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The Greek Islands evoke dreamy visions of ethereal sunsets, impossibly clear waters, historical marvels and glorious cuisine. With more than 200 islands to choose from, it can be a mammoth task to narrow down which to add to your travel bucket list. Read on for our pick of the best Greek Islands.
The largest Greek Island: Crete
As the largest of the Greek Islands, Crete offers plenty of natural and historical jewels to uncover. Stroll along rose-tinged sands at the spectacular Elafonisi beach, hop between white-washed villages, olive groves and vineyards, then taste your way through the island’s gourmet specialties, ranging from flaky sarikopitakia (cheese pie) to honey-drenched loukoumades (Greek donuts).
History buffs also need to add Crete to the top of their list. The island was home to the first advanced society in Europe during the Bronze Age – the Minoan civilisation. Visit the Palace of Knossos (the capital of Minoan Crete) and the Heraklion Museum for a deeper insight into the island’s captivating past.
The best Greek Island for sunsets: Santorini
Santorini’s famed white-and-blue buildings cascade down a cliffside, turquoise waters lap at striking black volcanic sands, and labyrinthine streets conceal endless boutiques and cosy eateries. Hire a quad bike and zip across the island, following long stretches of road that encircle the island’s perimeter, and discover hidden beaches and breathtaking viewpoints.
And for the crown jewel, nothing compares to a sunset at Oia. Expect crowds (with good reason) but get to the village’s famous spot near Oia Castle early to secure your front-row seats to nature’s best light show.
Lesser-known Greek Islands: Milos and Astypalaia
For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, opt for Milos Island, where lunar plains of chalk-white rock, hidden lagoons and Instagrammable towns will leave you speechless. In Klima village, colour-splashed fisherman houses are tucked into cliffs overlooking emerald waters, while Kleftiko’s pirate-hideout cliffs and crystalline coves are accessible only by boat.
Floating between the Cyclades and Dodecanese, Astypalaia – coined the Butterfly of the Aegean – offers quiet authenticity without the crowds. Blue-domed churches, whitewashed streets and windmills still offer a slice of the classic Greek idyll, yet you may just get a secluded beach or cove all to yourself. What sets the island apart is not just its charm, but its forward-thinking stride: as Greece’s pioneering “smart island”, it’s rolling out shared electric cars, e-bikes and busses with a view to clean living.
The best Greek Island for nightlife: Mykonos
For those seeking dazzling scenery and coastline without sacrificing on late night revelry, Mykonos delivers just that in spades. Head into Mykonos Town (Chora), where you’ll snap that perfect shot of the famous windmills, pearl-toned houses and cobbled alleyways.
Take an amble down Matogianni Street, shadowed by vivid climbing bougainvillea, where you’ll find souvenir shops and jewellery boutiques by day and tavernas serving up mouthwatering souvlaki and gyros by night. Once the sun dips below the horizon, nightclubs beckon with major-league DJs, tropical cocktails and dancing till dawn.
The best Greek Island for history and culture: Corfu
Corfu stands apart with a cultural tapestry shaped by Venetian, French and British rule. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is sandwiched between two Venetian fortresses that withstood attacks by the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s. Uncover its myriad streets and narrow alleyways, and peruse the medieval squares, old churches, Achilleion Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Spyridon.
Add to this the beauty of picture-perfect coves like Paleokastritsa and Glyfada – where opaline Ionian waters meet verdant hillsides – and a gastronomic soul rooted in rich Venetian-Balkan dishes such as pastitsada (rooster-or-beef stew in spiced tomato sauce), sofrito (veal poached in garlic-white wine sauce), and bourdeto (spicy scorpion-fish stew).
The best Greek Island for ancient ruins and family fun: Kos
It becomes almost commonplace to stumble upon Greek ruins during your days on the blissful island of Kos. The ancient physician Hippocrates spent some of his career training on Kos at the Asklepion during the fifth century. Visit these archaic columns, built in honour of Asclepius, the god of medicine.
For a blast of family fun, go north to Tigaki Beach, where ten kilometres of soft, golden sand and shallow crystal-clear waters make for the perfect spot to unwind with the little ones.
The best Greek Island for hidden treasures: Zakynthos
The Greek Island of Zakynthos (also known as Zante) is a treasure trove of wonders, from its white-sand beaches to the natural beauty of the Greek National Marine Park and its abundance of sea turtles.
The island is best known for Navagio (Shipwreck Cove), a gleaming white beach cradled by limestone cliffs. Here, you’ll find the remains of the MV Panagiotis, a container ship that sunk in 1980. See the cove from a higher vantage at Navagio Beach View, or board a boat cruise from Porto Vromi, Agios Nikolaos Port in Volimes or Zakynthos Town to see the shipwreck at eye-level.
At the northern tip of the island, at Skinari harbour, you’ll discover boat departures for the Blue Caves, a magnificent set of limestone sea caves and natural arches accessible only by water. On arrival at the caves, jump into the azure waters and gaze up at the flickering blue lights bouncing off the cave walls – simply magic.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Uncover Greece’s Best-Kept Secret: The Peloponnese Peninsula.
