The islands of Greece have their own different personalities. From the Ionian islands in the west covered in forest to the sun washed Cyclades south of the mainland, or the historic Dodecanese along Asia Minor in the Aegean Sea. The Greek islands are well varied and we’ll be looking at the six most popular Greek islands. You’ll also be able to find out which one is perfectly suited to your personality.
1. Santorini: Best for Sunsets & Luxury
Santorini is probably the most well known and popular Greek island. In the Aegean Sea just east of the mainland, it’s what most people picture of Greek islands, with its blinding white houses with blue and pastel shutters and roofs. The island’s key villages are perched on cliffs around a caldera that was left when the island’s volcano blew off its top thousands of years ago. An underwater volcano still simmers today.
Hotels on Santorini are glamorous and those that command the best views command the highest prices. Due to the views, this island is popular with honeymooners and cruise lines. The island can get crowded when the cruise liners release thousands of day trippers.
Get a luxury hotel with your own private hot tub and wrap yourself in comforting privacy.
Note: If you’re looking for a connecting flight with a Greek airline, search for Thira, the Greek name of this island. Santorini is a holdover from its Venetian occupation.
2. Crete: Best for Ancient Culture, Secluded Coves & Hikes
Crete is the southernmost island, and thus the closest to Africa. It’s also the largest island with several cities and Venetian fortresses. Also, a long and deeply indented coast and a dramatic spine of mountains runs east-west. The island’s beaches range from long stretches of soft sand, such as at Elafonissi and Potamos, to tiny coves popular with snorkeler and nudists.
Crete was the home of the ancient Minoan civilization and hug excavation sites can be found at Knossos. Many of the finds from Knossos are on display at the Archaeology Museum of Heraklion. The museum is regarded as one of the best tin the world, but a walk around the excavation site itself is impressive.
Crete is also known for its dramatic gorges that criss-cross its mountainous center. The gorges range from arid and rocky to shaded, subtropical passages. The most famous walk on the island is the Samaria Gorge, it’s long and descends about 1.19km (1,900 feet) over a distance of 16km (10 miles). Although not the most difficult trek, it’s the most popular for that reason.
3. Corfu: Best for Families
This island is the easiest for English-speaking vacationers to visit. There are flights to the island from all over the world, including the UK and USA.
The island is famous for its flora and fauna, particularly its exuberant wildflowers, butterflies, and small birds. Corfu Old Town, the center of the capital on the east coast, is UNESCO Listed, like much of Greece is. The Corfu Old Town area is lined with historic buildings, and at night the area has a lively cafe and music scene. From April to October the island has a mild climate, and with a good selection of villas to rent as well as hotels, Corfu is a great destination for families.
4. Zante/Zakynthos: Best For Amazing Beaches
Zante is the Venetian name for the island the Greeks call Zakynthos. No matter the name, this island is known for its beautiful beaches. Smugglers’ Cove is one of its most famous locations, and is also known as Shipwreck Beach because of the large shipwreck in the middle of it. You might also hear it referred to as Navajo Beach, for the name of the bay it sits on. But now worries, no matter which name you use the island’s boatmen will know where to go.
The beach is surrounded by sheer white cliffs of limestone and can only be reached by boat. At the beach you won’t find any services or shade, just whatever you bring with you. The point of a visit to this beach is the experience. Excursion boots will drop you off in a crystal clear bay that’s bottomed with white pumice stones that also cover the beach.The boats will then wait for an hour or so before returning you to town for shopping and cafes.
The island’s south coast has long stretches of sandy beaches and several cave complexes that can be approached by boat and explored by swimming. The Blue Caves at Cape Skinari on the northern tip of the island, light up with sunlight reflected off the limestone. The reflected light gives the water an almost neon glow at certain times of the day.
5. Spetses: Best for Short Breaks
Spetses is one of the Saronic islands that lie off the Argolis Peninsula, and like many of the Greek islands occupied by the Venetians, it has churches and colorful towns and villages. This particular island played an important role in the Greek War of Independence of 1821, and an important naval battle is reenacted every year.
What makes Spetses different is that it’s easily reachable. The trip is only two hours from Piraeus by Flying Dolphin hydrofoil. Spetses is a favorite weekend escape for wealthy Athenians. You can expect interesting sophisticated shops, restaurants and nightclubs. You won’t find sandy beaches on this island, but there are plenty of magical coves with amazingly clear water.
6: Mykonos: Best For Partying
How can we list the most popular Greek islands not include Mykonos? It’s an island with split personalities. There’s the travel brochure Mykonos that’s experienced by cruise ship passengers who disembark and wander from shop to shop and cafe to cafe. This is the picturesque Mykonos of white cubist houses with brightly painted doors and vibrant flowers.
Then there’s the other Mykonos. The party island, the expensive party island with well-heeled vacationers who come for the social life, dance clubs, and beautiful people. It’s a nightlife island that’s also known for its lively and sophisticated gay scene.
In the 1950s and 60s, Mykonos was the island retreat of celebrities; Jackie O, Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor to name a few.You still might catch a glimpse of some modern day Hollywood royalty mingling in the exclusive clubs. However today it’s not a destination limited to celebrities. Essentially, if you like to party and have the money, this place is for you.
