouched.

Where to Stay in Paxos:

• For an authentic stay: Paxos Villa
• For a great location: Oneiro
• For groups: Panayia View sleeps 14 people

17. Lefkada

Best for: Sailors, surfers, and superstar beaches

Lefkada is something of an anomaly. Unlike the other Ionian islands, it’s accessible from the mainland via a causeway on the northern tip. It’s also easily reached from the  UK , with direct flights to Preveza, a 40-minute drive. Lefkada’s main town, flattened by an earthquake in the 1950s, certainly won’t take your breath away, but those famous cliff-backed beaches, Egremni and Porto Katsiki, sure will. You’ll find sheltered beaches no matter which way the wind is blowing; but if you’re here for the swell, the south coast is fantastic for windsurfing (head to Vassiliki or Sivota, home to the world windsurfing championships) and Agios Ioannis bay billows with kite-surfers. At Nidri, ignore the unlovely bars and watersports centres, and hop on a boat to explore the little isles nearby. You can  swim through sea caves near Kalamos; eat seared tuna with tarama at Errikos taverna on Meganisi, a favourite of reclusive billionaires; and watch the sunset with a basil-infused Mastiha and tonic at Mylos bar, a converted windmill on Kastos.

Want to cool down or escape the summer crowds? Drive through forests of chestnut and pine into Lefkada’s mountainous interior to the somnolent villages of Karya (home to an enchanting textile museum), Eglouvi (to play backgammon under plane trees) and Exanthia (to watch the setting sun from up in the clouds at Rachi restaurant). You might even see paragliders leaping off the mountain.

Where to Stay in Lefkada:

• For romance: Ibid
• For views:  New Morning villa

Best Greek island for: A mythical retreat for lovers and loners

Despite its legendary stature, the homeland of Homer's hero, Odysseus, remains surprisingly under the radar. Ithaca’s turquoise and emerald coves are popular with the sailing set, but few visitors venture into the forested hills. So you might be the only person exploring the eighth-century BC ruins of Odysseus’ palace, or making the heady trek to the church of Anogi, covered in Byzantine frescoes (ask for the key at the village coffee shop, where the owner will cook you a set menu of whatever is available – maybe a tomato salad, some local cheese and braised goat – straight from her garden or neighbours’ fields).

From Anogi, it’s an exhilarating two-hire hike down to Kioni, a miniature port where you’ll find  Spavento , the perfect pier-side café-bar. Go any time of day or night for ice-cream sundaes, excellent cocktails, and a soundtrack to make your heart sing. The waterside tavernas at the drowsy fishing port of Frikes are unfailingly delightful, especially  Ageri . The deep, sheltered harbour town of Vathy is barely livelier, but the mood can be deliciously mischievous at Mylos bar. Beaches are mostly small and pebbly, but the sea is as clear and refreshing as gin. Authentic, unspoiled and infuriatingly (or gratifyingly) hard to reach, rugged little Ithaca is somewhere you can still disappear.

Where to stay on Ithaca:

• For a private stay: Ithaca Airbnb house
• For families:  Levendis Estate

Best for: Traditional villages and knockout tavernas

Tinos has more than 50 villages, each vying to be fairest of them all. In Pyrgos, famous for its marble craftsmen, sculpted birds and flowers decorate every doorway. In Volax, basket weavers squat outside cottages surrounded by giant boulders, seemingly flung from the heavens by Zeus in a fit of pique. There's even a village called 'love’, Agapi, where you can tuck into wild-fennel fritters at the only taverna. Tinos takes its food culture seriously: there are artichoke, caper and honey festivals.  Marathia launched the island’s farm- (or fishing-boat-) to-table scene, elevating local ingredients into complex modern dishes. For a perfect meal in perfect surroundings, go for cuttlefish risotto and octopus caramelised in grape must at Thalassaki, served on the jetty in Isternia bay, then watch dusk bleed into the horizon from Exomeria bar.

Tinos is only 20 minutes from Mykonos, so it's a wonder it isn't overrun with tourists. The harbour is swarmed on 15 August, however, when Orthodox pilgrims flock here to kiss the Virgin Mary at the Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria, one of the holiest sites in Greece. Otherwise, the island is miraculously untouched. Solitary chapels and whimsical dovecotes stud thyme-scented hills, dropping to sandy bays whipped by the meltemi wind. There's a nascent surfer scene on Kolibithra bay, where a VW camper van has been converted into a cute beach bar.

Where to stay in Tinos:

• For a guest house stay: Xinara House
• For a private stay:  The Detailor  

Best for: Stark mystique and show-stopping villas

Patmos has an indefinable je ne sais quoi – an otherworldly quality that radiates from its crowning glory, the medieval Monastery of St John. This turreted fortress, bursting with Byzantine relics, is named after John the Divine, who conjured up his apocalyptic revelations in a cave nearby. Pure-white Hora, a World Heritage Site, is where A-listers and fashion editors stay. High walls and heavy doors conceal magnificent mansions dating back to the 16th century. The almighty church has kept nightlife in check. If you must see and be seen, head to quietly glamorous Astivi or Stoa Theo's bar, on miniature Agia Lesbia, in Hora. Beach life is generally languid and low-key; Psili Ammos and Livadi Geranou are our favourite hideouts. Dinner reservations are essential at Benetos, for Med-Asian fusion on an organic farm, and Lambi for grilled fish on a purple pebble beach.

Joining the Patmos in-crowd requires commitment. There's no airport and it's a nine-hour ferry journey from Athens, which keeps the hoi polloi at bay. Seriously reclusive types hop on a fishing boat from Patmos to Marathi and play castaway at Pantelis, a divine taverna with modest rooms to let. Read our full guide to  Patmos , the spiritual Greek island.

Where to stay in Patmos:

• For a guest house stay: Pagostas
• For a private stay: Patmos 360
• For a village stay: Eirini

Best for: Travelling back in time

When the writer Lawrence Durrell arrived in Rhodes after World War II, he found an island devastated by centuries of crusaders and invaders. Like the fallen Colossus, it was 'a Rhodes dispersed into a million fragments, waiting to be built up again.' Since then, Rhodes has reinvented itself as one of Greece's top travel destinations. The big draw is the medieval citadel in Rhodes Old Town: stroll along the battlements and you'll spy Byzantine churches, Roman ruins, synagogues and minarets. In the maze of alleys, seek out Marco Polo Mansion, a 15th-century guest-house decorated like a pasha's harem, with an enchanting restaurant in the garden.

Upmarket hotels are clustered around Lindos, its magnificent acropolis surrounded by slate cliffs and emerald coves. Go for the views – and the sublime octopus ragout at Mavrikos restaurant.

As you head south, high-rise resorts give way to stretches of golden sand, such as Glystra, Tsambika, and Fourni. Inland, you'll find alpine forests (Mount Attavyros), hilltop castles (Monolithos), faded frescoes (Saint Nikolaos Fountoukli) and ancient ruins (Kamiros). Marooned on the southern tip, Prasonisi is a powdery peninsula where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. One side is calm, the other choppy – a metaphor for this island of two halves.

Where to stay in Rhodes:  

• For romance: Casa Cook
• For history: Kókkini Porta Rossa
• For a boutique stay:  Melenos Art Boutique Hotel

Best for: Castaway coves and a picture-perfect port

Little Symi has the prettiest port in Greece. As you round the headland, neoclassical mansions in every shade of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea. Built by 19th-century sponge and spice merchants, the whole town is now a national monument. You need strong legs to explore – it's about 500 steps up to the crumbling acropolis – but you won't need a car. The only proper road peters out at Panormitis monastery, a major pilgrimage site. Ravishing beaches such as Agios Giorgos Dysalona (backed by monumental cliffs) and Marathounda (where goats will try to filch your picnic) are only accessible by boat or on foot. In the rugged hinterland, more than 100 monasteries are hidden among the pine and cypress forests.

With its laid-back glamour, luminous sea and almost tropical microclimate, Symi is a hit with French and Italian yachties. You'll find them eating flash-fried baby shrimp, a local specialty, at Tholos, a sensational taverna where the harbour views almost steal the show.

Where to stay in Symi:

• For a hotel stay: The Old Markets
• For a private stay: On The Rocks

23. Astypalea

Best for: Escaping the crowds

A throwback to a gentler, slower, more elemental way of life, Astypalea is surprisingly easy to get to (daily one-hour flights from Athens). Every gap in the burnished hills frames a different view of Hora, cascading from the Venetian castle to seaside Skala. The scent of saffron biscuits wafts through the whitewashed lanes. Tucked beneath the battlements, Castro bar has a magical terrace that seems to float above the archipelago.

The nearest beach is Livadi, a sort-of-resort surrounded by citrus orchards. The rest of the island is stark and wild. Treacherous tracks hurtle down to shingle bays such as Vatses, with a rocking beach bar, and Kaminakia, where Linda's farm-to-table taverna serves the best roast goat in the Dodecanese. If you really want to be alone, rent a motorboat from Maltezana, an old-time fishing village, and putter to Koutsomiti and Kounoupes, tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach. At Vathy, a lagoon where erotic graffiti was etched into the rocks 2,500 years ago, the only taverna is called Galini (Peace). Which sums up Astypalea perfectly.

Where to stay in Astypalea: Saluti da Stampalia Suites , with seven subdued but very stylish sea-view rooms, has upped the ante on an island where most accommodation is uninspired.

24. Skiathos

Best Greek island for: Flopping onto a sandy beach with a good book

Skiathos may be the smallest of the Sporades islands, which counts among its number sleepy Alonissos and the pretty  Mamma Mia! location of Skopelos, but it’s by far the most popular, especially with families, who come for the baby powder-soft sandy  beaches and laid-back vibe. The island has some of the finest beaches in Greece, with the tree-lined, turquoise-watered Koukounaries in the south the most celebrated and the busiest (forget about getting a sun lounger here in peak season). Those in the north of the island, which can only be accessed by a steep, winding drive through pine groves, are more rugged and windswept but no less idyllic – emerging onto Elia beach on the west coast, with its crystal-clear sea and rickety wooden taverna, is like stepping into a little slice of paradise.

As dusk falls the town starts to liven up, with most of the action centred around Papadiamantis Street, the main shopping drag. Stroll down it on the way to dinner and browse smart boutiques selling handcrafted jewellery and knick-knacks, or pick up local delicacies from the upmarket Ergon deli (reopens in May), which also has outposts in  Athens , Thessaloniki and Mayfair. The buzziest restaurants are clustered around the harbour, with Bourtzi, perched atop a tiny rocky island, the best spot for sundowner  cocktails and The Windmill a favourite for elegant suppers. For the most charming setting, head to Sklithri and book one of the taverna’s tables right on the beach. Order an ice-cold Mythos beer, baked feta and a platter of perfectly-chargrilled and out-of-this-world delicious vegetables then watch the sun set over the Aegean, with your toes in the sand.

Where to stay in Skiathos:

• For a hotels stay: Elivi Skiathos
• For a private stay: Villa Azalea

Best for:  Low-key authenticity all year round

Unusually for Greece, Aegina is truly an island for all seasons. Only about an hour’s ferry ride from Piraeus, the unpretentious port (briefly the first capital of modern Greece) has a lived-in charm. Athenian weekenders come for the excellent seaside ouzeris; Skotadis, on the harbourfront is the standout. Classicists come to explore the portside antiquities of Kolona, the hilltop temple of Aphaia (allegedly the template for the Parthenon) and the ghostly Byzantine chapels at Paleochora. Canny ex-pats have snapped up properties in Pachia Rachi, a stone village with sensational views across the straits to the Peloponnese. The Dumas family, heirs to the Hermès fortune, have been discreetly spending their summers here for decades. With its soft light and gentle landscapes, Aegina has always been a muse for Greek artists and writers, including the prolific painter Nikos Nikolaou, whose former home and atelier is now an  enchanting guesthouse and museum (open on Saturdays by appointment). Thanks to a tight-knit community of locals, Athenian escapees, and cosmopolitan emigrés, there’s always something interesting afoot: live music at Proka bar or  Il Posto , a cosy Italian restaurant in Kypseli village, an exhibition in the 17th century Markellos Tower, or a travel writing and ceramics retreat at  Oikia Karapanou , one of many stately homes in various states of ruin and repair that dot this incredibly diverse island. The only thing Aegina doesn’t have is great beaches — perhaps that’s what has spared this accessible island from over-development. This is an island that doesn’t depend on foreign tourists and is all the better for it.

Where to stay on Aegina:

• For a hotel stay: Nikolaou Residence
• For something unique: this bohemian artist's house
• For a group: Villa Calypso sleeps 11 people

26. Kastellorizo

Best of the Greek islands for:  Castaway dreams and swimming through caves

Michael Anastassiades, Lynda Benglis, Savvas Laz, Silvia and Nicoletta Fiorucci… the number of artists, designers and their patrons who summer on tiny Kastellorizo is remarkable. Covering less than 5 square miles, with fewer than 500 inhabitants, this sun-blistered fleck lies just over one nautical mile from Turkey’s Anatolian coast. You can sail across to the town of Kaş for kofte and a trawl though the flea market and be back in time for a sundowner at Faros, a day-to-night hangout in the old lighthouse beside the mosque. A confluence of Levantine influences draws a culturally curious crowd to this remote Aegean outpost. Once a thriving maritime economy, Kastellorizo was bombed during World War II and then virtually abandoned. Gradually, the handsome sponge and spice merchants’ houses in vibrant shades of turquoise and terracotta are being revived as artists’ residences (such as Fiorucci’s 4Rooms), or enchanting guesthouses like  Mediterraneo . You can dive straight from Mediterraneo’s sundeck into the port, where sea turtles bob alongside colourful fishing boats. There’s not much action beyond the waterfront strip known as the  kordoni , or shoelace: a little snorkelling, cave swimming, or boat-watching, a ramble along goat tracks, a slow supper of stuffed onions under the fairy-lit plane trees at Ta Platania, or perhaps some yoga in the wild on the even tinier islet of Ro. This is a pure and simple Greece.

Where to stay on Kastellorizo:

• For a boutique stay:  Casa Mediterraneo
• For romance:  Mediterraneo
• For groups:  The Admiral’s House

27. Antiparos

Best for:  Relaxed cool

This tiny island packs a surprisingly hip scene into its low-slung hills and shallow coves. Most of the action centres around the dinky port, where life drifts by in the waterfront cafés and the lively strip that leads to the square. Every season, more upmarket restaurants ( Yam ,  Lollo’s ) and boutiques ( More than This ,  Zali ) spring up alongside classic dive bars like  Doors and Lucky Luke. At dusk, all roads predictably lead to  Sunset bar for a spritz; after hours, everyone stumbles to cult disco La Luna, where both the décor and music are stuck in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

By day, the scene is way more mellow: brunch at  Margarita’s in town or  Time Marine  on Psaralyki, one of a string of shallow, narrow beaches along the southern coastline. Beyond the modest, boxy houses of the harbour town are dozens of sensational villas designed by in-demand architects. The fanciest properties are scattered around Soros and Agios Georgios bays, where you’ll also find two of the island’s best tavernas,  Peramataki and  Captain Pipinos . The latter is a short boat or kayak ride from Despotiko island, where goats roam around the semi-excavated sanctuary of Apollo. The beauty of Antiparos is that nothing is more than ten minutes away, and after a couple of days, you’ll feel like a regular, bumping into the same good-looking faces wherever you go. If you get cabin fever, you can hop on the 7-minute ferry to Paros for kite surfing, windsurfing, fine dining, or village hopping.

Where to stay on Antiparos:  

• For a hotel stay: The Rooster
• For a private stay: Antiparos Escape Villas  and Oliaros

Best of the Greek islands for:  Distinctive architecture and good vibes

Long overlooked because of its chequered history – this Dodecanese Island was an Italian naval base from 1912-1943, and later became the site of a notorious insane asylum — Leros is all the better for flying under the radar. The vast natural harbour of Lakki (an excellent marina for sailboats) still bears the surreal hallmarks of Fascist rationalism, an Art Deco mirage that’s like a faded version of Miami on the Med. The colourful neoclassical houses of Agia Marina and Platanos have a more lived-in feel, peppered with appealing patisseries, antique shops, and B&Bs. Italian cognoscenti and Turkish yachties have discovered Leros for one very good reason:  Mylos by the Sea , arguably the best seafood restaurant in Greece, with a hopelessly romantic setting overlooking a windmill jutting out to sea. Sunset watchers converge on  Harris Bar , another windmill poised between the medieval castle of Panagia and Panteli’s pebbly beach. Most beaches on Leros may be small and scrappy, but the water is luminous and there are just enough low-key beach bars like  Zephyros  and  Lime . Since restaurants cater mainly to Greeks, the food scene is authentic and affordable: Thea Artemis taverna on gentle Blefouti bay, Lychnari in Lakki, and the cult souvlaki joint Yparxo in Platanos are local favourites. Although there’s a tiny domestic airport, there are no international flights or big, branded resorts on Leros. Instead, there are family-run guesthouses brimming with character, where you feel more like a friend than a room number.

Where to stay on Leros:

• For glamour:  Villa Clara
• For (vegan) romance:  Archondiko Angelou
• For a private stay:  Lakki Old Farmhouse

29. Spetses

Best of the Greek islands for:   Family holidays with the smart society set

If it weren’t for Sotirios Anargyros, Spetses might be as barren as its more bohemian neighbour, Hydra. In the early 20th century, after making a killing in tobacco, Anargyros bought up huge swathes of the island and planted thousands of pine trees. Anargyos also founded the famous boarding school (whose grounds are a lovely spot for an evening stroll) that inspired a certain English teacher to write ‘The Magus’, and built the Poseidonion, a grand harbourfront hotel that has been gloriously restored (there’s no finer place for an aperitivo). From the heirloom-filled mansions built on shipping fortunes to the horse-drawn carriages and tasteful yachts, the whole place reeks of old money. But there’s plenty of new-fangled fun too: late-night bars ( Bikini  or retro-cool  Bar Spetsa ), two open-air cinemas, stylish boutiques ( The Closet , whose resident cats are an attraction) and expensive restaurants ( Patralis  and  Tarsanas  vie for the best fish soup). In the summer, Spetses is a sociable place to see and be seen. But it’s also lovely off-season, when you can hike the gentle green hills or cycle the coastal road that circles the island (there’s even a Tweed Run in October). Compact, well-kept, and easily accessible from Athens (2-3 hours by catamaran), Spetses is a people-pleaser for all ages and seasons.

Where to stay on Spetses:

• For glamour:  Poseidonion Grand Hotel
• For families:  Orloff Resort
• For a private stay:  Magus House

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15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Greece

From charming beach towns to idyllic islands, these places to visit in Greece are all the vacation inspiration you need.

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Let’s make one thing clear: No matter where you go in Greece , you’ll have a good time. The Mediterranean nation is filled with spectacular places to explore, from its historically rich cities to its charming inland towns, and, of course, across its famed islands . But if you need a little help narrowing down where to go next, here are 15 best places to visit in Greece. 

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As both Greece’s capital and the nation’s largest city, Athens deserves at least a day or two of exploration. Visitors can head to popular attractions like the  Acropolis and Parthenon, but more modern neighborhoods like Exarchia, known for its bohemian flair, are worth checking out, too.

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There are hundreds of Greek islands to choose from, but one gaining more attention by the minute is the positively quaint Milos . Accessible via direct flights from Athens, this island is the place to go for total rest and relaxation. Come to explore desolate beaches tucked in between craggy cliffs, dine on octopus in cafes that are sprinkled across the island, and enjoy quiet evenings sipping local wine while watching the sun dip into the azure waters.

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Looking for a more lively atmosphere? Head to Mykonos, an island known for always being a good time. Also accessible via direct flights from Athens, Mykonos is the place to be during the summer for beachside parties that stretch long into the night (and often into the next day, too). Of course, there’s more to the island than just parties. It's home to its fair share of gorgeous beaches and historical sites, including Kato Mili, a row of four massive windmills built by the Venetians in the 16th century.

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History buffs will love the town of Delphi, located about a 2.5-hour drive northwest of Athens. The community was home to the Oracle of Delphi , which people from all over the Mediterranean traveled to see. Here, visitors can still explore the Temple of Apollo's remains, along with several ancient theaters and stadiums preserved through the millennia.

Admire waters a shade of blue you never knew existed in the Halkidiki region, located in northern Greece. This area is best known for its gorgeous beaches, which come with equally alluring soft sand, so you can lounge about all day.

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Find even more historical delights, visit Epidaurus, at the northeastern end of the Peloponnese. It’s beloved by archeology buffs for its Ancient Theatre , built in the fourth century B.C. to honor the god of medicine, Asclepius. And its still a place where visitors can watch live performances in the summer.

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The seaside community of Gythio is admittedly quiet, but it's by far one of the best places to visit when you need to get away from it all. Filled with colorful homes and golden-sand beaches, Gythio is also favored for its sea turtles that come and lay their eggs.

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For unbelievable views, pay a visit to Meteora, located in Thessaly. The area is made up of massive rock formations reaching toward the sky. Inside the gorgeous formations sit several monasteries , which made their way onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

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Sifnos, a small island reachable by ferry from Athens, is another spot known for its relaxing atmosphere. Plus, it's filled with so many beaches, you can find a large patch of sandy shoreline all for yourself, even in the height of summer.

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Mix in island time with a quick geology lesson on Kefalonia. The island, located west of the mainland, is home to the Drogarati Cave , which comes with awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites hanging off the ceiling and jutting out from the sea floor, respectively.

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Want to get a taste of Italy and Greece all in one go? Make your way to the stunning, romantic island of Corfu. Thanks to its proximity to its neighboring European nation, the island comes with plenty of Italian influence, reflected in its architecture, food, and way of life.

Thessaloniki

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Find an urban escape in northern Greece with a visit to Thessaloniki. This port city is filled with historic sites like the White Tower of Thessaloniki and Arch of Galerius, along with world-class restaurants and contemporary art museums that will leave you inspired.

Messolonghi

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Get a different sea view in Messolonghi, located on the western coast of Greece. This town sits on a serene sea lake, with many who live here still making a living off fishing in the area. And though the town has great historical significance (especially around the Greek Revolution), it’s still an under-the-radar gem for international tourists.

Make one more historic stop at Olympia , this time for a lesson in sports history. Located on the western side of the Peloponnese, Olympia was the site of the very first Olympic Games. Visitors can visit the ancient stadium and the temples of Zeus and Hera all in one trip.

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Head to the eastern Peloponnese to the beautiful city of Nafplio. As Visit Greece explains, the myth behind the town is that it was founded by Nafplios, the son of Poseidon. Today, it's filled with ancient sites, including monuments and castles galore, all worthy of exploring on your next Greek vacation. Get packing !

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I spent every summer in Greece as a kid. Here are 7 places to visit that aren't Santorini, Mykonos, or Athens.

Posted: June 18, 2024 | Last updated: June 18, 2024

• My parents are both Greek, and they took me back to Greece every summer to learn about my roots.
• Thessaloniki is a mainland city with incredible food, beautiful history, and plenty of nightlife. 
• Islands like Corfu and Rhodes will give you amazing beaches without as many tourists.

As a kid, I spent nearly every summer with my family in Greece.

My parents immigrated to California from Greece in the 1980s, but they made sure I grew up learning about our family's roots. We spent almost every summer of my childhood in Greece, where beach days were filled with that perfect turquoise Aegean Sea and big fresh bowls of horiatiki .  

Friends now frequently ask me for advice on their Greece trips, but the only places they ever want to visit are Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens. My answer to them is always the same: You can experience so much of Greece's incredible food, culture, and beaches without setting foot in its packed tourist destinations.

So, with the help of my lovely parents , I've brought you a list of seven incredible spots in Greece that hold some of our favorite memories.

Thessaloniki is a beautiful city packed with great food and incredible history.

Most of my summers in Greece were spent in Thessaloniki, where both of my parents grew up. It's the second biggest city in the country after Athens and dates all the way back to 316 BC. 

Ancient ruins can be seen in the city's downtown area, along with the majestic Byzantine churches. But the most important landmark is the White Tower , which was built in the 15th century after Thessaloniki fell to the Ottomans. The White Tower now has an exhibition on the city's history, and you can go up to the top for spectacular views from its balcony. 

Thessaloniki is also packed with so many delicious tavernas and restaurants that the city landed on Time Magazine's list of "The World's Greatest Places of 2022." My mom recommends visiting the Ladadika neighborhood at the city's center for dinner, or going to Aretsou for views of the water. Try the bougasta — a Greek dessert of custard wrapped in phyllo — or koulouri, Greek sesame bread rings that were my mom's childhood favorite. 

"Walk in the Thessaloniki promenade to enjoy a sunset and, if the sky is clear, a perfect view of Mount Olympus," she added.

I'll let you in on a secret: The best beaches in Greece are actually in Halkidiki.

Sure, Santorini's got those gorgeous white buildings, and Mykonos has the wild nightlife. But if you're looking for an incredible beach vacation, you might be better off on the mainland. 

Even as a kid, I remember being stunned by the beaches in Halkidiki. The sand is soft and white, the water is warm, and the colors of the sea are the brightest blues you'll ever see. One summer my mom and uncle took me to a different beach every day, and she still loves to tell the story of how I gave all the Halkidiki beaches an "A++" because I loved them so much. 

Halkidiki is near Thessaloniki, so it's also a great place to visit if you want to combine a city escape with a beach destination. Plus, with so many local tavernas by the sea, you're sure to have a great meal of octopus, ouzo on the rocks, and some calamari. 

"If all you want for your vacation is to lie on a beach and listen to the waves, Halkidiki is your destination," my mom said. 

A trip to Meteora will give you an unforgettable hike.

Meteora is another childhood trip I'll always remember. Located in central Greece, the Meteora monasteries — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — are perched on huge cliffs that will take your breath away. 

Orthodox Christian hermit monks first began coming to the cliffs of Meteora around the 9th century, looking for peace and isolation. In the 14th century, the first Meteora monastery was built, spearheading the beginning of the site's monastic community, according to Visit Meteora . Six of the 24 monasteries remain active today with more than 60 nuns and monks. 

"It's absolutely amazing to realize that monks built these monasteries and lived there for centuries," my mom said. "The unique rock formations and nice sunsets offer many photo opportunities. It's a really special place that makes me feel close to heaven." 

Delphi is a dream destination for history lovers.

Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the "navel of the world." The myth goes that Zeus released one eagle from the east and one from the west and the birds met in the middle at Delphi, where the famous oracle was built. 

In addition to being an incredible archaeological site, Delphi also has a stunning natural backdrop. My mother said she still remembers the sweeping views of the valleys and the lovely olive trees in addition to the incredible ancient ruins. 

"I loved visiting Delphi because of its history, but also because of the beautiful natural surroundings," she added. 

And how could you not be wowed by the birthplace of the Olympics?

For as long as I can remember, the Olympics have been a huge point of pride in our household. My parents always loved reminding me why Greece walks first in the Parade of Nations, and why the Greek flag is always flown during the closing ceremony. 

So as a kid, it was incredibly special to visit Olympia, where the Olympics first began. The games were held in Olympia every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD , and ruins from the sporting events still stand there today. 

"Olympia has always had an emotional impact on me," my mom said. "To be able to walk in the same field where the Olympics started moved me very much when I visited for the first time." 

"I think this would be a special place for someone who loves sports or history," she added. 

Corfu is one of my family's favorite islands in Greece.

I have this distinct memory of seeing beautiful candy-colored houses along the water in Corfu. The stunning city is a great option if you want to visit a beautiful Greek island without fighting hundreds of other tourists for a picture of the sunset. 

Once under Venetian rule, the Italian influence is still apparent in much of Corfu's beautiful architecture and delicious food. Along with stunning beaches, the island is known for its lush flora and fauna. My parents took my sister and me to Corfu when we were kids and said it was a great spot for family vacations. 

My dad also recommends adding a trip to Ioannina on the way to Corfu to visit the stunning Perama Cave. 

Rhodes is a stunning Greek island that feels straight out of the Middle Ages.

Ruled by the Knights of St. John from the 14th to 16th century, Rhodes still feels steeped in medieval history. I remember being wowed as a kid while walking past the majestic castles, under the stone arches, and through the tiny cobblestone alleys on the island's Old Town. 

Rhodes also has plenty of beautiful beaches, as well as Butterfly Valley — my mom's favorite part of the island.

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No part of Greece is more than 137km from the sea.

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Greece's national drink is ouzo. Ouzo is a dry anise-flavoured aperitif. Cheers, "stin igia mas" in Greek!

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Tiny Greek island that’s the most affordable to visit in 2024 – with ‘dreamy’ beaches and hotels from £26

• Ryan Gray , Travel Reporter
• Published : 10:01, 15 Jun 2024
• Updated : 13:52, 16 Jun 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

THE most affordable Greek island for 2024 has been revealed ahead of this year's summer holidays.

Places like Santorini and Mykonos are often some of the most sought-after destinations in Europe during the sunnier months.

However, their popularity also means they're incredibly expensive places to stay.

Luckily, there are plenty of other Greek islands that offer similar experiences, but for a fraction of the cost.

One such place is Agistri, a small island just an hour away from Athens by ferry.

Much like the rest of Greece 's islands, it has stunning seas, quaint little towns and amazing places to eat delicious Greek food.

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And yet, its status as a lesser-known holiday option make it an affordable option for people to visit.

That's according to travel experts Culture Trip , who put it top of their list of the cheapest Greek islands to visit this year.

They were full of praise for its beaches and hiking trails, while also speaking highly of how easy it is to reach.

They wrote: "If you’re looking for a quick escape from Athens , Agistri is your best bet. Far more affordable than nearby Aegina, this tiny island lies only a 60-minute ferry ride from Piraeus port.

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"Stroll through Skala village among fuchsia bougainvillaea and rest in one of the cafes lining the main road. Forests carved with hiking trails and dreamy beaches abound here – don’t miss snorkelling in the pool-like waters of pine-fringed Aponisos.

"Get a feel for laid-back island life with a stay at Saronis, where homemade jam and pastries are served for breakfast in the garden. Book a day cruise from Athens to get a taste of Agistri, as well as nearby Moni and Aegina."

One of the most obvious ways in which people can save money on Agistri is with accommodation, with Sun Travel finding hotel rooms for two from around £26 per night.

Meanwhile, a meal on the island can be bought for around £15 per person, including a starter and main, while a beer can be bought for around £2.

What's more, the island's small size means that paying for transport or car hire isn't necessary, with FerryHopper listing it among their top 10 affordable Greek holiday destinations.

They wrote: "Agistri is one of the best islands for quick weekend getaways from Athens, as the ferry trip from the port of Piraeus takes only 1-1.5 hours.

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"The distances on the island are short, so you can walk or cycle instead of renting a vehicle and save good money on transportation."

Despite its size, there is still plenty to enjoy on the island, including snorkelling, water sports, visiting other more renowned islands and other activities.

Sunvil is another travel site to recommend the island as an unsung holiday spot for 2024, saying that the island "packs a punch far greater than its size". 

They said: "The waters around Agistri are turquoise-hued and very clear, so perfect for snorkeling (the bay of Aponisi in the south has Caribbean-like waters).

"Horse riding, bike hire, sea kayaking , diving and boat excursions (including to the mainland Peloponnese and fishing trips) are on offer.

"Lastly Agistri is very good value and prices are reasonable. Friendly, laid-back, genuine and very Greek, Agistri is a secret that you will not regret discovering."

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How to see the best of Greece in 10 days

Sep 12, 2022 • 6 min read

Here's how to make the most of your trip to Greece in 10 days © borchee / Getty Images

You can see a lot of Greece in under two weeks and get a real feel for its history, ruins, beaches, food, late-night revelry and a few of its many iconic islands. Ferries link many of the best places to visit , and lazing away the hours on deck gazing at the passing turquoise water is an irresistible interlude to more storied sights. 

We’ve put together a detailed ten-day itinerary to show you the best Greece has to offer. Don’t have that much time available? Never fear – you can also curate your ideal locations from our picks to plan a blissful long weekend.

Day 1: start in Athens, the nation’s cradle

Don’t delay; climb the hill in the center of Athens to the magnificent Acropolis . Descending back into the land of mortals, wander the ancient Agora neighborhood before joining the merry mobs hopping from one taverna to another in the  Plaka  district . For extra credit, pause at some point at the extraordinary Acropolis Museum .

Go from Athens to Mykonos: Catch one of the many ferries that make the run from Piraeus , the main port of Athens, to Mykonos. The fast times are on speedy hydrofoils, while the slower runs are on traditional boats, with their broad and sunny decks.

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Day 2: sail the Aegean to Mykonos

Burn off your pre-trip stress on the island of Mykonos . One of Europe’s fabled party destinations (St Tropez and Ibiza are rivals), this small island has just enough to keep you occupied by day. Explore the maze of covered lanes, boutiques and flower-bedecked cafes in the old town of Hora . Head to nearby beaches for your first dip in the ever-blue Aegean. But save some energy for well after dark when the notorious clubs like to party until dawn – or later.

Go from Mykonos to Delos: Boats to Delos make the run in a quick 30 minutes starting in the morning. 

Day 3: walk with the ancient Greeks in Delos

Fight off any after-effects of the night before and catch a morning boat to Delos , the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The entire island is a sacred shrine – ruins stretch across the sunbaked landscape. Let your imagination run wild as you reconstruct this once magnificent center in your mind. Make the quick return to Mykonos by boat and cool off at a beach. Then get lost in Hora until you stumble upon the perfect seafood dinner.

Go from Mykonos to Paros: Several ferries a day make the run in about one hour.

Day 4: relax on Paros

Something of a ferry hub for the Cyclades, Paros – the group of islands that in many ways defines Greece – literally has something for everyone. Flower-draped tavernas in the port town of Parikia make great post-ferry lunch spots.

Get a rental car and drive the circumference of the island. This can be an all-day adventure and includes plenty of beach access along the east coast. The island is also noted for its produce – especially the tomatoes – so enjoy something delicious in the oh-so-cute mountain village of Lefkes or the locally popular beachside town of Aliki.

Go from Paros to Antiparos: Car ferries link the adjoining islands in under 15 minutes.

Day 5: slow down on Antiparos

Almost touching its much larger neighbor, the diminutive island of Antiparos really is the anti-Paros. Parts of the island qualify as sleepy, and there’s an unhurried vibe across its narrow, windy roads. Take the quick boat ride to Despotiko, a restored ancient sanctuary, then enjoy a seafood feast in Agios Georgios at a waterfront taverna. If you’re feeling sporty, join the windsurfers taking advantage of some of the most reliable winds in Greece.

Go from Paros to Santorini: Ferries take 2–3 hours.

Day 6: join the throngs on Santorini

With its polychromatic cliffs soaring above its drowned caldera, Santorini  is the definition of a ‘Greek island’ for many. Steep and narrow lanes are lined with brilliantly whitewashed houses topped with cerulean domes. Beaches dot the curving coast, and gentle hiking paths follow the island’s spine, offering sweeping views. Sunsets are mesmerizing. Take in the spectacle from tiny hillside Oia , which offers a choice of tavernas serving deeply traditional Greek fare (expect grilled meats, creamy tzatziki and more).

Go from Santorini to Crete: There’s usually one speedy ferry daily, making the two-hour run to Iraklio in Crete.

Day 7: get lost in Greece’s best palace at Knossos

The island of Crete is so big that it almost feels like its own country. The main city of Iraklio is best enjoyed for a quick lunch in a café and as a place to secure a rental car. Then charge south for barely 20 minutes to one of the top ancient sites in a nation of ancient sites. The Palace of Knossos was built by the Minoans and is a vast and somewhat restored ruin that can easily absorb half a day or more. If you have time to take a tour, there are more than a dozen wineries nearby that make the excellent local wines you’ll enjoy with every meal.

Go from Iraklio to Hania: Rental car prices on Crete are competitive, and distances are manageable. The run between the island’s two main cities takes only two hours, although endless stops and diversions to admire incredible views can greatly extend that .

Day 8: revel in the stunning beauty of Crete

Crete’s second city of Hania is really the island’s first city in the hearts of those in the know. The old town and harbor combine the legacies of the Minoans, the ancient Greeks, the Venetians and countless other influences from occupiers and others who just happened to sail by. The food here is extraordinary, and the chefs put Crete’s fabled produce to remarkable use. Two excellent detours are the absorbing ancient port town of Rethymno and the grand and glittery Orthodox churches in the hills, such as Moni Arkadiou .

Go from Hania to Elafonisi: Driving direct will take about two hours, but, as always, detours and myriad excuses to pause and enjoy the scenery will extend that greatly.

Day 9: hit the beaches of Crete

The Samaria Gorge is the most famous of southern Crete’s many gorge walks, which start high in the craggy hills and follow often-lush, stream-fed canyons down to little villages and beaches. If the crowds at Samaria are daunting, consider the Agia Irini Gorge instead. Finish your day at sublime Elafonisi Beach , where the sand has a pinkish hue in a certain light, and the swimming is superb.

Go from Hania to Athens: Frequent flights to Athens take under an hour from Crete’s second-largest airport.

Day 10: stroll around Athens

The Acropolis is never far from view as you stroll the compact and endlessly fascinating center of Athens. Catch the changing of the guard at the center of government (and Athens) in Syntagma Square . Choose from sights such as the antiquity-stuffed Benaki Museum , the lush National Gardens , the ornate Hadrian’s Arch and the grandiose Temple of Olympian Zeus .

Finish your time in Greece with a languid session in the upscale neighborhood of Kolonaki and cafe-lined Plateia Kolonakiou.

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