Having trouble deciding which Greek island to spend your next vacation on? There’s plenty to choose from: Greece boasts some 6,000 islands (200 of which are inhabited). Depending on your style, your desires, your budget and your constraints, here are a few guidelines to help you make your choice, along with some practical advice. And a 100% subjective selection of islands!
Practical tips for your stay on a Greek island
Hotels, accommodation, lodging on the Greek islands
To book your accommodation, we advise you to do your research about 4 to 6 months in advance if you are planning a stay in July-August.
- Booking is a must for small hotels and B&Bs, but also private accomodations.
- And don’t hesitate to go directly to the tourist information sites for the island you’re interested in. They generally list all accommodation.
- We also have a small selection of accommodations that we love because we’ve stayed there and for which we’ve dedicated an article.
How to get around?
If you want to get around the Greek islands, a car is often essential to reach the most remote beaches. We recommend the Rental cars website, which compares several local and international rental companies to get the best price. There are also a number of scooter, quad bike and bicycle rental companies on site. Electric bikes are also slowly coming on stream.
How to get to the Greek islands
- Ferries and ports from Athens
Rafina? Lavrio? Piraeus ? For all you need to know about Athens ports (which one to choose, how to get there, practical information), see our article on Athens ports.
Booking your ferry is always a tricky business: not too early and not too late. Reservations usually open 3 to 4 months before the departure date. For your summer vacations, start looking in March. We like the site Ferry Hopper which allows online payment and booking. What’s more, it guarantees the same price as if you’d picked it up at the port. For more information, please see our article on ferries.
- By plane
As you’ll see below, some islands can be reached by plane, which is faster but also more expensive, and more crowded. Don’t hesitate to do a search to compare prices! For our part, we usually travel via Aegean (the Greek national airline), which generally offers a very good level of service.
The stars
Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra, Corfu and Crete
Unquestionably one of the most beautiful islands in Greece! But they are also undoubtedly the most touristy.
Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra and Corfu are absolutely stunning, and it’s hard not to fall under the spell of the white villages, small shopping streets and breathtaking views. But this reputation comes at a price: hotels and restaurants are much more expensive than elsewhere. Unfortunately overcrowded in summer, the charm is sometimes broken. But these islands are still top destinations in spring and autumn.
As for Crete, some parts are very touristy (Heraklion, Chania…) but the southern part of the island is much wilder.
The most beautiful beaches
Milos, Kythera, Kythnos, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Elafonissos
You’ve undoubtedly seen many “hits for the most beautiful beaches in Greece”. And it’s not just a myth: these sublime beaches exist just a few hours from Paris and are a real dream.
Here’s our own best-of list of the most beautiful beaches we’ve visited. Whether in the Cyclades or the Ionian Islands, there’s always this infinitely gradating blue on the seabed and in the sky. It contrasts so well with the white of the rock and the green of the vegetation. You just can’t get enough of it. So, no comment, time for photos.
Bohemian chic
Sifnos, Folegandros, Amorgos, Poros, Spetses
- Bo-Bo trend: Sifnos
Here you’ll find trendy boutiques with carefully designed decor and items that look as if they’ve just stepped out of a fashion magazine. There are also very popular restaurants with innovative cuisines in tune with the times. The beaches are also beautiful and well-maintained, with plenty of places to eat, cool off and lie down.
- “Nature” trend: Folegandros, Amorgos
According to my friend, these two islands are a little less chic than Sifnos, with more of an eco-nature bent. Here you’ll find tastefully maintained villages and pretty boutiques. These islands are also appreciated for their unspoilt nature, with great diving and hiking.
Close to Athens, these two islands are frequented by the Greek bourgeoisie. With beautiful neoclassical houses and some grand hotels dating back to the last century, they have a history, a tradition and a charm that is sometimes a little old-fashioned.
The quiet ones
We love these islands because they’re quiet and less crowded than the others. With their more discreet charm, they are also quieter and will seduce you with their varied landscapes (forests, rivers…) and traditions (pilgrimages, marble working, cheeses). You can even find beaches that are rarely visited in summer!
The wildest
Serifos, Evia, Kythnos, Ithaca
There are no frills on these islands, just raw, untamed nature. In Serifos and Kythnos, the aridity of the soils is surprising, while Evia and Ithaca are greener but also little damaged by the hand of man. Coves and small beaches are often in more inaccessible locations. On foot or by boat, they’re full of surprises.
Islands near Athens
A Greek island near Athens? Think of Kea or Aegina. These two islands are very popular for short stays, and allow you to get a quick taste of a Greek island in just a few minutes. Perched villages, lively ports and pleasant beaches are all less than an hour away by boat (from Lavrion to Kea, from Piraeus to Aegina). Their proximity makes them very popular with Greeks at the first fine spring weekends. They are also very lively during traditional festivals.
Micro-islands
Agistri, Symi, Koufonisi, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Donoussa, Kimolos
They are tiny, barely a few kilometers in diameter. It’s a great place for walking and cycling. In the smaller Cyclades, you can move from one to the other in just a few days. Often little-known, they are becoming increasingly popular. So make sure you book your accommodation well in advance, as there aren’t many of them.
Those served by airports
The big islands: Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Paros, Corfu, Milos .
But also smaller ones: Skiathos, Skyros, Syros, Naxos, Kos, Ikaria, Samos, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kythera, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lemnos
You may not be aware of it, but many islands are served by an airport. For those who are seasick or want to save time, this is a very interesting option. Some are served by international flights, otherwise you’ll have to go via Athens. Flights don’t have to be expensive, and in just a few minutes you’ll be at your destination. Think about it when you book!
In fact, we’ve written an article on all the Greek islands that are easily accessible by plane.
All Greek islands
So if you’d like to find out more, here are a few articles to help you:
- Here, we give you a comprehensive overview of all the Greek islands: Sporades, Ionian Islands, Saronic Gulf Islands, Dodecanese, etc. We explain everything.
- If you’d like to find out more about the islands, we recommend you take a look at the pages of the Greek islands we’ve visited.
- If you’re looking for authentic islands, away from the crowds, we’ve put together our selection of 18 less-touristy Greek islands for an authentic vacation.
- And why not visit the islands by boat!
Laure M. and Sophie B.
