Greece does many things beautifully, but the country's islands are an eternal favourite. Thousands of Greek islands are sprinkled across the Aegean and Ionian seas. The sheer volume means travellers are sure to find some to their liking, from tranquil sheltered coves to dramatic volcanic beaches and lush green wetlands. Whether you’re island-hopping or bedding down in one beautiful spot, these are the islands in Greece you can’t afford to miss.
Savour the sunset on Santorini
With spectacular panoramic views, multi-coloured cliffs, and volcanic sand beaches, it's easy to see why Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece. With its whitewashed buildings and stunning sunsets, it’s the place travellers think of when they think of a Greek island. You can find Instagram-worthy views pretty much everywhere on Santorini, but for some extra special vistas, walk along the caldera-edge pathway to the village of Firostefani. This cliffside village is Santorini in a nutshell: peaceful, beautiful, and spectacular. If you have the time — and the stamina — push on to Oia for one of the best sunsets in all of Greece.
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Explore Zeus’s childhood home on Naxos
Located in the South Aegean Sea, Naxos is the biggest of the Cyclades group of islands, but it has another claim to fame as the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. According to Greek mythology, Zeus was raised in a cave on the island’s Mt Zas. These days, a hike up Mt Zas, where you’ll pass the famous Cave of Zeus, is a great day out for hikers of all abilities.
For relaxation-focused visitors, Naxos has some of the best beaches in Greece — and certainly the most diverse. You’ll find pebbled coves, bays of golden sand, and huge stretches of white beach dotted around Naxos’s 40km (25 mi) coastline. When you’ve tired of sunning yourself (if that’s possible), head inland to sample kitron, the local liqueur, and the island’s famous Arseniko cheese.
Experience it for yourself on: Greece: Athens and Walking in the Greek Islands
Party all night on Mykonos
Dubbed the Ibiza of Greece, the party island of Mykonos is packed with beach bars, lively restaurants, and pumping super clubs to dance the night away. You’ll also find plenty of free concerts and outdoor events to keep the party going, as well as some of the best beaches in Greece to chill out and recover during the day. Mykonos has 25 beaches to choose from, ranging from the party vibes of Paradise Beach to the family-friendly Elia, which boasts Mykonos’s longest stretch of white sand. Panormos and Agios Sostis even have a couple of naturist-friendly spots for the more adventurous beachgoer. Mykonos might have a party-hard reputation, but it actually has a little of everything. If super clubs and beach bars aren’t your thing, you’ll find plenty of options for diving, hiking, and mountain biking.
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Dive into the waters of Kefalonia
With its quaint villages and fishing towns dotted among wild meadows, lush forests, and endless vineyards, Kefalonia is an island begging to be explored. But the turquoise-blue jewel in its crown has to be the clear waters that surround it, offering travellers a whole other world to check out. Kefalonia has a few scuba diving centres, or grab your goggles and enjoy some of the best snorkelling spots in Greece. Head to the likes of Dafnoudi or Emblisi Beach for an abundance of marine life below the surface. Keep an eye out for the famous loggerhead sea turtle and rare Mediterranean monk seal, which both call these waters home.
Hike the lush hills of Corfu
The jewel in the crown of the Ionian Islands, Corfu has been attracting those who enjoy the finer things in life for years. The island’s capital, Corfu Town, combines Venetian, British, and French colonial architecture with ancient fortresses and charming cobblestone streets to create a unique mix of cultures and histories. Away from the cafés, restaurants, and cocktail bars, you’ll find lush green landscapes just dying to be explored. Strap on your walking boots, pack a bag, and hit the famous Corfu Trail. This unmissable walk covers the whole island from south to north, taking in mountain paths, beach strolls, olive groves, and woodland hills. The trail is suitable for beginner and experienced hikers, so pick a section and get walking. Or if you’re feeling energetic, take on the full 150km (93 mi) route.
Experience it for yourself on: Ultimate Europe: Berlin, Tuscany & Greek Temples
Combine culture with history on Kos
Once the Greek island of choice for young revellers looking for a party, Kos has been transforming in recent years. Sure, the clubs, bars, and party boats are still around, but this popular island now has more to offer, too. You’ll find boutique hotels, luxury resorts, indulgent spas, and Greek and Roman ruins that were here long before any party boats. You’ll spot ancient Corinthian columns almost everywhere you look on Kos, and history buffs should head straight to Kos Town to see the Altar of Dionysus, the open-air Roman Odeon, and the Hippocrates Plane Tree. Unlike many islands in Greece, Kos is relatively flat, making a bike ride the perfect way to explore the island’s abundance of ruins and archaeological wonders.
Enjoy the great outdoors on Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece — and the fifth largest in the whole of the Mediterranean — so there’s no shortage of things to do and see. The combination of towns, cities, outdoor activities, and watersports makes it perfect for families, solo travellers, and groups of friends. For hikers, there are the dramatic cliffs, canyons, and forests to explore, while beach lovers will find just what they’re looking for in the south of the island or around the city of Chania. Crete also has some of the best scuba diving in Greece. Dive centres are dotted all over the island, but some of the best spots are found near Chania, where divers will encounter rocky reefs, black corals, and unique marine life.
Experience it for yourself on: Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks
Avoid the crowds in Paros
Once one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, the quiet island of Paros has been attracting more visitors, but it’s still a great choice to avoid the crowds, mix with local people, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Paros is steeped in history, and historic monasteries, churches, and ancient Byzantine roads are dotted across the island. There are tons of beaches and coves to explore along a coastline that hasn't been touched by tourism in the way some of its neighbours have been. And you’ll find plenty of traditional Greek charm — head to the village of Lefkes to walk among the white cubed houses with blue doors that the country is famous for.
Experience it for yourself on: Greece Family Journey: Stories of the Past
Relive Mamma Mia on Skopelos
Skopelos is an island where rich green forest meets clear blue waters, creating a vibrant mix of colours and landscapes that make this spot so stunning. But what really put it on the map was the 2008 ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which was filmed on the island and still attracts visitors. Fans of the movie can spot its famous locations all over Skopelos, but one of the most recognizable has to be the chapel of Agios Ioannis, the setting for many of the wedding scenes and Meryl Streep’s performance of "The Winner Takes It All." Located in the north of the island near the village of Glossa, the chapel is perched up some 106 steps carved into the rocks. That fact doesn't make it easy for visitors to reach, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views the island has to offer.
Set sail around Ios
Halfway between Santorini and Naxos, Ios is a beautiful little island that’s great for a day trip or a longer stay. Many of the island’s best beaches can’t be accessed by land, giving you the perfect excuse to set sail and explore its hidden gems by boat. Shipwrecks, underwater caves, and reefs are all waiting to be discovered when you take a walk (or sail) on the island’s wild side. If you prefer wild parties to the wild outdoors, Ios has you covered there, too. Head to the beachside towns of Mylopotas and Chora for bars and clubs that let you dance until dawn.
Experience it for yourself on: Sailing Greece - Athens to Santorini
Hit up the best beaches of Skiathos
Lots of Greek islands can lay claim to having the best beaches in the country, but what about the best in all the Mediterranean? That’s where Skiathos comes in. This popular Aegean island has 60-some beaches, so it’s little wonder some of them are top notch. For the best of the best, head to southern Skiathos, where you’ll find Koukounariés Beach. Here, the needles of the pine forest touch the water to offer shade to sun-wary beachgoers. Lalaria Beach is a secluded and stunning spot accessible only by boat. For something a little livelier, head to the beach clubs and parties of Banana Beach for an unforgettable night.
Soak up the culture on Syros
Known less for its beaches (although you can still find some pretty spectacular ones) and more for its festivals, arts, and culture, Syros isn’t always the first choice of islands in Greece. But if you like jazz, classical music, dance, movies, and art set among Italian-inspired architecture, it’s the island for you. See Renaissance artwork in the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, take a stroll around the car-free alleys and arches of medieval hillside village Ano Syros, and sample local cheeses in the island’s capital of Ermoupoli. With such treats for the senses on offer, who needs a beach?
Experience it for yourself on: Sailing Greece - Mykonos to Athens
