Which Greek island should it be for your next holiday? With almost 120 inhabited islands in Greece, choosing the right holiday destination isn’t exactly easy. If you are travelling to Greece for the first time, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu or Santorini will probably come to mind first.
The more difficult it is to reach a Greek island, the more pristine it is. Tom & Ella
However, the most popular Greek islands are not always the right choice for every type of holiday. In midsummer in particular, some of Greece’s islands get very crowded. Anyone seeking peace and quiet then usually struggles to find an undisturbed spot or a secluded beach.
If you travel to a Greek island far away from the crowds, the journey itself already becomes a little adventure. Many of the unspoilt Greek islands have no airport and can only be reached by ferry. That requires a certain amount of organisational skill.
This article is meant as inspiration for your holidays on the Greek Islands. We would like to make your decision a little easier, so we have sorted a small selection of the Greek islands by holiday type. You’ll see that every Greek island is a world of its own. No two are alike!
- #1 Greek islands for your first visit
- #2 Greek islands for a beach holiday
- #3 Family holidays on Greek islands
- #4 Islands for history buffs
- #5 Islands for hikers and active holidaymakers
- #6 Greek islands for cycling
- #7 Islands for windsurfers and water sports
- #8 Islands for sailors and yacht owners
- #9 Urban islands for city lovers
- #10 Islands for jetsetters and Insta nerds
- #11 Party islands of Greece
- #12 Islands for explorers and hermits
- #13 Islands with special architecture
- #14 Islands with unusual natural landscapes
- #15 Greek islands for a honeymoon
- FAQ: Choosing the right Greek island
#1 Greek islands for your first visit
The Greek Islands listed here are very well developed for tourism and have an excellent infrastructure. Corfu, Kos and Samos are ideal islands for Greece newcomers, because they don’t overwhelm you right at the beginning.
Another plus point: you can reach all of the islands listed above on a direct flight from several European airports. Perfect for your first time in Hellas, right?
They are ideal for easing your way into Greek culture and getting to grips with the customs and mentality of the Greeks step by step. Kos in particular is very popular for a first holiday in Greece.
#2 Greek islands for a beach holiday
The paradisiacal Beaches of Kos, Naxos & Co., with their pale sand and turquoise water, create a real Caribbean feeling. Sun worshippers definitely get their money’s worth in Greece. In our opinion, these islands have some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece and are therefore rightly very popular with holidaymakers.
These islands offer dream beaches, some of them miles long, with crystal clear water. Pure swimming pleasure is guaranteed here, and anyone who prefers it quieter can look for a secluded bay, because you can still find those even on the most popular Greek islands.
#3 Family holidays on Greek islands
- Corfu
- Kos
- Crete
- Naxos
- Rhodes
Stress-free travel is a top priority for families with children. These Greek islands are almost all accessible on direct flights from Germany, UK, Netherlands, Italy & Co. with a flight time of no more than three hours. On top of that, there are sandy beaches with shallow water, so the little ones can splash around safely.
Corfu, Kos, Crete and Rhodes also have family hotels and club resorts with childcare, so the grown-ups get some time for themselves too. Here you can enjoy a completely carefree family holiday in Greece.
If you’re planning Greece Island Hopping with children, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this article: Island hopping Greece
#4 Islands for history buffs
- Aegina
- Chios
- Kos
- Crete
- Limnos
- Naxos
- Rhodes
Do ancient excavation sites and ruins make your heart beat faster? These islands of Greece offer a high density of archaeological sites and a fascinating insight into the past and the living traditions of the island population. In general, though, you’ll find archaeological sites on almost every Greek island.
There are even more historical highlights on the Greek mainland. The region around the Gulf of Corinth and the Peloponnese peninsula in particular are true treasure chests for history fans. You can read our detailed travel report here: Peloponnese Road Trip
#5 Islands for hikers and active holidaymakers
Of course you can set off on foot on any Greek island and explore the area on a hike, so the islands listed here are only a small selection. They offer mountainous terrain and pristine mountain landscapes, perfect for a hiking holiday in Greece.
Above all, the hiking paradise of Samos and its neighbouring island of Ikaria stand out: unlike the rest of the islands in the Aegean, they have lush vegetation. Here you roam through fertile valleys and fragrant pine forests and can fill up your water bottle at bubbling mountain springs.
Hiking isn’t necessarily a passion for many Greeks, but in recent years more and more trails have been waymarked and mapped. Magnificent views and traditional villages far away from the tourist hustle and bustle are guaranteed on all of the islands mentioned. Crete in particular is considered a hiking Eldorado (e.g. the Samaria Gorge).
Kalymnos is considered the No. 1 climbing spot in Greece, with its many caves and grottoes. Every year in October, climbers from all over the world meet here for the Kalymnos Climbing Festival.
#6 Greek islands for cycling
- Corfu
- Kos
- Crete
- Naxos
- Samos
- Spetses
The Greek islands aren’t necessarily a dream destination for cycling. Nevertheless, these islands of Greece do offer flat terrain where you can enjoy a relaxed ride on your bike.
On the popular island of Kos there are even well-built cycle paths along the east and north coasts with sea views. Mountain bikers are more drawn to mountainous islands with a bit more of a profile, such as Samos or Crete.
#7 Islands for windsurfers and water sports
The Meltemi and the Mistral winds make the Aegean and Ionian Islands a mecca for windsurfers and kiters. Most surfing spots on the Greek islands have several well-equipped surf stations and schools, including equipment hire.
There are practice bays and lagoons for beginners as well as top wind spots for the pros. When the wind picks up to more than eight Beaufort, though, as it does on Karpathos, even experienced surfers quickly reach their limits.
#8 Islands for sailors and yacht owners
These beautiful Islands of Greece are popular sailing areas, with ideal wind conditions and good marinas. On the Ionian islands such as Kefalonia, the sea is usually a little calmer and cruising is that bit easier.
The Aegean is a bit more challenging thanks to the strong Meltemi winds, but it offers charming dream bays and lonely uninhabited islands that are best discovered by boat.
#9 Urban islands for city lovers
- Corfu (Corfu Town Kerkyra)
- Crete (Chania, Heraklion, Rethymno)
- Lesvos (Mytilene)
- Rhodes (Rhodes Town)
- Salamina (Salamina Town)
- Syros (Ermoupoli)
Urban flair on a Greek island? Sounds a bit odd, but it definitely exists. If you don’t want to do without lively Greek city life on holiday, the islands above and their towns are a great choice. They are also well suited as Greek islands for wintering.
Of course, you shouldn’t expect metropolises here. For that, we’d rather recommend a trip to Athens or Thessaloniki. But the capitals of these Greek islands always offer good shopping and a lively nightlife.
#10 Islands for jetsetters and Insta nerds
A touch of glamour and popular destinations for the international jet set. Especially popular is the showpiece quarter of Little Venice in Mykonos. If you fancy a bit of the glitzy lifestyle or are planning a decadent holiday where money is no object, you should stop by these islands. Just be prepared to queue a little longer at the top Instagram spots in Greece.
#11 Party islands of Greece
- Ios
- Crete
- Mykonos
- Paros
- Rhodes
- Santorini
- Zakynthos
While on other Greek islands the pavements are rolled up in the evening, here in the summer months the party goes on until the early hours of the morning. These are the Greek party islands par excellence!
Every island has at least one more or less notorious party beach where people celebrate to their hearts’ content. On Zakynthos it’s Laganas Beach, which the Zakynthos turtles also use as a nesting site. If you want to mingle with the party crowd, plan your island holiday for the high season in July and August.
By the way, the islands mentioned are probably also great for a hen or stag party in Greece. Every year, many young people from Scandinavia and England are drawn to Ios. Young Swedes in particular have discovered the island as their own “Greek Mallorca”.
💡 Help with your Greece Holiday Planning: Not sure where to start or how to go about planning your holiday in the Greek islands? No problem, benefit from our years of experience travelling in Greece and let us help you. We’ll advise you on all your questions and concerns, even via video chat. You can book your consultation here: Travel Advice Greece
#12 Islands for explorers and hermits
- Agios Efstratios
- Alonissos
- Fourni
- Kasos
- Small Cyclades (including Iraklia, Schinoussa and Donoussa)
- Kythira
- Lipsi
- Psara
- Samothrace
- Skyros
- Tilevoides Islands (Kalamos, Kastos, Meganisi)
Is mass tourism your idea of a nightmare, and do you avoid concrete hotel blocks and sardine-tin beaches? Do you want to experience Greece as authentically as possible and mingle with the locals? Then learn a few words of Greek and visit these little-known islands.
We reveal our favourite islands far away from the crowds in this article: Greek Islands Insider Tips
With the exception of Kasos, Kythira and Skyros, none of these Greek islands has its own airport. You can only reach these Greek islands by ferry. Tourism, where it exists at all, is very gentle.
Only in August, during the holiday season, do Greeks come over to the islands from the mainland. Otherwise you’ll have many places all to yourself, or at most run into a few die-hard Greece fans and fellow hermits.
#13 Islands with special architecture
These Greek islands are defined by a special and sometimes unique architectural style. They don’t necessarily suit one particular type of holiday, but they do make the hearts of photographers and artists beat faster and usually enchant visitors at first glance.
Symi, Chios and Co. are the best examples of just how versatile the Greek islands are. From pastel-coloured captains’ villas to medieval stone houses and the impressive architecture of the Cyclades Islands: anyone who has travelled to more than one island knows that there is no such thing as the typical Greek island!
#14 Islands with unusual natural landscapes
- Lesvos (fossil forest, thermal springs)
- Limnos (desert, rock formations)
- Milos (volcanic landscape)
- Nisyros (walk-in volcanic crater)
- Samothrace (gorges, waterfalls)
- Santorini (volcanic landscape)
Petrified forests, bizarre rock formations, steaming volcanic craters and a desert on a Greek island? It’s sometimes hard to imagine all the curious natural treasures the Greek islands have in store.
These islands impress with their extraordinary landscapes and are just waiting to be discovered by adventurers and nature lovers.
#15 Greek islands for a honeymoon
- Astypalea
- Hydra
- Lesvos
- Milos
- Patmos
- Santorini
Why travel far away when you can spend your first days as newlyweds on a Honeymoon in Greece? These Greek islands are ideal honeymoon destinations. Hellas offers uninterrupted sunshine and a truly unique flair!
The Cycladic island of Santorini is the best-known honeymoon destination of all. But have you ever heard of the island of Hydra? An island without cars and without noise, but with wonderful boutique hotels. And if you need even more peace and quiet on your honeymoon, take a look at the picturesque islands of Patmos and Astypalea. A dream in white!
This list doesn’t claim to be complete and simply reflects our personal experiences and reports from friends and acquaintances. We’re constantly expanding it and keeping the overview up to date.
FAQ: Choosing the right Greek island
Which Greek island is the most beautiful?
It all depends on your personal taste! Santorini is famous for its sunsets and unique location, Milos for its colourful rock formations, Crete for its diversity (mountains, gorges, beaches) and Naxos for its endless sandy beaches. We think every island is unique and no two are alike. For architecture enthusiasts and Instagram fans, Symi and Paros are highly recommended.
Which Greek island is the cheapest?
Crete, Kos and Rhodes are very affordable thanks to the high number of beds available and their good infrastructure, and they remain good value even in peak season (especially inland). Syros and Naxos are also considerably cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini. In the off-season (May/June and September/October), you can generally save even more everywhere!
Which Greek island has the most beautiful beaches?
Kos, Naxos, Crete, Karpathos and Kefalonia have stunning beaches with pale sand and turquoise water, so a Caribbean atmosphere is guaranteed! Even on these popular islands, you can still find secluded coves where you can swim undisturbed. Thanks to its volcanic origins, Milos boasts spectacular beaches with colourful rocks.
Which Greek island is warmest in May?
Crete, Rhodes, Kos and Karpathos are by far the southernmost Greek islands. Here, air temperatures in May range from 23 to 26 °C and water temperatures are around 20 °C. Due to its southern location, Crete is often the warmest; in the east, the climate is almost African. An early summer holiday also means fewer tourists. The Ionian Islands, such as Corfu and Lefkada, and the Chalkidiki peninsula are slightly cooler, at 21 to 23 °C.
Which Greek island is best suited for children?
The islands of Corfu, Kos, Crete and Rhodes can be reached in just under three hours by plane. They offer sandy beaches with shallow water for safe paddling, as well as excellent family hotels with childcare and kids’ clubs. Our favourite is Naxos, which is particularly laid-back and child-friendly. It has shallow beaches and cosy tavernas. The only downside is that you’ll need to change flights in Athens or travel on by ferry.
Which Greek island is best for a first visit?
Kos, Corfu, Rhodes, Crete or Samos: all are accessible by direct flight, have good facilities and are perfect for first-time visitors to Greece. Kos is particularly popular, because the island is compact and has stunning beaches, ancient sites and authentic tavernas. It is neither too big nor too small, which makes it ideal for getting to know Greek culture!
Which Greek island is not overcrowded?
Alonissos, Fourni, Kasos, the Small Cyclades (Iraklia, Schinoussa, Donoussa), Kythira, Lipsi, Psara and Skyros are unspoilt, focus on sustainable tourism and have hardly any hotels. This is where hermits feel at home. 🙂 They are usually only accessible by ferry, so getting there becomes an adventure in itself. In August, however, quite a few Greeks from the mainland also visit these gems.
Which Greek island is ideal for hiking?
Crete, Samos, Ikaria, Naxos, Andros and Karpathos, thanks to their mountainous terrain, unspoilt mountain landscapes and signposted walking trails. Crete is a true hiker’s paradise (Samaria Gorge)! Samos and Ikaria boast lush vegetation and fertile valleys. And Kalymnos is Greece’s number one climbing spot!
Which Greek island is suitable for honeymoons?
Santorini (romantic sunsets, very well-known), Hydra (no cars, boutique hotels), Milos (picturesque bays), Patmos and Astypalea (a dream in white, very peaceful) and Lesvos (peaceful).
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