best ways to travel between greek islands

Traveling Without a Passport

How to Travel Between the Greek Islands (Reliably and Affordably)

There is something completely magical about the Greek Islands and there are so many to choose from, you are almost spoilt for choice! The Greek Islands are divided into groups, with some islands more popular with travellers than others. While each island shares similar traits with others of the same group by way of culture, climate and historical backgrounds, it’s still a great idea to travel between a few of the different groups to ensure you get a well-rounded experience.

Travel to: Greek Islands

So what’s the best way to get around and how much will it cost to travel between your islands of choice? The first step of your trip will be deciding which of the Greek Islands you consider “must-see,” after that, everything will start to fall into place.

We’re breaking down the list of islands by their groups: 

•        Cyclades

o    Mykonos, Tinos, Sifnos, Syros, Serifos, Paros, Antiparos, Santorini, Kea, Andros, Koufonisia, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Ios, Folegandros and others

•        Dodecanese and Samos

o    Patmos, Kos, Tilos, Symi, Rhodes, Kalymnos, Leros

•        Argo-Saronic 

o    Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina, Kilada, Salamina and Agkistri

•        Ionian Islands

o    Corfu, Paxos, Levkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakinthos, Kythira

•        Evia (Euboia); the second biggest island in all of Greece!
•        Sporades

o    Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos & Skyros

• Crete; the biggest island in Greece

o   The Northeastern Aegean Islands

• Lesbos (Mitilini), Chios, Samos, Limnos, Ikaria, Samothrace, Fournoi, Inouses, Psara, Agios Efstratios, Thasos

Most Popular Greek Islands

It’s incredibly difficult to decide which islands to visit, so we think it’s always a great idea to go on personal recommendations from like-minded people. Most often people name islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Hydra and Skiathos as being amongst their favourites.

Santorini and Mykonos are a part of the Cyclades islands, Kefalonia is part of the Ionian islands, Hydra calls into the Argo-Saronic islands and Skiathos is a part of the Sporades islands. These should all be considered a wonderful mixture of different island groups and by extension, divine and unique experiences with each one!

For anyone travelling to the Greek Islands for the first time, I would highly recommend taking the ferry between the islands. On my very first trip to the Greek Islands, we took the ferry to Mykonos, Paros and Santorini which was fantastic! The ferries are very affordable and you are able to book your journey online! Payment per trip is up to 15 euros as a foot passenger where you can sit anywhere on the boat, and slightly more if you would like to have a specified seat on the ship with a little more comfort! The ferries are comfortable and well equipped with everything you need for your Greek Islands journey. – Rebecca, The World As Bec Sees It

Getting to the Greek Islands

There are flights to some of the main Greek Islands, with international flights arriving and departing from Crete, Corfu and Rhodes, but for local flights from the mainland, you can fly into most islands on discounted flights through airlines like Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air.

Sometimes flights will be seasonal or chartered, so it’s best to check this in advance, and you’ll also have to keep an eye on their newsfeeds for updates about discounted flights so you never miss a deal. Inter-island flights are hard to come by, so it’s best to fly into your first port of call and then opt for alternative travel between the rest of the islands. Consulting Sky Express is probably your best bet for any available inter-island flights that can also be really reasonably priced.

There are so many incredible islands of Greece, some hidden treasures and some quickly becoming the new tourist hotspots. When planning to travel the islands, my advice is to see as many as possible on your first visit to get a greater understanding of the ones you love – and then visit those again and again whilst adding new ones to discover to the plans each time. There are a few ways to travel the islands – you can hire a private yacht, take the ferries, go with a tour boat or fly. Ensure you research which islands have airports and which you’ll need to travel by boat. If there are both options, I would jump on a plane from the mainland and then opt for a ferry in between islands for a very comfortable and cost effective option. If you want to do things a little more luxurious, you can hire a yacht and cruise from island to island, and if you want a taste of luxury but it isn’t in the budget to hire a personal one, a lot of tour companies do island hops or day trips. Either way, boats are the way to go as you will have to worry about your luggage allowance by plane and distribute your weight between check in and carry on which can be difficult when you’ve packed more than 20kg! A flight is great for getting to your first island, but once you’re there you won’t want to worry about distributing luggage/checking in and getting to and from the airports, which can sometimes be further out. You can take as much as you like on the ferries which leave from the main ports, and you can even take a hire car on board and drive straight off when you dock (at an extra cost of course!) If you are staying at a hotel, request a transfer from the port so you won’t have to wait around in queues. Tips: If flying on the small Greek airlines ensure you check in a couple of hours before the flight or you could be fined. With ferries, it’s best to price check and book in advance as sometimes morning can be more expensive than afternoon and vice versa. You can also upgrade for a small price difference to business class which is higher above sea level (recommended if you have troubles with sea sickness!) Sometimes even the days of the week can vary with the ferries, so although it’s nice to be spontaneous, a planned trip for the islands will save you time, money and frustration. – Olivia, Olympia

See Also: Greek Islands vs Croatia

Ferrying to and Around the Greek Islands

Flights can add a hefty price tag to your travel plans if you don’t manage to get the discounted deals, so it’s good to have different options. The ferries from Athens to the Greek Islands and from island to island are really affordable, but the tickets sell out quickly so you have to book in advance.

Ferry timetables and routes can change so make sure you check up on your timetable (available online) prior to your date of travel. The only downside to ferrying is that the trips can be cancelled due to very bad weather conditions with no indication of when they will resume. This is a rarity with the standard ferries as they are quite robust and fit to challenge swells.

One of the most important planning steps for your trip to the Greek Islands determining how you will travel among them. Here are our recommendations: Ferries –  Enjoy shared and private accommodations, luxury cabins, and more depending on your comfort level. Enjoy cafes and bars open all hours of the day to accommodate all appetites and lots of entertainment options. Usually booked with tours, Island-Hopping Cruises are highly recommended. Enjoy booze, fishing, sailing, and other cruise styles. Accommodations are available, though with limited facilities. Depending on your travel style, this would be the best choice for those wishing a more scenic adventure than simply convenience. – Janine, Fill My Passport The fastest and most comfortable transportation between the Greek Islands would be by flying. The views from the window seat will also blow you away… But another good and also cheaper option is by boat/ferry. It does take longer but can be comfortable as well. You can walk around the deck, drinking frape,  have a tzatziki snack and enjoy the cool sea breeze in your hair. And ports are normally in the town’s center so as soon as you embark you are ready for exploration. – Nina and Simon, Nina Travels

Inter-Island Travel By Catamaran Or Hydrofoil

If you want to get on your adventure quicker, then catamarans and hydrofoils are your best bet, although they are definitely subject to more frequent cancellations as they don’t operate well in bad weather conditions. These are also not advisable for people who are prone to seasickness, as the ride can be very bumpy, and the rates are also more expensive than the standard ferries. But if speed is your number one priority, catamaran or hydrofoil is your best bet.

Regardless of which islands and transportation you’ve chosen, we wish you safe travels!

Antonia is a passionate writer and an avid reader. Eat well, travel often - are some of the words she lives by. When she's not writing or reading, she loves getting out in nature, hiking or losing herself in unknown cities.

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Home > Greek Islands: Local’s Guide To Island-Hopping Greece

Greek Islands: Local’s Guide To Island-Hopping Greece

Written by our local expert Gabi

Gabi is an award-winning writer who lives on the Island of Crete in Greece. She is an expert in Greek travel and writes guides for the everyday traveler.

Although most of us close our eyes and dream about the enchanting images of white Santorini, there are so many more Greek islands to choose from that you never know exactly where to start island-hopping in Greece..or where to finish!

So, please let me help you island-hop Greece like a local, using my own travel experience of living in Greece for many years. 

There is nothing more magical, romantic, and adventurous than boarding a Greek ferry and sailing the sea to explore the beautiful beaches of Greece. The Greek islands are blessed with stunning landscapes and feel like an authentic slice of paradise.

You must first know that the Greek islands are divided into different island groups. As well as that, some islands are extremely popular among Greek island-hopping tourists, while others, equally enchanting, are almost unknown and offer a great vacation spot for those looking for less crowded places… which often come with much lower price tags too!

So, let’s get started and show you the best way to island hop in Greece;

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

The Greek Islands Groups

Let’s take a look at the islands of Greece and what groups they belong to.

These are the most popular islands in Greece . When you go island-hopping in the Cyclades, you can visit gorgeous beaches and places like Santorini , Mykonos , Sifnos, Syros, Serifos, Paros, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Ios , Tinos, and Folegandros.

This beautiful slice of Greece includes islands such as Patmos , Samos, Kos, Tilos, Symi, Kalymnos , Leros, and Rhodes. The latter is one of the most popular destinations and often features on Greece island-hopping itineraries .

Ionian Islands

These islands are easy to visit when visiting Greece from Italy , one of the many popular Greek island hopping routes. Corfu , Lefkada , Kefalonia , Zakynthos , and Ithaka are some of the best-known Ionian Islands.

Argo-Saronic Gulf Islands

Easy to reach as they are relatively close to Athens , the most popular Saronic Islands include  Aegina, Poros, Hydra , Spetses, Salamina, and Agistri.

Crete is Greece’s biggest island. It’s a major destination on its own, a place where you could spend a week or more exploring amazing beaches and ancient sites.

However, Crete is also a much-visited destination among people who are island-hopping in Greece . It is, for example, a great base from which to visit Santorini on a day trip .

Evia is the second biggest island in the country, and it is also easy to reach from Athens .

Northeastern Aegean Sea Islands

Some of the islands in this group are Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria , and Thasos.

These beautiful green Greek islands include Alonissos, Skyros, Skiathos, and Skopelos.

As you can already see, there is no one best Greek island for island-hopping – you have to see a few. Let us show you how many islands you can see on your island-hopping around Greece adventure with the ferry routes below.

Brands We Use And Trust

Ferry routes to the most popular greek islands .

When planning those unforgettable Greek island-hopping adventures, deciding where to go first or how long to stay is a decision that will be subject to the Greek islands’ ferry routes, ferry schedules, and your Greek budget .

Are you ready to start planning your Greek island-hopping vacation? Let’s go! This article gives you a sweeping panorama of how to island-hop in Greece. But, first things first, are you starting on the mainland? If so read this section:

From Athens To The Main Greek Islands

Athens, the capital of Greece, offers access to all the islands, either by plane or by ferry routes to the Greek islands . Popular islands, including Rhodes, Corfu, Crete , Mykonos, and Santorini, can be reached by flying out from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport.

The most popular tours from Athens:

• 🏝️ Book this 13-day Greek islands tour in Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Rhodes and admire the beauty of each island!
• 🏞️ Grab the opportunity to visit the most cosmopolitan destination in Greece – Mykonos Island – on this day trip from Athens
• 🚢 Visit the most famous Greek islands – Santorini and Mykonos on a 2-day trip from Athens
• 🛥️ Spend four days traveling around some of Greece’s island hotspots by joining this trip with ferries, flights, and accommodations included
• 🚢  Book your ferries with Ferryhopper in advance

Athens Ferry Ports

It’s also a popular choice to travel by sea. You can reach most Greek islands from the main Port of Piraeus, about 30 minutes from the center of Athens. However, it would help if you also kept in mind that there are other ports from which you can depart, too. Lavrio and Rafina are two smaller island ports in Athens with regular ferry services to different Greek islands.

• From Lavrio: you can reach the islands of Chios, Lemnos, Andros, Folegandros, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos , Paros, Sikinos, Syros, and Tinos.
• From Rafina: instead, it’s possible to visit the islands of Crete, Andros, Folegandros, Ios, Amorgos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos, and Santorini.

You can choose between fast ferries to the Greek islands that carry boat cargo on this route. These are ideal if you want to take a rented  car or motorbike with you. 

For the best flight deals, book your ticket here .

Corfu to santorini, crete, and mykonos.

There are no direct flights from Corfu to Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete. Therefore, if flying is a must, the best way to get there is to fly to Athens and then take another flight to the island of your choice.

Other alternatives include taking the ferry from Corfu to the mainland and, from there, boarding a bus to Athens. Once in the capital, you can choose either a ferry or a plane to reach Crete, Santorini , or Mykonos.

Another alternative is to reach Larissa from Corfu and take a train trip to Athens.

Crete To Santorini

There are no direct flights from Crete to Santorini , but a ferry route connects both islands during the high season with at least 2-3 daily ferry crossings.

The ferry times between these Greek islands range between 2 and 4 hours, depending on whether you take a fast or regular ferry. The cost of the ferry trip between Heraklion and Santorini is about 50 euros, and it can be a great day trip if you’re staying in Crete. This is one of the most popular ferry travel routes on the Greek islands.

Rhodes To Crete

The trip from Rhodes to Crete can be quite long on a ferry. That’s why most travelers choose to fly from Heraklion, Crete’s capital. The flying time is about 50 minutes, and prices tend to be considerably high, so booking in advance is a good idea.

The ferry route connecting Rhodes to Crete is covered by the sailing company Aegeon Pelagos. There are four weekly connections and the traveling times range between 11 and 15 hours.

It’s possible to board the ferry with a car, a motorbike, or a camper van. Since it’s such a long trip, the vessel offers facilities, including restaurants, bars, and shops , to make the journey more pleasant.

I highly recommend this full-day land rover tour.  

Mykonos to santorini.

The only way to travel between Mykonos and Santorini is by boarding a ferry since no direct flights connect the Aegean Islands .

You can save some money traveling with regular service (about 4 hours), pay more, and cut off your traveling time by at least two good hours.

Since this is probably the most famous sea route during summer, it’s a better idea to book your ferry tickets well in advance – we suggest Ferryhopper for that here. The trip from M ykonos to Santorini is among the best Greek island hopping experiences you can have.

Book your Santorini Day Trip From Mykonos here

Naxos, Paros, Ios To Santorini

The three islands are connected by ferry routes all year round, with a considerable increase in services during the high season .

The best way to travel among these islands is by boarding a fast ferry. The ferry travel times between these Greek islands vary from 2 hours to 45 minutes (Paros-Naxos).

The three islands can also make an excellent escape from the bustle of Santorini and are the perfect destination for a one-day trip or a weekend away.

Here is how to island hop between Mykonos and Ios.

Rhodes to santorini, mykonos, and other cyclades.

The best way to travel between the Greek Cycladic Islands and Rhodes is by boarding a ferry to Athens and, from there, boarding another ferry to any of the Cyclades Islands (or Rhodes).

It’s not common to find ferries departing from Rhodes with a stop on the Cyclades , but if you manage to book a vessel making a stop either in Naxos or Paros, it would unquestionably be a winning choice. Check with your ferry operator to find the best Greek island-hopping route for your trip.

Here is how to island hop between Mykonos and Paros.

Italy to greece.

As we mentioned  in this post about traveling from Italy to Greece , there are comfortable ways to connect both countries by plane or ferry. Ferries depart from Italy’s main ports , and it’s possible to board most vessels with a rental car or a motorbike.

Some of the ports are Bari, Ancona, and Venice, and they usually connect Italy to the Greek ports in the Ionian Sea , including Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and Patras.

Of course, routes (and prices) increase during the high season, which in Europe goes from June to September.

We recommend you book your ferries with Ferryhopper in advance here.

Which greek islands have airports.

Let’s go island-by-island.

What Greek Islands Have Domestic Airports

• Chios Island
• Ikaria Island
• Kalymnos Island
• Kythira Island
• Milos Island
• Naxos Island
• Paros Island
• Skyros Island
• Syros Island

What Greek Islands Have International Airports

• Astypalea Island
• Corfu Island
• Crete Island
• Kefalonia Island
• Lemnos Island
• Lesvos Island
• Rhodes Island
• Samos Island
• Santorini Island
• Skiathos Island

Best Greek Islands For Island-hopping

Deciding which Greek islands to include in your Greek island-hopping itinerary can be difficult. It depends on what activities you love doing and how you prefer to spend your vacation time.

Do you love sunbathing and swimming on sandy beaches ? Do you dream of soaking in the whitewashed landscapes of Greece? Are you eager to climb mountains and fill your trip with incredible adventures? Do you want epic Greek nightlife ?

There’s an island for every taste and every traveler… People usually choose to visit the most popular places either because they heard about them or because some other travelers suggested so.

Here are our ideas for the lesser-known Greek Islands.

People often flock to places such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Hydra , and Crete, for the best beaches, totally unaware there are hundreds of other islands worth visiting in Greece.

If you’re visiting Greece for the first time and eager to discover some of the best islands, the best thing to do is travel around on a ferry. You can get to even some of the less-visited islands with ease.As you can see above, tons of ferries connect the Greece islands, making it super easy to have an unforgettable Greece island-hopping experience.

This is not only the most good option when it comes to ticket prices, but it is also the favorite way to travel for locals. You will immerse yourself in the right atmosphere that will set the pace for a relaxing trip.

One of the best Greek island-hopping tips we can give you is: don’t run against the clock. The most enjoyable way to visit Greece and the islands is to take one place at a time and enjoy it to the fullest. When it comes to island-hopping the Greek Islands, I think that less is definitely more.

What is the best time to go Greek island-hopping?

The best months to enjoy a Greek isle adventure has to be when it’s warm, but the hordes of vacationers have left – making that May, June, and September. Of course, the summer months of June, July, and August are the most popular as that is when people have summer break – but that is also when the prices are higher and crowds bigger

Is it easy to island hop in Greece?

YES! With hundreds of islands and decades of tourism experience, Greece has an excellent, well run and efficient ferry network, making hopping from island to island easy and cheap 

How to island hop Greece?

We have provided you with many tips; plan in advance and don’t rush from place to place for the best experience

Can I take a self-guided Greek island-hopping trip?

Is it expensive to island hop in greece.

Yes, and no. Budget travelers can find low-cost accommodations, or you can also stay in 5-star resorts. Just as you can enjoy low-cost street food or eat in the finest restaurants. Greece offers something for all budgets

How long do you need when island-hopping in Greece?

You can rush, but then you would not get to fully immerse yourself in the authentic way of Greek life. At a minimum, we recommend that you spend three nights on each island. So if you have just 10 days in Greece, do not island-hop more than three islands, and spend at least one day in Athens or Thessonaliki 

What is the cheapest way to island-hop in Greece?

The cheapest – and easiest way to get around the Greek Islands is by jumping on the Greek ferry system. With several ferry companies offering ferries to and from all of the islands all year, you do not need to spend much

Which Greek island should I visit first?

We hope that island-hopping Greece has been made easier with this guide on planning a Greek island-hopping holiday adventure.

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Comments (14)

Very nice blog on Island Hop Greece, Here Is How To Travel Between Greek Islands

Hi SJ, I was thrilled to find your blog. Croatia was my last vacation (before Covid) and I finally booked a “post Covid” vacation for April 2023, We will be taking a Windstar cruise from Barcelona, thru a few ports in Italy and ending in Athens. My plan is to add a few days in Greece after the 8 day cruise. We will sightsee in Athens for 2 days and then I would like to see one (or two) of the Greek Islands. Can you recommend which island we should go for the best overview of Greece. We are 60+ years old so I don’t car about the nightlife of dancing and partying. I want culture and food! Thanks Gail G

Hi Gail, the trip sounds amazing! I would look at these islands for what you describe: Kefalonia: https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-kefalonia-greece-guide/ Lefkada: https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-lefkada-island-greece/ Milos: https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-milos-island-greece/ Aegina : https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-aegina-greece-guide/

Enjoy your vacation!

I am planning a trip to Greece to Island Hop in July. Please advise on the best way to travel between (Athens, Mykonos, Naxos and Crete). I was thinking; Atlanta to Athens (flight) with first island Mykonos (High Speed Ferry or flight) then Naxos (High Speed Ferry) and then Crete (flight) and back to Athens (flight) then fly back to the USA. While in Crete we will likely do a day trip to Santorini.

I have visited Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini in 2017. How many days should I plan for in Naxos and Crete? Please recommend hotels in Mykonos, Naxos and Crete.

Hello.What island to choosef rom September 15 to30 so that it is possible to swit. Thank you Edvardas.

Possible to “Swit” what does that mean?

Hi, Great reading your site. We have 21 days to explore the Cyclades Islands starting in Santorini and ending in Athens, we want to do this leisurely using Ferries. We like the thought that less is more but we have a nice length of time. What route would you suggest ?

Best wishes, Jim

For a leisurely 21-day exploration of the Cyclades Islands starting from Santorini and ending in Athens, you can enjoy a wonderful island-hopping experience. Here’s a suggested route that balances relaxation with exploration:

Day 1-4: Santorini Day 1-2: Arrive in Santorini. Spend your first two days exploring Fira and Oia, enjoying the sunset views, and perhaps a wine tour. Day 3: Visit the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and relax on the Red Beach. Day 4: Take a boat tour of the caldera, including the hot springs and Thirassia. Day 5-7: Ios Day 5: Take a ferry to Ios. Enjoy the beaches like Mylopotas and relax. Day 6: Explore Ios Town (Chora), visit the windmills, and enjoy the local cuisine. Day 7: Spend a day on a secluded beach or partake in water sports. Day 8-10: Paros Day 8: Ferry to Paros. Explore Parikia and visit the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church. Day 9: Day trip to the picturesque village of Naoussa. Enjoy the beaches. Day 10: Explore the interior of the island or take a short boat trip to Antiparos. Day 11-13: Naxos Day 11: Ferry to Naxos. Visit the Portara and explore Naxos Town. Day 12: Explore the inland villages like Apiranthos and Filoti. Visit the Temple of Demeter. Day 13: Relax on beaches like Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna. Day 14-16: Amorgos Day 14: Ferry to Amorgos. Visit the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and the Chora. Day 15: Enjoy the serene beaches and explore the island’s hiking trails. Day 16: Relax and soak in the traditional island life. Day 17-19: Syros Day 17: Ferry to Syros. Explore Ermoupoli and its neoclassical architecture. Day 18: Visit the Ano Syros, and enjoy the panoramic views. Day 19: Relax on the beaches or visit the local museums. Day 20-21: Athens Day 20: Ferry to Athens. Explore the historic sites like the Acropolis and Plaka. Day 21: Visit the National Archaeological Museum and spend your last evening in a nice Athenian restaurant. This itinerary gives you a mix of popular and lesser-known islands, each with its unique charm, allowing for a well-rounded experience of the Cyclades. Remember to check the ferry schedules in advance as they can vary, especially outside of the peak summer months. Enjoy your trip!

Hi, I love reading all of your information but hoping for suggestions on the next part of our holiday. My husband & I will have 12 days to get from Istanbul to Athens in April-May. Hoping to go via some Greek islands. I am having trouble with ferry schedules at the moment. Could you suggest a route that would work? We are not fussed which islands we go to. We do not have a car. Many thanks in advance

Here is a list of Greek Islands you can get to from Türkiye https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/how-to-visit-the-greek-islands-close-to-turkey/ the obvious place to start from Istanbul woul dbe to go to Izmir and go Cesme to Chios. Then the world is your oyster. Suggestions here: https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/island-hop-greece-travel-between-greek-islands/ Use FerryHppper to buy your tickets. https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/?aff_uid=chsgdnk

We will be traveling to Athens this June and we are still trying to decide on the islands we want to see. We have 3 weeks to explore Greece, and since it’s our first time there we want to spend our first few days exploring Athens and then head to some islands. We do want to see Mykonos, Santorini, Los, Paros. Any recommendations for other islands and the route we should take? Thanks!

Consider adding Naxos for its beautiful beaches and rich history. A suggested route could be Athens -> Mykonos -> Naxos -> Paros -> Santorini -> Ios.

I enjoyed reading your blog and it has been useful in the planning of our next 3 week trip to the Greek islands. My husband and I plan to spend 3 weeks island-hopping from late September to early October. We have return flights booked from Mykonos. We would prefer to stay in the quieter area of Mykonos and also plan to visit Andros, Tinos and Syros. Do you have any suggestions of where we should stay on these islands? We both love to go on hikes and eat delicious local cuisine. We also plan to hire a car where needed. Many thanks for any suggestions. Alison

Beach. These regions offer a serene environment away from the bustling Mykonos Town, with opportunities for hiking and enjoying local cuisine at traditional tavernas.

On Andros, consider staying in the charming village of Chora or the peaceful area of Batsi. Andros is known for its lush landscapes and numerous hiking trails, such as the Andros Route, which takes you through beautiful valleys and along scenic coastlines. Enjoy local dishes at family-run tavernas that serve fresh seafood and local specialties.

In Tinos, the village of Pyrgos is a great choice, known for its artistic heritage and tranquil atmosphere. The island offers excellent hiking opportunities, such as the trails around Exomvourgo Mountain, and delicious local food, including the famed Tinos cheese and Louza, a type of cured pork.

For Syros, stay in the picturesque village of Ano Syros or near Galissas Beach for a quieter experience. Syros combines neoclassical architecture with beautiful hiking routes, such as those in the northern part of the island. Indulge in local cuisine with dishes like Syros’ San Michalis cheese and traditional sweets such as loukoumi.

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15 Best Greek Island Hopping Itineraries

Author’s Note: I travel between the Greek island groups by flight and ferry every year and have done so for many years now. In 2023 I island-hopped between Athens, Aegina, Tinos, Mykonos, Delos, Crete, and Naxos. I’ve just booked this year’s epic Greek island-hopping trip to 11 islands in 3 island groups (plus Crete!)

I travel around the Greek islands every year and in this article, I share with you my 15 best Greek island hopping itineraries for every kind of traveler and every kind of holiday, ranging from suggestions for first-timers to season-long itineraries for long-term experienced travelers.

Things to know about Greek island hopping itineraries

The best time to visit.

Greek islands are places where people live and thrive all year round. Greek islands do not shut for winter, but the majority of tourist enterprises (many bars, restaurants, taverns, experiences, excursions, and tours) do stop around November, only to re-open in May.

So, the best time for a Greek island hopping adventure is late spring, summer, and early autumn.

Late May until the end of October . 

Remember, getting there is half the fun!

How Many Islands in One Go?

Depends on how many days you have available. Here are some simple but effective suggestions:

🏝️ Up to 7 days: 2 islands

🏝️ Up to 10 days: no more than 3 islands

🏝️ Two weeks: 3-4 islands

🏝️ Month-long trip: 6 islands

Remember that getting to your island takes time and not all islands are connected with all the others (especially in different island groups), so leave enough time for traveling between the islands.

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Getting Around

Ferry  is the king. There are many ferry companies servicing national and local island ferry routes that make a wide network of lines that you will be using.

Don’t be alarmed by long hours on Greek ferries, being on board is part of the experience, especially on the smaller vessels.

TIP: if you suffer from seasickness, choose islands serviced by big vessels, not high-speed ferries.

Airplanes  from Athens or Thessaloniki offer an easy transfer to your local island group hub, where you can then take a ferry to continue your trip.

For example, you can fly to Rhodes in under an hour or take a 12-hour ferry ride, both from Athens.

Avoid large cruise ships, they steal all the fun hidden in the trips where you mingle with the locals and other tourists, understanding what it really means to live an island life.

For example, seeing an air conditioning unit sent from Athens to a tiny island, secretly placed in a corner of a ferry hull, until a bunch of friends take it out in a matter of seconds during a ferry’s brief docking on the island!

TIP: I get all my ferry information and bookings via Ferryhopper.com  

The Cost of Greek-Island Hopping

Greek island hopping is not more expensive than a regular holiday in Greece.

Excluding the inbound flights to Greece you have to take, a ballpark figure of 80-100€ per day could cover all your budget hotels, travel, and food expenses around the islands.

But this is a very small budget and it is very easy to spend multiples of this.

Of course, some islands are more expensive than others, hotels can be luxurious, and the food is Michelin-star, so the amounts spent can go as much as you like, but the basics are still quite reasonably priced. 

How to Choose Your Itinerary

The most important thing to consider when choosing your itinerary is the number of days you have available.

The islands are separated into island groups and traveling between them means ferry connections and you need to calculate that into your schedule.

After that, consider what you want from the islands – a party scene, ancient history, and archaeology stuff, meeting authentic insular Greece, or utter beachside relaxation.

Combinations of all the above are feasible and actually, many people do that – start with a bigger and fancier island only to end a holiday somewhere low-key.

The 15 Best Greek Island-Hopping Itineraries

First time in Greece: Athens, Santorini, Naxos or Crete

Do you want it all at once, a Greek island experience in a nutshell?

Start from Athens and fly to Santorini to admire the unique Cycladic architecture, landscape, sunset, and everything else this unique Mediterranean island offers, only to proceed to somewhere more quiet, but still big enough to live the authentic island vibe.

That place can be:

🏝️ Naxos , one of the largest Cyclades islands with spectacular sandy beaches, vibrant hilly villages, and lots of opportunities for exploring.

🏝️ Crete – the largest Greek island, a world into itself, a place with unrivaled archaeology, beaches, food, and lifestyle. Great off-season option, too.

2. Glittery Islands: Mykonos, Santorini, and Paros

Greek islands are the world’s prime luxurious party dancefloors for the super-rich and famous.

Meeting the likes of Jeff Bezos, Beyoncé, Elon Musk, Leo di Caprio, Kim Kardashian, and Magic Johnson is business as usual around Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros during the summer.

TIP : These islands are quite pricy and booked quite early.

3. A bit of both worlds: Santorini or Mykonos, then Paros and Naxos

Greek summertime hotspots are great for the start of the holiday, but do you crave something more relaxing for the vacation’s ending?

Consider starting off with Mykonos and Paros to get the taste of the Aegean Sea highlife, only to proceed to real-life Naxos for the variety of beaches, normally-priced watersports, ancient sites, and quaint seaside taverns.

4. True Cyclades: Sifnos, Serifos and Milos

Cyclades are all about arid landscapes, traditional villages, sugar-cube whitewashed houses, and spectacular sunsets.

Add to this sandy beaches, the azure sea, and a lively central village (called Chora) during the evening for hearty Greek island food, drinks, and summer festivals that bring locals and tourists together like nothing else.

All of this, plus a lot of summerhouses for the Athenian middle class means these islands maintain the classic Cyclades charm while being easily accessible and close to Athens.

5. History Tripping: Mykonos (Delos), Milos and Crete

Greece is, after all, one of the world’s prime destinations for ancient cultures and archaeological sites.

You will hardly beat the importance of Delos, just off Mykonos, one of the holiest island spaces during Greek antiquity and home to the famous lion statue, the layered heritage of Milos lasting to this day, and the vast archaeological treasures of Crete.     

6. The Party Islands: Mykonos, Paros, and Ios

Vivid nightlife around the Greek islands is nothing new; it’s been going strong since at least the 1950s.

Today’s places to be for lavish parties, day and nighttime, in the nightclubs or beach bars are definitely Mikonos, followed by Ios and Paros. Luckily, they are all close by.

7. Off the beaten path Cyclades: Sikinos, Folegandros and Kimolos

Dreaming of sleepy, quaint islands where the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world has not arrived yet?

Looking forward to some really quiet time, except occasional evening drink, but don’t want to compromise on the food quality, warmth of the locals, and spectacular seaside?

No matter how long you have, divide your holiday time between these 3 islands and enjoy a sneak peek into what the Cyclades used to be decades ago. 

8. Best of the Dodecanese: Rhodes, Symi and Patmos

The Dodecanese island group is diverse and can feel detached from the cosmopolitan allure of the Cyclades, despite the gravitas of the Rhodes as a cultural, touristy, and transportation hub.

Spend a couple of days exploring its majestic multilayered heritage, proceeding to picture-perfect Symi and spiritual Patmos.

(I must admit, I’d spend a few days exploring Kos Town on Kos Island as well).

9. The Up-and-Coming Dodecanese islands: Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos.

Again, after Rhodes proceed to hilly Karpathos, a place with the cutest island hilly village out there, the Olympos.

After that, do not miss Kasos, one of the remotest islands in Greece and a gateway to Crete.

10. Low-Key Dodecanese: Rhodes, Halki and Tilos

Perfectly tailored for those not keen on ferries, this itinerary will take you to the quietest islands of the Dodecanese.

Halki and Tilos feature great beaches, small family hotels, traditional taverns, and calmness that rejuvenates. 

11. North Aegean Pearls: Samothraki, Lesbos, Ikaria

Completely different in nature and customs from the rest of the insular Greece, and with thriving local population, these islands are real Greece.

Samothraki with its wild beauty cliffs and waterfalls, Lesbos with its high-brow culture, the homeland of Ouzo and pristine nature, and Ikaria, one of the world’s blue zones will make you think hard about moving permanently to these west Aegean havens. 

(I would try and fit in a day visiting Pythagoreia on Samos island as well).

12. Magical Saronic Gulf Islands: Aegina, Hydra and Spetses

The Hamptons of Greece – Hydra, Spetses, and Aegina not only played crucial roles in Greek history but represented a playground for Greece’s old money as well as for the international creative elite, royalty, and yachting crowds.

Seriously, it takes all of one minute to fall in love with Aegina or Hydra.

You can do all of them on an Athens day trip, too.

13. Ionian Islands: Corfu, Paxoi, and Ithaka

Elegant, lush, and picturesque, with Venetian, British, and Russian heritage and close to mainland Greece, these Ionian Sea islands are surrounded by cooler and more poignant-colored waters than any of the other islands.

Corfu town is like a small Bologna set in Greece, while Ithaka, besides its natural charms, is the home of the mythical king Odyssey.

And for Paxos (Paxoi), well, watch “Maestro” on Netflix and try not to fall in love instantly.  

14. Long-Term Island-Hopping: The Small Cyclades

The small Cyclades is an archipelago surrounded by bigger Cycladic islands. Comprising 5 inhabited islands – Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Iraklia, Donoussa, and Amorgos.

These places are the best destinations for avoiding the crowds. If low-key is your thing, you could easily spend a month discovering them.

TIP: Don’t avoid the local  Skopelitis Express   ferry , the heart and soul of the Small Cyclades.

TIP 2: If on Amorgos, make visiting Hozoviotissa monastery your No. 1 priority.

15. Long-term Island-Hopping: Cyclades-Dodecanese (Milos, Santorini, Astypalaia, Rhodes, Nisyros, Kastellorizo)

When traveling for a month, options are endless.

This is my favorite, where you start quite close to Athens, from Milos (the island even has its own airport), only to proceed further down the Cyclades route towards the gate of the Dodecanese – Astypalaia island.

From there, via Rhodes and Nisyros (an island-active volcano that you can actually visit), go to the easternmost point of Greece, to the magnificent and tiny eastern Mediterranean island of Kastellorizo.

How to Get from Italy to Greece by Ferry, including the Greek Islands

Schinoussa Island Travel Guide

How to get from Athens to Crete

Hi! I'm an anthropologist & history travel expert. I spend a part of each year in Greece, Italy, & Cyprus.

You can plan & book your next trip here while learning more about the cultures & histories of some of the world's most exciting destinations.

SecretGreece

Greek Island Hopping

December 2, 2023

Greek Islands

If your dream is to grab a ferry and hop from one island to another, from one paradise to the other, then I think Greek islands are what you are looking for!

Here, you won’t only find a complete guide for Greek island hopping, but we recommend specific routes based on your main interests.

Feel free to leave your own experiences or suggestions in the comment section.

The more ideas, the better for everybody!

Here are the topics that we will cover in this post

Starting points for the Greek Island hopping.

• Specific Greek Island hopping recommendations

But before starting, let’s begin with some necessary information:

• Unfortunately, there are no ferry passes for Greece. Therefore, you will need to book ferry tickets for each leg of every itinerary, and there is no discount for return tickets or multiple-stop tickets. There are many ferry booking platforms, but the best one is Ferryscanner. It supports multiple destinations, which makes it ideal for island hopping!
• The only pass that gives some discount on Greek islands is the Interrail Greek Islands Pass. Have a look. It might suit you.
• If you select some of the famous islands like Santorini and Mykonos, you have to book many months in advance. Don’t forget that, otherwise you will be disappointed.
• If you are looking for activities on the islands, I use the GetYourGuide platform, which has a variety of experiences.
• The best website for booking a hotel in Greece is Booking.com . Nowadays, apartments are also included in Booking.com, which I find easier and more reliable.
• My recommendation is—if you can—to fly into and out of Greece from different airports to save yourself time and money. The Greek islands with the most flights are Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Crete (both Heraklion and Chania airports), Rhodes, Kos, Zante, Kefalonia, and Corfu.
• Affordable Greek Island Hopping : Ferry tickets in Greece are not as cheap as they used to be. So, I think it would be better to make fewer stops (2 – 3 islands) and explore them rather than visit more without really enjoying them.
• Greek Island Hopping & Honeymoon: There are so many choices when it comes to honeymoons. Check out  some of our recommendations here!

There are some main starting points for island hopping

• Athens (We will explain more analytical below)
• Thessaloniki (Arriving at Thessaloniki airport, you can reach Volos Port and Keramoti Port quite easily.)
• Volos (It’s between Thessaloniki and Athens, and Volos also has its own airport—although not so well connected. It’s the key port for the Sporades islands! ).
• Patras (Its main port can connect you with some of the Ionian islands)
• Igoumenitsa (Ideal connection with Corfu)

The main island-hopping area in Greece is the Aegean Sea and secondly the Ionian Sea.

In total, there are five main areas that we will focus on.

• Saronic Gulf islands
• Sporades island
• The Ionian Islands or Eptanisa (in Greek)

1. Athens has three different ports. Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio.

Piraeus: It is the largest port in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. It is well connected by rail and overground. Most islands are linked to Piraeus, so it should be your first choice.

Rafina: The journey to Mykonos and Andros from Rafina port is quite fast, but the connection to this harbour is only by car or coach. You can visit islands like Mykonos, Andros, Naxos, Tinos, Syros , and a lot more. Here is a timetable for the coaches from Athens to Rafina port.

Lavrio: It is a little bit further from Athens, but it is a less crowded port and ideal for saving time if you want to visit specific islands, like Kea (Tzia), Kythnos, Syros, etc.

Our initial starting point for Greek island hopping in the Aegean would be Piraeus, and later we will check if you can mix the things even more. I will explain later.

Greek Island hopping recommendations

Saronic gulf islands.

Saronic Gulf islands are very close to Athens, which is ideal if you have limited time in Athens and want to get a quick taste of the Greek Islands. Aigina and Agkistri are the closest islands to Athens.

Aigina isn’t as picturesque as the other Greek islands, but it is easy to visit and has a lot to see (like the fantastic Temple of Aphaea).

Hydra is, in my opinion, the most picturesque island in the Saronic Gulf, but it can get busy.

Spetses Island is larger and quite lively. Cars are not allowed in Hydra, and their use is limited in Spetses! Personally, between Hydra and Spetses, I prefer Spetses, but this is just me! You can find our mini travel guide about Spetses Island  here!

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Poros is a bit different from the other islands, with more options. You can get there by car through the Peloponnese and pass small boats.

Saronic Gulf islands are well connected, and getting from one island to the other is quite easy.

Here you can find the iconic white houses with blue-coloured windows (or at least at most of Cyclades islands!). You have more combinations to choose from, which is awesome but it can create a headache from the wide range of islands.

We will recommend some of our favourite routes, but then you can create your own ones!

Just be creative and ask us in the comment section below.

The Route of Diamonds: Athens – Mykonos – Paros – Naxos – Santorini.

With this route, you can visit four of the most beautiful islands in Greece and the world!

Mykonos ( find our dedicated post here!) is famous for its fantastic nightlife and beaches. Lately, it has become quite trendy, so it gets quickly crowded and expensive. Find our list of the best places to stay in Mykonos here.

Paros is my favourite choice as it offers options for all ages, families, and young couples. I have gathered all the necessary information in the posts below!

Paros island! A complete guide to this beautiful island!

Best beaches in Paros!

Best Hotels on Paros !

Best areas to stay on Paros!

Mini guide on hiking in Paros!

Naxos has beautiful beaches and excellent food, and it is quite significant to keep you intrigued and interested .

You can find our travel guide here and the best hotels in Naxos here!

Now, about Santorini , I don’t think that I have to tell you much, as it is impressive! You can find here our dedicated travel posts about Santorini island.

• Best things to do.
• Best beaches.
• Where to stay

Of course, you can add some more islands, like a day trip from Mykonos to Delos, which belongs to the incredible list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece, or even Tinos, a magnificent island under the radar of massive tourism. We frequently visit Tinos, and here you can find our complete travel guide about this wonderful island.

You can also remove one island from the route, for example, Naxos.

Finally, you can also check out Milos Island (and its neighbour Kimolos ), which has fantastic beaches and great energy!

As I mentioned above, it totally depends on your preference, budget, and time.

The Underrated Route: Kythnos – Serifos – Sifnos  

Kythnos is relatively close to Athens. 1.40′ from Lavrio port and around 3 hours from Piraeus. It is small with great hiking routes and still quite traditional.

Serifos is one of my favourite islands, and I cannot be objective as I have spent some summers there working locally.

It is quite wild, with fantastic beaches and picturesque Chora village.

Sifnos has probably the best food in the Cyclades and many small churches.

The route of S mall I slands : Donousa, Koufonisia, Schoinousa, Iraklia

These four islands are called Mikres (=Small) the Cyclades, and they are unique and have kept their traditional character.

Of the four, Koufonisia has become quite popular in recent years (find our detailed travel guide here and our list of the best places to stay on this beautiful island!).

The other three aren’t under the massive tourism radar yet.

Donousa has been getting more popular lately, but I think it has maintained its character and authenticity. I spent 2 weeks there, and I totally enjoyed it. You can find my experience and my travel guide about Donousa here!

They are quite small, so don’t expect big hotels and resorts. These are for travelers that prefer wilder and quiet places and experiences.

The Hiking Route: Naxos – Amorgos

Both islands provide beautiful trails, but I think Amorgos is one of the two best islands in the Aegean for hiking. In case you are wondering, the other is Andros.

Amorgos is an island with wild beauty and with one of the most beautiful traditional central villages (Chora).

Kos – Kalymnos – Leros – Patmos

I like this route as it begins from one famous and busy island and goes through some more hidden islands in the Aegean.

Kos is one of the most touristic islands in Greece, and it has big resorts and sandy beaches.

You can spend a couple of days there and then visit Kalymnos, one of the best climbing destinations in Europe! Except for climbing, there are routes for hiking and some great one-day trips to close small islands.

The next stop can be Leros is one of the most underrated islands . It is quite small, and it has kept its character. Its Italian influence has given the island a wonderful personality.

The last and probably best is Patmos. It is an amazing island with a rich religious history, great beaches, and beautiful architecture.

Rhodes – Symi – Nisiros – Tilos

Rhodes is very famous for its fantastic history and beaches! You can find our post about the best things to do in Rhodes island and we also selected the best hotels in Rhodes here!

But I want to focus on the other smaller islands, like Symi . This picturesque island will provide you with remote beaches, great food, and unique moments. Discover more about this island on our travel guide here and check our recommendations for the best accommodation !

Nysiros is another island (the other is Santorini) quite wild, and it has an active volcano (but not erupting).

Tilos is one of the small islands where you just become one with the locals, and it has kept its traditional character. You can check our mini-guide here and our recommendation about the best places to stay!

The Green Route: Skiathos – Skopelos – Alonissos

You can start your Greek island hopping from Volos or Agios Konstantinos port. If you are in the Volos area, you can explore some of the best beaches in the Pelion area. Learn more about this amazing area on our special mini travel guide about Pelion and our list of the best hotels and apartments in the area.

All three islands are green with great nature and amazing beaches.

Skiathos is a vibrant island with beautiful beaches and very interesting nightlife! Here is our travel guide about the island and where to stay!

Skopelos was featured in the Hollywood movie Mama Mia, and Alonissos has an incredible Marine Park.

In this part of the Mediterranean, there is no single starting point for Greek island hopping. It can be from Igoumenitsa, or you can fly to any of the biggest islands (like Corfu) and start from there!

Corfu – Paxoi – Lefkada – Kefalonia – Ithaca

This route is not as straightforward as it sounds. 

You can visit Paxos, which has some of the most amazing beaches in Corfu, by boat from New Port – “Kamelia Lines”.

You have two options if you want to add Lefkada and Kefalonia to your itinerary.

You can take the plane from Corfu to Kefalonia (unfortunately through Athens) .

Alternatively, if you are in Paxos, you can go to Igoumenitsa port on the mainland. From there, you can take the bus to Lefkada and another bus to Nydri.

From Lefkada, you can use Ionian Sea Ferries to arrive at Fiskardo Kefalonia. This sounds a bit complicated. Apologies for that!

Do you have any question about the Greek Island Hopping?

Don’t hesitate to ask us or leave us a comment below!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a small fee when booking a hotel. It costs you nothing extra but helps keep my site running. 

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The 26 best hotels in paros island, 165 thoughts on “greek island hopping”.

Hello 👋 and thank you for all your fantastic information re Greece. My husband & I will be in Costa Navarino in June this year and thinking of hiring a car and driving to Nafpilo for one night and then head to Athens airport. I have been looking at ferry times etc and think it may be easier to fly to an island rather than catch a ferry from Athens. We are looking at visiting Santorini, Milos, Mykonos and either Paros or Naxos. My husband does not want to not hop around to too many islands as he would prefer to spend more quality time on an island. What island would you fly into and what route would you recommend to see these islands? Happy to drop one island if need be, we will have about 1 week to see the islands before we head back to Athens and fly back to Australia. Thank you ☺️

Hi Yvette. You are welcome!

So, given your time constraints and preferences, I agree that is is referable on focusing on fewer islands to ensure you can enjoy a more relaxed and in-depth experience. Each island you’ve mentioned — Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos — has its unique charm and attractions, but since your husband prefers to limit the hopping around, I recommend the 2 below itineraries.

1) Santorini and Paros/Naxos Fly into Santorini: It’s a popular option with direct flights from Athens. Santorini has become suoer touristic so I would stay for 2 days just to get an idea, see the caldera and iconic pistursque houses hanging from the cliffs. And then I would go to either Paros or Naxos. This is my personal preference as Mykonos is lovely but also has become more upper class and quite prestegious. So, it is totally up to you! Paros/Naxos are both centrally located, making travel between them relatively easy, but they offer different experiences. Paros is known for its traditional villages, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife, while Naxos is a bit more laid-back, with stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, and longer stretches of sandy beaches. The ferry from Milos to either island takes about 3-4 hours or 2 if you get the speed ferry.

2) Milos and Paros/Naxos Fly into Milos, which is known for its incredible beaches and lunar landscapes! Here I would spend more days that first choice, namely 3-4 Spend exploring its natural beauty, including the unique Sarakiniko Beach and the quaint fishing villages. Then I would get a ferry to Paros or Naxos.

Let me know if you need anything else Yvette!

Hi Dimitris,

Thanks for this useful information on Greek island hopping! My partner and I are hoping to travel to Greece in June this year for approx 10 days – we both love beaches and swimming, so were hoping we could we could plan a relaxing holiday around this. Based on our research, we would like to visit Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Paxos (maybe) and then Athens for the last few days. Please could we get your thoughts on this and the best way to structure our itinerary? Thanks in advance for your help!

Hope you have a fantastic time in Greece!

The only issue is that those islands are not very well connected as anyone would expect, but let me recommend a nice itinerary!

So, you can spend 3 days in Corfu, visiting the famous beaches like Paleokastritsa and Glyfada. Explore Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its Venetian architecture and the Old Fortress! It is really lovely!

From Corfu get the ferry to to Paxos. This is a much smaller island that offers a more laid-back atmosphere. The absolutly star here are the beaches! You will find some amazing crystal-clear waters of beaches like Voutoumi! Do not forget to explore the charming villages of Gaios, Lakka, and Loggos.

Next stop, Lefkada. Now it gets a little bit complicated! If you are in Paxos then you can go to Igoumenitsa port on the mainland. Then, from there, you can get the bus or rent a car to Lefkada Lefkada is connected to the mainland by a bridge, making it easily accessible. Lefkada boasts some of the best beaches in Greece, such as Porto Katsiki and Egremni. If time is limited, select one or two beaches to explore.

Kefalonia. From Lefkada you can get the local ferry boat from Vasiliki, in Lefkada to Fiskardo in Kefalonia. Kefalonia is really big so in 2 days you might need to focus on visting specific areas, like Myrtos Beach, one of Greece’s most photographed beaches, Melissani Cave, and the village of Fiscardo. Or there guide tours that visit in one day Kefalonia from Lefkada.

Let me know if you need more help!

Hi Dimitris, We are 4 mature ladies mid 50’s heading to Greece for 2 weeks early June. We are looking to visit maybe 3 islands , flying from dublin but not wanting to fly in to Athens …Mykonos is defo on the list ..any recommendations would be great …

Hi Martina,

Flying directly to Mykonos, I think it can be a good choice, especially if you are interested mainly in island beauty! So, for a two-week trip to Greece , you have several appealing options that combine well with Mykonos. I do not know exactly your preferences, so I would make a more generic recommendation!

Here are three islands that complement Mykonos nicely, along with a suggested itinerary:

1) Fly into Mykonosand stay 3-4 days. Mykonos is of course famous for its vibrant nightlife, stunning beaches like Psarou and Paraga, and the iconic windmills in Mykonos Town! Don’t miss exploring the charming alleys of Mykonos Town and enjoying a sunset dinner in Little Venice. Note, it can get really crowded! 2) Santorini! Take a ferry from Mykonos to Santorini, which usually takes about 2-3 hours. Stay there 2-3 days just to see the dramatic views, stunning sunsets, and unique architecture. Visit Oia for the iconic blue-domed churches, take a wine tour to taste the island’s unique volcanic wines, and enjoy a boat tour of the caldera! 3) I would recommend to spend the majority of your days on Naxos and/or Paros I think both island offers a nice balance compared to the bustling Mykonos and touristy Santorini.

Naxos. As the largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos offers stunning beaches like Agios Prokopios and Plaka, impressive ancient ruins, and mountain villages. Paros is known for its traditional villages, beautiful beaches, and active nightlife in Naousa and Parikia. Paros offers a good mix of relaxation and cultural experiences, with excellent opportunities for water sports.

From both islands you can get day cruises to Mikres Cyclades. These are 4 small islands, Schoinousa, Koufonisia, Iraklia and Donousa, which offer a more off the touristic path with amazing beaches!

Let me know if you need anything else Martina! Enjoy your holidays!

Hello Secret Greece! I’m overwhelmed with decision making! Hopefully you can help! We are a family of four (2 boys 10 and 7) traveling in April to Athens. We want to do about three or four days of islands. We are not big on the major tourism super crowded places like Santorini. Can you give me a suggestion that’s family friendly, not over crowded if we were to only make it to two islands?

Hi Amanda. Apologies for the delay! I know what do you mean about all the information that you might read and the decision that you have to take!

So, for a family trip to the Greek islands in April, which is slightly before the peak tourist season starts, the reduced crowds offer an ideal opportunity for a more relaxed and enjoyable visit. You can go two 2 different directions. One to Cyclades and on to Argosaronikos islands.

In both cases many restaruants and cafes might be close during to the early of the season.

For Cyclades , I would say Paros island would be an excellent choice. It is known for its traditional villages and beautiful beaches The island has a relaxed atmosphere, with beaches like Golden Beach offering watersports that might appeal to your boys. The charming town of Naoussa, with its white-washed houses and narrow lanes, offers a safe and inviting environment for families to explore. Paros also serves as a good base for a day trip to the smaller island of Antiparos, which is just a short ferry ride away and offers quiet beaches and a laid-back vibe.

For Argosaronikos, I would recommend Spetses , as it offers a unique blend of elegance, history, and natural beauty, making it an attractive destination for families. Much of Spetses is free from car traffic, creating a safer and more peaceful environment for families. You can explore the island on foot, by bike, or with horse-drawn carriages, which can be a fun experience for kids.

Note that the weather in April in Athens and the islands can be unpredicted. Normally is quite nice and relatively warm, but not warm enought to go to the beach and swim! At least, I have never done that!

Let me know if you need anything else!

Hi Dimitiri,

What an amazing site!! We are 3 couples in our fifties and are looking to visit Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu , Delos and Rhodes ..if possible ,flying in from Toronto, mid sept 2024.. We love to learn and explore the history of the country along with local cuisine. Do you have any suggestions?..

Sorry of the delayed response! I think your planned trip with all these destiantions are quite ambitious as it covers different parts of Greece and you will need to fly to some of these islands!

So, if you begin your adventure in Athens, then I think you shoudl dedicate 2-3 days to explore monumental sites like the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the National Archaeological Museum, and also tasting the delicious traditional Greek cuisine in the Plaka district, with a local twist in the tavernas of Psiri and Koukaki. Next, Mykonos would need around 2 days minimum. I think you might enjoy the vibrant nightlife, the iconic windmills, and the Archaeological Museum await, alongside a day trip to Delos, a treasure trove of ancient ruins. Next stop, Santorini, 2-3 days, where you will enjoy for surethe breathtaking sunsets, white-washed buildings, and unique volcanic beaches, with historical explorations in Akrotiri and gastronomic delights, including indigenous wine tours.

Spend 2-3 days at least in Corfu for 2-3 days, where do not forget to visit the Venetian fortresses, the UNESCO-listed old town, and try also the local cuisine that mirrors its Venetian influence, highlighting dishes like pastitsada and sofrito.

Conclude your journey in Rhodes for 3 days and visit of course the Medieval Old Town, the Palace of the Grand Master, and ancient Lindos offer a historical finale, alongside beach relaxation and traditional Greek meals with Asia Minor influences.

As I said above, to navigate the geographical spread efficiently, consider domestic flights, especially to Corfu and Rhodes, with ferries between Mykonos and Santorini, and ensure bookings are secured well in advance. I am super confident Katia that you all have a great time!

WOW! So impressed with your knowledge and recommendations. My husband and I plan to checkoff my bucket list item of traveling to Greece to celebrate my military retirement, teaching retirement and my 50th birthday. My hope is to plan a two week trip in September 2024. We love beaches, food, night life, tourist attractions, etc. Do you recommend going through a travel agent? Costco Travel offers: Greece package- Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Athens (10 days) that includes airfare, airport/ferry transfers, and hotels. Or is it better for me to plan everything on my own with us staying at an Air BnB/VRBO vs. hotels? Or do you recommend a travel agent? Do you feel 2 days is enough at each island? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Marjorie and apologies for the late response!

Initially, I would like to day congratulations on your retirements and your 50th birthday! I hope planning a trip to Greece to celebrate such significant milestones would be a fantastic choice! Now whether to book through a travel agent, use Costco Travel, or plan the trip yourself depends on several factors, including your preferences for flexibility, convenience, and the type of experiences you wish to have.

I have never used Costco or a travel agent as I plan my itinerary my self. But I would recognise the conveniency of getting travel packages and the support that you will have. So, if you just need sth easy and without hustle then you can go treavel agencies and get some offers.

If you prefer flexibiltiy, customization then I think you could plan your own trip!

Now about the duration of Stay. While two days on each island can give you a taste of what each destination offers, it might feel rushed, especially considering travel time between islands. If possible, consider extending your stay to at least 3 days per island to truly relax and immerse yourself in the local culture, beaches, and attractions without feeling hurried.

Ultimately, the decision should align with your comfort level, budget, and how you envision your dream trip to Greece unfolding. I am pretty convinced that whichever option you choose, your trip to Greece sounds like it will be a fantastic adventure filled with beautiful memories!

Enjoy Marjorie and let me know if you need any further help!

Hi Dimitris!

Wow, I’m impressed! Thank you for this blog:)

We’re planning on spending a month in Greece in June and have been to Santorini, Mykonos, Paros before but don’t mind going back if they’re along the route.

My questions:

1. Can you suggest the order for which to see these islands? Naxos, Amorgos, Mykonos, Delos, Tinos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Zakynthos.

Also, we don’t mind flying between islands if it’s an option.

2. Is a month enough to see all these? How many days do you suggest per island?

3. How do I find ferry routes between each island?

4. How are the seas during this time if we were to rent a boat? And by boat, we have not done this before so not sure what type of boat is possible. I easily get seasick though but curious to see the islands from this perspective.

Thank you so much:) Joanna

Thanks for the positive remarks!

So, before replying your questions let me highlight that I miss some information about what do you like on holidays and if you are person that likes relaxing or sports or sightseeing etc. But I will do my best and give you some answers! Let’s start!

1. There are quite few ways to navigate through these islands. You can play with your desired destinations on the ferry website. I will let you know my favorite below. So, one itinerary could be Tinos, Mykonos, Delos (day trip), Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Amorgos. But you can change that. Zakynthos is a different story as it is at the west side of Greece and it is not connected by ferry with the other mentioned islands. If you insist on including Zakynthos on the itinerary you can switch the sequence of the 2 last islands, which means after Naxos you can go firstly to Amorgos and then in Santorini, where you can get a flight through Athens to Zakynthos. 2.As I said I don’t know exactly your preferences about how long do you prefer to stay on island. On average I would say that a month would be more than enough. Tinos(3-5 days), Mykonos(3-4 days), Delos (day trip), Paros(3-5), Naxos(3-6), Santorini(2-4), Amorgos (3-5). 3. There are many web platforms with the ferry routes, prices and booking systems. I personally use Ferryscanner where you can also select multiple islands and plan your island hopping route. 4. About the weather, as you understand this can be quite unpredictable. This year for example June was quite rainy compared to June 2022, where it was hot and sunny. Usually there are can be some strong winds (Mykonos and Tinos are considered very windy islands) but generally it is not considered a windy month and I expect some days to be calm and good for sailing or to do daily trips by boat. About the boat options the easiest is to choose some boat trips that every island has. For example you can check the weather (or ask the locals!) and when it will be a calm day you can go by boat on daily trips or visiting beaches that you can approach by road. For example, from Naxos you can go on daily trips to some smaller islands like Koufonisia, Schoinousa etc. Getyourguide is an international platform with things to do per islands and it includes boat trips. But you can always ask directly for boat trips on the islands that you will visit. June is not a crowded month so you will always find places for such trips.

Lastly, allow me to recommend in case you want to avoid going to same islands like Mykonos, Paros and Naxos and instead look for new ones! If you like small and quite islands then Koufonisia (fantastic beaches) and Schoinousa might be good choices. If you prefer bigger islands then Milos (+Kimolos) will be an excellent choice. And lastly Serifos is very nice with great beaches and nice main village!

I am here if you have any other question!

Good day Dimitri, Wow! Your website is so insightful with many wonderful ideas. We are a couple from South Africa considering Greek Island hopping in May 2024. I believe this is shoulder season so hoping to miss the busiest time. We would like to stay in one base and do day trips to a few island from there. We enjoy a town where we can come “home” to, have dinner and every other day, hop on a ferry and explore a nearby island. We plan on about 7 – 10 days traveling to and from Athens. I would say if we can explore 4 islands and one nice one as a base, that would be sufficient. Any suggestions to a good base island with 4 islands relatively close with easy ferry rides for day trips, it would be so appreciated. Wishing you well from Cape Town!! Michelle

Hi Michelle! Many greeting to beautiful and far away Cape town! I hope one day to visit this place!

So, there are some candidates for your “home” island. It could be either Paros or Naxos. From Paros/Naxos you can visit or daily trips/cruises Naxos, Antiparos Mykonos, Koufonisia, Schoinousa, Iraklia and even Santorini! Both are great islands. Paros is a little bit smaller with nice villages like Paroikia and Naousa and Naxos has beautiful main town and many mountianous beautiful villages.

If you need any other advice just let me know!

Hello, I just read your blog and it is really interesting! Myself and my husband plus our three teenagers would like to island-hop around the Greek islands next summer 2024, probably in July. The Cyclades might be best. I like your idea of flying into one airport and out of another to maximise the visit. We would be flying from Dublin. Is accommodation for 5 people difficult to find and would we have to book ferries and accommodation in advance?

Hi Gillian,

Island-hopping around the Greek islands, especially in the Cyclades, is a fantastic idea! Here’s some advice and information to help you plan:

Initially you can start from Mykonos, as it has and an international airport and I think you can find direct flights from Dublin to Mykonos. You can end your island hopping in Santorini, which also has an international airport, and you can fly back to Dublin directly. Of course it can be vice versa!

About accomodation, given that you’re traveling with three teenagers, it might be worthwhile to consider renting a villa or an apartment, which could give you more space and potentially some kitchen facilities. My personal recommendation is to book your accomodation early 6-8 months beforehand with possible cancellation policy.

About ferries, July is quite busy tourist season in the Cyclades. Personally I never had issues with ferry tickets in July but you can always book your ferry tickets in advance just to be on the safe side. The ferry schedules for summer 2024 might not be out until late 2023 or early 2024. Websites like Ferryscanner can be used to check schedules and book tickets.

Oh, this is a gem of a blog! I’ve glanced over some information here already. I’m currently planning a trip with family (no kids) and the starting point will be Thessaloniki. I was thinking to take the ferry as follows:

Thessaloniki >> ferry to Skiathos (and visit Skopelos and Alonnisos on a day trip) >> ferry to Mykonos and Syros >> ferry to Athens. But I am not quite sure if there are ferries from Skiathos to either Mykonos or Syros at all?? Would that mean that we need to add a stop in Piraeus? Would it then make more sense to stay in Athens and then take a ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos & Syros, and fly back from Mykonos (instead of flying back from Athens)?

Indeed it sounds a nice plan and I think that you will have fun and get to know different islands and vibes.

The only issue is the one that you also mentioned yourself. Unfortunetely, there is no connection from Skiathos to Cyclades islands or even Piraeus. So, one solution would be to remove Skiathos from your itinerary and fly from Thessaloniki directly to Athens or directly to Mykonos! If you fly from Thessaloniki to Mykonos directly, then you can go to Syros and then go by ferry to Athens and fly from there to your hometown. Second solution is to include Skiathos as planned and then take the ferry to Volos or Agios Konstantinos port and then by car/bus to Athens or fly from Skiathos to Athens. In that case, as you will pass through Athens and you could see all the sightseeing, you can explore the option to fly directly from Mykonos to your hometown.

Hope I was clear! If you need anything else or have a question, just let me know!

Hi! First of all, thank you for all the wonderful and helpful information. My family and I are planning a trip next year (early June). These are the islands that have caught my attention the most so far: Milos, Santorini, Crete, Zakynthos; however, I’m not sure how to navigate around those minimizing traveling time. Also, not sure if that’s too much for a 2 week trip (including Athens)? Can I squeeze in another island or remove one? This will be our first time in Greece. Thank you!

Thank you Amy for the nice words!

The islands that you chose are indeed beautiful and worth a visit. But I am afraid that Zante is on the different area of Greece quite away for the other 3. So, you can still visit Zakynthos, but you will need to get a flight and fly through Athens. Therefprr, I would personally remove or replace Zakynthos.

For a two-week trip to Greece, you might start with 2-3 days in Athens, immersing yourself in iconic sites like the Acropolis. Then take the ferry to Milos and allocate at least 3 days to appreciate its unique beaches and charming villages. From Milos, go to Santorini, where you can spend spend about 3 days exploring picturesque towns like Oia and Fira. From Santorini ferry will take you to Crete, where you can spend 5-6 days exploring highlights such as Chania, the Knossos Palace, and renowned beaches.

If you feel that you will need another island to replace Zakynthos then at the beginning of your journey, before visiting Milos you can stop to either Paros or Naxos!

Let me know if you need anything else! Happy to help!

Hi there Secret Greece

We are currently in Athens and we just did the Virgin Voyages cruise from Athens – Athens via Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum & Mykonos and we are going on another cruise next week to Croatia with Virign as well.,.. But in the mean time we want to go an explore an island or 2 and then catch the ferry back to the Ship this Sunday.

We have heard that Milos is amazing.. We need some time out and relax a little before doing this next cruise without travelling too far. So a nice beach front setting with great food and locals who like Australians haha!

What would you suggest or recommend? We have nothing booked but plan to leave Athens tomorrow (Wednesday 8th August and be back to port on Sunday 13th August refreshed and ready for our next sailing.

Hope you had a great time on your cruise!

Milos is indeed very beautiful, but this period of time it would very very crowded as many Greek islands! Not sure if you could find any available rooms in Milos, but you can check the villages of Paliochori, Pollonia and Pachaina (quite windy sometimes). I checked some hotels that I know but there were all fully booked! A daily trip to Kimolos is also recommended!

Paros is also nice and you could find some nice hotels in Naousa village (very cosmopolitan&crowded. Check Avant Mar Paros ) or Piso Livadi (Check Ragoussis House – quite basic but clean) or Ampelas (A quiter village. Check hotel PAROCKS Luxury Hotel & Spa ).

Let me know if you need anything else.

Such a helpful site, we are planning some island hopping next year 2024, 14 nights, we’ve already visited, Crete, Zante, Corfu, Rhodes and Skiathos so will be trying to avoid those if possible, the plan is to have a couple of days in Athens to see the main sights then to Hydra for a couple of days just not sure where to go from there and whether to just stick to one other island or could we squeeze in another 2? just don’t want to spend more time travelling than actually seeing the island(s). any advise would be great. Thanks

Perhaps you already know that if you want to go to Hydra, you can only visit the islands of Argosaronikos, which is Agkistri, Aigina, Spetses and Poros. If you want to visit Cyclades, you have to return to Piraeus and then take another ferry.

Therefore you can start your 14-day trip with two days in Athens exploring historical sites like the Acropolis and Ancient Agora. Then, take a ferry to Hydra, where you’ll spend two days enjoying its charming car-free old town and picturesque monasteries. Afterward, embark on a direct ferry to Aegina to spend three days immersing in the local culture, visiting the ancient Temple of Aphaia, and indulging in local pistachios. Follow this with a ferry to Spetses where you can relax on the beaches, bike around the island, or explore the spiritual Zoodochos Pigi Monastery over three days. I included 3 islands as all of them are quite small but you can always skip one if you want. Finally, return to Athens for the last days for additional sightseeing, shopping, or relaxing in spots like the National Garden or the vibrant Plaka district.

If you want to visit any island from Cyclades, with the distinctive white houses and blue windows, you have to retun to Piraeus. From there the choices are many! You can visit 1-2 island from Paros, Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini, which are the obvious choices. If you want a less famous island, you can add any of Serifos, Tinos and Sifnos!

Let me know if you need any more help!

Hi ! We are planning a family trip with 5 & 2 yr old to corfu and add another island . Any recommended itinerary as I found it a bit complicated to travel to cephalonia from corfu or Athens . A also open to suggestions if there are nicer islands to explore with kids Thanks ,

You are right! Going from Corfu to Kefalonia isn’t so straightforward as anyone would expect. I am sure you have already checked that there 1 direct route 3 times per week but it lasts 9 hours which is quite long time!

From Corfu, you can also take a ferry to:

Paxos. The trip takes about 2 hours. Paxos is much smaller and quieter than Corfu, with stunning turquoise waters and pebbled beaches. The pace of life is slower, which can be ideal for a family with young children.

Lefkada. But the can take up to 6 hours!

Finally, there is always the choice of flights, where you can go to many different islands through Athens!

Hi Dimitri, I understand why you are so popular with great advice!

We are currently in beautiful Lesvos but would like to explore other islands – island hopping to Crete in August. We have approx 12 days from 6/8/23. We would like to skip Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos if possible.

Any suggestions would be terrific!

Thank you for the compliment!

So if I understand clear, you want a recommendation about a possible itinerary from Lesbos to Crete in 12 days, right?

So, my suggestion would be: Take a ferry to Chios, which is famous for its charming medieval villages and of course the unique mastic trees. Continue to Samos, which is renowned for its excellent wine and nice beaches. From there, journey further south to Patmos, a smaller island, where you can find the Cave of the Apocalypse that John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian) is said to have written the Book of Revelations.

Next, take the ferry to Kos, where you can visit the nice beaches and the fascinating ancient ruins. Kos is quite tourist, so you can skip it if it is not what you are looking for. From Kos go to Symi (Nisyros and Tilos can be interesting destiantiosn as well). Symi is has a super picturesque main village and nice crystal waters. From Symi go to Karpathos and then finally, reach Crete!

It is a very tight route, so you can skip any island that you think it doesn’t match your preferances! Or add more islands and extend the timeframe!

Let me know if you have any other question.

This is so helpful!!!

We are planning on going late March/ early April 2024 with another couple. Most of my research has been around the route of diamonds, but could we squeeze in Milos??

Right now the plan is to visit Athens for a few days at the beginning/ end of the trip and island hopping for most of the trip. Should we replace Mykonos with Milos? or maybe just spend 1 day in Mykonos? any advice is welcome!

Hi Samantha,

Hope you are well! Cannot reply to you with cerntainty as I don’t know what exactly do you like and your preferences!

Mykonos is very nice island indeed, with beautiful beaches and very cosmopolitan, but also quite expensive and during summer very crowded.

If you want to remove one island and add Milos, you can of course do that removing possibly Naxos.

Note that the period that you mention, it would be a little bit cold in the islands and also many bars/resaraunts will be closed as it is off season.

Let me know if you need any help!

This is a fantastic website full of excellent advice.

We are planning our trip to Greece in July for approximately 10 days, as a family of four (11 and 12 yrs).

As we are currently based in Turkey for a few months, we are planning to travel from either Fethiye or Bodrum, and maybe return to Turkey or fly out of Athens. This will be our first experience in Greece, my wife would like to visit several islands with Santorini top of the list (2 nights). Looking for the best beaches, and to experience local culture and with some easy exploring for the boys.

Which islands would you recommend for us to visit? Thank you kindly

Hello hello!

Thank you for the nice words!

Your plan sounds like a fantastic family trip! Here are a few suggestions for your island-hopping adventure:

So, since Santorini is already on your list, I won’t skip it! Then you can add Mykonos, which is known for nightlife and beaches. A nice addition would be a visit to the UNESCO-protected island of Delos.

Moreover Naxos and Paros would some other great options.

Finally Crete is my last recommendation.

You can ferry from Turkey to Rhodes, then go to Crete, Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos in that order. Consider flight options from Rhodes or Crete to Athens to save travel time!

Hi Dimitris

Amazing page, if I had 90 days and wanted to visit as many islands as possible, starting in Corfu ending in Rhodes. What would you suggest. I definately want to go to kefalonia, zante, create, mykynos, skiathos and as many others in between. What would be the best route to take

So much information, I love it! It does make our decision making even hard now 🙂 My wife and I are visiting in summer. We are flying in and out of Athens. We are planning on island hopping to Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, and Milos. How would you suggest we visit them all and in what order. We can do approximately 4 +/- days at each island.

That sounds like a great plan! The 4 islands you mentioned are all part of the Cyclades group, making them relatively easy to visit in one trip.

You can also check on ferryscanner portal and try different potential routes!

My recommendation would be:

Athens to Paros/Antiparos. Take a 4-hour ferry from Athens to Paros, known for its beaches and traditional villages. Then it is a short 30-minute ferry to Antiparos!

You can return to Paros and take a 1-hour ferry to Naxos, famous for its beaches, villages, and ancient ruins!

Next destination would be Milos!Explore the stunning beaches and coastal landscapes. Finally take the ferry back to Athens (around 4-5 hours)!

Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this, it is truly helpful.

I wanted some general advice on a good route from Athens to Fethiye (turkey) where we start a sailing week in late August this year.

We are a couple with 7 nights and a small to midrange budget and want to explore the culture, nightlife, and beaches. What would be a good itinerary?

Thank you so much for your time

Nice plan! I hope you will have an amazing time.

So, my recommendation would be the below:

Start your trip in Athens and try to visit historical sites like the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the Parthenon etc. Then from Athens, take a ferry to the beautiful island of Santorini , which will take take around 5 hours. Spend 1-2 days and try some of the local wine! From Santorini, fly to Rhodes , another beautiful Greek island that’s closer to Turkey. Stay 1 day to Rhodes town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a perfect mixture of historical sights, abundant nightlife, and beautiful beaches!

Take a ferry from Rhodes to Marmaris in Turkey. The journey should take less than an hour.  From Marmaris, I think there is bus to Fethiye , your final destination. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive. 

Enjoy your trip!

Hi there, I have to say that this is a really helpful blog! I have enjoyed reading through the posts and responses and they have truly informed the planning of my upcoming trip.

My girlfriend and I are flying into Santorini later in the summer. We have not yet finalised the rest of the holiday but we plan to island hop around the cyclades for at least 3 weeks. We have already booked Santorini for 5 days.

Aside from that, we are pretty set on Naxos and Paros perhaps for 5 nights each as well (factoring in day trips to Koufonisia, Iraklia from Naxos – and antiparos from Paros!).

We feel it makes sense to finish in Mykonos as there are flights home. However, we might just limit ourselves to 2 nights or so there due to the expense and business etc.

That leaves potential for another island between Paros and Mykonos. Based on the blog some options are Sifnos, Serifos, Kithnos or Milos. I was also wondering whether Syros was a good option as we haven’t seen a huge amount written about it.

I suppose what I’m asking is what do you think of the plans and if you would have a strong opinion for one of the above options. While we do like to eat and drink out, we are big swimmers and could do with knowing which island(s) have the absolute best beaches.

Many thanks!

Thank you for your nice words!

Based on your preferences for swimming and beautiful beaches, Milos might be an excellent choice. Milos has over 70 beaches, some easily accessible and others that require a bit of an adventurous spirit to reach! Of course Sarakiniko Beach, with its moon-like landscape, is a must-visit. Others like Papafragas, Tsigrado, and Firiplaka are also highly recommendeded!

In contrast, Syros is an excellent choice if you’re interested in Greek culture and histor. The beaches here are nice but perhaps not as spectacular as some other Cycladic islands. However, the island capital, Ermoupoli, is a historic town with neoclassical buildings, including the stunning Apollo Theater and City Hall. The town of Ano Syros, with its medieval streets, is another highlight!!

Sifnos is known for its beautiful villages, monasteries, and the great food. It has – I think – better beaches than Syros like Platis Gialos and Vathi but again nothing spectacular!

Serifos has a wild beauty with some beautiful beaches like Psili Ammos, Agios Sostis, and Livadakia. It’s another good option if you prefer quieter, less touristy islands.

I would also add Tino on your choices as it really close to Mykonos. It also has fantastic mountainous and traditional villages, great hiking paths and amazing food! The beaches are also very nice but take into account that it is a windy island and some days you might not be able to go to any beach.

To be frank you can’t really go wrong with any of these choices, so it mostly comes down to what kind of experience you’re looking for. Milos and Tinos would probably be my top picks given your interests and their unique offerings.

This page (and the comments!) alone has been so helpful! Thank you!

In late Sept to early Oct my I will be flying in and out of Athens with 9 full days to enjoy in between. Considering we will likely fly vs ferry from Athens to our 1st island as soon as we arrive, and also back to Athens for 2 days after our last, what order would you suggest for the following itinerary that optimizes travel time: Athens, Santorini (2 nights max), Milos, Paros (or Naxos), back to Athens

(Can’t decide between Paros and Naxos but they seem interchangeable for this question of which order)

Hi Michelle!

You are going at the end of the season and I think you will avoid all the crowds and that it will be lovely!

So, now regrding the itinerary, I think you suggestion is great!

Alternatively, you can fly from Athens to Milos and then Santorini and Paros. Both routes are quite similar. So, it depends on your preference and on finding convenient flight times.

About Naxos and Paros, you are right. There are very close and many ferries passes from island so their connections are quite good!

Let me know if you need anything else Michelle!

My partner and I are looking at spending 2-3 weeks island hopping this August – we’re a couple in our mid-late twenties and are looking for a mix of everything – we really want to visit Santorini – what route would recommend?

I am not sure what to recommend as I have no information about what you specifically like or your budget etc.

So, other than Santorini, Mykonos is beautful island with an excellent nightlife, but on the expensive side. Paros is more diverse island that can fit different tastes and groups. From Paros you can always visit Antiparos a small island with vivid energy and good nightlife! Then Naxos is a good choice, quite similar to Paros, but larger and with more mountainous villages and more families. Then you can always add one extra island out of the the most famous.

Like Serifos or Sifnos or Folegandros or Tinos. As you can see. There are many choices!

I’m sure you have heard…or read…this a thousand times, but traveling to Greece has been a life long dream of mine. I had hoped to for my 50th birthday last year, but alas that did not happen. However, I am going to make it happen next year, 2024. I am thinking I will take 7 days either the last half of April to the first part of May or sometime in September. I am leaning more toward the end of April, but I was curious if you had a recommendation on the best time to avoid crowds but still have nice enough weather?

Also, as I said I can really only afford to be gone for about 7 days due to the scarcity of vacation time. Yes…I am from the USA…please do not hold that against me…lol. Every time I start looking into making this trip happen, I get overwhelmed with all I would like to do. There is just so much to see and experience in this area. Maybe you could offer some suggestions? I am not about crowds, but I would like to at least have a night or two experiencing the nightlife…maybe on Santorini or Mykonos? I love the outdoors, so scenic views and iconic vistas are a must. And I love trying new foods, I hear Paros is a good place to go for a foodie like myself. I would prefer a more laid back travel mode, then hectically rushing around trying to see and experience everything, but not having the time to enjoy it. Other than Athens, I’d rather do and experience life like the locals and not get hung up in tourist traps.

I think I almost have to fly into Athens, in order to save money on airfare from the USA to Greece, but beyond that…I am not sure. Currently, I have a couple of mock itineraries, just trying to play with the logistics. One option I’m looking at is flying into Athens and doing a few touristy things there, then heading to Mykonos, then Paros, Santorini…then maybe Kos? Kos, might be pushing things though. Then back to Athens to fly home

Second one I am playing with is flying into Athens, touristy things there, then Zakinthos, then onto Kefalonia, then maybe either Lefkada or Corfu, then from either one of those onto the monasteries at Meteora. Then back to Athens to fly home.

How crazy is all of that? I am going to start researching ferries and travel times to see if I can make those work and see a lot, but not be so rushed as to not enjoy the journey.

Or, I am open to suggestions/recommendations if you have any.

Many apologies for the late reply! I have started many times to write to you but something happened and I never completed my reply!

So, firstly, happy fifties even for last year! Hope you make the trip on 2024 and I am sure you will have a great time!

Secondly, I understand that it might be difficult but if you could dedicate more days to Greece it would be much better for you. Spending more days you will enjoy the trip and feel the place and not only just see different sites.

Thirdly, the weather in Greece around that time (end of April/beginning of May) isn’t great and it volatiles a lot. This year at the beginning of May, we had a lot of rains. But who knows next year! So, September might be a safer choice regarding the weather conditions.

Now, I would be more inclined to you to recommend Cyclades complex. It is very picturesque with beautiful landscape.

Kos, I agree with you, it might be a stretch. So, personally I might remove it from the itinerary. Therefore, visiting Athens, Mykonos, Paros and Santorini I think it would be great.

About the 2nd itinerary that you mentioned, it is also nice. But take into account that Corfu, kefalonia and Zante are not easily connected for some bizzare reason! But Meteora is a magnificent choice as I think it is the 2nd – out of this world -place in Greece (the first is ….Santorini)

You could also visit Athens, Skiathos, Skopelos and Delphi site. This would be another choice.

But wherever you choose, I am sure you will have a great time!

If you need anything else, just let me know!

Hi Secret Greece,

I’m considering exploring the Greek islands for the first time in September (2023) with a friend. We’re not big party people, and are interested in exploring the nature of the islands (hikes, swims etc.) We’re thinking of being away for 2 weeks and are both students so are a bit financially restricted. Is there a route you would recommend for us, or any tips/ specific places you think we should consider? Not really sure where to start and have found this page really useful.

Thank you! 🙂

Hi Isabella,

Hope you well!

So, one possible route that I am thinking would be:

Athens – Naxos – Amorgos – Paros or Sifnos

Athens (2 days): Since Athens has a major international airport, it is a convenient starting point for your trip and go around!

Naxos (3-4 days):Naxos has beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, and opportunities for hiking and exploring. Some highlights include Mount Zeus (the highest peak in the Cyclades), the Temple of Apollo, and the village of Apiranthos. I have written a detailed travel guide, you can have a look!

Amorgos (3-4 days): Amorgos may not have sandy beaches but it has amazing crystal waters, hiking trails, and scenic landscapes. Don’t miss the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and eEnjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the island!

Paros or Sifnos (3-4 days):Paros offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, swimming, and exploring. Sifnos, a beautiful island that offers a mix of sandy beaches (nice but not the best), picturesque villages, and hiking opportunities. You can explore the medieval village of Kastro, visit the photogenic Monastery of Chrissopigi, or relax on Platys Gialos Beach!

Let me kknow if you need any further help!

One more thing, I am keen on planning this trip sometime b/w 1st to 15th July because of my partner’s birthday but happy to advance it by a week to last week of June if you suggest that’s a better option.

Hello hello,

Thank you for the super nice words! It means a lot to me! And apologies for the delay!

So, let’s start from the beginning!

Regarding Pelion. It is good idea and you could combine Pelion with Skiathos and Skopelos island. But even both islands and Pelion are great they are not so picturesque as the ones in Cyclades with the whitewashed houses.

So, maybe you can focus on Cyclades islands. Starting point can be Athens. You can spend there 2 days, just to see the main things like Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Herodion, Monastiraki area etc.

Then the difficult part of what to choose begins!

Milos I think it is a good fit of what you are looking for.

Also, I would choose either Naxos or Paros. Not both probably. I am a big fan of Paros, but I would recommend Naxos island for you. It is larger island which means you don’t feel how really crowded the island is. And it can be very crowded! It has also large sandy beaches close to Naxos main town. So, you can pick a nice hotel next to a beach!

Finally, If you want to visit Santorini then go for it! It will be really full. Really crowded! But, it is the first time in Greece, so I think it makes sense to visit even for one day one of the most popular islands in the world! But be prepared for the crowds!

I could recommend another island as well but you do not have so many days so I think it is better not to be change island everyday. It can be really exhuasting and at the end you will not enjoy much!

To sum up, you can visit 3 islands (including Santorini for one day). Therefore, if you have for example 8 days, you can dedicate 4 in Naxos, 3 in Milos and 1 Santorini. But as you have a 3 year old, the transportations might be more difficult. So you can also pick one island, i.e.Naxos and make some daily trips to Koufonisia and Paros.

There are really many different choices and you can get lost quite easily to which one should you pick as you also mention. My advice is not to be so picky about the islands. Just plan an easy set up and an easy travel flow for you and the family based on your time and how do you want to enjoy holidays. And go for it! I am sure you will have a great time!

I am here if you need anything else!

Thank you so much, Dimitris. You have been very very helpful and I can’t approve the you enough for your proactiveness!

Hi Dimitris, This page is Gold!!! Having gone through all your previous responses to other readers, I can’t appreciate your thoughtfulness enough. And clearly I am ‘trying to plan’ a trip myself which is what brought me to your site. So, despite having read though your post and responses, I still am super confused about making the right choice- everything sounds so wonderful that I don’t know what to pick!

Here are some details: – I am planning to take this trip in early/ mid July with my partner and our 3 year old, for 8-10 days. – We will fly in from London and this will be my fist visit to Greece. As much as I want to check the boxes and visit Santorini and Mykonos, I am desperately trying to avoid crowds- which I understand might not be so easy in July? Nevertheless, here is what I am seeking : – Relax at the beaches – Get to experience the local culture and not be limited to overtly touristy spots

We plan to land in Athens and spend a day or two there (?). For the rest of the days I was considering Pelion region but not sure if that’s ideal of a relaxing holiday and as a first visit to Greece. So here I am seekimg your advice. Do you think Milos/ Náxos/ Paro will be a good idea and possibly Santorini for a day (because, FOMO! ) ? Any route you personally recommend? I am fairly flexible and not fixated on any specific location.

Please pardon my rather long note and Thank you so so much in advance.

P.S: like I said, I might sound super confused.

Hello! I’m looking for some ‘fill in the blanks’ itinerary :).???? I wanna go to the Greek island in mid September for 2 weeks. I’ve already been a few times and have seen Athens and all the major islands. I’m thinking Milos, Naxos and Symi but need other suggestions? I also don’t mind revisiting any of the major islands on the itinerary. I’m well travelled solo. Not looking to party. I just wanna go see things that are a ‘must see’ or gem that I missed 🙂

Happy to help if I can!

I saw that you chose some Cyclades islands and then one in Dodecanese, which might create an issue as there is no connection between Naxos and Symi.

Now, I do not know what you are exactly looking for in a island. Are you a beach lover or do you like sightseeing etc.

There are various different options for you.

Koufonisia might be a good addition on the route. It is very small with maginificent beaches!

Sifnos is another choice. It pistursque with excellent food but not with the greatest beaches to be frank.

Tinos is my last suggestion from Cyclades complex. Beautiful and traditional villages, amazing trekking routes, nice beaches and great food!!

And I will add one more island from Dodecanese complex which is Patmos. An island great vibe, things to see and a beautiful main town!

If you need any other information, just let me know!

Hello there!

It was a true gem to find your blog! Thanks so much for sharing about your advice and experience!

I am planning a honeymoon trip for my husband and I to visit Greece for the first time. We are avid travellers and usually love finding the “road less traveled” sort of spots. Quiet, romantic, serene, peaceful.With that i like to take my time getting to know a place so for our first visit to greece i only want to island hop to 2 islands max so that we can spend quality time in both places during our 12 day stay.

Options I am thinking of:

Milos> Sifnos OR Corfu> Paxos

Do you have a recommendation over one rather than the other?

Many thanks! Ilsa Marie

Hi Ilsa Marie.

Thank you for your nice words!!

Hmmm, totally different choices between these 2! Both are excellent choices!

The 1st choice, has Milos which is considered ideal for couples and romantic moments with stunning beaches! Sifnos on the other hand is very pictursque with beautiful villages, churces and amazing food. But Sifnos doesn’t have the most amazing beaches.

Now the 2nd choice includes Corfu, which is super nice and well developed but some areas are a little bit more touristy, depending of course on the period that you will visit the island. Paxos on the other hand is a real gem with amazing beaches and really wondersful crystal waters. If you have Netflix you can watch the Greek series ”Maetro in blue” which is shot mainly in Paxos and Corfu(a little bit!)

To sum up, it comes to your personal preference and also on other factors like how easy is for you to go to those islands, hotel availability etc. I might prefer slightly Milos and Sifnos. But only slightly!!

I would recommend to select my your instict and I am sure that you will have a great time wherever you go!

Kind regards,

Hi my dear, thank you so much for the amazing information and your kindness always. I have a question please. I have never visited the islands and will land in Athens on the 27th of May. I need to be in turkey on the 2nd of July, I guess flying or taking the boat from one of the islands. I would like to stay the first day in Athens and then visit an island on my journey to turkey. I am interested in the most beautiful sand and prestine beach there is with clear water along with a quite and beautiful environment please. I would also welcome your input on how to reach turkey (maybe Margaret?) . Thanks again and kindest regards

You are welcome.

I have some questions. If I understood right you want to fly or take a ferry so you will reach Turkey on 02 July? So, you will have more than 1 month Iin Greece from 27 May till 2nd July, right? And to which part of Turkey do you need to go? Turkey is a vast place.

Hi we are looking to travel from UK > Mykonos. Then hopping Mykonos > Naxos > Ios > Santorini. Fly home Santorini > UK

We are thinking 2 nights Mykonos and Naxos and 3 nights Santorini and Ios. What is transport like on each island? Is it best to stay in hotels near to the port? Does this sound like a realistic 10 day trip? Any advice much appreciated

Hope you will have a great time!

10 days for 4 islands might see an overstrech but it depends on your personal preference! For example I would remove one island but I understand that you come to Greece and you want to see as much as you can!

Of course, the best option is to stay on the main villages on those islands as there they will be more things to do and from there the bus routes/taxis begin their route.

If you have any specific query, just let me know!

Hello, Thank you for your very informative page. I am planning on doing 3 weeks solo travelling in Greece this August (only time I can go unfortunately). I will be starting in Crete (landing in Heraklion) and planning to stay there for a week. Then I would like to island hop my way back to Athens. I’d like to spend around 10 days island hopping. Are there any lesser known islands which you would recommend seeing? Also, out of Santorini and Mykonos, which one would you go visit? If you have a recommended route from Crete to Athens that would be great. Thanks very much Julie 🙂

Apologies for the delayed response!

So, from Crete there is a direct route to Santorini.

Heraklion – Santorini – Mykonos is a good route with direct ferries. But if you want to add an island an easy choice would be Naxos or Paros or Ios. But these are quite touristy islands.

If you want a lesser known island then Koufonisia would be a choice but this island is very small and between 10-20 August it would be really crowded!. There are also more islands lesser known, but then the route begins to be more difficult and will need to choose indirect ferry route. Some possible options would be Schinousa, Anafi (from Santorini) or Tinos.

Let me know if you have any other question Julie.

Have a great time!

Hi, me and my friend are looking to go away for the first 2 weeks in August island hopping around the Cyclades. A potential route we were thinking was Athens – > Paros – > Naxos -> Milos – > santorini – > Andros – > Athens.

Do you think this would work and if so how long do you recommend staying in each place?

Thanks so much in advance !

This is a question that the answer depends on various factors, like your budget, your preferences, if you like small and hidden islands or prefer the more famous ones, if ou like partying or sightseeing, if you are going to rent car or use public transport etc.

Also, here let me highlight that August is the most busy month in Greece so everything will be packed and m0re expensive that usual!

Personally I would choose less islands, but this is just me!! Therefore, I would stay 3 days in Paros, 3 Naxos, 3 Milos, 2-3 santorini and 2 Mykonos. But this recommendation is based on my preference as I am not so sure about yours!

Let me know if you need anything else. Happy to help!

Hello! My sister and I will be planning island hopping in mid July traveling on a budget. Currently thinking of Crete, Paros, and Naxos. I have read some poor reviews of the ferries, getting cancelled often and difficult to travel with luggage. What are your recommendations with booking these and with overnight ferries? Thank you!

Hi Natasha,

To be frank, I cannot guarantee that you won’t have any issue with ferries! Noone can actually! Especially, mid July is very busy month, so if any ferry have any technical issue which then this can affects athe timetable.

Saying that I would add on the other side that July isn’t so windy as August which means – in theory- that it is less possible a ferry route to be delayed too much due to wind.

Now, travelling with luggage on ferries, I would say it depends on the luggages. If you have large suitcase then this means that you have to leave your luggage unattendant on a dedicated place on the ferries. Noone has stolen my luggage before, but I just mention this fact.

Finally, I rarely select overnight ferries as it can be quite expensive and I am not resting so good, but many other people do that. You can select a cabin, which in some case you can share with others or select a double cabin room, so you can use it with your sister. Whatever fits you better!

Hi, We have 16 nights to visit the Greek Islands in September and are thinking of the below itinerary. What are your thoughts on the below number of nights on each island and the sequence? We don’t want to be packing and unpacking a million times and would like to send enough time on each island to really enjoy the culture. I’m really open to suggestions. Thanks Donna • 4 nights Crete • 3 nights Santorini • 4 nights Milos • 3 nights Paros • 2 nights Mykonos

Hope you will have a great time! 

So, I assume when you mentioned Crete you mean Heraklion, right? Because mainly this port has a direct connection to Santorini. Although let me know that Chania is more picturesquel than Heraklion, but you will find beautiful places to visit that are closer to Heraklion.

Generally, the route that you have selected is quite nice. There is a direct connection by ferries based on the specific sequence. And also I like the fact that you leave Mykonos the last as the latest in the season you visit this island less crowded it will be.

Now if you don’t like to pack and unpack all the time, then I might exclude one island. Either Paros or Milos.

But even if you leave the route as it is it sounds nice!

Hi there, we are coming to the Greek Islands from 1st May for 11 nights. I’ve planned to fly from Athens to an island but can’t decide on which island. We were looking for relaxing, beaches and hiking/activities. We aren’t up for partying as my wife is pregnant. I was originally thinking Milos- Santorini and Paros but I’ve heard at the start of May, it may not be great to visit the beaches as they are still cold. So I’m wondering if some other islands are better? How long should we spend in each? Any advice would be great!

All the best to the new life that is coming!

To be frank the weather at the beginning of May may not be warm enough for swimming. And this applies for the majority of Aegean islands.

The area that I would expect to be warmer would be Crete and especially south Crete, Rhodes and Kos. But this is just an estimation. And if you can swim at that period, would this depend also on the personal preference of how cold the sea feels for each person.

The islands that you mentioned are nice and you will find some other activities (hiking, some sightseeing etc) to do in case it is cold, especially in Paros and Santorini. Th

Hope it helps.

Hi there! your blog is so great and very interesting and useful. We live in the UK My sister in law is flying to London from Argentina and has one request..beaches! My husband her brother hates beaches and likes to sight see. My son (11 is ok with both) as am I . We are hoping to fly from London into Athens Monday 26th June 2023 and fly out 8th July. Not much time.. I know. I was thinking the route Athens to Santorini to Naxos to Paros back to Athens. Not enough time for Mykonos. I decided Santorini first as I thought this get busiest. So better to see this at the end of June at the start of our trip. Then Naxos to Paros back to Athens. We dont really want busy bars, nightlife. Prefer traditional restaurants. nice views and sunsets. Plus happy to stay in cheaper places (as long as obviously clean and safe)A more authentic experience tbh. I was wondering should we actually just leave out Santorinini. Swap it for Mykonos. I’ve seen insta videos where it is insta v relaity and queues everywhere!! everyone just wanting that cool photo. If you dont think that route is ok then which route would you recommend? Any help very greatly received Thanks in advance

I totally get your hesitation about Santorini! Santorini is one of its kind, very special, due to the unique landscape! But the videos that you have seen with insta vs reality are 100% true!

Generally, the period that you will go to the Greek islands is the beginining of a busy and touristy period.

But, both in Paros and Naxos you can find places with fewer tourists. In Santorini this is not easy at least if you want to do the main to do things.

So, it is a matter of choice! You can just visit Santorini for 1-2 days, just to get the feeling of island and then go to Santorini.

Mykonos on the other hand gets also very busy so I don’t think it would a much better solution than Santorini in terms of crowd!

For me, Paros and Naxos are quite nice choices and you can add Santorini for 1-2 days or make some daily trips to other islands like Antiparos, or Koufonisia etc.

Hi Thank you for all this information – great site. Can you please help a fifty plus year old couple as to where might be good for us. We have never island hopped before but love Greece. We like picturesque areas and good food/wine! It will be July when we go so would like to try and find quieter islands if possible although know it’s a busier time. We are thinking 10 days away.

Thank you for the lovely words!

So, there are plenty of choices! Ι can recommend many islands that fit your preferences, but I would suggest these 2 as more appropiate ones.

One good choice is Sifnos. It has picturesque villages like Artemonas or Kastro etc, lovely churces and beautiful mansion houses. Also, Sifnos is the hometown of Nikólaos Tselementés, one of the most influential cookery writers and chef of modern Greece (from early 20th century), which has affected the whole island and there you will taste some nice traditional Greek cuisine!The only small minus of the island is that it doesn’t have the best beaches in Greece, but they are good enough.

Another island is Tinos. This is a bigger island, but with amazing, traditional villages and one the best places in Aegean for hiking or trekking! The food there is just amazing as you will find excellenet little taverns inside small villages and squares with plane trees! There, you will find also great beaches. You can find more about the island on my travel guides! Τhere is also a great winery that you can visit. More information here.

So, these are my suggestions, but if you need any clarification or any other help, just let me know!

Your guide is great! I do have a question though, if you can help.

We are visiting with our parents, for 6 nights – in end of May 2023. Since we are with parents, who are a bit old, we don’t want to move too much with luggage, and prefer one spot as base which we are thinking Athens since our flights are to and from Athens. But we would like to spend few days visiting beautiful islands. I figured that Santorini and Mykonos definitely need night stays on the island. So we were thinking to explore as several different one-day trips from Athens on different islands by ferries. Preference would be beautiful views like in Mykonos or Santorini, less crowded and scenic beaches. Do you have recommendations on islands that we can do day trip from Athens ? if so, any suggestions on how to plan that ?

Looking forward to hear your suggestions !

Thanks again 😀

I appreciate your kind word!

Santorini and Mykonos are indeed 2 of the most famous islands in Greece and the end of May is a good period to visit them as they won’t be super busy!

Now for daily trips, let me highlight that there are not islands, so close to Athens that are similar to Mykonos or Santorini.

For daily trips Hydra, Spetses, Aigina and Agkistri migh be some options.

Hydra is the most picturesque of them and then Spetses is also beautiful. Both can be visited by speed boats(they are called ”dolphins”) from Piraeus. Both are excellent just to walk around, admiring the views and the beautiful old mansions.Don’t expect though, the best of beaches. Now, another choice is Agkistri as it is super close to Piraeus and it has nice beaches! It is not so picturesque as Spetses and Hydra.

Aegina is another option, not because is so beautiful but because it is easier to visit it as it has very good connections! Finally, Tzia or Kea is a place that is close to Athens and it has nice beaches and a atmosphere that can relate a little bit to Cyclades. Please note that the port is not Piraeus, but is is Lavrio.

Note that these islands get quite busy during weekends as many Athenians visit them.

Please don’t hesitate to ask me if you have any question!

Hi Dimitri,

We are looking to take our son with us to Greece, he will be 18 months at the time of travelling. We will be flying from the UK. We have previously island hopped around Croatia as a couple before becoming a family and our favourite places were the less touristy ones. We love finding local restaurants and seeing pretty sights, we would like to take our son to some nice beaches and possibly some other family sight seeing activities. We are happy to stay in hotels or air bnbs. Do you recommend a route for us travelling with a small child, we would fly from the UK and travel for 2 weeks. Looking forward to visiting Greece. Many Thanks, Kim

A further thought. If we wished to take in Crete and Rhodes before going to Lefkas for the last week in June, that might work? Do you have any thoughts on travel connections. Thanks.

Hope you are well!

May and June are quite good months for holidays in Greece as many places are not so crowded yet! So, it is a good choice!

Aktio/Preveza airport is the closest to Lefkas. I am not sure about the travel connections as they change quite frequently every year, but generally I know that Aktio/Preveza airport has connections to Sitia (Crete), Corfu, Zante, Kythira and Kefalonia. You can check also the airport of Ioannina which has more connections with Crete, Athens and Rhodes, but it more far away from Lefkas , around 90 km.

Now about the options that you have are quite few.

If you want to stay on the west side of Grece, close to Lefkas, you can try the closest islands of Corfu, Paxos, Zante and Kefalonia. Zante and Corfu are quite touristy but during May it wouldn’t be so crowded. Paxos has amazing beaches and waters. Kefalonia has a mix of beaches and mountainous and nice fishing villages like Fiskardo and Assos. Ithaca is also a choice, not so touristy. The only issue with these islands are that the connectiosn between them are not always starightforward. And if you are going sailing you might visit some of them anyway.

If you try a different route as you suggested, then Rhodes – Symi or Crete it would be quite nice but it might take longer to reach Lefkas. Cyclades is also a nice choice and islands with airports, like Paros, Naxos and you can try daily trips to Koufonisia, Antiparos etc.

Let me know if you need anything else Gary. Happy to help!

Really helpful blog. My wife and I are hoping to spend May and June this year exploring a few of the islands. We plan to stay in Lefkas for two weeks in June and spend last week sailing out of there with relatives before flying home. What route would you suggest for May and first week in June, before arriving in Lefkada? We like good beaches, food, ancient history and not too busy. Many thanks.

Hi, Four years ago we went island hopping with another family of 5 (both families had 3 children in primary school). We flew from London to Santorini & then Island hopped after a few days to Paros for a couple of nights then to Naxos for a 6 days & then Mykanos for a few hours to catch a flight back to London. It was great. We would like something similar (over two weeks in August) but we will now have teenagers! And another family with 2 more teenage boys! (14 people altogether). We just want great beaches & a couple of places to visit & good local food. We don’t want ferry journies longer than 3 hours ideally and to fly into one island & out of another – hence Sardinia to Mykanos worked well. Any thoughts, please? Rhodes – Symi – Tilos – Kos? Skiathos – Skopelos – Alonissas -? Many thanks for any help.

Hoep you are well.

Hmmm, it’s seems that you did a great island hopping in Cyclades 4 years ago.

Now the 2 routes that you recommend are quite nice and I would recommend them as well.

1) Skiathos – Skopelos – Alonissos Skiathos is the most touristy island form the 3 of them with splendid beaches and crystal waters and a vivid main town. Skopelos is quieter with a lof of greenery and fantastic beaches. Alonissos is even quieter with a marine park fantastic waters. I find this route an easier route, as the islands are quite small and it won’t be too fussy to wander around

2) Rhodes – Symi – Tilos – Kos. On this route I might exclude Tilos as it might be more diffcult for teenagers to adjust to this small and quiet place. Rhodes (especially) is very large island with many things to do and Kos is very touristic. Symi is just lovely and picturesque. This route might be busier with two larger islands to go around and you will have more things to do.

To sum up, I believe the 1st route is easier it terms of moving around but the 2nd has more things to do.

Hi! Thank you for the super informative site, I really appreciate it! I am in a bit of a conundrum in that I have 12 days to spend in the islands and don’t know what would be best for my family – with kids ages 16 and 12. I am pretty set on going to Milos (likely for 4 days) for the relaxing/wind down part of our vacation, but am looking at either Crete or Naxos for the remaining 8. I am having such a hard time deciding between Crete and Naxos… so, my questions are: – is it possible to go to both Crete and Naxos in 8 days and do either of them justice? – what would you recommend for a family with teens that like variety of activities – hiking, beach, ruins, walking through the stereotypical small greek villages?

Thank you so much!

So, I agree. Tough decision. 8 days might sound like a lot in Naxos, but I think Naxos has quite different activities for kids that age. They can do water sports, hike, enjoy the beach, and visit archaeological sites. And you can even make daily trips to islands like Paros (super close) or Koufonisia etc.

Crete, on the other hand, is huge, and you should concentrate on certain regions in order not to move around constantly. For the first-timers in Crete, I would recommend the Chania region as it is fantastic, but also you will be in a car driving around, which I don’t know if is sth that you want on your vacation. Naxos has a direct connection with Heraklion, and Rethymno, but not Chania, so you have to drive from Heraklion or Rethymno to Chania.

To sum up, I might stay in Naxos and do some daily excursions to other islands. Or if you are ok with driving around and exploring new places, then Crete would be a nice option. But personally, I wouldn’t do both islands, as you moving from one island to another with children might sound more complicated than expected.

Hope it helps!

Let me know what you decided!

We are looking to visit in September 2023 for 14/16 nights I have a wish of placoid like to see Athens Santorini Mykonos Skopolos is this doable and what is the best way to go about booking and when to book. I’m open to all options but don’t want to not have enough time at each island so need to factor in few nights at each one thanks

Hi Dimitris, So glad that I stumbled across Secret Greece. I’m planning a weeks holiday in September this year and have decided on Rhodes and Symi on your recommendation. Which resort on Rhodes would you recommend? Idealy I would like to be well-connected to return to Rhodes for the airport/ferry as I’d prefer not to hire a car on the island. Thanks for your help, Sarah

Sorry for the delayed response.

If you want to have an easy access to the airport then the old twon of Rhodes can be your choice.

For not having a car, Lindos also might be a good choice, as it has easy access to beaches and plenty of bars and restaurants and of course a magnificent town. But it very far away from the airport (there is ataxi tha costs around 80 euros one way.)

If you are looking for specific hotels then you can look my specific page Best hotels in Rhodes

Hi guys mine might be a stupid question but… I was planning to visit Kasos from Rhodes and by ferry it would take more than 5hrs…. By plane much less… apparently there’s no direct flight from RHO however sky express does fly to Karpathos and then continues to Kasos (25 mins turnaround)… now… on their website they allow you to get both tickets together, so as my trip ends at Kasos, will I stay on the plane in Karpathos? Does anyone try this before?

I haven’t done it myself, but I think if you select the flight in sky express website, it shows you if for both legs you are going to fly with the same aircraft or not.

Have a try and let us know if you can!

Note that you are going to try one of the shortest flights in the world (Karpathos – Kasos!)

Hello! Firstly, thank you for such a fabulous informative website! I am hoping to visit Greece at Easter next year (beginning of April 2023) for two weeks with my family and would really appreciate your advice. We would like to fly into Athens from the UK (as my daughter is desperate to visit there!) and then visit a number of islands, and are happy to fly home from a different airport. We will have two weeks in total and would like to go to peaceful family friendly places (my children are 11 and 12), not the big touristy islands, to experience beautiful beaches, history, food and tradition. We will be doing it on a tight budget so any advice and suggestions will be very gratefully received! Thank you, Jane

You might already know, but bear in mind that the Greek orthodox easter is on 16/04/23, which means that during those days Greeks go for holidays and everything will be much more expensive. Many islands have some traditions that they celebrate during orthodox easter.

Note also that beginning of April is quite early in the season and most of the shops on the islands aren’t open yet and the weather isn’t great usually. Normally it is quite cold to swim, unless you like to swim in cold temperatures!

Now, regarding you question. I will recommend sth opposite than you are asking. Sorry for that!

I would recommend bigger and more touristy islands as on the small ones, most of restaurants will be closed. So, you can select islands like Paros and Naxos. They also have airports so you can fly from Athens to them. Also, Syros might be choice. It doesn’t have great beaches (you might not need them as it will be quite cold), but it has a beautiful city on the port and they combine the celebrations of catholic and orthodox easter as a big part of the island has catholic inhabitants.

Thank you so much Dimitris, that’s really helpful. I’m excited to get planning our visit! Many thanks for your advice.

Hi, I am islanding hopping soon in the cyclades. And I was wondering if you had to book ferries way in advance? I am leaving next week. Should I book my whole ferry itinerary for the whole trip in one go or wait until I get there? What do people usually do for this time in June ? Thanks, Rosie.

No, in general you don’t need to book any ferries in June.

Just bear in mind that the weekend from 10-13 is a long weekend in Greece (Monday is a bank holiday), so the ferries on Friday and Monday would be quite full. But other than that I think it would be fine.

I guess what I’m really asking is what islands are best to go to to island hop for say a day or 2 days at a time and see the most we can?

Hi Marissa,

It sounds like a nice plan! You can start with Athens and then Mykonos, Santorini and Milos sound like a great choices. You can add 1 or islands but probably not more as you might not enjoy if you day by day change islands.

Now the choices are many!

Naxos and Paros can be definetely be nice choices as they both provide terrific water sports options.

Also,If you are visiting Greece on June or September then you add Ios island (i tend to avoid this). Finally, for wind surfing and surfing then Tinos can be a good choice, where you can find amazing food, many hiking trails and nice beaches

Hi! If we want to spend most of our time In the water sailing around different beaches etc what island would you recommend doing that where we can get the most out of this experience.. being able to see as much as possible. We are about to book and finalize details of the trip. We are going for 12 days leaving to Rome on day 12. Generally the plan was flying to Athens and spending a day there and then going to Mykonos and Santorini but I also would like to go to Milos and a lot of the other islands that you recommended in the thread. We really just want to spend the time island hoping but not sure what islands to go to for the best experience for the 12 days. Really hoping to go on a boat tour and travel around and swim, snorkel most of the time. Can you see multiple islands this way?

Hi! Thanks for the great site! So, my family (wife, two teenage daughters) are on a Greek island cruise in July. We end in Athens, and then have 4 nights before heading back to Los Angeles. What island would you recommend for us for four nights? We want to relax and have a local experience. Good food, beaches, chill vibe. We’re thinking about Hydra, Spetses, Corfu, Naxos, or Crete. Any recommendations or suggestions? Thank you!!

Also, ideally we’d like to stay on just one island for those four nights, and not have to pack up and head to another hotel/AirBnB. Thanks again for the great advice!

You are welcome! I think Hydra doesn’t have so nice beaches and Crete is quite large and you might not get the island feeling in 4 days. For Corfu you will need to get a plane and I think it would better to find an island closer to Athens that you can approach by ferry.

Spetses is a good choice as it has an easy access from Athenas, it has a nice vibe and good beaches (not amazing, but good)

Naxos would be my choice as it is an island that has many activities, great sandy, long beaches and a picturesque villages.

And Paros of course is another good choice!

Thank you, Dimitris!!

My friend and I are going to spend about a week this June in Greece! As of now, we were looking into Athens, Paros, Milos, and Santorini. However, I was wondering if you suggested doing either Paros or Milos over the other, and visiting a less touristy island. I was hoping to at least go somewhere that has cliffs down to the beaches, and also a place with the small town feel in the city where you might actually run into locals. Santorini we are going simply as a bucket list location! Is there a different island you suggest, or do you think the three of Paros, Milos, and Santorini would be okay. And which route would you suggest?

I think your schedule for first time in Greece is great!!

Now, I do understand that you might add or remove one destination but I am not sure what exactly you are looking for! Sorry about that!

Amorgos is wild with a touch of a more traditional characteristicd and it is not so touristy. But it not so ideal connected with the other islands that you want to visit

Also, Kimolos which is very close to Milos is an alternative if you are looking for something with great beaches and not so touristy with local characteristics. The only issue with KImolos is that the hotels and rooms are not many so it is difficult some times to book accomodation.

You can always play with different combinations of islands on Ferryscanner.

Also, my personal recommendation would be first Santorini and then Milos and Paros. Note, that in Paros you can visit Antiparos island which beautiful, small and very close to Paros, but you can go to many places and beaches walking!

My partner and I are planning to visit some Greek islands for around 7-10 days during the first 2 weeks of October this year. We are looking for a historical vacation; hoping to visit the main must-see attractions while maybe hitting up a beach or two in between. We were looking specifically at Rhodes, Kos and surrounding islands, but would like to start in Athens, if possible. I’ve been trying to do my own research, but I was wondering if you might know the best way to traverse this route, or have suggestions for a route that would give a similar experience (we were also interested in islands such as Zante and Hydra)!

Thank you for any and all suggestions 🙂

Hi Sierrah,

I totally understand your desire to visit as much as you can, but my advice would be that you cannot combine everything as you might not enjoying your holidays! So, pick up an area of destination and try to create your ideal itinerary!

For example, if you prefer to visits Rhodes or Kos you can fly there and then bypassing by ferry some islands and to reach Athens. It is quite a long time with ferry but it will give you the opportunity to visit some great islands!

One possible route could be Kos- Nisyros- Astypalaia – Naxos and then you should definitely visit Delos island, with an amazing archaeological site and final destination would Piraeus.

Or you can arrive by flight directly at international aiport of Rhodes, check the amazing sites of medieval city of Rhodes and Lindos and then fly to Athens.

Another option would be to visit directly Athens for 2-3 days and make some daily trips to Hydra and to Delphi or Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. If you want a quick escape from Athens to nice beaches, then might be a chocie, or Kythnos or Serifos!!

The options are various!

If you want anything else, or anything more specific, just let me know!

Thank you so much for your response!! I think the best course of action for us would be to fly directly to Kos or Rhodes and work our way back up to Athens by ferry, where we would fly back home.

I agree that we don’t want to try to squeeze in too much, so I was thinking we would look into stopping at 1-2 additional islands between Rhodes/Kos and Athens, preferring to stray away from Santorini and Mykonos.

We are really interested in your suggested route of Kos-Nisyros-Astypalaia-Naxos-Piraeus, and were wondering if you had similar route you may suggest, or another with Rhodes as a starting point? Additionally, are there any must-see experiences/sights you would suggest for these locations?

Thank you again for everything! 🙂

You are welcome!

You can try other routes of course! There are many options! You can check with ferryscanner and check if there is a direct connection between the desired islands.

One more possible route could be Rhodes – Leros- Patmos- Piraeus.

Wow the advice you are offering is so helpful, thank you so much!

I was hoping you. could help me with some ideas please?

My 1st and only trip to Greece was 2 years ago was and visited: Kos>Kalynmos>Telendos>Paros>Naxos. We made sure there was an airport at the first and last stop and the rest was island hopping inbetween!

We really enjoyed island hopping, beautiful beach swims, casual cafe’s and beach restaurants, and some smarter restaurants and warm water.

There were places with a few tourists, but not to many, and we were able to explore beautiful beaches that were not very populated at all! We hired a car an explored together – we loved it!

We are not interested in visiting Mykonos or Santorini and would like a similar adventure we had before, but new ideas for Greek islands and plan to visit end of June for 10days, are you able to provide some ideas please?

Thank you!!! 🙂 Megan

I am glad that you had a great time in Greece! And I find quite clever that you arrived at one island and you flew from another! It is something that I also recommend!

Now the options are many! You can do the route Milos – Ios – Koufonisia and you can fly back again from Naxos (which is next to Koufonisia) Or fly to Rhodes then Symi – Nisyros – Astypalaia.

Another possibility is to go to Sporades islands. Namely, fly to skiathos which is quite touristy, but then you can visit Skopelos and Alonissos that have excellent beaches and amazing waters!

Let me know if you need anything else Megan. Happy to help!

Hi, what are you thoughts on a mainland trip to Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Kalambaka & Santorini for the first time in Greece?

Or should we keep it simple and do Athens, Mykonos and Santorini?

It totally depends on your preference! Both routes are excellent and you will enjoy them!

Meteora is a superb place, very unique and it has the – out of this world – characteristic. Delphi also is special as it has hundreds of years of history.

On the other hand, Mykonos is a wonderful island with beautiful beaches and a cosmopolitan atmoshere!

So, it totally depends on what you prefer on your holidays!

Sorry if I didn’t help you a lot, but if you have any other question, just let me know!

I have loved reading all of this blog, it’s so helpful and made me so excited. I am thinking of going in September with my boyfriend, our plan is Athens>Mykonos>Paros>Naxos>Santorini

Do you recommend that we book our ferry’s & accommodation in advance or just book our return flight and wing it? I have an idea on the ferry times etc, I am worried if we book everything in advance and there’s a storm/ workers on strike it will throw everything off.

If you could advise from your experience what you would recommend I would really appreciate it!! Thank you

Hi Courtney,

This year is a little bit strange as they say that the visitors in Greece might catch a new high, as the numbers in tourists are back after 2 years!

Also, booking or not is sometimes personal preference, as for me I usually prefer to book in advance.

Saying that I would ask you if you are going to visit Greece at the beginning of September or at the end. If it is the beginning, then I would recommend booking your accommodation especially for Santorini and Mykonos. If you are afraid of unexpected events, you can always look for hotels with cancellation. And you don’t need to book ferries.

Thanks so much for getting back to me! We are thinking of going at the start of September. I think your advice sounds perfect, book our return flights and accommodation ( maybe ones where we with cancellation just incase) and then buy our ferry tickets on the day. Do the ferry’s change much in price booking on the day/ booking in advance? Also are they often full and we would have to wait etc.

I really appreciate you help.

Thank you! Courtney

The ferry prices usually do not change. The only case to increase the prices are when the economy seats are full, so then you might need to book a “a class”.

Also, the case that you might have issues with ferry bookings are Friday or Sundays when Athenians book tickets for weekend breaks. But still as the period is after summer, I don’t think you will have any issues.

Finally, the car tickets can be taken, but this concerns you only if you get your car with you on the ferry, which I think it is not a case for you.

Hello – I am a solo traveler planning a trip in late October and would like to visit 2 islands, as I’m only going for 9 days and don’t want to rush. I’m interested in a more quiet and relaxed atmosphere, opportunities for possible day trips on the water to surrounding islands, and delicious Greek food (I’ve been to Sifnos and loved it). I know that I’ll be going during the off season, so I would like to visit islands that aren’t shut down for the winter and will have the ferries running from Athens. I would also be interested in a sailboat cruise from Athens to multiple islands, but not sure what my options would be as a solo traveler in October. Thank you in advance for the advice!

If you are going at the beginning of October you won’t have many issues on the islands as quite few of the shops/restaurants will be open!

Now, regarding the two islands that you would like to explore. Tinos can be the one of them. Tinos is beautiful and it would have a relaxed atmosphere for sure and it is outside the usual tourist traps. It has amazing food and great beaches! Especially the mainland villages are just marvellous. Tinos has many hiking trails, which some of them passes through picturesque villages and lovely squares! Note that the main town that probably you would stay isn’t the most quaint in Cyclades, but still has its wonderful corners! Also, take into account that Tinos can get quite windy.

Now about the 2nd island. This is trickier. Ios can be a good choice and relatively calm during October. Amorgos is a more risky choice, as it has great villages, great paths, great waters but not sandy beaches!! Also, it is quite wild, rough and still quite traditional.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Me and my boyfriend, in our mid-20s, are planning on spending one week/ten days in Greece this July. We want to stay in Athen for a couple of days, and the rest of the time on maybe two islands. We want to visit unique places with a lot of charm, beautiful nature, and a local feeling. We want to have a relaxing and romantic holiday while exploring new places and their culture, history, and nature through hiking, snorkeling, etc. Do you have any recommendations about which islands and cities we should visit? I have been to Patmos, Lesbos, and Samos as a child, and he has been to Crete as a child, but we don’t remember much.

Best, Thora

Hmmm. that is a tough call as there are many choices!

I will recommend 2 different island groups. One would be Sporades. You can fly there from Athens, otherwise you can go by car and ferry which can be more time consuming. Skiathos is more vivid with more nightlife, great beaches and beautiful nature. Skopelos is similar but bigger and more quiet with more villages that you can explore and great nature and beaches!

But if you prefer checking some whitewashed houses with blue windoes that you may have seen in photos, then I think Cyclades might be a good option. You can get a ferry from Piraues (preferably) or Rafina and visit some of the many islands in the middle of Aegean.

The choices here are many. I will name only a few. The easy cjoices would be the 2 most famous Greek islands, Santorini and Mykonos. There are different, as Santorini is considered more romantic with the out of this world landscape and the volcano views and Mykonos more cosmopolitan with great nightlife and beaches.

But you can choose some different. Milos is considered quite romantic and quite laid-back island. It has fantastic beaches, and you can do snorkelling and hiking (less options).

Then from Milos, you have different options, but you can try one of Paros or Naxos, which are quite popular and are very beatiful. Or you can try something different like Sifnos, which is lovely island with amazing food and nice small villages, but not the best beaches in the world!!

Note that you can fly to Milos as it has an airport and return by ferry, stopping to the island that you prefer!

Hi! Me and my friend are traveling to Athens the first week of August and are planning on exploring as much of the greek islands as possible while we are there. We are only staying for a week and are wondering which islands we should visit. We are aiming for a very active holiday with hopefully some hiking and some paddling. Which islands would you recommend us to visit?

In theory, if you have one week on a Greek island, you can change an island every day! But I don’t recommend it to be frank, as you won’t enjoy it much!

So, I will say Paros should be one of the islands as it has some nice hiking options and many water sports options like Golden Beach, Santa Maria and Monastiri. Naxos has similar characteristics but note that it is larger and more mountainous than Paros.

Then, I would also suggest Tinos island which has many great paths that pass through beautiful and picturesque villages.

Finally, Kithnos is a good choice as it is close to Athens with options for paddling and hiking. And it also has nice beaches and beautiful villages. I just recommend it lastly, as it is not so famous and you might prefer to visit more well-known islands. Let me know if you need more information or anything else!

Thank you so much for your response. I have looked a bit more into it and I love your suggestions! We will definitely visit both Paros and Tinos, and I think we will prioritize to visit Kithnos as well as it looks magical.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

Thanks for your amazing website. I am revisiting the Cyclades Islands for the first time in 35 years on 7 June for 10 days and would love your opinion. I want to spend a two or three days in Athens (sites of historical interest) and visit two Islands for three or four days each. It’s my first holiday as a singleton. I loved the Cyclades Islands and have been meaning to return for years. I particularly loved the villages and the food. I also enjoy sea swimming (not pools) and hiking. I love Greek food but am not looking for anything too fancy and also simple accommodation.

Even though I am not looking for night life I really want to revisit Ios where I was first time round. I appreciate that it has probably changed a lot and that it is particularly recommended for youth and night life (both of which are in my past!) but would like to see it again.

Have you any recommendations for an older person on Ios – either where to stay/visit and also what to do? Secondly what Island would you recommend me to go after Ios? I like the idea of somewhere quieter and less touristy but ideally I want to be able to get there direct from Ios.

Thanks so much.

That is so nice of you to revisit places you have been to years ago!

There are several things that you can do in Ios. Firstly, you will explore the Chora, which is beautiful with the typical whitewashed houses and of course the windmills. Also, you can visit the archaeological museum and the Skarkos archaeological site. Moreover, visit PaleoKastro, a remote place on a hill, where the remains of a castle, built at the end of the 14th century with magnificent views, can be found! Furthermore, not sure if you like it, but you can hike as Ios has some interesting routes. You can check Ios Paths, https://iospaths.gr/trekking-experiences/ . Pay also a visit to the lighthouse, which is located close to the Koumpara peninsula! And finally, you should visit the magnificent beaches Mylopotas, Manganari, Ag.Theodoti, Pathi etc.

You have some terrific options to visit from Ios, like Santorini, Paros, and Naxos, which are some of the most famous islands in Greece. But you can also check Syros and Tinos! Syros is the capital of the Cyclades with a beautiful city Ermoupolis and Tinos has magnificent hiking trails and fantastic food!

I hope you will have a great time!

Let me know if you need anything else, Rachel!

My friend and I (early 30s) want to island hope from Kastelorizo all the way to Athens this summer (August). Which islands you’d recommend we stop to explore along the way? ( 2 – 3 weeks to play with). My friend would like beaches and I historical sites.

Thanks a bunch!

Wow! What a plan! I am really jealous right now Francisco!

As I have mentioned before August is really a high season, so you have to expect everything to be a little more expensive and quite crowded! But, you will have a great time! I truly believe that!

So, I don’t know if you like smaller or larger islands or if you prefer more developed islands over underdeveloped ones, but here is what I recommend!

Kastelorizo – Rhodes – Amorgos – Koufonisia – Naxos – Paros – Delos (I will explain)- Athens

Kastelorizo – Rhode s – Symi – Kos – Santorin i – Naxos – Delos – Athens

Rhodes. Is a large island but t has beautiful beaches and great historical sites, like the old town of Rhodes and Lindos etc.

Amorgos. It has none of what you are looking for as it doesn’t have amazing beaches or archaeological sites. But it is wild, with great traditional villages and great hiking trails! And it is a way to move to the next destination which is Koufonisia. Koufonisia. A small island with 4 amazing beaches, that you can walk or bike everywhere!

Naxos. It has lovely, long, sandy beaches, really nice mountainous villages and you can do a wide range of activities! It is quite large though.

Paros. It has also many great beaches, lovely beaches and great nightlife, especially in Naousa and Parikia. It has also some archaeological interest.

Delos is not an island that you can stay there as it is an archaeological site and it is designated as a Unesco World Heritage site. I put this island on this list as I think it is a great site for those that love history! On this island, you can go very easily through Mykonos. Not sure if Mykonos is to your taste, but it is considered one of the most famous Greek islands in the world. You can visit Delos through Paros and Naxos through local tours.

Santorini is the most famous Greek island, with not great beaches, but a magical landscape and a lot of history!

Kos This island is very touristy but still it has a great history as it is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the so-called father of medicine!

Symi. It is a really picturesque island with a fabulous main village and great, crystal waters.

So, there are my recommendation Francisco. Don’t hesitate to ask me whatever you need to know!

Hi there – also if you are to choose athens, Mykonos, paros and milos – which order would be best?

Hi Frankie,

The short answer is that the order that you are writing in your comment is valid and it makes totally sense!

Now, you could also go first to the most remote island of the 3 of them, which is Milos and then get closer to Athens to Paros and Mykonos, but I don’t think it will make a lot of difference!

My fellow female friend and I (both 20) are hoping to do 2 weeks of island hopping in August as we’re both free then. We are trying to decide on islands. We’re thinking of starting in Athens for a couple nights as a family member lives there and then going island hopping. We’re quite adventurous and want to have fun but also want to relax on the beach. We like the sound of Milos, Ios, Santorini , Naxos, Paros – if you had to choose 4 out of these 5 islands what would you recommend for us (we’d also be on a budget but are both working the rest of summer) – thank you so much for your blog it’s amazing!

Hi Frankie!

Firstly, thank you for the nice words!

And secondly, island-hopping on Greek islands is always a good idea!

Now saying that I just want to highlight that August is the peak of the season and everything will be overcrowded and more expensive than other months. But I don’t want to discourage you!

You should organise the trip very well before and pre-book all the hotels. All the islands that you mentioned are super nice and each has a different style! Milos is considered a more romantic island and many couples prefer it but it doesn’t mean that there is no nightlife etc. It means that it is not a party island, but an island with beautiful and unique beaches! Ios on the other side is a party island where many young people around Europe choose it. But it has also nice beaches and a great vibe! Naxos and Paros are similar, as it gathers visitors of all ages and you can do many different activities there, from water sports to hiking etc. Naxos is much bigger and Paros has a little bit more intense nightlife, especially in Naousa where at the picturesque harbour there are many nice bars! Both have good bus connections so you can go around without renting a car. But in August both will be very crowded! Now, Santorini is a place that during pre covid era you should have pre-booked it 6-9 months before as it is one of the most famous islands in the world and it gets really really busy! But Santorini is Santorini. The landscape is I think something special and unique.

Ι don’t know your preferences so I hesitate to recommend specific islands! Generally, I prefer Milos to Ios but I would think that in your case Ios might be a better choice. But again, don’t listen only to me!!!

If you need anything else, just let me know. I am here to help if I can!

Hi hubby and I are wanting to go island hopping over 3 weeks next year. Literally the most adventurous we’ve ever been and didn’t even know where to start. We love Greece and usually head to Kalamaki, Zante but feel like a bit of an adventure after the pandemic. I’m looking at the Cyclades because I fancy a couple of days in Mykonos and Santorini but am open to any and all ideas and this.

Zante is nice, but also Cyclades are great and very picturesque! The only issue is that you have many options!!

I don’t know your preferences, ie if you prefer your holidays to have great nightlife, or activities, or food etc. I will try to analyse some islands in a few words, but feel free to ask more!

Mykonos and Santorini are nice choices, but both islands are quite overcrowded during July and August, so you might want to pick another date or pre book everything at least 6-9 months earlier.

Then, you have the below choices:

Paros. Beautiful island with many small villages for exploration, (Naousa village is a beauty!) great and many beaches and good nightlife with nice bars and few clubs.

Naxos. Another beautiful island, with a long, sandy beaches, many water sports, great mountainous villages, but quite large.

Then, there are other islands less famous and not so developed like the aboves, like

Serifos: Small island. with a beautiful main village and lovely beaches. Not many things to do though there.

Sifnos. It has some of the best and most picturesque villages and amazing food. It has not the best beaches though!

Then. Koufonisi is a great choice. As it has amazing beaches and it is so small that you can walk around it!

I could keep on listing more islands, but you can check those and ask me if you need anything else!

Hi, I was wanting to do a greek trip for about 2 weeks and just wanted to see if you think the current itinerary is feasible? Athens 3 nights Mykonos 2 nights Santorini 3 nights Skopelos 4 nights We have a potential extra 2 nights to spend anywhere above or another island! Thanks

Hi Brianna,

Hopefully, you will have a great time!

Now about the plan. The days I believe are well allocated as I think you can get an idea from the places that you are going to visit. But to be frank, I am not sure about Skopelos. Skopelos belongs to the Sporades complex and there is no easy connection between Santorini and Sporades islands. Not sure how you plan to move from Santorini to Skopelos, but it is not easy.

My first thought would be to stay in the Cyclades area and check some other islands there.

There are many choices. Naxos would be one of them and you can also add Koufonisi island (small with amazing beaches)for 2 days. Another obvious choice would be Paros island, where you can visit Antiparos island on a daily trip or Sifnos island for 2 days.

But also another choice would be Folegandros island, where it might not has amazing beaches but it has a picturesque main village and you can enjoy there, romantic dinners and walking by dusk.

In case you decide on visiting Skopelos, then, of course, Skiathos or Alonissos might be good choices!

If you need any other information, just let me know. I am here to help as much as I can!

I’m looking to go Greek Island hopping as a solo female traveller (20s) for a month between mid June – Mid July. I love being active and hiking sounds great but I also want to make sure I experience the Greek culture and have some downtime on the beautiful beaches. Do you have any recommendations on the safest islands and those that suit my needs?

This guide and your whole website have been fantastically helpful already!!

It sounds like a lovely plan and I think you will have a great time. July becomes quite crowded in some island so if you could start from beginning June to beginning of July -I belive – it would be even better.

Now about the destinations. There is a wide range of options! I would focus on Cyclades, where you will enjoy little villages with white houses and blue windows.

I will suggest some destinations but this is quite rough recommendation, as I don’t know your preference or your budget etc!

So, I will start with 2 safe choices. One is Paros. Paros has become quite touristy lately, but I think if you visit at the beginning or mid June it would be ideal. It has picturesque villages, great beaches and also many different option for activities, like water sports, hiking etc. And also there are places, where nightlife is quite nice in case you want also to enjoy some nice bars and cocktails.

Then, Naxos could be a nice choice. Bear in my mind that is a large island but there is a good bus connection. It has great mainland with traditional villages and great culture. For example, in Apeiranthos village you can visit 4-5 different museums and learn more about tradition and history. Of course the beaches are great, long and sandy.

Now, Folegandros and Amorgos are two islands with great hiking routes and nice villages. They might not have the best beaches in Greece but I think you feel the Greek culture (especially in Amorgos.)

And last, Serifos might be a good choice. Nice island, with a great main village which has incredible view, beautiful beaches and also lovely hiking routes.

And I will cheat a little bit and I also recommend two more islands that I personally love, Koufonisia and Donousa. Koufonisia might be a no for July as it becomes very crowded, but it has amazing beaches and you can walk almost the whole island (it has only one main village.) Donousa is more remote (you might combine it with Naxos or Amorgos) and more wild. It is not for everyone taste as it is very small and it looks from another older era. But there many hiking routes and wonderful beaches and it is not a party island!

Note that almost all the mentioned islands feel quitesafe and lately there is an increasing of solo female travellers, so I don’t think you will have any issue.

I hope I didn’t confuse you more. If you need anything else, just let me know. Happy to help if I can!

Hi, I am looking to go island hopping with my Son around mid May. He is 20 and I am in my mid fifties. I don’t really want to hire a car so ideally resorts near the port. The Cyclades looks as though it might be the best choice? The Sporades have been recommended as easy to navigate for first timers but I’m worried my Son might be bored! Any advice would be appreciated.

Hope you will have a great time wherever you choose to go!

I agree that Sporades might be easier to navigate but in the middle of May, they might not have too much things to do. Skiathos might be busier than the others, but still….

Cyclades might be a better ft – I think. You will have more choices to fit the needs of both of you! Also, take into account that middle of May would be still quiet in the islands so you might prefer visiting some more popular islands than small and remote ones.

You can pass Mykonos or Paros, which have both a great energy and vibe. Both have good bus connection, so if you want to visit some great beaches you can go without renting a car. Naxos is large island, but you can stay at the main town where you can visit some lovely beaches nearby. Plus it has many different activities to do. Last island that you might visit, can be Ios which normally I do not recommend it, as at some areas gathers too much massive young tourism but for middle of May it would be very nice.

If you need any other help or guidance, just let me know Steph.

Hello – I was last in Ios, Naxos, Paros, Santorni, Crete, 30+ years ago with a backpack and a few months,. Now, I want to introduce my teenagers and wife to the Cyclades and/or Crete over a 4-5 day visit. What I loved most were the wonderful traditional Greek tavernas, the village squares, the hiking, the bakeries, the sovlaki, the retsina. Is all of that now swamped by tourists and development? Where can we still find a nice white village, a lively square, good/great local/traditional food (I don’t want any French Asia Fusion stuff)? Daughter must have Instagram white beauty, wife wants hiking, swimming of course, but all of this not over whelmed by developments and tourists. And, in my old age, the accommodation needs to be charming, traditional, and comfortable 4*+ boutiques. I was looking at Crete because they have nonstop flights from London – what do you think of there?

Can you weave magic and give us some contemporary suggestions? I can almost smell the spanikopita!

Oh.. we are going first week of June.

Hello MR H!

Your plan sound lovely! I think you all have great time and you will totally love it! I am not sure about some details of your itinerary, like which town of Crete are you going to land etc, but I will try to give you some ideas!

1. Crete is a beautiful place and you could spend some time there. You will also find some of the best and most Instagramable beaches, like Balos, Kedrodasos and Elafonisi in the Chania region. But I don’t think it fits your needs as you described them to me.

2. If you want to see villages with white houses and blue windows, then Crete isn’t your place. You can visit some Greek islands in Cyclades that has some direct connection. Naxos (3.30 hours from Heraklion), Paros (4 to 5 hours from Heraklion) and Santorini (2 hours from Heraklion ) that you went 30 years ago, are good options.

Santorini is now one of the most famous places in the world and it can be quite crowded. But if you are going at the beginning of June I expect quite fewer tourists than July and August. Paros and Naxos are great islands as well and I think a good fit for your needs, but you will definitely notice that both have become touristy! I have written some posts about both islands, where to go and where to stay etc, so you can have a look and also check some nice boutique hotels.

3. Now, a more risky choice but closer to your needs might be the Small Cyclades complex. These are 4 small islands that they retain some of the magic of the old days!

Ano Koufonisi is the most touristically developed, but at the beginning of June it would be quite nice and peaceful. It has amazing beaches and you can walk to every beach on foot (5′-40′). It has only one main village but you can also visit the opposite island (Kato Koufonisi) on a daily trip by boat.

Schinousa is better for hiking as it has more uphills (not anything extreme), nice squares, not so touristy and nice beaches as well. I wouldn’t recommend Iraklia or Donousa islands (Dosousa is my favorite island from the small Cyclades complex), as they might not fit to everybody in your family.

If you need anything else, just ask me! I am here to help you as much as I can!

Hi im new to greece island hopping, i was hoping to do Santorini , Amorgos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Mykanos then back to Santorini, which order should i do them or are there better islands to substitute with ? Ihave three weeks but dont want to rush ,also do i get tested at each island? how does it work at the moment , Many thanks Lynne

You sound quite well informed about Greek island hopping, as the sequence of the islands that you have selected are pretty reasonable at least to me!!! There are direct ferries to each island and the duration of the trips are not too long!

Τhe choices of the islands is of course a personal choice based on your preference! I might replace Amorgos with Koufonisia or Donousa, but this is just me as I love small islands! Amorgos is much wilder, with incredible colour of the sea, beautiful Hora and wonderful paths. But the other two islands have amazing beaches and they are smaller and easier to walk around!

And also I am a fan of Tinos island and not so much Ios, which is more touristic! But again, these are personal preferences!

And not sure when are you going to Greece, but if you have selected July or August, you may have to be super prepared and book your hotels, tickets etc. The official predictions are that this summer will be super busy for the touristic destinations in Greece!

For now, there are no special restrictions for ferries and islands, but this might change. To be frank, based on today’s situation, I expect this summer to be quite easier to go around without too many restrictions. But, we have to wait!!!

Anyway, if you have any question, just let me know! Happy to help if I can!

Thanks so much for your tips, they’ve been really, really helpful.

I’ve been island hopping from early September until late October, starting in Corfu (I had plenty of time, not just a few days). I went to Paxos from there, and as you said you can’t go straight to the next islands to the South. Instead I skipped them altogether, and went to Igoumenitsa and then Athens. Then Serifos, Ios, Naxos, Astypaleia, Nisyros, Tilos, Chalki, Rhodes, Kastellorizo, back to Rhodes, Santorini and finally Naxos again, where I’ve decided to stay until the end of June.

It’s fairly easy to arrive in one island, book ferry and accommodation for the next one on the first day, and enjoy the island for 2-4 days before heading to the next one.

Only once did I arrive to an island with no pre-booked accommodation (Paxos, early september), and it took me a little time to get it, so I guess that’s out of the question during the high season. Other than that, I found it fairly manageable to book from one island to the next.

Thanks again, and keep your good work with this website!

Wow! It sounds amazing! That should be an amazing trip Deithi! Thank you for sharing this island hopping experience with us! The way that you handle the whole trip was quite impressive! And I totally agree with you. Someone might not be able to do the same during July or August, so you selected the right period! And it is so much freedom to be able to plan or amend your plans based on your mood and desire!

can i say how wonderful your web site is! thanks soo much for all the info . W e are going to book one of the trips for sure for the summer will def be in touch many many thanks

Thank you Kelly for the nice words! We are here to help you, in case you are going to visit Greece soon!

Hi there! Is it possible to visit the islands 1-2 days each? Specifically for Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. I am leaving 3-4 days for Athens

This can be a tricky question as it depends on what you want to see each time that you visit an island or a city. Personally, I think one day for these islands is not enough. You will need at least 2 days for each of those 3 islands and indeed at least 2 days for Athens.

How long would you recommend for the diamond route?

Ηi Manni! It depends on what kind of holidays do you want! If you want just take a taste and see all the important things, I think 3 days minimum to each island would ok.

Hi We are a couple looking for a sailing holiday hopping around some greek islands. I’m a bit overwhelmed by the choice and finding it hard to know where best to choose – no real sailing experience either but would like opportunity to try. We love food and less touristy places. Also, some “yachting” holidays seem not to be actually sailing (motor powered mainly) Do you know of any companies to recommend and/or island groups to focus on.

I have only sailed in Greece twice, one in Ionian islands with some friend’s sailing boat and one in Sporades islands using Sail with us . I totally recommend both areas.

Ionian islands I think is perfect for beginners as usually the winds are quite smoother than some other areas in Greece and you can find beautiful beaches.

Sporades islands are as well as superb for sailing as you can visit 3 main amazing and green islands Skiathos(the most touristic), Skopelos, Alonissos (the quietest and not so touristic) with stunning beaches. There are also some small and uninhabited islands that you can visit! I am totally satisfied with “Sail with Us” so I totally recommend you, but I am not sure if they rent the whole boat or you can book some individual tickets. They have awesome customer support, so contact them ( https://sailwithus.gr/ ) and ask them if they can help you or advise you on anything else!

Not sure if I helped but let me know if you need anything else!

Thank you so much for your reply – I will check out Sail With Us Also, your website has so much useful information thank you for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge Best wishes, Julia

Hi, we’re interested in seeing “green” locations with beautiful coves and beaches combined with dining in great restaurants at night. What islands would you recommend? Are sail tours operating this summer?

From what you describe to us we think Sporades island would be a good choice and more specifically Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos islands. They are full of trees with really beautiful beaches and many coves! The food is also delicious, but overall don’t expect too fancy restaurants (only in Skiathos probably) but nice and original taverns! And this summer quite few sail tours are operating. If you are interested in sailing in that area we can recommend one company that we have used in the past and we were very pleased.

Hi, I’m really interested in doing island hopping in Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos early next month (September 2020). I’ve been to Skiathos and Skopelos before but many years ago. Any recommendations on companies to use would be appreciated. I am a solo female traveller for UK. Thanks 🙂

Hi Chrissie. Happy to help but what companies do you mean? Ferries-activities-sailing-experiences?

There is a greek island ferry pass: https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes/one-country-pass/greece-passes/greek-islands

Thanks Ulli! That’s perfect! I added to the article!

We’re looking at doing a bit of Greek island hopping next year (2020). We want to go to Nidri and will hopefully have 2 weeks. Which other island(s) near or places in lefkada would you recommend?

As it says on the article, you can combine it with some other islands that are close, like Kefalonia and Zante or even Corfu! If you need some extra information, just write us an email!

Hi Dimitris I have written earlier not sure if it went through or I closed page before it sent. You have a wonderful and useful information on Greece

Can I please have your thoughts on an itenary for aprox 18-21days honeymoon end of August 2023. Happy to day trip to a couple of them if that’s your recommendations , flying from Australia.

Santorini Paros Naxos Kefalonia zakynthos Corfu Rhodes

Congratulations for your wedding! I think you will have an amazing time in Greece!

So, your itinerary is great! Greece is a magnificent country with lots of beautiful places to explore and experiences to have, particularly for a honeymoon. My only comment is that for you will cover a lot of different areas in Greece. I mean the list includes islands from Cyclades, Eptanisa kai then Dodecanese, which great but you will move a lot around. On the opposite, you are coming from Australlia so you will like to see as much as possible and Greece is so tiny compared to Australia so perhaps all the distance between Greek towns are quite short for you!

Now, I would remove either Eptanisa islands (like Corfu, Kefalonia and Zante) and include more islands from Dodecanese like Kos and Patmos or Symi. Or preferably, I would remove Rhodes and keep the Eptanisa islands (you might want to add Paxos island, even as a day trip from Corfu).

Also, note that there not many flights between islands. So if you want to fly from one island to another most likely you will go through Athens airport.

Another point is that August is very touristic period in Greece, so it will be packed and also many hotels are already booked.

Finally, note that the movement between Eptanisa islands isn’t so easy and the connections are not great!

Therefore to my opinion based on your itinerary, I would recommend sth like this:

1) Transit from Australia to Athens:1-2 days Given the long flight from Australia, I think you should allow for two days of travel and adjustment to the time zone.

2) Santorini (3-4 days): You can fly there or take the ferry from Piraeus

3) Paros (3 days). Take a ferry to charming Paros

4) Naxos (4 days) Next, visit Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades island group. Visit the Portara, explore the old town of Chora, and enjoy the beautiful beaches and make sure to try the local cuisine.

5) Corfu (3 days)

6) Kefalonia (2 days)

7) Zante 1 day. From Kefalonia, take a ferry to Zakynthos. As you only have one day, focus on the highlights: the iconic Navagio beach (Shipwreck Beach) and the Blue Caves. Note that this summer the local authorities might not allowed to visit the Navagio beach (Shipwreck Beach)

This itinerary is quite packed, so feel free to adjust according to your pace and preference. Always check the local transportation schedules (ferry and flights) in advance, as they might change or be impacted by weather conditions!

Enjoy your honeymoon in Greece!

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How To Travel Between Islands in Greece: The Ultimate Guide

There are few destinations in the world as tempting to island hoppers as the home of filo pastry and Zorba dancing. This sun-kissed part of southern Europe has a whopping 6,000 isles in total, of which a massive 227 are inhabited all year round, and several rank among the most popular sun, sea, and sand getaways in the world. Bucket-list-busting adventures are just waiting to be had between the Ionian Sea in the west and the Aegean Sea in the east. But how to travel between islands in Greece?

That’s what this guide is all about. It has all the info you need about how to travel between islands in Greece, with details about the regular ferries that link up many of the major names and a guide to flying between the islands that have their own airports.

We think you’ll quickly notice two things. First, island hopping in Greece is going to be AMAZING. From the crumbling monuments of Rhodes to the white-washed villages of Santorini , there are incredible things to see around every corner. Second, planning this sort of trip shouldn’t be a chore. The archipelagos of this Mediterranean nation are connected by an extremely comprehensive boat network, and are perfect for skippers keen on chartering their own yachts.

Table of Contents

First: A bit of Greek geography

Before we delve into the detail of how to travel between islands in Greece, it’s worth getting to grips with a bit of basic geography. So, here goes…

Greece has a whopping 6,000 islands in all. All of those are spread between two main seas. There’s the Ionian Sea, which is on the western side of the country. Then there’s the Aegean Sea , which hosts the vast majority of Greek islands as it spreads from Thessaloniki on the mainland to Crete in the south.

It’s worth knowing that the Ionian Islands (places like Zakynthos and Kefalonia) and the Aegean Islands (places like Santorini and Mykonos) aren’t linked together by direct ferries. To move between them, you’ll either need to fly, drive, or catch long ferry links via Athens. So, you’re best off choosing one region for your island hopping and sticking to that.

Island groups in Greece

To make things just a little bit more complicated, the Aegean Islands can be broken down into a few smaller groups. It’s possible to move between these on ferries, since they aren’t as far away from each other as the regions of the Ionian and the Aegean themselves, but some trips (like Milos to Rhodes) can be long ones. What’s fun is that each island group has its own unique vibe, culture, food , and history. The island groups to know about are:

• The Cyclades – Probably the most famous island group in the whole country, the Cyclades are home to iconic islands like Mykonos and Ios. You can do a whole island hopping trip here without trouble. There’s loads to see, from the cliffs of Santorini to the whitewashed beaches of Milos.
• The Dodecanese – The Dodecanese are the easternmost chain in Greece. They are also the hottest, so tend to have slightly longer seasons than other groups. There are 15 main islands in the group, led by Rhodes and Kos.
• The Sporades – A small group of islands that dot the Aegean north of Athens. These are known for their lush, pine-covered interiors and gold-sand beaches. If you come to the Sporades then you’re likely to be limited to the Sporades, since there aren’t many ferries coming and going to other groups.
• Saronic – The closest islands to Athens. This group includes historic Aegina, arty Hydra, and rocky Spetses. If you don’t have much time then pick these. Travel out to them takes no more than an hour from Athens.

Finally, there’s Crete . Crete is the largest island in the country. It’s also the southernmost island in Greece, which means it can take some time to get to (usually a full day on the boat or a whole overnighter from Athens). We think it’s a great place to begin or end a trip, but not so fantastic for a mid-trip stop, since it’s bound to take you away from the main ferry routes through key groups like the Cyclades.

Traveling by ferry

The vast majority of people wondering how to travel between islands in Greece will only need to know about one mode of transport: Ferries.

Countless public ferry connections operate between the islands — and from the mainland — during the peak of summer . In fact, we’d go as far as to say that Greece has one of the most comprehensive public boat networks in the world. If you’re willing to make changeovers and juggle bookings with multiple companies, then it’s usually possible to do any A to B in the country you can think of, perhaps with the sole exclusion of moving between the two seas, the Ionian and the Aegean.

Ferry services vary in size, speed, and frequency; it’s worth remembering that whilst a car ferry might transport you between islands in two or three hours, a smaller and more traditional vessel might take much longer. Then there are fast catamarans, high-speed boats, and larger passenger boats, all of which run on their own timescale. It’s also important to consider that boat services can also sometimes be delayed or postponed due to high winds, poor visibility or stormy weather, although this is much less common during the warmer months.

The nature of the ferry links in each island group can differ a lot, so it makes sense to dig a little deeper and focus on the boats region by region…

Ferries between the Cyclades islands

If it’s your first time visiting the islands of Greece, ferries between the Cyclades are some of the easiest to navigate. We’d actually say that this is the single best region for island hopping overall, since almost all of the mainstay islands ( Santorini , Ios, Naxos, Mykonos) are well served by long-distance ferries from both Athens, Crete, and the Dodecanese islands in the east. From those, it should also be easy to get onward connections on smaller boats to the lesser-known members of the Cyclades, from Milos to Folegandros.

It’s worth knowing that the two central islands in the Cyclades – Paros and Naxos – act as a sort of hub for most big boat companies. Almost all of the big boats from Athens and other island groups will stop at least one of those, making onward trips to any other island in the chain a real cinch. Some of the Cyclades are so close to each other that it’s even possible to do day trips for those who prefer not to spend too much time at sea. It takes a mere 20 minutes to cross from Mykonos to Tinos, for example, and there are even shorter links between Paros and Antiparos every single day.

There are some key connections within the Cyclades islands that most island hoppers in the region are likely to make at least once. They are:

• Mykonos to Santorini (2.5 hours) – Probably the most popular ferry connection in Greece, this one takes you from the amazing caldera island to the party isle of the Cyclades, taking just 2.5 hours in all. There are usually over 10 departures each day, but we’d still book ahead of time for peak season travel.
• Paros to Mykonos (30 minutes to 1.5 hours) – Lots of people make this trip, as it takes you from one of the main ferry hubs of the region to the good-time island of Mykonos, all in as little as 30 minutes if you opt for the fast boat.
• Mykonos to Ios (1.5 hours) – There are multiple daily ferries running this route. They link up the two major party islands of the chain in 1.5 hours, sometimes a little more.
• Ios to Santorini (1.2 hours) – This trip takes you to the southernmost Cycladic island and is a good option for finishing off a trip in the amazing island of Santorini.

Ferries between the Ionian Islands

If you decide you want to hit the cotton-white sands of the Ionian Islands out in western Greece then you should expect travel to be just a touch harder than over in the Aegean. There’s not the same comprehensive island-to-island ferry network in the parts. Mostly, routes go to and from two major ports on the mainland: Igoumenitsa and Patras. That means getting from one isle to the next will often involve a changeover, and take a little longer.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that the ferry schedule in the Ionian islands is pretty simple and usually runs on time, so making those connections shouldn’t be too hard. There are only a handful of large islands that are actually served by public ferries, too, so there’s not the same overload of choice you get in the Aegean. Common routes go from Kefalonia down to Lefkas and then over to either Ithaca or further south to Paxos and Antipaxos.

Ferries between the Dodecanese Islands

The Dodecanese chain probably has the second most prolific range of ferries in Greece, next to the Cyclades. It’s also very well linked to Athens, Crete and popular hotspots like Santorini by long-distance ferries, but bear in mind that those can take some time (often a whole night on the boat). The two main hubs in the region are Kos and Rhodes. Aim for either of those and you should find it relatively easy to get a boat to any other member of the chain.

The most common routes around the Dodecanese islands are from Rhodes to Kos , Rhodes to Symi (a romantic island with a charming Venetian harbor town), and from Kos to Kalymnos (a really quiet island that’s within eyeshot of Turkey).

Ferries between the Saronic Islands

We’ve already mentioned how we think the Saronic Islands are the best option for those who are short on time. That’s because they’re super, duper close to Athens. The first – Aegina – is less than an hour by boat from the major port in Piraeus. From there, it should be really easy to string together onward island hops to Poros (a little-known island with a pretty yachting town), Hydra (a famously artsy isle with bare back country and super-clear water), and then Spetses (a rugged, rocky island with grand ports), before returning to Athens.

Long-distance ferries in Greece

If you’re flying into Athens and not directly into an island destination or a port near the coast, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be looking to take one of the long-distance ferries in Greece. These tend to be huge boats – more like a cruise ship than a quick catamaran. They can host hundreds of people at once and make the longest journeys of all. They leave regularly from the big port of Piraeus (the main port in Athens), but also from smaller ports on islands like Crete , and some others on the Greek mainland (Patras, Thessaloniki).

Look at the long-distance ferries as a good way to start your journey. They’ll whisk you from the big city and the shores to the heart of island chains, where it’s possible to switch to smaller boats to take you out to lesser-known islands. They are also great for moving between the various island groups – there are regular connections from Athens that go through the Cyclades and then our to the Dodecanese or down to Crete, for example.

Travel by Plane

Although some people may prefer taking to the skies when traveling between destinations, inter-island flights in Greece are often hard to come by. Of course, international flights arrive at tourist destinations like Crete, Rhodes and Corfu daily, and flights from Athens to the islands are relatively frequent and operated by local airlines. However, finding flights between smaller islands isn’t as simple mainly because they often don’t exist!

There are really only two reasons you’d ever get near a plane during an island hopping trip. The first is to fly into Greece in the first place. There are now loads of short-haul connections with budget carriers like easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz that can get you right into the middle of an island chain like the Cyclades from the get-go, no long-distance ferry from Athens required. The second is if you want a quick way to move between the various regions, like going from the Aegean Sea to the Ionian or down to Crete, for example.

Picking an island group

No two islands in Greece are quite the same. Although some have become more commercialized in recent years, each and every islet is shaped by thousands of years of history. Deciding which Greek island — or islands — is best to visit for you will be dependent on who you’re traveling with, what you enjoy doing, and how much time you wish to spend there.

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, located almost 100 miles to the south of the mainland. This mountainous getaway is top of the list for many travelers visiting the Greek islands, with everything from beautiful beaches to historical castles, plus lots of organized tours and easily accessible attractions for tourists. Further north, the emerald isle of Corfu is only a two-hour flight away. Another firm favorite with tourists looking to experience the islands of Greece, here you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage protected Old Town and countless ancient buildings.

Undeniably, the Cyclades is home to some of Greece’s most well-known destinations, including the infamous isles of Mykonos and Santorini . Packed with tiny white-walled streets and boasting famous clifftop sunsets, every trip to Greece should include one of these two inspiring islets. If you really can’t decide which of the two to visit, don’t worry — they’re only a few hours apart by ferry, which is why we usually say this is the overall best place for traveling island to island in the country.

When should I visit the islands of Greece?

Of course, the summer months – from May to September – are the best time to experience the peak of the heat and the sunshine in Greece. However, July and August are typically exceptionally busy (not to mention the most expensive times of year to travel), so it’s best to arrive before or after if possible. 

If traveling in the summer, keep in mind that flights, ferries, and accommodation can book up quickly, so it pays to be prepared. That’s especially true of the country’s major draws: Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, and Kefalonia. You might have more luck with last-minute travel planning on smaller islands like Ithaca or Amorgos. Conversely, if you travel out of season, ferry schedules are reduced and can be further affected by bad weather, so ensure you have time and money to allow some flexibility in your plans in case you do encounter any unexpected delays.

How long should you spend island-hopping in Greece?

Deciding how long to spend exploring the islands of Greece will depend on exactly how you want to spend your time and how long you have. If you want to spend less than a week in Greece, it would be a good idea to stick to one group of Greek islands. Ferries are typically a slow mode of transportation to take, so whether it’s the Cyclades or the Aegean islands, traveling only to nearby islets which share more frequent ferry routes will mean you’ll have the chance to visit more of these breathtaking destinations in the short time you’re there.

If you have ten days or two weeks to spend discovering the Greek islands, you can broaden your horizons and venture much further. If you’re starting your trip in Athens, the Argo-Saronic islands are a fantastic starting point. Located less than an hour from the port of Piraeus, these islands feature everything from golden sand beaches to pine-clad forests, making them a popular choice with Athenians for a weekend break. From there, the world – or Greece – is your oyster; venture on to the Dodecanese islands to discover neoclassical towns and mountainous landscapes, capture photographs of the unforgettable sunsets from a cliff top in the Cyclades and stop to see the small Sporades island of Skopelos, the filming location for popular movie Mamma Mia.

How much does it cost to travel between islands in Greece?

So you know how to travel, but how much is it going to cost? If you decide to travel around the Greek islands by ferry, prices can vary depending on which route you take and the time you’re traveling, with the highest prices typically during the summer. Tickets can range from 10 euros up to over 100 euros, but if you’re looking to save some money and stick to your budget , there are easy ways to do this.

Regular services between some of the most popular islands – for example, Mykonos and Santorini – tend to be the cheapest routes, but this sailing would take approximately four hours to cross the waters. However, by spending a little extra, you could cut your journey time by up to two hours. Another savvy way to keep track of your spending is to check online for tickets in advance; there may not be a huge difference in price, but every little helps, and booking before arriving in the port will also give you peace of mind that you can hop aboard with ease.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling by plane, you’ll find prices are typically based on which island you’re looking to fly to – but don’t assume they’ll always cost more than traveling by ferry. Santorini is notoriously expensive (not just for flights), but islands like Rhodes, Crete and Corfu tend to be more affordable if booked closer to the time of travel. Of course, it’s also dependent on the time of year – flights between January and March will inevitably be some of the cheapest. If you are traveling with strict costs in mind, ferry is definitely the best way to travel in Greece – and if you want to avoid encountering any budget-blowing fares, try to keep to the quieter and less popularized islands like Naxos and Paros.

How to travel between islands in Greece – our conclusion

Ferry is certainly the most popular way to travel between islands in Greece. We’d say something like 90% of people on hopping trips relies on the public ferry network. The good news is that it’s among the most comprehensive ferry networks in the world, with short connections to smaller islands and longer connections to bigger islands alike. You can also select from a range of different types of boats, from fast catamarans to big, cruise-like vessels that have cabins for comfy overnight trips. Flying between the islands isn’t the best option since only some have airports, though taking to the skies can be a good option when you want to move from one region to another and cover more distance.

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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Greek Island Hopping 101 – Everything You Need to Know

Island hopping in Greece is one of Europe’s unmissable adventures. But with over 200 islands where do you start?

Here’s everything you need to know – including island hopping routes and itineraries , ticket info and some island inspiration .

It’s been a time-honoured travel tradition since the 1960s. But Greece has so many islands it can be overwhelming to plan and difficult to know where to start.

Well – start right here. We’ve got everything you need to know (and a few things you probably don’t).

This guide will cover:

• Starting points – airports and ports
• Considerations when planning – time/money/seasickness/flexibility
• Fast ferry vs slow ferry vs flying
• How much do ferry tickets cost? What are the cheapest ferries?
• A quick guide to each island group
• How to pick your perfect islands (and the best time to go)
• Understanding the hub and spoke system
• Tickets and schedules
• Attica Group Greek Island Ferry Pass
• Organised group tours
• Yachts, small ship cruises, and international ferries

If I could spend the rest of my life doing one thing it would be island-hopping. Nothing beats sitting out on the deck of the ferry in the sunshine, sipping on a frappe, thumbing through a guidebook wondering what adventures await at the next island.

The anticipation as you wait in the crowd to disembark the ferry, the sounds as door ramps down – providing the first glimpse of your chosen destination.

The pure thrill of turning up at Piraeus with no plans and no ticket (seriously – you should try it, just not in August).

Let’s dive in . . .

Island Hopping in Greece – Where to Start?

There are a few important factors that will determine how your island hopping plays out: time, money, and your starting point.

Update for 2022

The events of the past few years have normalised electronic tickets and card payments throughout Greece. I recommend downloading the Ferryhopper app and using it to purchase your tickets.

Requirements for ferry travel (including masks) are prone to change – please read the official requirements and this Ferryhopper guide to requirements which is regularly updated. 

Pick Your Entry Point

How do you plan to arrive in Greece? This will most determine which ports/island groups are nearest to you (unless you’re happy to take a domestic flight – we’ll get to that later).

If you’re flying into Greece you’ll most likely land at Athens International airport (Eleftherios Venizelos).

The main ports on the Greek mainland are:

• Piraeus.  Athens’ main port – click here for directions). This is the biggest port in Greece and you can reach most islands.
• Rafina.  Athen’s second port – a bit harder to reach than Piraeus (which is something to bear in mind if you’re heading to Mykonos – more on that later) but nearer the airport.
• Lavrio. The smallest and furthest away of the Athens ports. You’ll probably only use it if you want to get to Kea or if you’re joining a yacht.
• Thessaloniki . Although Greece’s second city is mainly a commercial port, there are ferry connections to the larger Aegean islands.
• Kavala . The main ferry port in the north, with connections to Athens and the Aegean islands.
• Keromoti . On the north coast, just opposite the island of Thassos.
• Volos . Halfway between Thessaloniki and Athens, Volos is the main gateway port for the Sporades (Mamma Mia fans, head here).
• Patras . A large port on the west coast, at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth, for connections to Italy and the Ionian islands.
• Igoumenitsa . On the northwest coast, best for connections to Corfu and Italy.

Basically, Piraeus will probably be your starting port unless you have a particular reason for it not to.

Or if you’re flying –

Greek islands with international airports:

• Crete (Chania, Heraklion, Sitia) – international
• Corfu – international
• Kefalonia – international
• Zakynthos – international
• Kos – international
• Lesvos – international
• Samos – international
• Rhodes – international
• Santorini – international
• Skiathos – international

Greek islands with domestic airports:

• Astypaleia – domestic only
• Chios – domestic only
• Ikaria – domestic only
• Kalymnos – domestic only
• Kythira – domestic only
• Lemnos – domestic only
• Milos – domestic only
• Naxos – domestic only
• Paros – domestic only
• Skyros – domestic only
• Syros – domestic only

Plus there are international airports at Preveza (for Lefkada), Volos (for the Sporades), Kalamata, and Thessaloniki.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU HAVE?

Ok, this one is pretty important. The islands are often further apart than they may appear on the map. Ferries can be a slow mode of transport (although there are different types of ferry) so the length of time you have available will determine the type of ferry you should take, and/or the distance you will want to travel.

Some considerations include:

• Your travel style – pack it in or take it slow?
• Do you get seasick?
• How flexible is your schedule?
• Is it cheaper/quicker to fly?
• What’s your budget?

It’s best to allow a bit of flexibility in your planning because a) strikes happen, b) storms happen. The big slow car ferries are the most reliable and least likely to be cancelled.

Pro tip : Many of the ferries from Athens leave early in the morning and return late at night. You can use this to your advantage when planning.

FAST FERRY VS SLOW FERRY VS FLYING

What’s your travel style? Are you a speed freak, who likes to pack in as much as possible?

There are several different types of ferry:

• Closed Deck Car Ferry . The biggest and cheapest. Most stable. Best for seasickness. Tend to have cabins, restaurants, cafes and sometimes entertainment.
• Open Deck Car Ferry. More popular on short routes.
• Hi-Speed Catamaran . These can be quite large. Some have open decks, some don’t. Most have seating.
• Hydrofoil (also known as Flying Dolphins). The smallest and quickest type of ferry. Prone to cancellation and delays in bad weather though. No open deck, not great if you get seasick.

Length of journey

Flying makes sense for long routes (8 hours +; for example, Athens to Crete, Rhodes, or any of the Northern Aegean) where the price is comparable, if not cheaper. Ferry journeys of this length can be uncomfortable unless you’re happy to pay for a cabin. And at certain times of year you can pick up bargain flights.

Departure/arrival times

Instead of looking exclusively at journey times or cost, I recommend comparing departure and arrival times to figure out whether its best to fly or take the ferry.

Most ferries from Athens leave early in the morning, or in the evening for overnight routes. Let’s say, for example, the Blue Star car ferry to Mykonos leaves at 7:30am and arrives at 12:45pm. On the way, you can sit out on the sun deck, watch the islands go by, and drink some frappes. You’ll be there in time for your lunch. Whereas the cheaper flights might require you to be at the airport by 6am (never fun), or arrive late at night.

Conversely, some ferries might arrive at unsociable hours (hello Amorgos) and you might be better off flying to the nearest airport and taking a ferry from there. These tend to be the quieter stops half way through overnight routes.

If you’re a slow traveller, who enjoys the journey as much as the destination and wants to explore off the beaten track whilst you’re there, then the big car ferries are perfect. Just think of it as a mini cruise.  I find the big car ferries (particularly the Blue Star line) very pleasant to travel on. My own personal boredom threshold for ferry journeys is about 7 hours – any longer than that and I’ll look at flights. Your threshold may well be less.

Seasickness

If you get seasick, it’s worth sticking to the big slow car ferries though. These are the most stable and you’re less likely to experience seasickness. The small hydrofoils are the worst as you can’t go on deck, and often they don’t have proper windows. I’m not a big fan. But many people are prepared to put up with this in order to cut their travel time.

Reliability

The big, closed-deck car ferries are also the most reliable – and least likely to be cancelled in the event of rough seas. In bad weather, hydrofoil journeys can take twice as long as advertised.

Fast ferry routes are often aimed at tourists so there are extra routes available over July and August.

What’s Your Budget?

How much are ferry tickets?

The slower the ferry (and the shorter the route) the cheaper the ticket. As a rough rule, car ferries are twice the time but half the cost. I’ve included some example prices in the island sections below.

On long car ferry journeys, it might be worth paying extra for a designated seat (these are airport-style and recline a little bit) or a cabin.

More and more of routes in the Cyclades seem to have been taken over by Sea Jets who operate the expensive fast catamarans.

On a budget?

Your best bet is to limit the number of islands you’re visiting and make sure they’re close together, or base your trip around one of the cheaper ferry lines such as:

• Maistros Santorini – (Santorini – Ios – Sikinos – Folegandros)
• F/B Prevelis (Pireaus – Cyclades – Crete – Rhodes)
• Dionisios Solomos (Pireaus – Cyclades)
• F/B Artemis (Lavrio – Cyclades)
• All Blue Star routes
• All Hellenic Seaways routes
• All Golden Star Ferries routes

Looking for the cheapest island hopping route? Athens  – Aegina – Agistri – Athens will cost you just €15.60 using the lowest price tickets.

Keep reading for ferry pass information which will help if you have a few overnight ferries planned.

How much are flights?

Don’t assume flying is necessarily more expensive than taking the ferry.

You can often pick up bargain basement tickets to popular islands such as Crete, Santorini, Kos and Rhodes – particularly at the beginning or end of the season. These are short flights but long (and expensive) ferry journeys. I’ve paid as little as €10 for flights in April and October.

Use  Skyscanner to find cheap flights.

The best time of year to buy cheap flights to the Greek islands is early in the year – January – March. This is when most of the seats are released. The closer you leave it to the summer the more expensive the tickets become. And a common trick budget airlines use is to draw you in with a cheap flight out, but make the return leg really expensive (or vice versa).

This can make it worth while to fly out and island hop back to Athens.

Which are the best Greek islands to visit?

The island groups.

Here is the fun bit – deciding where to go.

There are 5 main island groups in Greece, plus a few outliers.

Here’s a rundown of what to expect in the different island groups:

Ionian Islands

Over on the west coast of the Greek mainland, the Ionian islands have quite a different feel to the Aegean islands thanks to their Italian heritage and green landscapes. Some of the islands have two names – that’s because they still go by both their Italian and Greek names.

Main Islands : Corfu (Kerkyra), Kefalonia, Zakynthos (Zante), Paxos, Ithaca, Lefkada, and technically Kythira – although it’s nearer to Crete than the rest of the Ionians.

Tiny Islands :  Meganisi, Antipaxos, Antikythira, Diapondia islands, Echinades islands, Kastos, Kalamos.

Highlights : Corfu Town, Navagio Bay and Turtle Island on Zakynthos, Assos and Fiskardo on Kefalonia, the north coast of Corfu, Porto Katsiki and Egremni beaches on Lefkada, Myrtos beach on Kefalonia, Melissani blue cave on Kefalonia, boat trips and watersports.

Best for : Dramatic and lush mountainous scenery, fantastic sandy beaches, turtles, handsome Venetian architecture, wine, low key beach resorts, sailing and windsurfing.

Airports: The Ionians are well served by air, with international airports on Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, as well as nearby Preveza on the mainly (closest for Lefkada).

Need to know : Island hopping in the Ionians is not common. The islands are big and geared towards beached-based package tourism, with lots of purpose-built resorts, and the yachting industry. Laganas on Zakynthos is the mass tourism and party capital of the Ionians if you’re after nightlife. 

Travelling the islands by ferry is made difficult by the lack of connections between Corfu/Paxos and the rest of the islands. Instead, you must go via Igoumenitsa on the mainland. Connections between Kefalonia and Zakynthos also often go via the mainland. There are several ports on in use on most islands and they are not all served by public transport, services are geared towards locals with cars. If travelling to Corfu via the mainland then use the opportunity to visit nearby Parga and Syvota.

However the past few years have seen a small ferry connect all of the islands during the high summer (June-September) by either Azimut or Kamelia ferries. 

Example travel times and costs (prices and schedules vary) :

Read more about the Ionian Islands:

• Ionian Islands – Complete Travel Guide (including Ferries and Island-Hopping Routes)
• Corfu – A Quick Island Guide
• Where to Stay on Corfu: Beach Resort Guide
• Where to Stay on Lefkada: Beach Resort Guide
• Where to Stay on Kefalonia: Beach Resort Guide
• Where to Stay on Zakynthos: Beach Resort Guide 
• Exploring Corfu’s UNESCO-listed Old Town
• Kefalonia – Insider Tips
• Kefalonia – How to Day Trip to Ithaca

Argo-Saronic Islands

The name refers to the islands in the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs, and these are the islands closest to Athens. Perfect if you’re short of time or don’t want to stray too far from the airport.

Islands : Salamina, Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses

Highlights : The Temple of Aphaia at Aegina. The car-free streets of Hydra and Spetses Town. Watching the ships pass Poros Town. Hiking on Hydra. Pine forests and snorkelling on Poros and Agistri.

Best for : proximity to Athens. You don’t have to go far to feel the island vibe. Otherwise known as ‘the ones near Athens’, these islands are often skipped by visitors making a beeline for the Cyclades but less than an hour from Piraeus you can find pine-covered islands, ancient temples, pistachios, and some good beaches. The islands popular with weekending Athenians and yachties – Aegina and Hydra both have a lively nightlife in the summer months.

Need to know : Most of the ferry connections are high speed ferries – either hydrofoils or fast catamarans. There are no car ferries to Hydra at all. This is great news if you like to travel fast, but not so great if you’re prone to seasickness. Poros is just 200m from the Greek mainland at its closest point and is connected by a bridge, so is ideal if you’re worried about rough seas. Hydra and Spetses are the priciest of the islands.

Visit three islands in one day : The best way to see a lot in a short time is the One Day Island Cruise . It runs every day of the year and is one of the most popular day trips from Athens, stopping at Hydra, Poros and Aegina. It departs at 8 am and includes live music and a buffet lunch. Island stops are between 1-2.5 hours and there are extra excursions available at Hydra and Aegina.

Or if you prefer to escape the crowds there’s a One Day Sail to Aegina, Agistri and beautiful little Moni Island during the summer.

Cycladic Islands

The most famous of the Greek island groups, the Cyclades are will fulfil all your romantic notions of a Greek vacation. Most tourists head straight to the most popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos, but there are plenty more islands to spread out and find your own piece of paradise.

Islands : Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos, and Santorini.

Tiny Islands : Koufonisia, Donousa, Iraklia, Schoinousa, Antiparos, Kimolos, Thirasia.

Highlights :  Santorini’s iconic caldera villages, fancy nightlife on Mykonos, budget nightlife on Ios, the ancient island of Delos, handsome neoclassical Ermoupoli on Syros, whitewashed villages on Paros, volcanic rock formations on Milos, hiking on Andros, food on Serifos, the laid-back beaches on Naxos, a mini island hop around the Little Cyclades.

Best for : The famous vistas of white sugar-cube buildings , white sandy beaches, rugged barren landscapes, beach bars, easy island-hopping, jaw-dropping sunsets, hedonistic pleasures, scootering around to remote beaches, tiny white churches.

Airports : International – Santorini and Mykonos, domestic – Naxos, Paros, Syros

Need to know : Santorini and Mykonos are considerably more commercial and expensive than most other Greek islands, and heaving with tourists in the summer, but you will find the best hotels and clubs in Greece in both destinations. I recommend combining them with at least one quieter island to get a feel of real Greece – Paros and/or Naxos are perfect.

Read more about the Cyclades:

• Naxos – An Island Guide
• Naxos or Paros?
• A Solo Trip to Santorini
• 15 Best Things to Do on Santorini
• The Best Food and Drink on Santorini (And Where to Find It)
• Syros – A Quick Island Guide
• Where to Stay in the Cyclades: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Crete is such a large island that it deserves its own section – it’s the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean.

It’s also a popular destination thanks to its beaches and history – it was home of the Minoans (the earliest known civilisation in Europe), and there are buildings from Venetian, Byzantine and Ottoman rule.

Resorts line the north coast which is well developed and easy to travel. The south is more remote and wild, and the two sides are divided by mountains. The tackiest beach resorts (and loudest nightlife) are on the coast around Heraklion. The west is probably the most beautiful part of the island and ideal for independent travel.

Tiny Islands : Gavdos, Spinalonga, Dia, Chrysi, Paximadia.

Famous bits : The ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos. Beautiful Venetian cities Chania and Rethymnon. Walk the Samaria gorge. Lagoon beaches at Elafonisi and Balos – 2 of the best beaches in Greece – plus palm trees at Vai, and hippie vibes at Matala, and the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion.

Best for : Variety, incredible beaches, food, hiking, remote mountain villages, ancient palaces, traditional music, marine life, quiet plains, long summers and mild winters.

Airports:  There are international airports at Chania, Heraklion, and a smaller airport at Sitia.

Ports: The main ferry ports are at Chania, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, with some ferries also departing from Kissamos and Rethymnon.

Need to know : Crete is so large that you’re better off treating it as a separate country when it comes to planning – it’s too big to cram the whole country into a short visit. Best to stick to one area. There are good public transport connections along the main towns of the north. From the main towns, you can catch buses south. The main ferry connections to other islands are Kythira, Santorini, Karpathos and Rhodes.

Read more about Crete:

• Where to Stay on Crete: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
• Heraklion in 1 Day: All the Highlights
• Crete – Insider Tips

Dodecanese Islands

Main Islands : Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kastellorizo, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Symi, Tilos, and Rhodes.

Tiny Islands:  Agathonisi, Pserimos, Chalki, Arki, Kasos, Telendos, Marathi, Lipsi.

Highlights : Rhodes and its medieval old town. Beautiful neoclassical towns on Symi, Chalki and Kastellorizo. Rock climbing on Kalymnos. Crusader fortresses on Rhodes, Kos and Patmos. The volcanic landscape of Nisyros. Sandy beaches on Rhodes and Kos. The whitewashed hilltop Chora on remote Astypalea.

Best for : A variety of historic and geological influences. A good mix of popular and under-the-radar islands. Golden beaches and gulet trips in turquoise waters. Island hopping over to Turkey. Less crowds than the Cyclades (except Rhodes).

Airports . Kos and Rhodes have international airports. Karpathos, Leros and Kalymnos have domestic airports.

Need to know : Party fiends will find their flavour on Rhodes and Kos, where package tourism prevails (but it’s still easy to get off the beaten path). Patmos is the boutique capital of the group, with smart restaurants and a serene vibe thanks to its religious legacy (the Book of Revelation was written here). The ferry journey to Athens is long so consider booking a cabin or catching a flight.

Read more about the Dodecanese:

• Rhodes – A Quick Island Guide
• Where to Stay on Rhodes: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
• 10 Most Beautiful Beaches on Rhodes

Sporades Islands and Evia

Charming and evergreen, the Sporades (meaning ‘scattered’) islands are situated north of the Cyclades. Largest island Skiathos is a prime destination for summer holidays thanks to its gorgeous sandy beaches and lively nightlife. Scenes from the film Mamma Mia were filmed on Skiathos and Skopelos, which have boosted the popularity of the area.

Not far from the Sporades is Evia – the second largest island in Greece, and one of the least known (this is because you might mistake it as part of the mainland unless you’re looking closely at the map). It’s separated from the mainland by a small strait.

Islands : Skiathos, Skyros, Skopelos, Alonnisos, Skyros (although you can only get there via Evia)

Highlights : Skiathos Town. Snorkelling in Alonnisos National Marine Park. The famous beaches of Vromolimnos, Koukounaries and Lalaria on Skiathos. Skopelos Town. Ayios Ioannis Kastri (the hilltop church from Mamma Mia). Dhimosari Gorge and the paradise beaches of Lichadonisia on Evia.

Airports: Skiathos has an international airport. Skyros has a domestic airport.

Best for : Mamma Mia fans, sailors, outdoors lovers and beach bums. Green islands, clear seas, great beaches, cute monasteries, and a smattering of lovely hiking trails. Skyros and Evia are quiet and mostly domestic tourists, alternative types and wild campers.

Need to know : Skiathos and Skopelos are pretty close together – it’s easy to hop between them and nearby Alonnisos too.

But the Sporades are difficult to combine with other islands. Ferries to the Sporades are from Volos, which is a 2hr drive from Athens – although most agents sell tickets which include the bus to Volos. The ferry to Skyros departs from Evia.

Whilst you’re in the area, don’t miss the stunning Pelion Peninsula on the mainland.

Read more about the Sporades:

• Where to Stay on Skiathos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
• A Quick Guide to Skiathos Town
• How to Take the Mamma Mia Boat Trip

NORTHERN AEGEAN

Not so much a chain of islands, as the collective name given to the remaining islands in the Aegean Sea. The long travel times involved in reaching these islands from Athens means they’re a bit more off the beaten track. A bit more rustic. Chios, Lesvos and Samos have ferry crossings to Turkey.

Islands : Chios, Ikaria, Forni, Lesvos, Lemnos, Samos, Samothraki, Thassos, Psara

Highlights : Mytilene in Lesvos, Marble Beach on Thassos, the patterned village of Pyrgi on Chios, Ikaria’s unique summer festivals, the sweet wines of Samos and Lesvos, hippie vibes on Lesvos and Samothraki. The towns of Pythagorion and Vathi on Samos. The strange Fascist utopia of Lakki, built during Italian rule.

Best for : Escaping the crowds. Alternative and slow travel, agritourism, and discovering foodie delights, waterfalls and a traditional way of life.

Need to know : Their dispersed nature means some planning is required for island hopping as ferry connections are not all that frequent in comparison to other island groups.

Which Greek Islands are Best for You?

Still can’t decide? Check out these posts for more inspiration:

• Complete A-Z List of Greek Islands
• 15 Best Greek Islands for Beaches
• 10 Best Greek Islands for Couples
• 10 Best Greek Islands for Foodies
• 10 Best Greek Islands for History
• 10 Best Greek Islands for Solo Travel
• 10 Best Greek Islands for Swimming and Watersports
• 10 Best Greek Islands for Hiking and Nature
• 10 Tiny Greek Islands Not to Miss
• 10 Quiet & Secluded Greek Islands for Escaping the Crowds
• 10 Stunning Greek Islands (That Aren’t Santorini or Mykonos)
• 20 Beautiful Sugar-Cube Villages in the Greek Islands
• 10 Best Beaches in Greece
• 12 Beautiful Sandy Greek Beaches
• 10 Best Beach Towns with Sandy Beaches
• 50 Amazing Beach Destinations in Greece

When is the Best Time to Go?

The best time of year for Greek island hopping is May to mid-July, and then again in September. Mid-July through to the end of August is crazy busy and crazy hot. Accommodation and ferries book up due to the number of foreign and domestic tourists on their summer breaks.

Greek Orthodox Easter usually signals the start of the tourist season in Greece (you can check the dates here ), and it winds down again in October as soon as the weather starts to change.

In the low season, ferries are less frequent and there can be a surprising amount of lashing wind and rain. Also, many hotels and resorts shut down completely and become ghost towns over the winter. But if you have time and flexibility on your side then island hopping during the off-season can be a great way to experience the islands at their most authentic.

Check out this post for more information on visiting the Greek islands over autumn and winter:

• Best Greek Islands to Visit During Low Season

The Hub & Spoke System

To understand the Greek ferry system, you must first understand the hub and spoke system.

Imagine a bicycle wheel. At the centre of the wheel is the hub (Athens), and going out in every direction from the hub are spokes (ferry routes).

This is because ferry routes are geared to local needs which generally means travelling to Athens and back, or to the local administrative centre.

Each island group has one or two mini-hubs, these tend to be larger islands with good connections to the surrounding islands.

For the easy and reliable island hopping, pick several islands along one car ferry route. This is easiest in the Cyclades.

It’s possible to hop between Crete, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese, particularly in the summer, although these ferries are not necessarily daily. Otherwise, there are few connections between island groups and you may have to backtrack via Athens, either by ferry or plane.

Some places that might be considered mini-hubs are:

• Syros (for the Cyclades)
• Naxos (for the Cyclades)
• Paros (for the Cyclades
• Mykonos (connecting the Cyclades and the North Aegean)
• Skiathos (for the Sporades)
• Igoumenitsa  and Patras on the mainland (for the Ionian)
• Rhodes (for the Dodecanese)
• Kos  (for the Dodecanese)
• Samos (for the Northern Aegean)
• Lesvos  (for the Northern Aegean)

The islands closest to Athens tend to have frequent fast ferry connections.

Buying Your Ferry Tickets

If you want to buy your tickets in advance, or just check the ferry schedules, you can use the Ferryhopper website or app to purchase electronic tickets.

If you’re already in Greece, you can buy ferry tickets from any travel agent.

This is approximately every third shop front in some parts of Athens. It’s not really worth shopping around, you’ll pay pretty much the same everywhere as prices are regulated by the government. Travel agents will add on – at most – a couple of euros commission, and quite often none at all, so that’s the most you’ll be able to get the tickets down.

If you know exactly which ferry you can also book directly on some ferry websites. The websites are of varying quality but special offers can sometimes be found.

Some of the smallest local routes aren’t online and you’ll have to check locally.

Do I need to buy my tickets in advance?

In general, no.

These days I tend to buy my tickets a day or two in advance using Ferryhopper or through a local travel agent.

There are a few situations where I recommend you buy your ferry tickets in advance:

• If you’re travelling on or around a public holiday.
• If you’re travelling during the 6-week peak period between mid-July and the end of August when all of Europe is taking their summer vacation – including the Greeks (even the large ferries can book up around August 15th which is an important national holiday).
• If you’re travelling a popular route on small high-speed ferries (such as Athens to Hydra, Mykonos or Santorini over summer).
• If you’re on a strict schedule.

Ferry Schedules

There are plenty of online booking platforms where you can check ferry schedules and book tickets. I find Ferryhopper is the easiest to use.

Ferry schedules are usually published a few months in advance, and vary year-to-year.

You can compare routes, ships, and travel times.

10 Example Island Hopping Routes

Here are some islands which are easily combined:

• Athens – Crete – Santorini – Mykonos
• Athens – Serifos – Sifnos – Milos – Folegandros – Santorini 
• Athens – Santorini – Ios – Paros – Mykonos
• Athens – Paros – Naxos – Ios – Santorini
• Athens – Andros – Tinos – Mykonos
• Rhodes – Symi – Tilos – Nisyros – Kos
• Athens – Aegina – Agistri – Poros – Athens
• Athens – Poros – Hydra – Spetses
• Samos – Patmos – Kalymnos – Kos
• Volos – Skiathos – Skopelos – Alonnisos – Volos

Greek Island Ferry Pass

Wondering if there’s such a thing as a ferry pass? Yes! There is a little-known Greek Island Pass which is offered by Eurail / Interrail (and you don’t need to go anywhere near a train).

Interrail is for EU citizens, Eurail for those from outside the EU. There are further discounts for youth and senior (with youth generously categorised as up to 27).

Also known as the Greek Island Pass , Rail & Sail , or the Attica Pass , this has existed since 2016 and is valid for most routes operated by Superfast Ferries/Anek Lines/Blue Star (the big car ferries). Plus it gets you a 30% discount on any additional journeys.

I think this pass can a good option if you’re flexible and planning to do some extensive island hopping BUT definitely check it’s worth it for route you have in mind. Many of the Cyclades routes are now operated by Seajets which are not included in the pass.

If you’re planning on taking two or more medium-long distance journeys on the car ferries then it’s worth checking out.

Prices are for deck tickets:

• Domestic Pass (€90 for 2022) entitles holders to 4 days within one month
• International Pass (€176 for 2022) entitles holders to 6 days within one month, including up to 2 between Greece and Italy (including bus travel between Patras and Athens)

You will still have to pick up your boarding passes, subject to availability.

Read more about the Greek Island Ferry Pass (including a comparison with single tickets).

Group Tours

Fancy exploring the Greek islands but don’t want to do it on your own? The good news is there are plenty of organised tour options, whether you’re solo or in a group.

Here are some of the most popular.

BEST BUDGET/PARTY GREEK ISLAND TOURS

• Contiki.  Budget tours for 18-35s. Mykonos, Santorini and Ios in 15 days. Check out the website.
• Busabout . Budget operator offering rapid-fire trips popular with younger travellers. Mykonos, Paros, Antiparos, Santorini and Ios in 11 days. Fixed itinerary and flexible passes available. Check out the website.
• Travel Talk has a range of competitively priced island hopping options, including short breaks. Check out the website.
• Med Experience offers 9 and 11-day island hopping options for 18-35s. Check out the website.

BEST MID-RANGE TOURS

• Intrepid has a classic Athens – Syros – Mykonos – Santorini route.  Check out the website.
• GAdventures ‘ Best of Greece tour takes in highlights from Crete and Santorini. Check out the website.
• Macs Adventures do walking and cycling holidays on various islands. Check out the website.

Sailing the Greek Islands on a Yacht

Of course, the best way to see the Greek islands is by sea – and sailing on a yacht means you can access tiny coves, bays and marinas that would otherwise be difficult to reach. Plus, you get to spend your days drifting along in the wine-dark sea rather than scrambling to catch buses or taxis.

Sailing trips in the Greek islands have really exploded in popularity of the past few years. Previously the domain of exclusive charters, exploring Greece on a yacht is more accessible now more than ever. There are numerous companies offering sailing experiences where you share the boat or cabin with other travellers.

I love sailing and truly think it’s the best way to see this beautiful country. But it’s not for everyone. It’s hot and space is at a premium. Yachts vary a lot in comfort and amenities. Best to consider it an adventure. Pack light, stay flexible, and do your research on what’s involved before booking.

Cabin charters in Greece:

• Yacht Week Greece . Festival-style hedonism in the Saronic islands. Check out the website.
• Sail Greece. Budget sailing weeks in the Ionian for 18-39s. Check out the website.
• G Adventures . Routes will take you from Athens to Mykonos or Santorini, or all around the Cyclades. Check out the website.
• Med Sailors . Routes in the Ionian and Saronic for 20-35s. Check out the website. 
• Intrepid . Various routes in Greece including Mykonos to Santorini, and Hidden Treasures of the Cyclades. Check out the website.
• Jack and Jenny . Themed sailing weeks including rock climbing, yoga and diving. Check out the website.

Small Ship Cruises in Greece

If sailing doesn’t appeal and you’d rather not have to keep packing/unpacking then consider a small ship cruise. Much better than the large cruise ships in terms of environmental and social impact, small ships can also visit smaller harbours that are out of reach to the bigger ships.

• Peter Sommers offers luxury gulet cruises around the Cyclades, Aegean and Dodecanese islands, with a focus on food and culture . Check out the website.
• Variety Cruises.  has mini cruises as well as the longer Jewels of the Cyclades. Check out the website.

International Ferries

Note that for 2022 some international routes are restricted and will have different entry requirements to domestic ferries.

Ferries To/From Turkey

The Greek islands with ferry connections/border crossings to Turkey are:

• Lesvos – Ayvalik
• Chios – Cesme
• Symi – Bodrum*
• Samos – Kusadasi
• Rhodes – Marmaris / Fethiye*
• Kos – Bodrum / Turgutreis
• Kastellorizo – Kas*

*high season only

Ferries To/From Italy

Go to sleep in Italy and wake up in Greece (I’ve done this – it’s great).

International ferry routes to/from Italy include:

• Bari – Corfu / Igoumenitsa / Patras / Zakynthos / Kefalonia
• Brindisi – Corfu / Igoumenitsa / Patras / Zakynthos / Kefalonia
• Ancona – Corfu / Igoumenitsa / Patras
• Venice – Corfu / Igoumenitsa / Patras

Ferries To/From Croatia

There are currently no direct ferries to/from Croatia. You can travel via Italy or Albania.

Ferries To/From Albania

• Corfu – Sarande

Check Ionian Seaways for schedules.

What about booking accommodation and transport on the islands?

For booking accommodation, I recommend Booking.com for the largest selection of places. It also has a free cancellation policy. There are many family-run guesthouses in Greece called domatia which are increasingly using booking platforms.

It’s not a good idea to turn up without accommodation booked during high season. Outside the July-September peak you might be able to find rooms by asking around in cafes and tavernas. It’s rare these days to find people offering rooms as you disembark the ferry, everything has moved online over the past few years.

Bear in mind that accommodation on really small islands can be very limited and so book up quickly.

When are the Greek public holidays?

You can check this list of national holidays in Greece.

How do I find out about strikes?

The best resource is Strikes and Work Stoppages  which covers ferries and port workers as well as public transport.

Will I get seasick?

If you’re prone to seasickness then choose the larger, slower car ferries which will move less in the water and which have open decks for you to walk around and look at the horizon. Anti-seasickness medication can also help.

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget your travel insurance, and make sure that your insurance covers any adventures activities that you might do (including watersports).

UK readers – I recommend using Money Saving Expert to find the cheapest cover.

How long should I stay in Athens before/after visiting the islands?

Many visitors to Greece skip through Athens quickly in their rush to visit the islands.

I think this is a great shame – Athens is one of my favourite cities and I reckon it needs a minimum of 2 days. In the summer it’s a hot and busy city; not pleasant to rush around despite the relatively small size of its centre. It is atmospheric and fascinating if you can slow your pace down a little

Here are some of my top tips for Athens:

• Top 15 Things to See, Eat and Do in Athens
• Athens FAQ – 12 Essential Things to Know (including public transport info)
• Athens for Foodies

Found this post useful? Click to save to Pinterest:

Image credits:

Boats from Santorini: © AnastasiiaUsoltceva / Adobe Stock

Yellow Levante ferries: © Feel good studio

Map of Greece: © Peter Hermes Furian / Adobe Stock

Ferry wake: © Calin Stan / Adobe Stock

Loutro: © singidavar / Adobe Stock

Paxi: © dell / Adobe Stock

Ionian ferry: © Dimitris / Adobe Stock

All other images © The Mediterranean Traveller

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The Best Greek Islands Travel Guide – The Ultimate Guide to Island Hopping The Greek Islands

Last Updated July 31, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Guides » The Best Greek Islands Travel Guide – The Ultimate Guide to Island Hopping The Greek Islands

The beautiful sandy beaches, coastal coves, and white-washed villages are what make legendary vacations. If it’s your first time here, it can be overwhelming. Covering multiple seas and thousands of islands, planning a Greek island hopping trip isn’t as straightforward without some research, especially if you plan on island hopping. This Greek Islands travel guide is a must-read for anyone heading there soon, there is also useful information that will be helpful to discover the best Greek Islands to visit for the first time

Let’s dig into the practical things you might already be making plans for, suggest a few things you may not have already thought of, and let’s delve deeper.

In This Article

Highlights of this Greek Island Hopping Guide

Greek islands geography, which islands to visit, getting there, getting around the greek islands, where to stay in the greek islands, what to pack for the greek islands, when to visit the greek islands, how much does a trip to the greek islands cost, 5 main takeaways from greek island hopping, frequently asked questions, travel resources for your next trip, the best greek islands travel guide.

• Discover what islands there are and how to get around each of them most effectively.
• Learn when is the best time to visit the Greek Islands.
• Plan in advance your route and the best way to use the ferries between each island.
• If you are planning a Greek Island hopping adventure then this post is for you!

TOP TIPS FOR THE GREEK ISLANDS

• Where to stay – Our two favorite properties on our island hopping adventure were Prekas Apartments in Santorini and Giannoulis Hotel in Milos where one had epic views and the other just blew our expectations in terms of comfort and space. We used Booking.com for all of our stays. Alternatively, you can always see if hotel corporate codes might work for you.
• Car rentals – Rent a car to get around the Greek Islands. Save the most money through car rental coupon codes and always start your search with Discover Cars and RentalCars so you know what the best deals are.
• Ferries – You will need to use ferries for island hopping. Get your tickets and check ferry schedules using Ferries in Greece .
• Flights – International flights are never cheap, but with the Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature you can find the best deals. Check how much it would be for you to get to Greece!
• Insurance – Make sure you’re covered for all of your adventure activities with the best travel insurance .
• Hottest deals – Never be without our frequently updated travel deals page .

This Greek Islands travel guide will primarily focus on The Cyclades Islands, but it will also have information relevant for those planning trips to the whole Greek Archipelago, which spans 6,000 islands and takes up 7,500 km of the country’s 16,000 km coastline.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 1€ EUR = $1.11 USD = $1.45 CAD
• ATMs can be found all over and the credit cards are widely accepted
• SIM card – The three main companies in Greece are COSMOTE ,  Vodafone, and WIND .  All companies have some sort of pre-paid package available.  Some are more aggressive about promoting in Athens with street stands but others you have to visit a shop for.  As an example, Vodafone offers 9.2GB for 20 EUR or 4GB for 10 EUR on top of minutes.
• Alternative data options – Airalo is what we used in Greece because eSIMs are so easy nowadays.  Make sure to use our code WILLIA9500 to save $3 USD.
• Measurement system  – Metric
• Tipping – Not a strong culture of tipping but is expected in the service industry. In general 10% is the rule of thumb.
• L anguage – The official language is Greek .

Back to the top

There are at least 6,000 islands in Greece scattered throughout two different seas. To grasp how wide it spans, you need to know the breakdown of these islands and the clusters that form this stunning archipelago.

In this free Greece travel guide we break it down between the two seas that are involved: Aegean and Ionian.

In the image below the boxes give you an idea of some of a few of the clusters of islands that you can visit in Greece.

The Northeastern Aegean Islands – Agios Efstratios, Thasos, Ikaria, Lesbos, Limnos, Inouses, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Psara.

The Sporades Islands – Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros.

Evia – The island of Evia is the second largest Greek island after Crete and is also known by its ancient name of Euboea. Its close proximity to Athens on mainland Greece makes it a popular destination for the residents of Athens. It is bordered by the region of Viotia, (latinized as Boeotia or Beotia) to the east, with the south touching the Aegean Sea, before spreading into the Evian Gulf.

Islands of Argosaronic – Angistri, Aegena, Methana, Poros, Salamina, Spetses, Hydra.

The Cyclades – By far the largest island group with a total of 56 islands, the most important ones being Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Syros, Folegandros and several others, as well as the ‘Minor Cyclades’ comprising Donousa, Irakleia, Koufonisia and Schinousa.

The Dodecanese – Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Chalki.

Crete – Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is divided into four prefectures: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi.

The Ionian Sea is to the west of mainland Greece, and while they may not be as famous as the ones in the Aegean Sea, they are equally beautiful and are often visited more by the local Greeks.

The Ionian Islands – Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Paxi, and Kythira

From here, it breaks down into smaller islands – Antipaxi, Ereikoussa, Kalamos, Kastos, Mathraki, Meganissi, Othoni, Skorpios, and Strofades.

There are a few groups of smaller islands that don’t really belong anywhere, including the islands of Gavdos (situated south of Crete), Elafonissos (in the Gulf of Laconia), and Trizonis (in the Gulf of Corinth).

How do you choose which is the “best Greek island to visit”?  We wanted to start with a few baseline itineraries.  First we checked out the Greece travel itineraries of G Adventures and Intrepid Travel to get a few ideas to form our own Greek Islands travel guide.

To help you through that thought process we broke down how we ended up here in our 14 day Greece island hopping itinerary :

• Decide which sea you want to do – Ionian or Aegean?
• For a trip spanning 2 weeks, pick a cluster to focus on. Jumping between island groups makes ferries complicated, distances long, and time wasted. You want to optimize the time you have with minimal transport so you can spend precious time exploring and soaking up the islands.
• If there’s a specific island you want to visit, for instance Santorini, skip steps #1 and #2. It also helps to know whether Santorini is worth visiting , read that alongside this Greek Islands travel guide.
• Divide your number of trip days by 3. That’s how many islands to visit without rushing your way through. For example on our 14 day trip we could only fit in 4 islands comfortably. You could try to fit in more if you were really ambitious. Our guide how many days in Santorini you need should help give you an idea of how to gauge your time in each place.
• Research blog posts and look at photos. Here, we committed to visiting 2 popular islands and 2 lesser known ones of Greece .

With this guide and content created for your Greece travel, we hope it’ll make your trip planning easier.

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE

You need to read the the full 14 day Greek island hopping itinerary to get an idea of how to plan and choose the right islands in the Western Cyclades. Read that after this Greek Islands travel guide.

2 Week Greek Islands Itinerary

For our trip, we focused on how to get from Athens to Santorini , but for a more general look, you should learn about flying vs. ferry.

Greece’s primary international airport is Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). It’s your main way in and out of the country coming from an international destination.

As the capital of Greece, flying into Athens makes sense. If it’s your first time you should make some time to explore the city.  It is also home to the ports that will take you down to the Western Cyclades area of the Greek Islands.

Not all islands have airports, but the larger ones do, including Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos and a few more. So if you can fly into these airports easily you can start your trip from one of these before moving onto your next destination.

There are direct flights to Santorini!   From Europe you can grab one from Thessaloniki, Naples, Rome, Venice, Milan, Barcelona, Prague, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, and London.

Once in Greece, the main national carriers are Aegean and Olympic Air. RyanAir is a discount carrier that also services Athens and Santorini. We recommend using Skyscanner or the Skyscanner app to find the best prices on flight tickets.

When visiting the Greek Islands, you’ll likely fly in via Athens. If time is tight and cost is no issue, fly into Santorini and then fly out of another island with an airport. Then you’ll likely be taking ferries in between the islands.

The primary way to get around to the Greek Islands is by ferry. It’s not the fastest, but they run frequently, and they hit islands you can’t fly to. They also do run somewhat on time so you can plan your travel between islands fairly accurately.

Traditionally, visiting the Greek Islands means starting in Athens and island hopping with ferries exclusively. This is the most cost-effective method but takes time because the trip from Athens to any island is usually going to be your longest leg. Ferries function like buses and stop at multiple islands, they’re usually on time but delays and cancellations can sometimes happen.

Ferry companies

There are a number of ferry companies out there that operate between the islands and the mainland.  The main ones that are relevant for The Cyclades are Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and Aegean Speedlines. For the rest you can find out more information here .

Ferry itinerary

When planning your island hopping itinerary, using a tool like Ferries in Greece makes things easier.  We dub this tool the “Skyscanner of ferries.” You can basically enter in the itinerary as you would a flight search tool, and it’ll give options and prices to choose from.

Use this Ferry Planning Tool

FerryHopper allows you to find out what ferry companies are operating to and from Santorini. We recommend using this to help with trip planning.

• Are there any discounts? – We found that if you aren’t a local or able to take advantage of a large pass, there weren’t any codes or promotions to take advantage of but it never hurts to check.
• Can you save money staying with one ferry line? – Even if you do a multi-leg journey, there are no discounts or reasons to use one particular line but you can also jump around between different companies. You don’t need to stick to one.
• Is there a point in waiting to book ferries? – Only if you’re still unsure of your plan. Once you have that there’s no point in waiting. Ferry prices don’t drop if you book last minute and you don’t want your specific route to sell out, which in peak seasons can easily happen well in advance. Make sure to use Ferries in Greece to get organized as soon as you have your plans confirmed.

Getting the ferry from Athens: Piraeus vs. Rafina

In Athens there are two ports:

• Located to the east of Athens
• Closest to the city center of the two ports
• There is a convenient direct bus from Athens Airport
• Takes 30-40 minutes to get here from Athens Airport by bus
• No metro options to get to Rafina
• Fewer ferries run from this port
• Bus from the airport costs 4 EUR
• Located to the south west of Athens
• Primary port from Athens
• There are more ferry route options that operate from here
• Various different options to get to Piraeus (bus, bus + metro, metro)
• Takes one to 1.5 hours to get here from Athens Airport by bus
• Bus from the airport costs 6 EUR

Taking the bus from Rafina

The Rafina bus is privately-run and the location isn’t where you may expect compared to the bus to Piraeus.  The bus is located right across from the Mitsis Hotel at the airport, between Exits 2 and 3 where you’ll first cross the street. 

The bus schedule can be found here .  Note that this bus is not 24 hours, so check the schedule based on your flights. Credit card is accepted for booking.

Taking the bus from Piraeus

If you’re headed to Piraeus, look for public bus number X96.  The ride is about an hour and the full schedule is here .  This bus runs 24 hours.

Note that public buses on the arrival level are easy to find because all signs for public transportation will point you that way.

You can purchase your tickets at the booth and you are also able to pay by credit card.

Boarding and disembarking ferries

Every ferry company is slightly different because each ship is constructed and run differently. But there are general similarities that you can expect from boarding to disembarking.

On most islands there is a waiting area at the port where they have divided columns.  Sometimes they’re labeled with the right ferry route and times but usually it’s not that organized . If in doubt, ask other people if you’re in the right place.  Some waiting areas are just an open lounge and someone will yell out the next ferry when it comes in.  Sometimes there’s no covered waiting area at all and you just find a random place to sit. This is all part of the charm of Greek island hopping!

As the boat arrives, everyone seems to automatically know to start a queue and the attendant lets you know when it is your turn to board.

Boarding – Once the ramp is down, cars and passengers that are arriving at the port exit first. Then they’ll call everyone waiting to board to walk up the ramp and put your luggage on the racks available in the cargo/car hold.  There’ll be stairs on the left and right heading up to the main deck of the ship and there’ll be someone scanning tickets there.  After that, head up and grab a seat or watch the action from the open rear of the ship.

Disembarking – When the ferry is close to the destination port, they’ll make an announcement for everyone to gather in the cargo hold.  You’ll then head back downstairs and grab your luggage.  Once the ramp drops down, the crew will be yelling and ushering for everyone to quickly get off.  So make sure you are organized and move fast!

About Piraeus

The boarding process is a little different in Piraeus because of its massive size and all of the unloading is done on arrival so they’re waiting for you to board.  There’s no luggage held down below.  Instead, you bring your luggage to the cabin and store it in shelving areas.  These are relatively safe but we recommend dropping by your cabin when the boats start docking to make sure nobody takes their chances during disembarking.

Your ferry ticket will have a specific gate you need to go to so account for time to figure out where that is.   If you take a look at the map below, the subway is closest to E5 and E6.

• Gate E1 – Ferries for Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes, Kos, Kastelorizo, Kos etc) – Blue Star Ferries / Superfast Ferries
• Gate E2 – Ferries for North Aegean Islands (Lesvos, Chios, Samos) (Blue Star Ferries & Hellenic Seaways)
• Gate E3 – Ferries for Crete. (Minoan, Anek, and Blue Star Ferries)
• Gate E4 – Ferries for Crete and other small islands such as V.Kornaros and Prevelis
• Gate E5-E6 – Blue Star Ferries for Cyclades
• Gate E7 – Speedrunner, Highspeed 4& 6, and Nissos Mykonos
• Gate E8 – Ferries for Saronic Islands, catamarans and hydrofoils
• Gate E9 – SeaJets and Zante Ferries (E10 is the exit, E9 is the entrance)
• Gate E11 & Gate E12 – Cruise ships gates, only for passengers of the cruise ships.

Onboard experience

• Bringing food onboard – They didn’t seem strict on outside food at all so feel free to bring your own picnic.
• Assigned seats – Seats are automatically assigned with ticket purchase.  For the less-crowded inter-island ferries, nobody checks your tickets for your assigned seats.  They usually don’t care if you move somewhere else within the same class.
• Electrical outlets – There weren’t any by our seats.
• Bathrooms – Several onboard and we found all of them to be pretty clean.

• Announcing stops – There are announcements made in Greek and English so it’s clear what the next port is even if your Greek isn’t quite up to scratch.
• WiFi –  Many offer paid wifi.  On Golden Star Ferries it’s 3.50 EUR for 3 hours.
• Those that get sea sick easily –  My wife gets sea-sick quite easily and she did okay for most ferries because the water was relatively calm.  If this is an issue, sit on the outside rear deck for fresh air and the ability to focus on the horizon. You can also prepare with dramamine and sea sickness bands if you tend to suffer.
• Upgrading classes –  The business-class section always had their own deck or closed off area but all we saw was that they had access to somewhat larger seats, maybe a window and a table if that’s important to you.  For the longer distance ferries, some have cabins. This might be worth booking to get some sleep if your ferry is overnight.

Ferry Travel Tips:

• They run the AC pretty high inside the boat so make sure you have a jacket or sweater on-hand. Something light and packable like this is good to always have in your backpack .
• There is no access to the front of the ships, so you can only be outdoors if you stand on the rear deck.
• Set an alarm on your phone if you think you’re going to sleep.  The disembarking process is very swift and you don’t want to miss it or be in a rush and forget to grab all your belongings.
• Make sure the phone number you put on your booking is the actual phone number you’re going to have when you are in Greece.  We know that’s hard for those wanting to pick up a local SIM, which is why something like Airalo actually makes more sense because you know your number when you land.  Ferry companies do send out SMS to let people know about delays, changes in schedule, and cancellations so it is really helpful to make sure your phone number is correct.
• Ferries are sometimes on time but not always.  For us, some ferries were pretty on the dot, and others showed up 15 minutes late. Make sure you don’t plan your schedule to be so tight that you can’t absorb any delays.

Checking in online vs printing your tickets

What you’ll find different from flying versus taking a ferry is that the technology hasn’t advanced very far in Greece.

You can purchase all of your ferry tickets online, but only a few companies have a way of checking in online.  One of them is Golden Star Ferries .  This was a pleasant surprise because we were able to check in weeks in advance and have tickets with a QR code printed.

Other companies use old-fashioned printed tickets which need to be picked up.  You have to go to very specific offices to have these tickets printed.  Plan around visiting the designated offices for the ferry tickets you don’t have.  They usually have one by the port but don’t expect it to be the official ferry company.  Instead, they partner with third-party travel agencies so make sure to read the instructions to collect your tickets.

As an example, we took Blue Star Ferries to Paros and Golden Star Ferries to Santorini. Our last set of ferries was with SeaJets and we didn’t get a chance to go to one of their offices to have physical tickets printed.  In Santorini, the SeaJets partner is Nomikos Travel in Fira so we made sure to drop by our first day.  Note that these offices charge 0.50 EUR per ticket .  We aren’t sure if all agencies have this extra surcharge but it is something to keep in mind.

All of this is to say that you need to have physical ferry tickets in hand, whether they be digital or physical. When you book your ferry tickets with Ferries in Greece you can then arrange where to pick up each set of tickets you need.

BOOK YOUR FERRIES

Getting from Athens to Santorini

We found there to be a lot of intricacies when it came to our trip from Athens to Santorini . Be sure to read our full guide if this is part of your itinerary.

The main question you’ll have is – is it better to fly or take the ferry? All of that gets answered here .

You need to read the 14 day Greek island hopping itinerary if you’re having trouble figuring out which islands you should visit and honest feedback on how it all went.

When visiting the Greek Islands, you’ll want to explore.  Luckily most islands aren’t overwhelmingly large, however, you can’t walk everywhere you might want to.

Unless you plan on exclusively staying at your resort, you’ll need to plan on which days you need a vehicle and note what type .

The challenge you’ll face is deciding whether you should rent a traditional car or an ATV.  Scooters are also available but we wouldn’t recommend them unless you ride them frequently or have a ton of experience. Some of the roads are pretty basic and other drivers are likely more comfortable with the terrain and route, making it a hotspot for inexperienced riders having accidents.

The tried and true method of getting around the island.  Car rental companies are everywhere and the process to rent them is simple.

Depending on your requirements (having a larger group of people, moving luggage, comfort, experience, etc.), the car may be your only choice.  With a car, you know what you’re getting and on most islands, all the places you’ll go are paved so there’s no issues getting around.

If Santorini is in your plans, check out this guide on where and how to rent a car in Santorini .

Pro:  Fits more than 2 people, protects from the sun, stays cool with air condition, spacious and can transport more things.

Con:   May not be as capable, or even possible, when it comes to off-road, uses slightly more gas and is less exciting than the alternative of an ATV. If you’re staying in old town areas the roads may not be accessible for cars.

• You need an international driver’s license .  This is an absolute must so don’t forget to get one from CAA or AAA (if you’re from North America) before you go.
• Ask about car insurance and know your coverage options.
• When renting a car, make sure to ask for your transmission of preference because they will assume manual if you don’t say anything.
• Ask for recommendations on how much gasoline you should fill in the tank based on where you’re going and how many days.
• Most cars you will rent in Greece are never full so there’s always the worry about whether you’ll have enough and how much to fill off the bat.  You will need a lot less than you think.   As an example, in Paros we filled up to the max from 3 ticks down on the gauge and after 2 days we barely used one tick.  Filling up 48 EUR was a big mistake because 10 EUR would’ve been enough.
• What you see listed by a car rental company isn’t always the price they offer.  There’s always an element of negotiation or they would just offer up automatic discounts.  Yes, this may have been because we were in Greece during low-season but never be shy about asking for a discount.  The fluidity of the price is why some car rental companies didn’t even allow me to take photos of their pricing sheet.
• Discounts can only be had if you pay by cash.
• During low season, reservations don’t seem to be necessary but would recommend it during high season.
• With a car, you can take advantage of the extra storage by loading up on supplies at the grocery store.
• You might not need the car every day so plan your itinerary in a way where you only need it for a grouping of days to save money.
• Think about whether it makes sense to rent from the port or not.  It’s advantageous for those wanting a round trip rental from the point you get off the ferry to when you need to get on it again.  Alternatively, some car rental companies allow you to pick up a car from one place and drop it off at the port.  These are called one-way rentals and some have a minimal charge for it and others might add a significant fee.

We don’t know any other place in the world where ATVs are this prevalent but it’s totally a “thing” on the Greek Islands.  You’ll see them everywhere and be tempted to try it.

If there are two of you, and at least one is comfortable with driving an ATV, it’s a fun way to get around any island.  They are incredibly handy when it comes to going off-road and in tight spaces because they are much smaller and more capable of handling all types of terrain.

The disadvantage is storage space.  You’ll need to make sure your items can be strapped onto the vehicle or fit inside the storage compartment.  We had lots of camera gear and things were tight but we managed to fit it.

If you’re not totally confident in driving an ATV on your own but still want to try the thrill of it, try this guided ATV tour through Santorini to get the hang of it while enjoying sights, local foods and wines along the way

We recommend trying the ATV on an island that has less traffic and large roads, such as Santorini, Milos or Paros, so you can get comfortable with driving around, especially if it’s your first time.

Pros:  Off-road capabilities, great on tight turns (a factor in Milos ), uses less gasoline and loads of fun!

Cons:   Minimal storage space, no cover from the sun, learning curve to learn how to drive, not as safe as a car and no AC.

ATV Travel Tips:

• You need an international driver’s license !
• Ask about insurance and know your coverage.
• Test the ATV and make sure that brakes work well before you leave the lot.
• Ask for a bungee cord if one isn’t provided to strap things to the front of the ATV.
• Similar to the car, most rental companies will offer discounts, especially during low season.
• The rear passenger on the ATV will be responsible for navigating by your phone’s GPS.
• Bring a sun hat and plenty of sun protection if you are visiting in the summer months. It is really easy to burn while cruising around in your ATV and you won’t feel it until you stop.
• Are ATVs easy to drive?  It’s quite easy to drive because it’s automatic.  You’ll just have to get used to making sure you hold the brake handle down when changing from Park to Drive and getting out of the habit of having your right foot rest on the secondary brake.
• Do you need more power than 170CC?   We drove all over the island with our 170CC ATV and had no issues when off-road and climbing hills.
• How much fuel should I fill up for 2 days?   On an island like Folegandros , we only used a fifth tank of fuel in two days.

Local buses

Every island has their own bus system – some better than others.  It’s an economical option and possible to travel exclusively by bus.

The challenge you’ll face is you’ll be at the whim of their schedules and routes.  It’ll get you to most places but some spots on the island you won’t reach.

Cost of the bus ranges from island to island but we’ve only seen it go as high as 3 EUR.

Where the bus works really well is in Santorini.  There are multiple routes, they’re comfortable coach buses and they only cost 1.80 EUR .

Pros:   Prices and one of the few options for those who don’t have a driver’s license.

Cons:  Most buses don’t run 24/7, you are limited to their route schedule.

Bus Travel Tips:

• Cash only. Try to have smaller change or notes available.
• Payment is taken on the bus.  You either pay the driver or the ticket attendant who goes around once the bus starts moving.

Taxis are the least cost effective way of getting around but may be necessary sometimes.  Where it makes sense to take a taxi is when needing transport from your airport or ferry port to your hotel and you’re not renting a car right away.

Taxis work just like every other country.  They normally run on a fixed fare system but we didn’t find this to be consisten t.  In most cases, you’ll hop in one and hope for the best.  If you read any of our individual island guides , you’ll see we’ve shared some of the rates we paid but keep in mind that rates can change over time so don’t take our rates as the set price for you to expect. Use them as a rough guideline.

There was no Uber coverage anywhere.  This may change in the future but we wouldn’t plan on using Uber on the islands.

Pros:  Door to door service and convenience.

Cons:   Expensive, at the mercy of their rates, may require some pre-planning in terms of booking particularly in less built-up places.

Taxi Travel Tips:

• In some instances, it’ll be smart to book a shuttle service in advance.  This can be done through your hotel or online .  You can save money and you won’t have to deal with the chaos that ensues when you arrive. We find that GetYourGuide has plenty of shuttle service options for most of the destinations you will arrive at on your Greek island trip.

Where to book your hotels, car rental, ferries, flights, activities

• Hotels – Booking.com has the best inventory of properties and with their Genius tier, you can save even more money.
• Car Rental – If you’ve read our guide, you can book with the big brands combined with car rental coupon codes or you can use RentalCars to do a search of most companies. Make sure to also read the guide on how to rent a car in Santorini .
• Ferries – My go-to booking platform is FerryHopper .
• Flights – Use Skyscanner to look for cheap flights using the Everywhere feature and also setting price alerts.
• Activities – Always compare between Viator and GetYourGuide to get the best price.

Depending on the island, you’ll have too many choices (Santorini, Mykonos, Milos), few choices (Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos), or somewhere in between (Naxos, Paros).

Where You Should Stay in Santorini?

Where is the best area in Santorini to stay? Is Fira and Oia worth it? Read on to find out an honest look at each of the major towns and why you should consider each.

Where To Stay in Santorini

Instead of specific recommendations in this Greek Islands travel guide, we’ll share what we learned from planning our island hopping trip:

• Large chain hotels aren’t easy to find on the Greek Islands.  Santorini and Crete are the exceptions. Everywhere else will be family-run hotels, villas, guest homes, B&Bs and budget-friendly hostels.
• There are Airbnb properties but many are the same listings you’ll find on Booking.com .  We recommend Booking.com over Airbnb because there are better cancellation policies.
• We use Booking.com to book all of our accommodations.  Getting up to Genius level only requires 2 bookings. Once you’re at that level many properties offer 10% (level 1 Genius) and 15% off (level 2 Genius).
• Book at least 8-12 months in advance in busier islands such as Santorini if you want something that has a view.
• For accommodation recommendations read our individual guides for each island we visited ( Paros , Santorini , Folegandros ,  and Milos ).

Traveling to the Greek Islands doesn’t require a highly technical packing list. But it is good to prepare so you don’t feel caught out while travelling.

• International Driver’s License – Hopefully we’ve got this drilled into your head.  Make sure to get one before you go.
• Sunscreen – You can buy this there if you want to save on packing space. Between two people over 14 days, we’d recommend two full-sized bottles.
• Sunglasses – An obvious one, don’t forget these!
• Daypack: You always want to make sure you have a day pack when you’re travelling, particularly if you are planning a beach day. Those collapsable backpacks like the New Outlander  are great for this. If you want something studier for camera gear the Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack is a great option, just less portable than the Outlander.
• Shirts: In the summer a shirt is great for throwing on as added sun protection, in the cooler months its something you would wear most days anyway. Pack them in the Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube to keep them nice and tidy. If you haven’t yet started using packing cubes these will be a game changer.
• Pocket cap: The Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap is a great travel hat simply because you can fold the brim. This makes it incredibly easy to pack and even while on the road, I can easily stick the cap in my back pocket if I want to take it off but not go through the trouble of putting it into my daypack.
• Packable layers: It doesn’t make a lot of sense to bring an umbrella when you can bring a waterproof shell jacket which also doubles as an additional layer. Shells like this are perfect for travelling because they’re versatile, light and easily rollable. Whether it be on the ferries or windy up on the caldera of Santorini, you never know when you might need that extra layer. Hoodies are also a great option.
• Shoes: The Merrell Moab Ventilators Hiking Shoe have been the bread and butter of all my trips for years now.  They’re incredibly comfortable and great in all situations. These ones aren’t waterproof but for city walking, this fits the bill. As a sandal the Rainbow Sandals, Double Layer Leather Sandal I have reviewed extensively before and I can’t go on a summer trip without these.  They’re just so damn comfortable and great for extended periods of walking. An alternative is the KEEN H2 Newport Sandal – My review holds this as one of the best sandals on the market.  I love them because they’re just so versatile in summer conditions. Amphibious is the word that comes to mind. Perfect for beach days.
• Packable Towel: Accommodation owners don’t like when guests use their towels at the beach. Ask for a beach-friendly one or pack your own . Don’t make the mistake I made with quick dry towels and buy a small one.  It’s just not worth it to annoyingly dry yourself with something the size of a hand towel. This one is great because it’s large (XL in fact), packs into a small form factor, and dries quickly. While mostly used in hostels, this is the kind of thing that’s always nice to have with you as it doubles up for the beach if needed.
• Insect repellant: Big cities usually aren’t a problem but again it’s one of those things where you never know, particularly if spending time near the beach. Pack the Off Mosquito Repellent just in case.
• Travel toiletries case: I’ve been very happy with this Muji toiletries organizer because of it’s simplicity in design and comprehensiveness in terms of pockets, zippers and elastic holders.  The must-have feature for any toiletries organizer is the hook. Hanging your bag is always a better option than letting it sit on the sink especially if you’re using communal hostel washrooms.
• Plug Adapters for UK and EU : I have a random assortment of plug adapters I’ve collected over the years.  Always do your research beforehand but in Europe you’re mostly dealing with these two types of plugs. Universal adapters are good but the problem is with all the devices you have you’ll need multiple.  I find that individual adapters like mine are more useful.
• Non-drowsy Gravol  – If you get motion sickness pack this.
• Exchange Euros – It’s always a good idea to have Euros with you immediately after you land. Don’t leave the airport without at least some Euros otherwise you might find yourself scrambling around to find exchange offices and be at the mercy of their rates.

Low-season (November – March)

Let’s start with when not to go to the Greek Islands.  Winters are pretty mild compared to other parts of Europe, but it’s quite variable with high chances of rain and dreary days.

In the low season the ferry and flight schedules are also reduced so your options are limited.  Most of the islands are populated by seasonal workers, so you’ll have to contend with skeletal services, facilities and closures.  Count on many hotels, restaurants, and activities (especially water-based ones) being closed.

The advantage is not many people travel to the islands in the winter so you won’t see many tourists.  Things won’t be as lively as they normally are in other parts of the year, which if this is the kind of trip you are looking for, the low season is perfect.

Spring to Summer (April – Mid-June)

One of the best times to come.  Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming and the large tourist hordes haven’t quite arrived yet.

Shoulder season means better prices and vacancies for hotels.

At this time of the year, flights and ferries switch to their full capacity schedule or close to it.  Restaurants typically don’t need reservations and car rental companies are willing to offer additional discounts.

This applies even more for popular islands like Santorini.  Make sure to read the best time to go to Santorini .

High-season (Mid-June – Mid-September)

This is the height of travel. Expect every aspect to be more challenging whether it’s hotels, car rentals, restaurants, ferries, flights or activities. You can also expect for prices to skyrocket for everything, this is the least economical time to travel and prices can get wild.

Not only are you contending with massive crowds, but the temperature is the hottest if that is a consideration for your trip to the Greek islands.

The only exception to this is in the north with islands like Samothraki and Thassos.  They’re only super busy between July and August so you can get the summer heat with less of the volume of people.  Some of the more popular islands are super busy and not as enjoyable in the summer so if tranquility is the aim of your trip add Mykonos, Crete, Kos, and Zakynthos to a list of Greek islands to avoid.

Summer to Fall (Mid-September – October)

The transition to Autumn is a great time to visit the Greek Islands.  Similar to Spring, the weather is more temperate with the sea balmier than the air.  Green lends its way to subtle Fall colors and that has its own beauty well worth experiencing while Greek island hopping.

If you’ve come from our Greek Island Hopping in the Western Cyclades itinerary , you’ll see the full breakdown of costs from that trip.  Flights are excluded because they vary drastically from person to person depending on your starting point.

The category breakdown of our spending looked like this:

$2318.82/person or $165.63/person/day .  Backpackers will look at this and say that’s too much and those looking for a luxury trip will think it’s too little.  We’d say that we were pretty moderate when it came to making decisions on our trip.

Where we splurged:

• Getting a nicer hotel in Santorini
• Nicer dinners where it made sense

Where we saved money:

• Finding affordable properties outside of Santorini thanks to Booking.com .
• Avoided excursions and activities.

Cutting costs:

• Don’t rent a car/ATV – rely on buses or stay in an area where you can walk everywhere.
• Hop to fewer islands.
• Avoid big islands and focus on lesser-known ones.
• Find cheaper hostel accommodations through Hostelworld .
• Buy your own groceries to save money on meals where it makes sense (breakfast especially).  There is something lovely about picking up pastries from a local bakery and enjoying it on a morning walk or sitting by the beach.

In short, this is what to know when planning a trip without reading this entire Greek Islands travel guide:

• You should have booked your Santorini hotel yesterday!  This is the most popular island and gets booked up fast.
• Pick a good balance of popular and small islands – don’t be afraid to try the unknown ones like Folegandros .
• Always break change – you never know when you’ll need it.
• Fill no more than 5 EUR at a time with your car rental or ATV.
• It’s easy to let your guard down when you go back to Athens after spending time in the Greek Islands.  Stay vigilant and beware of pick-pocketers immediately (read my story in the Athens 2 day itinerary ).

Santorini is the safest Greek Island to travel to, as it is one of the more popular islands, so there are always other tourists around. Here, locals are known to be very friendly and helpful to tourists, crime rates are low, and the transportation systems are highly rated as being reliable and safe to use.

The more affordable islands are Crete, Andros, Tinos, Corfu and Naxos, as they are less popular islands than some of the other well-known. Therefore, they are less travelled so prices on these islands are much cheaper than ones like Santorini.

Well you read this guide of course! Ultimately it depends on the type of experience you are looking for and the amount of time you are working with. For instance, if you don’t have much time during your travels the Saronic Islands are recommended since they are all close to Athens. If you are looking for the islands with the best nightlife, the Cyclades are for you. If you’re a foodie, you want to visit Crete! All islands offer something unique, so determining your visit will be unique to you!

Have specific questions about your upcoming trip to the Greek Islands?  Drop a comment below in this Greek Islands travel guide!

Read more about Greece

• 14 day itinerary Greek Island hopping in the Western Cyclades
• Athens 2 day itinerary
• How to get from Athens to Santorini
• Is Santorini worth it?
• Best Area To Stay in Santorini Guide
• Best Places To Stay In Corfu – Top Areas And What To See When There
• Read more Greece travel tips

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card . Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature . Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300 ) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. The one we find using the most is Airalo . Save money by getting region-specific eSIMs and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order. The newest eSIM we’ve tried is KnowRoaming that sneakily has great rates on unlimited plans. We’ve partnered with them to give you a custom code GAP10 to save you 10%.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key ).

Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

• HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
• RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
• SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
• Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
• InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

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About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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Greek island hopping – a guide.

Greece › Island Hopping Updated: April 25, 2023 By Santorini Dave

• Greek Ferry Guide
• Best Greek Islands
• Best Places to Go in Greece

The wonderful beaches of Mykonos are a highlight of Greek island hopping.

Island Hopping Guides Athens Travel Guide Crete Travel Guide Mykonos Travel Guide Naxos Travel Guide Paros Travel Guide Santorini Travel Guide Athens Ferry Port Guide Heraklion Ferry Port Guide Mykonos Ferry Port Guide Santorini Ferry Port Guide The 2023 Guide to Island Hopping in Greece Note: In 2023, Greek ferries, routes and schedules should not be impacted in any significant way by the pandemic or health protocols. Expect a return to pre-pandemic ferry travel. Santorini : The most stunning of the Greek islands. Island Hopping Essentials Best Time to Visit the Greek Islands Best Beaches in Greece Best Greek Islands Best Places To Go in Greece Greek Islands with Kids Flights to Greece Greek Ferries Paros or Naxos? Crete or Santorini? Mykonos or Santorini? Athens Airport Rental Car Greece Travel Agencies Where to Stay in Greece Athens – Best Areas to Stay Crete – Best Areas to Stay Folegandros – Best Areas to Stay Milos – Best Areas to Stay Mykonos – Best Areas to Stay Naxos – Best Areas to Stay Paros – Best Areas to Stay Rhodes – Best Areas to Stay Santorini – Best Areas to Stay

Greek Island Hopping – Tips and Information Getting around by ferry, sea bus, and water taxi is all part of the fun. Greek Island Hopping Cruises Greek cruises suck. Don’t do them. It’s much better to island hop on your own. The best websites for booking a Greek holiday are Booking.com (for hotels) • Kayak.com (for flights) • Ferryhopper.com (for ferries). It’s fun and easy to book your own trip – and much more rewarding. Greek Island Hopping Packages The same applies for package tours. You get better hotels, better choice of flights, better prices, and a better experience by booking hotels, flights, and ferries on your own. There are no ferry passes for Greece (though Eurail does include some ferry passes for some of their European train passes). Ferry tickets need to be booked for each leg of every itinerary and there is no discount for return tickets or multiple-stop tickets. Greek Island Hopping Tours I highly recommend doing one of the wonderful Santorini tours , Crete tours , or Mykonos tours . These are day trips from or around each island. Smaller islands also have their own tours but are typically best booked after arrival. For Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete it’s usually better to book tours in advance. Greek Island Hopping Itinerary Your route is only bound by the ferry schedule. From late May to early October, there are ferry connections between most islands in an island group (the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Sporades, the Saronic islands, the Ionian islands) and from Crete to the Cyclades. But there aren’t ferries between every Greek island. To get from one island group to another requires a bit more planning. For example, to get from Santorini to Rhodes you may need to ferry to Mykonos and then catch a different ferry onwards to Rhodes. Once again, this is half the fun. The Cyclades – a collection of wonderful small islands that are connected by short frequent ferry routes – makes the best island group for first-time island hoppers. Booking Hotels in the Greek Islands The best Santorini hotels , Mykonos hotels , Crete hotels , Paros hotels , and Athens hotels get fully booked 4 to 8 months in advance. For cheaper hotels and other smaller islands you have more flexibility and last-minute bookings are possible. Greek Island Hopping & Honeymooning It doesn’t get much more fun and romantic than bouncing from Mykonos (great nightlife) to Naxos (great beaches) to Santorini (jaw-dropping scenery). The best Greek islands make an awesome honeymoon destination. Greek Island Hopping from Athens Athens makes a natural start or finish to Greek island hopping. The closest Cycladic island (the best island group for island hopping) is 3 or 4 hours from Athens by ferry – and from there the magic begins. If possible try to fly into Greece and out of Greece from different airports to save yourself the time, hassle, and expense of backtracking. For example, fly into Athens, ferry through the Cyclades and onwards to Crete, then fly from Crete to western Europe (and home) – there’s no need to return to Athens to get your return flight. The Greek islands with the most flights are Santorini, Mykonos, Crete (both Heraklion and Chania airports), Rhodes, Kos, and Corfu. Cheap Island Hopping Ferry tickets in Greece are not expensive but not as cheap as they used to be. The best way to save money is to make fewer stops (choose 2 or 3 islands and explore them more thoroughly instead of hitting a half-dozen islands each for a night or two). In high season the owners of small and budget hotels will meet most ferry arrivals with offers of cheap accommodations. These are nearly always legit, decent places to stay. The thing to watch for is location. Hotels will say, “yes, very close, we drive there together” and then once you get there you realize you’re not walking distance to the beach or main villages. Try to walk there with hotel owners, then you know for sure it’s within walking distance (though this isn’t practical on all islands). Greek Islands and Public Transportation Most areas in Greece, including Athens and all major islands, have public transportation strikes throughout the year. These strikes can affect all forms of transit, including, buses, trains, ferries, flights, and taxis. During strikes no buses, no ferries, and only a handful of trains and flights will depart on time (or at all); taxis tend to be the least affected mode of transport. Though strikes can occur any time, there is always a huge strike on May 1. Avoid booking any ferries, flights, or trains that day.

• Greece Travel Guide
• Santorini Travel Guide
• Mykonos Travel Guide
• Crete Travel Guide
• Athens Travel Guide

About Santorini Dave

Hi Dave Looking at approximately 17 nights dedicated to the Cyclades for me, my Mum, and 16-year-old twin daughters. What are your thoughts on: Paros/Anitparos 3 / 4 nights Milos 3 / 4 nights Syros 3 nights Santorini 3 nights Crete 4 nights If we fly out from Crete back to Athens for our departure to Australia all on the same day, is that too risky? Would love your advice. Michelle

That sounds like a great itinerary. Check ferry schedules but I would probably make Syros the first stop, otherwise looks great. One night in Athens before the flight home would be what I recommend. Lots to see in central Athens too!

Hi Dave, My wife and I are flying in from London & planning 1 month island hopping from mid August. Which is best island to fly into to start? Which islands do you suggest? We would like to visit one of the smaller remoter islands too while we are there. Hoping to do mix of self catering and hotel. Like to do some mild hiking mixed with beach days and lots of historic sightseeing. Thanks in advance Joe & Kay

I would fly into Mykonos and out of Crete or vice versa. In between there are popular islands like Santorini, Paros, and Naxos and less popular islands like Milos, Folegandros, Sifnos, and Serifos (most of these in the Western Cyclades). If you wanted a shorter trip you could arrive and depart from Santorini and Mykonos and save Crete for a visit of its own.

I am planning my honeymoon and flying from Los Angeles, CA. We have 14 days and we want to do Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, & Milos. Do you think this is enough time for all 4 islands? What’s the best route/order to do for these?

With 14 days I typically recommend visiting 3 or 4 islands. So, you’ll be moving around a bit but it’s completely doable. There are so many different routes for those 4 islands that there is no “best order”. You’ll just have to do the research on ferry schedules and see what works with your dates.

Hi Dave, Do ferries run from Santorini to Mykonos in November? Couldn’t find one on Ferryhopper. Thanks!

Ferries between Santorini and Mykonos run until the end of October (for sure) and sometimes into the first week of November. After that you’ll need to travel via Naxos, Paros, or Syros.

Hi!!!! This page is AMAZING!!! I have some questions since I’m building my first trip to Greece.

I think I could do 10-12 days last 2 weeks of August and would love to visit Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Naxos and/or Corfu or Milos, not sure if this is possible. From there then fly to Croatia.

My question is what would be the best routes/island for this?

For starters, drop Zakynthos and Corfu as they’re a long way out of the way from Athens and the Cyclades. You’re much better to focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and Milos with only 10 to 12 days. Try flying directly into Santorini from a large airport in western Europe, then ferry to Milos or Naxos (you won’t have time to do both), ferry to Mykonos, and ferry to Athens. From Athens, you’ll be able to fly to Croatia.

Hi Dave, we have 9 nights for island hopping and will be leaving from Athens. Can you suggest a good itinerary ending with our last night in Santorini, as we will fly out from there. I have been to Santorini and Ios before and want to steer clear of Mykonos as we are more into the less touristy islands. Thinking of 2 nights per island. Thanks

Paros to Naxos to Santorini would great. Milos if you want to do a boat tour (similar to a Santorini caldera boat tour but with more snorkeling). Or Sifnos if you want something off the beaten track.

Hi Dave. Such a great website, thanks. We’re coming from London I’m looking for two weeks in Greece with kids 6 and 8. I really want to see the white-washed buildings against bright blue seas and skies. We’re thinking of doing an inclusive resort for 1 week so the kids can make friends and have kids club, then looking for hotels/villas for a little island hopping. We’re not really sure where to start. Any recommendations? Is Crete a good base for the resort week?

There are very few all-inclusive resorts on the Greek islands. Crete might have a few, but Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros have none. All the Cycladic islands are great for kids and families. Check out Antiparos if you’re looking for something smaller and quieter where you’ll almost know everyone on the island after a week.

For first-timers, would you recommend Naxos, Paros, Crete, or Corfu? We are definitely flying into Athens to explore and then Mykonos and Santorini.

Paros is the most like Mykonos. Crete really deserves a week or more (and I’m assuming you just have a few more days to fill). Corfu is a long way from Mykonos and Santorini (and would require flying via Athens). So I would go with Naxos. Great beaches, local food, and small traditional villages.

Hello, We are planning an ‘island hopping’ trip next year with our three young (Ranging 2-12) , but well travelled children. We’re after a mix of beaches, nice hotels with pools, and a few days exploring towns. Would you please be able to recommend the islands best suited to this. We’re after a duration of around two weeks, probably staying 3/4 nights most places and would be flying from London. Many thanks 🙏- this site has been such a source of travel inspiration!

Great islands for kids and island hopping: Naxos, Paros, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos. Santorini and Mykonos are also great but busier and more expensive. Both Santorini and Mykonos have direct flights from western Europe which makes them great bookends to your trip. Fly into one. Island hop through a few other islands. Then finish at the other and fly home.

My friend and I would like to do 10 days in Greece on our way to Turkey in May. We will fly into Athens and would like to do Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Sifnos if possible. Which route would you recommend?

Ferry Athens to Sifnos to Mykonos to Santorini to Crete. Could also fly to Crete to start and then ferry back to Athens in reverse order as above. (Most likely you’ll need to fly from Athens to Turkey.)

HELP!!! We are a family of four in need of island transfer from Crete, preferably Chania but at this point any port will do, to Paros on May 2nd. I prefer to ferry rather than fly but am having difficulty finding a company that does this route. Is it too early, perhaps they don’t start until June ?? We’d also be up for going to Santorini, spending the day, and ferry to Paros in the evening. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks so much for your help.

There should be a daily Heraklion to Paros ferry (with stops in Santorini and Naxos) in early May. Check Ferryhopper.com for details. You would need to spend the night in Santorini to have time to see the island (as there is no evening ferry on this route).

I have found your information so helpful! Starting with 4 days in Athens, and then 10 nights in the Cyclades. Travelling with 2 adults and well traveled 9yo. For the “islands” portion of our trip (10 nights), I am wondering if just Naxos/Santorini will be a little too long at 5 days each. Maybe cut down to 4 nights each with two nights somewhere else. Plan is to fly back to Athens from Santorini. Any insight very much appreciated!

I don’t think that’s too long on Naxos and Santorini. But yes, you could easily add a two-day stop in Paros, Mykonos, or Ios. Or if you’re wanting to do a boat tour then Milos and do the full day boat tour around the island.

We are taking a short trip for my big 4-0 birthday. It is on my bucket list to see the Greek islands. Santorini is too on the list. What itinerary would you recommend from Chicago for 7 days in Greece?

Santorini for 3 days, Naxos (beaches and traditional villages) or Mykonos (beaches and trendy nightlife and restaurants) for 3 days, and 1 day in Athens.

Hi Dave We have set our hearts on Athens to Hydra for 2 days then Spetses for 2 days then back to Athens for our flight home. But can’t find any ferries, is that because its not doable. Karen

The Athens/Hydra/Spetses ferries run year round. If you’re looking too far in advance they might not be listed yet. But there will definitely be ferries running that route. Book tickets about a month in advance just to be safe but there are many daily ferries and they rarely sell out.

We’re planning a honeymoon in Greece through Athens (1-2 Nights), Santorini (3 Nights), Mykonos (3 Nights), and Kreta or Rhodos (3-4 Nights), but we’re not sure which island is better and which island has more beautiful beaches: Kreta or Rhodos? How would you divide and plan the route from Germany ?

Both Rhodes and Crete have great beaches and interesting towns. The biggest difference (for your itinerary) is that Crete is a short daily ferry ride from Santorini and Rhodes is a long 2/weekly ferry ride from Santorini. So I would definitely do Crete (ferry to Heraklion and then spend most of your time in Chania). Then fly home from either Heraklion or Chania airports – hopefully without having to fly via Athens.

Hi Dave, We are a family of 6 going to Greece for the first time. I am flying into Athens. I want to see Santorini and Mykonos. What do you recommend as far as which Island to go first and what means of transportation to use, Ferry or fly. We have 8-9 days to spend in Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. We will be flying back to U.S. after vacation. We have kids as young as 6. Thank you.

I would ferry from Athens to Mykonos, ferry from Mykonos to Santorini, then either fly Santorini to Athens or (even better) fly Santorini to Western Europe (Paris, London, Amsterdam, or Rome) and fly directly home from there.

Hello. We will be visiting Greece in January. We would like to do some Island Hopping from Athens. What Islands do you recommend at this time of year. We would like to see Santorini, do you think we should? If so, what islands should we stop at along the way? We want to visit islands for about 7 days. We have to finish in Athens because we are flying to Morocco next. Thank you very much for your help.

Santorini and Naxos or Paros are best (and best ferry connections) in January.

Hi Dave, We’ve narrowed down our islands to Naxos, Santorini and Milos. We’re able to stay 3-nights on 2 of those islands and 4-nights on 1 off them. Which island would you recommend to spend the 4-nights on? I’m thinking Naxos or Milos. Of those 2, what has more to do where an extra day would be beneficial? Thanks so much.

Of Naxos and Milos, Naxos definitely has more to see and do. Though Milos has more interesting boat tours.

Quick question on how would you divide and route flying to Greece from San Francisco? 14 nights in Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos and would it be sufficient time to see most highlights of Greece. Thanks a bunch. Any info is greatly appreciated.

It of course depends on what flights are available which varies greatly depending on the time of year. But most likely you’ll need to fly via London, Paris, or Amsterdam. From these western European hubs I would recommend flying to Athens but returning from Mykonos or Santorini – or even Heraklion in Crete. For example, fly SFO to London, fly London to Athens, ferry to Mykonos, ferry to Santorini, fly Santorini to London, fly London to SFO. This does require a fair bit of flight searching to see what’s available on each route – but it’s worth the effort so that you don’t have to retrace your steps to Athens and waste time and money. 14 days is enough time to see some of the highlights of Greece – but all of them? Not even close. Focus on 3 or 4 destinations and don’t feel rushed.

Hello, I am traveling from New York to Greece for the 2nd time. I traveled to Greece about 5 years ago and split my trip between Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. This year I’m in between Paros, Ios, and Crete and confused if I should all three or which to do and the order. Was hoping you can provide expert travel advice and let me know what would be ideal for us to do. We are looking to relax on the beach, nightlife, party, and restaurants. Have about 10 days. Thank u

I’m thinking you love Greece and will likely make another visit in the coming years. If that’s accurate then visit Paros and Ios on one trip (best for the high season summer months of late May to early September) and Crete on the other trip (great in summer but also fine in the shoulder season of April, early May, late September, October, and early November). Both are good destinations for 10 days but visiting all 3 in ten days would be rushed.

We are planning a honeymoon through the Cyclades. Our plan is to stop in Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Ios. Is there a “best-route” for these 5 islands. We have not booked any flights or ferries yet so are open to any itinerary. We’ll be flying from NYC and visiting London and Paris on the same trip.

My recommended route would be • Paris fly to Athens • Athens ferry to Mykonos • Mykonos ferry to Paros • Paros ferry to Naxos • Naxos ferry to Ios • Ios ferry to Santorini • Santorini fly to London The reverse order is fine too. This has the quickest, most direct ferry routes and the largest choice of flights.

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The Perfect 7 to 10 Days in the Greek Islands Itinerary

Last Updated on February 12, 2024

by Lizzie Fitzgerald

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Planning the perfect 7 to 10 days in the Greek islands itinerary is often top of the list for visitors to Southern Europe. Year after year, Greece tops the list of best holiday destinations in Europe. Could it be the friendly locals, the amazing cuisine, or the gorgeous islands that bring visitors back?

Of course, it’s all of the above, but Greece has so much to offer to a first-timer that it can often be confusing knowing where to start. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with this Greek island hopping route showcasing the most iconic destinations in Greece.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in the Greek Islands?

With 227 inhabited Greek islands to explore, you could spend a lifetime exploring golden beaches and white-washed towns.

There are six major groups of islands in Greece, and most travellers choosing a first-time Greek islands itinerary will opt for the famous Cyclades.

Of course, the delightful Dodecanese, the iconic Ionian (like Kefalonia and Corfu ) and the sleepy Saronic islands are all worth their own trips. But ferries often link islands in the same group, so sticking to one chain will be easier and will allow you to effortlessly hop from island to island.

In my experience, 7 days in the Greek islands will serve as a snapshot into this amazing corner of the world.

But if time allows it, you should try and spend at least 10 days in the Greek islands – the sleepy villages, warm evenings and views from the ferries are intoxicating and addictive!

Getting To & Around the Greek Islands

Most visitors to Greece will arrive at Athens International Airport, the largest in the country. Get your bearings in the capital then head to the port of Piraeus, then onto the islands. Santorini and Mykonos airports also serve European arrivals in the busy summer months.

The obvious and the most iconic and idyllic way to make your way around on your island hopping route is using Greece’s extensive ferry network.

Ferries run frequently, and price affects quality and journey time. Slow boats are cheaper, but SLOW – whilst fast boats are more expensive and quicker. But note due to bad weather, fast boats generally only run during the high season.

You should book any peak-season ferries well ahead of time, tickets for fast boats can sell out well in advance. You can book ferries online here.

On the islands, public transport in peak season is quite efficient, so unless you want to get off the beaten track, you shouldn’t need your own transport. If you do decide to rent a car, you can browse options here.

7 to 10-Day Greek Islands Itinerary

So, pack your flip flops, get your best Instagram hat, and make sure your camera is charged as we’re about to embark on the ultimate Greek island hopping itinerary!

If you only have 7 days, it’s perfect for a classic Athens-Santorini-Mykonos itinerary (with a stop on another island as well). If you have 10 days, you will have more time to visit even more islands.

Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you leave on your trip! Check out Heymondo who offer a range of flexible policies.

Day 1 – Athens

Athens, the vibrant, unorthodox, love-it-or-hate-it capital is where most Greek adventures start.

The first stop during your day in Athens is the Acropolis and exploring the sights located in the Plaka neighbourhood. Visible from across the city, with temples dating back nearly 2,400 years, the jewel in the crown is the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to the city’s namesake Athena.

Heading downhill from the Acropolis, investigate the Ancient Agora, littered with statues and ruins including the incredible temple of Hephaestus.

Exploring atmospheric Monastiraki Square will lead you down alleys to shops filled with everything as well as delightful tavernas. There are plenty of accommodation options in this area.

A must-see is the changing of the guard at the parliament. Every hour the elaborately dressed presidential guard, the Evzones, march in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier.

And if you want to explore more of the delicious Greek cuisine in Athens, then consider heading out on a street food tour of the capital.

For dinner, explore the hip Athens neighbourhood of Psiri, stopping at the delicious Lithos Tavern, before drinks at 360 Cocktail bar, with illuminated views of the Acropolis.

If you have more time in Athens, you can also opt for a day trip to Delphi or Meteora before you take the ferry to the Greek islands.

Where to Stay in Athens

Athens Ivy Suites – If you’re visiting Athens on a mid-range budget then this hotel is a good option. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms on offer, a great location for seeing the highlights of the city and a terrace with beautiful panoramic views.

The Modernist Athens – Luxury travellers will love this 4-star hotel in Athens. Located in the perfect spot for exploring the highlights of the Greek capital, they have a number of bright and modern rooms available and plenty of other amenities to enjoy.

101 Adrianou Apartments – This aparthotel gives you the convenience of having your own flat while staying in Athens with the amenities of a hotel. They have a range of fully furnished apartments on offer and a location perfect for exploring the Greek capital.

City Circus Athens – This hostel is a great option for those pinching pennies in Athens (or who simply want a social atmosphere). They have both private rooms and dorms available, a great location and they organise social events for guests, as well.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Athens hotels!

Day 2 – Mykonos

Start early and head to the port of Piraeus, before boarding a high-speed ferry destined for the Island of the Winds, Mykonos .

Your first stop should be to explore the beautiful main town of Chora. A maze of winding alleyways filled with shops, churches and whitewashed houses with painted shutters.

Explore the waterfront, stopping to admire the Paraportiani church, which is five separate chapels that are all built together. Look out for the island’s mascot Petros the Pelican, who can often be found taking an afternoon walk in this area.

Little Venice is full of restaurants and cocktail bars with excellent views over the water. Mykonos is a foodie heaven, but book ahead in the summer months – try M-Eating or Eva’s Garden for delicious cuisine.

There are a myriad of cute pensions and hotels in Chora, ideal for couples. If you want something more luxurious head to Elia Beach, or if you like to party stay at Paradise Beach. There are countless beautiful beaches on Mykonos so you can’t really go wrong.

Where to Stay in Mykonos

Panormos Village – This lovely hotel located on the North Coast of Mykonos is a great option for those looking for a mid-range option on the island. They have a range of wonderful rooms on offer, have breakfast included each morning and there is even a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

ELA Boutique Hotel & Spa – This boutique hotel located close to Elia Beach is fantastic for those looking for a great luxe option in Mykonos where cost isn’t a factor. They have a number of rooms available, a great terrace and breakfast served each morning.

Alissachni Mykonos – Located in the village of Psarou, this luxe hotel is perfect for those after the high life in Mykonos. There are a range of suites available, some rooms include private pools and/or hot tubs and there is breakfast available daily.

MyCocoon Hostel – Solo and budget travellers will love this hostel in Mykonos. Offering both dorms and private rooms, they also have a swimming pool and an on-site bar — perfect for making friends while island hopping in Greece!

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Mykonos!

Day 3 – Mykonos

With a full day to explore, start early to discover all that Mykonos has to offer!

If history is your thing, take a guided tour of Delos. A 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos, this island is an archaeological site and is the birthplace of gods Apollo and Artemis.

A package including return boat trip, guide and ticket is well worth the cost and will take up about four hours of your day. You can  book the guided morning tour here .

If beaches are more your thing, don’t worry because Mykonos has you covered there too! The southern coast of the island has beaches for every taste – from family-friendly Ornos, to raucous Paradise Beach, and LGBTQ-friendly Super Paradise. The beaches can all be explored via the Mykonos water taxi.

Day 4 – Paros

Today we’ll be taking our foot off the gas a little and taking a morning ferry across to idyllic Paros.

You’ll arrive in Parikia, the biggest town on the island of Paros , and the most central location to stay. The town is a jumble of gorgeous alleys filled with bougainvillaea, delightful cafes to grab a frappe and seafront tavernas and bars.

Be sure to check out the mighty Ekatontapiliani – the Church of 100 Doors. This church complex is steeped in legend and rumour has it there are 99 visible doors, and one hidden door. When the hidden door is found, Constantinople will return to Greece!

Check in and then jump on the public bus over to Santa Maria Beach. This organised beach has great restaurants, watersports, excellent tunes and drinks flowing throughout the day.

Where to Say in Paros

Hotel Dina – Located in the heart of Parikia, this mid-range hotel has the perfect location for exploring all Paros has to offer. They also have a myriad of clean and comfortable rooms available and there is even free parking available if you have a car.

Paros Palace – If you’re looking for a luxury option in Paros then this plush hotel in Parikia village is an excellent choice. They have many beautiful rooms on offer and countless amenities to ensure your stay is a memorable one.

Nautilus Apartments-Suites – Those after their own space in Paros will love this aparthotel on the island. There are a number of fully-furnished flats on offer that can suit all kinds of group sizes and they have a great location for exploring the island.

Paros Backpackers – This hostel is a great option for those looking for to visit Greece on a budget. They have a range of both dorm beds and private rooms available, a swimming pool and excellent common areas.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Paros hotels!

Day 5 – Paros

Paros has some of the clearest water in Greece, and getting out to explore the many coves & beaches is a must. Jump on an organised boat tour and head out for a day on the waves – many of the tours include a BBQ lunch onboard.

Did you know that Paros is one of Europe’s best windsurfing destinations? The east coast of the island can be very windy and is a great spot to try this fun sport.

If you fancy exploring on foot, get the small ferry over to Antiparos to check out the island’s many cave systems. More hiking opportunities can be found in the interior of Paros around the hilltop village of Lefkes, checking out Byzantine ruins, and ancient stone paths.

For dinner, you must head to the tiny fishing village of Naoussa where you can get some delicious traditional Greek cuisine. Nestled in a cove protected by a Venetian fort, you’ll find seafood tavernas all along the waterfront serving beautiful food well into the night.

Day 6 – Santorini

Heading south, today we will head off to maybe the most iconic Greek island and hop on a ferry to Santorini .

Actually an archipelago of five islands, Santorini was shaped when the original volcanic island of Strogili erupted over 3,500 years ago, leaving us with a series of smaller islands. Nearly all visitors will stay on the main island of Thera – the only other inhabited option being the laidback Thirassia.

Most travellers will stay in the capital of Fira, on the southern black sand beaches of Perissa or Kamari, or in the expensive but enchanting cave houses of the village of Oia.

Both Fira and Oia are on the caldera, the cliffs that are left from the old eruption, and you can find restaurants and cafes in both towns to gaze out at the incredible views at sunset.

Where to Stay in Santorini

Kalimera Hotel – Mid-range travellers will love this family-run hotel in Santorini. Situated close to a number of sandy beaches, they have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available, there’s a swimming pool and breakfast is included daily.

Seaside Breeze – This luxury hotel is a great choice for those looking for something fancy on their Greek island hopping route. They have both standard rooms and larger suites available – all with their own balcony. There is also a terrace, pool and breakfast daily for guests to enjoy.

Remezzo Villas – If you’re looking for a luxury option during your time in Santorini, then these villas are an excellent option. There are a range of suites to choose from along with a daily breakfast, swimming pool and outdoor terrace.

Caveland Hostel – Situated in a small village on the island, this hostel is perfect for those visiting Santorini on a budget. They offer both dorms and private rooms and there is even a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Santorini!

Day 7 – Santorini

Santorini has so much to explore, and if this is the final day of your 7-day Greek islands itinerary it will certainly be one to remember!

Wherever you are on the caldera, your eyes are often drawn towards the two imposing volcanoes jutting from the water. If you’re feeling active you can join a great day tour that will take you on a hike up the active Nea Kameni, and then swimming in the thermal mud springs at Palea Kameni.

Afterwards, you can take the cable car from the old port up to Fira for one last shopping trip in town to grab some unique souvenirs.

If you are heading back to Athens to end your trip, you grab a quick one-hour flight that will take you straight to Athens International Airport, thus maximising your last day in Santorini!

Day 8 – Ios

If you’re lucky enough to be continuing on for a 10 days in Greece itinerary beyond the Athens-Mykonos-Santorini route, then today it’s only a short 40-minute ferry ride to the nearby island of Ios.

A relatively unknown option compared to the likes of Mykonos and Santorini, Ios is famous in its own right. The first tourists visited in the 1960s and were hippies who camped on the beaches, stayed with locals and made makeshift homes in caves.

Now it is famous for its excellent restaurants, eclectic nightlife scene and its mix of raucous and relatively untouched beaches.

There are plenty of great value pensions in Chora, the main town, but if you want to be relaxing on the sand, then you should stay at Mylopotas Beach.

Mylopotas is a beautiful white sand beach, where you can get involved in beach volleyball, watersports, or just lounge on a hammock, iced coffee in hand and watch the world go by. You’re on holiday after all!

Where to Stay in Ios

Homer’s Inn Hotel – This cosy inn in central Ios is the perfect place for mid-range visitors to this island. They have a number of lovely rooms on offer and a great location for exploring all Ios has to offer.

Levantes Ios Boutique Hotel – Those looking for luxury will love this plush hotel. They have a number of wonderful rooms to choose from, a gorgeous pool for guests to enjoy and a location perfect for exploring the incredible island of Ios.

Hide Out Suites – These suites are perfect for those who’d like their own space on Ios. They have a range of different fully-furnished properties on offer along with an excellent location for exploring the island. There are also plenty of plush amenities for guests to enjoy.

Francesco’s – If you’re island hopping in Greece on a budget, then this hostel is a great option. They offer both dorms and private rooms, they have great common areas and a fantastic location on the island.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Ios hotels!

Day 9 – Ios

Today, why not head to the interior of the island, where you can find the tomb of Homer, the poet responsible for the Iliad and the Odyssey .

Heading further afield you can find the super sleepy beaches of Magganari and Psathi where you can feel like you’re the only person on the whole of the Greek islands.

But as you are in Ios, it would be rude not to sample the nightlife. Start with some drinks at dinner, and then head into the main town around midnight – there are plenty of tiny bars dotted around the old town.

All have their own unique twist, be it Slammer, where they slam you on the head whilst wearing a crash helmet, Shush the silent disco or Coo which plays funky R&B well into the wee hours.

Day 10 – Ferry to Athens

For the final day grab a tasty brunch at Hellenic Social in the old town and then head down to the port.

Jump aboard the ferry, it’ll take around four hours on the fast boat back to Athens. Stay in Monastiraki again, and if you aren’t up for exploring too far, grab some last-minute souvenirs on Adrianou street, featuring everything from olivewood backgammon sets to beautiful artisan jewellery. 

For a relaxed experience, head to Mnisikleous street, known as the steps, where cafes and eateries have cushions and chairs right out on the street steps – it is very relaxed and bohemian.

Finish your evening with drinks at The Clumsies, one of the best cocktail bars in all of Europe – what a way to wrap up your 10-day Greek island hopping itinerary!

Have More Time?

If you are lucky enough to have more time to spend in Greece, why not extend your trip to include a visit to Greece’s largest island Crete ? This massive island is perfect for road-tripping and is dripping in culture, history and amazing beaches. Take a few days to explore Chania and Heraklion and also make sure to venture beyond these two cities.

Alternatively, you could simply visit a few more islands in the Cyclades, including loves Milos , Naxos or Sifnos. Planning a trip to these islands is a little bit more off the beaten path than some of the other islands mentioned above and are the perfect addition on any trip to Greece.

The Saronic islands are only a short ferry ride from Athens (the closest island, Aegina, is only 40 minutes from the capital), and are a far more low-key experience than some of the busier Cyclades islands.

Finally, if you have a lot more time you can visit some destinations further afield such as Corfu – where you can visit towns like Agios Giorgios and Corfu Town – Rhodes or even explore more of the Greek mainland such as the Peloponnese region.

So, there you have it, the perfect way to spend 10 days exploring the Greek islands. You’ve seen the most famous, the most beautiful, the laid back and the craziest places in the Cycladic islands. But don’t worry, you have another 223 islands to come back and explore!

Are you planning a trip to the Greek islands? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Chania or Heraklion: Which Crete City to Visit?

The Perfect 2, 3 or 4 Days in Milos Itinerary

Delphi Day Trip from Athens: A One Day Itinerary

About Lizzie Fitzgerald

Lizzie is a writer for The World Was Here First. She loves travelling and discovering new places but also often finds herself returning to her favourite destinations. She has a particular affinity for Greece where she has visited countless islands and destinations on the mainland.

how much was the budget for a trip like this for just a couple going?

We have guides to the general prices in Greece along with specific guides to the prices in Mykonos and the prices in Santorini . Hopefully this helps you budget your trip adequately 🙂

Hello. Is this itinerary feasible for families with kids (5 and 1 year old)?

Hi Sheila, obviously it depends on your children, however, I see no reason why this wouldn’t be suitable for families with young kids 🙂

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Your Master Guide To All Greek Islands And How To Pick One

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E verything you need from a guide to the Greek islands. How many Greek islands are there? More than 6,000 but only a couple of hundred are inhabited.

What are the best Greek islands to visit in the winter?

Islands in the south of Greece for better weather and with a large permanent population for easy accessibility.

Is April a good time to visit the Greek islands?

Yes, April is a great time to visit the Greek islands. The best weather is in the southern Aegean like Crete , Kos, Karpathos and Rhodes . There are less crowds but more Greek tourists due to the Easter celebrations.

The number of inhabited Greek islands varies between 150ish to 220ish depending on what size you consider an island to be. While all of them are stunning, some of them will fit your style of travelling more than others.

This guide was created to help you pick which of the Greek islands most suits your preferences, so let’s begin. We suggest grabbing a pen and paper to note down the islands that sound most like you as you go through the article.

What Complex of Greek Islands To Pick or How To Combine Them

When you begin researching what island you want to visit in Greece, the easiest way to proceed is to narrow down which complex or cluster of islands you prefer. While there is no reason you can’t combine islands from different clusters, to do so you may need to add extra dates just for travelling to and from a location, which increases the cost and cuts down on the actual holiday time. There are 6 different complexes of Greek islands and some that belong to no category.

1. Eptanisa

The Ionian Sea is home to the first cluster which is also called Eptanisa, or 7 islands. This includes Corfu , Paxos & Antipaxos , Ithaka , Lefkada , Kefalonia and Kythira . Kythira is located under the Peloponnese Peninsula and while it is grouped together with the 7 islands it is under the administration of Athens . These islands share a lot of characteristics, like the Venetian architecture seen in houses, castles and churches, the lush greenery and turquoise waters.

2. Cyclades

The Cyclades is another complex of Greek islands which translates to circle due to the way the islands form a protective barrier around the sacred island of Delos. While the Cyclades counts more than 220 islands, only a handful are inhabited. The primary island list includes Amorgos , Anafi, Andros, Paros , Antiparos, Koufonisia , Milos , Naxos , Mykonos , Santorini or Thira, Kythnos, Kimolos , Kea, Ios, Folegandros, Serifos, Sithnos, Sikinos, Syros, and Tinos.

The Cyclades are famous for their distinctive architecture, the whitewashed cube shaped houses that are built close to each other usually at a high point for protection against intruders and the windmills which once were used to mill grains but now are mostly a tourist attraction.

3. Dodecanese

The Dodecanese complex of islands is another number-name, but while it translates to “twelve islands” there are fifteen major islands of the more than 100 in the area, that are included in the list. The location of the islands is between the Cyclades and the coast of Turkey. The largest of all the islands is Rhodes . There is also Symi, Tilos, Astypalaia , Kalymnos, Karpathos , Kasos, Kos, Leros, Nisyros, and Patmos. As well as the smaller Kastellorizo, Lipsi, Halki and Agathonisi. As the largest and most popular island, Rhodes is a good option to fly into and then set out to explore the other islands if you so choose. For off season travel, options may be limited so you need to give yourself more time to reach from one island to another.

4. Northern Aegean

The Northern Aegean islands are as the name states further up the north Aegean coast. They are Thasos, Samothraki, Lemnos , Lesvos, Chios , Ikaria and Samos. As well as the much smaller Psara, Fournoi, Agios Efstratios and Oinnousses. Most of the islands in the North Aegean are bigger in size but less popular holiday destinations with the exception of Ikaria that has become a mecca for “panigyria” the Greek religious festivals where people dance until the early hours of the morning. Island hopping between these islands is not easy and ferries to these islands are often slower and travel during the night.

5. Sporades

The name of the next group of islands is Sporades meaning “scatterred”. It is often used to describe four islands located close to the east coast of mainland Greece, however, the name applies to a lot of other islands outside of the Cyclades. The four islands that are inhabited are Allonisos, Skopelos , Skiathos and Skyros. During the summer high season there are regular ferries departing from the mainland. Flights can be organized for Skiathos Airport that receives both domestic and charter flights from some European countries. A much smaller airport operates in Skyros island that is located a fair distance away from the other three. You can only find domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki here.

6. Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf islands are the ones located closest to Athens. They are Aegina, Salamina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Agistri, and Dokos. These islands are ideally located very close to the mainland and can be reached from Athens with high speed ferries, that often take less than 1 hour of travel. The gulf offers protection from the wind and so these islands also make ideal options for off season or winter destinations, even if the sea is not warm enough to swim in. There are plenty of day cruises leaving Piraeus port that visit Hydra, Poros and Aegina which is an ideal option if you have extra days in Athens .

7. Crete and Euboea

Two islands that don’t really fall under one category are Crete and Euboea. Crete is the largest island in Greece and it could be a separate country all together with its distinctive accent and traditional mantinades (a short of limerick with 15 syllables that locals can expertly whip up within seconds, either accompanied with music or when communicating with each other), the diverse natural scenery, with gorges, lakes, some of the best beaches in Greece and strong local flavours that make it a favourite destination for all. Euboea or Evia as is pronounced in Greek is the second largest island, however, it is seldom thought of as one, due to the two bridges that link it to the mainland.

Best Greek Islands To Visit In The Winter

Dodecanese: Rhodes

Cyclades: Mykonos, Santorini

Saronic: Hydra, Poros, Aegina , Salamina

Other: Crete, Euboea

Greece has long marvelous summers and sunny winters but the temperature can still plunge to freezing temperatures especially on the northern part and high altitude cities like Thessaloniki and Kastoria . While less common, we have seen plenty of Greek islands and beaches covered with a dusting of snow throughout recent years.

That is because you are more likely to find restaurants and attractions open, there is a lower chance to be stuck on the island due to rough seas (if you were taking a ferry) and there is a large medical center in case of accidents.

• Tip: The best Greek islands then to visit in winter would be the one’s that have an airport, are considerably big and that have a steady amount of permanent residents throughout the year.

Best Greek Islands To Visit In April or May

Dodecanese: Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Patmos, Kalymnos

Cyclades: Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Tinos, Milos, Syros, Sifnos, Folegandros

Eptanisa: Corfu

Other: Crete

The months of April and May are when spring starts to make its presence known. The temperature is mostly mellow and ideal for outdoor activities and excursions and there is a lesser chance of a crowd wherever you go. They also tend to be some of the cheapest months to travel in! In addition, travelling to Greece in April is special due to the number of festivities and events that surround Easter. The island of Chios hosts the Easter Rocket Wars, where two churches compete for the most impressive fireworks of the night. Mykonos and Santorini lack the summer crowds so you are more likely to run into locals and see the everyday rhythm of Greek people. While most Greeks don’t venture into the sea until June, plenty of visitors will find the waters pleasant and refreshing.

• Tip: The dates for Orthodox Easter change slightly every year so plan ahead if you want to combine your trip with some cultural experiences.

Best Greek Islands To Visit In September or October

Saronic: All of them

Cyclades: Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Syros

Eptanisa: Corfu, Kefalonia

• Tip: If you wish to combine multiple islands on your visit to Greece in September or October make sure to pay close attention to ferry schedules since a lot of the routes are cut down substantially.

Best Greek Islands To Visit Close To Athens

Other: Euboea

The Saronic islands are the best option for visitors that can’t venture too far away from Athens. Whether you are short on time or just prefer to spend more of your holiday at the beach rather than on a plane or boat, the Saronic Gulf islands offer glamour, tradition, aesthetics and unique experiences that are sure to captivate you. An island-hopping tour can also be a good option to see more islands within a short period of time, like the popular Aegina, Poros and Hydra tours. However, fast ferries departing from Piraeus port, can also take you to the ever popular Mykonos and Santorini. SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries offer the fastest option from Piraeus to Santorini, that take approximately 5 hours. The slower and less bumpy ride for those prone to sea sickness takes approximately 8 hours. There are usually more than 3 ferries leaving Piraeus towards Mykonos during the summer and at least 1 during the winter.

Euboea, the second largest island that you can reach by car, is only one hour from Athens and has incredible beaches, fantastic fish taverns and a rich history. Due to its size it may not feel like an island but you should dedicate at least 3 days to exploring this area.

• Tip: The port of Rafina is another excellent option for those travelling to Mykonos.

Best Greek Islands To Visit For Nature Lovers

Dodecanese: Nisyros, Rhodes, Kalymnos

Eptanisa: Corfu, Cephalonia, Lefkada, Kithyra

Cyclades: Andros, Sifnos, Tilos, Milos

Other: Euboea, Crete

Sporades: Skyros, Allonisos

Northern Aegean: Samothraki, Chios

• Tip: If you want to explore nature consider travelling outside of July or August because the temperature can reach more than 40 Celsius making it uncomfortable and even dangerous to be under the sun the whole day.

11 Smallest Greek Islands To Visit

Dodecanese: Patmos, Nisyros, Kastelorizo, Halki, Lipsi

Eptanisa: Paxos Antipaxos

Cyclades: Koufonisia, Anafi, Folegandros

Saronic: Agistri

Northern Aegean: Fournoi, Psara

Visiting some of the smaller islands has both advantages and disadvantages. Almost all of the smaller islands lack airports and as such you will need to travel to a bigger island and then catch a ferry or else take a longer journey on the ferry from Piraeus. Some may take more than 15hours but they almost always travel over night and you can book a cabin. However, once you get there, smaller islands will reward you with their lack of tourists and authentic representation of life. You may be able to witness customs and traditions that you wouldn’t be exposed to elsewhere and taste local flavours that are truly homemade.

• Tip: If you have booked an international flight from Athens airport always plan to be back in the capital a few days in advance to avoid delays or strikes on the smaller island ferries.

11 Biggest Greek Islands To Visit

Eptanisa: Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Corfu

Cyclades: Naxos

Northern Aegean: Lesvos, Chios, Lemnos, Samos

The biggest island by far is Crete island. It is twice as big as the second largest island Euboia. Most of the other big islands can be found in the Ionian Sea. If you want to travel to one of the bigger islands of Greece you will be rewarded with more options for accomodation and activities and most of the times a smoother and more comprehensive infastructure for tourism compared to the tiny Greek islands. Most of the islands with a static population all-year-around will have a medical centre, but if you have specific health problems, it pays to inquire ahead of time.

• Tip: The biggest of the Greek islands like Crete and Euboia will certainly require for you to have a car. So, plan for that within your budget.

7 Most Popular Greek Islands To Visit

Cyclades: Mykonos, Santorini, Milos

Eptanisa: Zakynthos, Corfu

What suits one traveller will not suit another, so don’t rely only on the Greek islands that first come to mind. While undoubtedly beautiful and amazing destinations that we would always recommend, the most famous islands of Greece tend to get a bit overcrowded. If your heart is set on one of these islands and you are not a fan of crowds try to plan for late spring or early autumn. Your wallet will also thank you. The sweet-smelling Mykonian nights through cobblestoned labyrinths and stupendous sunsets of Santorini, will be there waiting for you!

• Tip: Because Crete is twice as large as the second largest island, Euboia, it is possible to visit in peak season and still find quiet beaches. To do that, head out of Chania and Rethymno and choose smaller towns on the east side of the island.

Greek Islands That Have Airports

Dodecanese: Rhodes, Kos, Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Leros

Cyclades: Mykonos, Santorini, Milos, Paros, Naxos, Syros

Sporades: Skyros, Skiathos

Northern Aegean: Samos, Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Ikaria

Eptanisa: Zakynthos, Corfu, Cephalonia, Kythira

All of the “biggest islands” you can find in the above section have airports. The bigger islands will also have more frequent routes, especially during the off season, and you can often find good deals. In comparison, the smaller and less popular islands have charter flights that may only operate during the busiest months and even then come with a hefty price tag. There is always one airport per complex of islands, however, with the exception of the Saronic Gulf islands. These islands are served by Athens International Airport and Piraeus port, from which they are only a couple of hours or less away.

• Disclaimer: Due to tourism and changes in the economy of Greece, information in this section may change. If you have information regarding an airport in the Greek islands or have spotted a mistake please contact us so we can make the necessary amendments.

Best Greek Islands For Party Lovers

Sporades: Skiathos

Cyclades: Mykonos, Ios, Paros

Eptanisa: Zakynthos

Some of the Greek islands feature prominently on the radar of party lovers! Mykonos and Crete in particular have long been favourites for people that prefer to sleep during the day and party all night. Every island attracts a different crowd as though people organically started to favour one over the other and a niche market was created. In Crete you will find all-inclusive resorts that are a favourite package holiday for Brits in the summer. Mykonos was once called the Ibiza of the Aegean but now has achieved a spot of its own on the throne of nightlife entertainment and is LGBTQ+ friendly. Skiathos and Paros is where a lot of Greek students have their first away from home adventures.

• Tip: Even the above mentioned “party-islands” have a lot to offer for people that do not enjoy all-night outings. Try to stay away from the “Chora” or main village of the island or visit during the off season.

Best Greek Islands For Families

Sporades: Skyros

Dodecanese: Symi, Kos, Rhodes

Cyclades: Naxos, Sifnos, Syros, Andros, Paros

Other: Crete, Euboia

Eptanisa: All of them

For family friendly Greek island destinations location might be the biggest determining factor depending on how many kids or families are travelling, their ages and for how long. The biggest islands on the list like Rhodes, Crete, Cephalonia, Corfu and Lefkada (in the Eptanisa) have more options for family resorts and are better connected with flights. If you don’t want to spend more than a couple of hours in a ferry to reach an island and would rather fly, then the list above is a very good starting point. The complex of Eptanisa is another ideal choice, with lots of green and shade, adequate size to offer options for all and great accomodation options and well connected to the rest of Greece.

• Tip: Kythira island is technically part of the Eptanisa complex but you will find it under the Peloponnese peninsula away from the Ionian Sea. You can read more about family travel in Kythira here .

Best Greek Islands For Couples & Romantic Holidays

Dodecanese: Symi, Astypalaia

Cyclades: Santorini, Naxos, Milos, Amorgos, Folegandros, Mykonos, Koufonisia, Paros,

Saronic: Aegina,Hydra, Spetses

Eptanisa: Paxos Antipaxos, Corfu

Most destinations can become romantic if you visit them with the person that makes your heart flutter! Even so, some places seem to have a bit of extra magic in the air. The way the dark purple light hits the sea and the colour palette of the architecture join together to create a veil of romance that is hard to resist. Santorini is undoubtedly one of these places; a unique destination that is ideal for couples. If you are a fan of the sugar cube houses and colourful bougainvilleas then the Cyclades are a great option. Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos and Paros will be the busiest during peak summer season so if that is something you wish to avoid Folegandros and Amorgos or Astypalaia in the Dodecanese are exceptionally beautiful spots.

• Tip: Folegandros and Amorgos are great options if you also want to see Santorini for a few days. Ferry tickets are frequent during summer and only last 1 to 3 hours depending on the vessel.

Most Expensive Greek Islands

Cyclades: Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos

Eptanisa: Cephalonia, Zakynthos, Corfu

It is hard to answer this question without knowing the travel style of each visitor. But since people tend to ask for the “most expensive Greek islands” we will try our best to answer it. The most popular and biggest islands tend to also be the most expensive. Santorini and Mykonos are definitely at the top of the list. The demand is high, supplies, food are brought in from the mainland and drinking water from the tap is not possible. One exception in regards to size are the islands of the North Aegean that see far fewer international visitors than the Cyclades or the Ionian islands.

• Tip: Popular islands may have higher costs in accomodation but are easier and cheaper to reach than others. Smaller far away islands may have no airport and require more than 12hours in a ferry to reach. You should pick whatever sounds best for you!

The Inexpensive Greek Islands

Dodecanese: Nisyros, Symi, Karpathos

Cyclades: Kythnos, Sifnos, Kea, Kimolos, Serifos, Andros,

Northern Aegean: Ikaria, Thassos, Lemnos, Lesvos, Samothrace

Eptanisa: Ithaka

Other: Euboea, Aegina

Greece is in general a very affordable destination for international visitors. Mykonos and Santorini can still be visited on a budget but if you want the most bang for your buck and are not after fine dining or luxury accomodation there are a lot of options for you. One general advice is to look at the “ Greek Islands With Airports ” list above, and remove them from your list. Smaller, harder to reach islands will be more traditional, authentic and representative of the pace and lifestyle of Greek people. Reaching these islands, however, may require more planning especially if you want to island-hop.

• Tip: In the most popular islands, locals that work in tourism work long hours from the start of the season in April till late October. If you want to meet and chat to locals try visiting smaller islands that are not dependant on tourism or come during the off-season.

Best Greek Islands For History Lovers

Dodecanese: Patmos, Kos, Rhodes

Cyclades: Naxos, Santorini, Delos

Northern Aegean: Lemnos, Chios

Eptanisa: Kythira, Corfu

Other Crete

For history lovers, Greece, in general, is full of traces of its ancient past. While most people know of the Parthenon in Athens and maybe the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, some of the Greek islands are home to imposing castles, ancient ruins and impressive monuments from different periods. Rhodes is home to the second most visited ancient site after the Acropolis in Athens. In Santorini, you can see the excavations that have been taking place at the Akrotiri peninsula that date back to the Minoan period. While in Crete, you will find the grand palace of Knossos that could very well be one of the earliest European cities.

• Tip: Delos is an island that has been uninhabited since the 7th century AD. To explore this archaeological place you need to travel from one of the neighborhing islands, like Mykonos, Naxos, Paros or Tinos.

Best Greek Islands To Visit If You Love Watersports

Dodecanese: Karpathos, Rhodes

Cyclades: Naxos, Paros, Antiparos

Northern Aegean: Lemnos

Eptanisa Lefkada

Naxos is arguably the most well known destination in Greece for windsurfing and kitesurfing. If you want to get amongst the action, the nearby Paros and Antiparos also offer ideal wind conditions and organized clubs whether you are an expert or a new fan that requires a few lessons. In the Northern Aegean, the vast Keros Beach in Lemnos is a favourite for locals and visitors. The beach is on the east coast of the island and is always windy, so if you are not planning to kite or surf, this might not be for you.

• Tip: If you want to experience the verdant landscape of the Ionian islands you should consider Lefkada. In addition to having some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece, Lefkada’s sandy Vassiliki Beach on the south coast, is the perfect spot for windsurfing enthusiasts.

Best Greek Islands To Visit If You Don’t Have a Car

Cyclades : Santorini, Anafi, Naxos, Koufonisia

Saronic : Hydra, Spetses

There are two reasons why you travel somewhere without a car. The first is that cars are strictly not allowed on the island, just like in the case of Hydra and Spetses. Alternatively you may wish to spend your holidays free of cars because you have no drivers licence or would rather skip the cost of hiring a car. If that sounds like you, the smallest islands of the list like Koufonisia, Anafi or bigger islands like Naxos that has good public transport is ideal.

• Tip: Driving in Santorini is a good option for those that want the flexibility of exploring the whole island and are not scared to share the narrow alleyways with big tour buses. By not renting a vehicle you may need to stay around certain locations like Oia or Fira, or spend a bit extra on taxis and skip the hassle of finding a parking spot.

Most Insta-Worthy Greek Islands To Visit

Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, Milos

Eptanisa: Kefalonia, Zakynthos

All of the Greek islands are incredibly beautiful! But it would hard to deny that some of them feature more prominently on Instagram feeds. As a result, there are certain images that have become iconic of these islands. In Mykonos, you think of the colourful houses of Little Venice getting bashed by the waves and that “alleyway” shot with the crisp white walls and Pinterest worthy cushions that look out to sea. Try to search for Santorini and we will be surprised if you don’t instantly spot a sea of blue church domes looking out at sunset light. And as far as Milos goes, the moon like reflections of the rocks around Sarakiniko beach are front and centre every time.

• Tip: One of the most famous beaches in Crete is Elafonisi with its unique pink-hued sand. The up and coming competitor is Seitan Limania. A small beach that until recently was inaccessible, now is there to reward visitors that brave the steep and windy ride.

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Expert Greek Islands Travel Guide With Itinerary Routes

So you want to plan a trip to the Greek Islands and have no idea where to start? Luckily you have found an expert who has traveled the islands extensively.

With my guidance and the Greek Island travel guide below, I can ensure you don’t make the same mistakes I made 14 years ago on my first trip to Greece.

Since my maiden voyage to the Isles in 2010, I have visited some of the most famous and lesser-known Greek islands.

Compiling my decade of experience, I’ve put all my tips in one place to help you avoid the usual island-hopping mistakes.

This in-depth guide to the Greek Islands will help you understand the different island groups and how to craft your itinerary.

In case you’re still uncertain about your destination, I’ve put together a handy Greek Island Quiz to assist you in making your decision!

Human-written content, by me, and nearly all original images, unless stated. Posts could have affiliate links to help offset the cost of maintaining this blog. When you click on a link, we receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you. See Our Affiliate Policy and Advertiser Disclosure for more info.

Understanding The Main Island Groups

It is so important to understand the island groups when planning a Greek Island hopping itinerary.

And that is because some of these islands are extremely far from one another. For example, you are not going to “hop” from Crete to Corfu, you are going to fly.

Some Greek islands although seemingly close together can still be a little challenging to get to.

See the map below that gives you an overview of the Island Group in Greece.

When you are researching from island to island , you can get inspired when using the search feature in Ferry Hopper .

You can see below that I selected my departing port, but left the destination blank. Look to the right and there will be a display of direct routes.

You can play around with ferry schedules here to help you find your next island. It is not a perfect system , but it works very well if you understand these island groups.

Planning your Greek island route takes a little time and patience. But don’t worry, I will share my expertise and suggest Greek island hopping routes.

The Best Time To Visit The Greek Islands

Timing your Greek Island getaway is important . Some of the most popular islands are incredibly crowded and overpriced in July in August. And I’m looking at you, Santorini and Mykonos…

If you are deadset on visiting these islands the best time to go would be late September. The crowds will have died down, the weather should still be great, and things will be on sale at the end of the season.

Ideally, you want to visit the Greek Islands between May and October. Many of the small islands are closed altogether during the winter months. Except the bigger islands like Rhodes and Crete that are functional all year round.

Choosing Where to Stay in The Greek Islands

No matter what island you are on, typically I focus on researching two areas, which are the Port and the Chora (the old town). It is especially important if you are traveling solo to the Greek Islands .

In the port and Chora, you will have access to many shops, bars, and restaurants. It is also where you will find the most transit options if you don’t rent a car.

For a more romantic and secluded experience on any island , you will need to rent a car .

Sometimes, off-the-beaten-path hotels will have shuttle buses to and from the old town, but you could be limited to that schedule.

Consider the experience you are looking to have and plan accordingly.

List of Greek Island Groups

Crete (largest greek island).

The largest Greek Island, Crete, is in a group all its own. This island has four regions, but two main cities that attract the majority of tourists. Chania “idyllic village” and Heraklion “historic village”.

Chania is much more delightful to visit if you are looking for a more relaxed chill vibe. Heraklion is BUSY , and in my opinion only worth visiting for the day.

Reymotho is another charming area in Crete to stay. You will find a nice seaside village with cute shops, good restaurants and a fortress high on the hill to explore.

Best Way To Get To Crete

When traveling to Greece’s largest island you have a few options. There are 2 major airports on the island. Heraklion and Chania. The major port is in Heraklion , but other ferry ports around the island exist including Chania.

If you are traveling to Crete after exploring Athens, you can take the overnight ferry to Crete , which is the best way since the ride is around 8 hours.

When I visited Crete I found it more convenient to fly , though the ferry is fun.

Best Areas to Stay in Crete

Where to stay in Crete will depend solely on the type of vacation you are after.

If you are looking to spend a romantic holiday with your partner that would look different than going with a bunch of friends to have a good time.

Since Crete is the biggest Greek Island , you should research where to stay in full.

Read Next: Best Areas to Stay in Crete

Here is a map and mini breakdown of 4 major regions of Crete:

Heraklion (Iraklio):

• Location : Central-eastern part of Crete .
• Key Features : Home to the island’s capital city, also named Heraklion, which is the largest city in Crete. The region is famous for the Palace of Knossos , an important Minoan archaeological site, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum , which houses many artifacts from Knossos and other Minoan ruins.
• Tourist Attractions : Heraklion offers a blend of urban and historic attractions, with bustling city life, historical sites, and beautiful beaches like Amoudara.
• Where to Stay : City Lion by Semavi , Casa Al Mare Sea View Heraklion City Center

Chania (Hania):

• Location : Northwestern Crete .
• Key Features : Known for its charming old town with Venetian-era buildings, narrow streets, and a picturesque harbor. The region has a diverse landscape, including the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Samaria Gorge , and beautiful beaches like Balos and Elafonissi .
• Tourist Attractions : Chania’s old town and harbor, exotic beaches, and hiking opportunities in the gorges and mountains make it a popular destination.
• Where to Stay: Cretan Berry Kondylaki , Nais Apartments & Studios

Rethymno (Rethymnon):

• Location : Central-western Crete .
• Key Features : Characterized by its well-preserved Renaissance architecture and the Fortezza, a large fortress overlooking the city. Rethymno’s old town is a mix of Ottoman and Venetian influences, and the region boasts long sandy beaches.
• Tourist Attractions : The old town of Rethymno , the Fortezza, and beaches like Preveli with its unique palm forest are highlights.
• Where to Stay: Kapsaliana Village Hotel , SAVUS Boutique Hotel
• Location : Eastern Crete .
• Key Features : Known for its quieter, less developed atmosphere compared to the other regions. It is famous for the palm beach of Vai, which has one of Europe’s largest natural palm forests, and the Dikteon Cave believed to be the birthplace of Zeus according to Greek mythology.
• Tourist Attractions : Lasithi offers a more relaxed and natural setting, with attractions such as the Lasithi Plateau, traditional villages, and archaeological sites.
• Where to Stay: Aelia Suites , Enorme Santanna Beach

Greek Island Hopping Routes From Crete

As I mentioned before, the major port is in Heraklion , so to easily hop to another island you will have the most options from Heraklion.

Crete – Santorini – Ios – Naxos – Mykonos:

• Crete : 4 nights.
• Santorini : 3 nights.
• Ios : 2 nights.
• Naxos : 3 nights.
• Mykonos : 2 nights.

The Cyclades Islands (Most Famous Greek Islands)

The Cyclades is an island group home to the most famous Greek Islands, Santorini and Mykonos. Both are worth visiting , but not in the high season for July and August.

Depending on when you visit, Mykonos can be extremely expensive , same with Santorini, and both are largely overcrowded.

While I understand the allure of visiting these islands, I would highly recommend visiting on a day trip and staying on a more affordable nearby island.

List of the Cyclades Islands – Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea (Tzia), Kythnos, Milos , Mykonos , Naxos , Paros, Santorini (Thira), Serifos, Sifnos , Sikinos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros.

Best Way To Get To The Cyclades

Several of the most popular islands in the Cyclades have airports, such as Naxos, Mykonos, Milos, and Santorini.

The smaller islands like Sifnos and Folegandros do not have an airport.

Depending on your travel plans you could fly into one of these islands and ferry your way around, eventually to Athens if you desire.

It will depend on how many days you have to explore altogether. I recommend 2 nights per island minimum for small islands and 4 nights minimum for larger islands.

The Milos to Athens ferry line is very convenient stopping at Milos, Sifnos, and Serifos.

Expert Tip: Rent a car in Milos . I made the mistake of not having a car and nearly went bankrupt using taxis that were hard to find.

Choosing The Best Island in The Cyclades

Santorini (thira):.

• Key Features : Famous for its stunning sunsets, white-washed houses with blue domes, and dramatic caldera views. It’s a popular destination for honeymooners and tourists.
• Tourist Attractions : The towns of Oia and Fira, the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, and the unique black sand beaches.
• Where to Stay : Santorini Sky, Luxury Resort , Voreina Gallery Suites

• Key Features : Known for its exciting nightlife, white-washed villages, luxurious resorts, and iconic windmills. It’s a cosmopolitan island popular with the celebrity crowd.
• Tourist Attractions : The picturesque Mykonos Town , beautiful beaches like Paradise and Super Paradise, and the nearby island of Delos , an important archaeological site.
• Where to Stay: Alissachni Mykonos , Tropicana Hotel, Suites & Villas Mykonos

Read Next: Is Mykonos REALLY that expensive?

• Key Features : The largest island in the Cyclades, known for its impressive mountain landscapes, ancient ruins, and long sandy beaches. When visiting Naxos I recommend renting a car to see the whole island.
• Tourist Attractions : The Portara (an ancient marble gateway), traditional villages, and the Temple of Demeter .
• Where to Stay: Naxian Althea , Anapollo Boutique Hotel Adults Only

Read Next: Best Bus Tour in Naxos

• Key Features : Famous for its traditional villages, beautiful beaches, and active windsurfing community.
• Tourist Attractions : The port town of Parikia, the charming village of Naoussa, and the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church .
• Where to Stay: PAREA Paros – Adults Only , Kymo Luxury Suites Paros

• Key Features : Known for its volcanic landscape and unique beaches. The island is where the famous Venus de Milo statue was discovered.
• Tourist Attractions : The picturesque fishing village of Klima, the catacombs, and beaches like Sarakiniko and Tsigrado.
• Where to Stay: Artemis Seaside Resort , Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel

Read Next: 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Milos

• Key Features : The administrative center of the Cyclades, is known for its blend of medieval and neoclassical architecture, especially in the capital, Ermoupoli.
• Tourist Attractions : The Apollo Theater , Ermoupoli’s town square, and Vaporia district.
• Where to Stay: SYROS SOUL LUXURY SUITES , Shapes Luxury Suites
• Key Features : A pilgrimage site for Greek Orthodox Christians, known for its Church of the Annunciation and traditional villages.
• Tourist Attractions : The church and its icon believed to perform miracles, the marble craft villages, and the sculptors’ workshops.
• Where to Stay: Avissalou Apartments , La Vista TINOS
• Key Features : A less touristy island with lush landscapes, numerous springs, and a rich maritime history.
• Tourist Attractions : The Museum of Contemporary Art Andros , the capital Chora with its medieval castle, and beautiful beaches.
• Where to Stay: Blue Bay Resort Village , Krinos Suites Andros

• Key Features : Known for its pottery, incredible restaurants , culinary tradition, and charming villages. You’ll love all the unique areas to stay in Sifnos.
• Tourist Attractions : The picturesque village of Kastro, the church of Seven Martyrs , and traditional pottery workshops. Check out local restaurants such as Omega3 and Cantina .
• Where to Stay: Nival Boutique Hotel , Apsila Pool Suites

Read Next: Guide to Sifnos, Greece and 3 Day Itinerary for Sifnos

• Key Features : Popular among young tourists, known for its lively nightlife and beautiful beaches.
• Tourist Attractions : The tomb of Homer , the main village of Chora, and beaches like Mylopotas and Manganari.
• Where to Stay: White Loft , Liostasi
• Key Features : A more remote and tranquil island, known for its dramatic cliffs and the impressive Monastery of Hozoviotissa .
• Tourist Attractions : The monastery, the shipwreck from the film “The Big Blue,” and traditional villages.
• Where to Stay: Pension The Big Blue , Amorgion Hotel

• Key Features: Serifos is a less crowded, peaceful island, famous for its rugged landscape and charming hilltop capital, Chora.
• Tourist Attractions: The striking white-washed village of Chora and its windmills, hiking, and beautiful beaches.
• Where to Stay: Rizes Hotel , Coco-Mat Eco Residences Serifos

Folegandros:

• Key Features : A small, serene island with traditional Cycladic architecture and a laid-back atmosphere.
• Tourist Attractions : The cliffside Chora, Church of Panagia, and secluded beaches.
• Where to Stay: Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites , Polikandia Hotel

Island Hopping Itinerary Routes- The Cyclades

When planning a Greek Island hopping itinerary route in the Cyclades an easy route is to start from Athen Pireaus Port .

Mykonos – Paros – Naxos – Santorini:

• Mykonos : 2 nights
• Paros : 2 nights
• Naxos : 3 nights
• Santorini : 3 nights

Santorini – Amorgos – Naxos:

• Amorgos : 2 nights
• Naxos : 2 nights

Syros – Mykonos – Milos – Sifnos – Serifos

• Syros : 2 nights
• Milos : 3 nights
• Sifnos : 2 nights
• Serifos : 1 night

Saronic Gulf Islands (Closest Islands to Athens)

If you are visiting Greece on a short trip and want to easily combine a visit to Athens as well as the Greek Islands, you want to visit the Saronic Islands !

Of all of the Saronic Islands, I can highly recommend going to Hydra for the day!

These islands include Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, and Dokos. The most popular, and arguably the best, is Hydra.

Hydra is one of the most popular Greek Islands close to Athens. No cars are allowed on the island which I loved.

You will see the locals using donkeys to transport their goods and sometimes themselves to travel from one place to another.

Best Way To Get To The Saronic Gulf

The only way to get to these tiny islands in the Saronic Gulf is by ferry. A popular route is by taking the ferry from Athens to Hydra . Depending on the ferry company, your route may include a stop at Aegina.

One fun way to see three islands in one day from Athens is to book a tour! The full-day tour leaving from Athens leaves early morning and takes you to all 3 islands with short stops for a couple of hours at each.

If you are short on time it’s a terrific way to see the Greek Islands .

Choosing the Best Islands in The Saronic Gulf

• Key Features : Famous for its pistachio orchards, Aegina is a popular destination for day trips from Athens . It has a rich history, evident in its ancient ruins.
• Tourist Attractions : The Temple of Aphaia , one of the most important Doric temples in Greece, the picturesque town of Aegina, and the church of Saint Nectarios.
• Where to Stay: The Beachhouse Apartments , Cruise on Land

• Key Features : Known for its well-preserved architecture, absence of motor vehicles, and art scene. The island has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is a favorite among artists and celebrities.
• Tourist Attractions : Hydra’s port town with its stone mansions, art galleries, and the historic monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
• Where to Stay: FOS Hydra Residence , Villa Maria- Hydra Dream House

Read Next: Athens to Hydra Ferry

• Key Features : A small, lush island separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow waterway. It’s known for its scenic beauty, historic clock tower, and serene beaches.
• Tourist Attractions : The Sanctuary of Poseidon , the picturesque Poros Town, and beautiful beaches like Love Bay.
• Where to Stay: Dimitra Boutique Hotel , Sea view house on Poros
• Key Features : This island has a rich nautical history and is famous for its significant role in the Greek War of Independence. It’s known for its elegant mansions and car-free policy .
• Tourist Attractions : The Museum of Bouboulina , the old harbor, and the annual Armata Festival, which commemorates a naval battle during the War of Independence.
• Where to Stay: Villa Kalomira , Armata Boutique Hotel
• Key Features : A small, pine-covered island known for its crystal-clear waters and tranquil atmosphere. It’s less crowded compared to its neighbors, making it an ideal spot for relaxation.
• Tourist Attractions : Quiet beaches like Skala and Aponisos, and the opportunity for hiking and biking in a serene environment.
• Where to Stay: Oasis Beach Hotel , Koukounari Apartments
• Key Features : The largest island in the Saronic Gulf, Salamis is historically significant as the site of the famous naval battle in 480 BC. It’s a residential and holiday spot with a mix of sandy beaches and pine forests.
• Tourist Attractions : The Cave of Euripides , where the famous playwright is said to have written some of his plays, and the Monastery of Faneromeni.
• Where to Stay: Salamina’s Apartments
• Key Features : A small, mostly uninhabited island between Hydra and the Peloponnese, known for its archaeological significance, particularly for underwater archaeology.
• Tourist Attractions : The island is mainly a destination for yachting and anchoring in its protected bays, offering a secluded and natural environment.

Island Hopping Itinerary Routes-The Saronic Gulf

A great Island hopping itinerary includes a 3 day stay in Hydra with a day trip to and then 2 nights in Aegina.

The Dodecanese Islands (Most Southern Islands)

The island group that is the most southern closest to Turkey is the Dodecanese group of islands. Here you will find that Rhodes is the largest Greek island.

Other islands in this group include Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, and Chalki.

Best Way to Get to The Dodecanese Islands

If your first destination is an island in the Dodecanese, the most logical way to get there is to fly. Unless you want to burn a lot of time on ferries.

I recommend flying into Rhodes and beginning your ferry-hopping journey from there.

Other Dodecanese islands that have airports are Kos, Karpthos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, and Astypalaia. Rhodes and Kos likely have the most daily flights .

An easy day trip from Rhodes is by taking the Rhodes to Symi Ferry or a fast boat.

Choosing the Best of The Dodecanese Islands

• Key Features : The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is famous for its ancient ruins, medieval Old Town, and beaches. It’s a blend of historical sites and a bustling tourist resort. When visiting Rhodes, it is ideal to rent a car .
• Tourist Attractions : The medieval Old Town of Rhodes , the Palace of the Grand Master, and the Acropolis of Lindos .
• Where to Stay: Sperveri Boutique Hotel , Evdokia Hotel

Read Next: Rhodes to Symi Island on a Fast Boat

• Key Features : Known for its sandy beaches, ancient ruins, and the Asklepion, an ancient healing center. Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates , the father of medicine.
• Tourist Attractions : The Asklepion, the Castle of the Knights, and the ancient Agora.
• Where to Stay: Maritina Hotel , OKU Kos
• Key Features : A significant Christian pilgrimage site, Patmos is where St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelation . It has a fortified monastery and a charming old town.
• Tourist Attractions : The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse.
• Where to Stay: 9 Muses Exclusive Apartments , En Patmo Holiday Home
• Key Features : Known for preserving traditional customs and dress, Karpathos offers dramatic landscapes, with rugged mountains and pristine beaches.
• Tourist Attractions : The villages of Olympos and Diafani, known for their traditional architecture and customs, and beautiful beaches like Apella.
• Where to Stay: Alisachni Villas , Aeolia Suites
• Key Features : Leros has a relaxed atmosphere with a rich naval history. It features a blend of architectural styles and has a scenic indented coastline.
• Tourist Attractions : The Castle of Leros , the War Museum, and the scenic port of Agia Marina.
• Where to Stay: Alidian Bay Suites Leros
• Key Features : Best known for its sponge diving heritage, Kalymnos is also a world-renowned destination for rock climbing.
• Tourist Attractions : The Sponge Divers Museum in Pothia, climbing spots, and beautiful beaches like Masouri.
• Where to Stay: Petra Boutique Villas , Petra Boutique Homes

Astypalaia:

• Key Features : Astypalaia, shaped like a butterfly, is known for its Venetian castle, traditional white windmills, and tranquil beaches.
• Tourist Attractions : The Venetian Castle, Chora with its windmills, and the beaches of Livadi and Vatses.
• Where to Stay: 5 Traditional Suites
• Key Features : A volcanic island famous for its still-active volcano and lunar-like craters. Nisyros offers a unique landscape and tranquil villages.
• Tourist Attractions : The volcano and its accessible crater, the traditional village of Mandraki, and the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani .
• Key Features : A small and serene island known for its unspoiled nature, wildlife, and medieval ruins.
• Tourist Attractions : The abandoned medieval village of Mikro Chorio, the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon , and tranquil beaches.
• Where to Stay: Uno Apartment 1st Floor

• Key Features : Famous for its neoclassical architecture with colorful houses, Symi is a picturesque and charming island.
• Tourist Attractions : The port of Gialos, the Monastery of Panormitis , and the scenic bay of Pedi.
• Where to Stay: Odyssia

Kastellorizo (Megisti):

• Key Features : The easternmost Greek island, is known for its rich history, colorful houses, and crystal-clear waters.
• Tourist Attractions : The Blue Cave, the Castle of the Knights, and the Archaeological Museum.
• Key Features : A less-visited island with a strong maritime tradition, Kasos is known for its traditional music and customs.
• Tourist Attractions : The traditional villages, the Church of Agios Spiridon , and the maritime museum.

Island Hopping Itinerary Routes- The Dodecanese Islands

Kos – nisyros – tilos – rhodes:.

• Kos : 2 nights.
• Nisyros : 1 night.
• Tilos : 2 nights.
• Rhodes : 3 nights.

Patmos – Leros – Kalymnos – Kos:

• Patmos : 2 nights.
• Leros : 1 night.
• Kalymnos : 2 nights.

The Ionian Greek Islands (The Seven Islands)

The Ionian Greek island group has been referred to as the  Heptanese , which means “Seven Islands”.

These Islands are located in the Ionian Sea on the Eastern side of Greece closer to Italy and Albania.

Best Way To Get To The Ionian Islands

From Athens, the easiest way to get to the Ionian Islands is to fly. Ferries leaving out of Port of Piraeus don’t have a direct link that go there .

In the Ionian Islands, several have international airports which facilitate both domestic and international travel. Corfu, known as Kerkyra in Greek, is served by the Corfu International Airport , also referred to as Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport .

This airport is well-equipped for international flights, making Corfu a convenient destination for travelers from abroad.

Kefalonia, or Cephalonia, also hosts an international airport, known as Kefalonia International Airport or Anna Pollatou Airport. This facility connects the island with various international locations.

Similarly, Zakynthos, or Zante, has an international airport named Zakynthos International Airport, also known as Dionysios Solomos Airport, which caters to international passengers, particularly during the tourist season.

Lefkada, or Lefkas, does not have its own airport; however, it is conveniently served by the nearby Aktion National Airport located on the mainland near Preveza.

This airport, which handles international flights, is within a short driving distance from Lefkada, making it relatively easy for visitors to reach the island.

Choosing the Best of The Ionian Islands

Corfu (kerkyra):.

• Key Features : Known for its lush greenery, Venetian-style architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Corfu has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a blend of Greek, Venetian, French, and British influences.
• Tourist Attractions : The Old Town of Corfu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Achilleion Palace, the Venetian Fort, and the Paleokastritsa Monastery .
• Where to Stay: Archontiko Petrettini Boutique Hotel

Kefalonia (Cephalonia):

• Key Features : Kefalonia is famous for its beaches & dramatic landscapes, including mountains, caves, and stunning beaches. The island gained fame through the novel and movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.”
• Tourist Attractions : The Melissani Cave , Myrtos Beach, and the picturesque village of Fiscardo.
• If you are looking for Where to Stay in Kefalonia I would suggest as close to ARGOSTOLI.

Zakynthos (Zante):

• Key Features : Known for its swinging nightlife and beautiful beaches, including the iconic Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) , one of Greece’s most famous photographic spots.
• Tourist Attractions : Navagio Beach, the Blue Caves, and the endangered loggerhead sea turtles in Laganas Bay.
• Where to Stay: Tsamis Zante Suites

Lefkada (Lefkas):

• Key Features : Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Lefkada is known for its impressive beaches with turquoise waters and its charming mountain villages.
• Tourist Attractions : The beaches of Porto Katsiki and Egremni, and the windsurfing center at Vassiliki.
• Where to Stay: KN Ionian Suites

Ithaca (Ithaki):

• Key Features : The Greek Island of Ithaca is famed as the homeland of Odysseus in Homer’s epic, Ithaca is a tranquil island with lush landscapes and quaint villages.
• Tourist Attractions : The Cave of the Nymphs , the ruins of the ancient city of Alalcomenae , and the picturesque village of Kioni .

Paxos (Paxi) :

• Key Features : A small and unspoiled island, Paxos is known for its olive groves, crystal-clear waters, and pebble beaches. It has a peaceful and exclusive atmosphere.
• Tourist Attractions : The Blue Caves, the charming port villages of Gaios, Lakka, and Loggos.

Kythira (Cythera):

• Key Features : Although geographically closer to the Peloponnese, Kythira is culturally and administratively part of the Ionian Islands. It’s known for its wild beauty, waterfalls, and traditional villages.
• Tourist Attractions : The Venetian castle of Chora, the picturesque village of Avlemonas, and the Mylopotamos waterfalls.

Island Hopping Itinerary Routes- The Ionian Islands

Corfu – paxos – lefkada:.

• Corfu: 3 nights
• Paxos: 2 nights
• Lefkada: 3 nights

Kefalonia – Ithaca – Zakynthos:

• Kefalonia: 3 nights
• Ithaca: 2 nights
• Zakynthos: 3 nights

The Northern Aegean Islands

The Northern Aegean Islands, a beautiful group of islands, are located in the northeastern Aegean Sea, between Turkey and Greece.

These islands are known for their interesting history, varied landscapes, and unique culture.

They are less visited than other more popular Greek islands, which makes them a quieter but still very charming place to visit.

Best Way To Get To The Northern Aegean Islands

Reaching the Northern Aegean Islands typically involves a combination of air and sea travel, depending on your starting point.

From Athens, the most efficient way to reach these islands is usually by flying.

Lesbos, Chios, Samos, and Ikaria have airports with domestic connections to Athens and, in some cases, direct international flights, particularly during the tourist season.

Lesbos is served by Mytilene International Airport “Odysseas Elytis,” offering both domestic and international flights.

Chios Island National Airport “Omiros” and Samos International Airport “Aristarchos of Samos” also connect these islands to various destinations.

For Ikaria, the Ikaria Island National Airport caters mostly to domestic flights but may have some international charters.

Alternatively, ferry services from the mainland and other Greek islands provide a scenic route to the Northern Aegean Islands.

These ferries frequently depart from ports such as Piraeus in Athens, offering a more leisurely but equally enjoyable journey to these storied isles.

Whether by air or sea, the journey to the Northern Aegean Islands promises a gateway to an array of experiences, from exploring ancient ruins and enjoying unspoiled natural beauty to immersing oneself in the rich cultural traditions of this distinctive Greek island group.

Choosing the Best Northern Aegean Island

Lesbos (mytilene):.

• Key Features : Lesbos, also known by the name of its capital, Mytilene, is the third-largest Greek island. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, Petrified Forest, and production of ouzo, a famous Greek liquor.
• Tourist Attractions : The Petrified Forest , a UNESCO Global Geopark ; the historic Castle of Mytilene; and beautiful beach towns like Molyvos and Skala Eressou.
• Where to Stay: Luxury Apartment with balcony, The Beehive

• Key Features : Famous for its medieval villages and mastic production, Chios has a unique identity. The island is dotted with distinctive stone houses and has a rich medieval history.
• Tourist Attractions : The Nea Moni , an 11th-century monastery and UNESCO World Heritage site; the mastic villages like Pyrgi and Mesta; and beautiful beaches such as Vroulidia and Mavra Volia.
• Where to Stay: Ostria Seaside Studios and Apartments, Almiriki Hotel
• Key Features : Known for its wine production and rich ancient history, Samos is an island with lush greenery, mountainous landscapes, and significant archaeological sites.
• Tourist Attractions : The Temple of Hera , a UNESCO World Heritage site; the Tunnel of Eupalinos, an ancient engineering marvel; and beaches like Tsamadou and Kokkari.
• Where to Stay: SeaView Apartment & Studios, Casa Cook Samos – Adults only
• Key Features : Famous for its longevity among inhabitants, Ikaria is a mountainous island with a relaxed pace of life. It’s known for its thermal springs and wild, untamed nature.
• Tourist Attractions : The Radioactive Thermal Springs of Ikaria, the scenic village of Armenistis, and the Seychelles beach.
• Where to Stay: Archipelagos Hotel, Patras Apartments

Limnos (Lemnos):

• Key Features : An island with volcanic origins, Limnos offers vast sandy beaches, ancient ruins, and a tranquil environment. It’s known for its traditional villages and local wine.
• Tourist Attractions : The ancient city of Hephaestia, the Castle of Myrina , and the unique landscapes of the Aliki wetland.
• Where to Stay: Arxontiko Hotel, Grand Patelli

Island Hopping Itinerary Routes- The Northern Aegean Islands

Lesbos – chios – samos:.

• Lesbos: 3 nights
• Chios: 2 nights
• Samos: 3 nights

Thassos – Lemnos – Samothraki:

• Thassos: 3 nights
• Lemnos: 2 nights
• Samothraki: 2 nights

The Sporades Island Group

The Sporades Islands, an enchanting archipelago, are nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, off the coast of mainland Greece.

This cluster of islands is celebrated for insane greenery, stunning beaches, and crystal-clear waters.

They offer a more tranquil and unspoiled alternative to the busier Greek islands, providing an idyllic retreat for those seeking a serene yet captivating Greek island experience.

The Best Way to Get The Sporades Islands

The most common entry point to visit Sporades is via the city of Volos on the Greek mainland , which is well-connected by road and rail to major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki.

From Volos, you have the option to take a ferry or a high-speed catamaran to reach the islands.

The ferry service is more frequent during the summer months, catering to both passengers and vehicles.

Skiathos, the closest and most popular among the Sporades , serves as a gateway to the other islands in the archipelago, including Skopelos and Alonissos.

Alternatively, for those seeking a quicker route, Skiathos also has an airport that accommodates domestic flights, primarily from Athens.

The flight from Athens to Skiathos is short , taking about 30 to 45 minutes, and from there, visitors can easily hop onto a ferry to explore the neighboring islands.

Choosing the Best Sporades Island

• Key Features: Skiathos, the most accessible of the Sporades islands, is known for its nightlife and stunning beaches. It boasts over 60 sandy beaches, including the famous Koukounaries , and has a bustling town filled with charming shops and restaurants.
• Tourist Attractions: The Lalaria Beach , accessible only by boat, with its striking blue waters; the medieval ruins of Kastro; and the Skiathos Town with its lively harborside and nightlife.
• Where to Stay: Skopelos Village Hotel
• Key Features: Skopelos is celebrated for its lush green landscapes, traditional architecture, and being a filming location for the movie “Mamma Mia!” It’s a quieter, more authentic experience compared to Skiathos, with beautiful monasteries and churches.
• Tourist Attractions: The iconic cliffside Agios Ioannis Chapel , made famous by “ Mamma Mia !” ; the scenic Skopelos Town with its winding streets and charming buildings; and serene beaches like Stafilos and Panormos.
• Where to Stay: ELIVI Skiathos
• Key Features: Known for its natural beauty and marine park, Alonissos is the most remote of the inhabited Sporades islands. It’s a haven for nature lovers, with rich biodiversity both on land and in the surrounding waters.
• Tourist Attractions: The National Marine Park of Alonissos , a protected area offering superb opportunities for snorkeling and seeing marine life; the charming Old Town of Alonissos ; and secluded beaches like Chrisi Milia and Agios Dimitrios.

Island Hopping Itinerary Routes- The Sporades

Skiathos- skopelos-alonissos.

• Skiathos: 2 Nights
• Skopelos: 2 Nights
• Alonissos: 2 Nights

Greek Island Cheatsheet

If you’re familiar with the unique vibes of Greek islands and seeking the perfect one to match your interests, here’s a guide to some of the most common island themes:

Best Greek Islands for a Party

If you are looking for the Greek Islands known for a good time check out:

Best Greek Islands for Families

Traveling to the Greek Islands with the whole family? You want to check out these islands:

• Serifos, Greece

Best Greek Islands for Solo Travelers

When going to the Greek Islands alone you should consider these to be ideal:

Best Greek Islands for Foodies

Fancier yourself a foodie? These Greek Islands are KNOWN for their incredible cuisine:

Read Next: Best Greek Islands for Food Lovers

Which Greek Island Should You Visit? Take The Quiz!

Still not sure where to go? Take the quiz and find out what Greek Island is right for you based on your personality!

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Melissa Byron, a seasoned solo traveler since 2009, is the founder & visionary behind A Solo Woman Traveling. Drawing from her extensive personal experience globetrotting solo to over 40 countries, she has dedicated herself to a mission: crafting invaluable guides and itineraries for women who embark on solo adventures.

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Which Greek Island Should You Visit in 2024?

Lord Byron was on to something when he waxed lyrical about the Greek islands. But with more than 200 inhabited to choose from, which ones are the very best Greek islands? Here regular isle-hopper Rachel Howard reveals the ones to get in a speedboat for in 2024, with recommendations on where to stay chosen by the editors of Condé Nast Traveler .

Here, we've also ranked the best Greek islands, from 1 to 29. While we love and highly recommend every island on this list—and advocate visiting all of them throughout your lifetime, if you can—we've also edited the list in order so if it's your first time planning a visit to this magical corner of the world, or you just want to branch out from your usual summer isle trip, we can help you choose where to go next. The order below reflects our well-traveled team's personal opinions, the landscapes, food, beaches, hotel options, and more.

For more recommendations, see our round up of the best Greek Islands hotels .

All listings featured on  Condé Nast Traveler  are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Best of the Greek islands for: A photogenic and dramatic coastline

Everyone knows the  Venus de Milo (which has stood in the Louvre since the 19th century). Until recently, very few had heard of Milos, the volcanic island where Aphrodite’s graceful likeness was discovered. Those in the know jealously guard their treasured island, and especially its 70 (or more) beaches — surely the most diverse and dramatic coastline of all the Greek Islands.

Little by little, though, Milos is being discovered. Instagram is saturated with no-filter shots of the undulating white cliffs at Sarakiniko, the bottle-green swimming hole at Papafragas, and colorful, rickety syrmata, tiny boat houses wedged between rock and sea. (You’ll find the best photo opportunities at Klima and Mandrakia). This painterly landscape was shaped by the minerals that have long been a source of wealth–obsidian, alum, barite and sulphur, which still bubbles up in the island’s many hot springs. As the 11,000-year-old mining industry is gradually giving way to tourism, several chic hotels have made an appearance. Go now, before the trickle of visitors turns into a tide.

Where to stay on Milos:

• For romance: Milos Cove
• For families: Captain Zeppos
• For an eco-retreat: Skinopi Lodge
• For an authentic stay: Achinos By The Sea

Best of the Greek islands for: A long weekend with the art crowd

You know when Dakis Joannou, Greece's foremost art collector, is on Hydra. His yacht,  Guilty , is painted in gaudy 'camouflage' by Jeff Koons. Every summer, Joannou invites big hitters such as Matthew Barney and David Shrigley to create site-specific installations in the Greek island's old slaughterhouse. Even the school is commandeered for exhibitions in the summer holidays. Car-free and protected by a preservation order, Hydra has always been the artists' muse of the Greek Islands. Leonard Cohen set the scene in the 60s; now Brice Marden, Sadie Coles and Juergen Teller have homes here. Athenian artists take up residence at the School of Fine Arts, one of the vast, grey, stone mansions overlooking the horseshoe harbour. Musicians of all stripes rehearse and record at the  Old Carpet Factory , an 18th-century residence whose double-height ceilings and underground cistern have incredible acoustics.

Less than two hours from Athens , Hydra fills up with chic Greeks at weekends. They come to disconnect and slow down, but also to see and be seen. Wily cats and weary donkeys patrol the back alleys, but all the action happens along the waterfront. Oh look! There's Olivia Palermo at The Pirate Bar and Chloë Sevigny shaking her tail feather at Hydronetta beach bar. Who cares if there are barely any beaches? You can always find a slab of sun-baked rock from which to leap rock from which to dive into the clearest water in the world. See our full guide to  Hydra, Greece .

Where to stay in Hydra:

• For a boutique stay: Orloff Boutique Hotel
• For a beachfront stay: Onos Residence
• For a group: Mirkella sleeps 12 people

Best of the Greek islands for: Big, fat Greek feasts

Sifnos owes its foodie reputation to its most famous descendant, Nicholas Tselementes, who wrote the first Greek cookbook in 1910. Forget souvlaki and moussaka: here, chickpea croquettes and stewed capers are taverna staples. The island is peppered with potteries that produce the earthenware casseroles used for revitháda (baked chickpeas) and mastelo (lamb with red wine and dill). Traditional dishes are slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven at To Meraki tou Manoli, a local institution on sheltered Vathy bay. (While you’re there, invest in some timeless tableware from Atsonios Ceramics, in business since 1870.) In postcard-pretty Artemonas, all roads lead to Theodorou, purveyors of nougat wafers and almond sweets since 1933. You can eat in your bikini at Omega3 , where locally foraged and fished ingredients are given an exotic twist: baby-calamari tempura, smoked eel in chilled melon soup with wasabi, and chickpea sorbet with wild apricot jam and pine nuts. In 2021, Omega3’s previous energetic head chef Giorgos Samoilis opened Cantina , an equally experimental restaurant in Seralia, a pretty little bay below the beautiful medieval village of Kastro. Lobsters are plucked straight from the sea at Heronissos, then served with spaghetti on the jetty. It's just the right balance of low-key luxury and unspoiled authenticity. Rather like Sifnos itself.

Where to stay in Sifnos:

• For romance:  NÓS
• For a boutique stay:  Verina Astra
• For families:  Verina Terra
• For a laidback stay: Sifnos House
• For something unique:  This windmill Airbnb

4. Santorini

Best of the Greek islands for: Honeymooners and first-timers

Cooing American and Chinese honeymooners line up to take selfies as the sun sinks behind Santorini's caldera, the flooded volcanic crater. That view may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. A volcanic explosion blew out Santorini's heart 3,500 years ago, leaving black-sand beaches, vertiginous cliffs in psychedelic hues, and swirling rumors about Atlantis in its wake. The eruption also preserved the ancient city of Akrotiri under layers of ash, and created fertile ground for exceptional Assyrtiko grapes and Vinsanto wines. (Sample them at Domaine Sigalas and Vassaltis wineries, paired with delicate dishes that let the grapes sing.)

Apart from a boat trip to the smoldering crater of Nea Kameni and hot springs at Palia Kameni, there's not much to do but gaze at the mesmerizing views from your suite, dangling on the edge of the caldera. Most places to stay are concentrated in Oia and Imerovigli, but the inland village of Pyrgos is up-and-coming. Go for a twilight Bellini at Franco's Cafe and visit Emporio, with its smattering of old-school coffee shops and Airbnbs. For a glimpse of Santorini before the onslaught of cruise ships and Instagrammers, explore the quieter south (but keep your discoveries to yourself).

Where to stay in Santorini:

• For laidback luxury: Perivolas
• For glamour: Nobu Hotel
• For romance: Andronis Boutique Hotel
• For the wine: The Vasilicos
• For groups: Elilia Superior Villa sleeps 8 people
• For something unique: this cave house

Best of the Greek islands for: Culture and off-season cachet

On Syros, capital of the Cyclades, you won’t find sugar-cube villages and whitewashed lanes. The colorful 19th-century city of Ermoupoli is built on twin peaks–one Orthodox, the other Catholic, the heritage of a long Venetian occupation. There’s still a strong Italian flavour in Ermoupoli’s marble piazzas, princely mansions, and miniature replica of La Scala, the showpiece of a year-round cultural scene. Syros hosts festivals of animation, dance, digital art, film, classical music, jazz and rembetiko, the Greek blues popularised by local musician Markos Vamvakaris. A few rembetiko joints have survived in the upper town, Ano Syros.

Once Greece’s ship-building centre, Syros' industry centres around the yard in Neorio. But the most splendid legacy of the shipping industry are the manor houses in Vaporia and Poseidonia. The beaches are slightly less splendid—with the exception of Delfini, Varvarousa, and Aetos in the wild north. But fabulous seaside tavernas abound:  Iliovassilemar on Galissas beach for samphire and sea-urchin salad and rockfish soup;  Allou Yialou in the pretty seaside village of Kini for lobster with orzo. In Ermoupoli, the finest places to eat and drink are around Androu Street: Ousyra , where the chef plates up Greek-ified pasta and beautifully balanced salads, and  Django Gelato , where the pistachio gelato reigns supreme, and the fig sorbet made in August can sell out in less than half an hour. Perhaps the prettiest restaurant of all is  Mazi , a vine-covered courtyard festooned with bougainvillea. Before you leave, stock up on loukoumi (rose-tinted Turkish delight) and San Michali cheese from  Prekas delicatessen , and visit Zeyelo for hand-made wooden sunglasses. For more recommendations, see our insider  guide to Syros .

Where to stay on Syros:

• For a boutique stay: Xenon Apollonos
• For glamour: Hotel Ploes
• For romance: Aristide Hotel
• For groups: Villa Syros sleeps 12 people

6. Folegandros

Best of the Greek islands for: Authenticity with a bohemian buzz

The village square should be your first port of call on any Greek island: settle into your favorite café, pick up local gossip, and adjust to the languid pace of life. On Folegandros, this presents a challenge: the cliff-hanger capital, Hora, has not one but three squares, each brimming with a jumble of cafés, tavernas and dinky raki bars. We recommend  Pounta , where the Danish owner makes and sells the lopsided cups and bowls in which your coffee and Greek yogurt are served. From Hora, zigzagging steps lead up, up and away to the only real landmark, Panagia church; make the pilgrimage at sunrise (perhaps after an all-nighter at diminutive Astarti bar).

Folegandros–which means ‘iron hard’ in ancient Greek–is as barren as its name suggests. Fruit trees are protected from fierce winds by rings of stones. You won’t find sandy beaches lined with sunbeds; only limpid, pebbly coves, such as Katergo, Ambeli and Livadaki. Set in the rocks above Agios Nikolaos bay, Papalagi serves big fat prawns and whole grilled octopus on a wooden deck aligned with the horizon. Water taxis service some beaches in high season; otherwise you’ll have to scramble down rocky footpaths to cool off. On your way home, stop at Mimis or Synantisi in Ano Meria for the island speciality of  matsata (goat or rabbit stew with hand-made pasta).

Where to stay on Folegandros:

• For views: Anemomilos
• For families: Anemi
• For beach access: Blue Sand Hotel
• For a private stay: Maistros

Best of the Greek islands for: Antiquities, active adventures and sunshine all year round

Greece's largest island, the birthplace of Zeus,  Crete has ancient ruins, snow-capped peaks and beaches galore. Sunshine is pretty much guaranteed year round, but spring is especially lovely for rambling and sightseeing. The Minoan palace of Knossos is glorious, despite the steady stream of coach parties (go early: it opens at 8 ); but there are stunning ancient sites, such as Aptera and Malia, peppered all over the island. The 16km-long Samaria Gorge also teems with pilgrims, but there are hundreds more canyons to explore, often with only the elusive kri-kri (wild goats) for company. One of the most staggeringly beautiful hikes is through the Aradena Gorge in the wild and rugged Sfakia region, ending at Marmara, a translucent cove on the Libyan Sea, for a cooling dip and lunch at one of Crete’s finest tavernas, Dialiskari.

With the exception of Elounda–a pocket of bling popular with oligarchs–the north-east coast is scarred by over-development. Head west to the Amari valley or Apokoronas for authentic villages surrounded by olive and orange groves. Or go south, where you'll find the best beaches in Crete–try Ligres, Sougia, or Kedrodasos. Alternatively, take a back-to-nature break at Milia Mountain Retreat , a 16th-century hamlet powered entirely by solar energy. Everything on the mostly organic menu is grown, caught or reared locally. In fact, it’s almost impossible not to eat well on Crete, which produces superb cheese, honey and olive oil, as well as delicious goat, rabbit and smoked-pork dishes. Time slows almost to a standstill in the mountain villages, where locals with formidable whiskers welcome you with shots of raki (Cretan grappa) for breakfast and celebrate saints' days with a volley of gunshots. Even the road signs are peppered with bullet holes.

Where to stay in Crete:

• For families: Domes Zeen Chania and Cretan Malia Park
• For romance: Acros Wellness Suites
• For a great location: Blue Palace Resort & Spa
• For a village stay: Kapsaliana Village
• For a private stay: Azure Awe
• For a group: Cien sleeps 16 people

Best of the Greek islands for: Character and lush landscapes

Corfu is the It Girl of the Ionian islands. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British, and French colonial influences. Evenings kick off with cocktails on the Liston (a colonnade modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli), followed by dinner at  Salto , an unpretentious wine bar and bistro on the edge of the Old Town.

With its pastel villages, rolling olive groves and grand manor houses, the rest of the island recalls Tuscany—but with some of the  best beaches in Europe . The smart set stay on Corfu's north-east coast (nicknamed Kensington-on-Sea) where the Rothschilds like to unwind. It's wall-to-wall Sloanes and speedboats at Agni, a tiny fishing village with three rival tavernas (Toula's is the best). From here, you can rent a boat and putter to your own cove: perhaps Nissaki, Agios Stefanos or Kerasia. These idyllic bays still resemble the 'delectable landscape' that Lawrence Durrell fell for in the 1930s–now back in vogue thanks to the ITV series, The Durrells . Or venture inland to  Ambelonas , an enchanting winery, restaurant and cooking school that specializes in unusual local dishes, such as roast pork with quince and crème brûlée with Corfiot kumquats. Steer clear of the south, especially Kavos–unless you happen to like wet T-shirt contests.

Where to stay in Corfu:

• For a standout spa: Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa
• For all-inclusive: Ikos Dassia
• For romance: Domes Miramare
• For families: Domes of Corfu
• For groups: Emerald Oasis sleeps 10 people

Best of the Greek islands for: Endless sandy beaches

Naxiots once made considerable fortunes exporting potatoes, cheese, marble and emery. Locals bequeathed undesirable seaside plots–useless for farming–to their laziest offspring. When tourists cottoned on to the island's scores of fabulous beaches, these wastrels found themselves sitting on gold mines. The west coast of Naxos is fringed with mile upon mile of powdery sands. Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna delight toddlers and teenagers alike with their shallow waters and beach bars. As you head south, the beaches get wilder: Plaka, where you can gallop across the dunes on horseback, Mikri Vigla for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and crystal-clear Kastraki.

Should you tire of frolicking on the shore, three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore. Try kitron, the local citron liqueur, at the Vallindras distillery in Halki or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in Ano Potamia village. No wonder Herodotus described Naxos as “the happiest of islands."

Where to stay in Naxos:

• For romance:  Naxian on the Beach
• For laidback luxury:  Kavos
• For a private stay:  Eye of Naxos Sky
• For families: Hidden Hill

10. Cephalonia / Kefalonia

Best of the Greek islands for: Laidback family holidays

Casting Penélope Cruz as a Greek peasant is improbable. Shooting a World War II film on an island flattened by an earthquake in 1953 sounds even crazier. And yet  Captain Corelli's Mandolin put under-the-radar Kefalonia (Cephalonia) in the spotlight in 2001. The dramatic scenery still lives up to the hype: milky-white Myrtos beach, the island's pin-up; pine-fringed Horgota beach; and the giddying heights of Mount Ainos, a national park where wild horses roam. Outdoor Kefalonia organises four-wheel-drive safaris, if you can't face the hairpin bends. Surprisingly, the two prettiest seaside villages–Assos and Fiskardo–didn't make the cut. But the yachting set has discovered their photogenic charm. Everyone from John Galliano to Jon Bon Jovi has jumped ashore to taste the seafood pasta at  Tassia Restaurant in Fiskardo, washed down with local Robola and Muscat wines. (We recommend the organic muscat from the 19th century  Haritatos Vineyard in Lixouri, also an enchanting setting for wine tasting.) The rocky coastline around Fiskardo is deliciously pristine: go snorkeling at tiny Dafnoudi or Emblisi, flanked by slabs of limestone that turn the water electric blue.

Where to stay in Kefalonia:

• For an adult-only retreat:  F Zeen
• For families:  Emelisse Nature Resort
• For groups:  Odyssea sleeps 12 people
• For a private stay:  Wilderness Whisperings house
• For something unique:  This sky high villa

Best of the Greek islands for: Walking trails and wild beaches

Divided by four mountain ranges, Andros is like several islands in one. Lush valleys, rushing streams, handsome villages, and wild, windswept beaches are connected by a well-maintained network of hiking trails, making this an excellent off-season destination. Many of Greece’s powerful shipping dynasties hail from Andros; they have bequeathed the island with grand estates, splendid museums, and an elegant neoclassical capital. The marble-paved streets of Chora are full of unexpected treasures: a tiny, open-air cinema showing black-and-white classics, great pizzas and cocktails in a  converted slaughterhouse , sublime sundresses and sandals at  Waikiki boutique. Inland, there are fortified monasteries, ice-cold waterfalls, and fantastic farm-to-table tavernas like Kosses in Ano Fellos, Fofo’s in Livadia, and Tou Josef in Pitrofos to explore. And then there are the mind-blowing beaches: from the spectacular sandy bays of Zorkos, Vitali, and Vori on the north coast to the mellow beach bars at Apothikes and Chryssi Ammos, or the sunset views and old-school fish taverna at Agia Marina, there are options for whichever way the wind or your mood is blowing. You could spend weeks on Andros and still have more to discover.

Where to stay on Andros:

• For a guesthouse stay: Melisses
• For privacy: Onar
• For a village stay: Touchstone House
• For groups: Five Star Greece

12. Serifos

Best of the Greek islands for: Naturists and purists

The sleeper hit of the Cyclades, Serifos is the summer retreat of interior designers and architects who prefer to keep the sandy beaches to themselves. (One French home-owner is so protective of her hideaway that she tells all her friends she summers on nearby Sifnos.) Even in August, you’ll find coves where you can skinny dip in blissful solitude. That’s because the best beaches (such as Kalo Ambeli and Skala) are only accessible via bone-rattling dirt roads or donkey tracks. Better still, rent a motor boat from the laidback harbor, Livada. Make sure to moor outside Anna’s taverna on Sikamia beach for freshly caught fish and garden-grown salads.

In the cascading hilltop Hora, there’s barely any nightlife, no smart boutiques or fancy hotels. But who cares when you can kick back with fennel pie and raki at  Stou Stratou , pick up Natassa Kalogeropoulou’s minimalist ceramics at  Kerameio , and listen to Greek folk in the open-air amphitheatre? And all less than three hours from Athens.

Where to stay on Serifos:

• For a boutique stay: Verina Astra
• For romance: Chill & Co.
• For groups: Lenia sleeps 12 people
• For something unique: This 19th century captain’s house

13. Mykonos

Best of the Greek islands for: Decadent parties and five-star hotels

Mykonos had LGBTQ+ clubs and sunrise parties long before rave culture was even invented. Its bohemian allure hasn’t faded since the 1960s, although the once naked beaches now have nail bars, personal trainers and house music pumping out all hours. The influx of supermodels and superyachts has inspired hot new hotels and restaurants. The hippest place to show off your abs is  Scorpios , a louche beach bar that puts Ibiza's finest in the shade (book a cabana to watch the sunset). After hours, it's always Astra, where you might find Keith Richards chatting up Karolina Kurkova. The LGBTQ+ crowd has dwindled, but drag queens and oiled bodybuilders make a splash at Jackie O' , overlooking Super Paradise beach.

If the glitzy excess gets too much, escape to Fokos taverna for superfood salads and lamb chops, or Kiki's, an off-grid grill-shack overlooking Agios Sostis bay, where even Naomi Campbell has to queue for a table. Or cruise over to the tiny island of Delos, an archaeological sanctuary that once thronged with 30,000 sun worshippers (the temple is dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of light).

Where to stay in Mykonos:

• For romance: Cali Mykonos
• For the party scene: Soho Roc House
• For a laidback stay: Once in Mykonos
• For families: Santa Marina resort
• For groups: Bluewave XL sleeps 36 people

14. Zakynthos / Zante

Best of the Greek islands for: Seaside holidays with toddlers or teens

Zakynthos, or Zante, has shrugged off its reputation as a destination for lads on tour (as long as you avoid Lagana and the built-up south coast) by rebranding itself as one of Greece's greenest islands. It's not just the emerald hills sliding into the electric blue Ionian: much of the south coast is a nature reserve where endangered loggerhead turtles hatch in the sand. The turtle beaches are off limits, but there are countless coves in every hue of green and blue. Favourites are tiny Xigia, with its bubbling underwater springs, and craggy Porto Limnionas, with sunbeds wedged between the rocks and palm-frond umbrellas positioned between the pine trees. Skinari is the starting point for boat trips to the most famous landmarks, the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach, where a rusting liner leans into the chalky cliffs. From Keri, you can cast away for Marathonisi island, another turtle sanctuary.

The mountainous interior, all sleepy stone villages poking out of pine forests, is great for hikes and bikes. ( Eco Zante can arrange outdoor activities guided by insiders.)  Askos Stone Park is a wildlife sanctuary inhabited by deer, chinchilla, and dozens of other species. After exploring the Venetian castle high above the harbour, treat the kids to thin-crust pizzas (with grown-up toppings like bresaola, aubergine, and gorgonzola) at  Alesta on cute St Mark's Square.

Where to stay in Zante:

• For families: Porto Zante
• For romance: Zante Maris Suites and Olea All Suite Hotel
• For a private stay: Halcyon Seas
• For a group: Ble Kyma sleeps 12 people

15. Amorgos

Best of the Greek islands for : Deep-blue seas and wide-open spaces

It’s not easy to get to Amorgos. In high winds, the fast ferries stay grounded and the slow boat takes upwards of eight hours from Athens. When you disembark at Katapola, a sleepy harbor lined with great little fish tavernas (our favorites are Prekas and Mouragio), a sign announces: 'Welcome to Amorgos. Nobody will find you here.'

That’s just the point. This craggy Cycladic island has always attracted loners, hikers, divers, and pilgrims, who shuffle up the cliff face to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa, a sliver of white dangling 300 metres above the sea. The water here is a million shades of blue and so startlingly clear you can see every sea urchin lurking on the rocky shore. Even the sage-scented hiking trails are called Blue Paths, because the sea and sky are visible in all directions.

With a population of under 2,000, the locals are outnumbered by shaggy goats that blend in perfectly with the burnished landscape and hippie vibe. But you don't have to be a recluse to fall for Amorgos. There are plenty of all-day spots and a few late-night bars where Amorgos groupies meet, summer after summer: Jazzmin, in Hora, for backgammon and cocktails; Pergalidi in Langada for herbal infusions and jazzy tunes; Seladi in Tholaria, with giddying views and a telescope for stargazing.

Where to stay on Amorgos: There are very few hotels on Amorgos, beyond basic rooms to let.  Vorina Ktismata is the exception, with seven smart apartments looking out across Hora’s white-washed rooftops.

Best of the Greek islands for: The perfect balance of seclusion and sophistication

One of the tiniest Ionian islands, Paxos packs a big punch. Not for its five-star hotels (there are hardly any) or its sandy beaches (practically none), but for its electric blue sea and three dinky harbor towns, each one so pretty it’s impossible to pick a favorite. In laid-back Loggos, on the northeast coast, star-spangled evenings are spent on the waterfront terrace of Taxidi bar, where the owner, Spiros, often jams with local musicians. You could while away days in the waterfront cafés of Lakka, watching lissom sailors hop on and off their yachts. Protected from the wind but with a lively social scene, the main port of Gaios is characterized by Venetian architecture and a high quota of stylish Italians, who own pale stone villas hidden in the wooded interior or on the crest of the limestone cliffs along the western shoreline. For the many British Paxos aficionados, all roads lead to  Ben’s Bar , a happy-go-lucky hangout on Monodendri beach, where you can laze under the olive trees with French toast and Piña Coladas. Make sure to rent a motor boat to putter along the coast to pebble coves such as Marmari and Kipiadi, or across to Antipaxos, an even smaller island that’s a hit with the yachting set. Paths through vineyards and orchards trickle down to bays with sea so clear it looks retouched.

Where to stay in Paxos:

• For an authentic stay: Paxos Villa
• For a great location: Oneiro
• For groups: Panayia View sleeps 14 people

17. Lefkada

Best of the Greek islands for: Sailors, surfers, and superstar beaches

Lefkada is something of an anomaly. Unlike the other Ionian islands, it’s accessible from the mainland via a causeway on the northern tip. Lefkada’s main town, flattened by an earthquake in the 1950s, certainly won’t take your breath away, but those famous cliff-backed beaches, Egremni and Porto Katsiki, sure will. You’ll find sheltered beaches no matter which way the wind is blowing; but if you’re here for the swell, the south coast is fantastic for windsurfing (head to Vassiliki or Sivota, home to the world windsurfing championships) and Agios Ioannis bay billows with kite-surfers. At Nidri, ignore the unlovely bars and watersports centres, and hop on a boat to explore the little isles nearby. You can swim through sea caves near Kalamos; eat seared tuna with tarama at Errikos taverna on Meganisi, a favorite of reclusive billionaires; and watch the sunset with a basil-infused Mastiha and tonic at Mylos bar, a converted windmill on Kastos.

Want to cool down or escape the summer crowds? Drive through forests of chestnut and pine into Lefkada’s mountainous interior to the somnolent villages of Karya (home to an enchanting textile museum), Eglouvi (to play backgammon under plane trees) and Exanthia (to watch the setting sun from up in the clouds at Rachi restaurant). You might even see paragliders leaping off the mountain.

Where to stay in Lefkada:

• For romance: Ibid
• For views:  New Morning villa

Best of the Greek islands for: A mythical retreat for lovers and loners

Despite its legendary stature, the homeland of Homer's hero, Odysseus, remains surprisingly under the radar. Ithaca’s turquoise and emerald coves are popular with the sailing set, but few visitors venture into the forested hills. So you might be the only person exploring the eighth-century BC ruins of Odysseus’ palace, or making the heady trek to the church of Anogi, covered in Byzantine frescoes (ask for the key at the village coffee shop, where the owner will cook you a set menu of whatever is available–maybe a tomato salad, some local cheese and braised goat—straight from her garden or neighbours’ fields).

From Anogi, it’s an exhilarating two-hire hike down to Kioni, a miniature port where you’ll find  Spavento , the perfect pier-side café-bar. Go any time of day or night for ice-cream sundaes, excellent cocktails, and a soundtrack to make your heart sing. The waterside tavernas at the drowsy fishing port of Frikes are unfailingly delightful, especially  Ageri . The deep, sheltered harbor town of Vathy is barely livelier, but the mood can be deliciously mischievous at Mylos bar. Beaches are mostly small and pebbly, but the sea is as clear and refreshing as gin. Authentic, unspoiled and infuriatingly (or gratifyingly) hard to reach, rugged little Ithaca is somewhere you can still disappear.

Where to stay on Ithaca:

• For a private stay: Ithaca Airbnb house
• For families:  Levendis Estate

Best for: Traditional villages and knockout tavernas

Tinos has more than 50 villages, each vying to be fairest of them all. In Pyrgos, famous for its marble craftsmen, sculpted birds and flowers decorate every doorway. In Volax, basket weavers squat outside cottages surrounded by giant boulders, seemingly flung from the heavens by Zeus in a fit of pique. There's even a village called 'love’, Agapi, where you can tuck into wild-fennel fritters at the only taverna. Tinos takes its food culture seriously: there are artichoke, caper and honey festivals.  Marathia launched the island’s farm- (or fishing-boat-) to-table scene, elevating local ingredients into complex modern dishes. For a perfect meal in perfect surroundings, go for cuttlefish risotto and octopus caramelized in grape must at Thalassaki, served on the jetty in Isternia bay, then watch dusk bleed into the horizon from Exomeria bar.

Tinos is only 20 minutes from Mykonos, so it's a wonder it isn't overrun with tourists. The harbor is swarmed on 15 August, however, when Orthodox pilgrims flock here to kiss the Virgin Mary at the Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria, one of the holiest sites in Greece. Otherwise, the island is miraculously untouched. Solitary chapels and whimsical dovecotes stud thyme-scented hills, dropping to sandy bays whipped by the meltemi wind. There's a nascent surfer scene on Kolibithra bay, where a VW camper van has been converted into a cute beach bar.

Where to stay in Tinos:

• For a guest house stay: Xinara House
• For a private stay:  The Detailor

Best of the Greek islands for: Stark mystique and show-stopping villas

Patmos has an indefinable je ne sais quoi–an otherworldly quality that radiates from its crowning glory, the medieval Monastery of St John. This turreted fortress, bursting with Byzantine relics, is named after John the Divine, who conjured up his apocalyptic revelations in a cave nearby. Pure-white Hora, a World Heritage Site, is where A-listers and fashion editors stay. High walls and heavy doors conceal magnificent mansions dating back to the 16th century. The almighty church has kept nightlife in check. If you must see and be seen, head to quietly glamorous Astivi or Stoa Theo's bar, on miniature Agia Lesbia, in Hora. Beach life is generally languid and low-key; Psili Ammos and Livadi Geranou are our favorite hideouts. Dinner reservations are essential at Benetos, for Med-Asian fusion on an organic farm, and Lambi for grilled fish on a purple pebble beach.

Joining the Patmos in-crowd requires commitment. There's no airport and it's a nine-hour ferry journey from Athens, which keeps the hoi polloi at bay. Seriously reclusive types hop on a fishing boat from Patmos to Marathi and play castaway at Pantelis, a divine taverna with modest rooms to let.

Where to stay in Patmos:

• For a guest house stay: Pagostas
• For a private stay: Patmos 360
• For a village stay: Eirini

Best of the Greek islands for: Traveling back in time

When the writer Lawrence Durrell arrived in Rhodes after World War II, he found an island devastated by centuries of crusaders and invaders. Like the fallen Colossus, it was 'a Rhodes dispersed into a million fragments, waiting to be built up again.' Since then, Rhodes has reinvented itself as one of Greece's top travel destinations. The big draw is the medieval citadel in Rhodes Old Town: stroll along the battlements and you'll spy Byzantine churches, Roman ruins, synagogues, and minarets. In the maze of alleys, seek out Marco Polo Mansion, a 15th-century guest-house decorated like a pasha's harem, with an enchanting restaurant in the garden.

Upmarket hotels are clustered around Lindos, its magnificent acropolis surrounded by slate cliffs and emerald coves. Go for the views–and the sublime octopus ragout at Mavrikos restaurant.

As you head south, high-rise resorts give way to stretches of golden sand, such as Glystra, Tsambika, and Fourni. Inland, you'll find alpine forests (Mount Attavyros), hilltop castles (Monolithos), faded frescoes (Saint Nikolaos Fountoukli) and ancient ruins (Kamiros). Marooned on the southern tip, Prasonisi is a powdery peninsula where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. One side is calm, the other choppy–a metaphor for this island of two halves.

Where to stay in Rhodes:

• For romance: Casa Cook
• For history: Kókkini Porta Rossa
• For a boutique stay:  Melenos Art Boutique Hotel

Best for: Castaway coves and a picture-perfect port

Little Symi has the prettiest port in Greece. As you round the headland, neoclassical mansions in every shade of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea. Built by 19th-century sponge and spice merchants, the whole town is now a national monument. You need strong legs to explore–it's about 500 steps up to the crumbling acropolis–but you won't need a car. The only proper road peters out at Panormitis monastery, a major pilgrimage site. Ravishing beaches such as Agios Giorgos Dysalona (backed by monumental cliffs) and Marathounda (where goats will try to filch your picnic) are only accessible by boat or on foot. In the rugged hinterland, more than 100 monasteries are hidden among the pine and cypress forests.

With its laid-back glamor, luminous sea and almost tropical microclimate, Symi is a hit with French and Italian yachties. You'll find them eating flash-fried baby shrimp, a local specialty, at Tholos, a sensational taverna where the harbor views almost steal the show.

Where to stay in Symi:

• For a hotel stay: The Old Markets
• For a private stay: On The Rocks

23. Astypalea

Best of the Greek islands for: Escaping the crowds

A throwback to a gentler, slower, more elemental way of life, Astypalea is surprisingly easy to get to (daily one-hour flights from Athens). Every gap in the burnished hills frames a different view of Hora, cascading from the Venetian castle to seaside Skala. The scent of saffron biscuits wafts through the whitewashed lanes. Tucked beneath the battlements, Castro bar has a magical terrace that seems to float above the archipelago.

The nearest beach is Livadi, a sort-of-resort surrounded by citrus orchards. The rest of the island is stark and wild. Treacherous tracks hurtle down to shingle bays such as Vatses, with a rocking beach bar, and Kaminakia, where Linda's farm-to-table taverna serves the best roast goat in the Dodecanese. If you really want to be alone, rent a motorboat from Maltezana, an old-time fishing village, and putter to Koutsomiti and Kounoupes, tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach. At Vathy, a lagoon where erotic graffiti was etched into the rocks 2,500 years ago, the only taverna is called Galini (Peace). Which sums up Astypalea perfectly.

Where to stay in Astypalea: Saluti da Stampalia Suites , with seven subdued but very stylish sea-view rooms, has upped the ante on an island where most accommodation is uninspired.

24. Skiathos

Best of the Greek islands for: Flopping onto a sandy beach with a good book

Skiathos may be the smallest of the Sporades islands, which counts among its number sleepy Alonissos and the pretty  Mamma Mia! location of Skopelos, but it’s by far the most popular, especially with families, who come for the baby powder-soft sandy beaches and laid-back vibe. The island has some of the finest beaches in Greece, with the tree-lined, turquoise-watered Koukounaries in the south the most celebrated and the busiest (forget about getting a sun lounger here in peak season). Those in the north of the island, which can only be accessed by a steep, winding drive through pine groves, are more rugged and windswept but no less idyllic–emerging onto Elia beach on the west coast, with its crystal-clear sea and rickety wooden taverna, is like stepping into a little slice of paradise.

As dusk falls the town starts to liven up, with most of the action centered around Papadiamantis Street, the main shopping drag. Stroll down it on the way to dinner and browse smart boutiques selling handcrafted jewelery and knick-knacks, or pick up local delicacies from the upmarket Ergon deli (reopens in May), which also has outposts in Athens, Thessaloniki and Mayfair. The buzziest restaurants are clustered around the harbour, with Bourtzi, perched atop a tiny rocky island, the best spot for sundowner cocktails and The Windmill a favorite for elegant suppers. For the most charming setting, head to Sklithri and book one of the taverna’s tables right on the beach. Order an ice-cold Mythos beer, baked feta and a platter of perfectly-chargrilled and out-of-this-world delicious vegetables then watch the sun set over the Aegean, with your toes in the sand.

Where to stay in Skiathos:

• For a hotels stay: Elivi Skiathos
• For a private stay: Villa Azalea

Best of the Greek islands for:  Low-key authenticity all year round

Unusually for Greece, Aegina is truly an island for all seasons. Only about an hour’s ferry ride from Piraeus, the unpretentious port (briefly the first capital of modern Greece) has a lived-in charm. Athenian weekenders come for the excellent seaside ouzeris; Skotadis, on the harborfront is the standout. Classicists come to explore the portside antiquities of Kolona, the hilltop temple of Aphaia (allegedly the template for the Parthenon) and the ghostly Byzantine chapels at Paleochora. Canny ex-pats have snapped up properties in Pachia Rachi, a stone village with sensational views across the straits to the Peloponnese. The Dumas family, heirs to the Hermès fortune, have been discreetly spending their summers here for decades. With its soft light and gentle landscapes, Aegina has always been a muse for Greek artists and writers, including the prolific painter Nikos Nikolaou, whose former home and atelier is now an  enchanting guesthouse and museum (open on Saturdays by appointment). Thanks to a tight-knit community of locals, Athenian escapees, and cosmopolitan emigrés, there’s always something interesting afoot: live music at Proka bar or  Il Posto , a cosy Italian restaurant in Kypseli village, an exhibition in the 17th century Markellos Tower, or a travel writing and ceramics retreat at  Oikia Karapanou , one of many stately homes in various states of ruin and repair that dot this incredibly diverse island. The only thing Aegina doesn’t have is great beaches—perhaps that’s what has spared this accessible island from over-development. This is an island that doesn’t depend on foreign tourists and is all the better for it.

Where to stay on Aegina:

• For a hotel stay: Nikolaou Residence
• For something unique: this bohemian artist's house
• For a group: Villa Calypso sleeps 11 people

26. Kastellorizo

Best of the Greek islands for:  Castaway dreams and swimming through caves

Michael Anastassiades, Lynda Benglis, Savvas Laz, Silvia and Nicoletta Fiorucci…the number of artists, designers, and their patrons who summer on tiny Kastellorizo is remarkable. Covering less than five square miles, with fewer than 500 inhabitants, this sun-blistered fleck lies just over one nautical mile from Turkey’s Anatolian coast. You can sail across to the town of Kaş for kofte and a trawl though the flea market and be back in time for a sundowner at Faros, a day-to-night hangout in the old lighthouse beside the mosque. A confluence of Levantine influences draws a culturally curious crowd to this remote Aegean outpost. Once a thriving maritime economy, Kastellorizo was bombed during World War II and then virtually abandoned. Gradually, the handsome sponge and spice merchants’ houses in vibrant shades of turquoise and terracotta are being revived as artists’ residences (such as Fiorucci’s 4Rooms), or enchanting guesthouses like  Mediterraneo . You can dive straight from Mediterraneo’s sundeck into the port, where sea turtles bob alongside colorful fishing boats. There’s not much action beyond the waterfront strip known as the  kordoni , or shoelace: a little snorkeling, cave swimming, or boat-watching, a ramble along goat tracks, a slow supper of stuffed onions under the fairy-lit plane trees at Ta Platania, or perhaps some yoga in the wild on the even tinier islet of Ro. This is a pure and simple Greece.

Where to stay on Kastellorizo:

• For a boutique stay:  Casa Mediterraneo
• For romance:  Mediterraneo
• For groups:  The Admiral’s House

27. Antiparos

Best of the Greek islands for:  Relaxed cool

This tiny island packs a surprisingly hip scene into its low-slung hills and shallow coves. Most of the action centres around the dinky port, where life drifts by in the waterfront cafés and the lively strip that leads to the square. Every season, more upmarket restaurants ( Yam ,  Lollo’s ) and boutiques ( More than This ,  Zali ) spring up alongside classic dive bars like  Doors and Lucky Luke. At dusk, all roads predictably lead to  Sunset bar for a spritz; after hours, everyone stumbles to cult disco La Luna, where both the décor and music are stuck in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

By day, the scene is way more mellow: brunch at  Margarita’s in town or  Time Marine  on Psaralyki, one of a string of shallow, narrow beaches along the southern coastline. Beyond the modest, boxy houses of the harbour town are dozens of sensational villas designed by in-demand architects. The fanciest properties are scattered around Soros and Agios Georgios bays, where you’ll also find two of the island’s best tavernas,  Peramataki and  Captain Pipinos . The latter is a short boat or kayak ride from Despotiko island, where goats roam around the semi-excavated sanctuary of Apollo. The beauty of Antiparos is that nothing is more than ten minutes away, and after a couple of days, you’ll feel like a regular, bumping into the same good-looking faces wherever you go. If you get cabin fever, you can hop on the 7-minute ferry to Paros for kite surfing, windsurfing, fine dining, or village hopping.

Where to stay on Antiparos:

• For a hotel stay: The Rooster
• For a private stay: Antiparos Escape Villas  and Oliaros

Best of the Greek islands for:  Distinctive architecture and good vibes

Long overlooked because of its checkered history—this Dodecanese Island was an Italian naval base from 1912–1943, and later became the site of a notorious insane asylum—Leros is all the better for flying under the radar. The vast natural harbor of Lakki (an excellent marina for sailboats) still bears the surreal hallmarks of Fascist rationalism, an Art Deco mirage that’s like a faded version of Miami on the Med. The colorful neoclassical houses of Agia Marina and Platanos have a more lived-in feel, peppered with appealing patisseries, antique shops, and B&Bs. Italian cognoscenti and Turkish yachties have discovered Leros for one very good reason:  Mylos by the Sea , arguably the best seafood restaurant in Greece, with a hopelessly romantic setting overlooking a windmill jutting out to sea. Sunset watchers converge on  Harris Bar , another windmill poised between the medieval castle of Panagia and Panteli’s pebbly beach. Most beaches on Leros may be small and scrappy, but the water is luminous and there are just enough low-key beach bars like  Zephyros  and  Lime . Since restaurants cater mainly to Greeks, the food scene is authentic and affordable: Thea Artemis taverna on gentle Blefouti bay, Lychnari in Lakki, and the cult souvlaki joint Yparxo in Platanos are local favorites. Although there’s a tiny domestic airport, there are no international flights or big, branded resorts on Leros. Instead, there are family-run guesthouses brimming with character, where you feel more like a friend than a room number.

Where to stay on Leros:

• For glamour:  Villa Clara
• For (vegan) romance:  Archondiko Angelou
• For a private stay:  Lakki Old Farmhouse

29. Spetses

Best of the Greek islands for:  Family holidays with the smart society set

If it weren’t for Sotirios Anargyros, Spetses might be as barren as its more bohemian neighbor, Hydra. In the early 20th century, after making a killing in tobacco, Anargyros bought up huge swathes of the island and planted thousands of pine trees. Anargyos also founded the famous boarding school (whose grounds are a lovely spot for an evening stroll) that inspired a certain English teacher to write The Magus , and built the Poseidonion, a grand harbor-front hotel that has been gloriously restored (there’s no finer place for an aperitivo). From the heirloom-filled mansions built on shipping fortunes to the horse-drawn carriages and tasteful yachts, the whole place reeks of old money. But there’s plenty of new-fangled fun too: late-night bars ( Bikini  or retro-cool  Bar Spetsa ), two open-air cinemas, stylish boutiques ( The Closet , whose resident cats are an attraction), and expensive restaurants ( Patralis  and  Tarsanas  vie for the best fish soup). In the summer, Spetses is a sociable place to see and be seen. But it’s also lovely off-season, when you can hike the gentle green hills or cycle the coastal road that circles the island (there’s even a Tweed Run in October). Compact, well-kept, and easily accessible from Athens (2-3 hours by catamaran), Spetses is a people-pleaser for all ages and seasons.

Where to stay on Spetses:

• For glamour:  Poseidonion Grand Hotel
• For families:  Orloff Resort
• For a private stay:  Magus House

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller U.K.

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Real Greek Experiences

Greek Culture, Travel Information, Itineraries, Life in Greece

Island Hopping In Greece On A Budget

Island hopping in Greece is a great way to see some of the most beautiful islands in the world. The best part? Visiting the Greek islands doesn’t need to be expensive. Here are some insider’s travel tips for Greek island hopping on a budget.

What is Greek island hopping?

Let’s start with what it means to island hop in Greece ! With few exceptions, island hopping in Greece involves packing your luggage, and moving on to the next island .

While many Greek islands are close to each other on the map, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can use one as a base and take day trips to others. This might be possible with a chartered boat, or a small local boat, but is rarely feasible on commercial ferries.

Budgeting for the Greek islands, ferries and flights

Not all islands in Greece have international or domestic airports. Even when they do, there are few direct flights from one island to another. So, Greek island hopping will normally involve a ferry .

Overall, hopping around the islands isn’t the most wallet-friendly choice when visiting Greece. Certain ferry tickets to some of the popular islands can cost well over 100 euro.

If you’re taking a ferry every couple of days, the costs soon add up. In addition, accommodation prices on some of the islands can be exorbitant during peak season.

As for direct flights between the islands, these are not only rare, but they also come at a premium price. Here is some more information: Direct flights between the Greek islands . 

However, it is absolutely possible to island hop in Greece on a budget. This article will help you make smart choices, and enjoy your holiday more.

13 Travel tips for Greek island hopping

Here are some tips and ideas which will help you island hop around Greece. They come from decades of my experience travelling around the Greek islands since I was a kid!

For the purposes of this article, “a budget” will be around 50-60 euros per person per day. This might seem like too little for some people, but it’s absolutely doable. All you need is some careful planning!

1. Visit Greek islands in the same island group

Before you plan your island hopping itinerary, my best tip is to study a map of Greece. Many of our islands are grouped together, and the island groups are all at different sides of the Greek mainland. According to the 2011 census, there are 119 inhabited islands in Greece!

There are six main island chains, plus a few standalone islands. Here they are:

• Cyclades islands , e.g. Santorini, Mykonos, Milos
• Ionian islands , e.g. Zakynthos, Corfu
• Saronic islands , e.g. Hydra, Aegina
• Dodecanese islands , e.g. Rhodes, Kos
• Sporades islands , e.g. Skiathos, Skopelos
• North Aegean islands , e.g. Lesvos
• Evia , a large island close to Athens
• Crete , the largest island in Greece.

Most islands will reward you with stunning beaches, traditional villages, fantastic food, and a relaxed, laid-back pace of life. Yet, each island group is different! 

This introduction to the Greek island groups  will give you a better idea on what to expect in each group of islands.

Overall, it’s better to visit islands in one or maybe two island chains. Not only will travelling costs be lower, but you will also save considerable amounts of time by not rushing around the country.

As an example, the combination Santorini – Corfu is not practical or time-efficient in terms of ferry connections. You’d have to take a flight from Santorini to Athens, and a second one to Corfu. This would cost you a lot more than an itinerary including Santorini and 2-3 more islands in the Cyclades.

These days, most ferry tickets are available online a few months in advance. I use Ferryscanner to check itineraries and book my ferry tickets in Greece. 

Tip: Note that ferries are sometimes delayed. I have been on ferries that were delayed by a couple of hours. So if you are planning to take a flight home after your last ferry, allow for plenty of time, or even an extra night.

Further reading: Should I visit the islands or the Greek mainland ?

2. Visit Greek islands on direct ferry routes

Even within the same group of islands, you may find that not all islands are directly connected with each other. It’s more practical to do some advance research, and choose your destinations according to the ferry routes available at the time of your visit.

As an example, let’s say that you want to travel between two Cycladic islands: Andros  and Iraklia . As there is no direct connection, you would first get a ferry from Andros to Naxos, and then take an onward ferry to Iraklia.

If you want to avoid too many ferries, you could either combine Andros with Tinos , or Iraklia with the other Small Cyclades and Naxos.

Photo taken from the castle in Plaka, Milos .

Another idea is to visit islands that are connected by small, inexpensive local ferries. As an example, there are several daily ferry connections between  Milos  and  Kimolos , Paros and Antiparos and the Small Cyclades.

You can compare ferry schedules and book your tickets on Ferryscanner .

3. Cut down on the number of islands

Visitors often try to include several Greek islands in their vacation.

Some of the most popular islands, like Santorini and Mykonos, are easily experienced in 3-4 days. However, some other islands would need more than a week to be properly explored.

If you are thinking to island hop in Greece but are on a tight budget, consider visiting fewer islands. There is a lot to see on the biggest islands, like Crete, Rhodes, Naxos, Lesvos, Chios, Andros and several others. You could easily spend your whole vacation there, and bring transportation costs down.

4. Take the slow ferries

There are a number of different ferries serving the Greek islands. For the Cyclades in particular, there are many different companies, running dozens of ferries.

You will find anything from small, high speed ferries just for passengers, to larger, slower ferries that also transport vehicles, big trucks and goods.

Costs of ferry tickets vary a lot, especially for the Cyclades islands. As an example, passenger tickets from Piraeus or Rafina ports start at 35-40 euro for most slow ferry routes. Prices can reach over 100 euro if you want business class tickets on the high speed ferries, or a cabin.

Unless you are really pushed for time, you can get a deck seat or numbered seat on a slow ferry and keep the costs down. In my opinion, the extra expense of business class or a cabin is not worth it, especially for trips of up to 5-6 hours. Of course everyone is different, and it’s best to decide yourself.

This  ridiculously long article  lists all the different ferries that are running in Greece at the moment, and explains the differences between types of seats, fares and cabins. Have a look!

5. Take the night ferry from Piraeus to the islands

If your itinerary in Greece starts or ends in Athens, you can take a night ferry from Piraeus to get to one of the islands. The ferries to Crete are a good example.

Get a comfortable seat, and you should be able to get a few hours of sleep, arriving at your destination in the early morning, ready to kickstart your holiday.

Even if you go for a cabin, the cost will still be lower than what you would pay for a daytime ferry plus a night’s accommodation in Crete.

The best thing about the night ferry – you’ll get to see the starry sky right in the middle of the Mediterranean!

6. Take advantage of ISIC cards and other special discounts on the ferries

Before you book your ferry tickets, check if you belong to these lucky categories of people who are entitled to discounts. For example, several companies offer a 50% discount for ISIC student card holders.

If you have children travelling with you, make sure that you read each company’s policy before you decide who to travel with. In general, children either get a discount or travel for free, depending on their age.

Sometimes, the ferry companies release promotional tickets that are around 70% or less of the original price. If you find any of those, bear in mind that they are generally not changeable, non-transferable and non-refundable.

7. Check for flights instead of ferries to the Greek islands

If you are thinking to fly between the islands, you should be aware that most of them don’t have airports. You will find airports on some of the popular islands, like Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu or Rhodes.

This article lists all Greek islands with domestic and international airports.

In addition, take into account that, with few exceptions, there are no flights connecting the islands directly. So if you want to fly from one island to another, you’d normally have to go through Athens first.

With that said, if you are planning to spend a few days in Athens, it’s worth checking the prices for domestic flights. In some cases, you might find a cheap flight that will cost less than the high speed ferry.

When booking flights from Athens to the Greek islands, make sure you understand the fare rules. For most airlines, basic fares only include hand luggage, and Ryanair charges an extra fee even for that.

8. Take local buses or walk around the Greek islands

Let’s face it – if you want to have freedom to go wherever you want, the best idea is to rent a car or other vehicle on your island of choice. Read my article on  driving in Greece  to decide whether this is for you!

Depending on where you are and how many days you need the vehicle for, it can cost at least 25-30 euros a day, so costs can add up quickly. However, you can always rent a car for a day or two, and use buses for the rest of your time.

Public transportation on the islands is cheap, and a great way to meet other people. Buses won’t take you everywhere, but they serve the most popular places and you will be able to see the highlights of each island.

When you are waiting for a bus, be prepared for queues, especially in you are in famous islands like Santorini or Rhodes . Once you are on the bus though, relax and enjoy the landscapes!

If you are on a quieter island, you could try hitchhiking. I have hitchhiked (or picked up hitchhikers) in many of the less touristy islands, like Ikaria, Tinos and  Schinoussa , and also in Crete, on several occasions.

Finally, you can always consider going to smaller islands, where you won’t really need a car. Some examples are Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissia, Donoussa,  Kimolos and Antiparos. You can walk around pretty much everywhere!

Note: We have a  guidebook to Iraklia and Schinoussa  available on Amazon.

9. Bring your tent and camping equipment

If you are island hopping on a budget in Greece, this is a no-brainer. Campsites are a lot cheaper than rooms or hotels, and they are also a great way to meet people.

While not all of the islands have campsites, many of them do, and most of them also rent tents and equipment. Make sure you do some research on the campsite you are planning to go, as occasionally, campsites close down with no notice.

Although freecamping is technically illegal in Greece, it’s another way to keep your budget down. Popular places to freecamp are generally on faraway islands, and you need to ask for recent information.

If you decide to go freecamping in Greece, please make sure you respect the environment and leave no trash behind.

10. Get a room with a kitchenette

If camping is not your style, you can rent a room with kitchen facilities, instead of staying at a hotel. You will miss out on some of the fantastic Greek cuisine, but it’s always helpful to have a kitchen to prepare a meal or two.

In many of the smaller islands, buying food items from a mini market will be more expensive than you might expect. This is normal, as almost everything has to be brought in from the mainland.

11. Eat at local tavernas instead of expensive restaurants

I doubt that you needed advice for this! Eating at Greek tavernas can be very, very affordable. For two people sharing a couple of dishes, a salad and a starter, your bill can be around 30 euro. You may also be offered a complimentary dessert or some fruit after your meal.

Note: Chances of getting a treat after your meal may actually increase if you try to speak some words in Greek !

If 30 euros is still out of your budget, two people can easily share a meal for less than 20 euros. Just get a Greek salad, some fries, a  souvlaki  or two and a carafe of house wine.  Yiamas !

Here are 50 great dishes to try in Greece !

12. Skip the most expensive destinations like Santorini and Mykonos

Santorini and Mykonos , two of the most popular Greek islands, can actually be very expensive when compared to most other places in Greece.

You can easily island hop on a budget if you decide to go to some of the islands that you hadn’t heard of. Most of them will have plenty of rooms available for a fraction of the prices in Mykonos or Santorini. Also, meals and drinks will be much more wallet-friendly.

Don’t get me wrong – I think these islands are very, very cool. You should visit Santorini once in your life to see the active volcano, the sunset views from the west coast and the famous beaches.

Here is a guide on how to see Santorini on a budget – my best tip is to consider visiting Santorini in winter .

You might also find this guide on  things to avoid in Santorini  useful.

As for Mykonos, only a few islands in the Aegean Sea can boast as many great beaches on such a small area! Here are my impressions on Mykonos without the crowds , which I was lucky to experience. But if your budget is limited, consider another island, like Ios or Naxos, instead.

13. Visit the Greek islands outside peak season

This might be the single most important tip on how to keep costs down when island hopping.

If you have a choice, visit Greece outside the peak season of July and August. This is the most crowded time to travel here, and accommodation prices go up. If that’s the only time you can visit, however, have a look at these  tips for visiting Greece in summer .

In the past five years, we have stayed in several rooms on the Greek islands, which cost us anywhere from 20 (!) to 50 euro. Most of these were in June, early July and September. These are all fantastic months to visit the islands.

Similarly, a car rental will be much cheaper outside the summer months. Check out DiscoverCars , a platform that compares all major car rental companies in Greece, and you will be pleasantly surprised at the low costs during the shoulder seasons.

Here’s a quick introduction on the best time to visit Greece .

FAQs for Greek island hopping

Here are the answers to a few more questions!

What are some Greek islands that won’t break the bank?

One of the best Greek islands for budget-conscious travellers is Crete . It’s an amazing island with exotic beaches, wild beauty, several ancient sites and fantastic food.

Among the Cycladic islands, I’ve found that Naxos is very affordable. It has some truly fantastic sandy beaches, excellent food and plenty of budget accommodation options. In addition, it is well connected to several other Greek islands.

Ios , a short ferry ride from Santorini, combines some amazing beaches with lively nightlife. You will also find plenty of affordable accommodation.

Can you suggest a Greek island hopping itinerary?

There are hundreds of different island hopping scenarios! To a large extent, it depends on how many days you have in Greece and what you are interested in. If, like many people, you have ten vacation days, it would be best to stick to two or max three islands.

Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Naxos and Paros are often combined in Greece itineraries, as it is straightforward to travel between them on the Greek ferry system.

Other popular combinations include Santorini and Crete, Kefallonia and Zakynthos or Rhodes and Kos. As these islands have international airports, you can combine flights and ferries to island hop between them.

If you are looking for lesser known islands, check out Sikinos and Folegandros in the Cyclades, close to Santorini. This article will give you a few ideas.

Finally, if budget is your main concern, most of the Dodecanese and the North Aegean islands will fit the bill.

What are the islands with the most picturesque beaches?

There are very few islands where I can honestly say I was disappointed with the beaches! Most of the Greek islands have great beaches, and quite often they are very diverse.

Among the places I’ve visited, I’d say that Milos island has some of the most beautiful beaches. The combination of sandy beaches, strange landscapes, and limestone cliffs is pretty unique!

Related: How to get around Milos

Do I have to travel through Athens to go island hopping?

No, you don’t. In fact, many foreign visitors prefer to fly into an island with an international airport, and leave from another. There are dozens of direct flights to and from the Greek isles, from many European countries. This article will help.

Are there any Greek island hopping packages?

Plenty of international and local companies organize Greek island hopping tours. Options range from cruises on large cruiseboats to sailing trips for 10-12 people.

Certain Greek island hopping tours cover a few of the Cycladic islands. Other popular packages include some of the Ionian islands. For travellers with limited time, there are tours of three islands in the Argosaronic Bay, close to Athens.

A sailing trip is an excellent way to enjoy some of the most remote beaches on Greece’s beautiful islands, without the hassle of planning ferry routes.

Is it easier to hop around the Ionian islands or the Cyclades?

There are direct ferries between certain islands in the Ionian sea. Yet, the Cyclades are the most popular islands if you want to island hop.

Some of the main islands are only an hour or two away from each other. This makes the Cyclades the perfect islands for an island hopping vacation in Greece.

Are the Eurail ferry passes worth it?

I’ve seen some people swear by the Eurail Greek islands pass . This pass offers a number of ferry trips, run by either Blue Star Ferries or Hellenic Seaways, for a set price.

These ferry passes may sound like a bargain at first. However, if you check fares carefully, you will notice that it depends on the specific islands you are planning to visit, and the cost of the individual fares. You can easily check routes / prices and book your ferry tickets here: Ferryscanner .

If you decide to book the Eurail Ferry pass, make sure that the routes you are interested in are run by either of the two companies mentioned above. If not, you’d need to buy extra tickets for all other routes.

How to island hop in Greece on a budget 

I hope these tips have encouraged you to look further into visiting the Greek islands, even if you think your budget won’t allow it. Here are a few more guides you will find useful:

• A guide on how to plan your Greek island hopping trip – Entirely on your own
• Is Greece expensive? – A breakdown of our costs travelling around the islands for a month
• Hottest Greek islands in October – One of the best months if you are on a budget
• Santorini in winter – How to see a totally different face of the famous island

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments!

29 thoughts on “Island Hopping In Greece On A Budget”

Can I island hop from Athens to Mykonos, Santorini to see the blue dome houses an Crete. Await your advise for my planning.

Thanks Cynthia

Hi, Yes the Athens – Mykonos – Santorini combination is very popular and easy to do on the ferries. We would say only consider adding on Crete if you have longer than a week – maybe 2 weeks.

Me and my wife would like to hop Islands from athens to Santorini and Mykonos for week. Do we need to stay overnnight in any of the Islands. Can you please give some idea how we plan it to save money! We are planning to travel in Oct 2020. Thanks

Thanks for your question! These islands are among the most expensive destinations in Greece, however accommodation prices tend to be lower this year, so it’s a great opportunity to visit. I would personally allow at least 2-3 days on each island in order to explore. If you take a slow (= less expensive) ferry it will take you around 8 hours to get to Santorini, or it’s a short flight away from Athens (and perhaps if you book your tickets now you can get good deals). Mykonos is 4-5 hours away from Athens on the ferry, and a couple of hours away from Santorini. So you will definitely need to spend a few nights if you want to explore. Please read the latest article about 4 days in Santorini to get an idea of what you can do there. As for Mykonos, for me its main attraction are the beaches, Chora and the nearby Delos. I am a beach person and could easily spend a couple of weeks there, but based on our recent trip there it is generally more expensive than anywhere else I’ve been in Greece. It all depends on what you want to do!

Is Mykonos- paros – naxos – milos -santorini a good combination? Me and my friend (18) are hoping to do this in june 2021 as part of our gap year and are trying to find cheap places to stay etc.

Hi Ella, your route is great! Yes, overall it’s a good combination, however it depends on how many days you have in total and what you are generally after (partying? hiking? nature? beaches?). I personally recommend at least 3 days on each island, and those that are bigger definitely deserve longer – e.g. we spent 10 days in each Naxos and Milos in summer 2020 and I could have easily stayed longer as there’s so much to do. Mykonos is definitely not on the cheap side, though in June 2020 it was possible to find accommodation for two people for about 40 euro a night, and depending on how the covid restrictions go it may still be cheaper than other years. There are also campsites on most of these islands, so this should help, and it might even be possible to freecamp in some places if that’s your sort of thing. You are very welcome to get back to me with more questions as you are planning your trip!

Hi there, Myself and husband are looking at possibly island hopping for our 10th wedding anniversary. We are not really interested in santorini ( will be july and feel to touristy and not much to do) Also do not fancy mykonos. We like visiting historical sites, learning local culture. Good food and drink. Genetally things to see and do. Don’t mind walking around. But also somewhere to have some beach relaxation and catch some rays. Any suggestions as I’m just not getting very far, all the islands are starting to jumble into one. I might add that I would imagine we will fly from london Gatwick. Thanks in advance for any reply.

Hello and happy new year! If you like bigger islands, I would totally suggest Crete – the only issue is that there is so much to see and do that you will need to return several times. Also, you should definitely consider Milos as there is a variety of beaches and strange landscapes and a fair amount of ancient sites. Naxos is also one of my favourites, great long sandy beaches and a less touristy feeling than Milos (not that I’ve found Milos to be too touristy all things considered, but in my Greek head Naxos feels more authentic). I’ve had some of the best food in Greece in these three islands. By the way, I’ve had some of the best food of my life in these three islands! You could also consider Rhodes, which is very different from other islands, with a medieval castle in the main town and great beaches all around – though you might find it too warm in July. Finally, Corfu in the Ionian islands has tons of history and culture (but I haven’t been recently so don’t have much of a personal opinion). Now, understandably, it’s hard to predict what flights are going to resume this year, but Naxos and Milos don’t have international airports, so you’d have to go through Athens. There are normally direct flights for the other three. Hope this helps a little, feel free to get back to me with more questions!

Hello! Thanks for this article, I found it so helpful! I am planning to do a yoga course in Amorgos this summer. I have about 8/10 days after that- do you have any advice on which route to take from there- finishing in athens?

thanks so much!

Ah – so many options!!! I love the Small Cyclades islands like Iraklia , Schinoussa and Donoussa, but it depends on how quiet you want your vacation to be! The “easy” option would be to go to Naxos which is the biggest of the Cyclades, you can easily spend your whole 10 days there if you want. Not sure what month you are here, but Naxos will typically be more affordable than the small islands as there is plenty of accommodation. You could also combine it with Paros – we are going next week so will write an article at some point, you are welcome to follow my FB page for updates and photos! And here’s an itinerary for 3 days in Athens (not sure how long you are staying). Enjoy!

Really enjoyed reading this post, Vanessa! I’m trying to plan out a month or two months of Greek island hopping with a friend around May next year, but we’re having a hard time choosing which islands to visit. We’re both huge Mamma Mia fans so Skopelos is a must to visit, but that’s the only island we’ve chosen so far. Would love to hear your input!!

We plan on mostly staying in hostels and other backpack friendly accommodations but probably also airbnbs/hotels once in a while. Do you think 1.000€ a month for everything, would be enough?

Hi! Thanks for your question 🙂 My partner and I typically spend about 40-45 euro per person per day, but this includes our own car which we bring with us on the ferry. Have a look at this article which breaks down our expenses for May – June 2021 (note that accommodation was super cheap because of Covid…) We are also travelling around the Dodecanese this year (you can see photos on my FB page ) and so far we are spending around 40 euro per person per day. If you choose Skopelos, you should definitely visit Skiathos and Alonnisos that are nearby – but note that, the more north you go, the colder the sea will be! Hope this helps!

Hi Vanessa, My wife and I will be travelling to Greece in November. Is there any ferry transport to Rhodes from Athens at this time of year? We don’t need to have a direct route as we have time and would be okay to stay on other islands on the way. Thank you for any advice you can give us.

Hi Chris! Thank you for your message. Last November, there were 4 ferries a week from Piraeus to Rhodes, with the fastest one taking around 16 hours. As an indication, you can use openseas.gr to check out past routes, and you should expect them to be similar this year when they are announced. It’s worth checking flights too (at least for some part of your trip), as they can be much cheaper than ferries at that time of year. So you could fly to Rhodes, and then take ferries back to Athens. Please check out my other guides on Symi and Nisyros , these are two islands you should definitely consider including in your trip! Enjoy your time!

Hi, First of all, your posts are great. Very informative. I love Greece. I have been to Santorini and Mykonos in the Cyclades and Zakynthos and Kefalonia in the Ionics. Now, we want to come back and visit less touristic islands with beautiful beaches and great food in June 2023.

We are thinking in the following two options: 1 – Athens –> Milos –> Paros –> Naxos –> Athens or 2 – Athens –> Milos –> Ios –> Paros –> Athens With just 1 day in Athens (we have been there) and around three days in each island. We are two couples from Brazil (around 50 years old, but who like adventure). Two questions: a) which option (1 or 2) do you think is best? b) We are planning to arrive In Milos by plane and leave Naxos or Paros by ferry? or It should be better to arrive in Milos by ferry and leave Naxos or Paros by ferry?

Thanks in advance.

Oi! Obrigada for your question! Out of the islands you mentioned, Paros is my least favourite as it’s the most organized and “touristy” of the four… but that’s just my personal opinion! I would go to Milos , Naxos and Ios , though three days in each might be cutting it a little too short (Naxos is quite big). Both Naxos and Ios have amazing sandy beaches, Milos is much wilder (especially the western part), but still enough infrastructure. Naxos is among my best places in Greece for food! Paros has more options for nightlife and also many organized beaches with sunbeds etc. Here is our opinion on Paros vs Naxos . I think it’s best to plan your itinerary when the ferry schedules are out, which will probably be around spring 2023. But either of these itineraries work. Now, in terms of plane vs ferry, the plane takes less time – and if you book early it might even be cheaper. If you prefer planes you could even fly to Milos, ferry to the next islands, and then take another flight back to Athens (as you probably know all of these islands apart from Ios have airports). I’m not sure if this helped! Feel free to message me again!

Hi,loved your ‘ pages ‘. My wife and I are putting an Island Hop itinerary together for next year ‘23 starting late April.Our ‘ thoughts ‘ were 3/4 days in Athens,fly to Milos 4/5 days and then ‘ hop ‘ towards Mykonos.Our intention’s would be to hop over a 4 week period,not including Athens stop.Rather surprised when checking accommodation costs on-line at the various islands.We don’t budget accommodation somewhere mid range but even then costs are high.I would recon for a daily costs for two persons would be circa euros 200,I know what you are saying ‘ no way ‘ you check,accommodation + coffees + stopping for lunch including a few drinks + plus dinner and a bottle of wine and I am not including car hire.When I include ferries and flights I don’t imagine my costs would be less than euros 10000.I think that’s expensive or am I not in the “ Real World “What’s your suggested itinerary,I am not interested in Santorini which from all accounts is way too busy and ‘ Rip Off “ territory.What would your suggested itinerary be.On the accommodation issue I find it difficult to view locally owned b/b. I don’t intend to be in the hotel for long each day,breakfast and sleeping so why pay excessive prices for ‘ Vogue ‘ style accommodation.

Hi John! We rarely pay over 45-50 euros for accommodation for two, even in the mid-season (we never travel during the peak season). However, accommodation prices in the Cyclades increased a lot in summer 2022, and I won’t be surprised if this trend continies. However, many places still haven’t put availability and prices up for next year, and it’s too early to do your research – you will find the same for ferry schedules. I totally enjoyed Mykonos without the crowds , but I wouldn’t really think it’s a must-see island (Santorini is pretty unique, but it does get busy like you say). Milos is great, have a look at Kimolos too, though not everything will be open yet at that time of year. Ios has fab sandy beaches – not just a party island that everyone seems to think it is. Also Serifos is great, though you might find that accommodation prices are higher than the other islands. And check out Naxos and Tinos… both amazing islands with delicious food. Though my favourite island group are the Cyclades, an alternative might be to go to the Dodecanese, which tend to be a little warmer. We found very reasonably priced accommodation on 8 of the Dodecanese islands throughout spring-summer 2022, starting at 30 euro per night believe it or not. We rarely use airbnb as prices always seem to be higher, we stick to booking.com instead. It’s also possible to rent a last-minute place in the the old-fashioned way, just asking around… though it’s not for everyone. Have a look at this article (granted, it’s two years ago and food prices have gone up a little), but it will give you an indication: Is Greece expensive Hope this helps, feel free to get back to me with more questions! Have fun planning!

Hi, we are digital nomads and planning to make a longer island hopping version combining work and travel during the trip. Our journey will start from Crete. And we are planning to stay from 5-14 days on each island travelling during the whole summer 2023. Our plan at the moment combine Naxos, Ios, Tinos, Milos and we want to visit something else. Maybe you could give me some recommendations about where to stay longer or with what group of Islands to combine our trip. After all we want to go back to Crete again. We are travelling also with our car and have a tent with camping stuff. Thanks in advance for your answer! Mila

Hello, thanks for your message 🙂 Since you don’t have to worry about accommodation, you can just play it by ear. Crete is a fantastic place to explore, I’ve been there many times and we are going back this autumn for a couple of months, you could easily spend your whole time there 🙂 Naxos too, we spend 10 days a couple of years ago and we were kind of running around as we wanted to see everything! Just to let you know, Milos has no camping site at the moment, and accommodation tends to be more expensive than on other islands, also some of the roads are not suitable for normal cars (I damaged my own car lol) – but it’s a very special place – and you should absolutely go to Kimolos which is next door. No campsite there either, but you should be able to freecamp. Or, since you are going to Naxos, you can easily go to the Small Cyclades, Schinoussa, Iraklia, Koufonissi and Donoussa which are very close… Tinos is another one of my favourites – you could spend several days as there are so many fantastic villages to explore! Before you plan anything, check the ferry ticket prices… unfortunately, they can pile up quickly since you also have your car. Most ferry companies have a loyalty scheme where you get some discounts, so make sure you join! Ferryscanner is a great website to plan your trip, as it allows up to 10 consecutive routes. Also, have a look at this article I wrote two years ago to get an indication of prices – I’d say things have gone up by about 20% now, but it’s still absolutely doable. Enjoy!

Enjoying reading questions/answers. Been to Greece way back in 1980, Athens 3 days and flew to Rhodes for two and one half weeks then back to Athens one nite then flew home. Want to island hop now. Need to see Santorini 3 days / Crete will add couple less popular u mentioned. We want to go to Cyprus for what? A week or is that too long?

You will find that Athens has changed a lot – yet some things remain the same! You can spend long in Crete, it’s a huge island and getting from the north to the south isn’t always straightforward. Cyprus is another country altogether. I spent a couple of weeks there a few years ago and I would have happily stayed longer, there is lots to see, and I was personally super interested in talking to people who live there – both sides of the border.

Hello! Thank you for all your informations. It is nice to read your texts. I have tried to find information about Amorgos in previous questions before asking you but I did not find anything.

Have you ever been there? I want to visit this island because it is smaller than others and it looks less crowded to. We will not have a car. Do you have suggestions to visit this island?

Thank you very much.

Yes I’ve been there but not written much for my blog yet lol! Have a look at this article for some information. If you aren’t planning to rent your own car / scooter, it’s probably best to stay at one of the two port towns, so you are close to the beach. You could then check the updated bus schedules to see where you can go (they change by the season). As with all islands, try to avoid August if you can. Enjoy!

Hi , Loved reading all your info !!Planning a trip with my daughter [usually she plans but im retired now and shes the busy bee} This is really short notice (July 9 for 10 days ) After reading all your messages Athens..Ionian Islands /Milos&Naoxis sounds like a plan ,we’d be travelling from London,what do you suggest? Thankyou 🙂

Hi Ann, thanks for your message! I would fly to Athens and visit 2 islands max (e.g. Milos + Naxos). The Ionians are on the other side of Greece so getting there from Milos or Naxos would be time-consuming and probably quite expensive. Or you could fly into Corfu or Kefalonia, spend a few days there, then fly to Athens, then fly back to London (or the opposite route). Hope this makes sense!! I’ll send you a pm with more info.

Hello Vanessa! Absolutely love your blog and refer to it all the time. About to go to Greece for the first time for 2 months with my friend from April to June (She is Greek from Chania, Crete!) We are both new to travelling in Greece and were wondering if you have any tips for finding odd jobs/visiting the more rural quiet areas in a way that is safe for two young women, and if you know anything about travelling around Vikos?

Really any travel tips for two young travellers going for such a long time on a budget, much appreciated!!!

Thanks for your awesome blog.

Hi! I’ll send you an email 🙂

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10 best Greek Islands to visit (that aren’t Mykonos or Santorini!)

When people speak of travelling to a Greek island, it’s often Mykonos or Santorini. While I truly love these islands, they are unfortunately overrun with tourists. 

It’s certainly not to say these islands aren’t fun or worth the visit, but they can be a tad much if you’re aiming for a quiet, relaxing vacation.

As a result, I’ve rounded up 10 of the best Greek islands you should visit instead! Here you’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches, gorgeous hotels and delicious Greek food.

Author Bio: Jessie Moore

Jessie Moore is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.

This post contains affiliate links.

Best for: Stunning Beaches

Where to stay: Studios Betty

On the far west of the Cyclades, Milos shines with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The island is best known for its stunning beaches, with possibly the most photogenic coastline you’ll ever see! 

It really is a true paradise, from the white sandy shores to the colourful pebbled coves.

Sarakiniko and Kleftiko beaches are particular favourites with their striking white rock formations and emerald-green waters.

Best for: A warm welcome from locals

Where to stay: Anthemion Paros – Villas & Suites

Paros, situated at the heart of the Cyclades, is an island that beautifully balances modernity with tradition.

It’s increasingly becoming more popular, though it still remains a lot quieter – and cheaper – than Mykonos and Santorini.

The result is the perfect balance between an authentic Greek experience and the provisions of an up-and-coming tourist destination, such as gorgeous hotels.

One of the highlights of Paros is the Pounda beach. It’s known as a popular kitesurfing spot, so it’s perfect for those after a spot of adventure.

You’ll also find the church of Agios Ioannis Detis on the island, which overlooks the bay of Naoussa and the blue Aegean Sea.

Best for: An incredible food scene

Where to stay: Sifnos House – Rooms and SPA

When it comes to Greek islands, you may not have heard of Sifnos. It’s not the biggest or smallest and doesn’t really have that many historical sites.

However, I consider it to be the perfect getaway with its serene ambience and delicious culinary history!

The island’s cuisine is a highlight, with local specialities like octopus bruschetta and aubergine chips.

Many visitors stay in Sifnos because of the peaceful atmosphere and affordability. This makes it perfect for a romantic getaway.

Best for: Traditional Sweets

Where to stay: Wind Tales

After Sifons, Syros is another island in the Cyclades celebrated for its beautiful cuisine and vibrant cultural scene.

Unlike its more tourist-heavy neighbours, Syros enchants with its stately neoclassical architecture, particularly in the capital, Ermoupoli.

This vibrant town, often referred to as the “City of Hermes,” dazzles with marble-paved streets, grandiose mansions, and the majestic Apollo Theater, a miniature replica of Milan’s La Scala. 

The island’s culinary scene is equally captivating, with local tavernas serving up delectable dishes.

Indulge in freshly caught seafood, traditional loukoumia (a type of Greek delight), and San Michalis cheese, a local delicacy. 

Best for: A bohemian vibe

Where to stay: Keresbino Hydra Art Suite

Hydra is an island where time seems to stand still, and visitors will find an unpretentious elegance that’s pretty irresistible.

With well-preserved architecture and car-free streets, Hydra exudes a unique, old-world charm.

The picturesque harbour is filled with a contrasting mix of colourful fishing boats and luxury yachts .

Its tranquil atmosphere has long attracted artists, writers, and celebrities seeking a peaceful retreat.

You won’t find the best beaches on this Greek island, but you will find epic hiking trails, breathtaking views and plenty of art galleries.

Best for: Plenty to explore

Where to stay: Tesoro – Elegant Escapes

As the largest island in the Cyclades, it makes sense that Naxos brings an impressive blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture.

Don’t miss the main town of Chora, where you’ll find a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with whitewashed houses, medieval Venetian mansions, and bustling markets. 

This is the place for unearthing charming tavernas and tucking into local delicacies like the creamy local cheese Graviera, or the famous Kitron liqueur.

Beyond the town, you’ll find pristine beaches like Agios Prokopios and Plaka, as well as a multitude of hiking trails.

7. Folegandros

Best for: Untouched landscapes

Where to stay: Venue Villas – Folegandros

Folegandros, named after the son of King Minos, is the best Greek island for untouched landscapes and a tranquil ambience. 

The island is home to just three small villages, with Chora being the most notable.

It has the iconic Panagia Church and the town itself is perched high on a cliff with whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, and vibrant bougainvillaea.

It’s the island to be for quiet charm, natural beauty, and the warm welcome of Greek island life.

Best for: A bit of everything

Where to stay: Amazing Villas in Crete

Right after Santorini and Mykonos, Crete is one of the most popular, populous, and largest islands in Greece.

You’ll find the island’s historical significance evident in every nook and cranny.

There are numerous archaeological sites like the famous Palace of Knossos and the mysterious Phaistos Disc, offering a glimpse into the island’s past.

Beyond its historical appeal, Crete’s natural beauty is nothing short of spectacular.

Its coastline is dotted with some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches, while the inland landscape is brimming with vineyards, olive groves and traditional villages.

As for the food, you’ll find healthy and delicious options, from mountain herbs and tangy cheese to freshly caught fish and exquisite olive oil.

Best for: History 

Where to stay: Helios Garden Boutique Apartments

The jewel of the Dodecanese, Rhodes is an island steeped in history, myth and sun-drenched  beauty.

Rhodes is perhaps most famous for its mediaeval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There’s plenty to explore in Rhodes Old Town , including the impressive Palace of the Grand Master of The Knights of Rhodes. 

I’d also recommend visiting the Acropolis of Lindos, both for its immense history but also for the breathtaking views it offers over St Paul’s Bay and Lindos .

Don’t miss the incredible Prasonisi beach, which is a haven for both kitesurfing and wind-surfing. 

If you’re planning a visit to the island, make sure you read my guides before you go:

• 20 fun things to do in Rhodes
• 21 luxury hotels in Rhodes
• 15 incredible Rhodes day trips
• Ultimate guide to visiting Kallithea Springs
• 10 beautiful boutique hotels in Rhodes

Best for: Leisure Strolls In Picturesque Roads

Where to stay: Victoria’s Suites Corfu

I know many people associate Corfu with an unruly party scene – but this Greek island has so much to offer besides.

Outside the main towns and cities, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed in Tuscany, with the picturesque olive groves and characterful manor houses.

There are plenty of gorgeous sandy beaches to discover, all framed by dramatic cliffs and secluded bays. 

There’s also the Spianada in the Old Town, the largest square in the Balkans, where you’ll be surrounded by 19th-century French architecture. 

I’d just recommend avoiding the south of the island – around the Kavos area – unless you’re into foam parties and stag do vibes!

I know it can be tricky to choose between some of the best Greek islands, but each offers its own charm and allure.

Do you have a favourite Greek island to visit? Let me know in the comments below!

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• 10 gorgeous boutique hotels in Greece
• 10 dreamy day trips from Santorini
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How to pair Greek Islands for a varied island-hopping trip

Apr 2, 2020 • 6 min read

So you’re planning to hit the Greek Islands but aren’t entirely sure where to go. Perhaps you’re looking to discover the ‘best’ tiny beach cove in the Cyclades , or uncover archaeological treasures in the Dodecanese . And of course, wherever you go, you intend to gorge yourself on authentic local dishes and breathe in the aromas of wild herbs. The beauty of any Greek Island group is that you really can have it all in one visit: two entirely different experiences within a short ferry-hopping distance. The following island combinations not only allow you to ferry from one island to another in a couple of hours, but give you intoxicatingly different travel experiences at both.

Ionians: Corfu and Paxi

The largest of the Ionian Islands , Corfu has it all: beaches, culture, food and action. Your first stop, Corfu Town , the island’s elegant capital, oozes charm. Get lost in its quaint pedestrian alleys that are lined with Venetian-style mansions, and emerge at the beautiful Liston Arcade . Watch the action along this busy promenade and then visit the must-see sights: the Corfu Museum of Asian Art and the Palaio Frourio .

Then, catch a local bus and beach hop your way around the tiny coves of the west coast. Paleokastritsa , a tiny beach where Odysseus mythically washed ashore, has a gorgeous approach, through cypress and olive groves. The east coast is a line of picturesque bays and cliffside vistas. At Kalami, enjoy lunch at the White House , a delightful waterfront restaurant with a vine-shaded terrace in the former home of writer Lawrence Durrell. Don’t miss the Achilleion Palace , 12km south of Corfu Town. Built in the 1890s for Austria’s empress Elisabeth, this summer palace has stunning garden terraces.

From Corfu Town, board a hydrofoil for the easy one-hour ride to Paxi, a tiny island measuring only 13km by 3km that offers a go-slow change from Corfu's faster pace. A visit here is about experiencing the vibe of yesteryear (albeit with luxurious and modern accommodation and restaurants). Teal waters, neoclassical villas, beautiful quays and olive groves are the main features. Have a meal at one of the waterside tavernas in any of three gorgeous port villages, Gaïos, Lakka or Loggos, and spend your days following the old stone walls within olive groves along old mule trails. Beaches here tend to be small pebble coves, although there are exceptions: jump on a boat to the tiny island of Antipaxi, where sandy Vrika Beach provides great opportunities for a plunge in crystal clear waters.

Cyclades: Naxos and Koufonisia

The largest of the Cycladic chain, Naxos is an unpretentious spot. It attracts everyone from families to mature travellers to laze on great beaches, climb mountains and explore archaeological sites. Unlike other islands, Naxos has a working feel; its agricultural roots are reflected in its striking green interiors. You’ll pull into port at the beautiful Venetian capital, Hora (also called Naxos), an extraordinary web of alleys, lined with tourist shops and cafes and a hilltop kastro  (castle). Go to Doukato to try Naxian specialty gouna , sun dried mackerel. Hit the west coast to windsurf, poke your head into the tiny inland Byzantine churches and wander through the quaint village of Halki in the Tragaea mountains.

From Naxos to Koufonisia, it’s a mere 50-minute boat trip. While Naxos is non-fuss and kid-friendly fun, Koufonisia draws a supremely fashionable crowd: expect cosmopolitan restaurants and bars rather than traditional tavernas. Pori Beach  is the best spot for a swim, or flaunt your nudist side further east beyond Finikas and Fanos beaches.

Saronic: Hydra and Spetses

The gorgeous (if arid) island of Hydra is famous for many things: its beautiful Venetian-style architecture, the fact that it has no cars, and for its resident artists, actors and bohemian types. You need to do nothing more than to sit at a harbourside cafe to enjoy the charms: locals going about their daily business, tour touts and mules (these are used to transport people and baggage). To give your backside a different kind of workout, mount a horse and tour the monasteries and beaches of the island. For watery adventures, rent a speedboat or boat ride or stretch your legs on some of the mule trails that criss-cross the island. For a taste of culture, visit the Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion and the island’s 17th-century cathedral.

Arriving in Spetses, a 40-minute high-speed ferry trip, you’ll immediately spot the most obvious difference from Hydra: the lush foliage of pine forests cover its rolling hills. There’s only one main road that rings the island so jump aboard a scooter or bike and explore the stunning coastline and coves. Wander through Bouboulina’s Museum to understand the seagoing history and the captains’ mansions, legacies of the island’s rich naval history and shipbuilding background.  Or jump aboard a local bus to catch some sun at the island’s beaches: Ayios Mamas, Ayia Paraskevi and Vrelos.

Dodecanese: Rhodes and Kastellorizo

The largest of the Dodecanese, Rhodes has everything: beaches, historical sites and nightlife. Rhodes’ Old Town is an extraordinary blend of Byzantine, Turkish and Italian architecture. It’s also a magnet for ferry goers and a ‘fun hub’ for all. Here you can opt for everything from budget hotels to boutique digs, chain eateries to gourmet seafood, tranquil parks to late-night bars. Once you’ve ticked off the Old Towns’ cultural highlights – the Archaeological Museum , Street of the Knights and Palace of the Grand Master – jump on a local bus to the pretty village of Lindos . Then catch some rays on Pefki and Glystra Beaches, or the stretch of pebbles and sand dunes from Gennadi to Plimmyri. Kitesurfers can jump waves on the windier Western Rhodes, while lovers of the outdoors can breathe in the scent of pine and visit castle ruins slightly inland.

Micro-sized Kastellorizo , just 2km from the Turkish coast, is the antithesis of Rhodes. A tiny strip of harbour known as the kordoni  is the main and only village of this compact island, and is lined with traditional pastel-painted neoclassical mansions that house tavernas and cafes. You will do little more than sip on an espresso in the morning, plunge into the waters off a platform (there are no beaches here), unwind the cats that have entwined themselves around your legs, and while away the time watching the world go by. If you can shake yourself out of your relaxed stupor, get the breeze through you hair on a trip to the extraordinary Blue Cave , and hike up to Paleokastro, the island’s ancient capital. Important: connections between the two islands may be limited to several weekly departures, so plan ahead.

Ferry travel between Greek Islands

Greek ferries change their schedules annually and, although the companies may alter, the routes tend to remain the same. The schedules are released around April ( prior to Greek Easter ) of each year. The most reliable websites include Viva and Greekferries . From there, you can double-check the individual ferry company websites.

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Athens to Santorini

8 days | from ancient athens, embark on a colourful greek islands tour.

Embark on a tour through the Aegean Sea, taking local ferries around the Cyclades Islands. Indulge in a little island hopping and take the time to uncover remote ruins, gorgeous beaches and outstanding scenery. Travel from the ancient capital of Athens all the way to the spectacular natural wonders on the island of Santorini on this wonderful Greek adventure.

Trip overview

• Let the rest of the world melt away as you swim and snorkel in the warm waters of the Aegean Sea.
• Wander through the charming villages of Syros. When night falls, indulge in delicious seafood dinners in traditional tavernas as Rembetika music floats around you.
• With its boutique culture, gorgeous beaches and thumping nightlife, the chic isle of Mykonos invites you to embrace your hedonistic side.
• The sight of a Santorini sunset can turn even the most hardened of souls into a romantic. Walk along the volcanic rim of the island from Thira to Oia, passing through white villages that cling to plunging cliffs.
• The main means of transportation on this trip is by public ferry. These ferries are large car ferries that transport hundreds of people, along with cars and trucks. In most cases there are no reserved seats and passengers are free to walk around the ferry. Luggage is stored in a designated area on the car deck and is not accessible while the ferry is moving.
• We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, up and down steep inclines and across cobblestones.
• The Greek Islands are very hilly and mountainous, which means lots and lots of steps. The cobblestone streets also become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Greece's topography very demanding.
• Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
• If you have more time to explore Greece you may want to check out our trip ‘Best of Greece’ (trip code ZMSAC). This trip explores the mainland of Greece in addition to the Cycladic Islands.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. As there's not much time to explore Athens on this trip before you head out to the islands, arriving a few days early is recommended. Highlights include the renowned changing of the guard at Syntagma (Parliament) Square, the National Gardens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the original Olympic Stadium and of course the Acropolis, where you can enter the Pantheon and enjoy fabulous views over the city. Maybe join an Urban Adventure day trip, such as 'Taste of Athens' or 'Markets, Ruins and Ancient Athens'. You could also take a day trip to the Peloponnese peninsula via ancient Epidavros and the Corinthian canal. After the welcome meeting, perhaps head out for some gyros and ouzo with your new travel companions.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Athens - Acropolis Pass for 5 Sites - EUR30
• Athens - National Archaeological Museum - EUR12
• Athens - Day trip to the Saronic Islands - EUR140
• Athens - Day Trip to Delphi - EUR60
• Athens - Lycabettus Hill - Free
• Athens - Numismatic Museum - EUR15
• Athens - Twilight Athens Urban Adventure - EUR99
• Athens - Acropolis Museum - EUR15
• Athens - Half day trip to Cape Sounio - EUR55

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm today – confirm the time and place with reception. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand. When travelling around Athens please be aware that we have had reports of travellers being pickpocketed on public transport, especially the metro. Please be careful with your valuables while travelling on the metro or the bus. Certain add on activities in Athens, such as Day trip to the Saronic islands or half day trip to Cape Sounio, must be pre-planned and booked in advance, as there is no time to do them after Welcome Metting on or Day 2 when we already travel to Syros.

Today travel by metro to the port of Piraeus, then catch a relaxing scenic ferry to Syros (approximately 4 hours). In the heart of the Cyclades, Syros offers a rare opportunity to see the islands as the Greeks do. One of the Aegean's most underrated islands, the island features typical whitewashed houses, farms, terraced fields and gorgeous sandy beaches. Your leader will take you on a wander through the main town of Ermoupolis, home to well preserved neoclassical mansions and 19th-century tenement blocks. Syros is also home to delicious sweets. Stop at a family run traditional loukoumi workshop where you will be shown the procedure of how these multi-coloured fruit-flavoured jellies (also called Greek Delight) and chalvadopita (hazelnut, almond or honey-filled wafers) are made - make sure you try some of them. You'll have plenty of time to explore tomorrow, so perhaps kick up your feet at a waterfront cafe and watch the setting sun turn the houses pink.

• Syros - Loukoumia Workshop Visit

Take a walk through the fortress-like town of Ano Syros, which offers great views of the Aegean Sea. Wander the narrow alleyways, pass handmade-souvenir shops and keep an ear open for traditional Rembetiko music floating out of the family-run tavernas. Enjoy free time to further explore Syros at your own pace. Discover abandoned windmills, ancient ruins and charming villages on a network of stone-paved tracks that crisscross the island. Perhaps head to the various archaeological sites on the island, or you might prefer to simply hole up on a beach for the afternoon. Outside of Ermoupolis are many small tranquil coves, while the most popular beaches are on the southern side of the island. While some are sandy and others pebbly, all boast crystal clear waters for swimming in. In the evening, take taxis to a taverna to a remotely located village in the rugged northern part of the island to sample delicious local specialities during an included meal, all while watching the sun set over the Aegean Sea.

• Syros - Ano Syros Walk
• Syros - Sunset Dinner
• Syros - Archaeological Sites & Ruins - EUR5
• Syros - Industrial Museum of Syros - EUR2
• Syros - Historical tour of Ermoupolis Textile Heritage Museum - EUR20

Today board a two-hour ferry to Mykonos, a beautiful island named in honour of Apollo's grandson. Known in ancient Greek mythology as the battlefield where Zeus fought the Gigantes, today the island is best known for its decadence, style, and nightlife. Join your leader for a walk through the maze-like old town and be captivated by the quintessential Greek Isles vista of squat white houses brightly juxtaposed against the cerulean sea. Browse the chic galleries and boutiques, follow flower-lined paths past age-old churches and tiny restaurants to secluded, sandy beaches, and spend the afternoon soaking up the rays and splashing in the water. Settle into your lovely room at the hotel. As the sun sets, maybe join Europe's party crowd at one of the many bars and clubs on Mykonos, or take a more traditional approach with a meal at a delightful backstreet restaurant.

This morning you will take a half-day trip out to the nearby island of Delos. One of the most important archaeological and mythological sites in the Greek Islands, a sacred area that was once the political and religious centre of the Aegean, Delos is considered to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. A living museum, the wealthy built mansions in the town that developed around Apollo’s sanctuary, decorating them with luxurious frescoes, mosaics and statues. The island is overflowing with archaeological finds like the Terrace of the Lions and the Sacred Precinct, with many more still being uncovered. Later on today you might like to head to one of Mykonos' many beaches, which are some of the nicest in Europe. Take a short bus ride to the pumping Paradise or Super Paradise beach bars, or perhaps find a quieter spot to relax along the beautiful coastline. You could also check out the 19th-century House of Lena or the Aegean Maritime Museum in town. This evening you could make your way to the village of Ano Mera and seek out a tavern for a seafood dinner or perhaps wander down to Little Venice, where colourful balconies hang precariously over the sea.

• Delos - Day Trip to the Island of Delos
• Delos - Archaeological Site
• Mykonos - Aegean Maritime Museum - EUR4
• Mykonos - House of Lena - EUR2
• Mykonos - Trip to Village of Ano Mera (by public bus) - EUR4
• Mykonos - Paradise Beach (by public bus) - EUR4
• Mykonos - Super Paradise Beach (by public bus) - EUR10
• Myconos - Cooking Class in Myconian house & farm - EUR150

Take another ferry and arrive on the spectacular southern island of Santorini (approximately 3 hours). Renowned for its amazing natural beauty, Santorini is one of Europe's tourist hotspots, the home of the iconic image of the Greek islands – whitewashed, blue-domed buildings clinging to the cliff face with sparkling water in the background. Discover the hilltop ruins of Ancient Thira and its fascinating Prehistoric Museum, as well as the archaeological site of Akrotiri, a Minoan Bronze Age settlement that gives an insight into how the people here lived before the eruption. Check out the range of restaurants and shops in the island's capital, interchangeably called Thira or Fira. If you have time while you're here, perhaps head to one of Santorini's volcanic beaches, such as Red Beach or the black beaches of Perissa, Vlhada, Perivolos or Agios Georgios. Be sure to try some of the island’s delicious food – the nutrient-filled volcanic soil makes the ingredients grown here full of flavour.

• Santorini - Museum of Prehistoric Thira - EUR6
• Santorini - Volcano & Hot Springs Half Day Trip (by boat) - EUR25
• Santorini - Beer tasting at local brewery - EUR25
• Santorini - Wine museum and wine tasting from - EUR25
• Santorini - Archelogical site of Akrotiri - EUR12
• Santorini - Sunset Cruise & Dinner - EUR90
• Santorini - Semi Private Sunset Catamaran cruise & Dinner - EUR160

Please note that our accommodation is located in the village of Karterados. It is a walk of approximately 20 minutes into Santorini's main town of Thira, or alternatively there are frequent bus departures from the bus stop right beside the hotel.

In 1500 BC a volcanic eruption sank the centre of Santorini, forming one of the most significant geological formations on the planet – the awe-inspiring caldera. The spectacular natural beauty of this caldera is what makes Santorini such a special place. Today make an excursion along the crater rim, starting in Thira town and walking through little villages all the way to Oia, passing steep cliff faces and experiencing breathtaking views along the way. If you have time, you might also like to take a half-day trip to the island's volcano and hot springs in the centre of the lagoon. Or perhaps visit one of the island’s wineries – the vines here are cultivated in a very unusual way, with the plants being pruned to form a low basket shape that sits on top of the volcanic soil to protect the grapes from strong winds. On the last evening of your adventure, rub shoulders with friendly locals in packed pubs and cafes, sipping a cocktail as you witness a magnificent Santorini sunset.

• Santorini - Caldera Rim Hike to Oia

Please note that the hike along the caldera usually takes approximately 3-5 hours / 12 km, and the surface varies between gravel and loose volcanic scree. There are multiple uphill and downhill sections, and there are no shade and no toilet facilities along the way. Please speak to your leader for more details if you have any concerns. As an alternative to the hike you can take the bus to Oia instead, and meet up with the rest of the group there.

Today your Greek Islands adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. You might want to extend your stay to see all Santorini has to offer. We are happy to book additional accommodation, subject to availability. Please enquire at the time of booking.

3 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Ferry, Public bus, Taxi, Metro

Hotel (7 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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The Best Way To Decide Between Portugal's Lisbon Or Porto Based On Your Travel Preferences

W hen travelers plan a vacation to Portugal, they often have to decide between Porto and Lisbon, two of the country's biggest and most popular cities. With the largest airports in the entire nation, they're perfect for international travelers, and more than 26 million tourists visited Portugal in 2023, many of them undoubtedly with plans to visit one or both of these exceptional cities. In a perfect world, you should be able to visit both, as they're filled with museums, Instagram-worthy eats, and so much history. Unfortunately, not everyone has the option, especially if you want to spice up your trip by visiting other destinations, like Portugal's uncrowded and exotic Pico Island . 

On the surface, it seems like Lisbon and Porto are pretty much the same — they both have hot tourist spots, viral and delicious food options, and plenty of rooftops for taking great photos. By digging deeper and examining your travel preferences, however, you'll likely realize that one city is better than the other, at least for you. Lisbon is the nation's capital and, as such, has more touristic offerings and tends to be a lot livelier. Porto, on the other hand, is smaller and has a more laid-back casual vibe that's difficult to ignore. 

Ideally, you should visit both, and the cities can easily fit into a 7-day itinerary, though you will have to sacrifice some hidden gems, like Rick Steves' personal favorite and crowd-less Coimbra . Between the two cities, you can't go wrong, but if time is short, it helps to know what sets them apart.

Read more: 25 Gorgeous Islands For Vacationing That Won't Break The Bank

What Type Of Traveler Should Go To Lisbon?

No matter how touristy or crowded Lisbon might be, you can never go wrong with the vibrant, colorful, and cheery city. You'll love Lisbon if you're organized and itinerary-focused, wanting to fill your time with excursions and activities, mostly historical. Here, you'll find a laundry list of museums to visit, like the Museum of the Orient, which displays artifacts Asia and highlights Portugal's historical relationship with the continent, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, which boasts art from around the world. 

Fascinating landmarks include the Sao Jorge Castle, which provides splendid views of the surrounding area, while the Lisbon Cathedral and Belém Tower are also popular spots. Travelers who like to stay busy, especially with ticketed excursions, will find that Lisbon is a playground with all sorts of places to take pics and hang out. Of course, the one drawback of being in such a huge touristic hub is that, well, you'll be surrounded by tourists (Lisbon saw some 6.5 million international tourists in 2023). 

More visitors often means bigger parties, so if you're looking for a vibrant nightlife, Lisbon has an eclectic bar and nightclub scene. But beyond late-night hijinks, the city is ideal for those who want to stay in one place for their entire trip, especially with its interesting neighborhoods that are diverse and inspiring, meaning you could spend an entire week-long trip investigating Lisbon alone.

What Type Of Traveler Should Go To Porto?

While Lisbon is no doubt the most popular Portuguese city, Porto does give the capital a run for its money, especially if you're looking for a more low-key, relaxing vibe. For one, Porto is far smaller, meaning the entire city is walkable, unlike Lisbon, where you'll see both locals and tourists hoping onto the capital city's iconic trams. Tourists looking for a more intimate trip will love the smaller option for how manageable it is. A guided walking tour during the first day of your trip should help you get your bearings in Porto. 

Besides being easier to navigate, Porto stands out because of its unique touristic offerings. There's lots of niche stuff in the city, like the iconic Livraria Lello, a bookstore with a huge cult following. Some have dubbed it the "Harry Potter bookstore" because of its unique design that's reminiscent of Hogwarts. Porto is home to museums, iconic churches, and landmarks, but what makes the city truly stand out is its more specific offerings, showcasing just how diverse Portugal's tastes are. 

For example, visiting Porto is also a no-brainer if you're an oenophile. You likely know that Port wine comes from Porto and the surrounding area, with locals continuing to treat the beverage with love and respect. For an immersive experience, take a day trip to the Douro Valley, known for its lovely wine and stunning views.

For Best Results, Visit Lisbon And Porto

If you can, plan to visit both Lisbon and Porto for the excursions, activities, and vibes that can't be replicated elsewhere. An ideal split would be 3-4 days in each city, allowing a decent taste of each area. In Lisbon, you'll want to start your day early and visit some of the city's coolest neighborhoods, like the historic Alfama area, offering stellar backdrops for photos. Another favorite area is the Baixa neighborhood, as it is filled with bustling squares and therefore a great place to people watch. When it's time to eat, remember that  Rick Steves says Lisbon is one of the best foodie destinations . In the city, you're spoiled with options, especially if you head to the Mercado da Ribeira, a popular food market that serves up local favorites. 

Meanwhile, with its smaller population and easier commute, Porto is the perfect place to explore neighborhoods like Ribeira, where you'll walk alongside the Douro River for scenic views. If you have the time, you can even hop on a guided boat tour that gives you stunning views of the city from the sea. It's a more relaxing and luxurious option than trying to rush to your next ticketed event.

Finally, if you're fortunate enough to visit both cities and have some extra time, consider adding day trips to Sintra and Guimarães to make your stay in Portugal even more diverse.

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The Best Time to Visit Bali for Every Activity

Bali seasons, explained — these are the best times to visit the island, whether you're coming for the beaches, hiking, or festivals.

Bali is a magical destination with so much to offer, from the jungle surrounding Ubud (largely considered Bali's cultural center) to the beaches lining its southern shore.

You can make your Bali vacation whatever you want it to be — a tour of the island's many temples, a spiritual journey to learn more about Hinduism, a yoga retreat, a luxury hotel immersion, a hiking adventure, or a stop on a longer trip around Indonesia. You might even want to visit Bali specifically for one of the many festivals or spiritual celebrations hosted each year.

Bali has a tropical climate with average temperatures hovering between around 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Its two seasons are defined as dry (April to October) and wet (November to March). Here's a general breakdown of Bali's tourist seasons:

• High Seasons:  June to August and November to December
• Shoulder Seasons:  April to May and September to October
• Low Season:  January to March

Below, we've mapped out the best times to go to Bali, depending on how you want to spend your vacation.

Michela Buttignol/Travel+Leisure

Best Times to Visit Bali for Smaller Crowds

January to March is Bali's true off-season. These months can be humid and rainy, which means you won't find crowds in search of perfect beach weather and diving conditions. And because you'll also be avoiding the biggest holiday months (November and December), you'll find the island to be calm and populated by locals and expats.

While the rain brings mosquitos and may take activities like diving and surfing off the table, it's not a deal-breaker if you're in Bali to tour temples, practice yoga, and find pure relaxation. In fact, you might find that the peaceful rain in the Ubud forest adds to the overall serenity of your experience. The jungle and rice paddies thrive in this season — and the magnificent green color and sprouting vegetation are worth seeing.

Best Times to Visit Bali for Good Weather

Sunseekers should time their trip with Bali's dry season, which runs from April to October. During this period, humidity and rain decrease, creating ideal conditions for visiting beaches, surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. It still rains during these months, especially in April, May, and October, but showers are usually short and followed by clear skies. May is one of the hottest months, with an average high of 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the best weather, visit during July and August, the peak of the dry season. With less humidity, these months feel cooler, with an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so they're perfect for enjoying a mix of active adventures and beach time. Those coming to Bali to catch some legendary waves should also aim to visit during the dry season, with June to August bringing larger swells to the main surf spots along the southwest coast.

Daniel Gorostieta/Travel + Leisure

Best Times to Visit Bali for Lower Prices

The busiest and most expensive time in Bali is during the dry season, with hotel prices peaking between June and September. Tourism also sees a boost during the holidays, so you can expect higher hotel prices in November and December.

The most affordable time to visit Bali is from January through March, the rainy-season months that fall outside of the festive season. Hotel prices during this time tend to be lower due to the lack of demand, making it possible to score ocean-view rooms or multi-bedroom villas for a fraction of the price you would pay during the dry season. You may also find deals during the quiet shoulder season months, April and October.

Best Months for Hiking in Bali

If you're traveling to Bali specifically to hike, visiting between April and October is ideal, as the rainy season can cause trails to be muddy and slippery. For those planning to do some waterfall hikes, the best time to visit Bali is in April, May, and June, when the cascades are strong following the wet season, and the days are more likely to be sunny. Hikers who rent motorbikes will also have an easier time zipping around the island during the dry season since the roads can become treacherous in the rain.

Best Time to Hike Mount Batur

Mount Batur is perhaps the most iconic Bali hike. Typically, you'll book through a tour company that will pick you up from your hotel at about 2 a.m. for the 1,717-meter (5,633-foot) trek. You'll summit the active volcano as the sun rises, and depending on your guide, you may even be treated to eggs boiled in the volcanic steam at the top of Mount Batur. The two-hour hike to the summit is best done between May and September to ensure dry weather and clear views.

Best Times to Visit Bali for Festivals

One of the most iconic annual events in Bali is the Bali Arts Festival, which occurs in June and July. Indonesian Independence Day (or Hari Merdeka) falls on August 17 and is commemorated with parades and outdoor celebrations. Keep in mind that if you're traveling for a Hindu celebration, Balinese Hindus often celebrate different holidays than Hindus in India. Galungan, for example, is an important 10-day celebration of the triumph of good over evil (dharma over adharma) that occurs every 210 days according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar. Nyepi, a day of silence, fasting, and meditation before the New Year, typically takes place in March.

Best Months to Visit the Beach in Bali

May to September is the best time to visit Bali for a classic beach vacation. Days tend to be hot, sunny, and dry, creating ideal conditions for snorkeling, diving, and other water sports. However, the drawback of visiting Bali during this period is that most of these months fall within the peak season. The temples, beaches, hotels, and yoga classes will be crowded, so it's likely you won't have as many opportunities to soak up that sweet Balinese serenity you're treated to in the low season.

Worst Times to Visit Bali

Of course, those looking for a quintessential Bali vacation with plenty of sunshine and outdoor activities will want to avoid the rainy season (especially during the wettest months, December and January). At this time of year, it's common to experience choppy seas, muddy trails, and afternoon storms, which can quite literally put a damper on your plans. However, travelers looking to spend their days practicing yoga, visiting temples, or enjoying cultural experiences indoors may prefer the quieter atmosphere.

Due to higher levels of precipitation, mosquitos can be particularly prolific in the rainy season and the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses (like dengue fever) increases accordingly. If you do plan to visit during the wet season, bug repellant is a must-have on your pack list — especially when hiking in the jungle. Some locals also drink lemongrass tea, which is believed to be a natural insect repellent.

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