Which islands should i visit in greece

Kythira is often thought of as one of the main Ionian Islands and a beautiful spot to explore. Kefalonia or Cephalonia is a pretty hilly island that has some of the most dramatic and rugged coastlines across all of the Greek islands. Afterwards, make sure to spot the Melissani Cave and visit Myrtos Beach, too. Read more: Best things to do on Kefalonia. The tiny Cyclades island of Anafi is something of a hidden gem when it comes to the best Greek islands to visit. Before visiting Samos , I had no idea on what to expect.

This alone makes it a beautiful and tranquil island to spend a week whilst in Greece. Oh, and head to Samos Town and wander the historic promenade. Finally, after all that exploring, head to Stella which is something of a hidden gem on the island. The setting is beautiful, where you can have dinner overlooking the groves and Samos itself. Read more: The best things to do in Samos. For some reason, Ithica has a range of names that can make it a little confusing to first locate.

If you want to lean into the chilled out vibe, pop over to Gedaki or Sarakiniko Beach, both of which are great places to spend an afternoon relaxing. Alternatively, stroll through the charming Kioni Harbour and head for a drink in one of the local tavernas. Read more: Best things to see in mainland Greece. Puppy Defender. Chocolate Fiend and Custard Lover. Dip, Cover or Wrap anything in sugar and I'm Yours! Email address:. Facebook Twitter Instagram pinterest Bloglovin. Travel , Travel Advice.

So is the Lindos Acropolis, 50 kilometers south. Getting there: About 13 hours by ferry from Piraeus, or an hour by plane from Athens. What to see: Situated slightly southwest of Mykonos from which there is boat service , Delos was an ancient cult center and is now home to a sprawling and spectacular archaeological site.

Myth alert! Sun-drenched Delos was among other things the mythological birthplace of Apollo, Greek god of light and other things , and according to a different kind of myth it was a piece of Sicily that went missing until Poseidon made it stay put here in the Cyclades.

What to see: A longtime favorite Mediterranean holiday island, Kos is also a cultural heavyweight and birthplace of Hippocrates. The ruins of the Asclepieon, a sprawling temple of healing, are a must.

What to see: The beautiful Church of Panaghia Evangelistria in Tinos port is the focal point of an important yearly pilgrimage every August 15 Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Getting there: About four and a half hours by ferry from Piraeus, shorter from Rafina. Close to Syros and Mykonos, Tinos has seen its star rise on account of its relaxed vibe and interesting, hilly landscapes such as the eerie boulders of Volax. What to see: The crater at the center of the island is the sight to see, but the soft island charm of Mandraki and volcanic sand beaches will also stop you in your tracks.

Amorgos is a kind of flax. What to see: The pretty main town of Apollonia in the center of the island, home to many fine restaurants, and the arhontika mansions in the seaside Kastro. Getting there: The Seajet from Piraeus can take as little as two hours and nine minutes to reach Sifnos. Getting there: You better like boats. A lot. That said, if you want to break up the journey you can travel there via Crete. From Mediterranean parrotfish to delicious Kasiot cheeses, the island is full of locavore foodie delights.

What to see: The historic and bustling cities of Heraklion and Hania, Minoan palace ruins at Knossos and Phaistos, spectacular stretches of Cretan coast. Cretan cuisine is so diverse and reliably good that locals regularly ship homegrown and homecooked items to their family members living in Athens and elsewhere in Greece.

Powered by: Relevance Developed by: Stonewave. Editor's Pick. Toggle navigation. Greece Is Editor's Pick. Where to stay: Hotel Kivotos, on Ornos Bay, is removed from the hubbub, set on a hill with steps down to a peaceful rocky beach, and is an ideal refuge to refuel and recharge. The cool rooms have clear Lucite chairs, LED lights in the floors sounds tacky, but looks appropriately festive , a pool with a small circular bar, and most importantly, an energetic, attractive young staff that will give you the scoop on the best night spots.

Best traditional village life: Naxos. The largest island in the Cyclades has a string of swoon-worthy beaches on its west coast, a Venetian castle in its main town, some interesting ruins and great local produce and dairy. But what sets it apart from the other islands are its traditional villages.

When you leave Chora, where the ferries berth, the pull of village life is evident -- note the sign at the outskirts of town that simply reads "Villages. Each has a bakery or cafe, a village square where old men with sun-creased faces sit around on tables drinking coffee and trading stories and an immaculately preserved church or two.

The hamlets are tucked among the hills and the switchback road that crisscrosses the island. Kinidaros is famous for its bakery the best on the island, the oven fired by wood and musicians; Chalki has the excellent artisanal jam shop Era; locals come to the cobble-stoned streets of Apeiranthos to eat the crepes at Samardako; Keramoti sits in a valley, seemingly cut off from civilization, but it's also the base for hikes to Routsouna waterfall.

Since most tourists don't venture inland, the villages haven't succumbed to money-grabbing gimmicks. Where to stay: Set away from the coast, Naxian Collection has good views of Chora, a handful of typical Cycladic white cubist villas with private pools, an on-site organic garden with fresh strawberries and breakfasts large enough to keep you going all day.

The likeable owner Ioannis Margaritis was born and raised on the island, so he knows everything about, and everyone on, Naxos -- literally.

If you're lucky, he'll take you to a barbecue at his friend's house in one of the villages. Best kiteboarding and windsurfing: Paros. The constant wind on Paros is evident as the ferry approaches the island -- you can see giant turbine fans steadily cartwheeling on the north coast. While Paros might be as cosmopolitan at Mykonos without the Louis Vuitton and Diesel stores and pretty enough to attract Hollywood royalty Tom Hanks purchased a house in the neighborhood, on sister island Andiparos , the real draw here is the force of nature.

During the summer, the Meltemi winds blaze down through the Aegean, supplying welcome breezes for beachgoers, but also creating conditions ripe for windsurfing and kiteboarding. The winds peak in intensity during July and August; the five-mile channel that divides Paros from its neighbor Naxos funnels the Meltemi to glorious effect.

For newbies, mornings are the best time to learn, when the wind is steady but tame. By early afternoon, when the gusts pick up and continue till dusk, pro boarders and windsurfers skim and bounce along the water.

Visitors should time their visit around the island's most important festivity, on August 15, celebrating the Virgin Mary's ascension to heaven and culminating in a giant fireworks display mounted on boats in the bay of the port town Parikia. Where to stay: Poseidon of Paros mixes whitewashed Cycladic architecture with flagstone walls, and is strategically poised between Golden and New Golden beaches you'll see windsurfers shredding the water during afternoon drinks.

The place also does a steady business with weddings. Best beaches: Milos. Every islander has their favorite beach, but none of the Cyclades promises the number and diversity of beaches as volcanic Milos. Some have white sand, some black, some are rocky, others offer the satisfying sensation of crushed shells underfoot, with water ranging from emerald to aquamarine to cobalt blue.

With a heavily indented coastline on a map Milos resembles a mutated crab and pretty little coves at every turn, Milos has about 80 fine beaches, many only accessible by boat. Another Ionian island is Corfu.

It is located in the northern Ionian Sea and you can arrive there by airplane. In Corfu, you will certainly love the old town with Venetian architecture. When you walk in this town, you feel like you are in a different era.

Not only this, but in Corfu, you will also enjoy long road trips. That is to say, you can arrive at wonderful beaches after amazing drives. Most important, in Corfu, you will never feel bored. To clarify, you have the chance to participate in different activities. For example, you may want to do some watersports. Moreover, cooking or ceramic classes are often organized for people who are interested in learning something new and different.

If you love parties and would like to meet the Greek nightlife, Ios is the best choice. To clarify, you will enjoy your drinks or breezy cocktails with the best view of the island. Each bar or nightclub here is certainly unique. Moreover, in Ios, there are also wonderful beaches.

Mylopotas is one of them. So, get ready to enjoy and have fun on sandy beaches and clear seawater. Finally, at many beaches, you can find a lot of watersports to do and raise your adrenaline. That is to say, Ios is one of the top islands to visit in Greece. Extreme Sports Sightseeing Daytrips to Turkey. Kos is one of the biggest islands located in the Dodecanese.

It has a really long history. So, if you visit Kos, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most historic places in Greece, Asklepion. This is the place where Hippocrates was teaching medicine in ancient times. Further, in Kos, you will enjoy swimming in amazing seawater and admire the long beaches.

Keep in mind that Kos is located directly opposite the popular Bodrum in Turkey. This means that you can easily visit this place by taking a day trip.