Greek Islands & Mainland

Greek Islands & Mainland by category

View from Homeric Poems hotel on the island of Santorini

No idea where to go? See the best Greek islands and mainland destinations for:

Island-Hopping

Visit Santorini island, Mykonos island, Naxos island, Paros island, Ios island, Milos island in the Cyclades, and Crete island.

Taking the Greek Ferries and visiting more than one island is an ideal option especially if your holiday lasts more than a week. Many islands lie in proximity to others or are connected by ferry with other ports daily. Island hopping is very common among the islands of the Cyclades!

First-Timers

Visit Athens, the capital and Santorini island, Mykonos island, Paros island, Naxos island in the Cyclades.

Athens, the capital of Greece is a large city located close to the sea, with mild weather all year round. Its historical significance, archaeological sites, shops, museums, upscale seaside neighborhoods, delicious restaurants, and its closeness to the islands make it ideal for first-timers.
Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is also ideal for first-timers. It offers some of the world's most dramatic sea views and lovely boutique hotels.
Mykonos is considered by many as the Greek sister of Ibiza. It is a Cycladic destination with numerous beautiful beaches, a charming traditional town, several luxury hotels, and wild partying nightlife.
Paros and Naxos are two islands in very close proximity. Their location makes them sisters but their characters are quite different from one another. Both flaunt shimmering sandy beaches, wonderful whitewashed villages, and excellent accommodation options.
Lastly, Crete and Rhodes are two very different islands, but both are considered perfect places for first-timers since they boast unparalleled seashores and picturesque villages. An additional important aspect is their very well-organized tourist infrastructure. Both are large and wide, hosting buzzing international airports for the convenience of travelers from abroad that may fly there directly.

Beaches

Visit the islands of Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Paros, Koufonisia in the Cyclades, Chania in Crete, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Kefalonia in the Ionian, and Skiathos in the Sporades.

Crystal-clear waters are a trademark of the islands, although some beaches may be ranked higher than others. On the strength of that, some are more favored than others.
Mykonos boasts more than 28 sandy beaches with clear and calm waters.
Naxos hardly gets crowded on the west coastal side, which extends into a more than 9km beach.
Ios has managed to keep some of the most fantastic beaches of the Aegean away from the spotlight, although the island gets extremely busy during the summer.
Milos has uniquely white volcanic soil forming some of the most photogenic beaches in Greece.
Paros can satisfy any traveler with its variety of dazzling beaches.
Koufonisia are very popular for their sandy beaches, sea caves, and natural sea pools.
Chania in Crete has some of the most mesmerizing beaches: picture pink sand and different hues of turquoise waters!
Rhodes is an all-time classic option apropos spending days by the beach.
The beaches of the Ionian islands - Lefkada, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia - have ranked more than once as the best beaches in the world. Porto Katsiki, Navagio, and Myrtos are now synonymous with heaven on earth!
Lastly, the unique beaches of Skiathos are where the verdant pine trees and the azure Aegean sea intertwine.

Couples

Visit Santorini island, Milos island and Folegandros island in the Cyclades, Hydra island and Spetses island in the Saronic, and Monemvasia in the Peloponnese.

Some islands boast a more romantic atmosphere than others. A combination of golden sunsets, dreamy boutique hotels, and delicious, candle-lit dining made those places the perfect places for love doves.
Whether a young couple, honeymooner, celebrating an anniversary, or simply planning an engagement during your holiday, those destinations will create the perfect background for any occasion.

Families

Visit Naxos island and Paros island in the Cyclades, Rhodes island in the Dodecanese, Nafplion in the Peloponnese, Crete, and Halkidiki in Macedonia.

Greece is a common travel destination for families. Those places are all highly recommended summertime locations to select from when planning a fun, quality family vacation.
They all flaunt comfort and easy access to fascinating beaches with safe, pristine, and shallow waters; tourist amenities and facilities are usually available near almost every bay.

Luxury

Visit the islands of Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Heraklion in Crete island, Corfu in the Ionian & the mainland region of Halkidiki in Macedonia.

If you want to pamper yourself with a well-deserved summer getaway to a lavish hotel, those places never disappoint when it comes to luxury lifestyles.

Party

Visit the islands of Mykonos and Ios in the Cyclades, Kos in the Dodecanese, Zakynthos in the Ionian, Skiathos in the Sporades, and Heraklion on Crete island.

If beach clubs, bars, and, fun from dusk till dawn are what you have in your summer plans, then those islands are the party hubs of Greece and welcome young people from all around the world every summer.

Honeymoon

Visit the islands of Santorini in the Cyclades, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, and Crete.

Luxury hotels, lavish restaurants, and idyllic landscapes are found on those islands, turning theminto the perfect locations for honeymooners.

Gastronomy

Visit the island of Crete, the islands of Naxos and Tinos in the Cyclades, and Lesvos and Chios in the Eastern Aegean.

Greek cuisine is well-know for its healthy, hearty meals and delicious fresh products.
Some islands have a more emphasized gastronomic scene due to their fertile soil, local products, and recipes.
If you appreciate quality meals and want to savor memorable culinary experiences, those locations are ready to welcome you to their delicious tavernas and allow you to taste local cheese types, wine varieties, fresh seafood and meat dishes.

Exquisite Restaurants

Visit Athens, the capital of Greece, and the islands of Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Corfu in the Ionian, and Chania on Crete island.

Fresh ingredients, talented chefs, and beautiful settings make up a good restaurant.
The above places have award-winning establishments with Greek, Mediterranean, and Ethnic cuisines to die for.
If you want to savor upscale dinners, these are the perfect destinations for you.

Sea Sports

Visit the islands of Naxos, Paros and Mykonos in the Cyclades, Lefkada in the Ionian Crete, Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese, and Lemnos in the Eastern Aegean.

A few islands showcase the ideal weather conditions and have developed into hubs for adrenaline hunters and sports enthusiasts.
Naxos, Lefkada, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Lemnos, and Kos have the perfect seashores for that.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing schools exist on the bays, offering you lessons, or allowing you to rent sports equipment. A very committed community has been created over time, visiting yearly. If you want to enjoy kitesurfing or windsurfing sessions on a beautiful island, you now know where to go.

Photography

Visit Santorini island and Milos island in the Cyclades, the rock formations of Meteora in Thessaly, and the sea lake of Mesolongi.

The landscapes of those places are of unparalleled beauty.
Majestic volcanic seascapes, lunar beaches, otherworldly rock formations, mirror-like reflections on a sea lake, and interesting traditional architecture, are worth visiting and frequently captured by professional or amateur photographers.

History

Visit Athens, the capital of Greece, Crete island, the ancient sites of Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Olympia, and the Byzantine site of Mystras.

Greece is a country that counts more than 4000 years of history: from the Bronze age and the classical Greece to the Roman and Byzantine Empires.
In Athens, Crete, Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Mystras, and Olympia you will find royal palaces and tombs, theatres, temples, monasteries, and stadiums that testify to the rich heritage of this land.
Most of those monuments are UNESCO world heritage sites and are considered some of humanity’s most notable constructions.

Luxury Chic

Visit the islands of Hydra and Spetses in the Saronic, Patmos in the Dodecanese, Sifnos and Syros in the Cyclades, and Ithaca and Paxi in the Ionian.

Those islands are all effortlessly elegant with an unpretentious approach to a high-quality lifestyle.

Privacy

Visit the islands of Antiparos, Amorgos, Anafi, Schinoussa, Kimolos and Sikinos in the Cyclades, and Astypalea and Nisyros in the Dodecanese.

If you seek to experience a wonderful Aegean summer away from the crowds and immerse yourself in tranquility, low-profile islands are ideal destinations.
Once on one of these locations, you can tune out of the hectic routine and find peace and meaning in the details of life; the golden, blazing sun above, a rejuvenating dive in the indigo sea, savoring a juicy watermelon by the beach, an evening stroll in their picturesque villages and more.

Authentic Lifestyle

Visit the islands of Karpathos and Nisyros in the Dodecanese, Amorgos in the Cyclades, Ikaria, Chios and Lesvos in the Eastern Aegean and Kythera in the Ionian.

Some islands have managed to preserve a more authentic lifestyle than others.
Average levels of tourism infrastructure accommodated along with centuries-old traditions and a vivid local life have given these destinaions their distinctive local colors.
During the summer months, don’t be surprised if you encounter a religious feast called "panigiri" where locals and tourists dance, eat, and drink together celebrating Orthodox commemorations.

Remote Retreats

Visit the islands of Anafi, Schinoussa, Donousa and Irakleia in the Cyclades, Lipsoi and Tilos in the Dodecanese, Mathraki and Meganisi in the Ionian, and Fournoi in the Eastern Aegean.

If you dream of a vehicle-free holiday where all you need is a good book, a swimming suit, a secluded beach, and a taverna serving the catch of the day, you don’t need to look any further.
Those locations are small islands allowing you to lose track of time and truly enjoy life.

Year-Round Holiday

Visit Athens, the capital of Greece, Crete island, Thessaloniki, the second largest city, and Pelion, the mountainous region in Thessaly.

Those year-round comprise holiday destinations. All four of them boast hotels operating and activities scheduled all year long, while the winter season does not last more than 3 months.
Athens and Thessaloniki are two European cities ideal for a city break.
On the other hand, Crete is the southmost point of Europe and has a very warm climate and an extended summer season starting in April and ending in early November.
Lastly, Pelion is both a mountainous and a seaside destination, which means it can accommodate all tastes.

Greek Islands by popularity

The beach of Mikri Vigla on Naxos island

Greece has more than 6.000 islands scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which 227 are inhabited. It also flaunts a total of 16.000 km of coastline and the best beaches in Europe.

Spreading in two main thalassic parts of the Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea on the East and the Ionian Sea on the West, the islands are divided into smaller groups.
In those groupings, islands of varying dimensions, coastlines, and sizes can be found, from very small to considerably large ones. Travelers can easily island hop by ferry between the smaller ones during their vacation while investing many days in exploring a larger one is recommended.

The most popular island group is the Cyclades in the Aegean sea. Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, picturesque villages, and whitewashed houses are indicative elements that make the Cyclades so unique.
Santorini is a top worldwide romantic destination, while Mykonos is a party island with the most amazing beaches and fancy restaurants. Paros, Naxos, and Ios are also famous all over the world. The rest of the Cyclades keep a lower profile in tourism development and offer calm and carefree holidays.
The Dodecanese, especially Rhodes and Kos are also very tourist and ideal for family vacations.
The Ionian with Corfu, Zakynthos, Lefkada, and Kefalonia are of unparalleled beauty. Their world-widely acknowledged waters and breathtaking landscapes are a bucket list destination for many people.

Other famous islands are located in the Saronic gulf, such as the Instagramic Hydra and picturesque Spetses. Additionally, the Sporades and Eastern Aegean are becoming more and more popular.
Crete is also renowned as it is the largest of all Greek islands. Its land is rich in history, mind-blowing gastronomy, and amazing landscapes, while the idyllic beaches take the cake.

Overall, the islands are the ideal destination for every taste, from luxury to budget holidays. Despite the ongoing tourist development, their original character remains vibrant and is well-preserved, providing visitors with a wonderful atmosphere and high-quality holidays.
Want to discover more islands? Check our travel guides and use the filters to find your next holiday destination according to your preferences.

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Discover a list with 60 islands listed by popularity.

Greece Mainland by popularity

The rock formations of Meteora

Mainland Greece is famous for its rich history of more than 2.500 years. The most important ancient sites and temples of Ancient Greek Civilization are located there and with many listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Those include the Acropolis in Athens, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the Tombs at Mycenae, the stadium where the ancient Olympic Games took place in Olympia in Peloponnese, Delphi in Sterea, Ancient Dodona in Epirus, Dion and Ancient Philippi in Macedonia and more.
Most can be easily accessed with tours from Athens.

Although mainland Greece is not as popular as the islands, it provides engaging sights, amazing landscapes, beautiful towns, and wonderful beaches. The imposing and mysterious Meteora is also located on the Greek Mainland and is one of the most visited places in Greece. That amazing natural wonder will leave you speechless and is a top destination for hiking, climbing, and landscape photography.
The most tourist-developed places on the mainland are Halkidiki and Parga featuring amazing beaches and crystal blue waters. Various coastal towns of the Peloponnese like Nafplio, the first Capital of Greece, and Kalamata, are becoming popular destinations, especially for family holidays.

Last but not least, the mainland has the potential to develop tourism all year round. It provides gorgeous nature to hike in spring, sightseeing to explore off the beaten track, and even ski centers for the wintertime. As aforementioned, Athens and Thessaloniki are very popular city break destinations.
Want to discover more mainland destinations? Check our travel guides and use the filters to find your next holiday destination according to your criteria.

WANT TO SEE MORE?
Discover a list of Mainland destinations by popularity.